Atlas Shrug Part Two

This is the second part of the three part film based on Ayn Rand's book, Atlas Shrug. If you have not seen the first part you will be completely lost. Most of the cast was replaced, which caused a brief moment of finding out who was who, but after that the film ran well. Changing the cast didn't interrupt the story at all. I'll admit I have never been interested in reading the book, which by the way is a whopping thousand plus paged book, which is split in three parts, like the film.
     Like Frankenstein, which has become more relevant with the changes in science. Atlas Shrug, has found its relevant place in history. What is a bit creepy about this film, is how you could see our near future possibility of this becoming true to some extent. Whomever thought this was the time to release this film, was a smart person. Its scary to think that America could be heading this way. I suggest anyone who cares about the future of America to check this film out. I realize its not one of those crowd grabbing films  but it really is a must see for audiences old enough to get Rand's message. The film is a well done adaptation that moves smoothly and keeps you interested.

Thirteen by Kelley Armstrong

     This is the last book in the Otherworld Series. If you have not read the series from the beginning, I strongly suggest it. Keep in mind this is not a typical written series. Books focus on different characters who are supernatural, and characters do cross into other stories from time to time. The series start with Elena, the werewolf, narrating her story.
     For those who have kept up with her series, I suggest refreshing your memory with the last book. At times, I had an issue with what was being mentioned and it took a minute to go, oh yeah, now I remember. You may want to refresh with Waking the Witch too, since the last three books are a trilogy.
     I was a bit disappointed with how the bad guy went down, I wanted a bit more. But this book is the usual Armstrong. Grabs you into the world of werewolves, magic, demons, angels, ghosts, and the like and casts it spell well. Never a dull moment. A story that is weaved well, and an honest ending for a series. The bonus and extension to the story from Elena's view was a wonderful edition, and it was nice to get more of a glimpse of  Clay's and Elena's kids.
     In 2014, there is suppose to another story collection from the Otherworld, and Armstrong as said that there might be longer tales in the future. I will still miss this series, but all things come to an end eventually.
       
 
  

Looper

This was one of the fresher ideas of the time travel film. I really enjoyed the story but the editing in this film made it a bit drawn out. Certain scenes should have been deleted because it disrupted the flow of the story, and a key sequence could have been done differently allowing less confusion for the viewer. Otherwise worth the money to see it.

Addition to City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

For what ever reason this book still seems to irk me. I have some more to say about this major disappointment of a read.

     Not having Alec in the book, for the most part, didn't feel right. It felt more like a soap opera at times with all date and relationship stuff. After they confirmed the found infant was a demon hybrid, why didn't Jocelyn report it to the clave, or Clary for that matter? Why, would Maryse, who is dealing with not only losing her son but dealing with her estrangement to her husband be left in charge of The Institute alone? They can't find an assistant to help get a tutor for Clary, and trainers, etc. Seriously? Simon knows what a werewolf smells like and can't pick up on that scent when meeting another werewolf? Really? He picks up all sorts of smell all the time now since he's been turned to a vampire. Oh, and for the record, Wolfsbane, more commonly known as Monkshood, doesn't have silver leaves, but does have flowers that come in different colors. That was just an irritant to me. Now if you want to have Wolfsbane from Idris, then fine. But clarify that. Now I'm done.

Resident Evil:Retribution

     Though I have never played any game in the Residents Evil Series, nor am I a big fan of mutant zombie films, but I watched Resident Evil, then I watched all the other films, and none compare to the first one. This recent installment falls short of what have made the previous films good. There was a lack of story plot. No real character development if any. I agree with another critic saying this was geared toward video gamers, basically the film fell like you were playing a game. Shoot, kill, some character dialogue, shoot and kill some more, head toward the goal. Very disappointing. Not worth paying to go see it and the theater, or the extra for 3-D. What to see this film, rent it or wait till it hits television. Not even worth buying on DVD, not unless it comes in a box set with the other films.

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

If you have not the first book in this series, City of Bones, then you need to.
     In City of Glass, Clary illegally creates a portal to Idris and accidentally drags Luke along. Clary's rash behavior nearly gets her killed but ends up reuniting Luke with his estranged sister. Clary retrieves the book with the spell needed to help her mother. Simon is imprisoned next to Hodges, who got caught after returning to Idris. Valentine attacks Idris, and now has all the mortal instruments in his possession. The Shadowhunters realize they have to work together with the Downworlders to survive. Clary designs a rune to give Shadowhunters the ability of the Downworlder they are bound to. Luke, and her mother Jocelyn are the first branded together. In order to save Simon from being killed by Raphael, Clary puts the curse of Cain on him, protecting him from anyone who would lay a hand against him. BY the end of the book, The Lightwoods have lost a family member, Valentine is stopped by Clary, who now controls all the instruments and asks for Jace to be brought back from the dead, Valentine had killed him. The truth comes out and Clary discovers that Jace isn't her brother, that Sebastian, who Clary had meant earlier in Idris, was her brother. The Downworlders now have a say in a united council with The Shadowhunters. Jocelyn realizes she loves Luke, and finally tells him.
     In the fourth book City of Fallen Angels, I was highly disappointed. The Infernal Instruments trilogy, got my interested in her Mortal Instruments series, but this book felt like it was written by a different person. This story started out slow, not really a problem for me, but then seemed to jump from one thing to another, just glimpses of things that didn't really have any significant importance to the story. The idea of the story isn't bad, but somewhere it felt like Clare didn't know how to get from point A to point B. Maybe the book should have stopped at three. A nice, neat trilogy. There wasn't enough meat in the main plot, the things that would have made the story much more seemed to be ignore. Its like Clare kept wandering in and out of the woods, doing well with the story for a moment, then ruining it the next page. The next book better be like the Cassandra Clare I love, or its the last of this series I'll read.

Lawless: A bit tame.

This was an average based on actual criminal stories. I agree with a lot of what critics had to say about this film. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't one of the better films of this type I have seen. Goodfellas, Untouchables, American Outlaws, are much better based upon crime tales. But Lawless, wasn't awful, it just felt like it could have been more. I haven;t read the book and maybe that would shed some light on the film adaptation. After all, book adaptations can be difficult, especially when based on real events and people. So I'll give the screen writer a break. This film does have its moments and could have more, but definitely not one of the worse films I've ever seen. Just wanted a bit more, something was missing, but not a bad story to see.