Twilight (saga)

               Once in a while a book appears and it becomes an instant success almost anywhere it is published. People read it, queue to buy another part, filmmakers try to secure the rights to film it, and the author, from an unknown person, becomes a celebrity. That was, undoubtedly, a case with Twilight saga books.

I first heard about the books after seeing the movie (again). And I even didn't know what movie it was, but watched it but accident. I quite liked it (unlike the rest of the movies). It was an interesting love story with the usual dilemma (in this case: turn her or not) and quite good acting (unlike the rest of the movies). But, going back to the book.

After seeing the film and becoming interested in the story I naturally turned to the books (to audiobooks to be more specific). I would listen to the story almost all day and felt very unhappy when I had to stop to do something else. In fact I have listened to the books many times since the first time, and I will probably come back to it again in a while. I was gripped by the story and the characters. The more I read the more fascinating it became.

I liked that the author reveals details about the characters slowly. We first get to know Bella's, Edward's and Carlisle's stories. Later on Esme tells her tale fallowed by Emmett and Alice. In the third book we find out more about Jasper and Rosalie. They all come from different backgrounds, different times, they all had different dreams when their lives ended, and they deal with what they are in a different way.

But the vampires are just one part of the story and the second one is the Quileute tribe, who can transform into giant wolves. They protect humans from "the cold ones" and they want to protect Bella from turning into the enemy. Especially, Bella's best friend Jacob doesn't want her to change. Introducing the tribe into the story was a very nice move in terms of not losing readers' interest I think. We have a whole set of new characters, very misterious ones, who really exist. For me it was a lifesaver, because on some point you can get sick of Bella and Edward and their everlasting love. The Quileutes seem much more real and human, and some of the character are very funny :)

I liked the books because they speak about love, protection, friendship, keeping promises and trying to do your best with what you get.

I didn't like Bella's relationship with Edward because sometimes it was too intense and controling on his part. He was stifling and too protective in my oppinion. But apparently Bella liked it, so what can I do ;)

Book covers with titles

The additional book

World War Z

               There is something fascinating about zombie movies. There have been so many of them already but we seem to be still into them nevertheless. I have recenlty seen "World War Z" directed by Marc Forster and I have to say that it was perfect in almost everything.

Firstly, the mind blowing special effects. Helicopter chases, car chases, explosions and off course thousands upon thousands of zombies, who/which would jump great hights, run and tumble like house of cards. The Israzel-wall scene portrays that perfectly.

Secondly, Brad Pitt. He never fails. I have seen almost all his movies and tere is no doubt in my mind, as I assume in many other people's minds, that he is a great actor. I don't think, however, that he was in a movie with that much action before. Sometimes in such movies the special effect and the acting kills the actor's skills. He/she seems to be invisible. That luckily didn't happen here :)

The only flaw, like in all action movies, is the fact that all the things that can go wrong - go wrong. And that the main character survives it all.

The things which I like most about such films is different, however. They make me wonder about our chances against diseases and epidemics. If such virus like the one in the movies springs somewhere in the world, how will we protect ourselves? Will we be able to survive and fight? 

We have used medicine and vaccines for so long that some of the viruses and bacterias mutated and became immune to them. We need new ones. But will they be developped before it is too late?

Tiles

               I would like to use those tiles in my kitchen. Just to put them in random places, between other tiles.

Before firing

After first firing

With some colors

After burning

The Thursday Next series

               I have no idea how I found this author but I read the whole Thursday Next series in a few days. I'm now reading Shades of Grey and it is as great as ever.

                 Thursday Next is funny, fool of surprises, fool of references to other books which I read on some point and which I liked, fool of classic characters and some modern characters. How great it would be to travel into different books and meet the people who we like and love. And he makes it possible for us through the Thursday Next books :)

The author himself

Observation

             I looked at the clock standing on the CD player. How much tears could you spill before your eyes would swim out of your head – I wandered? What was she crying for anyway. The tears would stop at times and she would stay quiet for a while. But then suddenly, out of nowhere she would start again and louder. Every time louder than before. She was trying to cover her mouth with her hands but it would not work. The sound would still come out. Louder and louder and louder. She was trying to stop, that was plain, even for me to see. But somehow she was unable to stop. And that was visible too. She was trying everything. Closing her eyes, walking, clenching her fists, taking deep breaths. Nothing seemed to be right. Nothing could stop the fresh wave of hysterics.

I sat there for a long time staring at the girl and not being able to move. Not because of fear or compassion but because I knew that there was nowhere to go. I did not pity her. I did not wonder what had happened – and clearly there was something – to her. I did not feel anything.

I felt empty. It was so surreal that words fail me to describe it. I felt like I had no more breath in me, like I could not move my chest to take the breath. And yet this did not upset me in slightest. I felt dizzy and swayed on my legs for a second. The room was shaking and swirling, I felt sick. Like before vomiting. I tried to close my eyes and I could not open them again. I felt so tired. I did not want to open my eyes. Not now, not ever. I wanted to stay like that.

A bird's bath

               My first project :)

               I have taken the idea from the Internet, when I saw a photo of a sililar plate, but with two birds and a place to put the wedding rings on. It was white and very nice looking. 

               I decided to do something silimar to put my home keys on when I come back home. I made it with clay, which after baking will turn white. The impression was done with some lace. I plan to put some pink color on the impression.

My photo 

I lost the bird :( but I put a special paint so that my birdless bath will be shiny

The finished product :)

The Impossible

                  I'm not a big fan of water. And I'm not a big fan of catastrophic movies - especially when I know that the catastrophy really happened. That's why I was somewhat sceptical to watch "The Impossible". We all could see the destruction and death on the news, almost live. Why make a movie about it? But - in the end - I did watch it.

What I liked in the movie were firstly special effects. I cannot of course say how tsunami looks like, but in the movie it was more or less the way I imagined it. Fast, roaring water, relentless, crashing and destroying everything in its path. There is no stopping it and people are powerless when facing it. I was particularly transfixed with the scene in which Naomi Watts gets hit by the wave and tries to resurface. I could only sit and stare on the screen trying to believe that anyone could ever get alive from this. For me it was truly impossible.

I liked the actors, who were very well chosen. From Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor, who are experienced and accomplished actors, through excellent Tom Holland to Samuel Joslin and Oaklee Pendergast, two sweet, little boys so natural in their acting. The movie relies on their efforts and talent.

What I didn't particularly like was the fact that only the one family was shown. Thousand of people suffered that day, but their tragedy is merely a background to the Bennett family. It can somehow give viewers the impression that the scale of the catastrophy was in fact much smaller than it was in reality. It sometimes doesn't show the whole picture, which for me is hard to except at times.

"The Impossible" is worth seeing for many reasons. For me this one scene, which I mentioned above as being the most transfixing, was enough to realize how painful and dificult the ordeal was. To understand that the survival of this family was a true miracle.

Different movie posters: