50 Books Challenge 2012 - # 48: A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire # 2) by George R. R. Martin

Title: A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire # 2)
Author: George R. R. Martin
Story: A comet the color of blood and flame cuts across the sky. And from the ancient citadel of Dragonstone to the forbidding shores of Winterfell, chaos reigns. Six factions struggle for control of a divided land and the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms, preparing to stake their claims through tempest, turmoil, and war. It is a tale in which brother plots against brother and the dead rise to walk in the night. Here a princess masquerades as an orphan boy; a knight of the mind prepares a poison for a treacherous sorceress; and wild men descend from the Mountains of the Moon to ravage the countryside. Against a backdrop of incest and fratricide, alchemy and murder, victory may go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel...and the coldest hearts. For when kings clash, the whole land trembles.
Start: november 2nd 2012
End: november 18th 2012
Comment: I'm a fan of the first book. Loved it so much. I was very excited about the second book, but unfortunately it didn't met my expectations. But it's still an awesome sequel. Like the first, Martin tells the story from various points of view. This time the story of Theon is added and we continue to follow Arya, Sansa, Catelyn, Jon, Tyrion and Daenerys. In the first book we read a lot about Daenerys, I kind of missed that here. She only has a couple of chapters dedicated to her, I was hoping for more. I did like to read about the split Stark clan. Especially Arya. She is though and also very likeable. I already liked her in the first book, but she was more present in "A Clash of Kings". Her arc was very adventurous. So different from her sister Sansa. One character I truly dispise is Joffrey. Ever single time I just wanted to slap him in the face and kick him in the jewels. Aaargh!! Tyrion is one of the more interesting arcs. He has to prove himself, this time to his dad. Tyrion kind of grew on me in this book. I like his sharp tongue. The second book in the series was just too big and it wasn't as fast paced as its prequel. But overall the stage is set nicely for the next book. In particular, the battle at Blackwater is a great literary scene. "A Storm of Swords" is already waiting for me on the shelve, so I can't wait to see how it all continues.
Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Trailer Sunday (60)

This weeks trailers are about invaders who take over human bodies, shadowhunters, an admissions officer, two totally different female cops and illusionists.

The Host Description: Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact. Most of humanity has succumbed.
Director: Andrew Niccol
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Max Irons, Jake Abel, Diane Kruger, William Hurt, Frances Fisher
Trailer: Trailer "The Host"
Comment: I was always kind of sceptic, but this trailer makes me want to read the book.

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Description: Clary Fray (Lily Collins) discovers she is the descendant of a line of Shadowhunters, a secret cadre of young half-angel warriors locked in an ancient battle to protect our world from demons. After the disappearance of her mother, Clary must join forces with a group of Shadowhunters, who introduce her to a dangerous alternate New York called Downworld, filled with demons, warlocks, vampires, werewolves and other deadly creatures.
Director: Harald Zwart
Starring: Lily Collins, Jaime Campbell Bower, Robert Sheehan, Jemima West, Kevin Segers, Kevin Durand, Robert Maillet, Lena Headey, Jared Harris, Godfrey Gao, Aidan Turner, CCH Pounder, Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Trailer: Trailer "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones"
Comment: I love the books, didn't even know there was a movie in the making.

Admission Description: Portia Nathan (Tina Fey) is an admissions officer at Princeton University. Evaluating thousands of hopeful college students, the exceedingly bright and driven woman lives her life by the book, both at work and in her relationship with a faculty colleague, Mark (Michael Sheen). Visiting an experimental New Hampshire high school submitting applicants, Portia is caught off guard when its co-founder John Halsey (Paul Rudd) turns out to have attended college with her. She is then floored when reminded of the life-altering decision that she made while still a student herself; she had a son, who she gave up for adoption, and who she now realizes may be one of John's students, the precocious misfit Jeremiah. As Portia's emotions surge forth, she finds her life turning upside down in embarrassing ways and begins to bend the admissions rules, in the hopes of getting Jeremiah on the best path while perhaps righting her own as well.
Director: Paul Weitz
Starring: Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Michael Sheen, Gloria Reuben, Wallace Shawn, Lily Tomlin
Trailer: Trailer "Admission"

The Heat Description: Uptight and straight-laced, FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn (Sandra Bullock) is a methodical investigator with a reputation for excellence-and hyper-arrogance. Shannon Mullins (Melissa McCarthy), one of Boston P.D.'s "finest," is foul-mouthed and has a very short fuse, and uses her gut instinct and street smarts to catch the most elusive criminals. Neither has ever had a partner, or a friend for that matter. When these two wildly incompatible law officers join forces to bring down a ruthless drug lord, they become the last thing anyone expected: buddies.
Director: Paul Feig
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Marlon Wayans, Michael Rapaport
Trailer: Trailer "The Heat"
Comment: Fun combo.

Now You See Me Description: We follow a crack FBI squad in a game of cat and mouse against a super-team of the world's greatest illusionists, who pull off a series of daring bank heists during their performances, showering the profits on their audiences while staying one step ahead of the law.
Director: Louis Leterrier
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Melanie Laurent, Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman Michael Caine, Dave Franco
Trailer: Trailer "Now You See Me"
Comment: Of all the great trailers this week, this ones my favorite. Looks so awesome, it really surprised me.

In My Mailbox (72)

Eight official postcards and one private swap this week. That's more like it. The first postcard of the week came from Tychy, Poland. Wonderful dogs.

Sent: november 7th 2012
Received: november 13th 2012
Distance: 925 km (575 miles)
Travel Time: 6 days

From the capital of Great Brittain I received this bird postcard. I really liked it.

Sent: november 9th 2012
Received: november 14th 2012
Distance: 425 km (264 miles)
Travel Time: 5 days

This fantastic watercolor came from Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. It's so pretty.

Sent: november 3rd 2012
Received: november 14th 2012
Distance: 2,535 km (1,575 miles)
Travel Time: 11 days

From Yekaterinburg, Russia I received this really adorable angel petting a crow. I don't know, but there's something about this postcard. It looks so.... kind. I really love it.

Sent: november 1st 2012
Received: november 16th 2012
Distance: 3,534 km (2,196 miles)
Travel Time: 15 days

This fairy card came from Ylökärvi, Finland. Real cute.

Sent: november 9th 2012
Received: november 16th 2012
Distance: 1,575 km (979 miles)
Travel Time: 7 days

I got this cornfield from Kiev, Ukraine.

Sent: november 12th 2012
Received: november 17th 2012
Distance: 1,722 km (1,070 miles)
Travel Time: 5 days

What a beautiful view. Istanbul, Turkey. The sender is a (young) man, that is so rare in postcrossing.

Sent: november 7th 2012
Received: november 17th 2012
Distance: 2,092 km (1,300 miles)
Travel Time: 10 days

From Assen, Netherland came this wonderful autumn postcard featuring a hedgehog. Love it!! The sender is also a huge fan of this season.

Sent: november 16th 2012
Received: november 17th 2012
Distance: 205 km (127 miles)
Travel Time: 1 day

And the private swap came from Gdansk, Poland. The sender agreed on a swap an we might also become penpalls. Great huh! And she send me another autumn postcard, how wonderful!

Thanks Agata, Helen, Yelena, Svetlana, Kaija, Mari, Yazgan and Patricia for this great week full of wonderful postcards.

Top 5 Thursday: James Franco Movies

Because James Franco is in almost every movie coming out in 2013, I just had to make a list of my favorites. I did that in the item “Best of…” but here I made a top 5.

5. Spider-Man 2

The best in the trilogy, mainly because of the villain. Off all the Spider-Man movies I enjoyed this one the most.

4. The Rise of the Planet of the Apes

I was a bit sceptic about this film, but very surprised when I saw it. Amazing film, especially Andy Serkis as Ceasar.

3. Milk

It’s a good story and the movie is full of great actors. Not just James Franco, but also Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch and Josh Brolin. 

 

 

2. Pineapple Express

Definitely the funniest role he ever played and he’s the star of the film. Saul Silver is one of my favorite movie stoners.

 

 

 

1. 127 Hours

I don’t need to explain why, but I’m gonna do it anyway. James Franco’s acting is fantastic and one of the best performances I’ve seen in years. Great film.

They almost made the top 5: Howl and Spider-man

Movie Moments: "Midnight in Paris"

I love the city of Paris and I'm madly in love with this Woody Allen movie. Love everything about it. Here are my favorite moments from "Midnight in Paris".

Moment # 1: Opening
We see all the beautiful places in Paris, by day and by night, with sunshine and rain.

Moment # 2: In love with a fantasy
Gil tells Inez how much he loves Paris, how he would want to live here someday. He loves Paris especially in the twenties and when it’s raining. Inez doesn’t understand why Gil loves Paris so much and tells him he’s in love with a fantasy. Gil tells Inez he’s in love with her.

Moment # 3: Arguing with the guide
Gil, Inez, Paul and Carol are listening to a guide who’s telling a story about Rodin.’Inez is fascinated about how much Paul knows. Paul thinks he knows more about Rodin, but the guide correct him. Paul doesn’t agree with the guide and starts arguing with her. Gil backs the guide up and tells Paul she’s right. When he does, Inez isn’t paying attention anymore.

Moment # 4: Gill gets lost
Gil decides to stroll Paris by night, all by himself, but gets lost. All of a sudden a car passes by and the passengers want him to come with them.

Moment # 5: The Fitzgeralds
Gil meets Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. The actual Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. Gil realizes that he's now in 1920’s Paris.

Momemt # 6: Ernest Hemmingway
Gil meets writer Ernest Hemmingway, one of his idols. He asks Hemmingway if he wants to read his novel, but he won’t. He does want Gil to meet Gertrude Stein.

Moment # 7: Adriana
Gil meets Adriana, Picasso’s mistress. He’s speechless when he first sees her and Adriana loves Gil’s writing. They immediately hit it of and start a conversation.

Moment # 8: Gil’s view on Picasso
Inez and Gil are attending an art exhibit with Paul and Carol. Again Paul is showing of his knowledge and starts talking about a Picasso painting. Gil saw that exact painting the night before, when he met Picasso and tells them the real story behind it. It shuts them all up.

Moment # 9: Salvador Dali
Gil meets painter Salvador Dali. He starts talking about a rhinoceros and how he could paint Gil with a melting lip. Gil starts telling him about Inez, that he’s not sure if he loves her or not. And about Adriana, how fantastic she is.

Moment # 10: Gil kisses Adriana
While taking a walk at night, Gil kisses Adriana. He gives her earrings, which she loves and then they take a carriage ride.

Moment # 11: Inez cheated on Gil
Hemmingway read Gil’s novel and he doesn’t understand why the leading character doesn’t see that his fiancées is cheating on him. This makes Gil think about Inez and Paul. He ask Inez and she denies it. Later she admits to have spend a couple of nights with Paul, but Gil just has to get over it. Gil doesn’t want to go back to America with her and decides to stay in Paris.

Moment # 12: Paris in the rain
Gil encounters the girl he met before, when he was listening to a Cole Porter record. He tells the girl, who is named Gabrielle, that he has decided to stay in Paris. When he wants to take her out for a cup of coffee, it starts raining. Gabrielle tells Gil she doesn’t mind getting wet and that Paris is at its best when it’s raining.

Favorite Moment: Moment # 12: Paris in the rain

Best of... Heath Ledger

After dedicating "The Many Face of..." to him I realized I never made a best of list for Heath Ledger. So that's why he's in this item now. Here are my favorites of the late Heath Ledger.

"10 Things I Hate About You"
This is one of those teencomedies that's actually good and when I watch it, I don't feel guilty. It's just such a fun film, with some great actors, like Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I can't get enough of this movie. Come to think of it, it's about time I watch it again...

"Monster's Ball"
Only saw it ones and the only thing I remember is that the acting was sublime. Although Halle Berry isn't one of my favorites, in this movie she proved that she is a very good actress. Billy Bob Thornton and Heath Ledger have rock solid roles.

"The Brothers Grimm"
Maybe it's because I like fairytales, especially when they are a bit on the dark side, but I always liked this film. The combo Heath Ledger/ Matt Damon also works. I really enjoy this movie everytime I watch it.

"Brokeback Mountain"
My favorite on this list and in my opinion also Heath Ledger's best role. This movie isn't spectacular, but it's in the details why this film is so fantastic. The chemistry between Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, the beautiful landscapes, the individual characters and the heartbreaking story.

"Casanova"
Call me a hopeless romantic, but this film is just entertaining. And Heath Ledger could be so charming and could sweep any woman of her feet.

"I'm Not There"
A very innovative way of telling a story. Nicely done. Great acting by Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett and Heath Ledger.

"The Dark Knight"
Heath Ledger portrayed the joker in his own way. Many say it was his best performance ever and he got awarded by the academy for this role. I can agree that his portrayal of the joker is fantastic, but for me this performance is my second favorite.

Movie Trailer Sunday (59)

This weeks trailers are about an ex-CIA agent, dinosaurs, zombies, more zombies and a christmas killer.

A Dark Truth
Description: An ex-CIA op-turned political talk show host (Andy Garcia) iss hired by a corporate whistle blower to expose her company's cover-up of a massacre in a South American village.
Director: Damien Lee
Starring: Andy Garcia, Kim Coates, Deborah Kara Unger, Eva Longoria, Forest Whitaker
Trailer: Trailer "A Dark Truth"

Jurassic Park 3D
Description: During a preview tour, a theme park suffers a major power breakdown that allows its cloned dinosaur exhibits to run amok.
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Bob Peck, Martin Ferrero, Joseph Mazzello, Ariana Richards, Samuel L. Jackson, BD Wong, Wayne Knight
Trailer: Trailer "Jurassic Park 3D"
Comment: This is a perfect movie to rereleas in 3D. I'm going to the theatres!!!

Warm Bodies,
Description: After a zombie epidemic, R (Nicholas Hoult) - a highly unusual zombie - encounters Julie (Teresa Palmer) - a human survivor - , and rescues her from a zombie attack. Julie sees that R is different from the other zombies, and as the two form a special relationship in their struggle for survival, R becomes increasingly more human, setting off an exciting, romantic, and often comical chain of events that begins to transform the other zombies and maybe even the whole lifeless world.
Director: Jonathan Levine
Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, Rob Corddry, John Malkovich, Analeigh Tipton, Dave Franco
Trailer: Trailer "Warm Bodies"
Comment: Looks fun!

World War Z
Description: United Nations employee Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) traverses the world in a race against time to stop the Zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments and threatening to decimate humanity itself.
Director: Marc Forster
Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz, James Badge Dale, Matthew Fox, David Morse
Trailer: Trailer "World War Z"
Comment: Another zombie movie, but I've been waiting for this trailer a long time. This is my favorite of the week.

Silent Night
Description: Santa is back, and he's got a brand new bag of tricks. As their small midwestern town prepares for its annual Christmas Eve parade, Sheriff (Malcolm McDowell) and his deputy (Jaime King) discover that a maniac in a Santa suit is murdering those he judges as "naughty." Their sins? Porn, adultery, greed... And he will make sure they rest in heavenly pieces.
Director: Steven C. Miller
Starring: Malcolm McDowell, Jamie King, Donal Logue, Ellen Wong, Lisa Marie, Brendan Fehr
Trailer: Trailer "Silent Night"
Comment: Very cheesy, but why not.