Movie Review : The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Movie Review : The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Plot:

The Silence of the Lambs is an American thriller directed by Jonathan Demme and is based on a Thomas Harris Novel of the same kind. It is the second novel depicting the infamous Dr. Hannibal Lecter.

The movie was released in 1991 and is to date considered top class horror by its audience and world critics.

Director has however made some important changes to the main plot of the novel and shown a new perspective.

Clarice Starling is an FBI trainee sent to a violent psychopath Hannibal the Cannibal for help, upon finding her interesting he unveils some dog-eared pages of history to Clarice which would help her save senator’s daughter from the raging Buffalo Bill, only thing she has to do is to link the scattered pieces of information together.

Everything goes smooth until Dr. Hannibal is taken from his asylum to a Tennessee to help the senator himself without Clarice in between. He fleds the cage killing a few people and goes into a title hideout.

Will Clarice be able to decipher the information she poured out of Dr. Lecter, ultimately saving the day?

The changes that director brought into the story of book are of major character. Totally skipping some most important details from the plot did affect the theme of the movie but even after that it remains chartbuster and Oscar winning! Wonder why? Lets get deep into it.

Review:

Some bits of many reasons why you might Love The Silence of the Lambs: 

About The Cast: Casting Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter and getting the best out of him is a victory for the movie. If there was someone who could play the creepy manhunter in the same eerie and mysterious yet heroistic style it would be none other than him. He was the first Oh! factor of the movie and from the very first scene he’s stuck to mind, getting ready some nice material for tonight’s nightmare. Then there is Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling. The first look of the pretty lady takes you back to the book (if you’ve read it) and rings the bell of perfection in your ear. The look throughout the movie was in accordance to the book. The performance was even more toned. 

At some points however the point of boldness in Clarice slips out of Foster’s hand but she gains it back as the movie proceeds. She created the sense of delicacy as well as bravery which her role completely demanded. Clarice’s shoes were a total fit to Jodie and so she was my favorite and i prefer her over Julianne Moore who played Clarice in the sequel. Now the villain, Ted Levine as Buffalo Bill was another step towards making this movie a huge one. He transformed himself into the psycho serial killer who kills victims for a very different motive. The mood that he adds to the movie with first class acting and that voice!

The Competitive Advantage: Amongst thousand horror and thriller, this one remains on top for so many years. The superiority that it has over others is the impeccable storyline, remarkable creepiness of the anti-hero, a very rare kind of serial killer, screaming spring lambs and their savior, the quid pro quo, the basement, huge girls who need to apply lotions and the screen which shows all this in a flow of events which prints into mind like an unpleasant memory yet some well spent wealth! This movie is no-prisoner-held in order of its brutal scenes and uncomfortable moments. After adding Anthony Hopkins to all this, What else do we need?

But not everything is as flawless as it looks. There is a caution for the ones who are watching it after reading the book: You won’t find The Video of Mama in it along with many small yet important details such as Catherine Martin’s room sweep by Starling and her convo with Senator, the story of the head in the jar is also manipulated and there is no sailor who was killed in exotic sexual intercourse instead the head belongs to Benjamin Raspail who ‘wasn’t’ killed by Dr. Lecter. And now the most important one; No Maroon Eyes for Hannibal!!!!

With all the above stuff missing the movie becomes a little disappointing for book nerds but remains a big favorite and watch-over-again flick! But if you haven’t read the book first it’s just breath-takingly good!

The movie has won multiple Oscars and is without any ado a number one thriller.

I felt the adrenaline rush and chills run through my body during the whole movie and it just reached the epitome in finale.

For the sake of the effect those cold blue eyes of Hannibal had on me, 

I would rate it as:

****1/2

Reviewed by : Adina Farid

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Movie Review : Step Up 4 (2014)

Movie Review : Step Up 4 (2014)

Plot:

Step Up Revolution also known as Step Up: Miami Heat is the fourth installment in the Step Up series. It’s a 3D Dance movie directed by John M. Chu.

Just like the past movie this one is also based on dancing for a change.

 ‘The Mob’ is flash mob which performs dancing acts on the street and other places of Miami and becomes very famous, however the members remain unidentified.

Emily is the daughter of a big building tycoon but has an obsessive interest for dance and declines to go further with any more corporate studies.

Sean is the leader of mob and works in Dinmont Hotel as waiter. He and his crew are locals of a Miami slum. He meets Emily and is soon they both become friends. Sean introduces Emily to the Mob and she asks to join them for the next act. She does pretty well and is welcomed whole-heartedly in the club Mob.

Soon enough the news gets out that Emily’s father Bill Anderson plans to deconstruct their slum. The Mob flinches at the news but they don’t know Emily’s ID and decide to go on with her plan of performing a protesting act at the next town meeting held for the deconstruction of slum.

Later when it doesn’t bring any change they find out about Emily’s real ID and plan a dangerous mob without her resulting in arrest of the members.

After they are bailed out, Bill announces to build a community instead of a plaza.

The movie ends with past Step Up stars joining up for an outstanding dance act.

Review:

This movie can be considered as the best of Step Up series till date.

The dance which is the central idea for the movie is more than just great. The acts are stupendously well performed and the tracks are just love to the ears.

Talk about the characters in it, Ryan Guzman and Kathryn McCormick show us an extraordinary chemistry there. The acting is above average but dance beats every flaw in that movie.

Now the mobs: the movie takes it start with a street mob, oh! what they did with the cars there makes you gasp and with every change of music you wanna get up to your feet and that is just a starter! The protest mob is a feast to eyes! The corporate dancing figures were just awesome, the placid faces moving identically to the beat were commendable. The restaurant mob is favorite.

This flick has a flat seen-before kind of a plot but the dance keeps the spirit up. Obviously when you go for a movie like Step Up would you like to decorate the screen other than dance.

It is fancy bright-colored movie which doesn’t let the entertainment factor go down the meter. It doesn’t demand any effort to understand the script and use your brain to decipher the drama but simply serves you with heartwarming acts and deep beauty of dance.

I just loved Kathryn’s dance act on ‘I wanna dance without you’ and enjoy it everytime its on the screen so for me this movie deserves

***⅕

Reviewed by Adina Farid

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Movie Review: Highway (2014)

Movie Review: Highway (2014)

Plot:

Written and directed by Imtiaz Ali, Highway is an Indian film released in 2014 with high hopes and expectations towards Imtiaz’s story and A.R Rahman’s music.

Its a movie about a rich urban girl Veera Tripathi (Alia Bhatt) whose accidentally kidnapped a day before her wedding. As her captors come to know the truth about her father’s power and sources they panic. However, Mahabir Bhati (Randeep Hooda) would not let it slip easily from his hands and is all set to antagonize her family in order to avenge his hate towards the rich.

Everything that comes later on to the screen unfolds the extraordinary characters stuck into a situation which is unlikely but true.

By abducting Veera Mahabir has originally set her free. She is not afraid of her captor, instead she lives a life full of adventures and far from the heavy curtains of class oriented family which gave her nothing more than a troubled childhood. On the other hand Mahabir is a poor deprived village boy who saw his own mother being molested by a rich officer and bears only hate for the rich.

The movie is a clash of two different worlds but it flatly leaves the anomalies behind and creates a world of raw fantasy as the truck moves forward exploring the beauties of Highway.

Review:

Highway sends us home with an urge to live life in its purest form. To take off the mask of an urbanite and be free for at least once in life.

Imtiaz Ali has created a movie which is all slow serene and raw to its fullest, if you go with the critics you might not want to admit that aven after the low ratio of high pitched entertainment this movie is better than many. Highway is perfect as it is. Its not a typical lovestory, to be honest its a kind of cinema which has created two opinions. Its simplicity and unhurried details are a beauty to eyes. Highway cannot be considered as a streamlined road movie or a previously witnessed romantic thriller, it is a whole new experience on a long highway all the way up to the mountains.

If the best thing about movie is asked, there lies one name on top of everything that is Alia Bhatt. She was born to play Veera Tripathi. The life that she brought to the character is genuine. No matter how badly Karan Johar spoiled her acting skills in the good for nothing ‘Student Of The Year’ Alia managed to throw it all back with her outstanding performance of a girl who’s real, who doesn’t need any makeover to feed on to, who is wild, soft and raw at the same time. A thousand thumbs up and hats off to her!

Randeep Hooda as Mahabir Bhati was a hit choice by the director as he never leaves the feel of his character and the Haryanvi boy accent is commendable. All in all Mahabir becomes him!

The second best thing of Highway is the precious pure and perfect music! The duo of Imtiaz Ali and A.R Rahman striked again with a blow of chartbusting tracks like Patakha Guddi and Maahi Ve. Rahman also used the local folk singers they met on the way which adds to the feel of the movie. Cherry on top is a lullaby sung by Pakistani pop singer Zeb Bangash and Alia Bhatt called Sooha Saha.

It was frequently said that Highway is an unbelievable story, far from possibility. But what do they know about the strange things that happen on the way. Life is all about coincidence. Either we accept it or not Strange Things Do Happen.

Highway has the kind of happy ending we seldom see.

This movie is a must watch.

“I neither want to go back to the place from where you brought me, nor to the place where you are going to take me, but this road is very good, i don't want to leave it.” 

I loved the journey, so I will without any hesitation rate this movie:

****

Reviewed by Adina Farid

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Book Review : The Other Side Of Midnight by Sidney Sheldon

Book Review : The Other Side Of Midnight
by Sidney Sheldon

Plot:

Novel by one of World’s favorite storyteller, Sidney Sheldon. This epic tale is a story of two women born far away from each other but linked closely by fate. One of them being the most beautiful powerful and wild Noelle Page and the other being the smart brainy and unaware of the mysteries that beauty and sexuality beholds, Catherine Alexander.

Noelle has a tough start to life as she struggles to become something she thinks she is. On the way road to success, moving past/with different men she finds the one who’s ‘the one’ the American RAF pilot Lawrence "Larry" Douglas.

She has a nice warm affair with him but soon he leaves her, alone and pregnant, dressed up for wedding.

She then swears on her life to take everything away from Larry which would quench the thirst of her rage starting from his unborn child.

Larry meets Catherine and gets married to her soon after. This is when Noelle meets the Powerful Constantin Demiris (Costa) and finds her way to go to the extreme limit and destroy everything. Everything. Including herself.

Review:

“If you don't know why, I could never explain it to you.”

Written by the pen of Sheldon, this one beholds a tale of deception and rage which eventually results in doom. One of the great thing about this book is the drama and theme of it. The strong storyline and bewitching characters may be a part of fiction but never once you feel them far from reality or you don’t want them to be.

The character of Noelle Page is the protagonist. She has a different nature, the one you would want to know more about. Sidney creates an aura of mystery around her and even when she does evil you can not disagree to her moves keeping in mind all that she had to bear. the rise and fall in her career is a mirror to a struggler’s life.

The story is different. Theme is fantastic and to sum it up this book is a must read.

“To be successfull you need friends and to be very successfull you need enemies.” 

I would give this one of my two introductory books of Sidney Sheldon (the other being ‘Stars shine down)

a whole-hearted:

****1/2

Reviewed by Adina Farid

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TV Series Review : One Tree Hill

TV Series Review : One Tree Hill

Plot:

One of the longest running American Drama series, the one to die for, One Tree Hill is originally a story of one’s belonging. Its is about a place call Tree Hill and the not so ordinary citizens.

The series started with the focal point of rivalry between two half brothers Lucas and Nathan Scott and soon became high school teenage tale of America’s most famous teenagers; the most beautiful gorgeous & Lucas’s Pretty Girl Brooke Davis, the smart but confused yet the most desirable Peyton Sawyer, the tutor girl meets the funny meets the hot and honest friend Haley James and her Basketball star bf Nathan Scott, last but not least the storyteller Lucas Scott.

The series went on and on from that point focusing numerous love affairs, crazy and unforgettable new characters, brilliant basketball players, evil dads, gorgeous designers, uncountable heartbreaks, peppy rock stars and all the way down to the cute next generation of Tree Hill teens: Jamie Scott (Haley & Nathan’s son).

To sum up the 10 years of successful run there is only one statement One Tree Hill doesn't focus exclusively on the teenagers, but also stretches out to include dedicated subplots for their parents and other adults.

Review: 

You ever heard the expression “the best things in life are free”? Well, that expression is true. Every once in a while, people step up they rise above themselves…sometimes they surprise you and sometimes they fall short. Life is funny sometimes.

The characters in this drama series are unique attracting and different. Somehow we get to see the youth of the new world and how it evolves from the high school routine life to the exposure of practical world. Some survive this evolution while some remain tied to the roots of home front. The Series showed us Brooke Davis & Haley getting everything they want and also Peyton Sawyer fighting the troubled family setting. 

Then to the male characters we saw Lucas & Nathan on the road to success with a ton of turmoils. About the adult cast the evil dad Dan Scott is a constant villain while Deb struggles her way out of a troublesome marriage. It is a series that survived too long and enjoyed full interest of audience. It leaves memories and moments that are worthwhile.

One Tree Hill is tv’s most loved shows ever. The music, the story everything is upto expectations. Its a dreamland, a wish for a perfect teen life. It attracts every kind of audience with the story that it conveys.

There is no reason to rate it any less than five stars and every reason to watch it again and again, the story of never ending friendship never becomes old, the songs have an ever lasting aura.

So yes, a straight:

*****

Reviewed by Adina Farid

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Book Review : The Silence Of The Lambs by Thomas Harris

Book Review : The Silence Of The Lambs 

by Thomas Harris

Plot:

Clarice Starling, the young and smart FBI trainee is called up to present a psychological research related questionnaire to the brilliant psychiatrist as well as a cannibalistic murderer Dr. Hannibal Lecter.

The real intention being assistance in the most recent killer hunt who has tried to escape every FBI trap and is continuously murdering girls to make a hide out of their skin. Buffalo Bill is a complete anonymous as he leaves no sign of evidence after getting complete with his victims and disposing them in river.

However Jack Crawford, Clarice’s boss knows it well that Hannibal Lecter knows more than much about the out and about of Buffalo Bill and uses the smart mouth trainee Clarice who soon becomes an integral part of this case to trick Lecter into uttering out truth.

The book is more surprising and full of 440 volts shock waves and unravels like a flower in our minds. It is raw but interesting just like moths.

Review:

“Over this odd world, this half the world that's dark now, I have to hunt a thing that lives on tears.” 

There is no doubt in this novel being one of the most greatest horror thriller ever written.
The theme of this novel is one of the most unusual kind but never fails the reality. The drama and mystery that it creates is like a thick fog which almost leaves you paralysed to go back to the real world until you’ve read the very end.
It would be an understatement to say that this book leaves an impact on mind because it certainly becomes the favorite of every thriller you ever read.

“Problem-solving is hunting; it is savage pleasure and we are born to it.” 

This book is a deep study of human psychology which insists that we work hard and wish to go to any level to solve a query which refers to the ghosts of our past and a solution to which will result in the Silence of the screams that we hear everyday in our mind.

“The intimacy of the detail - why The Silence of the Lambs is quite possibly the Thriller Writer's bible.” 

This book is pure addiction, silenced my lambs!

So I’d be too mean to rate it any less.

*****

Reviewed by Adina Farid

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Book Review : The Geography Of You And Me by Jennifer E. Smith

Book Review : The Geography Of You And Me 

by Jennifer E. Smith

“And this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart 

I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)” -- E.E. Cummings

Book Synopsis:

Lucy and Owen meet somewhere between the tenth and eleventh floors of a New York City apartment building, on an elevator rendered useless by a citywide blackout. After they're rescued, they spend a single night together, wandering the darkened streets and marveling at the rare appearance of stars above Manhattan. But once the power is restored, so is reality. Lucy soon moves to Edinburgh with her parents, while Owen heads out west with his father.

Lucy and Owen's relationship plays out across the globe as they stay in touch through postcards, occasional e-mails, and -- finally -- a reunion in the city where they first met.

A carefully charted map of a long-distance relationship, Jennifer E. Smith's new novel shows that the center of the world isn't necessarily a place. It can be a person, too.

Review:

I started reading this book online today and completed it right now. There's something about this book that is addictive; I just couldn't stop reading it once I started. There was instantly something so simple, sweet and adorable about the entire scenario, getting stuck in a lift with someone, and how those few seconds’ difference could have made the biggest of changes, yet Lucy and Owen were such realistic characters, and they brought this naive and spontaneous nature to themselves that made the story what it was. There's something kind of wonderful about the thought of meeting someone in a lift, and being stuck with them and their company throughout what should have been one of the most scary experiences of somebody's life, and to then share that moment for a whole night, in the middle of a New York City blackout with defrosting ice cream and a sky full of stars, is just magical. Smith managed to make the whole thing so believable and almost like a conscious thought that I was so lost and wrapped up in the whole story from chapter one; I couldn't have asked for anything better.

Their story, written across the globe in miles and postcards, via lakes and rivers, from New York to the hills of Edinburgh, the Point Zero in Paris, London, the seaport of Seattle, right back to New York, to the night they met, for me, couldn't have been more perfect. 

It covered the aspect of growing away from people, moving on with life, taking what live throws at you, living your dreams and how your dreams aren't always what you want in the end. Something about family, the difference between having someone and not having someone, having something, somewhere, a part of you lost everywhere you've been and being happy with it. Owen and Lucy grew so much as people, growing as they learnt from their wrong relationships, growing into themselves and the journeys they took over nine months, growing as they learnt from each others’ lessons, and growing to meet each other once more.

There was something so honest and perfect about this story, something so sweet and lovable, something so amazing about trekking across the world to find that home isn't a place, it's a person, and a feeling, a pull to something better.

Some Great Quotes From the Book:

• “He was like one of her novels, still unfinished and best understood in the right place and at the right time. She already couldn’t wait to read the rest.”

•“Sometimes it seemed as if his whole life was an exercise in waiting; not waiting to leave, exactly, but simply waiting to go. He felt like one of those fish that had the capacity to grow in unimaginable ways if only the tank were big enough. But his tank had always been small, and as much as he loved his home- as much as he loved his family- he'd always felt himself bumping up against the edges of his own life.”

• “But there's no such thing as a completely fresh start. Everything new arrives on the heels of something old, and every beginning comes at the cost of an ending.”

•“There's a difference between loneliness and solitude.”

This book seems to be quite underrated but it took me places, and I enjoyed in the simplicity it offered.

 I’ll rate it with:

****

Reviewed by Fouzia Umer

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Official Trailer : Hellion (2014)

Official Trailer : Hellion (2014)

Hellion is the story of a Single Dad who keep on drinking and ruining his life and his sons too. 

During his time on Breaking Bad, Aaron Paul seems to have mastered the art of playing sympathetic screw-ups. He plays yet another one in the upcoming Hellion, which debuted at Sundance earlier this year.

Movie Poster : Hellion

Written and directed by Kat Candler, the bleak drama centers around single dad Hollis (Paul) and the two sons he’s barely raising — teenage Jacob (Josh Wiggins) and the younger Wes (Deke Garner). When Wes gets taken away by Child Protective Services, Hollis and Jacob must take responsibility to bring him back. 

This Film is Releasing in Theater and Itunes on June 13 and is highly Reviewed in Sundance Film Festival.

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Official Trailer : The Immigrant (2014)

Official Trailer : The Immigrant (2014)

Despite being released in many countries last year, director James Gray’s ‘The Immigrant‘ finally heads to North American theaters this summer. In case there are any doubts (and this movie has been floating around for long enough to generate those kinds of doubts), a new trailer arrived for your viewing pleasure.

Taking place in New York City circa 1921, Marion Cotillard plays Ewa, a Polish immigrant who falls under the spell of Joaquin Phoenix‘s vile Bruno. Desperate to get her sister out of quarantine at Ellis Island, she becomes a dancer and a prostitute. When her life seems to be at rock bottom, Jeremy Renner‘s Emil, a professional magician and Bruno’s cousin, enters the picture.

You’d think a period drama with a trio of actors as strong as Cotillard, Phoenix and Renner would have been snatched up immediately in 2013 and promoted as a major awards contender, so it’s odd to see distributors dragging their feet on ‘The Immigrant.’ James Gray is a capable director (although more popular in Europe than the United States) and this dramatic, dreary story sounds like a wonderfully dreary time at the movies.

‘The Immigrant’ enters limited release on May 16, and will presumably be available to watch through other avenues soon after.

Book Review: Casual Vacancy By J.K Rowling

Book Review: Casual Vacancy 

By J.K Rowling

Review:

Utterly out of the Blue Rowling chose a very different subject this time to suit her pen, Politics.

It is pretty hard to believe that J.K Rowling could write a novel so different from the bestseller & historical series of Harry Potter but on the other hand she seems to master the art of telling story as The Casual Vacancy is gripping from start till end apart from its rather dry subject.

When in a small town of England a casual vacancy arises after the death of councilman the whole town except some suffers deep misery. The story sheds light on many of the social problems that they go through including drugs, prostitution, rape and the class differences.

The story revolves around and we get to see how the councilman’s character was important to the people of Pagford & how instead of being able to live a fulfilled life the children in town were enduring the suffering which came from the negative attitude of their parents.

This novel is a reflection to bad parenting, breaking marriage, crushing hope and the power of suppressed aggression.

The Casual Vacancy has set records & has every reason to be in your book shelf.

Rowling is at her very best in her first experiment with adult fiction.

A touch of deep & classy literature after a long time.

I would rate this one:
****

Reviewed by Adina Farid

Book Review : Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

Book Review : Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

By Rachel Cohn , David Levithan

Plot:

“I’ve left some clues for you.

If you want them, turn the page.

If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Review: 

Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares is the perfect Christmas read. It took me around New York in the busiest time of the year with Dash’s abhorrence versus Lily’s ecstasy for the holidays. Dash and Lily are the total opposites. Dash never recovered from his parents’ nasty divorce; Lily stayed at home while her parents celebrated their second honeymoon in Fiji. Dash reveled in being alone; Lily is scared of not having anybody. Dash is articulate; Lily is stumped on how to talk to boys (and girls!) her age. But they do have something in common – they love to read. and they wanted to believe that there is someone out there existing just for them. So cute.

I loved Dash‘s character more than Lily’s. His has a certain sadness and hope at the same time. I relished reading his POV because it’s very entertaining to see the switch of his train of thought from simple things to contemplative ones. I loved the scenes where,

 (1) he’s feeling up Santa,
 (2) he’s being interrogated by Aunt Ida, and
(3) he’s being lectured by Boomer, of all people. 

Dash is very charming in this unobtrusive way that makes being snarly so endearing.

Lily is the odd girl. Wearing her school uniform even during weekends with her worn chucks, she already accepted her eccentricity years ago. But after reading Dash’s writings in her notebook, she thought that maybe it’s time to get out of her family’s comfort and venture to a normal teenage life. I found it funny that she’s this dogwalker who also loves hanging out with her Grandpa’s friends but can give the middle finger on a whim.

Boomer, Aunt Ida, and Mark are secondary characters that made me laugh in more ways i thought possible. I love how they are solid and yet they do not overpower the main characters.

Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares is a story of what could be the machinings of first love set in snow-capped New York. Dash & Lily’s mismatches left me light-hearted and hopeful. I just felt good after reading it.

Some Awesome Qoutes From The Book :

-“You think fairy tales are only for girls? Here's a hint - ask yourself who wrote them. I assure you, it wasn't just the women. It's the great male fantasy - all it takes is one dance to know that she's the one. All it takes is the sound of her song from the tower, or a look at her sleeping face. And right away you know - this is the girl in your head, sleeping or dancing or singing in front of you. Yes, girls want their princes, but boys want their princesses just as much. And they don't want a very long courtships. They want to know immediately.”

-“The important people in our lives leave imprints. They may stay or go in the physical realm, but they are always there in your heart, because they helped form your heart. There's no getting over that.”

-“But isn't this a dance? Isn't all of this a dance? Isn't that what we do with words? Isn't that what we do when we talk, when we spar, when we make plans or leave it to chance? Some of it's choreographed. Some of the steps have been done for ages. And the rest -- the rest is spontaneous. The rest has to be decided on the floor, in the moment, before the music ends.”

I will rate this Book
****

Review by Fouzia Umer

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Movie Review: Stoker (2013)

Movie Review: Stoker (2013)

Plot:

This stylishly spooky psycho-thriller has a well known story of a historically freaky family of the Stokers where India Stoker met her weird but ruggedly handsome uncle Charlie who just appeared out of the blue right after her father’s death & decided to stay with them (India & her unstable mother) as per ritual of a thriller.

Charlie tells them that he’s been travelling the world ever since and seems to be a very interesting character. Shortly after Charlie moves in, India witnesses him argue with Mrs. McGarrick , the head caretaker of the house. Mrs. McGarrick then disappears. Charlie and Evelyn grow closer and intimate while India continues to rebuff Charlie's attempts to befriend her. Later, India's great aunt Gwendolyn arrives to visit the family, much to Evelyn and Charlie's dismay. At dinner, Gwendolyn shows surprise at Charlie's claims of traveling the world and tells Evelyn that she needs to talk to her about Charlie.

Gwendolyn ends up changing hotels due to an unexplained fear and suspicion of Charlie. However, she loses her cell phone and tries to call the Stokers' home from her hotel payphone. While she is making her call, Charlie tracks her down and corners her in the phone booth, seeming to be upset. He hands Gwendolyn her phone and then strangles her to death with his belt after explaining that he found her through the cab company. Meanwhile, India goes into the basement to eat ice cream and discovers Mrs. McGarrick's body in the freezer. She realizes Charlie is a murderer.

Later, India unleashes her inner aggression at school and stabs a bully, Chris Pitts in the hand with a pencil after he tries to land a surprise punch to her head. This draws the attention of another classmate, Whip Taylor. India goes home and later witnesses Evelyn and Charlie growing intimate and wanders off to a local diner where she runs into Whip. She and Whip go into the woods where they proceed to make out until India aggressively bites Whip. Whip then attempts to rape India until Charlie intervenes, and breaks Whip's neck with his belt. India then aids Charlie in burying the body in her garden. She then attempts to call Gwendolyn, but hears her phone ring deep in the garden, realizing Charlie killed her, too. India takes a shower and masturbates to the memory of the murder, climaxing as she remembers Charlie breaking Whip's neck.

While going through Richard's office to gather things of his she wants to keep, India discovers that a key she received as a birthday present belongs to a locked drawer to Richard's desk. Inside, she finds several letters from Charlie, which detail his travels. However, India discovers that the sending address on the back of the envelopes is from a mental institution. India then confronts Charlie, who explains the truth: Charlie murdered his and Richard's younger brother Jonathan as a child because he was jealous that Richard paid more attention to him. Charlie was then put in a mental institution for several years. When released on India's 18th birthday, Richard gave Charlie a car, a generous amount of money, and an apartment in New York on the condition that he stay away from Richard's family. Feeling hurt and betrayed, Charlie beat Richard to death with a rock and staged the car accident.

At first, India is in shock and angered. However, she seemingly forgives Charlie and grows closer after he provides an alibi for her when Sheriff Howard (Ralph Brown) questions her about Whip's disappearance. They grow close to intimate before Evelyn witnesses them. Later that evening, Evelyn coldly expresses her desire to watch India suffer before confronting Charlie, implying that she knows the truth about Richard's death. Charlie seduces Evelyn and then attempts to strangle her before India appears and fatally shoots Charlie with a rifle. She then buries Charlie's body in the backyard and proceeds to leave for New York in his car.

She is shortly pulled over for speeding by Sheriff Howard, who then asks her why she's in a hurry. India replies that she wanted to catch his attention, then plunges a pair of pruning shears into his neck. India pursues the wounded sheriff into a field to dispatch him with her rifle.

Review:

" It’s not the story which Inspires, it’s the Presentation. The Drama comes in gaps which creates a gothic & dark mood. "

This movie brings a sensual and dark side to the previously known thriller story. With beautiful performances and scenes which paint the story on the screen that you become all eyes.

The story unsettles your mind and makes you think in a very different dimensions. That will be the beauty of fierce performances that we get to see in this one. The truth was ugly and bloodstained twisted marvelously to a sexy and densely mysterious play.

However this movie will definitely get audience oriented reviews as per the likeness. But if in search of a perfectly put thriller to go with your Creepy Afternoon mood, try Stoker.

The fragility of relationships and the raging wave of suspicion whirl you into the thick fog of Intrigue. Enough to glue you to the seats.

Performances:

● Mia Wasikowska as India Stoker: The movie owes its success and serenity to her. She managed to put in more perfectly than her co-stars.

● Matthew Goode as Charlie Stoker: What an Uncle Charlie! The looks, The motions & the Creeps..A whole package.

● Nicole Kidman as Evelyn Stoker: She has done well as ever. Mentally unstable and utterly sexy. That’s so her!

Performance wise this movie gets a straight 5 out 5 score.

Not most of the audience can get all that they see but overall Stoker deserves 

****

Reviewed by : Adina Farid

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Official Trailer : Devil's Knot (2014)

Official Trailer : Devil's Knot (2014)

The West Memphis Three case is coming to the big screen in "Devil's Knot," and a new trailer for the film has just been released.

The film, based on Mara Leveritt's book "Devil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three," centers around the brutal murders of three young boys in Arkansas in 1993 and the three teenagers who were accused of killing the children as part of a satanic ritual.

Reese Witherspoon stars as the grieving mother of one of the victims, while Firth plays a private investigator who is not convinced the teens are guilty of the crime.

Directed by Atom Egoyan, "Devil's Knot" also stars Dane DeHaan, Amy Ryan, Mireille Enos and Stephen Moyer. The film will be released in theaters on May 9.

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Movie Review: The Notebook (2004)

Movie Review: The Notebook (2004)

IMDB Rating : 8.0/10

Plot:

The Notebook is based on one of the most beautiful romantic story ever told. A novel by the the legendary Nicholas Sparks. The movie first takes you to a nursing home where an elderly man opens an old Notebook and reads out romantic tale to her fellow patient, an old woman. The story is about a local country boy who falls in love with a heiress one summer but they are soon separated by the girl’s parents as they thought of the boy as trash.

The Girl, Allie, then moves back to his house away from Noah leaving only the memories and promises of teenage love behind.

Noah enlists for the army to fight in World War II where Allie becomes a volunteer nurse in a hospital for wounded soldiers, where she meets an officer named Lon Hammond, Jr. a young lawyer who is handsome, sophisticated, charming and comes from old Southern money. The two eventually become engaged, to the delight of Allie's parents, but Allie sees Noah's face when Lon asks her to marry him.

When Noah returns home from the war, he discovers his father has sold their home so that Noah can buy the abandoned house, fulfilling his lifelong dream to buy it for the departed Allie, whom by now he hasn't seen for several years. While visiting Charleston, Noah witnesses Allie and Lon kissing at a restaurant; he convinces himself that if he restores the house, Allie will come back to him. Later, Allie is startled to read in the newspaper that Noah has completed the house, and she visits him in Seabrook.

In the present, it is made clear that the elderly woman is in fact Allie, who is suffering from dementia and cannot remember any of the events being read to her. Duke, the man who is reading to her, is her husband, but Allie cannot recognize him.

Back in the forties, Allie returns to Seabrook. She and Noah renew their relationship and make love at Noah's now restored house. In the morning, Allie's mother appears on Noah's doorstep, warning Allie that a jealous Lon has followed her to Seabrook. Allie confesses to Lon that she has been spending time with Noah. He is upset but says that he still loves her. Allie tells him she knows she should be with him, but she remains indecisive.

In the present, Allie becomes briefly lucid and remembers that the story Duke is reading is the story of how they met. Young Allie appears at Noah's doorstep, having left Lon at the hotel. Elderly Allie suddenly remembers her past; after finding out about her illness, she herself wrote their story in the notebook with instructions for Noah to "read this to me, and I'll come back to you". But Allie soon relapses, losing her memories of Noah. She panics, not understanding who he is, and has to be sedated. That same night Noah is hospitalized with what seems to be another heart attack.

When released from the hospital, Elderly Noah ("Duke") goes to Allie's room to find her lucid again. Allie questions Noah about what will happen to them when she loses her memory completely, and he reassures her that he will never leave her. She asks him if he thinks their love for each other is strong enough to "take them away together"; he replies that he thinks their love could do anything. After telling each other that they love one another, they both go to sleep in Allie's bed. The next morning, a nurse finds they have died in each other's arms.

Review:

This movie is undoubtedly one of the most heart touching lovestory till date. The beauty lies in the story where two soulmates are separated for no other reason than society barriers. But love finds its way.

If you ever want to see a flawless example of a movie which is redeemed from mediocrity solely through the cast, there is hardly a better one than this.

Noah and Allie being the most awesome couple and Nick Cassavetes being the greatest director created something worth watching with your partner but be sure to stack a pile of tissue papers.

This movie has set a trend of Notebooking people as an alternative of emotional blackmail.

But still the ratio of enjoying a heavy movie like this one depends deeply on viewer’s mood. If you’re not in for teary climax, this one isn’t for you.

The Notebook has moments which makes it memorable and the magic doesn’t die even after watching it again and again.

A potently rich story about the power of love, The Notebook is heartbreakingly beautiful and achingly real.

Notebook is not about How you get your Love, its all about How You Keep It.

From performances to music to dressing each and every detail is perfect. Well for me it is.

So without further ado I would rate this one of my favorite:

****1/2

Reviewed By : Adina Farid

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Official Trailer : Joe (2014)

Official Trailer : Joe (2014)

The first trailer has arrived online for Joe, in which Nicolas Cage plays a periodically violent man who strikes up a friendship with Tye Sheridan's abused teen.

A troubled ex-con, Cage's character is attempting to keep his head down and stay out of trouble, but he finds his resolve being tested to the limit by his young friend's brutish father.

However, if that sounds like the platform for Cage to go off on one of his eye-popping, mouth-foaming rampages, think again, as this looks to be one of his finest performances to date.

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Movie Review: Hasee Toh Phasee

Movie Review: Hasee Toh Phasee

Synopsis:

This movie is about a boy Nikhil (Siddharth Malhotra) and Meeta(Parineeti Chopra ) who live in two completely different cities, in two completely different environments. Meeta is a slightly eccentric girl whose actions are totally unpredictable, she plays pranks, steals from her own father,runs away from her house, speaks Chinese, eats toothpaste and speaks in the terms of Physics and Chemistry. She is crazy but still completely adorable. Whereas Nikhil is a boy having second thoughts about his career. He is engaged to Meeta’s sister Karishma (Adah Sharma) who treats him like a personal assistant and breaks up with him on little things. But he doesn’t do breakups. Just like a common man he is afraid of change; Changing his career or relationship. 

Summary:

This movie takes place over a decade where the childhood of both the main characters is shown followed by the time when Nikhil comes to Mumbai to attend a wedding and bumps into tomboy Meeta, who is running away from her house. He is intrigued by her personality but forgets everything when he lays his eyes on the gorgeous Karishma. Seven years later he is getting engaged to Karishma. He also has some money problems and gets warned by her fiancee to arrange for it or otherwise there won’t be anywedding. Enters Meeta with long hair and a weird expression on her face; she is Karishma’s sister who everyone hates because she ran away and never came back. Karishma asks Nikhil to hide Meeta in a guest house or something but he brings her home after knowing the truth of her family background. Then there are a lot of humorous and senti scenes. Meeta actually steals all thetoothpaste in the house, charges a car battery using a laptop charger. There are also some CID jokes to add to the plate. 
After realizing how much supportive Nikhil is of her, she falls for him and bluntly asks him to marry her in a public bus. Meeta is a mixture of crazy and cute. Her unpredictable nature,blunt honesty and Sheldon Cooper gibberish makes Nikhil fall for her too. But there is a slight problem. The Chinese are after her, she wants to steal and run away again; also Nikhil is getting married to her sister in a day. Ooops! 

Review:

This romantic comedy mirrors the quirks in human nature subtly and provides humour in everyday situations; in the family and amongst friends. Parineeti's relationship with her father(Manoj Joshi) strikes the right emotional chord.
The songs are pretty good and add zing to an otherwise simple narrative. Parineeti who has come to represent the power-house performer passes with flying colours. And, Sidharth, whose good-looks distract, shows a definitive growth in his second outing as an actor after Student of the Year.

If you're looking to rediscover the magic of goofy love around Valentines, give Hasee Toh Phasee a shot.

My rating for this delightful rom-com is:

****

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Book Review: Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Book Review: Where She Went (If I Stay II)

by Gayle Forman

Plot Summary:

Adam’s Promise: If you stay, I’ll do whatever you want. I’ll quit the band; go with you to New York. But if you need me to go away, I’ll do that too. .. And that would suck, but I’ll do it. I can lose you like that, if I don’t lose you today. I’ll let you go. If you stay.

It's been three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life. And three years he's spent wondering why. When their paths cross again in New York City, Adam and Mia are brought back together for one life-changing night. Adam finally has the opportunity to ask Mia the questions that have been haunting him. But will a few hours in this magical city be enough to lay their past to rest, for good - or can you really have a second chance at first love?

Fans of If I Stay who thought the story concluded after Mia’s choice will experience the post trauma that not only changed her life, but altered Adam’s happiness. In Where She Went, we face the aftermath of the recovery and begin to wonder whether Mia really survived the crash as it becomes evident that choosing to live is only half the battle. As a result Adam must face the pain of honoring a promise that was made to hold on to the one he loves.

This story takes place three years after the crash and Mia’s physical recovery. She’s a rising star at Juilliard and Adam is a celebrity of the rock band Shooting Star that finds himself at a crossroads. The story is told in Adam’s perspective and begins the night he makes a choice to revisit the muse of his success. 

Review:

Where She Went is the much anticipated sequel to a much beloved story. But this time it's told through Adams eyes. 

This is his story, his journey, his memories through flashbacks of the past with Mia, and without. We get to see the man that Adam as become, and what he wants to be. We see his devastation, watch his rising fame, and share an open-wound that is healed by music, but never fully closed. 

But most importantly, we get to walk with Mia and Adam through the streets of New York and witness a love so beautiful and alive that it has once again touched me in a way that I will never ever forget.

Gayle Foreman has done it all over again! She gave her fans everything you could ever want in a sequel and more. Her words are filled with so much passion and compassion. I can safely say that I loved this one even more then the first.

"Ever hear the one about that dog that spent it's life chasing cars and finally caught one - and had no idea what to do with it?

I'm that dog."

This book was so amazing! Adam is amazing! And all I want to do is hug him!

Adam's story is filled with so much emotional and physical energy. It's raw and powerful and exposed and vulnerable. The things he says, the things he only admits to himself, is what really broke me. You can feel his destruction. Even the lyrics to his songs were both inspiring and haunting.

Mia is a character that has lived through the worse kind of hell, so I was surprised how far she's come and proud of the way she survived. What she admits to Adam shocked me, but like Adam, I finally got it. 

I had a flood of emotions while reading this. I cringed, I cried. I smiled a goofy-ass-grin-to-grin smile all the way through.

Adam and Mia will always be one of my all time greats!

Hands down one of the best book that I've ever read. I adored this book. I loved this book. And I will always treasure these characters. I'm not going to spoil anything by telling you if they get there happily ever after, but I will say that this was worth it. I finally got the closure I desperate needed. Fans of If I Stay will not be disappointed, this is one journey your not going to want to miss out on.

Simply put. It's utterly Brilliant!!!

Quotes that moved me:

-‘I want to cut through the space that separates us, measured in feet – not miles, not continents, not years - and I want to touch her to make sure it’s really her... but I can’t touch her, it’s a privilege that’s been revoked. Against my will but still.’
-‘I battle with invisible waves and imaginary vortexes and demons that are all too real and of my own making, I actually feel something in my chest open, a feeling so intense, it’s like my heart’s about to burst. And I just let it. I just let it out.’

-‘I needed to hate someone and you’re the one I love the most, so it fell on you.’ 

-‘Then she lost the battle and started to cry…All my annoyance melted. “You dumb-ass,” I crooned, kissing her on the forehead. “You don’t share me. You own me.” ’

My rating for this epic sequel to a great book is:

****1/2

Reviewed By : Fouzia Umer

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