Daybreakers

Daybreakers (2009)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


A new twist to vampires - they rule the world. Humans are lunch meat trying in vain to fight back. One scientist finds a cure to the vampire plague. What he doesn't realize at first was that he actually found two cures. Limited exposure to sunlight in order to burn away the virus without killing the host. Consequently, any vampire feeding on a human that was a vampire turned back will also change back into a human. Nifty trick if it didn't mean the vampires all go crazy over the blood and everyone eats each other to achieve it.

Julie & Julia

Julie & Julia (2009)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a cute film, much more lighter and more fun than many recent movies. Took a little while for me to get that it was Julia's past we were watching with Julie's present. Interesting how they intertwined the two to show how it all added up to the current. The end scene where Julie has finally made her goal and they're visiting the museum is interesting as well. Just a fun story.

The Usual Suspects

The Usual Suspects (1995)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Watched it because it was the movie for the evening my husband picked. Honestly did not really hold my interest. It has some parts that are interesting and amusing. Definitely had an older feel to it; very mobster. Just wasn't what I really wanted for the evening.

The Hollows 9: Pale Demon

The Hollows 9: Pale Demon by Kim Harrison

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A little slow in the build up, but a serious page turner once it got going. Plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested and wondering just what Rachel will do next.

I was a little disappointed in Ivy's part for the book, but also proud of her for finally admitting she needed to be at least partially separate from Rachel as well. Also really liked Rachel finally starting to truly come to terms with what she was and what she could do. It felt a little like she back pedaled on that a bit after her final revival at the end of the book. That and I'm not sure what I think of this added level to the Trent interest. Never really thought Pierce would work out. I'll admit that Kisten was my favorite, so I was sad when he was killed. Trent as the new replacement though? I don't know. Maybe they stand a chance now with being father and godmother. Will be waiting for more in the next book before that settles in.

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Den of Shadows 7: All Just Glass

Den of Shadows 7: All Just Glass by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Given how long it's taken for this sequel to be published, I was surprised with just how close to the end of Shattered Mirror that it picks up - literally Adia's point of view from just after having witnessed Sarah being changed.

Honestly not as good as it's predecessor, but still a decent read. I've always been a little annoyed by the lack of a conclusive ending to these stories. While it's still rather ambiguous at the end of Glass, there is at least more direction than at the end of Mirror. Especially found Dominique's history rather interesting. Very glad Adia didn't disappoint when it came to her relationship with her sister.

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Full Moon 1: Once in a Full Moon

Full Moon 1: Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This book is more of a teaser and cliff-hanger than anything else. Yes, they finally say they want to be together. Yes, Brandon finally admits he's a werewolf. So what happens to the three-some, the six-some, the psychic celebrity and more importantly, Nash supposedly seeing Brandon transform before fleeing in the last pages of the book? That's no ending; it's a setup for more reading with no discernible conclusion as of yet. Kind of hoping this means there is a sequel in the works, because otherwise the current ending is just disappointing.

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The Healer

The Healer by Sharon Sala

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Interesting through and through. Jonah is his own set of mystery and a fascinating mindset. The healing alone was an interesting quirk, but added to the communicating with animals, enhanced senses and mind reading, it's no wonder Luce asks him if he's an angel. Maybe a little too perfect in some regards, but still a captivating read.

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True Grit

True Grit (2010)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Some humor and some danger. Mattie is on a quest to stop her father's killer. Along with a Texas ranger and a bounty hunter as her unlikely friends. She'll lose an arm in the process, but see justice done herself. An interesting cowboy tale that keeps you going from beginning to end.

Twilight 2: New Moon Extra: Edward and Rosalie

Twilight 2: New Moon Extra: Edward and Rosalie by Stephenie Meyer

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This is good in the sense that it fills in gaps otherwise left blank in the original story. Bad in the sense that it paints Edward as being even more whiny and indecisive than he was in the original series. It's also interesting to see the difference in Meyer's perspective from the perceived image we get in the movie - almost the only hint to Edward's reaction overseas that we originally get until you find this on her site. Only available online and only a few minutes to read; only worth it if you really like the series and want all the details.

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Twilight 2: New Moon Extra: Miscalculation

Twilight 2: New Moon Extra: Miscalculation by Stephenie Meyer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is a short little snippet only found on Meyer's website. I've always had the impression Rosalie was rather self-centered and shallow. This kind of proved that thought with how she only thought of herself and as if she was right. Blaming Alice for her error was foolish, as was the unnecessary pain she caused the rest of her family by jumping-the-gun and being so eager to deliver bad news. "Miscalculation" is both fitting and not as the title. Fitting because Rosalie doesn't get the result she wanted. Not fitting because it didn't seem like much of a calculation until after it was already done. Still, an interesting insight to what was previous unknown in the series.

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The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Really bad humor and easy to see things coming at you. For the story and characters available, it should have been much more detailed and entertaining. Something of a let down in the end.

The Return

The Return by Sharon Sala

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I find it funny that the back cover description names the main character Katherine when in the book itself her name is spelled Catherine. An odd error in the re-publishing going from Dinah McCall to Sharon Sala. A much shorter story than most of her others that I've read. Still was very engaging and obviously a quick read as I finished it in one day. Always have enjoyed her characters.

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127 Hours

127 Hours (2010)

Rating: 4 of 5 stars


This movie was poorly made as the camera is jerky and some of the scenes are a little disjointed as a result. In a way, that adds to the effect however as hiker Aaron Ralston gets trapped in a canyon on a solo hike and barely makes it out alive, losing his arm in the process. I liked the book better overall as it's purely told from Ralston's perspective and you get a lot of detailed information from past experiences leading up to how this happened and what he was thinking. They did a good job with the movie, even going as far as physically showing his hallucinations while he was trapped. There's something about seeing that kind of horror lived out that is captivating all in it's own. A very gripping story through and through.

The Da Vinci Code

The Da Vinci Code (2006)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


I thought maybe I could enjoy the movie more since I struggled so much to get through the book. In the end though, it was a wasted effort. While there were parts that were interesting, as a whole I could not stay focused on it and often found myself wondering when it would be over rather than wanting the next scene. Definitely not my cup of tea.

The Smoke Jumper

The Smoke Jumper by Nicholas Evans

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book was very easy to get into and enjoyable to read. Same author as The Horse Whisperer, a book I enjoyed back in high school. Still can't say which of the boys I think is the better pick. The story is a little predictable in part two and part three. Still, enjoyable through and through.

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Underworld 3: Evolution

Underworld 3: Evolution (2006)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Decent as far as vampire movies go. It definitely has it's ups and downs. A bit more history and in-depth than the other films of it's series. There's still plenty of violence and drama to go around.

TRON: Legacy

TRON: Legacy (2010)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Fast paced and different than many others. A family is split in two as one lives inside his own creation and the other is left alone. A reunion inside the game reveals an entire world of differences. Fast paced and dangerous, it's a race to get out alive with the information to save their own world from being absorbed.

Cars

Cars (2006)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Once again, Pixar has come up with something cute and fun for the entire family. Who knew cars could be so expressive? Lightning McQueen gets a whole new lesson on life along with several make-overs as he goes from being the thoughtless star of the show, to an even bigger star with a heart.

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous (2005)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I still like the first film better, but this one is just as crack up hilarious as the other. Las Vegas never knew what hit them. Not one you really have to sit and think about. Just enjoy the action and roll with the laughs. It's one of a kind.

Underworld 2: Rise of the Lycans

Underworld 2: Rise of the Lycans (2009)

Rating: 1 of 5 stars


Not as good as the first movie. Plenty of action, plenty of supernatural creatures, and plenty of death. Once again, Sonja must accomplish the impossible to stay alive and have any hope of restoring order to their disintegrating system.

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Lex Luther is sworn is as president of the United States with his own task force of super-humans. Now it's up to Batman and Superman to stop him from destroying the world while on the run as public enemies. Enlisting the help of the few super-heroes who will listen and a kid who is too smart for his own good, they save the world from yet another disaster while taking Lex out of office.

BloodRayne 2: Deliverance

BloodRayne 2: Deliverance (2007)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


The first one was bad, and so is it's sequel. Beyond cheesy and corny, at least they didn't go as over-the-top as they did with the first one's dungeon scene. Still, definitely not worth the money to keep on hand or watch in theaters.