It seems that after the premiere of the first Despicable Me film, the minions and Agnes captured the hearts of anybody who watched this film. I have not seen the first Despicable Me film therefore I watched this sequel with limited knowledge about the characters etc. but thankfully this was not a problem. In this film we see (retired) Gru recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help them track down the villain who stole a secret laboratory near the Arctic Circle. He must go undercover as a shopkeeper in a large shopping mall and work alongside Agent Lucy to find out which fellow shopkeeper is the villain.



First and foremost, this film is absolutely hilarious. This film had me cracking up right from the word go. Each and every character and situation brings more comedy to this film and was literally laughing out loud for about ten minutes straight in the cinema (most embarrassing, but honestly couldn't control myself). With Steve Carell as Gru, you just can't go wrong. Gru is a reformed villain, now a father, something that he is still getting used to though he hasn't fully adjusted yet which brings lots of laughs. Of course, Gru's minions were also hilarious, and they can't even speak! These lovable yellow characters are impossible to resist with their singing, their little arguments and vibrant personalities. Between Gru and the minions, there's never a dull moment in this film.


Something that really stood out in this film was the soundtrack. These brilliantly chosen feel good tunes add to the happy and fun atmosphere of this feel and I could feel myself dancing in my seat. Pharell Williams, who also sang the theme tune for the last film, features on the soundtrack with 'Happy', a fantastic song that perfectly captures the 'Despicable Me' feel. If you're not going to watch the film, at the very least make sure you add this song to your summer playlist, it's just so ... happy!



As expected, the animation was fabulous with vibrant colors and fluid movement. There was lots of dancing and action from all the characters and the quality of the animation was superb. Everything about this is eye catching and beautifully vibrant, you won't want to look away.



The story line is excellent and not predictable at all. You might think you know who the villain is, but then something else will happen to make you change your mind. Its fast-paced and exciting at every turn, there's always something new cropping up to change things and there are many plot strands and all come together and collide at the end. There was also an element of romance to this film which was lovely. There were some heartbreaking moments that almost made me cry, you can't help but root for the characters!



I guess this film is aimed at children, but I haven't met anyone, no matter how old they are, that has said that they didn't enjoy this film. I went to see this for my friend's 18th birthday and we all loved it! It's literally impossible not to fall in love with this film - the happiness is contagious!

Friday Film Review: White House Down. 


I'll be honest, I didn't have very high hopes for White House Down when I sat down to watch it; however, I found that I absolutely loved this film. White House Down mixes together action and comedy to create a really entertaining film that grips you from beginning to end.

That's not to say that this film isn't flawed, because it is in many ways. First and foremost are the special effects. Whilst at times they were excellent, at others, they really weren't. The opening shots of the White House are evidently fake and there are a few other moments that are supposed to be visually spectacular that are clearly the work of what seems to be an amateur CGI artist. This was disappointing because had these effects been bettered, even by just a little, this film would've earned itself a few more brownie points.


The plot of this film, for the most part is well structured and exciting. This film is about catastrophic events that take place when the White House is infiltrated, but the reason for this is cleverly concealed until the very end. There are numerous plot twists throughout the film (even in the last five minutes!) that keep you on your toes. I most certainly would not have been able to predict the way this movie would pan out, something that I think should be commended given that this sort f film has been made and remade time and time again. This is a newer, certainly more thrilling, take on the 'President-in-crisis' story. That said, there were a few moments, more towards the end of the film, where slightly too unrealistic events were occurring. Sometimes this was a fault of the humour that embodies this film, at others, just an over-excited script writer.

I was surprised to find that White House Down is actually a really funny film. Actually scrap that - it's downright hilarious at times. You'll find the perfect blend of action and comedy in this film, but the comedy does not take away any of the impact of the action. There were a few moments when I did question whether or not humour was really appropriate but for the most part, it was seamlessly integrated into the plot and the characters' personalities to make this an incredibly entertaining film. Tatum and Foxx were the perfect pair for this film as both men are talented actors when it comes to action and comedy and emotion - the three key elements to this film. Alongside the humour are some pretty badass action scenes. There's everything from gun fights to fist fights to knife fights to missile launches to high speed car chases (around the Whote House, in the president's limo I might add). I was really impressed y the action scenes as they had me gripping the edge of my seat, never certain who had the upper hand or what move would be pulled next.


As well as action and comedy's there's also a dash of emotion added in. There is also the story of a man fearlessly trying to protect the life of the President whilst his daughter is being held hostage. There are many emotional conflicts which bring you to a more personal level with the characters so it's not all guns and grenades. I cried several times whilst watching this film (as I am slightly ashamed to admit), but you really do start rooting for the characters and their cause. In addition, this film managed to instil me with a deep sense of patriotism and admiration for the patriotism of Americans, despite the fact that I am not American.


All in all, I would highly recommend this film to fans of either action or comedy or both. This film had me second guessing the plot the entire way through and it's not until the very end of the film that everything is revealed. I guarantee this film will have you on the edge of your seat.

Dare You To (Pushing The Limits #2) by Katie McGarry.

Title: Dare You To 
Author: Katie McGarry
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: 22nd May 2013
Goodreads Summary: Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

{ Review }

Title: Eleanor & Park
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Genre: Romance, Young Adult
Publisher: St Martin's Press
Publication Date: 26th February 2013
Goodreads Summary: Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.



{ Review } 

I think what's great about this book is that it isn't your typical high school romance. This isn't a story about "opposites attract", but rather the interesting development of a relationship between two very different characters that somehow complement each other. These characters are not perfect, they are flawed individually and as a couple; they argue lots and sometimes Eleanor/Park really annoyed me (REALLY annoyed me), but I liked this about Eleanor & Park because it made the characters seem more real and alive. This novel isn't sappy in the slightest, and if it is, then a character acknowledges the sappiness of the situation, which again, makes these characters seem real; they are definitely not characters living in a world of make believe. It is probably Eleanor's difficult home life which keeps this story grounded as she comes from a difficult background. She has a large family and is often picked on at school but her attitude towards these things seem more realistic as she is sometimes brave, but not always, she is sometimes selfish, but recognises this, though acknowledges that guilt doesn't make her feel any different. There is just something so raw and truthful about the everything that goes through these two teenagers mind.

What I found rather strange and hard to get my head around was the fact that this book was written in a dual narrative but in the third person. This was a fascinating way of getting right into Eleanor and Park's head, but also giving the reader enough distance so that there was an air of mystery around what each character was thinking at every second. It was especially fascinating reading the different POVs of these two characters as they are wildly different, and yet at one. You can see that there are vast differences in the way that these characters think and feel and it's sort of like the reader is keeping secrets for both Eleanor and Park which you cannot reveal to the other person. I was rather touched by this novel on a personal level even though I can't really relate to any of the content, simply because the narrative is so full of real emotions which seem truthful and heartfelt.

I have to say that I don't think I was quite as enamored by this book as the rest of it's readers. Sure, Eleanor & Park is a fantastic novel and it is awfully cute/heartbreaking but I wouldn't peg it as a five star read as many before me have. I think the thing that bothered me the most about this book is the lack of plot. Although this was a very nice snippet from the teenage years of Eleanor and Park, I felt that perhaps this snippet was directionless and didn't really have a plot that built up. I would say that this book simply follows the relationship of Eleanor and Park from the very beginning, but everything is a bit up in the air at the end, which may appeal to some, but for me it just seemed like the story was missing another chapter. I'd say that this story is much more about the thoughts and feelings of these two characters and not on any sort of event that happens in either one of their lives.

All in all, this a great novel, though perhaps a little more style than substance. The writing is superb and highly addictive so you will no doubt be drawn in and unable to put this book down; however, don't bother waiting for some sort of major event to 'happen' because it's not going to. That's probably the only downside to this book as it really is very well written and a pleasure to read.

GIVEAWAY! Win Jack the Giant Slayer on Blu-ray and DVD!




Thanks to Warner Bros, I've got a copy of Jack the Giant Slayer on Blu-ray and DVD to give away! This new film starring Nicholas Hoult, Ewan McGregor and Stanley Tucci has just been released and you'd be a fool to miss out on the chance to win a copy! To enter, all you have to do is fill out the rafflecopter form below and take a look at the new Jack the Giant Slayer blog app! Take control of the action as you move your mouse across these GIFs, then take the quiz to see how brave you are, and play the special sound effects from the film! This app is lots of fun, especially if you've seen the film, so have a play before entering! This giveaway is open to residents of the United Kingdom ONLY (sorry everyone else!) and ends on the 1st Sept. 

About Jack the Giant Slayer:

 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Apologies for my uber long absense! I have been on holiday to Rome/Corfu with friends for two weeks, then a month long stay in China with my family, where there is NO blogger, NO facebook, NO twitter. I nearly died. Anyways, I came back to very happy news because it was A Level results day (ahh) and I found out that I'd made the grades to get into my firm choice university, Oxford! So I'll be leaving London for Oxford at the beginning of Oxford to go off and study French! So excited. I have a few different hauls this week as I bought loaads of stationary in China (yay cheap stuff!) and term one's reading list for university, plus Spinebreakers sent me Wreck This Journal which I can't wait to get started on! I also received some Quotemarks from The Book Depository which will probably be sent out with some of the giveaways that I will be running very soon! Anyways, check back again soon because I've got loads of reviews coming up since I couldn't post any of them whilst I was away and lots of giveaways too! I've missed blogger - glad to be back :D

New on the blog: 

Ink by Amanda Sun
Nowhere by Jon Robinson
Tampa by Alissa Nutting
Lemonade Stand Economics by Geof White
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Random Acts of Crazy by Julia Kent
Addicted to You by Krista and Becca Ritchie
World War Z starring Brad Pitt 
The First Time starring Dylan O'Brien and Britt Robertson
















What is everyone else reading this week? Leave your link in the comments below! :)

Friday Film review: World War Z.

Brad Pitt's latest film is a film adaption of Max Brook's famous geopolitical zombie novel, World War Z. The film is about what happens after a huge number of people all over the world are suddenly infected by the zombie disease. Brad Pitt is recruited to help fight these creatures back and discover where they came from and how to get rid of them. He travels all over the globe to try and find his answers and faces several setbacks and with the zombie infestation spreading quickly and getting worse day by day, the future of planet Earth looks pretty bleak.

World War Z brings the zombie craze back to life (excuse the pun). I am not a fan of zombie films to be honest but I really enjoyed World War Z because the zombies were actually scary and not lollopping lumps of flesh. The bite from one of these zombies takes effect within ten minutes and will have the victim writhing and twisting on the ground until that happens. There's something different about these zombies; they are actual monsters that have some sort of intelligence which makes them all the scarier. I thought that the CGI effects to create the zombies were fairly good as they created fairly realistic and detailed creatures. What let this down though was the fact that there was too much blurry action during the zombie action to really appreciate this.
What makes this film unique is that it isn't centered on fighting the growing zombie population, but on finding a way to protect the human race, and there is a subtle distinction. This film had the potential to be so much more than a zombie horror story but I'm not entirely sure that it lived up to it. A large part of this film is spent fighting zombies so there's lots of action which sort of took over the film which is a shame because there was actually another agenda. The story is really quite clever and you're hooked the whole way through, trying to find out what the conclusion will be. That said, I do feel that the story was a little rushed and had there been less zombie attacks and more time dedicated to the main plot, that is, finding a way to protect humanity, then this film would've been excellent.


The acting is really good in this film, particularly from Brad Pitt which makes it especially disappointing that so much screenplay was dedicated to pointless zombie attacks. I guess fans of the book shouldn't watch this as I gather it has little to do with the book and is mainly about CGI and on screen action. For those who haven't read the book, this will probably appeal to fans of zombie, paranormal and sci-fi films, particularly those that like a fast pace and lots of action.

Tampa by Alissa Nutting.

Title: Tampa
Author: Alissa Nutting
Publisher: Faber and Faber
Publication Date: 2nd July 2013
Goodreads Summary: Celeste Price is an eighth-grade English teacher in suburban Tampa. She's undeniably attractive. She drives a red Corvette with tinted windows. Her husband, Ford, is rich, square-jawed, and devoted to her.

But Celeste's devotion lies elsewhere. She has a singular sexual obsession—fourteen-year-old boys. Celeste pursues her craving with sociopathic meticulousness and forethought; her sole purpose in becoming a teacher is to fulfill her passion and provide her access to her compulsion. As the novel opens, fall semester at Jefferson Jr. High is beginning.

In mere weeks, Celeste has chosen and lured the lusciously naive Jack Patrick into her web. Jack is enthralled and in awe of his teacher, and, most important, willing to accept Celeste's terms for a secret relationship—car rides after school; rendezvous at Jack's house while his single father works late; body-slamming encounters in Celeste's empty classroom between periods.

Ever mindful of the danger—the perpetual risk of exposure, Jack's father's own attraction to her, and the ticking clock as Jack leaves innocent boyhood behind—the hyperbolically insatiable Celeste bypasses each hurdle with swift thinking and shameless determination, even when the solutions involve greater misdeeds than the affair itself. In slaking her sexual thirst, Celeste Price is remorseless and deviously free of hesitation, a monstress driven by pure motivation. She deceives everyone, and cares nothing for anyone or anything but her own pleasure.

With crackling, rampantly unadulterated prose, Tampa is a grand, uncompromising, seriocomic examination of want and a scorching literary debut.
{ Review }

Plot wise, this book gets off to an excellent start. Celeste is just starting out at as a high school teacher - the moment that she's been waiting years for as she can finally be in the company of the teenage boys she so craves, day in, day out. This book has excellent pacing, not too fast, not too slow, which I liked because it gave the reader lots of time for barbarity of Celeste's thoughts and actions to sink in. I have to admit, my interest did wane slightly in the middle passages, but Nutting quickly regains the glorious essence of Celeste from the beginning to finish off this novel. It's pretty easy to guess what's going to happen at the end of this book, but you don't know how or when it's going to happen or what's going to happen in between. There were a few plot twitsts along the way to make things extra exciting, but to be honest, this book didn't even need a plot because Celeste's thoughts are so damn compelling.

What I loved about this book is that it doesn't make any overt judgement on Celeste's actions. She is, of course, a sexual predator, however, the fourteen year old boys that she picks on aren't exactly blameless, after all, it takes two to tango. I didn't feel sympathy for any of the characters in this novel. They are all deeply flawed and you go through the whole novel waiting for someone to notice just how peverse the thoughts (and actions) of these people are so that they can be stopped. At the same time though, you kinda want them to continue because you know that if the characters' secrets are found out then this fascinating story will be over. Celeste reminds me of a female, more extreme version, of Christian Grey (Fifty Shades of Grey). From the outside she looks perfect but on the inside she is a deeply twisted character.

Make no mistake ladies and gentlemen, this is a dark tale, not to be read by those who are easily offended by graphic sexual detail. This book disgusted me but I was enthralled by it all the same. This a raw exploration of a 26 year old woman's obsession with 14 year old boys that you won't be able to put down once you start reading. The opening chapters when Celeste is alone with her thoughts are a work of pure perverse genius and I can imagine this text being studied in a classroom before being banned by several states for being inappropriate.

Hi all!!

Apologies for my prolonged absence and lack of posting. I've been in China for the past month where Blogger, Fbk and Twitter are all blocked D: Good thing is that I've had lots of time to read books and watch TV/films so lots of reviews will be up when I'm back (next week).

Hope everyone's been having lovely summers reading loads of books :D Any book recommendations?