Movie Review: The Purge

Length: 1 & 25 mins.
Released: June 7th, 2013
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy
Rating: R
Directed By: James DeMonaco
Where I Got It: watched at movie theater

SUMMARY:
If on one night every year, you could commit any crime without facing consequences, what would you do? In The Purge, a speculative thriller that follows 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. In an America wracked by crime and overcrowded prisons, the government has sanctioned an annual 12-hour period in which any and all criminal activity-including murder-becomes legal. The police can't be called. Hospitals suspend help. It's one night when the citizenry regulates itself without thought of punishment. On this night plagued by violence and an epidemic of crime, one family wrestles with the decision of who they will become when a stranger comes knocking. 

CAST:
James Sandin - Ethan Hawke
Mary Sandin - Lena Headey
Charlie Sandin - Max Burkholder
Zoey Sandin - Adelaide Kane 
Bloody Stranger - Edwin Hodge

TRAILER:

REVIEW:
Let me start out saying that I had super low expectations for this movie. The trailer really does no justice to what the movie is about. Yes, it is a thriller and whatnot. However, there is a deeper meaning to this movie. Not only is it a "what would you do?" theme to it, but it plays with the theory that "humans are animals" and if not allowed to go along with the animal in us then crime and poverty are bound to happen. It is an interesting theory and after the movie I looked more into it. Crazy, but interesting to think about.

I went with my friend Sarah, who was DYING to see this. She used the friend-card on me. Sighs. Oh well. I'm glad I went and seen it though!

Like I said, I had super low expectations, but the movie was a million times better then what I expected. Not only was the story intriguing and the theme thought-provoking, but the acting was fabulous. Ethan Hawke, the Dad, was kicked ass and took names. He was awesome and I really should watch more of his films. I also really adored the big baddie. He was so damn creepy! *shudders*

I liked the ending a lot, except for one occurrence. I can't say more then that because it'll give away a huge spoiler. In a way it was kind of funny, but a little awkward for all involved. 

In the end, I did like this movie. It was a change. It was different to all the other thrillers I've seen out there. The acting was good, the thriller-ness was good, the theme was though-provoking, and etc. If you like thrillers and slightly gory movies then I recommend this movie to you. I shall stamp this with 5 stars, in reality it is more like 4.5, but since I don't give decimals I rounded. 

Favorite Character(s): The Homeless guy, James (kickass), and the Stranger (just because the actor really pulled off the creepyness)
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Zoey and Charlie (damn kids)

*CaroleRae*

The Return of Carole: Music Monday

Happy Monday everyone! Sooooo sorry I have been pretty much absent. Once school was done, I was busy due to work and the catching up with socializing with the world. I had been anti-social during school it was sad. Haha. Now I have rested and am motivated to blog once more.

Well, since it is Monday and I have nothing ready to share yet, I'll share some music to get this Monday started:

First one is a lovely little tribute to Marilyn Monroe. It's fabulously done.

By boyfriend showed me this video...it's "controversial" and people are in an uproar thinking this video is real. Gotta hate people....it so obviously fake its not funny. What do you guys think?

Book Review: Gaijin Cowgirl

Author: Jame DiBiasio
Title: Gaijin Cowgirl
Genre: Mystery, Action
Pages: 393
First Published: March 8th, 2013
Where I Got It: Given to me by the author to review for my honest opinion.

"Working Tokyo nightclubs is easy money for beautiful and troubled American Val Benson – until a client with a rather unusual hobby – painting the private parts of his female liaisons – reluctantly gives up a map to a stash of Japanese war loot and tempts his favorite girl into a dangerous treasure hunt.
The Congressman’s daughter is not the only one interested in the map: Yakuza, bent cops, human traffickers, rogue CIA agents and her father are hot on her trail, snapping at her high heels.
So begins the dark, epic journey of a new anti-hero of Asian Noir, a protagonist both ambiguous and courageous, and utterly unreliable. From comfort women and tomb-raiding in Japanese-occupied Burma to the murderous echoes of the Vietnam War, long forgotten crimes come roaring back to life, as Val leaves a trail of destruction and chaos in her wake.
Together with her best friend, the equally unreliable nightclub hostess Suki, Val travels through Tokyo, Hong Kong and Bangkok to the Thai-Burmese borderlands for a dramatic showdown with her pursuers. Finding the treasure before everyone else does is her only hope for survival, and perhaps redemption."

Finally finished this. Gotta hate when exam time gets in the way of reading. Oh well. 

At first this was really, really slow moving. I wasn't sure Val's story was going to finally drift into the crazy treasure hunting, mystery, action story the summary talks about. However, once the story did explode it was good! It made the wait worth it. Perhaps the slow being was a way to make it seem more realistic and to establish the characters and the setting.

The story was good and I liked the different blend of characters. However, I loathed Val with every bone in my body. I tried SO hard to like her, I really did...but I couldn't. She was a spoiled brat and selfish. Poor Charlie...he was such a great guy and he wanted to love her and take care of her...but no...>.> I really wished that Suki had been the main character. She was interesting and I wanted to learn more about her. I also had a secret wish that she and Charlie would hook up. 

The ending took me by utter surprise. However...not in a good way. I was not happy with how everything ended. Yes, there was a cliffhanger and I'm mad. Hopefully the author writes a sequel soon. Though I don't like Val, I do want to know what happens to her and how everything will end up.

In the end, this was a fun adventure. The author sure does have a way of writing and he always kept me on you on your toes. Though I disliked Val, I did enjoy her story. I hated the ending, but I wouldn't mind finding out what happens next for her. I would recommend this to those that need a little shake up in their reading and for those that love mysteries/adventure novels. Frankly...this would be a good movie and I would watch it. Out of five stars, I shall give this a solid 3. 

Favorite Character(s): Suki, Charlie, and the Painter (*SPOILER ALERT*I just liked him because he was super complex and he was a great baddie*SPOILER ENDED*)

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Val and Papa Benson

*CaroleRae*

Book Review: Coyote Summer

Author: J.S Kapchinske
Title: Coyote Summer
Genre: YA, Drama
Pages: ebook
First Published: March 17th, 2013
Where I Got It: Given to me by the author to review for my honest opinion.

*This review can also be seen over at Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell*

"Heath always looked forward to summer visits at Grandpa’s—long days in the wild Rocky Mountains, fishing with Dad on the Piedra River, and nights sleeping on the screened-in porch. Plus this summer, Dad promised to finally tell him the secret about old Mrs. Baylis—a mysterious Native American woman living down the dusty dirt road… But now, after Dad’s accident, it can never happen that way. Heath and his mother go to Grandpa’s, but only to spread Dad’s ashes in the river. 

In the beginning, Heath feels like he's been swallowed by the raging Piedra, held upside down in some dark and unforgiving eddy. But one day, wandering along the riverbank, he meets Annie, a wild-eyed tomboy who shows him a hidden cave with a litter of orphaned coyote pups. Together they discover the cave holds another secret—one that might help them figure out the mystery of old Mrs. Baylis. During that summer in the mountains, Heath comes to realize there is both beauty and ugliness in the world, sometimes all tangled together. By opening himself up to Annie and the coyotes, he rediscovers hope and joy in this big, beautiful, mixed-up world."

This book was written for Middle School level readers and after reading this I really think that kids should read this in their Middle School reading/English classes. For more advanced readers, this will be a quick and simple read. Not only is the story really good, but also, all the life lessons embedded within the text were good too. I liked it.

This story is not only about Heath's moving on from his father's death, but it is a story that tells us that bad things may and will happen, but you have to move on. You need to move on and be happy...but never forget the past. The world can be an ugly place, but with the help of those around you and your own inner strength there is nothing that can defeat you.

I'm not sure what else to say about this, because I don't want to spoil anything. *ponders*

I wished that the author had dived more into the mysterious old Mrs. Baylis and her story. I know they give some sort of "resolution", but I feel like it rushed and something was...missing and things didn't add up right. Along with the mystery of old Mrs. Baylis, there were some other minor strings left hanging in the wind. Yes, they were minor, but I HATE when everything isn't concluded and tied up in the end. This ties in with the ending...the author upset me, because I really wanted an epilogue and 100% resolution to everyone's story. I know...I know...she left to the reader's imagination, but yeah...I like knowing.

In the end, this was a really good read. The lack of resolution and some loose ties annoyed me, but I did enjoy this. If I were to teach a Middle School English/reading class, I would have them read this. Not only is it a good story, but it has great themes and lessons to be learned. I think I would like to check out more of this author's stuff, he certainly has GREAT potential. I would recommend this to those that love YA books or for those looking for a nice feel-good book about life lessons. In the end, I'll give this four stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Annie, Grandpa (you'll see why later on in the text), and of course those adorable pups.

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Gus (bastard)

*CaroleRae*