Film Addict's February Film Choice

We all get the winter blues every so often, I know I do especially when I get stressed out or someone winds me up, so I thought I'd review a cheery film that is random and makes me smile throughout.  So, the Film Addict's January Film Choice is Ten Inch Hero.  It's nothing rude, I swear.

Ten Inch Hero is David Mackey's 2007 independent romantic comedy film; stars include Elisabeth Harnois (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Keith), Clea DuVall (Argo, Heroes), Sean Patrick Flanery (Saw 3D, The Boondock Saints), Jensen Ackles (Supernatural, Dark Angel), Danneel Harris (One Tree Hill, Friends with Benefits), and John Doe (Roswell, The Good Girl)

Rating: 9

Recommended To: Comedy fans

Favourite Characters: Priestly

Favourite Part: Priestly: You're shittin' me. Jen, please tell me you didn't leave Fuzzy sitting down there wondering.  God damn it Jen.                 
Jen: I don't expect you to understand.    
Priestly: Oh I understand.  I understand you wouldn't talk to him 'cause you were terrified he'd judge you on the basis of your looks, yet you're completely comfortable doing the exact same thing to him.  Unbelievable, god!

Good Points: The employees of the sandwich shop; touching film with interesting dialogue; visually vibrant; funny

Bad Points: Priestly at the end; Piper's storyline

Geek Alert - February Loot Crate

It's the end of the month which must mean that it's Loot Crate time and that means a monthly dose of weird and wonderful geeky stuff, or a second dose because of my My Geek Box subscription, but I have been looking forward to Loot Crate arriving.

Geek Alert - February My Geek Box

While Loot Crate is a mystery by itself, My Geek Box is the mother of all mysteries every month other than the theme because they don't even give you a hint at what will be in the box.  You are guaranteed to get a T-shirt but there is no clue what will be on it or what else will come with it and that's a quality I like about My Geek Box.

Jupiter Ascending

Choices at the cinema are a bit limited at the moment depending on what you want to see seen as Fifty Shades of Grey is dominating nearly every screen at my local cinema and it doesn't seem like my cup of tea, at least not at the cinema given the content.  However, with my sister back home for the weekend, we all went to see one of the other films that came out recently for something to do as a family.

Jupiter Ascending is the 2015 space opera directed by The Wachowskis starring Channing Tatum (Magic Mike, 21 Jump Street), Mila Kunis (Black Swan, Family Guy), Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything, Les Misérables), Sean Bean (Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings series), and Douglas Booth (Noah, Great Expectations).  Known for their unusual films, such as The Matrix series and Cloud Atlas, the Wachowskis have brought another wonderfully weird addition to their collection.

Rating: 7

Recommended To: The Wachowskis fans

Favourite Characters: Caine; Stinger

Favourite Part: Jupiter: Because a dream is the only way any of this make sense.
Caine: Compared to what? The idea that you're the only intelligent species, on the only inhabitable planet, in a universe so full of planets that you don't even have a number to describe how many there are.

Good Points: Visually spectacular; very different than normal; Caine and Stinger's relationship

Bad Points: Really had to concentrate; Kalique seemed a little useless; predictable

Film's Addict's January Film Choice

It was one of my best friends' birthday last week so like I did back in August for my kid sister, I have dedicated the Film Addict's January Film Choice to her and she chose Serenity, the film sequel to the Firefly TV series, one of her favourite films as well as mine.

Serenity is the film continuation of Joss Whedon's TV series Firefly, a space western, with the same main cast that portrayed the crew in the TV series plus new additions which allows the world Whedon created to be expanded.  Stars of Serenity include Nathan Fillion (Castle, Slither), Gina Torres (The Matrix Reloaded, Suits), Alan Tudyk (I, Robot, Frozen), Adam Baldwin (Chuck, The Last Ship), Summer Glau (Arrow, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), Jewel Staite (Stargate Atlantis, Space Cases), Sean Maher (Much Ado About Nothing, Arrow), Morena Baccarin (V, Gotham), and Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave, American Gangster), many of whom have starred in other works that Whedon has directed and written.

Like the Film Addict's May, August, and November Film Choice, there is a special point that I have added that my friend picked and this time it was her favourite part.

Rating: 9

Recommended To: Anyone; Joss Whedon fans; sci-fi fans

Favourite Characters: Mal - typical outlaw hero; Wash - always been my favourite

Favourite Part: Wash: It's okay, I'm a leaf on the wind!
Mal: What does that mean?

Good Points: Characters were fantastic; expansion of the universe Serenity is set in; continuation from the TV series

Bad Points: Not quite the same as the TV series

Special: First scene on-board Serenity

Bookworm Wednesday

What books would make great book club picks?

I truly struggled with this topic because I have never really taken part in a book club but I understand the concept, in some ways, it was weird that I picked this topic for my own challenge but at least it made me think more. I could only pick six books instead of my normal ten because for me, book clubs mean you discuss the book you read and these six are the only ones I thought could generate a truly great discussion because my other books are too niche in my opinion or are just some fluffy entertainment.

Geek Alert - January Loot Crate

It's Loot Crate time and everything from across the pond is starting to arrive at a normal rate, sort of, and once again, it's weird and wonderful with a retro spin on the usual random items.

Tim Waggoner - The Roads Not Taken

I got fed up with being too slow at writing my reviews, which is my own fault because I got busy with work and got distracted too easily, so I decided to read a small book to revitalise my need to read more.

Based on the Supernatural TV series and its primary characters, The Roads Not Taken is a choose-your-own-adventure book by Tim Waggoner where fans of the series and the like can take fate into their own hands and make some of Sam and Dean's decisions for them and see how long they would survive.

Rating: 8

Recommended To: Supernatural fans

Favourite Character: Dean

Favourite Part: Shulman's Model

Good Points: Interesting to have control over the Winchester's fates; multiple endings; the stories were interlinked

Bad Points: Could have been longer; Here Kitty, Kitty was too obvious

Bookworm Wednesday

Name your favourite book series.

From standalone books to series that seem to go on forever, I love all kinds of books and when I find a series I really enjoy, I have a tendency to buy the entire series (if they're out already) so that I can continue it as I presume most book bloggers do; the blogs I read do at least.

Geek Alert - January My Geek Box

It's a new year and with that comes new things.  January's My Geek Box arrived today which I was excited about, as I tend to be because of my puppy-like personality.

Into the Woods

It's a new year and to mix things up a bit, my mum and I went to see the new adaptation of Into the Woods as it intrigued me with the different actors that were taking part in it and the plot of the musical it was based on and how they were going to adapt that to screen even though I have never seen the musical.  Musicals aren't my favourite kind of film, even though a lot of Disney films are musical in some way, but I like to watch them occasionally so it's something different to see.

Into the Woods is the 2015 Disney musical film by Rob Marshall based on Stephen Sondheim's musical of the same name starring Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada, Julie & Julia), Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada, Gnomeo & Juliet), James Corden (Gavin & Stacey, One Chance), Anna Kendrick (Pitch Perfect, Up in the Air), Chris Pine (Star Trek series, Rise of the Guardians), Tracey Ullman (Corpse Bride, How I Met Your Mother), Christine Baranski (The Big Bang Theory, The Good Wife), and Johnny Depp (Edward Scissorhands, Pirates of the Caribbean series).  Into the Woods is inspired by a number of fairy tales including Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, and Little Red Riding Hood as several of the characters are brought together and a story is wound around them.

Rating: 7

Recommended To: Musical fans

Favourite Characters: Baker - great character development

Favourite Part: Jack: Magic what type of magic? 
Baker's Wife: Tell him.
Baker: Magic that, uh, defies description.

Good Points: Very surreal but very enjoyable; interesting amalgamation of fairy tales; production design is wonderful

Bad Points: Could be overcomplicated for children

Bookworm Wednesday

What are your favourite books that you received as a gift?

It is officially the first Bookworm Wednesday ever and I thought I'd start with a festive-ish kind of start because it has been Christmas and etc. in the last month so I assume you may have got books for presents; I know I did at least because my friends and family know I'm such a bibliophile or I asked for certain books so here are some of my favourite books that I have received.  On this list, I have also included some books I was given as a gift years ago because they were, and still are some of my favourite gifts.

Update from the Bibliophile

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas and New Year, mine was quiet but I was working around both dates so the quiet festive season was a blessing.

As of today, I have invited someone to join The Bibliophile + FilmAddict as a co-blogger; she is interested in music as well as books so every so often, there may be another post about music she would like to share or a book she has read.  I thought it would be a great addition to this blog and I hope everyone will enjoy it too.

As well as a new co-blogger, I know a lot of book review blogs do weekly memes and a lot of people take part in them and I have thought about joining them over the course of last year.  However, they have already started and I would like to start a weekly meme from the very beginning; on top of that, they have some challenges that I'm not keen on so I have decided to start my own meme as of next week called Bookworm Wednesday which anyone can join if they so choose.

The list is much like The Broke and the Bookish's Top Ten Tuesday and Book Badger's Five Friday Favourites but it's my own version; it's a Who? What? Where? kind of meme.

Geek Alert - December Loot Crate

Happy anniversary!!!

Because I live across the pond in jolly old Blighty, sometimes it takes a while for things to get through customs, especially at Christmas because it gets busy so this month's Loot Crate took longer to get here.  Fortunately, it was a fantastic parcel that was worth waiting for.

Film Addict's December Film Choice

As of this month, I have graced this planet for 23 years and in celebration of that, I have decided to share with you, anyone who is out there, one of my favourite films.  My original intention was to review New Year's Eve on New Year's Eve because I thought it would fit but when I was watching it, I thought it would be a better idea to share one of my favourite films because that's what Film Addict's Choice of the Month is really, though occasionally, the definition changes whenever I think something might suit a particular month.  So this month, the Film Addict's December Film Choice is Dogma.

Dogma is a comedy film written and directed by Kevin Smith in 1999 starring Ben Affleck (Gone Girl, Good Will Hunting), Matt Damon (The Bourne Identity, Good Will Hunting), Linda Fiorentino (Men in Black, Vision Quest), Alan Rickman (The Harry Potter series, Love Actually), Salma Hayek (Puss in Boots, Grown Ups), Chris Rock (Madagascar, Grown Ups), Jason Lee (My Name is Earl, The Incredibles), George Carlin (Bill and Ted's Most Excellent Adventure, Cars), Jason Mewes (Clerks, Chasing Amy), and the director himself, Kevin Smith (Clerks, Chasing Amy).  Affleck, Lee, and Mewes are frequent collaborators with Smith, appearing in a number of his other work and Mewes and Smith are known for their portrayal of the dynamic duo, Jay and Silent Bob, characters that pop in various films.  Dogma triggered a lot of controversy prior to its release due to its take on Catholicism but it is not meant to offend and it is worth a watch.

Rating: 9

Recommended To: Kevin Smith fans; Alan Rickman fans; Chris Rock fans; those that like quest-like stories

Favourite Characters: Metatron; Rufus; Silent Bob

Favourite Part: Rufus: He still digs humanity, but it bothers Him to see the shit that gets carried out in His name - wars, bigotry, televangelism.  But especially the fractioning of all the religions.  He said humanity took a good idea and, like always, built a belief structure on it.
Bethany: Having beliefs isn't good?
Rufus: I think it's better to have ideas.  You can change an idea.  Changing a belief is trickier...

Good Points: Love the cast and their characters; interesting take on religion; quest-like story; everything comes together nicely

Bad Points: Long film - can drag a bit

Geek Alert - December My Geek Box

It's that time of year; Christmas is here and it wouldn't be Christmas without Wilf wearing two pairs of antlers and dancing.  My Geek Box arrived today which was a nice surprise when I got home from work.

Giovanna Fletcher - Christmas with Billy and Me

Seen as it's that time of year again, I found a Christmas book to review and happened upon Giovanna Fletcher's new novella which was extremely short but a great find.

Christmas with Billy and Me is the Christmas sequel to Giovanna Fletcher's Billy and Me, her debut novel about a young woman, Sophie, who meets a famous actor, Billy, while she is working at a teashop and he is working on a film and they begin a relationship which results in her moving with him to London where she is taken out of her comfort zone and returns home without Billy as she can't handle his life properly because she feels ignored and abandoned.  Once returning home, she begins to work at Molly's teashop again and eventually takes it over when Molly dies of cancer which breaks her heart yet again as Molly was like a mother to her.  Later on, when she's working, she is greeted by the arrival of Billy walking into the teashop, saying he's taking a break from acting to be with her because he loves her and he wants to make their lives work together and she welcomes him back into her life.  It was a wonderful debut which I reviewed previously and while not necessary to read it before this one, it helps to do so because the characters were properly introduced in Billy and Me and aren't really reintroduced in this novella.

Rating: 8

Recommended To: Those that like fluffy romance books

Favourite Characters: Sophie

Favourite Part: 'Who do you think it is?'
'I've no idea...It's not you, is it?'  As soon as the question flies from my mouth I feel embarrassed.  It wasn't even a properly developed thought.  In fact, I don't think I'd processed the thought at all before saying it out loud.
'Good to know you'd have rumbled my plan straightaway if it was!' he winks in a cheekily reassuring manner, letting me know that my unfiltered thoughts haven't fazed him in the slightest - he knows me and my funny mannerisms and still loves me, thankfully. - Page 22

Good Points: Good quick Christmas read; extremely sweet; reminder of old characters

Bad Points: Over too quickly; time skipped way too quickly

Moira J. Moore - Heroes Adrift

How fast I am reading at the minute has slowed down because it's getting busy at work but I couldn't help but read the third Hero book as I love this series because the characters fascinate me.

Heroes Adrift is the third novel in Moira J. Moore's Hero series which focusses on Dunleavy "Lee" Mallorough and Shintaro "Taro" Karish and is told from Lee's point of view.  Lee and Taro work together as a Shield and a Source (respectively); Sources and Shields are gifted individuals who are born with special abilities and are trained at an early age at the Academy to work together so to prevent natural disasters from destroying the world they live in.  Once their training at the Academy is completed, they go through a ceremony where the two groups meet for the first time to see if any of them bond.  If two do bond, they become partners and are sent on assignments to do their work.  While reluctant at first, Lee and Taro become a powerful pair over the course of the first two books, having stopped another Shield from destroying the bonds between all Sources and Shields and bringing down the Academy and those in charge and then surviving ritualistic maniacs who think sacrificing High Landers (aristocrats) will stop the crazy weather affecting a particular town which puts Taro in danger due to his family being High Landers.

Rating: 9

Recommended To: Those that like fantasy books; more female orientated audience in my opinion

Favourite Characters: Taro - he's grown which is lovely

Favourite Part: [Then] Ayrne appeared by my side.  "Are we going or what?"  she asked, giving me an unconvincing innocent look when I glared at her.
I slapped her up the back of the head.
She returned my glare as she rubbed the afflicted area.  "Don't need to get all maternal."
"Get on the boat," I snapped at her.
"It's a ship," said Taro.
I gritted my teeth, and told myself the island was entirely to blame for my poor humor. - Page 300

Good Points: Stories are always different; continues to develop Lee and Taro's relationship; new part of the world is explored

Bad Points: Ending seems rushed again

Film Addict's November Film Choice

It's that time of the month again and this month, once again, someone else has picked this month's choice; this time, it is the woman that brought me into this world, my mother, and she has chosen Ruby Sparks for the Film Addict's November Film Choice as we have watched it recently together and she thoroughly enjoyed it.  Originally, I was going to ask her to pick one for April seen as it was her birthday but she couldn't decide in time so the offer was postponed until she chose one.

Ruby Sparks is a 2012 romantic-comedy drama film directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris who have previously directed Little Miss Sunshine which also stars Paul Dano from Ruby Sparks.  Some of the stars are Paul Dano (Looper, Prisoners), Zoe Kazan (What If, ), Annette Bening (The Kids are Alright, American Beauty), Antonio Banderas (The Legend of Zorro, Once Upon a Time in Mexico), Steve Coogan (Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, Philomena), Elliott Gould (Ocean's Trilogy, Friends), and Chris Messina (The Mindy Project, Julie & Julia).  Kazan also wrote the screenplay for Ruby Sparks.

As I like to mention whenever I do a request for the Film Addict's Film Choice, there is an extra point I talk about as chosen by the requester and that could be a character, part of the film, or something they liked and this time it is part of the film.

Rating: 7

Recommended To: Anyone

Favourite Characters: Harry

Favourite Part: Calvin: It's like...it's like I'm falling in love with her.
Dr Rosenthal: That's wonderful.
Calvin: No, it's not.  I can't fall in love with a girl I write.
Dr Rosenthal: Why not?
Calvin: Because she's not real.
Dr Rosenthal: Isn't she?
Calvin: No.
Dr Rosenthal: Are you sure?
Calvin: Yes.  She's some motherfucking product of my imagination.

Good Points: Interesting concept; well cast

Bad Points: Wraps up too easily; no logic to Ruby's existence

Special: When Calvin proves to Harry that he made Ruby up by typing that Ruby starts to speak French and she does

Meg Cabot - The Bride Wore Size 12

Meg Cabot has been one of my favourite authors since I was a kid but I always preferred her weirder books; I read the first Princess Diaries book but I just didn't connect with it as well as I did with the Missing or Mediator series.  Even now I prefer her unusual books, including the Heather Wells series.  While I've been disappointed by Cabot's attempts at vampires and myths on this blog, I really love this series because yet again, I have a soft spot for the main character's love interest.  My friends are probably right; tall dark, and sarcastic are my type.

The Bride Wore Size 12 is the fifth book in the Heather Wells series by Meg Cabot.  The Heather Wells series follows a young woman of the same name who used to be a pop star in her teens but she was fired because she wanted to sing songs she wrote herself.  The series starts when Heather gets a job as a residence house coordinator and then discovers that some of the girls in the residence house are being murdered so Heather takes it upon herself to investigate the murders and finds the murderer, putting herself in danger only to be saved by her landlord/crush/ex-boyfriend's brother, Cooper.  This format continues throughout the series with Heather discovering a crime and becoming involved in the investigation despite Cooper's protests and while she helps solve the crime, she puts herself in danger and Cooper saves her in some way.  Every time she and Cooper are thrust together through the series because of Heather's actions, their relationship becomes more intimate - culminating in them becoming a couple and eventually getting engaged which leads to the latest book.

Rating: 9

Recommended To: Cabot fans; cosy crime fans

Favourite Characters: Cooper - has always been my favourite character

Favourite Part: I don't know how bad until Cooper looks down at me, smiles crookedly[...], and says "Sure, I'll take a lemonade, Jess.  And sorry I didn't call, honey.  I was a little tied up."
He giggles.  Cooper, who never giggles.
"But Heather," I hear Nicole protest.  "You told me Cooper did call-"
"Shut up, Nicole," I snap.  Her eyes widen with hurt feelings, but I'm not in the mood to apologise.  I'm too busy checking her brother's wrists for rope burns, thinking he must literally have been tied up to be giggling at his own joke. - Page 271-2

Good Points: Funny and warm as usual; Heather's character development; Heather and Cooper; lots of colourful characters

Bad Points: Old secondary characters weren't as prominent like in other books