Tid Bit

Alright so this isn't a review or a story idea, just a little mini update. Or just a mini post really.

So there is a new look to the place, AGAIN. I kept getting frustrated with all the templates before this one because I couldn't change anything about them except the link color. I finally picked this template and was happy to see that I have much more control over the look in this case.

So, yes, this look is staying.

I've been currently reading Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult. Since I heard so many good things about her, I bought My Sister's Keeper and Perfect Match to see if this was an author to add to my list.

As I reviewed earlier, I LOVED My Sister's Keeper and so I looked forward to reading the second book since I was starting to get excited for Picoult's work.

However, this book is written in a different style and while it's a strong story-- it hasn't really grabbed me yet. Which really sucks since I was hoping all her books would be as great as the that first that I read. I guess it's hit-and-miss when you come to her.

Then again I have not FINISHED this book yet so my opinions aren't final yet. Once I finish I'll post a review of it here to let anyone who's actually reading this know how it was.

I still have a lot of character ideas but I'm still in a writer's funk. -_- I'm still worried about whether I'm cut out for this...

Catch you next review.

21 and Vantage Point

I went to the theaters last night and caught the flick, 21, which I'm ready to review; but as I was preparing to do so I remembered that I had never reviewed the film Vantage Point which I saw a while ago. So, while it will not be the usual detailed review, I shall review it in this post as well. It's a two-fer, folks!! Enjoy!!

21

Based on a true story, 21 tells the story of six MIT students who are trained to be expert card counters and take Vegas casinos for millions.

Overall, I thought the movie was...."Alright." Worth watching at least once but maybe not for the 8 buck ticket price.

However, the movie was fantastically made, the characters were all different and equally enjoyable, and the story is one that surprises and entertains you-- while at the same time never jumping the shark.

The reason why I didn't enjoy it as much as the next guy is because it just isn't my style of film. As the plotline obviously shows, the movie is heavy on the math side. I was completely lost through the whole "counting cards" explanations and training. I just don't understand what it means for a deck to be "+16". However, if you enjoy mathematics, or you don't mind a more intellectual film, then you'll probably enjoy this film more than I did.

My puny mind just couldn't get past the fact that all the fuss was being made around a deck of cards, hahha.

The movie had this very interesting style to it. I can't quiet explain it, there was something with how all the scenes were handled, how the flashbacks where done, how the settings and colors were used. It was a very "attractive" film in the sense that I really enjoyed watching the screen.
All credit of that goes to the director, Robert Luketic. Thumbs up, Luketic.

The casting was fantastic. While I felt there were no "WOW" performances, I did enjoy watching all of them.

I am happy to say Jim Sturgess, who played the lead role of Ben Campbell, did just as well in this film as he did in The Other Boleyn Girl. He had to play a COMPLETELY different character and pulled it off just as easily. While I enjoyed his performance in Boleyn more than his performance in 21, he still did fantastic.

A familiar face that Superman Returns fans might recognize is the face of Kate Bosworth, a.k.a. Lois Lane. In this film, she played the role of Jill Taylor; a fellow card-couting team member and Jim's love interest. Bosworth is clearly in command of every emotion, and holds the ability to express any which one at the drop of a hat. Very impressive.

And guess what, Superman fans? There's yet another familiar, but not at all friendly, face you'll see in this film. Kevin Spacey, who will be most often recognized as the man who played Lex Luthor, also stars in this film playing the role of the self-appointed leader of the card-counting students, Micky Rosa. His performance was especially enjoyable to watch due to the many faces the character displays. Never a dull moment with Rosa.

Overall the movie was fantastic... It's just not my cup of tea. Although, I'd have to admit, I would love to have that movie poster. Just look at it! That is one spankin' image to have on your wall ;)

VANTAGE POINT

Vantage Point tells the story of an attempted assasination of the US President told from eight different perspectives.

This film blew me away. The only reason I had not reviewed on this sooner is due to heavy schoolwork at the time.

The director, Pete Travis, is a genius. No way could this film be done any better. Every time they switched to a new point of view, they gave you a huge cliffhanger to stress about.

I was at the edge of my seat throughout the whole film. It was amazing.

Fantastic job, Travis, amazing.

One actor I have to mention is Dennis Quaid. In this film he played the role of Thomas Barnes, the man trying to piece all the witnesses' stories together to find the man behind the shooting.

His performance was spectacular!! That role was not and easy role to do by a long shot. The fact that he was able to pull this role off so perfectly has really installed new respect from me.
Fantastic actor, I'll have to see more of his stuff soon.

'Powers' Series - Genn

Genn carefully placed the last flower in her hair, pinning it down gently with the hair clip. A smile lit her face as she placed her hand on her stomach, butterflies. It was the night of the big recital, the one she had been preparing for all year. She took a breath, taking in every detail of the moment.

Her wavy blond hair was up in a tight bun, with a few loose curls framing her cheeks, flowers and glitter adorned her hair, her hazel-green eyes were shining. She was dressed and ready for her solo, her small pink tutu flowing around her waist. Her piece was not for another ten minutes, but her excitement had gotten the better of her.

A solo.

Since she was seven, Genn had dreamed of nothing but becoming a ballerina. For years she studied under Madame Miel's care, giving it her all in hopes of earning the solo-role in Madame's annual ballet recital.

Now, finally, she had grown enough in strength, body, and skill to earn the role. This was her night.

As the sound of an audience applauding reached her ears, she knew the previous dancers had finished their piece. The curtain would fall, there would be a few quick changes in scenery and props, and then it would be her turn.

Genn takes another breath, her smile growing, before turning to face where she would make her entrance from Stage Left.

Madame was standing by the curtain, out of sight of the audience, waving her over.
Wings fluttered in her stomach as Genn walked over, her steps not making a sound on the floor. Madame Miel rests a hand on Genn's shoulder, and plants a soft kiss on her cheek-- her traditional way of wishing each performer good luck.

Genn walks to Center Stage and takes her stance. The curtain rises and the music is cued.
Moving with a grace surely no one suspected she had, Genn went through the movements with the ease she would have writing her name. She knew every beat, every note, every pose, and every jump. She had prepared for this moment her whole life.

When she heard a gasp from the audience she believed it was from the precision of her landing, the movement of her arms; she continued to dance.

But there were more, and voices dripping with concern were growing out from the darkness of the aundience. She heard Madame call her name, there was fear in her voice.

The music stopped, and so did Genn. The lights were flipped on, revealing close to 400 people staring at her, terrified.

What was wrong? She had done everything as taught. She turns to see Madame walking toward her cautiously.
"Genn?...Genn?"
"What is it?" She asked. "What did I do wr--" but she could not finish her sentence. She had looked passed Madame to the mirror that was resting against the wall Backstage.
A gasp escapes Genn's lips as she tried hard not to faint.

Inside that mirror: she saw her beautiful tutu, the shining white flowers, and her pink slippers...
but Genn, herself, was not in the reflection.



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This is another character I'm working on. She will be a part of a fantasy story I am trying to develop where teenagers discover themselves to have unusual powers with no apparent cause. This is my idea so far as to how Genn discovers her power-- invisibility.
While I would like feedback on this I have to explain that this excerpt does need some work. I am not familiar with ballet and so do not know the appropriate terms. I plan to research this and learn more-- so as to properly write this character and this scene-- during the summer when I have more time.