Category Archives: Reviews

2015, alternatives, drama, Movie Review, science-fiction, thriller

[Alternatives] – Movies – Coherence

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Alternatives is the tagline feature for other forms of entertainment outside of discussing literature. These posts may encompass television, movies, games, and music with a randomized flavour of the moment approach to each post.

Alternatives
Movies – Coherence (2013)

Genre: Science-fiction, Thriller, Drama
Duration: 89 Minutes
Directed/Written By: James Ward Byrkit

On the night of an astronomical anomaly, eight friends at a dinner party experience a troubling chain of reality bending events. Part cerebral sci-fi and part relationship drama, COHERENCE is a tightly focused, intimately shot film whose tension intensely ratchets up as its numerous complex mysteries unfold.

coherence_xlgCoherence is as coherent as someone attempting to convince you that coherence is spelled with a –rent. (Okay that doesn’t make any sense at all but I’m running with it.)

Coherence is a solid, in-your-face, handheld recorded (well…not quite, but it looks like it), claustrophobic and dialogue-improvised film that gave me mental and physical chills. I’m not going dissect this film because it’s a viewing best experienced without prior inclinations. I’ll just say that I elicited, “what the [expletive]?” on numerous occasions and perhaps I have an affinity for swearing more when enjoyment increases—or perhaps not—but my swear jar sure is pleased. But I’ll try to spur some interest anyways while making some half-baked commentary.

Continue reading below at your own discretion.

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2015, Book Review, fantasy, science-fiction, series, YA

[Review] Firefight – Brandon Sanderson

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Book Title:                  Firefight (The Reckoners Series, #02)
Author:                         Brandon Sanderson
Number of pages:   432

Synopsis:

brandon sanderson - firefight coverThey told David it was impossible–that even The Reckoners had never killed a High Epic. Yet, Steelheart–invincible, immortal, unconquerable–is dead. And he died by David’s hand.

Eliminating Steelheart was supposed to make life more simple. Instead, it only made David realize he has questions. Big ones. And there’s no one in Newcago who can give him the answers he needs.

Babylon Restored, the old borough of Manhattan, has possibilities, though. Ruled by the mysterious High Epic, Regalia, David is sure Babylon Restored will lead him to what he needs to find. And while entering another city oppressed by a High Epic despot is a gamble, David’s willing to risk it. Because killing Steelheart left a hole in David’s heart. A hole where his thirst for vengeance once lived. Somehow, he filled that hole with another Epic–Firefight. And he’s willing to go on a quest darker, and more dangerous even, than the fight against Steelheart to find her, and to get his answers.

(re: Goodreads @ Firefight by Brandon Sanderson)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr spoiler-less review:

– I recommend reading the Mitosis novella before Firefight. (It isn’t game changing to not have read it but it will help in understanding some references.)
– The world-building is pretty darn creative—it beats the setting in Steelheart if I’m being honest—with plenty of imaginative detailing that continues to exude a cinematic feel. Basically: more epics, more metaphors, more awesome.
– Fast-paced read driven by continual action and atmospheric tension in exploring an unfamiliar landscape even while delving into Phaedrus’ and Firefight’s back story.
– While some minor characters are difficult to connect to, David’s progression of growth remains solid and can be easily rooted for (assuming you can stomach his bad metaphors).
– Reminder notes throughout the text regarding concepts/magic systems from Steelheart. (A reread isn’t necessary.)
– Rating: 4.38/5

firefight-brandon-sanderson-scorecard-600x300

Initial Thoughts

It was Boxing Day. There were ordinary sales and satisfactory crowds. Into Indigo I go. Paperbacks, hardcovers, Firefight, Moleskins. Moving on—wait, wtf, huh, why is it out so—?!!?! Seriously though, thanks to Indigo for selling this book early. It made this shopping day well worth the crowded mess in malls.

Quotes will not be included in this review until well after the release date—which is tomorrow, January 6, 2015—so go ahead and get yourself a copy.

Disclaimer: Potential spoilers inherent to this review from here onward.

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2014, alternatives, Movie Review, movies

[Alternatives] – Movies – Into The Woods

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Alternatives is the tagline feature for other forms of entertainment outside of discussing literature. These posts may encompass television, movies, games, and music with a randomized flavour of the moment approach to each post.

Alternatives
Movies – Into The Woods

Genre: Musical, Fantasy, Family, Comedy, Retellings
Duration: 124 Minutes
Directed By: Rob Marshall
Screenplay By: James Lapine
Music and Lyrics By: Stephen Sondheim

“INTO THE WOODS” is a modern twist on several of the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella (Anna Kendrick), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), Jack and the Beanstalk (Daniel Huttlestone), and Rapunzel (MacKenzie Mauzy)-all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife (James Corden & Emily Blunt), their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch (Meryl Streep) who has put a curse on them.

I have to preface that everything below is made by a viewer who hasn’t seen the original Sondheim and Lapine musical. So look elsewhere for commentary regarding its faithfulness. All I can say is both of them have been credited to being on board alongside Disney in the making of this film.

Into The Woods (2014) - Movie PosterInto the Woods strikes me as a movie-musical that is easily accessible and can appreciated by non-musical goers. The intertwining stories are driven by the Baker and his wife as they learn of a curse placed on their home to which has caused for the barrenness of a child. The Witch details how the curse can be lifted given a limited time-frame of three midnights; and it is a journey which weaves the fables of Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Jack of Beanstalk fame into one seamless narrative.

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