Favorites of 2014 - The Carole Awards!

Happy end of 2014! I can't believe the year is already over and 2015 is right around the corner. Man...time does speed past faster and faster the older you get. This year I cut out the music section, so I can have more categorizes for books and movies. Now, let us hand out these imaginary Carole Awards (since i don't really have any - man, I wish I did have an award show named after me).  

Category 1 Movies:
Favorite Female Character.........Maleficent from 'Maleficent'
Honestly, I was stuck between 2 characters for this award, but Male gets it, because I think the actress did a wonderful job at making this classic baddie into a hero who temporarily lost her way. 

Favorite Male Character..........Adam from 'Upside Down'
I really adored him because he was smart and motivated. He wanted to be rich and wanted the woman he loved. He used his wits to get what he wanted and I respected that. Plus, he was pretty cute. ;) 

Favorite Baddie..........Richard from 'The Iceman'
The movie is about Richard, but he is a baddie. A baddie who gets rid of baddies? Yes, but he still was a baddie and went to jail for it. However, I loved him and the actor who plays him.

Favorite Poster..........Belle
A lovely poster with lovely colors. It really does pop. Also, the actress who plays Belle is pretty and her eyes are so intense.

Movie of the Year...........North & South
Another tough one, I watched sooooo many good movies this year. Even though this one is a "movie on TV" type film, it was still great and it deserves this award. The acting was fantastic and the story-line had me hooked. It even gave me the motivation to re-try this book. ^.^ 

Category 2 Books:
Favorite Female Character......Jasmine from 'The Dance of Spirits' 
She was a tough girl, who would do anything to survive, but keep to her morals no matter what. 

Favorite Male Character.......Robbie from 'The Bride Prize' 
He was simply adorable and funny. I loved that he could draw so well and he was such a gentleman and fought for his woman even though it seemed hopeless. 

Favorite Baddie...........Anara from 'A Cursed Bloodline' 
OOoooooh how he angered me! However, he certainly did a number on our heroes physically and emotionally. What a good baddie.

Favorite Cover...........'Dark Amelia' by Sally O'Reilly 
I love the colors. It seems simple, but it really is gorgeous. The mix of white, read, and then the peachy/red on her lips just seem to make it pop. 

Author of the Year...........Cecy Robson
I am so excited to see what she has next up her sleeve!

Book of the Year...........'The Korean Word for Butterfly' by James Zerndt
Like always, this part is always the hardest, especially after reading so many wonderful books this year. However, I must pick this one, because I loved it so much. It was a great story with great characters. 

What do you think? What were your favorites of 2014? :) Good luck in 2015!!!!!!!!!

Movie Review: Belle (2014)

Length: 1 hr & 42 mins
Released: 2013
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Online rent

SUMMARY:
BELLE is inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, the illegitimate mixed race daughter of Admiral Sir John Lindsay. Raised by her aristocratic great-uncle Lord Mansfield and his wife, Belle's lineage affords her certain privileges, yet her status prevents her from the traditions of noble social standing. While her cousin Elizabeth chases suitors for marriage, Belle is left on the sidelines wondering if she will ever find love. After meeting an idealistic young vicar's son bent on changing society, he and Belle help shape Lord Mansfield's role as Lord Chief Justice to end slavery in England

TRAILER:

REVIEW:

I've been wanting to watch this movie FOREVER!! I'm a little unsure about where to begin, so I shall divide and conquer this review. 

Characters

-Belle "Dido": Poor girl. Kuddos to her being so tough about everything. Especially a certain jerk and the jerk's mother. I was worried that she was going to be a "perfect" character, but it took her time to develop into a strong woman. 

-Captain Lindsay: I wish he got some more screen time, because he was an awesome guy. He didn't give a damn about his reputation, he wanted to do rights by his daughter Belle.

-Lady Mary: At first I didn't like her, but I loved her after a while.

-Lady Mansfield: Again...at first I didn't like her, but she made it up and did right by Belle. 

-Lord Mansfield: One of my favorite actors! It made me happy to see his face. 

-Elizabeth: I liked her even though she was a total air-head and totally naive at times. At one point I wanted to punch her, but she made it up.

-Lady Ashford: Total beeeeyotch. >______>

-Oliver Ashford: I did like him even tho he said some dumb things.

-James Ashford: DRACO MALFOY! Oh *cough* um, hello weird looking guy. Why did he look so weird? Maybe they made him look weird to fit his nasty personality. Why does this actor like playing an ass all the time?

-Davinier: Awwwwwwwwe. :3 Cute. 

(So many characters, I know)

Story

I never heard of Miss Belle and her story. I never even heard of her before! Hmmmm, I want to know more about her. Are there books or other movies about her? I want to learn more. Kuddos to her....they treated her like such crap at times. She was too high of status to eat with the slaves, but not white enough to eat with the family during events. So, so sad how evil humanity can be. :/ 

I did oddly love the love triangle. Crazy, right? I am so glad that Belle picked the right lad in the end though...because he truly deserved her and never really ever noticed her being half black. Ok, he noticed it but never said any dumb comments about it like the other lad did. I was certainly nervous, but alas, my worries were for not. 

The Ending

Yayy! It made me happy. I almost got really upset, but they didn't let me down (I knew what would happen, because its historical fact, but I try to ignore the facts and go for the ride). 

Conclusion

I loved the cast they got for the characters; they all did good. The story was also good and had me hooked. Even Boyfriend was totally into the movie. I also want to know more about Belle "Dido", so I shall go on the search for books and movies about her. In the end, I recommend this to those that love historical movies mixed with some controversial issues. I shall stamp this with 5 stars. :)

Favorite Character(s): Belle, Captain Lindsay, Elizabeth, and Davinier

Not-so Favorite Character(s): James & Lady Ashford

Re-watch?: Yes! A good one! Adding it to my collection of historical films.