Movie Review: The Martian (2015)

Length: 2 hr & 14 min
Released: 2015
Genre: Drama & Sci-Fi
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: In theaters 

SUMMARY:
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring "the Martian" home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney's safe return.

TRAILER:

REVIEW:

No...no...NOOOOO! WHY? JUST WHY!? Humans do NOT belong in space especially if it takes YEARS to get to certain locations.Until we have the technology to get to Mars in like a day or something then we have no busy going out there. Poor guy getting stuck on that planet. Lucky he was smart.

The story had me hooked from the first moment. I was entertained, but also scared and worried about his life. You could see his slow decline, because he had to cut and barely eat. Kuddos to him for keeping faith. I'm glad that they did show him have moments of weakness...it made it realistic, because at first I was getting SO annoyed by his over-the-top enthusiasm. 

The rest of the crew did wonderful. I loved Sean Bean and his character. I also loved the Lord of the Rings reference too bad Sean Bean didn't get in on it really. Bummer. I do wish we could have gotten to more about the other characters, especially his crew - I felt discontented with them since they barely were on screen. 

I did like the ending even though it seemed unrealistic and not likely what would happen. Needless to say...I didn't see it coming. I was expecting/wanting something different. It wasn't horrible or anything...it was good....but not realistic to me. 

In the end, this was a good watch. The ending I didn't except and I was bummed bc I felt so disconnected with Mark's crew. Honestly, I prolly won't read the book since I've seen the movie. One, the ending is spoiled now so it takes out all the surprise and interest. Two, I know the book will scare me more and make me angry at NASA. I do recommend this movie and/book though. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 4. 

Re-watch?: Mmmm, it was good, just a one-time watch though

Blodeuedd Review: The Prophet of Eternal Fjord by Kim Leine

Idealistic, misguided Morten Falck is a newly ordained priest sailing to Greenland in 1787 to convert the Inuit to the Danish church. A rugged outpost battered by unremittingly harsh winters, Sukkertoppen is simmering with the threat of dissent; natives from neighboring villages have unified to reject Danish rule and establish their own settlement atop Eternal Fjord. As Falck becomes involved with those in his care his ambitious catechist, a lonely trader s wife, and a fatalistic widow he comes to love his faith and reputation are compromised. The internationally acclaimed novelist Kim Leine charts the tragic events that connect these seemingly disparate lives, while illuminating the brutal and tender impulses of those seeking redemption and the shifting line between religion and mysticism. 

My thoughts:

This was one of those where I should write a beautiful meaningful review. Talk about language, writing, tone and style. But you all know that is now how I review, those days are long gone in uni.

But so that you know, the writing was beautiful and there was this longing sad tone to it all. And as it was a translation of a Danish novel, then I must say it was very well done. The translator really got the spirit of it all. As I have not read the Danish one I can not compare, I have not read a Danish book since Uni. I had to check and it seems they only have an older book in Danish by the author.

It's not one of those books you read fast, some books just needs to be read slowly. The be savored. Oh I like good writing.

The story is about Morten Falck, a young man who wants to become a doctor, a man who loves his sketches. But his dad wants him to become a priest. Morten is not the best of men. His faith is in question, he is intrigued by everything and easily led astray. And he certainly should not have gone to Greenland.

Greenland, oh you will not come out liking the Danes when you are finished with this one. Not one bit. They came, they conquered, they said this is ours. They raped, they pillaged, cos hey, those savages are barely human after all. Also you can kill them as long as they are not Christian.

The land itself is harsh, even to those that live there.

The only problem I had was the narrative at times. It tended to jump in time back and forth a few times, and then there was this passage from a POV, and I did not even know who it was until the end. I do not like books that end and then begin. That is kind of spoilerish isn't it.

A happy book? No. But then it those deal with some pretty heavy things. Mankind is never nice. 

cover

meh

Paperback, 576 pages
Published January 7th 2016 by Atlantic Books (first published 2012)
Original Title: Profeterne i Evighedsfjorden
Historical fiction
For review

Book Review: Forever Hers by Caroline Cairn

Author: Caroline Cairn
Title: Forever Hers (Spirits of Saoradh #1)
Genre: Paranormal Romance & Fantasy
Pages: ebook
First Published: November 2015
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for an honest and unbiased opinion)

Feisty twenty-four year old Holly, or Miss Greedy as her friends call her, receives a wooden cube as a gift from an enigmatic elderly lady who happens to be her mother’s new neighbor in Lossiemouth, a small Scottish fishing town.

What she doesn’t expect, is for the cube to contain Blayne, a Spirit of Saoradh only she can see and touch. Blayne is a playful, headstrong ghost with no recollection of his human past and an ability to grant Holly’s wishes whenever she calls for him — as long as said wishes don’t raise any questions from the public that is. So a shiny new car might be out of the question, but the possibility of a flat stomach, a consistently spotless house or a perfect daily hairstyle more than make up for it.

Through their incessant banter, Holly and Blayne grow closer while fighting against their mutual attraction since they have no possible future together.

But when the painful reality of Blayne’s existence is revealed, Holly will realize that it’s not always the girl who needs to be saved.



What a good way to start the new year!! This was such a good book!! I expected I'd like it, but not as much as I did. I literally got this done after two sessions (the first time I had to go back to work - boo!).

Holly is given an amazing gift after her kindly neighbor passes away: a "genie". However, this is no a-typical "genie". He is technically a spirit who is being punished for his past life, they are bonded for life (unlimited wishes!), he is hot, he is not the only one, and he needs to be saved.

Poor Blayne...poor Holly. They both had some major rough patches and they certainly needed each other to move past their past. Especially Blayne. 

I really did love this concept and the characters. At first I wasn't a huge fan of Blayne, but he certainly did make me warm up to him. I think Holly felt the same way. It wasn't insta-love, which I'm glad for. Yes, there was some lust there, but the love took some time to grow. Good...because both parties had some major issues to deal with, so love wasn't on the top of their to-do lists. 

My only issue with the book was the format of the switching POVs. Sometimes I didn't expect it and it would confuse me. Other then that, I adored this book. 

In the end, I highly recommend this book to those that like PNRs or need something different on their list. I liked the characters, the story was unique, I could hardly put it down, and the ending was good. There were a couple parts that confused me, because the POV change just randomly happened mid paragraph. When is the next book coming out in the series?? So excited! Out of five stars, I stamp this with....mmmmmm.....ummmm....5 stars. 

2015 Carole Awards & Happy New Years

Happy end of 2015! This year simply flew by! It is time to pass out my Carole Awards to some movies and books. (Again, I changed up the categories). Share in the comments what your favorites/worsts were? 

Category 1 Movies:
Favorite Poster.....Stonehearst Asylum

Worse Movie.....The Starving Games

Movie of the Year......It's Such a Beautiful Day 

Category 2 Books:
Favorite Book Cover....super hard to pick! So many good contenders this year.....Fallen

Worst Book....The Casual Vacancy

Author of the Year.......Rebecca Chastin

Book of the Year.......The Lure of the Moonflower 

Hope 2016 is just as good as 2015!!!!!