Gundam 00 season 1 & 2

Reviewed by kuro-hime




SUMMARY :

It is the year A.D. 2307. Fossil fuels on Earth have been depleted entirely, with mankind turning to the next available power source: solar energy. During this time, 3 orbital elevators with solar power generation systems are built, each under control by the Union of Solar Energy and Free Nations (formerly United States of America), the Human Reform League (Russia, China and India) and the Advanced European Union. However, not all countries are able to enjoy the benefits of this system, leading to widespread resentment and war. Arising out of the conflict, a mysterious military organization known as Celestial Being appears, dedicated to end all warfare using Mobile Suits called Gundam. This begins the stories of Gundam Meisters (pilots) Setsuna F. Seiei, Lockon Stratos, Allelujah Haptism and Tiera Erde as they are thrown into conflict between the 3 superpowers and the various other factions.

(~adapted frome Anime News Network~)


REVIEW :

One word, EPIC.
Why do I say that? Well, for the first time in my entire life, I have no idea who's gonna live or die. It's an anime that demands your attention and you can't look away from it even for a minute.

Even though the theory for world peace is a little absurd and crappy, you still can't help but support the celestial beings.
I like how the anime doesn't push their idealism on the viewers. It just show and explain the idealism of both side.

Personally for me, I support the Celestial Beings.
This anime has loads of action to offer and I love the Gundams in it! I hate how this anime takes my breath away and makes me pray for the Celestial Being while hoping that they're not dead.

The art here is pretty alright so is the background music. Heck, the background music makes the scene much more intense and EPIC!

However, I do hate that (spoiler alert) Lockon Stratus (Neil Dylandy) died. I mean, WTF? Why did he have to die? Damn, and he's part of the Celestial Being which means he is one of the main character. Yes, one of the main character die. WTF?
I also hate that Saji Crossroad and Louise Havely is around after 2 seasons. WTF? I don't give a shit about them. I really don't care. I don't get it. The producers kill of Lockon but saves Saji & Louise?? How is Saji & Louise even important to the plot??

Anyway, the plot is quite alright. It's a bit confusing at first because of all the politic crap. I like the politic and war plot. It's always awesome! If you don't like politics, do not watch this!!

One more thing, I think the names in this anime is funny. Allelujah Haptism? I mean, seriously? What kind of name is that? I get that Japanese makes funny english names but Allelujah Haptisim??

The character development here is pretty good. Almost all the characters that mattered got to grow in their own way. Odd thing is, I think the main character didn't get to grow too much. But I don't mind too much because he's kinda bad ass.

However, one thing that annoyed me was that the dialogues in this anime were kinda crappy. They either didn't make sense or that the dialogues are always left hanging!!

Anyway, I love this show. It has action, plot and character development. Even though, this anime is flawed but it has it's epic moments. Trust me, the epic moments beat the crappy moment.

I rate this anime 8.5 out of 10.

Make Lemonade by Virginia Euwer Wolff

By kuro-hime

SUMMARY :

Jolly is seventeen. She can't really spell. She doesn't have much of a job. And she has two little kids from two different, absent fathers.

Jolly knows she can't cope with Jilly and Jeremy all by herself. So she posts a notice on the school bulletin board : BABYSITTER NEEDED BAD. No one replies but Verna LaVaughn, who's only fourteen. How much help can she be?

For a while, Jolly, Jilly, Jeremy and LaVaughn are an extraordinary family. Then LaVaughn takes the first steps towards building her own future and Jolly begins the long, slow process of turning the lemons of her life into lemonade.

REVIEW :

This is very interesting book. The writing style is very simple and basic. Nothing too complicated.

I like how this book is so real. Well, of course, it's in the slice of life genre. The story and writing style is so sincere. It's just telling the story of their lives.

The book is written in a diary style in LaVaughn's point of view. For a fourteen year old, she is quite a mature girl with a kind heart. I like her character.
Jolly is too stubborn sometimes.

There is nothing much to say about this book except that this is a good read.

You will not enjoy this book unless you're like the slice of life genre.

For a slice of life genre, this is a very good book.

Virginia Euwer Wolff certainly writes very well and this book has made me into her fan.

It's a simple and yet complex book about people lives.

I rate it 7 out of 10 stars!

The Wedding Girl by Madeline Wickham a.k.a Sophie Kinsella.

by kuro-hime


SUMMARY :

At the age of 18, in that first golden Oxford Summer, Milly was up for anything. Now, ten years later, she is a very different person. Engaged to a man who is wealthy, serious and believes her to be perfect, she is facing the biggest and most elaborate wedding imaginable.
But one small episode form the past has the power to completely derail her carefully planned nuptials.
Milly has locked away this history so securely that even she has almost persuaded herself that it doesn't exist - until with only 4 more days to the wedding, her secret catches up with her......And when saying "I do" gives you déjà vu, it could be a problem.

REVIEW :

To be honest, I expected another Sophie Kinsella sweet, fluffy & light novel but I was wrong. Now, I think I know why she write this book under another name which is Madeline Wickham.

This book is nothing like Sophie Kinsella's novels except the fact that it's still in the chick-lit genre.

Personally, I enjoyed the book & found it to be a good fulfilling read. This novel is slightly darker, heavier & more interesting. However, some people might be offended by this book.

The wedding girl has more than one story going on. It's not just about Milly. It's about her, her parents, her sister, her fiancé & etc. It's quite interesting and hectic at the same time. I have to admit Madeline is a professional at character developments because she made me care about all the characters.

Not only that, Madeline Wickham's writing style seemed more intelligent and slightly deeper compared to Sophie Kinsella's. It's interesting that they're both the same person when they seem so different.

However, there were some issues that were highlighted in this book such as honesty, gays and love. I like she questioned honesty. Is honesty a good or a bad thing? Is honesty neccessary sometimes? I suppose it all depends on the situation.
Then, there's the gay part. IF you're a goody two shoes church going person, you might not like this book too much. She did not paint a good picture of goody two shoes church going people. She made it seem that church going people are close minded and too god-centric. I'm sure not all are like that.
She also questioned the society's reaction towards gays. IS gay a good or bad thing? Is it really wrong?
But I agree with Madeline Wickham's point of view. I suppose that's one of the reason I enjoyed the book.

Seriously, the love letter from one gay to another was the most lovely, purest, beautiful and touching love letter I ever read. I cried. It may sound revolting but the content of the letter was just so pure.

I also loved how she played with the theme love. Gay love, unconditional love, marriage love and etc. I guess love do exists in all forms whether we like it or not.
I was slightly shock when the book revealed a much younger girl is together with a man who is old enough to be her father. At first, I disagreed but later, I just realised, if they do love each other, who are we to argue. But not all is bad, this book also showed how an old married couple who drifted apart falling in love again which is quite sweet.

The book taught me to be less judgemental. Don't judge at all. If they're happy, then so be it.

There are so many questions that arises in this book. It's not a light read at all but it was interesting.

Not only that, the sudden plot twists and surprises really surprised me. It was good to read a book that wasn't so predictable once in a while. But of course, there were some very predictable parts.

Did I enjoy this book? YES, I did. One of the best books that I have ever come across! It made me laugh and cry together with the characters.
Personally, I love this book but I know this book isn't for everyone.
Do I recommend it? Yes to people who are looking for something controversial and open minded. No to people who are not so open minded.

I rate this book 8.5 out of 10. It was that good. Personally, I like Madeline Wickham more than Sophie Kinsella. Madeline Wickham has more depth. I like that.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow Part 1

Reviewed by JuliaAerides



Finally the arrival of the awaited 7th installation of HP. Part 1 is the first time our trio left the confines of Hogwarts, wandering mindlessly searching for bits and pieces of Voldemorts soul. Beware though, If you haven't been around for the last 6 movie, you're wasting your time because it is specifically for fans. (READ: people who knows whats going on)

HP7 is the darkest thematically where the good guys are fighting a losing battle. From the beginning it was a massacre & maiming of our characters. Casualty includes Dobby & Mad eye Moody.

On the bright side, the two part movie means more character development. The pacing was excellent although certain characters (eg. Kreacher) did not get the screening they deserve. On whole its a prequel with teasers of more to come

Rating A