Hello Muses!
Before I carry on with my picks of the week, I just wanted to give people an update on a few things. Last week was very crazy for me-- normally I try to post on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, & Saturdays (every other day except for Fri & Sat) but I ended up posting from Sun the 12th to Thurs the 16th-- that's 5 days straight on top of working 2 jobs! So let's just say I was a bit burnt out!
I was supposed to do a post for last Friday (Cover Art Friday) and Saturday (my Take Shelter movie analysis) but I just couldn't find the energy nor the motivation. Since it was President's Day weekend, I had off from working at the school and decided to go get my hair done-- I am half Italian and half African American so the new "do" that you see in the pic to the left took all day! But it was worth it :) Then
me and the boyfriend decided to have a romantic weekend since we have been so busy and didn't get a chance to celebrate our anniversary last month. The picture you see to the right is us getting ready to head out to Texas Roadhouse for dinner! So I apologize to anyone who was looking forward to last Friday & Saturday's posts.Despite my mini-hiatus, I did finish reading a book that I will be posting the review for on Wednesday and I am half way through another-- so at least I got some reading done!
This Friday, instead of my normal "Cover Art" post, I will be introducing everyone to my next guest blogger, Jake Henderson who is a horror addict AND expert! Saturday his post will be about exploitation films followed up by a review of one. So if you like movies and want to learn about a rare genre of films, Jake's post on Saturday will be very interesting and informative.
Okay, I think that is enough on the updates. I hope everyone is enjoying what's left of there President's Day weekend!
May the gods be forever in your favor,
MY PICKS OF THE WEEK! (February 21st)
For this week, it looks like film rules. I didn't add this movie to my list but in case you see it in your navigation, you can skip Son of No One starring Channing Tatum. The movie received horrible reviews, but I don't always judge a movie based on that. So I figured to give it a chance last night--and wish I hadn't wasted my time. An hour and a half I could have been reading! GRRRR!
Anyway, enjoy!
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BOOKS (Feb. 21st)
ADULT
Tempted By Blood (Sweetblood #3)
by: Laurie London
Deep within the forests of the Pacific Northwest, the battle for supremacy rages on between two Vampire coalitions:
Guardian enforcers sworn to protect humanity, and Darkbloods, rogues who kill like their ancient ancestors….
He might be known for his effortless charm, but Guardian Jackson Foss is hiding a terrible secret. For months, he has battled the emergence of his dark nature—deadly urges that threaten to consume him. And those cravings only intensify when he meets Arianna Wells, the human he's been assigned to protect. Smart and perceptive, Arianna doesn't seem like a dangerous temptress. Yet she awakens in Jackson an unstoppable need that, if left unchecked, will brand him a traitor…a crime punishable by death.
But soon their bond may be Arianna's only hope. For stalking her in the shadows is a merciless enemy—one who will stop at nothing to claim her completely….
Date Released: 21 February 2012
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YOUNG ADULT
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
by: Benjamin Alire Saenz
Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When they meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the two loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special kind of friendship--the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime.
by: Benjamin Alire Saenz
Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When they meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the two loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special kind of friendship--the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime.
Catastrophic History of You and Me
by: Jess Rothenberg
BRIE'S LI
FE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.
With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?
Fever (The Chemical Gardens #2)
by: Lauren DeStefano
Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.
The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.
In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.
by: Lauren DeStefano
Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.
The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.
In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.
MOVIES & TV SERIES (Feb. 21st)
MOVIES
Honey 2
Directed by: Bille Woodruff
Starring: K
at Graham, Randy WayneFrom the director of Honey comes Honey 2. The legacy of legendary dancer and choreographer Honey Daniels lives on in spirited 17-year-old Maria Ramirez (Katerina Graham). When Maria returns to her gritty Bronx roots to pursue her dreams of dancing, her killer moves attract the attention of Brandon (Randy Wayne), who urges her to help lead a rowdy group of rising dancers to win a fierce national competition. Maria’s in for an unforgettable showdown in this inspiring story of courage, dedication and the will to never give up. Also starring Mario Lopez and Audrina Patridge, Honey 2 features moves from some of America’s top dance crews, including Quest Crew, Beat Freaks, Strikers All-Stars, Super Cr3w, Fanny Pak and more!
J. Edgar
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Leonardo DiCapio, Naomi Watts, Armie Hammer
As the face of law enforcement in America for almost 50 years, J. Edgar Hoover was feared and admired, reviled and revered. But behind closed doors, he held secrets that would have destroyed his image, his career and his life.
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Leonardo DiCapio, Naomi Watts, Armie Hammer
As the face of law enforcement in America for almost 50 years, J. Edgar Hoover was feared and admired, reviled and revered. But behind closed doors, he held secrets that would have destroyed his image, his career and his life.
Martha Marcy May Marlene
Directed by: Sean Durkin
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, John Hawkes
Haunted by painful memories and increasing paranoia, a damaged woman struggles to re-assimilate with her family after fleeing an abusive cult.
Date Released: 21 February 2012
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Tower Heist
Directed by: Brett Ratner
Starring: Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick
When a group of hard working guys find out they've fallen victim to a wealthy business man's Ponzi scheme, they conspire to rob his high-rise residence.
Date Released: 21 February 2012
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TV SERIES
Borgia: Season One (not to be confused with Jeremy Iron's version called The Borgias)
Starring: Art Malik, John Doman
It was the age of Da Vinci and Michelangelo, of enlightened creativity and unparalleled intellectual achievement. But it was also the age of Machiavelli, or rampant lawlessness, incessant war and unspeakable depravity. At the heart of the world order was the Vatican, and at the center of the Vatican was Rodrigo Borgia, a man whose quest for power would propel him to seek the ultimate prize, the Chair of Saint Peter. His name would become synonymous with ruthlessness, and his reign as pope would be remembered as the most infamous chapter in the history of the Catholic Church.
The Fades: Season 1 (BBC)
Starring: Iain De Caestecker, Lily Loveless
A teenage boy named Paul is haunted by apocalyptic dreams that nobody can explain. As if that weren't terrifying enough, he begins to see spirits of the dead, known as The Fades, all around him. The Fades can't be seen, smelt, heard or touched by other humans. When an embittered and vengeful Fade, Polus, finds a way to be human again, it's up to Paul to stop him - and all of the dead - from breaking back into the world and destroying the human race.
Starring: Iain De Caestecker, Lily Loveless
A teenage boy named Paul is haunted by apocalyptic dreams that nobody can explain. As if that weren't terrifying enough, he begins to see spirits of the dead, known as The Fades, all around him. The Fades can't be seen, smelt, heard or touched by other humans. When an embittered and vengeful Fade, Polus, finds a way to be human again, it's up to Paul to stop him - and all of the dead - from breaking back into the world and destroying the human race.
Nurse Jackie: Season Three
Starring: Edi Falco, Peter Facinelli
Still high and mighty! The Showtime® hit series "Nurse Jackie" ended season two with the ugly truth closing in on super-nurse Jackie Peyton. Jackie's best friend and husband put the pieces together about her pill-popping ways and confronted her about her addiction. But if the people in her life think one little intervention is going to stop her, they don't know Jackie. The great white liar returns for another hilarious season of 12 episodes on 3 discs.
Weeds: Season Seven
Starring: Mary-Louise Parker
New York, New High! After serving 3 years in the joint, the onetime suburban soccer mom is making a fresh start in New York City and going back to doing what she does best -- selling pot. But when some old friends return, they could send everything up in flames.
Hi Mia!
ReplyDeleteIt's alright for the late reply; goodness knows how many times we do that too. :) Haha, working together has been very fun (though sometimes it tests our cooperation!).
You rock too :)
Thanks again,
-Ela and Celine@ YA Anonymous