50 Books Challenge Update - April

I'm finally back on track! I'm really happy about that, because being behind on my schedule feels aweful. This month of graphic novels was fantastic.

# 11. A Hard Goodbye by Frank Miller (Sin City # 2) - 5/ 5
# 12. Watchmen by Alan Moore - 3/ 5
# 13. A Dame to Kill for by Frank Miller (Sin City # 2) - 5/ 5
# 14. Days Gone By by Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead # 1) - 4/ 5
# 15. Miles Behind Us by Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead # 2) - 3/ 5
# 16. V for Vendetta by Alan Moore - 4,5/ 5

Average: 4,1

Favorite of the Month: A Hard Goodbye

I think I got out of my reading slump. I'm really excited about this theme of may:

I decided to ask for recommendations on goodreads.com and some of my friends responded and gave me some good tips. I also got some tips from people around me. The books that I choose all sound like amazing books, but are all not books I would pick up if they weren't recommended to me.

Weekly Photo Challenge 2013 - Theme # 17: Movement

Here is this weeks challenge.

It was a though theme, but I managed. This photo was made in 2011, when my friends and I went to Dolfinarium (sea world in the Netherland). Because the boat and the dolphins where moving all the time, i thought this would be a great picture for this challenge.

50 Books Challenge 2013 - # 16: V for Vendetta by Alan Moore

Title: V for Vendetta
Author: Alan Moore
Story: Imagine a Britain stripped of democracy: a world of the not-too-distant future, in which freedom was not lost, but surrendered willingly to a totalitarian regime that rose to power by exploiting people's worst fears and most damning weaknesses. This is the setting for the parable of Evey, a young woman who is saved from death by a masked vigilante calling himself only V. Beguiling and dangerous, V ignites the fuse of revolution when he detonates two London landmarks and seizes the government-controlled airwaves, urging his fellow citizens to wake up and shed the blanket of tyranny and oppression in which they have permitted themselves to be cloaked. While those in power take steps to neutralise the threat, the police pursue the mystery of V, unaware of the terrible truth that awaits them at the end of the trail. It is Evey, however, who, with V as her untrustworthy guide, sets out on the most painful path of all: a journey of deception, and self-discovery, deconstruction and re-creation, vindication and vengeance.
Start: april 21st 2013
End: april 29th 2013
Comment: I saved this book for last. i already read "Watchmen" by Alan Moore this month, which wasn't as good as most people said it would be. I expected a lot from "V for Vendetta " as well. The graphics are different. It's darker and more dramatic and I like it that way. It fits the story perfectly. it spoke more to me then the graphics in "Watchmen". V is one of the most awesome characters ever. I love how he talks, his choice of words. Fantastic. My favorite line: “Remember, remember the fifth of November of gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason why the gun powder treason should ever be forgot.” But with his fine vocabulairy, it isn't the easies graphic novel to read. I loved the story of V and Evey, loved reading about the two of them. I also liked the shadow gallery. great ending to this reading month.
Rating: 4,5/ 5

Quotables: "Finding Nemo"

"Finding Nemo" is still one of my favorite movies from Pixar. And with the sequel on the way i though it was about time to quote from this hilarious animated picture. Because I have seen it a few to many times, I could actually write some of those quotes without looking them up. And I'm not ashamed of it!



Gill: To the top of Mount Wanna-hock-a-loogie.

Dory: I saw a boat.
Marlin: You did?
Dory: Yeah, it went by not too long ago. Follow me.
[few seconds later, she starts zig-zagging in front of him and glancing back]
Dory: Would you quit it? What, the ocean isn't big enough for you or something like that? You got a problem? Huh? Do ya, do ya, do ya? You wanna piece of me? Yeah, yeah! Ooh, I'm scared now! What?
Marlin: What? You said you saw a boat.
Dory: A boat?
Marlin: YES.
Dory: Hey, I've seen a boat. It went by not too long ago. It went... this way. It went this way.
Marlin: Wait a minute, you already told me which way the boat went.
Dory: I did? Oh, no...

Squirt: Whoa! That was so cool! Hey, Dad! Did you see that? Did you see me? Did you see what I did?
Crush: You so totally rock, Squirt! So gimme some fin.
[they slap fins]
Crush: Noggin'.
[bump heads]
Squirt, Crush: Dude!

Dory: This is the Ocean, silly, we're not the only two in here.

Bob: Hey, you're doing pretty well for a first-timer.
Marlin: Well, you can't hold on to them forever, can you?
Bill: You know I had a tough time when my oldest went out to the drop off.
Marlin: They've just got to grow up som - THE DROP OFF? THEY'RE GOING TO THE DROP OFF? WHAT ARE YOU, INSANE? WHY DON'T WE FRY THEM UP NOW AND SERVE THEM WITH CHIPS?
Bob: Hey Marty, calm down.
Marlin: Don't tell me to be calm, pony boy.
Bob: Pony boy?
Bill: You know for a clownfish, he really isn't that funny
Ted: Pity

Gurgle: Oh, the human mouth is a disgusting place.

Marlin: What did it say? What did the mask say?
Dory: P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney.
[gasps]
Dory: I remembered what it said! I usually forget things, but I remembered it that time! P. Sherman, 4...
Marlin: Wait! What does that mean?
Dory: I don't know. But who cares! Ha ha! I remembered! P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney. I remembered it again!

Dory: Hey, look, balloons. It is a party.
Bruce: Mind your distance, though. Those balloons can be a bit dodgy. You wouldn't want one of them to pop.

Dory: [about the humpback whale] Maybe he only speaks whale.
[slowly and deeply, imitating the whale]
Dory: Mooo... Weeee neeeed...
Marlin: Dory?
Dory: ...tooo fiiind hiiis sooon.
Marlin: What are you doing? Are you sure you speak whale?
Dory: Caaaan yoooou giive uuuus direeeeectioooons?
Marlin: Dory! Heaven knows what you're saying! See, he's swimming away.
Dory: Cooome baaaaack.
Marlin: He's not coming back. You offended him.
Dory: Maybe a different dialect. Mmmmoooooowaaaaah...
Marlin: Dory! This is not whale. You're speaking like, upset stomach.
Dory: Maybe I should try humpback.
Marlin: No, don't try humpback.
Dory: Woooooo! Woooooo!
Marlin: Okay, now you really do sound sick.
Dory: Maybe louder. Rah! Rah!
Marlin: Don't do that!
Dory: Too much orca. Did it sound a little orca-ish to you?
Marlin: It doesn't sound orca. It sounds like nothing I've ever heard!

Marlin: If this is some kind of practical joke, it's not funny, and I know funny. I'm a clownfish.

Sheldon: [gasp] He touched the butt.

Dory: DUCK. Marlin: [looks up] That's not a duck, it's a... PELICAN.

[Crush is introducing Marlin to his son]
Crush: Oh. Intro- Jellyman, offspring. Offspring, Jellyman.

Gill: Look at that. Would you look at that? Filthy. Absolutely filthy. And it's all thanks to you, kid. You made it possible. Jacques! I told you not to clean!
Jacques: I am ashamed.

Movie Trailer Sunday (83)

here are this weeks trailers.

Thor: The Dark World
Description: Thor (Chris Hemsworth) fights to restore order across the cosmos...but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.
Director: Alan Taylor
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgard, Idris Elba, Christopher Eccleston, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, Tadanobu Asano, Jaimie Alexander, Rene Russo, Anthony Hopkins
Trailer: Trailer "Thor: The Dark World"
Comment: The first movie was surprisingly good, so looking forward to see Chris Hemsworth as Thor again.

Mr. Pip
Description: In 1991, a war over a copper mining in the South Pacific tore the island of Bougainville apart. In 14 year-old Matilda's tiny village, the reclusive Popeye (Hugh Laurie) offers the children escape into Dickens' "Great Expectations." But on an island at war, fiction can have dangerous consequences.
Director: Andrew Adamson
Starring: Hugh Laurie, Xzannjah, Healesville Joel, Eka Darville
Trailer: Trailer "Mr. Pip"
Comment: I heard about the book from a friend, who recommended it and a couple of days after I saw this trailer. I picked up the book the minute I saw the trailer.

Prince Avalanche
Description: An odd couple of sorts, meditative and stern Alvin and his girlfriend�s brother, Lance, dopey and insecure, leave the city behind to spend the summer in solitude repainting traffic lines down the center of a country highway ravaged by wildfire. As they sink into their job in the remarkable landscape, they learn more than they want to about each other and their own limitations. An unlikely friendship develops through humor and nasty exchanges, leading to surprising affection. Adapted from Icelandic film "Either Way," "Prince Avalanche" is driven by wonderful performances by Paul Rudd, Emile Hirsch, and Lance LeGault. Writer/director David Gordon Green gets back to his independent roots with this character study, which shows his knack for realistically capturing people and finding meaning in their lives and dreams. With a soundtrack by Explosions in the Sky and David Wingo and gorgeous cinematography by Tim Orr, "Prince Avalanche" bucks convention by exploring male bonding in a refreshingly genuine way.
Director: David Gordon Green
Starring: Paul Rudd, Emile Hirsch, Lance LeGault, Joyce Payne, Gina Grande, Lynn Shelton
Trailer: Trailer "Prince Avalanche"

The Purge
Description: If on one night every year, you could commit any crime without facing consequences, what would you do? We follow one family over the course of a single night, four people will be tested to see how far they will go to protect themselves when the vicious outside world breaks into their home.
Director: James DeMonaco
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Adelaide Kane, Max Burkholder
Trailer: Trailer "The Purge"
Comment: Strange concept, but the trailer looks good.

See Girl Run
Description: When Emmie (Robin Tunney) starts to think that her current relationship isn't enough, she can�t stop wondering about her high school sweetheart, Jason (Adam Scott), who stills lives in their coastal hometown of Maine. On a whim, she throws caution to the wind and goes home to discover if he could be what she needs to reignite her life.
Director: Nate Meyer
Starring: Robin Tunney, Adam Scott, Jeremy Strong, William Sadler, Larry Pine, Josh Hamilton
Trailer: Trailer "See Girl Run"
Comment: I love movies like this

In My Mailbox (94)

A good week. Eight officials and one swap. And I got some beautiful postcards this week. From Chernivstl, Ukraine I received this adorable squirrel. The sender has a real awesome movie taste. Some of ther favorites are "Inglourious Bastards" and "Léon".

Sent: april 13th 2013
Received: april 22nd 2013
Distance: 1,467 km (912 miles)
Travel Time: 9 days

I got this great add card from Loures, Portugal. The sender wrote it's from the 1950's. I really like it.

Sent: april 16th 2013
Received: april 22nd 2013
Distance: 1,814 km (1,127 miles)
Travel Time: 6 days

This postcard is my favorite of the week, because gorilla's hold a special place in my heart ever since I saw them in the wild. The postcard is from St. Louis, Missouri, US. I came from another animal fan who had a thing for penguins. So happy with this postcard

Sent: april 18th 2013
Received: april 25th 2013
Distance: 7,167 km (4,453 miles)
Travel Time: 7 days

I got my first card from Brazil, Bella Horizonte to be exact.

Sent: march 17th 2013
Received: april 25th 2013
Distance: 9,260 km (5,754 miles)
Travel Time: 39 days

This really cute puppy came from Leende, Netherlands. How adorable! Not a lot on the back, but this sweet little thing makes up for it.

Sent: april 23rd 2013
Received: april 25th 2013
Distance: 34 km (21 miles)
Travel Time: 2 days

This is a real special card. I thinks it's gorgeous, this postcard from Sacramento, California, US.

Sent: april 19th 2013
Received: april 26th 2013
Distance: 8,824 km (5,483 miles)
Travel Time: 7 days

I received this card from Kitchener, Canada. It's a sunflower and i didn't even know they could be red. The sender owns a snake, four cats and a bearded dragon. Wow, that's so cool.

Sent: april 18th 2013
Received: april 26th 2013
Distance: 6,206 km (3,856 miles)
Travel Time: 8 days

And from Schaffhausen, Switzerland I got this wonderful dolphin card. Like me, the sender is an animal lover. Mostly elephants.

Sent: april 23rd 2013
Received: april 27th 2013
Distance: 434 km (270 miles)
Travel Time: 4 days

And a swap from Gatchina, Russia.

Thanks Alexandra, Paula, Gary, Yasmin, Ria, Lisa, Laura, Elisabeth and Anton for your amazing cards this week!

Top 5 Thursday: Morgan Freeman Movies

Tom Hanks is my favorite actor, as you might know, but this genius man named Morgan Freeman is a good second! He’s made so many movies and I wanted to do this a long time ago already. It’s a big task, but now I did it. I lined up my five favorite Morgan Freeman movies. Here they are.

5. Glory
Fantastic movie that I haven't seen that many times yet. I do remember that tear on Denzel Washington's cheek and the amazing performance by Morgan Freeman.

4. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Many may disagree, but I still think this is the best version of the classic story. OK, probably everyone who loves movies will disagree, but I just love it so much.

3. Million Dollar Baby
When I first thought it was going to be just another boxing story, I was so wrong. It’s so much more and the ending breaks my heart every single time.

2. Se7en
A movie that can still hold my attention from beginning ‘till end after seeing it so many times. It’s such an original story and I just love his character in this movie.

1. The Shawshank Redemption
I bet you didn’t see that coming! People who frequently read my blog know how much I love this film and that it is in fact my all-time favorite movie. No further explanation needed.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Kiss the Girls, Invictus, The Bucket List, Batman Begins

Movie Moments: "Big"

"Big" is one of Tom Hanks' best performances. He is my favorite and I just love his childish behaviour in this movie. And there are some great scenes in this film too. Here are my favorites.

Moment # 1: Josh makes a wish
After Josh was rejected on a thrill ride, he discovers a Zoltar machine. He puts in a quarter and he can make a wish. He wishes he were big. Josh receives a card which says his wish was granted.

Moment # 2: Josh got big
The day after, when Josh wakes up, he sees his wish came true. He is big, Josh is a grown up now.

Moment # 3: Convincing Billy
Josh tried to convince his mom, but she didn’t believe it was really him. So he is trying it with his best friend Billy. At first he doesn’t believe it either, but when Josh starts singing a song they always sing together, Billy believes him.

Moment # 4: Chopsticks
Josh and his boss meet each other in the toystore. Josh starts telling him what he does and doesn’t like about the companies toys. When Josh sees a giant floor piano, the two of them start playing “Chopsticks”.

Moment # 5: Limo
Susan asks Josh if he wants to leave the party with her. They get into a limo and Josh is fascinated by it. He starts playing with all the buttons in the car, while Susan is trying to have a serious conversation with him.

Moment # 6: Trampoline
Susan goes to Josh’s apartment, which is filled with toys. She sees a trampoline and Josh invites her to jump on it. At first Susan doesn’t want to, but as soon as she gets on it she has the most fun ever.

Moment # 7: “Give me the ball!”
Josh and Paul are playing racquetball and when Paul says he won, Josh tells him he’s cheating. Paul just wants the ball back, but Josh does everything to prevent Paul from getting back that ball.

Moment # 8: Josh returns home
Josh found the Zoltar machine and is trying to undo his wish, so he can go home. When Susan sees him standing at the machine, she knows she has to say goodbye to him. Susan drives Josh home, they say goodbye and Josh is finally home and his ‘young’ self.

Favorite Moment: Moment # 4: Chopsticks

Weekly Photo Challenge 2013 - Theme 16: Relax

Here is this weeks challenge.

This is a picture I took in the summer, when my rabbit Oscar could go outside. Relaxing time for him. And a joy for me to watch him relax like that.

Movie Trailer Sunday (82)

Here are this weeks trailers.

The Kings of Summer
Description: Three teenage friendsm Joe (Nick Robinson), Patrick (Gabriel Basso) and the eccentric and unpredictable Biaggio (Moises Arias) are in the ultimate act of independence, decide to spend their summer building a house in the woods and living off the land. Free from their parents'rules, their idyllic summer quickly becomes a test of friendship as each boy learns to appreciate the fact that family - whether it is the one you're born into or the one you create, is something you can't run away from.
Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Starring: Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, Moises Arias, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, Alison Brie, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Erin Moriarty, Marc Evan Jackson, Thomas Middleditch, Tony Hale
Trailer: Trailer "The Kings of Summer"
Comment: Again a coming-of-age-story, always love them.

R.I.P.D.
Description: Veteran sheriff Roy Pulsifer (Jeff Bridges) has spent his career with the legendary police force known as R.I.P.D. tracking monstrous spirits who are cleverly disguised as ordinary people. His mission? To arrest and bring to justice a special brand of criminals trying to escape final judgment by hiding among the unsuspecting on Earth. Once the wise-cracking Roy is assigned former rising-star detective Nick Walker (Ryan Reynolds) as his junior officer, the new partners have to turn grudging respect into top-notch teamwork. When they uncover a plot that could end life as we know it, two of R.I.P.D.'s finest must miraculously restore the cosmic balance...or watch the tunnel to the afterlife begin sending angry souls the very wrong way.
Director: Robert Schwentke
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Bacon, Mary-Louise Parker, Stephanie Szostak, Robert Knepper, James Hong, Marisa Miller, Mike O'Malley, Devin Ratray
Trailer: Trailer "R.I.P.D."

Emanuel and the Truth About Fishes
Description: A troubled girl Emanuel (Kaya Scodelario) becomes preoccupied with her mysterious new neighbor (Jessica Biel), who bears a striking resemblance to her dead mother. In offering to baby-sit Linda's newborn, Emanuel unwittingly enters a fragile, fictional world, of which she becomes the gatekeeper.
Director: Francesca Gregorini
Starring: Jessica Biel, Kaya Scodelario, Alfred Molina, Frances O'Connor, Aneurin Barnard, Jimmi Simpson
Trailer: Trailer "Emanuel and the Truth About Fishes"

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Description: Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a "Victor's Tour' of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow (Donald Sutherland) prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) - a competition that could change Panem forever.
Director: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Lenny Kravitz, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Toby Jones, Woody Harrelson, Jena Malone, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amanda Plummer, Lynn Cohen, Patrick St. Esprit, Meta Golding, Bruno Gunn, Alan Ritchson, E. Roger Mitchell, Maria Howell, Stephanie Leigh Schlund, Sam Claflin, Jeffrey Wright
Trailer: Trailer "The Hunger Games: Cathing Fire"
Comment: The agony.... I have to wait so long 'till it hits the theaters!!!! This is my favorite book of the three, so I hope it will live up to my expectations.

Romeo and Juliet
Description: When the star-crossed lovers of two enemy families meet, forbidden love ensues.
Director: Carlo Carlei
Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Douglas Booth, Damian Lewis, Natascha McElhone, Lesley Manville, Ed Westwick, Tomas Arana, Laura Morante, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Paul Giamatti, Christian Cooke, Tom Wisdom, Leon Vitali, Stellan Skarsgard
Trailer: Trailer "Romeo and Juliet"

In My Mailbox (93)

Not a good postcrossing week for me. Only four postcards.

I got a card from Sofia, Bulgaria. It's a picture of my favorite city Paris.... the ugliest part of Paris!

Sent: april 10th 2013
Received: april 15th 2013
Distance: 1,616 km (1,004 miles)
Travel Time: 5 days

This card says Taiwan, and it's from the city Taipei. Not a fan...

Sent: april 2nd 2013
Received: april 17th 2013
Distance: 9,470 km (5,884 miles)
Travel Time: 15 days

A really cute rabbit card, but please leave them alone. Don't put them in little cars like Anne Geddes put baby's in peapods. It's from Riga, Latvia by the way.

Sent: april 15th 2013
Received: april 18th 2013
Distance: 1,343 km (835 miles)
Travel Time: 3 days

This is the only card I liked, but it was one of those double cards (the rabbit card was too). I prefer actual postcards, with the stamp and address non the card. Am I a bitch right now? I should be happy that people send me cards. I can be honest and tell wether I like a card or not. But all four senders didn't really put much effort in writing something nice on the card, besides "I hop you like the card" od something like that. Pretty shitty!

Sent: april 12th 2013
Received: april 19th 2013
Distance: 140 km (87 miles)
Travel Time: 7 days

Thanks Nelly, Lireca, Olga and Cornelia.

50 Books Challenge 2013 - # 15: Miles Behind Us by Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead # 2)

Title: Miles Behind Us (The Walking Dead Volume # 2)
Author: Robert Kirkman
Story: An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe, causing the dead to rise and feed on the living. In a matter of months, society has crumbled: There is no government, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV. In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally begin living. This volume follows our band of survivors on their tragic journey in search of shelter. Characters live and die as they brave a treacherous landscape littered with packs of the walking dead
Start: april 17th 2013
End: april 20th 2013
Comment: After reading the first I immediatly wanted to continue with the second book in this series. The group is back on the road again and ends up at a farm, where they meet Hershel and his family. New characters are introduced, but like the first novel most characters are pretty one-dimensional. And this story went so fast, that there wasn't any room for character development. There were some new relationships, like Dale and Andrea (pretty weird if you know the show) and Glenn and Maggie. I still love the graphics and I like the fact that it's in black and white. I think it might be to gruesome if it was in color. And like the first one I liked the story, because it picks up where the first one left of. I do prefer the first book over this one. And I also think the TV-show is better then the books.
Rating: 3/ 5

DVD Collection Update (1)

I decided to share with you my new DVD's whenever I get new ones. I make it a recurring item, but not on a certain day. Just when I got some new DVD's I share them with you. So here is the first DVD Collection Update.

First I got a box-set. "The Lord of the Rings"-trilogy. All three movies are 2-disc special editions and I always like watching feature like how the movie was made. Glad to have this in my collection and it wasn't that expensive.

I like "The Lord of the Rings", but I love "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey". I saw it in theaters and I pre-ordered the DVD. I got it this week and I was surprised it came with a slipcover.

I got another box-set, but it's slightly different. I bought the "Scream"-quadrilogy. On the left there are the first two movies and on the right the other two. In the middle there is a book with info about the series, director, writer and actors. There is a horrorquiz in it and some cards. Really cool! The "Scream" movies aren't extremely good, but they are loads of fun to watch and very entertaining. I haven't seen the fourth installement yet, but I'm going to rewatch the other three before I watch number four.

I was really glad to find this DVD. It's a steelbook version of "Taxi Driver". I have seen it, but I can't remember when it was the last time I did. And I haven't seen it enough either. Looking forward to seeing this again and it;s super cool that it's a steelbook.

Last I got "Hugo". Haven't seen it yet, but although this isn't a typical Scorsese film, because I don't have see this to know it's nothing like "Taxi Driver". I think I'm going to like "Hugo". It got a lot of good reviews.




Please let me know what you think of these movies!