Movie Review: Up

Name: Up

Director: Pete Docter & Bob Petersen

Starring: John Ratzenberger & Christopher Plummer

Rated: PG

For: Some Peril

Brief summary: Carl is about to fulfill his and his late wife, Ellie's, life-long dream. Going to "Paradise Falls" and forgetting everything. When Carl gets violent with a construction worker, he is forced to move into a convalescent home. However, before the bus can pick him up, Carl makes his grand escape by tying thousands of balloons onto the top of his house. When he's in the air, he finds out that he is not the only one making the voyage. Russell, an eight year old "wilderness scout" had climbed onto his front porch and is now making the journey with him. On their way to Paradise Falls, Russell & Carl encounter many things, including Carl's childhood hero, a giant bird, talking dogs, and much more. This movie is sweet, appropriate, and perfect for the whole family.

Age level: All ages

Cautions: A woman has a miscarriage, a man hits another man, making him bleed. A man is ordered to go to a convalescent home. A boy mentions having a stepmother and says that his relationship with his dad isn't so great. There're some scary parts. Some fighting….

If you like this movie, you might also like . . . The Incredibles!

Personal Opinion: Okay, I was expecting this movie to be "Okay". Just in the first five minutes, I was drawn in and I KNEW I was going to love it. Weird, huh? Dug, the talking dog, WAS HACKING HILARIOUS! Most of the jokes he made kids wouldn't get (they weren't inappropriate, just for an older age group. You either have to OWN a dog or know someone who owns a dog to really get it.). Also, at the end of the movie, there's a great scene including sacrifice which I TOTALLY loved. But, younger kids wouldn't really get it. It was a totally sweet, funny, all around good movie. I really liked it and can't wait to drag my family to it. ;) MUAHAHAHA!

Overall rating: 10/10

Random tidbit: John Ratzenberger has been in every Pixar movie. And he's from the town my dad grew up in! Which is technically right next door to MY town! And my daddy saw him on the train, and he's been to the diner we usually go to… What I'm trying to say is… He's a cool dude.

Book Review: Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Name: Eclipse

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Brief summary: The Twilight saga continues with Eclipse. In Eclipse, Edward and the rest of the beloved Cullens are back, and Bella is back to normal. Bella is also much closer to Jacob. In Eclipse, the infamous love triangle between Edward, Bella and Jacob continues. At the same time, Bella's life is once more threatened by Victoria and her army of newborn vampires. While fighting for her life, Bella has to choose, vampire or werewolf?

Grade/Age level: 13 and up

Cautions: Bella tries to push herself on Edward, there's probably some swearing… Many people have problems with the idea of vampires.

If you like this book, you will also like… I'm not sure…

Personal Opinion: Eclipse is my favorite book overall in the Twilight saga. The story, romance, and action all have their peak in this book. The romance is pretty much chaste, except for the fact Edward sleeps in Bella's bed (nothing happens), and there's some passionate kissing. After I had finished reading this book, I was left wanting to "punch a werewolf in the face". Hah.

Rating: 10/10

My deepest apologies, my dearest readers

 

Hello everyone! I am a horrible blogger, I know. I haven't updated in who knows how long. But… that is changing… TODAY!

For a week, starting today and ending Friday, I will post a new review daily! Ooh! Ahh!

Also, I would like to introduce WORDY WEDNESDAY! A day of guaranteed reviews! Unless I am busy with a good excuse (such as being away or finishing school), every Wednesday will be a REVIEW! (ooh! Ahhh!) Anyway, I'll start later today.

 

Are you ready?!

 

New Blog

Hey everyone!

Just a quick FYI!

I have a new blog where I'm going to put all the cool graphics and stuff I design.

It's called Designs by Katie.

Go Check it out!

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Name: Ella Enchanted

Author: Gail Carson Levine

Brief summary: When Ella of Frell was born, the foolish fairy, Lucinda, gave her the gift of obedience. Of course, as Ella grows up, she looks at that "gift" as a curse. Any command she is given, Ella has to obey. It could be something as simple as, "Clean your room." or something much worse, like, "Chop your head off.". When Ella is fifteen, she decides to find the foolish Lucinda and ask her to talk the curse off. This book follows Ella as she goes to finishing school, her father gets remarried and ultimately, she falls in love with the gorgeous Prince Charmont, Prince Char for short. Will Ella get the curse off and get the happy ending that she dreams of?

Grade/Age level: 10 and up

Cautions: None

If you like this book, you will also like.... Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Personal Opinion: I read this book when I was about ten and it's been my totally favorite book since. It was always at the top of my "favorite books list", even above Harry Potter! Those who knew me at this age will find this as a shock, as I was a Harry obsessor from ages 8-12.

Rating: 10/10

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Name: Princess Academy
Author: Shannon Hale

Brief summary: When the priests predict that the prince's future wife will come from the mountains, everyone is shocked at the idea. When the King's Men come to let those from the "chosen" mountain town know that every girl aged 12-18 must come to "The Princess Academy", Miri is less than thrilled. Miri, a girl filled with imagination, character and wit, is angered when she is told she doesn't get a choice and must go to the Princess Academy, especially when she realizes her sister, Marda, is a few days too old to go with her. Miri, along with every other girl, goes to the Princess Academy to be taught how to act, dress, eat and do everything else a princess must. Along the way, Miri makes an unexpected friend, Britta. Britta recently moved to the mountains from a city and was recently orphaned. This book was filled to the brim with adventure and romance.
Grade/Age level: 12 and up
Cautions: None
If you like this book, you will also like....Any book by Gail Carson Levine, Especially Ella Enchanted.
Personal Opinion: The same cousin who gave me Cycler gave me this book YEARS ago. I randomly found it while cleaning my room and decided to give it a shot. As I read it, memories of me rereading Ella Enchanted for the trillionth time filled my head. Miri and Ella have much in common, including that both are spunky and they both fight their way through different trials. Princess Academy was a fun book that I HATED to put down.

Rating: 9/10

Cycler by Lauren McLaughlin

Name: Cycler

Author: Lauren McLaughlin

Brief summary: Everyone hates "That time of month", right? Jill has a different reason than most girls to hate her period. For four days every month, Jill turns into Jack, a rebellious teenage boy. With the help of her "anti- Jack" mother, everytime Jack turns back to Jill, she meditates on the fact that she is "All Girl" and forgets everything that Jack did during his visit. With the help of his yoga loving father, Jack is able to be a normal teenage boy, complete with sneaking out, food and porn. Her friends all think that during those four days when she's out of school and can't see or talk to any of her friends, that she's getting blood transfusions. When Jill developes a crush on a cute bi-sexual boy, she is determined to go to prom with him. The only problem? Jack will be visiting.

Grade/Age level: 14 and up

Cautions: Jack sleeps with a girl, Jack asks for porn (and gets it), A boy is bi-sexual, Jill and her friend kiss on the lips, just as a joke though.

If you like this book, you will also like....I have no idea! This book is so unique...

Personal Opinion: When my cousin gave me this book and told me what it was about, I laughed. A girl who turns into a guy during her period? FUNNY! Makes my period seem alot easier. :P But as I randomly started to read it, I was mesmorized. I meant just to read a chapter or two, but instead I stayed up all night reading it. It was funny, touching and WAY different than any book I've ever read.

The only thing I really had a problem with was the porn. It made me uncomfortable, and that's probably the only reason I'm not letting my sister read it.

Rating: 9/10