Hey, guys!
I hope Summer is treating you all well, it's looking up, I have to say. For me anyway :). My friends and I have been doing a lot of things we usually wouldn't. For example, we ALL stayed over one night together and just chilled, girls included. It's funny because we're extremely close. So close we realise when each other have bought new clothes (even the guys) or when we're sad or happy or hyper and all the little things. We've trekked out to the little waterfall, found a forest like Alice in Wonderland, with all these winding paths and scary interludes--like the big castle from hundreds of years ago, which is now private property! We've snuck into the cinema, had a big birthday bash, watched tons of movies, had a considerable amount of alcohol in the sun, and still have the beach planned and camping.
So it's all good, I guess you could say. Much more abound, I must say.
What can I talk about ... oh yeah, this blog was to purposefuly adress 1) what's been happening with me lately, 2) how I felt about Eclipse and 3) how I felt about Toy Story 3.
So ...
1)
Life
All of it is above, I guess. But what HAS been happening to me lately? Well, I'm thinking about getting my eyebrow pierced. I'm happy to once I get the money, and trek into town, but then I was thinking with my long fringe and glasses, will it be worth it and visible? I dunno, but I've wanted it done since I was like 11. Yeah, I was a strange, mature 11 year old.
I've been cracking on with the second book which I've decided to call, Hallowed instead of the previous title, Immortal. I don't know, Hallowed sounds a little more unique and mysterious. Anyway, I've been writing away at it till 3 and 4 am in the morning, because I think it's the best time I write. I love summer writing for that reason. I'm trying to write, at least a chapter every two days, but then again I don't wanna rush myself. I've been getting a little down at the product of my writing, to be specific. The storyline has been thought out for a while now and I'm happy with that, but I feel my writing is lacking or not up to scratch. I know I can do better, let's say. But that is why we re-write, to understand the mistakes and perfect what couldn't be perfected at the time. I believe, as you write deeper into a book, you're writing progresses no matter what anyway, so I'm waiting for that little bound miracle to strike. STRIKE ALREADY :P.
I think I'm going shopping next week for some stuff for Spain. Before I go into a shop, I know what I already want. And the prime object of my wants is:
and these ...
They're the lower part of the body, lots of higher in mind too. Thing for tees, so I do.
Oh yeah, CHARMED NEWS FOR CHARMED FANS, if you don't already know. Well I hope I'm the one bringing you this news :L. So Charmed ended, and we were all left with this magical brilliant ending that has been ever-infused in our brains. But what if there was more coming, not in a tv-show format, but in another? Well there is. THERE WILL BE A CHARMED SEASON NINE. Just not on our beloved television. Here's all the news on it:
Zenescope Entertainment has officially announced they have obtained the comic book and graphic novel publishing rights to the television property CHARMED (1998-2006) created by Constance M. Burge from Spelling Entertainment, under license from CBS Consumer Products. The comic book publisher, known for beautiful, sultry and strong female characters, has now added three more to the mix. The ultra-popular CHARMED television series aired for eight seasons on The WB network and averaged more than 4 million viewers throughout its run. Zenescope's comic book series will feature a brand new storyline which picks up where the television series left off. The story follows the Halliwell sisters, a beautiful trio descended from a line of powerful but good witches, as they battle against evil beings in modern day San Francisco. Attached to write the new comic book series is author Paul Ruditis, who has written several Charmed novels such as Leo Rising (with Constance M. Burge) and As Puck Would Have It. Co-writing with Ruditis will be Raven Gregory, writer of the acclaimed Wonderland trilogy published by Zenescope. Renowned artist Dave Hoover (Captain America, The Wanderers) will be providing interior illustrations for the series. "The key to this series success is to strike a nice balance in creating a brand new, intriguing storyline for fans of the television show while also not alienating Zenescope and comic book readers who haven't really followed it before but might want to now that it's a comic," said Zenescope Editor-in-Chief Ralph Tedesco. "The great thing is that Paul and Raven have done just that with this story arc. Anybody will be able to pick up this series and follow it whether or not they ever watched the show before. Moreover, fans of the show are going to be thrilled when they see where this story goes." Issue #0 is scheduled for a June release with issue #1 to debut at Comic Con International in San Diego this July.
Here's what the Charmed Ones will look like:
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So what do you think of that, if you already haven't heard about it?
IMHO, I'm pleased. Now, I've never in my life bought a comic book, but I'm fascinated to see where this goes. Literally, it's being picked up where the show was left off -- that can be exciting. Any ideas over it, guys?
Now to think of it, this could be where the future of Heroes cancelled storyline could possibly be.
Yeah ... I think that was all the obvious news in my life so far. Now for numero two ..
2)
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
You guys are really going to hate me, because I was very sneaky and naughty, because I cough* cough* viewed, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, online. Yeah, I dunno. It was there in view and very tempting, and it saved me the visit into town and the money too. Spoilers ahead.
So, this was my favourite book out of the lot of them, except the disastrous last one, which served as nothing but a 700 and something paged book, which may as well had no writing in it at all, just blank pages and the acknowledgements saying: MUSE MUSE MUSE, I LOVE MUSE, THEY ARE MY INSPIRATION.
Enough ranting about the fourth book and back to the movie ... yeah I really liked it :) Reading the book so many times, had me feeling deja-vu like. For some reason, I was hoping for a billion more Jessica scenes, because she's hot and funny and stupid :L The movie moved progressively fast, and swapped and switched scenes very jumpily which annoyed me a little. I began to hate Edward a little in this, he just didn't seem as full there as he did in the last two, and hisdialoguewas lackluster in parts--although his makeup was very well done, best in all the movies, I believe. Yeah, to mention the makeup and costumes, that department did very well and provided a nice clean shade of neutral colours that blended in well with the actors. I could've shot whoever decided to let Nikki Reed keep those eyebrows though, they distracted me from her story -- which I loved. I think they did very well, with the time constraints.
The flashblacks were nicely done, and pertained well to that era in history, what with the clothing and speaking. Jackson Rathborne reminded me of Shylock in Shakespeares play; he's there in very little scenes, but he leaves this huge impression on the movie as a whole. He has a such a strong presence, that it feels like he's in way more scenes than he really is. Props to Rathborne though, his composure and acting was top notch with what he was dealing with in his characters space.
The fighting scenes were amazing in this movie, and really fed my masculine needs in the Twilight Saga, satisfyingly :P, with all that drowning romance! Slade really knows how to capture the basic instincts of the Vampire and the Werewolf and collide those twosuccessfully, combining to make scenes virtually tactful and breath catching, leaving you restless and open-mouthed. All the speedy, jumpy, sliding, action had me on the edge of my seat. I was iffy whether Slade could deal with romance and action. I though he'd stay on the action more, and leave the romance dying and dull, but he gave them equal attention, and balanced them perfectly.
Just a few points altogether:
-- The best performance was Lautner, because he switched from angry, sad, to witty perfectly, creating an evident and realistic teenage boy, struggling with everything but remaining on top. He conveyed his heart and soul when speaking to Bella in touchy moments.
-- Bella Swan has came out of that little hole, that made her smileawkwardly. Her insecurity is shown less in this movie, and she has come out on top. Her character has grown progressively well in this movie, what with the end and how she has moved into belonging in Edward's world as she wanted, and happily. I believe she has come out grown in this film, able to make good decisions and understanding of others.
-- The tent scene had me in stitches with the laughter, "Face it, I'm hotter than you, Cullen." Or something to that effect.
-- Alice deserved more attention, and I hated the way Jasper never said, "My little spider-monkey."
--Every timeI saw Victoria, I cringed. She was a definite favourite of mine in the movie saga, and I hated the fact that she was re-cast. Bryce didn't deliver too good, she couldn't deliver well at all with the act that was Lefevre in her wake. Her wig wasatrociousand she didn't possess that menace that the Victoria before her did, soentrancinglybeautifuly.
-- Charlie remained funny in this movie, which was good. I like how he induces much more father-likelihood in the movies, and long may it continue.
That's really all that I thought about the movie, Rosenberg adapted the books into an obvious screenplay, that just screams how she loves pleasing the fans with the scenes that made the novel -- I love her work, and howsuccessfuland apparent it is. She confidently cares about the characters and the plot, and because of that, she brings the movies to be more alike the books than we can imagine. I give the movie, 4 out of 5 stars, for it's good writing, good character portrayals and good pacing. One would lost because of how disappointing Edward was, and how he didn't obtain his usualdemeanor in this movie.
3)
Toy Story 3
This franchise has been in my heart since I was a kid, debuting when I was one year old! I think I saw it when I was around the age of two or three, and I literally grew up with it,more soon the second film because I was old enough to play with the merchandise. I had Woodie and Buzz and pretty sure I had Slinky too. What I'm trying to say is, that this movie was my thing in my generation and reminds me deeply and happily of my childhood, and for this movie I'm greatful.
I almost fell off my chair with laughter and reminiscence when I read theFacebookgroup that said, I'VE BEEN WAITING 11 YEARS FOR TOY STORY 3, SO GET TO BACK OF THE LINE, KIDS. I've been counting down the days for this movie and it's finally here, and I can finally relieve a little part of my childhood! I saw it last night, before Eclipse. Spoilers most likely ahead.
Where to begin?
This movie, besides being amazing in all aspects, truly connects to those who grew up with Toy Story one and two. Andy's going to college, and all of us who were once little kids like Andy can relate to how difficult it is to grow up. I'm not leaving yet, but I'm stuck in the anxiety that comes with preparing for adulthood-- like all teens who grew up, with Toy Story as their number one favourite movie. Even now, I'm writing myself about a kid who's stuck with growing up and facing those difficulties and watching TS3, made me cognizant to the facts of how growing up can kill us, and yet make us stronger.
When watching this film, all I could do was reminisce about the days where I once played with my toys and use my imagination to create an abstract, unrealistic but fun world. I even once had a Woody and a Buzz-- like I said. For some reason, I feel like watching this movie has embedded further into my head the fact that I will soon be an adult, and soon have to leave my young and protected years behind.
The film nearly brought me to tears, you know how the water just forms in your eyes but can't and is reluctant to fall down your cheeks? That kinda nearly. Because, you really understand that you're growing up when you've achieved the state of mind that brings you to the conclusion that you have to say goodbye to things. In Andy's case, his beloved toys.
Barbie and Ken, were ultimately the funniest part of the stories. How everyone blames Ken for being a girls toy! Had me in stitches. "You're just a purse with legs," Mr. Potatohead said, and that reduced me to roaring laughter! I love Mr. and Mrs. Potatohead-- like an old couple, they are an old couple actually.
The ending was the icing on the cake, and how, even thought we have to say goodbye, we can do it in such a way that excites or pleases someone else, in Andy's case donating his toys to the grateful little girl-- who made me smile with her wild imagination, reminded me of me when I was a kid. I loved how Andy picked each of his toys out, and gave a worthwhile narration that we, as kids back then and teens now, could connect with. The ending is great, really. How Andy takes a moment to fall back into his childhood, and play and relate to his toys just one more time.
I think the time lapse between the second and third movie was fitting for this trilogy. It allowed us a bit of time to grow up and out of our childhood. It allowed us to now relate even more to the film and be emotionally and personally moved by it. I think for me, it has stressed the importance of cherishing the moment. I wish I didn't grow up so fast, and now I don't want to let time slip away from me again. That's where my title is at, because really at this age we are tender, and the worst is yet to come with the responsibility being posted in our own name. Toy Story 3 was a great installment, which reminded the kids of the stories generation, that time is of the essence, and that growing up is completely different than a grown up. Grown ups have their own life, while growing up is a mix of contempt and fury and decisions. A truly touching movie, for children and adults.
Wow, I never realised how babbling I was in all this blog, and looking at t the time, I've been here for a constant good hour and half -- although it was a time well spent :)
And to leave you ... I can give you a picture of a my new room. Curtains need to be hung but this is my place now, for myself to read and write and watch and listen without any disturbances, I love it.
Pardon, the mess :P.
That'll be all, friends.
Talk soon,
Shane.
*EDIT*
THE CHARMED PICTURE WASN'T THE REAL ONE, I THINK. SO I UPDATED WITH THE REAL ONE, AND OTHERS.