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