Film Review: Movie 43

About the film

Movie 43 is an American comedy/ anthology film that was released at the cinema on 25^th January 2013 in the UK. Movie 43 has a run time of 90 minutes and is rated 15.

Plot

Two teenagers wanting to get their own back on one of the boy’s little brother, they make up a video that is supposedly the most dangerous on the internet. The little brother is a bit of a genius and knows a hell of a lot about computers. By attempting to find the banned ‘Movie 43’, a film which will supposedly result is the destruction of civilisation; they end up finding a whole load of other short films which shouldn’t be watched.

Some of the Cast

Hugh Jackman as Davis

Kate Winslet as Beth

Justin Long as Robin

Jason Sudeikis as Batman

Jimmy Bennett as Nathan

Chloe Grace Moretz as Amanda

Anna Faris as Vanessa

Chris Pratt as Jason

Emma Stone as Veronica

Johnny Knoxville as Pete

Seann William Scott as Brian

Gerard Butler as The Leprechaun

What I thought

Normally when my flatmate and I go to the cinema, I generally pick the film. Luckily, she loves the cinema so will go and see anything I want. However, this time she really wanted to go and see Movie 43 so as she had been to so many with me, this was our pick of the day. I had seen the trailers but didn’t really know what the film was about. After looking up the film online after having seen it, it appears that the UK gets a slightly different version of the film compared to other countries. Why, I have no idea. I think the version we didn’t get sounds a bit better too.

Our version of the film revolves around two teenage boys attempting to pull a prank on a younger boy, one of their brothers. They plant the idea that they want to look for ‘Movie 43’, the most dangerous video online. This leads to the boys watching a whole range of other films which are either banned or just terrible, as in nobody should be watching them. The other version of the film apparently is about a screenwriter attempting to pitch his script to a film executive by telling him several of the stories that would be in the film. This is where the short video clips come in within that version.

To begin with, I really disliked the idea of these two stupid boys making up a fake movie online. While the friend gets the little brother to search, the brother is off doing god knows what to a different laptop. Anyway, the boys playing these parts, whose names I cannot remember and cannot find online are terrible actors. The bigger brother reminded me of a younger Ashton Kutcher but an even worse actor and much more stupid. The little brother was slightly better than the other two though but still terrible. The whole idea of ‘Movie 43’ was ridiculous in this version which is why I think the other one sounds better. At least the idea behind it sounds more plausible.

It states in various places online that the makers of this film had to trick actors into playing the parts. I can now see why. Although this film does have a great cast, most of the actors are wasted in such idiotic roles. For example, Oscar nominated Hugh Jackman, recently in the amazing Les Miserables, plays a guy with testicles growing out of his neck. While the role is a bit silly and different in comparison, it does nothing for Jackman as an actor. Apart from making him look stupid. Having a cast so big and with so many big names only works really well if the script and the film’s idea is good. The problem with this film is that neither the idea or the script were anywhere near good so the actors who I know are normally great, were not.

This film is so bad that we both said that if Kate hadn’t paid (I have a Cineworld Unlimited card), we both would have wanted to walk out. Even though the film is only a short 90 minutes long, it felt like it went on for forever. I had gotten pretty bored after only about 10-15 minutes or so and because of this, sitting through the rest of the film was a huge struggle for me. While I didn’t like the film at all, I can see that teenage boys probably will. Most of the material is made to either make you feel sick or extremely grossed out. While I didn’t find any of this remotely funny, I know people that would love this kind of thing.

Hello, my name is not 'Hey Baby!'

It’s not very often I write discussion posts, mainly because I get stuck for ideas or topics. Recently though, something has been really bugging me and I felt the need to have a bit of a rant. After reading a particular book recently, I began to wonder about conversation/ pet names. This post is mostly aimed at New Adult fiction, as I have been noticing things more and more since the genre emerged. However, the things I have problems with are also done in Young Adult fiction and probably adult, although I don’t read much of that.

The thing that has been driving me mad is the use of ‘baby’. Is this how people actually talk in relationships? I have had my fair share of relationships and not once have I had someone call me ‘baby’ nor have I ever called anyone ‘baby’. Personally, I would much rather someone use my actual name than use a pet name, especially this one. I know that some people must do this but it seems to be happening far too often for my liking in NA and YA books. Maybe it’s just the books I’ve been reading lately, I don’t know, but it seems to be EVERYWHERE.

Now, I’m not saying I hate it completely but I feel that it is extremely overused. I don’t mind the occasional use but to call someone ‘baby’ every single time they have a conversation… too much? I know I’m not alone in thinking that it can affect that way in which you read a book. While I did love the book in question, the use of this particular word did make me like it less than I would have if it hadn’t been used.

I’m sure there are other pet names which other people cannot stand. Is ‘baby’ one of them for you or do you not mind it being used so much in fiction? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic whether you agree with me or disagree. 

Irresistible by Liz Bankes

About the book

Irresistible is a New Adult novel by Liz Bankes. It was published by Piccadilly Press on 25^th April and the book is 224 pages long.

Synopsis (Taken from Goodreads.com)

When Mia gets a job in a posh health/country club during her gap year, she is strikes up a friendship with the laconic and funny Dan. Dan is also working in the club and keeps Mia amused. However, she soon finds herself drawn to the wealthy bad boy, Jamie. Jamie is the beautiful and privileged Cleo’s boyfriend. Mia knows that her relationship with Jamie is wrong, but there’s something so dangerously exciting about Jamie that she just can’t stop.

What I thought

So far, this is the only New Adult book I have read by a British author and I couldn’t wait to see the difference between this and American New Adult books.

Protagonist Mia has just finished her GCSEs and needs a job for the summer. She manages to score herself an interview at a really posh hotel nearby owned by a super rich family. When she somehow manages to get the job, she is well aware of Jamie, the son, after she sees him drinking and pressed up against a window with some girl. To begin with, I quite liked Mia. She had good reasons for wanting the job, she came across as a nice enough girl and had a great thing going with her best friend.

Soon after Mia starts work at the hotel, she hits it off with a boy working in the kitchen named Dan, who was sweet and lovely and nothing but nice. The two begin to have some kind of a relationship and it appears that things are going well between the two… until Jamie happens. This is where me liking Mia began to go downhill. Jamie has a reputation for being a bad boy and a bit of a heartbreaker, although he has a girlfriend. Cleo, his girlfriend, was a lovely character and was quick to befriend Mia and invite her into their circle. Then Mia stabs her in the back. Lovely.

Jamie is one of those boys who has money and seems to think he can do whatever he wants because of that and thinks he will get away with it. It is quite clear early on that he enjoys ruining other people’s lives and it is pretty much a sport to him. He’s arrogant and full of himself. To begin with, he just teases Mia a little and flirts with her but nothing else. However, when Cleo goes away on holiday, things escalate. Mia and Jamie begin to spend a lot of time together, with her sneaking out at night to see him – meaning she is also doing things behind Dan’s back.

As for the story, there is little more to Irresistible than the romance. I say romance but it really isn’t that at all. Nothing really happens in this book save for the constant lying of Mia to other people. Not only does she lie to Dan, she lies to her best friend and her family. Also, as Jamie is part of a family with a lot of money, quite a lot in this book comes across as superficial and shallow. Because of this, it was hard to like some of the characters even a little bit because they had little more to them than the money of their parents.

However, strangely I loved the ending of this book. Characters appear to have changed quite quickly and the tone of the book also changes. The things I hated about the rest of the book aren’t there at the end which makes this part feel like it was written by someone else completely. If there is going to be a sequel, considering how the book was left, I may read it and I may not. It won’t be a book I’d be dying to get my hands on. 

The Night She Disappeared by April Henry

About the book

The Night She Disappeared is a young adult thriller novel by April Henry. The book was published by Walker on 4^th April and it is 240 pages long. Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy for review.

Plot Synopsis

When Kayla swaps a shift with workmate Gabie, her whole life changes. During a regular night at Pete’s Pizza, Kayla goes out to make a delivery, only she doesn’t return.

Gabie cannot get over the idea that it should have been her. She should have been working that night. She should have been the one he took. Obsessed with the idea that Kayla is still alive, Gabie teams up with Drew who was working the night Kayla went missing. Although others believe Kayla is dead, Gabie has to figure out how to save her before the rumours become the truth.

What I thought

The young adult books on my shelves are filled with contemporary and paranormal novels. Thrillers aren’t something I come by very often but I loved the sound of this one. I get sick of reading the same thing over and over again and I was looking forward to a change.

The Night She Disappeared starts off really quickly, with Kayla and Drew at work at the pizza place. After Drew takes a phone order, no different than any other, Kayla heads out to make the delivery as she is the one with the car. After a while, long after Kayla should have been back, Drew realises that something is really wrong. Kayla goes missing and the whole plot revolves around this.

This is a book with a very different way of telling the story, but one I liked very much. Narrating are Drew, Gabie and Kayla herself. However, there are also transcripts of police interviews, notes left by people, evidence reports etc. I loved how there was pieces all the way through the book which gave the situation more importance. The interviews and police reports were especially interesting and I really enjoyed seeing all of these things fit together within the narrative. I also liked each of the narrators. However, I would maybe have liked less from Kayla as it did take away a bit of the suspense and mystery concerning what happened to her.

The plot is a pretty exciting one. As the story begins quickly, jumping right into the excitement, there is a lot going on. While I didn’t always like Kayla’s chapters, there was still the suspense of finding out what would happen to her. This is never given away until the very last moment and some of the descriptions of her ordeal were extremely creepy and disgusting at the same time. This is a big contrast compared to what is going on elsewhere.

There is also a lot more to this book though than the kidnapping plot. Gabie and Drew are strong characters, each with great personalities. They’re likeable characters and ones which I enjoyed getting to know. Although both are equally as concerned about Kayla, they still have their own lives and problems. Drew and Gabie worked with Kayla but were never really friends. After the kidnapping, they are only really able to talk to each other about what happened, making a somewhat strange friendship.

The one thing that did really bug me about this book was the detective working on Kayla’s case. Far too quickly he assumes she is dead, points the finger at others without any tiny bit of evidence and pretty much gives up on her case completely at one point. Also, the way that he spoke to certain characters was extremely unbelievable in my eyes. Although I am no expert, I doubt detectives are allowed to point the finger at people without something to back up the nasty things he says.

Even with there being something that bugged me, I did really enjoy this book. It was different and exciting and just what I needed as a break from my normal reads. 

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey - Read a snippet

After watching the trailer for The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey, I couldn't wait to read it! I'm sure you all can't either. Although the book isn't released until next month, Penguin have allowed me to share a snippet of the book with you all.. Enjoy!

TheFifthWave EXTRACT v3

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey Trailer

I have been reading a lot of contemporary books at the minute, and New Adult but not much has been jumping out at me as being completely different and exciting. Next month, Penguin are publishing The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey, which sounds amazing. I think it could be the book to finally drag me away from my contemporary reads! 

Here's the synopsis:
After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

The 5th Wave also has a fantastic trailer, which you can see below. 

What do you think? Pretty exciting looking, right?

Guest Review: The Innocent Mage by Karen Miller

Another lovely review by my fiancé today! 

About the book

The Innocent Mage is the first in the Kingmaker, Kingbreaker series by Karen Miller. The paperback is 522 pages long and was first published on 25 July 2005.

Synopsis

Being a Fisherman like his Father isn't a bad life, but it's not the one that Asher wants. Despite his humble roots, Asher has grand dreams. And they call him to Dorana, home of Princes, beggars...and the warrior mages who have protected the Kingdom for generations.

Little does Asher know, however, that his arrival in the city is bring watched by members of The Circle, a secret organisation dedicated to preserving an ancient magic.

Asher might have come to the city to make his fortune, but he will find his destiny.

What I thought

Ah fantasy. Oh how love it. Such vivid characters, such epic escapism. Such bloody long books...and so many of them!  I can't tell you the number of times I've been in a book shop, attracted by a suitable looking cover, to find that the book I am holding is book 8 of 50! Damn it! Now I have to get hold of 7 other books before I can read this one! I am also not the fastest reader in the world. For example I have been reading through Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series for about 4 years and am still only on book 10 - I've been reading other things as well of course but you get my point.

'What has all that to do with this book?' I hear you whisper. Well I shall tell you. I appear to have happened across a series with only 5 books (so far) in the series. Not only that but the book I happened to find is the first (yes, the first) of them all! This never never happens to me.

I should say at this point that I actually really enjoy reading through epic fantasy series..I just get a bit frustrated with how long it takes me.

To this book! I got this book from the local library, it having been recommended by a friend who got it from the same library. She demanded I read it. I'm very glad she did.

Asher is a fisherman from a little fishing town. He is honest, outspoken, sometimes seen as rude, downtrodden by his elder brothers and understood only by his Father it seems who has not been the same since the death of Asher's mother. Asher decides to travel to the city to spend a year (no more, no less) making his fortune to take home to his poor old da so they can buy their own fishing boat. Being the youngest he wants his Da to be proud of him. However on arrival in the city, it seems destiny has other ideas for Asher and his life takes a completely unexpected turn. Is Asher the long prophesied Innocent Mage? What does that mean for his life, his goals and his promise to his dear old da?

I absolutely loved this book. Asher is such a breath of fresh air to read. He says exactly what he thinks and he doesn't care who he says it to...be it a stable hand, an innkeep or royalty. He isn't rude though. He's just Asher. Reading, you are treated to knowledge about Asher that he doesn't have himself which makes you root for the character even more. 

I love a fantasy world that has all types of flawed and interesting characters. Also characters with layers, with depth. All of the characters in this are extremely well written. The story is fast paced and kept me gripped.

As much as anything, this book is about the friendship between a fisherman and a prince. Prince Gar is also a great character, born to be king but seen as unwhole by his family and his subjects because he was born without the magic that defines his people. A serious, studious man, shunned by people behind his back but not to his face, Gar relies on Asher for the honesty that he doesn't get from others around him. Their relationship is at the centre of the whole story and you can see what it means to both of them.

I won't ramble on or I'll give the whole story away. I loved this book (did I mention that?). It has everything - drama, humour, tragedy and angst. Action and heroics, magic, the lot.  Now go and read it! Frustratingly the library don't have the second one. Aaarrrgggghhh! Hello Amazon.