Wonder Woman

DC finally got it right. It only took a handful of movies before this but I finally think that DC could be a great as the Marvel movies. Yes I’m a bigger fan of Marvel then DC but that doesn’t mean DC doesn’t have some of my favorite heroes, Wonder Woman being one of them.

Wonder Woman starts off in present day in Paris, she receives an old photo from her past from Bruce Wayne and it makes her remember her past. That’s how we get the movie and it’s the only tie-in to the Justice League film. There is no bonus scene in the credits, which is surprising given that pretty much become a staple for Superhero movies.

We jump back in time to when World War 1 was raging throughout Europe. Many were starting to wonder if the war could even be won. Captain Steve Trevor crashes near the island of Themyscira, where Diana (Wonder Woman) is living with the other warriors, completely outside of the rest of the world. She saves Steve but her Aunt ends up getting killed with the Germans follow Steve onto the island. Steve is able to convince Diana that the war could use her help, but Diana is only going because she believes the God Ares has returned and it’s her destiny to kill him.

“I used to want to save the world, this beautiful place. But the closer you get, the more you see the great darkness simmering within. I learnt this the hard way, a long, long time ago. ” – Diana Prince

Steve takes Diana to London where they set up a plan to get into the heart of the battle in hopes of stopping Spanish chief chemist Isabel Maru, who is attempting to engineer a deadlier form of mustard gas under the orders of General Erich Ludenorff from a weapon facility. Diana believes that General Ludenorff is the God Ares in human form.

They’re able to save a town and a lot of people before finally facing General Ludenorff but when Diana kills him, the war is still continuing, proving that she was wrong and he was not the God Ares. The God Ares is actually Sir Patrick Morgan, a man who was supporting peace and was supposed to be helping them in their quest. Diana goes a little crazy and Steve ends up sacrificing himself in order to destroy the gas that Isabell Maru created. Diana kills Ares and saves her other three friends but it forced to live with the loss of Steve. We jump back to present day where Diana replies to Bruce, thanking him for the picture and bringing Steve back.

Overall, the story is well written. It creates a story-line that is believable and funny. The humor was delivered and understood at each point in the movie. The love story between Steve and Diana could’ve been done a bit better, sometimes it seemed like it was rushed and that they never really did get to know each other. However, what Diana stands for it clear and that she will spend her immortal life doing just that. I give this movie 8 out of 10 stars. I really wished they had done a bonus scene for the Justice League, which is the next film to be released. And there were a few moments that were dragging and made me want to fast forward. Wonder Woman did bring a strong female warrior to the team and I hope that continues in the Justice League movie and that they keep a good thing going.

“It’s about what you believe. And I believe in love. Only love will truly save the world.” – Diana Prince

Other Reviews:

• Washington Post
• New York Times
• Common Sense

50 Shades Darker

When it comes to the 50 Shades series, you’re either for it or you hate it. It’s safe to say that given that when the first movie came out people were trying to have it banned from theaters. First, people needed to chill. If you don’t like the movie or it’s story, don’t see the movie. Second, they made it into a movie because people loved the series and read it, sometimes more then once. Just relax and let people see what movie they want to see.

50 Shades Darker picks up the story of Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey pretty close to how the last movie ended, much like the book. However, one thing that 50 Shades Darker doesn’t do is keep the love story between these two going. The story and plot line gets lost in the need to hit points in the book that we can’t really get anywhere with  developing a turn story. It’s very different from the first movie and I’m thinking it’s because we have a different director and writer. And what is sad is that the film starts out taking the thrill of Leila stalking Anastasia that it seems like it’s going to go somewhere but is quickly destroyed by the lack of true emotion given between the actors. It seems like both Dakota and Jamie were bored and who could blame them given how horrible the plot line was.

“I want you back. I’m not very good at this, I’ve never wanted to try again.” – Christian Grey

The love between Anastasia and Christian is supposed to grow greatly throughout this book, one of the reasons he asks her to marry him. However, the lack of emotion portrayed between the actors leaves you lacking. You never reach the moments that need the emotion the most. For instance, when Anna is confronted by Leila (which she mispronounces her name several times), Anna shock is laughable and seeing Christian with Leila is not a strong scene but more of him being annoyed. Anna doesn’t even get the chance to deal with the scene because we jump right into her being able to touch Christian, which should’ve been again another emotional and loving moment but was more of a “I really don’t want to touch you” moment. Another disappointment.

Jack Hyde was exactly the way I wanted him to be. That’s really the one thing that I enjoyed about this movie. I had hopes for Leila but they didn’t fully develop that part of the story so it became a let down. As for Jack, he was the creepy and slimy guy he was from the book and I give him a huge thumbs up for how well the characters was delivered. The tense moment between Anna and Jack is the one scene where I actually believed what was happening between the two of them. This unfortunately didn’t continue for the rest of the movie.

Mrs. Robinson aka Elena Lincoln is boring. She doesn’t look like the woman I pictured at all and instead of being “protective” of Christian like she is in the book, they spend the movie making it clear that she wants Christian for herself. Now, we know this the real reason behind what she does in the book but it’s not given to you a face to face until the last book. She’s boring. And when Grace slaps her at the end of the film, it’s more of a, well I was wondering how long that was going to take versus a pivotal moment between friends like it should’ve been. Mrs. Robinson was another let down of 50 Shades Darker.

Overall this movie doesn’t give you the story that 50 Shades Darker should. It never reaches the emotions between the characters and the actors. The story is more about hitting points in the book then setting any story up to begin with. And the characters are thrown around and together is chaos in hopes of getting as many people on camera in order to make the movie seem fuller. I give it 5 out of 10 stars. I was very disappointed in this movie, especially after how much the first one told the love story between Christian and Anastasia.

“I don’t see how this can work.” – Anastasia Steele

Also, there is a bonus scene after the credits of the film. Actually, let me rephrase that it’s a teaser trailer for 50 Shades Freed. It doesn’t give you much, I don’t even think it’s 30 seconds long. But it gives you a glimpse that this series is ending and if the last film is just like this one, then it’s going to be a a disappointment too.

Other Reviews:

• Empire Online
• Vanity Fair
• Screenrant

Sometimes Family Is Too Blame – When the Rogue Returns – Book Review

It’s been a while since I’ve done a book review but I’ve decided to give a couple a go this time. First up is one by Sabrina Jeffries, who I am a huge fan of and I have joined her exclusive fan club too. I recommend you give her a read (romance novels) and yeah it’s probably geared more to the ladies but guys do read them too. So lets go!

*******************************************************************************

Review postings include reviews on TV shows, books, music and movies. Reviews are simply, that reviews. I include information from each section and thus this information may or may not contain spoilers. Please take the warning now, if you don’t wish to see or read any SPOILERS, do not continue reading. If you do continue to reading, disregarding this warning, please don’t blame me if something is ruined for you. I did warn you after all. Also, review postings are my opinion and I stand by them. We may not have the same opinion and thus lets not argue over it.

********************************************************************************

When it come to a good romance novel, a little bit of a twist in the story makes it seem more interesting and keeps you wondering if the pair is going to figure it out and find their love is stronger. When it comes to a Sabrina Jeffries novel, I am never disappointed when it comes to her books. The love stories and the twists are worth the wait between novels and makes you want to keep reading through the series. I have actually set out to own every book published by her and I’m pretty close if not there in owning all of them (both paper and digital).

When the Rogue Returns is the next novel in the Duke’s Men series. And we take a look at the life of Victor, the newly found cousin and his long-lost wife Isa. It turns out you need a little history on the pair to know how they became separated. Turns out both Isa and Victor were played by Isa’s sister, Jacoba and her husband Gerhart in order to get very valuable jewels from a jewelry shop that both Victor and Isa worked at. The jewels went missing and Isa, Jacob and Gerhart took off to France. Victor unfortantely wasn’t given the chance to get away and was blamed for the crime. What Isa didn’t know was that Victor didn’t abandon her (who was pregnant at the time), he had no idea where she went and thought that she knew the plan the whole time. Isa believed that Victor had taken his share of the jewels and left her in his past.

A twist of fate however brings them together when Victor is hired by Lady Lochlaw to look into Mrs. Franke’s past and personality. Isa is now going by Mrs. Franke and when the two finally come face to face, they have to deal with the issue of what happened to their marriage. All the while Victor is unaware that he has a daughter who has been sent off to school. However, just as the pair is getting their love back, Jacoba and Gerhart return to cause trouble. They need money and they kidnap Isa’ daughter Katie in order to get what they need from Isa. In a true romance novel form however, Victor and his friends are able to trick and get the better hand of Jacoba and Gerhart.

In the end, Victor and Isa work out their problems and their daughter Katie finally gets to meet her Dad, who she believed was dead. Jacoba and Gerhart are arrested and forced to face the crimes they committed. I give this book 10 out 10 stars. It’s definitely a favorite of mine but so far this entire series has been a worthwhile read.