Now For Something Different: Pixels

 

Movie Review

Title: Pixels

Release Date: 12th August 2015

Where Seen: Cinema

Genres: Comedy, Action, Sci-Fi

Buy Here 
 - Amazon Price: £9.99 (At the time of when I published the post)

Movie Poster:

 
IMDB Description: 

When aliens misinterpret video feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war, they attack the Earth in the form of the video games.

Starring:

Adam Sandler - Brenner
Kevin James - Cooper
Peter Dinklage - Eddie
Josh Gad - Ludlow

Director:

Chris Columbus
Production Company:

Columbia Pictures
 Review:

Awesome. Epic. Nerdy and just all round hilarious.
I can't emphasise how much I need to recomend this film to anyone who is a little nerdy and knows that some films are just not meant to be taken seriously.
I like the structure of the film, it flowed well from one scene to the next and never became boring once.
The whole idea of it was just fantastic. Based on facts about the NASA probe and classic video games ground this film in reality considering it was so outrageous.
It was really strange and different but it was always easy to understand and comprehend so therfore good for all ages.
The idea of the film is that Aliens have taken our probe and recordings of retro video games as a declararion of war. They then go and release the games on the world and the only people that can stop them are the Arcaders.

First you had Brenner played by Adam Sandler the lead character who was both nerdy and the dry humoured hero of the movie. He was the hero all nerds want to be and easily the best character in the film.

Next you have his love interest Violet played by Michelle Monaghan who was just so badass you instantly related to her and loved her. She is smart, refined, clever and funny and has epic fighting skills. The perfect companion for a more bumbling Brenner.

My second favourite character in the movie was Brenner's best friend and US president Cooper 'chewie' played by Kevin James. He wasn't a gamer but a hero in himself. Going from a average president with low ratings because of his inability to read and ability to look the fool. To a man who pulled everyone together as the heart of the group and even fighting the boss level as another arcader even though he was only good at the grabber as a child.

The next member of the arcaders is Ludlow played by Josh Gad he was the ultimate nerd who lives with his grandma and dreams of marrying the beautiful game character Lady Lisa. He is the brains of the operation and definable the most hilarious character.

Finally we have Eddie played by Peter Dinklage. He was arrogant, cocky and unintentionally funny. The anti-hero of the group. He wasn't the most likable guy being the rebellious inmate. But he added something to the group. What I am not sure of but definitely something.

I loved the challenges they were set defeating Pac Man, Donkey Kong and all the orher classic games. It was an innovative idea and it was pulled off really well.

I even love the trailer, the way it starts like a classic disater movie and then suddenly there's pac man. Nom nom nom.

Finally Qbert is just the cutest thing on the planet and I want one. 

 

Quotes:

"Have you been playing Space Invaders recently? Because you are invading my space."

[Credit to IMDB]
Professor Iwatani: Pac-Man is not bad. You'll see.
Sam Brenner: Professor Iwatani, what are you doing?
Professor Iwatani: I will talk to him, he's my son.
[to Pac-Man]
Professor Iwatani: Hello, my sweet, little boy. Look how big you've grown.
Ludlow Lamonsoff: That's so sweet, he's so sweet.
Professor Iwatani: I know, you're a good boy.
[Pac-Man bit his hand into pixels, then he and the genius scream]
Professor Iwatani: Somebody annihilate this stupid thing!

Overall Rating:

 

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-The Reading Rose

Now For Something Different: Guardians of The Galaxy

 

Media Review
-Because Sometimes It's Good To Have Variety

Movie

Title: Guardians of The Galaxy

Release Date: 1st August 2014

Where Seen: Cinema

Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Superhero

Buy Here 
 - Amazon Price: £14.00 (At the time of when I published the post)

Movie Poster:

 


IMDB Description: 

Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted, Peter Quill finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser.

Starring:

Chris Pratt - Peter Quill
Zoe Saldana - Gamora
Dave Bautista - Drax
Vin Deasel - Groot
Bradley Cooper - Rocket

Director:

James Gunn
Production Company:

Marvel Studios
 
Based On: 

Marvel Comic Books
  

Review:

Not your typical Marvel movie but my faveirte marvel movie to date - and that is saying something from someone who watched every marvel film as it comes out in the cinema. The heroes are not typically heroes, all of them have ulterior motives and dark pasts, not always working for good. However by the end they become heroes that we love! THIS IS THE FUNNIEST MARVEL FILM IN EXISTENCE! Marvel always has the best one liners but this movie steps it up a notch. I was laughing so hard in the first second (After the heart wrenching scene with Peter's mother) and fell instantly in love with it! All of the characters were super but none more than 'Star Lord' and Groot!! I loved some of the easter eggs that I spotted (event though there are many more that I havn't noticed apparently) such as Cosmo and the Nova Corps. The 80s music set the scene perfectly and was so unusual in a movie that It was perfect. All I have left to say is get out there and watch it!! if you haven't done so already!! Even my mum loved it and she is usualy adverse to Marvel!!  
Quotes:

"I am Groot"

"Rocket: (About Drax) Metaphors go over his head" "Drax: NOTHING goes over my head!...My reflexes are too fast, I would catch it."

Overall Rating:

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-The Reading Rose

Now For Something Different: How To Train Your Dragon 2

 

Media Review
-Because Sometimes It's Good To Have Variety

Movie

Title: How To Train Your Dragon 2

Release Date: 13th June 2014

Where Seen: Cinema

Genres: Action, Adventure, Animation, Family.

Buy Here 
 - Amazon Price: £10.00 (At the time of when I published the post)

Movie Poster:

IMDB Description: 

When Hiccup and Toothless discover an ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace.

Starring:

Jay Baruchel - Hiccup
America Ferrera - Astrid
Randy Thom - Toothless
Jonah Hill - Snotlout

Director:

Dean DeBlois
Production Company:

Dreamworks

Based On: 

How to train your dragon by Cressida Cowell (Baught this book yesterday so Look out for a review some time in the future!)
 

Review:

How to train your dragon has always been my favorite animation so when the sequel was released I was desperate to see it in the cinema. I went with my brother, his best friend and his friend's sister and it was a great afternoon out! This film was exciting and as always Toothless is just the cutest thing ever and it made me really want to have my own nightfury! I loved the beautiful animation with HD detail and the characters were just as lovable as they were in the first film. Sometimes with an animation sequel it is not as good as the first film and the plot becomes a little depleted but there was no sign of that in this film. The plot was set a few years in the future and was completely original. Hiccup got to meet his mother and Toothless became the Alpha dragon! With pretty blue glowing bits all over his body! There were lots of new and exciting dragons in this film with superb world building. Hiccup had to learn to face up to his responsibility of taking over his dad as chief, a very heartfelt part of the plot as you could feel his desire to explore and go on adventures in exchange for staying in Berk and dealing with the public. One part of the film was extremely sad however and nearly had me crying in public! It was such a shock and a death that is so rarely seen in children's animations. It was a heroric death however and it was lovely to see how it made the characters stronger and more capable of fighting! The love story between Hiccup's parents was beautiful and really sweet! It was nice to see the caring side of the tough viking! 

Quotes:

"[Astrid to Hiccup] "Where have YOU been?" [Hiccup] "Oh you know. Catching up with mom." [Hiccup looks up. Astrid follows hos gaze and sees Valka on Clodjumper summoning her bewilderbeast] [Astrid] "THAT'S you MOTHER?" [Hiccup smiles] "well, now you know where I get my dramatic flair!" [He Flies off on Toothless]"

"[Hiccup draws a new spot on his map] "So, what should we name it?" [Toothless scratches his arm with his snout] [Hiccup] "Itchy Armpit it is."

Overall Rating:

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-The Reading Rose

Now For Something Different: The Musketeers

 

Media Review

-Because sometimes it's good to have variety

TV

Title: The Musketeers

First Air Date: February 2014

What Channel: BBC One
Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama.

Amazon Box Set Price:£17.00 (as of when posted)

Poster:

IMDB Description:

Set on the streets of 17th century Paris, series gives a contemporary take on the classic story about a group of highly trained soldiers and bodyguards assigned to protect King and country.

Starring:

- Luke Pasqualino (D'artagnan)
- Santiago Cabrera (Aramis)
- Tom Burke (Athos)
- Howard Charles (Porthos)
- Peter Capaldi (Cardinal Richelieu)

Director:
Colin Wratten & Adrian Hodges

Based On: 

The Original Musketeers Tales.

Review:

Wow, this series was thrilling, so fast paced and interesting. Who doesn't like watching attractive guys sword fighting, saving the day and sweeping women off their feet! The romance in this series was touching and dramatic and the action was perfect with the Cardinal making a great enemy! I loved the brotherly love between the Musketeers and the way that they would do anything for eachother and anything to save their country from any threats. It was great to get a look at Peter Capaldi in acting a darker role before he takes up the role of Doctor Who later in the year.

This series contained many phenomenal actors some of which i recognise from the likes of Merlin (Santiago) and Miranda (Luke). But to be honest, even without some recognisable actor this show would have held it's own as it was so captivating to watch!

Quotes:

"All for One, and One for All"

"We're soldiers... We follow our orders no matter where they lead. Even to Death"

"Patronise me one more time and you lose your head"

"Goodbye D'artagnan, It was a beautiful Dream"

 Rating:

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-The Reading Rose

Review: City of Glass

Title: City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments #3)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: McElderry Books
Genres: YA, Adventure, Action, Fantasy, Romance.
Where Acquired: Bought from a store a while ago.
Buy at Amazon Here 
- Best Book Price: £2.81 Kindle Price: £4.12 (as of when posted)

UK Cover:
 

A Cover From Elsewhere (Turkish): 



Goodreads Description: 
 To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters - never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City - whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the final installment of the New York Times bestselling trilogy The Mortal Instruments.

My Review: 
The third installment to this brilliant series sees us spend much more time in the 'city of glass' somewhere we have yet to visit in this series even though it is talked about often. The plot was thrilling and had elements that were very Dark. However once again it was laced with romance and a little bit of humor so as to not make the plot too depressing. The twists and turns in this novel are epic and in this novel everything was reveled! Once again our characters showed immense inner strength and resourcefulness, their personalities and talents growing as the novel goes on. The enemies were perfectly evil and the main characters believable, as they were great but not perfect.The development of Jace and Clary's new talents and the revelation that they are experiments was genius! and made the book that much better. the addition of Sebastian was alas brilliant, a great addition to the plot line! Hover it was rather disgusting when he went to kiss Clary considering it was later reveled that he was her real brother! Eww... All in all though this novel is perfect, it contains every element that a YA fan like myself loves; romance, darkness, humor, action, adventure and fantasy.

Quotes: 

 “There is no pretending," Jace said with absolute clarity. "I love you, and I will love you until I die, and if there is life after that, I'll love you then.”

“People aren't born good or bad. Maybe they're born with tendencies either way, but its the way you live your life that matters.”

“Did you ever think that in a past life Alec was an old woman with ninety cats who was always yelling at the neighborhood kids to get off her lawn? Because I do,” 

Rating:
*****

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-The Reading Rose

Review: The Maze Runner Trilogy

Title: The Maze Runner Series (The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trails, The Death Cure)
Author: James Dashner
Publisher:  Delacorte Press
Genres: Dystopian, Action, Apocalypse, YA.
Where Acquired: My Friend Kieran

Buy at Amazon Here (Box set)
- Best Box Set Price: £10.79 (as of when posted) 

UK Covers: 


Covers From Elsewhere (USA):
 

Goodreads Description: 
The Maze Runner
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every thirty days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

The Scorch Trails
Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. No more variables. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back. But no one really knew what sort of life they were going back to.

In the Maze, life was easy. They had food, and shelter, and safety . . . until Teresa triggered the end. In the world outside the Maze, however, the end was triggered long ago.

Burned by sun flares and baked by a new, brutal climate, the earth is a wasteland. Government has disintegrated—and with it, order—and now Cranks, people covered in festering wounds and driven to murderous insanity by the infectious disease known as the Flare, roam the crumbling cities hunting for their next victim . . . and meal.

The Gladers are far from finished with running. Instead of freedom, they find themselves faced with another trial. They must cross the Scorch, the most burned-out section of the world, and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.

Thomas can only wonder—does he hold the secret of freedom somewhere in his mind? Or will he forever be at the mercy of WICKED? 

The Death Cure
Thomas knows that Wicked can't be trusted, but they say the time for lies is over, that they've collected all they can from the Trials and now must rely on the Gladers, with full memories restored, to help them with their ultimate mission. It's up to the Gladers to complete the blueprint for the cure to the Flare with a final voluntary test.

What Wicked doesn't know is that something's happened that no Trial or Variable could have foreseen. Thomas has remembered far more than they think. And he knows that he can't believe a word of what Wicked says.

The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine.
Will anyone survive the Death Cure?

My Review: 
The Maze Runner:
I really enjoyed this book, it is new and original, i haven't read anything like this before. I loved the protagonist and the side characters were awesome as well. The scene is really well set out with lots of emotion and description. Minho, Thomas and Newt are my favorites in this as their personality and strong will is so charming the way they grow as characters as the book goes on is also another reason to why i love them. the whole idea and mystery surrounding the maze was thrilling and exciting and i loved the scene when Thomas gets trapped outside the maze with Minho and Alby, i liked this scene even more than the escape. I liked Teresa for a little while but by the end there seemed to be something a little... off, about her. all in all though, a very good book.
The Scorch Trails:
This book, although a bit slower and not as good as the first book was also very interesting and enjoyable. It was good to get the twist of the variables still continuing after we were given a glimpse of safety. It was also good to get the twist of group B and the idea of Teresa as the betrayer. The scorch was a vivid and amazing apocalyptic landscape and the addition of the zombi like flare victims; The Cranks was pure brilliance. The trek across the Scorch was described so well it feels like you are there battling the elements along with the Gladers. The twists and revelations in this book are what makes it good. Character wise, this book just made me love Thomas, Minho and Newt even more but i ended up hating Teresa along with Thomas, and began rooting for new characters Brenda and Jorge in my list of favorites. The only reason i marked this down was because of the snail pace beginning.
The Death Cure:
Ah, another amazing books! This one was just as good as the first, i loved reading about the dystopian society and how everyone is trying to survive in this desolate world. The idea of Munies was brilliant and the revelations in this book are superb. It was so sad to have to give up Newt due to the flare, he was such a brilliant character, and that is another reason this book is so emotional! This last book was my favorite of the lot, it had the most emotion, most action and the climax of everything that has happened or been hinted at in the past books. I really enjoyed this series and this book was a great way to end this series. In this book i ended up just loving Thomas, Minho, Brenda and Jorge even more.

Quotes: 

 “If you ain’t scared… you ain’t human.” (The Maze Runner)

 “I promised him!" he screamed, realizing even as he did so that his voice was laced with something wrong. Almost insanity. "I promised I'd save him, take him home! I promised him!” (The Maze Runner)

“He didn't care about the others anymore. The chaos around him seemed to siphon away his humanity, turn him into an animal. All he wanted was to survive, make it to that building, get inside. Live. Gain another day.”  (The Scorch Trails)

“Shuck it,” Minho responded. “I’m tougher than nails. I could still kick your pony-lovin’ butt with twice this pain.”
Thomas shrugged. “I do love ponies. Wish I could eat one right now.”  (The Scorch Trails)

 “Minho looked at Thomas, a serious expression on his face. "If I don't see you on the other side," he said in a sappy voice, "remember that I love you.”(The Death Cure)

“KILL ME!" And then Newt's eyes cleared, as if he'd gained one last trembling gasp of sanity, and his voice softened. "Please, Tommy. Please."
With his heart falling into a black abyss, Thomas pulled the trigger.”  (The Death Cure)

Rating:
The Maze Runner:
*****
The Scorch Trails:
****
The Death Cure:
*****

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-The Reading Rose

Soon to be a major motion picture starring Dylan O'Brien and Kaya Scodelario in 2014

Review: Deadlock

Title: Deadlock (H.I.V.E #8)

Author: Mark Walden
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Genres: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure, Children's.
Where Acquired: I Bought it off of Amazon
Buy at Amazon Here
- Best Book Price: £4.19 Kindle Price: £0.99 (as of when posted)

UK Cover:

Goodreads Description:
Otto and Raven are desperate to rescue their friends from the clutches of Anastasia Furan, head of the evil Disciples organisation. First they must track down the location of the Glasshouse, the prison where Furan trains children to become ruthless assassins. But Otto is also being hunted. The three months that Otto has spent following his ‘expulsion’ from H.I.V.E. have given the Artemis Section – an elite division of the American intelligence services that specialises in capturing the toughest targets and reports only to the President – an opportunity to locate him.

Deadlock – the eighth book in the breathtaking H.I.V.E. series – continues the high-octane adventures of the supremely talented criminal team, with central characters forced to question everything that Nero has taught them and to confront the consequences of life as a villain, set against the backdrop of a daring high-tech prison break where nothing is quite as it seems.

My Review:
OK, where do I start! I am already an avid Mark Walden fan and H.I.V.E is one of my all time favorite series. Deadlock was no exception with enough twists to fill a lorry! I love, love, love Otto, Wing, Shelby, Laura, Nigel and Franz as always! not forgetting Raven, Niro, Darkdoom and all of the other awesome teachers! the addition of Nero's dad was great, it had just the right amount of tenderness, humor and emotion and it was wonderful to see Franz develop his sniper talent and get the credit he deserves for once. This book was centered around six main stories: Otto and Raven's mission, Raven's Past, The Remaining Alpha students at H.I.V.E, Furan's plans, the Artemis division and The Captured Alpha students trying to survive Furan's assassin school. This gave the plot a more diverse nature and it let you see the many different perspectives, which was interesting and let you into a few, otherwise unheard of, secrets. The twists in the last few chapters however are what made this book worth 5 stars, i will not go into too much detail here as i shall let you read them for yourself, these twists also set the series up perfectly for the next novel.

Quotes:

"The life of a villain is a life where one must make one’s own rules, but still there must be a sense of responsibility. Without that, there is nothing but anarchy, chaos, and death."

 "‘So I see,’ Otto said, raising an eyebrow. ‘You know it’s almost like people don’t want me interfering with their highly advanced experimental weapon systems these days.’
‘How very inconsiderate of them,’ Raven said."

(OK, two more as i couldn't help myself! there are so many awesome quotes in this book!)

 "‘Well,’ Shelby said with a crooked smile, ‘look at it this way. If you’re a member of the Disciples right now, you have Otto tracking you down and Raven coming after you when he does.’
‘Actually,’ Wing said, ‘when you put it like that, I almost… almost… feel sorry for them.’"

"I always say that it’s not really been a good day if you haven’t caused a major diplomatic incident by lunchtime."

Rating:
*****

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-The Reading Rose