i've moved! find me HEREEEE.
and to welcome you, there's a brand new post. haha.
okay so i'm fickle and may one day choose to move back here, but i'm gonna see how i like blogging at the new one in the meantime. will likely move some of my favorite and more important(to me) blog posts from this one to the new one.
update your links if i'm on your blogroll!
Cheers.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
winter is coming!
After months of not having read a book, I finally got back into the habit. One of my favorite things in the world is finding a book that keeps me riveted and so anxious to read more that sleep becomes a nuisance. The book(s) in question this time is George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. I've wanted to read the series for a while now - it's almost always mentioned in fantasy fans' favorite book lists. And yes, I look up these lists, because I'm geeky like that.
The push i needed to actually start though, was the news that HBO were adapting the books for a TV series. I mean, If it's good enough to be adapted for TV, surely it's good enough to read! And boy, am I glad i read the books.
What struck me particularly about the A Song of Ice and Fire series is how unlike it is to books typically classified as 'fantasy'. Most fantasy books I've read follow this basic storyline: Young Person (usually nondescript, working as a castle scullion/farm hand/stable boy) is forced to go on a dangerous journey, aided by an old mentor (most often of the magical variety), develops awesome skills along the way, battles and defeats Evil Sorcerer/God/King, gains worldwide acclaim and sometimes even a crown.
A Song of Ice and Fire is refreshingly different. For one, there is a noticeable lack of magic. Apart from a growing but largely unnoticed supernatural threat from the cold north and the existence of the occasional mythical creature, the main plots revolve around more realistic scenarios. The story is mostly politically motivated, as suggested by the first book's title 'A Game of Thrones', and involves court intrigues, deception, treachery, powerful families and political marriages. Characters are meticulously fleshed out, and no character is ever forgotten. I should probably add that no character is safe either, which adds to the twists and excitement of the books.
The story is seen through several POV characters scattered throughout the main continent of Westeros and the distant Eastern continent: Adults with a conscience, adults without a conscience, bastard sons, brave children, cowardly men...even silly little girls. But the books are by no means meant for a young audience. Incest, adultery, rape, profanity and all manner of debauchery are heavily featured in the books.
A Song of Ice and Fire is probably one of the best series I've read. The only drawback? Only 4 of 7 planned books have been released. The last published book was A Feast for Crows, released 5 years ago. Allow me to take a moment here to wish Mr Martin a long and healthy life.
Thankfully, there is still HBO's TV adaptation to look forward to. Premiering in April, the first season will be based on the first book A Game of Thrones. From what I've seen in the teasers and behind-the-scenes clips, the casting and production looks pretty good. Check it out! (Oh yeah, i am so pimping this show out)
Winter is coming, yo!
The push i needed to actually start though, was the news that HBO were adapting the books for a TV series. I mean, If it's good enough to be adapted for TV, surely it's good enough to read! And boy, am I glad i read the books.
What struck me particularly about the A Song of Ice and Fire series is how unlike it is to books typically classified as 'fantasy'. Most fantasy books I've read follow this basic storyline: Young Person (usually nondescript, working as a castle scullion/farm hand/stable boy) is forced to go on a dangerous journey, aided by an old mentor (most often of the magical variety), develops awesome skills along the way, battles and defeats Evil Sorcerer/God/King, gains worldwide acclaim and sometimes even a crown.
A Song of Ice and Fire is refreshingly different. For one, there is a noticeable lack of magic. Apart from a growing but largely unnoticed supernatural threat from the cold north and the existence of the occasional mythical creature, the main plots revolve around more realistic scenarios. The story is mostly politically motivated, as suggested by the first book's title 'A Game of Thrones', and involves court intrigues, deception, treachery, powerful families and political marriages. Characters are meticulously fleshed out, and no character is ever forgotten. I should probably add that no character is safe either, which adds to the twists and excitement of the books.
The story is seen through several POV characters scattered throughout the main continent of Westeros and the distant Eastern continent: Adults with a conscience, adults without a conscience, bastard sons, brave children, cowardly men...even silly little girls. But the books are by no means meant for a young audience. Incest, adultery, rape, profanity and all manner of debauchery are heavily featured in the books.
A Song of Ice and Fire is probably one of the best series I've read. The only drawback? Only 4 of 7 planned books have been released. The last published book was A Feast for Crows, released 5 years ago. Allow me to take a moment here to wish Mr Martin a long and healthy life.
Thankfully, there is still HBO's TV adaptation to look forward to. Premiering in April, the first season will be based on the first book A Game of Thrones. From what I've seen in the teasers and behind-the-scenes clips, the casting and production looks pretty good. Check it out! (Oh yeah, i am so pimping this show out)
Winter is coming, yo!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
harry potter and the deathly hallows part 1!
wow it's been months since i've posted a proper entry. i'm breaking my silence today because Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 is out, and i've just watched it!
here be spoilers! though really, everyone ought to have read the book already :)
so, the first part of the final film is finally here, and it is wonderful. 2 hours flew by without me having to look at my clock once - it was completely riveting from beginning to end. I was worried what they would have to cut from this film, how much they would need to change, but i was hugely relieved that they stayed pretty loyal to the books. minor changes, for example: Hedwig's death, actually made the film all the more better (gawd, that part made me tear a little, how soft am i? lol). i think it's quite possibly the best film of the series yet.
I loved the opening sequence of the film, Hermione obliviating (don't you love how these fictional words sound completely normal? thus is the power of JK Rowling's imagination) her parents, Harry watching the Dursley's leave. and can we just pause for a moment and talk about the amazing music in that scene? such a great piece! it really made the scene and set the tone for the entire film: that it's not going to be a happy one.
this track:
rupert grint is perfect as ron. i don't know if it's the script or whatever but he really delivers his lines brilliantly. and did i mention Bill Weasley is hot? before the film i'd seen pics of the actor and wasn't that taken, but in the film he looks good! good casting, he totally looks like one of the weasleys. and Fleur/Harry in her bra. lmao!
The part in Godric's Hollow was pretty much as i had imagined. totally creepy. the silent old lady with a strange gait in her walk in her dark, dank house, the awful moment you realize that something is not right. brrr.
The infiltration of the ministry was so damn funny. Ron's "my wife is all alone down there" HAHAHHAHA. the actors portraying them were hilarious!
and dobby and kreacher! i loved when Kreacher was prodding Mundugus in the nuts. HAHA. but dobby's death was so so sad. only complaint: where was his tombstone? surely he deserved at least that? :(
I think the split is perfect. that moment when Voldemort breaks into Dumbly's tomb, it really sets the tone for the next film, which im now convinced is going to be epic.
i have to mention that animation when Hermione was telling the story of the three brothers. was anyone else as blown away by the animation as i was? brilliant! when she first started telling the story i was kinda like 'wtf, we're not really gonna just watch her sitting on that chair reading the whole story are we?' and then they whipped out that wonderful little animation :)
I'm now torn between the fact that i really really want to see the rest of the film and the thought that when it does come out, it's really over. Kinda like the final nail in the coffin of our childhoods. I mean, guys, we started reading these books more than a decade ago. that's like, half of our lives! i'm pretty sure i'm going to be bawling my eyes out during part 2 :'(
Bs, we need to watch the final film together!
here be spoilers! though really, everyone ought to have read the book already :)
so, the first part of the final film is finally here, and it is wonderful. 2 hours flew by without me having to look at my clock once - it was completely riveting from beginning to end. I was worried what they would have to cut from this film, how much they would need to change, but i was hugely relieved that they stayed pretty loyal to the books. minor changes, for example: Hedwig's death, actually made the film all the more better (gawd, that part made me tear a little, how soft am i? lol). i think it's quite possibly the best film of the series yet.
I loved the opening sequence of the film, Hermione obliviating (don't you love how these fictional words sound completely normal? thus is the power of JK Rowling's imagination) her parents, Harry watching the Dursley's leave. and can we just pause for a moment and talk about the amazing music in that scene? such a great piece! it really made the scene and set the tone for the entire film: that it's not going to be a happy one.
this track:
rupert grint is perfect as ron. i don't know if it's the script or whatever but he really delivers his lines brilliantly. and did i mention Bill Weasley is hot? before the film i'd seen pics of the actor and wasn't that taken, but in the film he looks good! good casting, he totally looks like one of the weasleys. and Fleur/Harry in her bra. lmao!
The part in Godric's Hollow was pretty much as i had imagined. totally creepy. the silent old lady with a strange gait in her walk in her dark, dank house, the awful moment you realize that something is not right. brrr.
The infiltration of the ministry was so damn funny. Ron's "my wife is all alone down there" HAHAHHAHA. the actors portraying them were hilarious!
and dobby and kreacher! i loved when Kreacher was prodding Mundugus in the nuts. HAHA. but dobby's death was so so sad. only complaint: where was his tombstone? surely he deserved at least that? :(
I think the split is perfect. that moment when Voldemort breaks into Dumbly's tomb, it really sets the tone for the next film, which im now convinced is going to be epic.
i have to mention that animation when Hermione was telling the story of the three brothers. was anyone else as blown away by the animation as i was? brilliant! when she first started telling the story i was kinda like 'wtf, we're not really gonna just watch her sitting on that chair reading the whole story are we?' and then they whipped out that wonderful little animation :)
I'm now torn between the fact that i really really want to see the rest of the film and the thought that when it does come out, it's really over. Kinda like the final nail in the coffin of our childhoods. I mean, guys, we started reading these books more than a decade ago. that's like, half of our lives! i'm pretty sure i'm going to be bawling my eyes out during part 2 :'(
Bs, we need to watch the final film together!
Saturday, September 04, 2010
ceci n'est pas une pipe
La trahison des images (The Treachery of Images) by René Magritte. The caption translates as: This is not a pipe.
I love the simplicity of that idea :)
I love the simplicity of that idea :)
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
world cup time!
as usual, i'm supporting England. call it patriotism for my birth country. i have to say though, i was sorely disappointed by England's performance against USA last week. here's hoping they buck it up next match. you know, i still bear a grudge against cristiano ronaldo for what he pulled against England last World Cup. lol.
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