Movie Review: Dark Skies (2013)

Length: 1 hr & 37 Mins
Released: 2013
Genre: Mystery & horror
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: On Netflix

SUMMARY:
As husband and wife Daniel and Lacey Barret witness an escalating series of disturbing events involving their family, their safe and peaceful home quickly unravels. When it becomes clear that the Barret family is being targeted by an unimaginably terrifying and deadly force, Daniel and Lacey take matters in their own hands to solve the mystery of what is after their family. 






TRAILER:

REVIEW:

Boyfriend and I watched this a while back. We were looking through movies the other day and looked at this and said, “huh…maybe we should watch this. This looks good.” After about 15 mins I realized that we had watched this before. So…what does this say? It was kinda sort forgettable. After re-watching it, I realized it was good, but yes…forgettable.

It was indeed creepy. At first they hint that it is ghostly, but soon it’s revealed to be aliens cause havoc. Aliens scare me, especially if they are creepy a-holes who are kidnapping people/kids for no real reason. There was never a reason specified here.

The acting was decent. The family stereotypical in many ways, so I rolled my eyes a lot with the family. Especially with the two boys. Seen this family dynamic a million times in horror movies. WHY DOES EVERYONE IGNORE THE SIGNS!? REALLY? REALLY? That is “normal”? Not strange at all…especially with the security alarms blaring even though the doors and windows are securely locked and nothing seems to be touched. Whatever…live in your delusion I guess. Why is this family dynamic always the same? Shake it up! Gah. Especially the dad’s reaction to the paranormal things going on. I get it…manly pride and all, but honestly? Good lord.

I guessed the ending, but it surprised me that I was right. There were some foreshadows, but I didn’t except them to do what they did. I’m glad, but I am surprised. It did end as a cliff-hanger, which annoyed me. Are they making a second film? I sure hope not. What more can they really do? I hope the rumors are that…rumors. If a second one does come out I doubt I will watch it….but Boyfriend did like it a lot….so we’ll see.

In the end, this was okay. It did give me the creeps and it was an interesting take on the whole Alien a-holes who like to kidnap people. I wish the stereotypical family dynamics were not there and it was something different. The acting was decent as I mentioned. Again, this was kinda forgettable. I liked the ending and I hope they it as is. No need for a second film. I recommend this for those bored and looking for an okay horror film that will give some goosebumps and a couple jumps. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 3. 

Re-watch?: Meh. If someone else wanted too, I wouldn't mind.

Book Review: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Author: Rick Yancey
Title: The 5th Wave (The 5th Wave #1)
Genre: Sci-Fi, YA, Dystopia, Fantasy, & Romance 
Pages: ebook
First Published: May 2013
Where I Got It: My shelf (Borrowed from friend)

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker.

Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.


I'm not really into the alien invasion thing, but this was really good. I was rather entertained the whole time. It took forever to read, but there was so much going on I had to walk away and let my mind wrap around what I just read.

THIS is YA? Really? It felt like an adult novel. It was dark. GOOD, but dark. Honestly, it was what 'The Host' was suppose to be. Rick Yancey did a wonderful job with the characters, story, and the aliens. It seems a legit way for the aliens to involve. Kill us in 5 waves. Out of all the waves, the 5th wave is the sickest and most cruel wave. I can't really say, because that would be a major spoiler, but truly evil and a good idea to rid of some humans. 

Why oh why can't humans and aliens co-exist!? Ugh.

Anyways...

At first I wasn't keen on the multiple POVs, but I eventually did grow to like it and it all made sense and it all was connected, so I am happy. The one thing I was "meh" about was the romance between Cassie and Evan. I don't think it was necessary and I feel that it was awkward and out of place. It did "work" you can say, but I think it wasn't needed. 

Then there is the ending....I liked it, but I hated it. It was a HUGE cliff-hanger and so many questions left unresolved. Especially with Evan. I am tempted to move on in the series however...so that is a bonus point. I am curious to see what is to come next and I am rooting for the humans. 

But yes...this is the best dystopia/Alien invasion book I've read in a long, long, LONG time. I am not a huge alien fan, but I was entertained. The story was fresh, the characters interesting, the story dark, and the ending left me wanting more. Honestly...it did not feel YA at all. It was too dark for YA. The romance was "meh", but it wasn't the centralized focus of the book, so I was okay with that. I highly recommend lovers of dystopia's to give this a go. And even those like me who are not fans of the genre to give it a try. Well...I shall stamp this with 4 stars.

Movie Review: The Host (2013)

Length: 2 hr & 5 mins
Released: 2013
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action/Adventure, Romance, & Drama
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Rented

SUMMARY:
What if everything you love was taken from you in the blink of an eye? When an unseen enemy threatens mankind by taking over their bodies and erasing their memories, Melanie Stryder will risk everything to protect the people she cares most about - Jared, Ian, her brother Jamie and her Uncle Jeb, proving that love can conquer all in a dangerous new world.

TRAILER: 

REVIEW:

I've put this off for a while since I read the book. The whole book club group all watched this, but since I couldn't go to the meeting, I did not watch it. Why? Well, I was not a fan of the book and *sighs* I just didn't want to give it a chance. However, I finally rid of my pride and prejudice and gave it a shot. I am going to do this review a wee bit different then normal (because I am feeling sassy and going against the grain):

Was this movie of the year? Hell no. 

Would I watch this again? Prolly no. 

Did I enjoy the movie? Actually...yes. 

Why? I held no expectations for this movie (I was convinced that I would hate it - so the expectations were SUPER low) and it surprised me! 

Was it better then the book? A wee bit. It flowed a lot better and I actually connected with the characters.

How was the acting? Meh. The main girl did awesome; I loved how they made the voice inside the head work without seeming cheesy and awkward. However, most of the time Melanie's voice remained a "northern accent", but once in a while she would slip into "southern", why? Did she forget? Ugh, it annoyed me. The rest of the crew did okay. I was not a fan of the guy playing Jared though (ugh...he's like a guy version of Kristen Stewart).

Love triangle? Actually...this was a creepy love square. Wanda likes Jared AND Ian; but Melanie is in love with Jared. However, Jared is in love with Melanie and kinda fancies Wanda (simply for the body). GAH. It made more sense in the movie then the book, but I still thinks its weird. 

Beginning? Actually...it skipped a lot of parts that I thought needed to really be in the story...it seemed rushed to hurry up and get to the love triangle.

Middle? I was actually really involved and on the edge of my seat.

End? Not bad...again they skipped a couple parts that helped the story along. I liked what they did with the VERY end; clever. However...the actress they got was odd looking...ugly? No...just...odd...mmmm. 

Book or Movie? Neither...oh...wait...I have to pick? Sighs, prolly the movie. 

Conclusion? This was an interesting movie. I am glad I did manage to get myself to check it out. It was a touch better then the book, but still - no to watching it again. If it was on, I would not throw a fit, but I would never put it on myself. I recommend this to those that like Stephanie Meyer or who wants to try something new. Out of five stars, I stamp this with...mmmm...2 stars. It is more like 2.4, but I rounded (not quite a 3)

Favorite Character(s): Ian, Uncle Jeb, and Wanda 

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Jared (smh) and Wanda's aunt (I can't remember her name)

Book Review: The Host by Stephanie Meyers

Author: Stephenie Meyers
Title: The Host (Host #1)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Romance, Fantasy, and YA
Pages: 620
First Published: May 2008
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

"Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, didn't expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love.

Featuring one of the most unusual love triangles in literature, THE HOST is a riveting and unforgettable novel about the persistence of love and the essence of what it means to be human."

This was another book from my book club I would have never picked up if it wasn't for the gang. Yes, I've read the Twilight series, but it's different. I'm not really a huge fan of the writer AND I'm not really a "aliens" type gal. There are a couple exceptions, but generally I don't do aliens.

Anyways....

The concept of this book is good and different and original. Rarely do you find a book that centralizes around the invasion of aliens that have succeeded and this is the aftermath. An interesting take, also, on HOW the aliens invade. Not only do they invade the planet, but they take over the bodies. Neat. Interesting. I like it. I also LOVE the fact that there are a few occasions when the original soul of the body is tough and refuses to be taken over so easily. Melanie is one of those souls. WHICH makes it hard on the Wanderer/Wanda who is a "veteran" of taking over bodies (this is not the aliens first time taking over a planet and its people. The first couple chapters seems surprisingly okay. However....things fall apart rather quickly.

Jared.

>.> 

A love triangle.

>.> 

FIRST OF ALL, this love triangle is not a love triangle. Ian loves Wanda/Wanderer, while Jared is in love with Melanie and her body. It's odd and weird and I hated Jared. Yes, I get WHY he hated the new and improved Melanie, because it his not his girlie anymore. The Alien is inside of her. I TOTALLY GET IT! However, it's really annoying when he gets all protective over and and says he still loves her, but then punches her. WHAT?! What makes it worse is that Melanie and Wanderer are okay with this. Melanie is an idiot and is still drooling over herself of this man who has punched her like...well...four times. Yes, Ian did get a slug in at the very beginning (when he first laid eyes on her). However, he apologized when he realized Wanderer/Wanda is not a bad alien and that Melanie is still there. When he confesses love, he meant it and never hurt her again. Sorry, Jared, but I would kick you to the curb. 

Bella Swan complex again. Sorry everyone! 

I'll admit it. I did do A LOT OF SKIMMING! I'm sorry, but I couldn't help it. This book should not have been 600 or so page. NO WAY JOSE! There were so many events and parts that should have been cut out. They were unnecessary and dragged the story down. I think the editor just put his stamp of approval on it JUST because it is Stephanie Meyer. *smacks head on table* This was a tough read to get through, but once I got to the ending....it was kinda...a tiny bit worth it. It was a good ending even though I totally called it a mile away. Simple and easy solution. Too easy if you ask me. 

In the end, this was a tiny bit better then what I thought it would be. However, it was still hard to get through especially when Jared and the crazy, odd love triangle came about. It then dried up and I had to skim a lot to just get through. Honestly, I think I would have liked this better if some editing was done. NOT ALL STORIES CAN LAST 600 PAGES! MEH! Well, I shall stamp this with 2 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Ian (I would pick him in a heartbeat), Wanderer (Don't know why, but I liked her WAY better then Melanie), Uncle Jeb, and Doc

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Jared, Melanie, and Kyle (deserved the opposite decision).

 

Movie Review: District 9

Length: 1 hr & 52 mins
Released: August 14, 2009
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Action, Drama
Rating: R
Directed By: Neill Blomkamp
Where I Got It: borrowed from library

SUMMARY:
"It's been 28 years since the aliens made first contact, but there was never any attack from the skies, nor any profound technological revelation capable of advancing our society. Instead, the aliens were treated as refugees. They were the last of their kind, and in order to accommodate them, the government of South Africa set up a makeshift home in District 9 as politicians and world leaders debated how to handle the situation. As the humans begin to grow wary of the unwelcome intruders, a private company called Multi-National United (MNU) is assigned the task of controlling the aliens. But MNU is less interested in the aliens' welfare than attempting to understand how their weaponry works. Should they manage to make that breakthrough, they will receive tremendous profits to fund their research. Unfortunately, the highly advanced weaponry requires alien DNA in order to be activated. When MNU field operative Wikus van der Merwe is exposed to biotechnology that causes his DNA to mutate, the tensions between the aliens and the humans intensifies. Wikus is the key to unlocking the alien's technology, and he quickly becomes the most wanted man on the planet. Ostracized and isolated, Wikus retreats to District 9 in a desperate bid to shake his dogged pursuers."

CAST:
Wikus van der Merwe - Sharlto Copley
Christopher Johnson, Grey Bradnam - Jason Cope
Koobus Venter - David James
Tania Van de Merwe - Vanessa Haywood
Fundiswa Mhlanga - Mandla Gaduka
Thomas - Kenneth Nkosi
Obesandjo - Eugene Khubanyiwa
Piet Smit - Louis Minnaar
Dirk Michaels - William Allen Young

TRAILER:

REVIEW:

People have been ranting raving about this movie for a while now; even my Dad was drooling all over this when it came out. *sighs* However, I wasn't too keen for it. I'm not HUGE into alien movies. Never have been. Meh. Boyfriend really wanted to watch this, so I succumbed and I watched it with him. 

I'll be honest...it wasn't too bad. I would even go against my pride and say I enjoyed it. However...for this review, I will divide and conquer:

The Good

-The effects were amazing! I was utterly blown away...it all looked legit real.

-The acting and casting was lovely.

-I loved how they made this like a documentary. It was interesting (by no means original, but it made the story better).

-I felt like this was dead-on. If aliens needed our help and we "came to the rescue" and they became refugees...I feel like this would happen. They would stay for a long time and people would resent them and treat them like garbage. One, they are refugees and two, they are unknown to us. Humans are scared of the unknown, so people would resent them. Sad, but true. 

-I liked the ending...but then I hated it. (a love/hate thing is going on here)

The Bad & The Ugly

-Wikus annoyed me to no ends.

-Wikus' voice gave me a headache

- I don't understand why the aliens ALWAYS have to look so UGLY in these movies...why do they look like monsters? They are super smart...why can't they look not so scary and ugly? Is this a poke at the stereotype, "You can't be smart and pretty." Gah. 

- I was confused...so there were no female aliens? How did they create the eggs to reproduce? Me=confused on the functions of these creatures.

-I couldn't keep the names of the characters straight and who was who sometimes.

-The ending made me mad...it was a HUGE cliffhanger and I don't think they'll ever make a sequel (doesn't seem to be). Annoyed.

Conclusion

I don't really care for alien movies...but this wasn't too bad. There was a lot I liked and a lot I didn't like. I wish they would create a sequel for my sanity though! GAH! Don't get me wrong though, the ending was fantastic and was appropriate, however, I wish that they didn't leave such a cliffhanger. I would recommend this to those that adore alien and Sci-fi movies. (*NOTE* I'm adding a new feature to my movie review - yes I will go back and add it to the old ones-*END OF NOTE*) I shall stamp this movie with 3 stars...it's a little shy of 3.5, so I rounded.

Would I re-watch?: 

Nope. 

Favorite Character(s): no one I can really think off...I did feel bad for the aliens though. Humans are cruel.

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Pretty much all the human...humans are bastards.

                               

*CaroleRae*