Thursday, August 21, 2014

Note to my Readers!

Hi Everyone!

Though I really love reading and I love watching movies and I love my blog, I'm going to stop blogging in Natasha's Bookshelf.

I still have a passion for reading and a great interest in movies, but reviewing both of them isn't suitable for me. I guess I'm someone that prefers to enjoy what I'm doing, and sometimes I can't concentrate really well on the novel I was reading or the movie is was watching because I would be thinking about how I'm going to review this on my blog.


But fear not, my readers! I will continue updating in my other blog, Natasha's Cute Blog.


Thanks for everyone that read my blog, even though I'm still new to blogging!


Goodbye,
Nashy (◠︿◠✿)

Friday, July 11, 2014

MOVIE Review: Transformers: Age of Extinction

Hi Movie Lovers!



Today I'm reviewing the movie Transformers: Age of Extinction.

Note: This review might contain spoilers about the previous Transformers movies

I have to be honest with you - I wasn't that excited about this new Transformers movie when I watched the trailers. I wasn't sure if I would like the new characters, but I was quite excited about the robotic dinosaur that appeared in the trailer (and Optimus Prime) so in the end I decided to watch the 4th part of the blockbuster series.

Details:

Title: Transformers: Age of Extinction (Transformers 4)
Director: Michael Bay
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Lead Actors/Actresses: Mark Wahlberg as Cade Yeager
                            Stanley Tucci as Joshua Joyce
                            Nicola Peltz as Tessa Yeager
                            Jack Reynor as Shane Dyson
                            Titus Welliver as James Savoy

Movies with the same genre: Pacific Rim, Ender's Game, After Earth.

3.5/5

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Synopsis:


After defeating Sentinel Prime and Megatron's army in Chicago, the Autobots have gone into hiding after the government deemed all transformers as threats, and thus, began to hunt them all down. The government has thus replaced the Autobots with their own transformers using technology from the fallen transformers. Meanwhile, a mechanic, his daughter, and his daughter's boyfriend become dragged into the conflict upon discovering Optimus Prime in their possession, and all the while, a mysterious new enemy, Lockdown, sets his eyes on earth.

*This plot synopsis is taken from IMDB*

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"Autobots, roll out!" - Optimus Prime


My Thoughts:


First, the graphics are so well-done! There is so much more detail on the Autobots and I love the battle scenes and the slow-motion effect. Their 'car versions' are also getting more modern and the actions are a lot more fluid too, comparing to the previous movies. They had done really well with the graphics!



Speaking of Autobots, there are new Bots introduced on both good and evil side, each with a unique identity and bad-ass style: Hound (John Goodman), Drift (Ken Watanabe), Crosshairs (John DiMaggio), Lockdown (Mark Ryan) and Galvatron (Frank Welker). The new Autobots were really cool but they didn't get much screen time and I didn't get to see them much in action (especially Drift), so it's quite disappointing. However, bounty hunter Lockdown was a great addition to the movie, and personally he makes up for the lack of action from the new Autobots.

Hound (John Goodman)
Crosshairs (John DiMaggio)







*There isn't an image available for Drift .*

I, personally, loved the Dinobots! It was something that held my interest during watching the movie, but I was quite disappointed to see that they were only part of 10 minutes of the action. There were also questions* left about the robotic dinosaurs and I wanted to see more of the Dinobots. 


The human characters are great and the actors and actresses are really good portraying them in the movie, especially Wahlberg and Tucci. However, a weak point for me was how there wasn't a single hint of where the characters of the previous movie went. It was never explained why Bumblebee left Sam in the first place, being his most loyal protector. 

Haha sorry if the review was a bit short but it basically summarized what my thoughts are. I wouldn't say that Age of Extinction wasn't disappointing, but I was expecting more action from the new Bots and where the old cast had went. But overall the movie was great and the graphics were fantastic!

Thanks for reading!
Nashy (●‿●✿)


*Sorry, but the questions they left may includes spoilers, so I can't reveal them!

BOOK Review: The One by Kierra Cass

Hello Book Lovers!



Today I'm reviewing The One by Kierra Cass!
Warning: This review may contain spoilers about the previous books!

Firstly, do you know how long I was waiting for this to come out??
So I was SOOO EXCITED when my friend managed to borrow a copy from the local library in Auckland. I started reading and soon I didn't want to stop! 
The bestselling novel starts off with a rebel attack and instantly hooks me in for more...

Details:

Book Title: The One 
Author: Kierra Cass
#3 and the final installation of the Selection series.
Published May 6th 2014

Other books by Kierra Cass:
The Selection Series - The Selection
                           The Elite
                            The  Prince (Novella)
                            The Gurard (Novella)

4.5/5 Stars

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Blurb:

The Selection changed America Singer's life in ways she never could have imagined. Since she entered the competition to become the next princess of IllĂ©a, America has struggled with her feelings for her first love, Aspen—and her growing attraction to Prince Maxon. Now she's made her choice . . . and she's prepared to fight for the future she wants.

Find out who America will choose in The One, the enchanting, beautifully romantic third book in the Selection series!

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"Love is stronger than war."


My Thoughts:

Firstly can I just say that I think the cover is BEAUTIFUl!! The dress is amazing and she is so pretty! I also like the 'reflection' effect the covers in the Selection series have. If you look closely each reflection seem to be different, and I think it symbolises the main character, America's emotions throughout the novel.


I laughed, I cried, I was mad and I was surprised throughout the final installation of the Bestselling series. The One had took me to an emotional roller-coaster ride. 

The story flowed really well and the suspense and questions we had during reading the previous instalments are answered. Kierra Cass's writing has greatly developed and improved and it was shown in the One. She is more descriptive and the timing was great. 

I think the characters, especially America, are more mature in this book. America used to be more rash and stubborn in the Selection and the Elite, but now she keeps her rash opinions to herself. And a great thing is now she knows what she really wants and she's going to fight for it! The book also shows how all the other Elites are feeling inside, and their relationship develops a lot more.

One thing that I really find annoying is that both Maxon and America would never say the three most important words - I love you. I'm pretty sure that both of them do love each other very much so why won't you put it out there? 

"Maybe Maxon did love me, but if he wasn't man enough to say it out loud..."

*sighs* America, you can say it too!

The ending is OK. I thought it was a little rushed and it seemed that Cass could've slowed down a little and include more detail about the other people who were affected by what happened.

If you have started the Bestselling series, be sure to finish it too because all the questions will be answered and you would never be bored reading it! 


Thanks for reading another review!
Thanks,
Nashy (●‿●✿)