The Fault in Our Stars by the brilliant John Green is an emotional joyride. The only book that can make you laugh and cry and be all metaphoric and existential, all at the same time. A story which some of us can half-relate to. Whether we’re the one suffering from an illness that decided to take up residence in our bodies, or is close to someone who is, there is that little part of ourselves in that book. It basically makes one feel all kinds of feelings. And I think that’s the beauty of it. Feeling all these emotions, every shortness of breath, every excitement, every struggle, every pain; but still thinking about our own end.

Some of the primary questions in the book; if we are, as the book said, no longer suffering from personhood, will we be able to at least leave a dent that people will remember us by? Is it even important? How about the millions who suffered from an illness who were not commemorated by the millions left in the world just because of the simple fact that no one knows who they really are, but those alive somehow acknowledge that these people have struggled and have fought long and hard in a battle that they have unfortunately lost.

The thing about us is that we are a bit obsessed about being remembered by a lot of people. I remember, I wrote a post about dying young, and that I was afraid that no one I know would come. And I am aware that that is a common fear amongst us humans still roaming this green earth, that we might not have been as significant as we thought we are. And it’s normal.

But the book tells us that what’s important is who we choose to spend our remaining time with, and who we choose to love, and that because we love them so much, we also choose to hurt them. Yes, family and friends are an automatic. But there is something special about really choosing someone. Someone you will want to scar, because you know that that scar will be remembered by this person forever. And that would make you forget that leaving a small dent on this world is not as dignifying or as sweet or as sentimental, as that scar, however little, that you left on that special someone. Of course, special someones are not always boyfriends and girlfriends, they could be one’s best friend, or a friendship with a non-total stranger who you only talk to during class.

The Fault in Our Stars is easily one of the best Young Adult Fiction Stories that I have read, so far. Relaxing and yet heart-wrenching. To those who have not read it yet (although I doubt there still are), grab this book. You will be treated to a rollercoaster ride  that only goes up.

The movie is about Johnny Blaze, played by Nicolas Cage, living in an unknown (and unnamed) place in Eastern Europe. But The Devil is back, this time played by Ciaran Hinds, and is looking for a child that he can use as his vessel, to contain his power. Blaze was visited by Moreau, a French warrior-monk (yes, like those in Priest), and was tasked to find the child and in return, he was promised that his curse will be lifted, not a bad deal.

I don’t even know where to start.

The opening scene, the summary of how Johnny Blaze became The Rider, was a pain to watch, and even corrected! The first movie tells us that he was tricked into it, but the “Origins” like summary in the movie tells us that he consciously signed a contract with the demon, and is aware of what is going to happen to him. That opening was bad, and no, it was not because of the sudden change in background story, but because of how it was made. It reminded me of The Hulk (2003), because it was too comic-like, and this happens more than once, not just in the opening title. Apparently, whenever Blaze would explain something, there is that need to illustrate it in comic-like scenes.

One of the most entertaining scenes would be definitely be when Blaze is The Rider, because since Cage is playing him already, he was given a personality, a weird one. The Rider was doing this, I wouldn’t even call it rocker poses, it was more like what an arcade character would do after it has won.  He still rides his bike, swings his chain a bit, nothing more. The character was not maximized enough, and it was a bit sad because I think that there are a lot of things to be done with the character.

Also, The Rider screams a lot. Literally picks up his enemies and screams at their faces. It was during these moments where I missed the whole “Look into my eyes” drama that he does, because I know there is a reason for wasting time just looking at people before getting their souls. Also, I thought it amusing that when he was being shot by big guns, he blacked out. But when missiles, and it was a missile that sucks the oxygen out of whatever the target is, he doesn’t even flame out. They could well have used knives then, just to wound him or something. Anyway, the movie did not hold back when it comes to flames, everything was on fire, which was cool.

The Devil’s lackey was forgettable, I don’t know why he even resurrected him, he was actually just annoying. One other weird thing, when The Rider is going to resurface, Blaze goes into this manic-psychotic state. He just laughs maniacally while threatening people, which was both crazy and funny. Miles different from the Blaze-Rider transition that we have seen in the first film.

Last one, the last few minutes in the movie made me squint my eyes. He effortlessly flung The Devil into the fiery pit, just like that. I didn’t understand it because he is obviously more powerful, even in that state. He could even get Blaze’s powers if he wanted to. I must have missed something, because I don’t think it was established why The Devil is powerless when he is face to face with The Rider.

But having said that,the movie was very entertaining. It was genuinely fun watching it.  At least we have solved that age old question, he does pee fire.

It is obvious that the CBS will push through with this. There have been a lot of adaptations already, I don’t think something like this would stop CBS from making their own. The problem is the “modernized” part of the US version. I am assuming that that is why people are reacting the way they are reacting now, violently. I know that when news of the BBC series first came out, before we became patrons of a brilliant show, we all thought that modernizing a classic character was very unique. In fact, I think some of us even wished we thought about it first. And so, when news of CBS is making its own modernized version of the famous sleuth, we raised our eyebrows and squinted our eyes, “What?!, surely they must be joking”. Apparently, they were not.

Modernizing Sherlock Holmes was an idea that was first conceptualized by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, and I’m interpreting people’s reactions as protecting and making sure that the idea will remain unique to Moffat and Gatiss, and the rest of the cast and crew, because they worked hard for it. I imagined myself in their position, talked about a brilliant idea, writing a script for it, making the pilot, until finally succeeding to create a cult following of one of literature’s most well-known and beloved character. Finding out that someone just nonchalantly adapted an idea that was first yours, is a bit insulting. Regardless of the setting being different, it was still the same idea. We have to establish that thinking, that however different the storyline is, or the possibility of it not even coming from the books, the concept that drives that show, and is the identity of the show, is the same idea Moffat and Gatiss had.

Which brings me to another point, the misunderstood reactions coming from the fans. Tweeters and Tumblr users are in a rift, asking each other why they hate the idea so much.

You have to understand that the fans are not reacting out of hate; they are reacting out of frustration. Remember, these are wildly enthusiastic fans who spent money, dedicated time, and even made an “I believe in Sherlock. Moriarty was real” guerrilla campaign, just for the show. The interest of the show was their priority, and if they think that this is wrong, they will unintentionally react in a violent manner. I think they came off as an angry mob, but actually, if one would only take time to read all their posts, they are actually just frustrated about the whole thing. They were not, in any way, condemning the US version seeing that the show airing is inevitable, they were actually nervous and intrigued about how they will be able to pull it off, given the restrictions.

I guess we’ll have to find out the fate of CBS Elementary. How will they maximize the whole concept of modernizing Sherlock? Since we all have observed that the BBC Sherlock has already done it marvelously. We will definitely, and indirectly, be part of the investigation team, with our deerstalkers and our magnifying glasses, checking for infringement….or something like that.

The Super Bowl extended trailer for The Avengers movie was simply epic. Also, we have got to comment on Loki’s new found swag and fly away hair, that scene with him and Tony Stark made me root for him. Although this is really far from happening, but if Whedon kills Hawkeye like he killed Wash in Firefly, there will be trouble, seriously.

Believed to be the only filmed interview of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, done in 1928

Being Human Episode 2 will be on next week, Sunday, 10pm on BBC Three

Max Landis just explained it brilliantly. He was right in saying that a lot of people really couldn’t care less about Superman. In the DC world, it was only Batman that I really cared to follow. When the death of Superman issue was released, I wasn’t exactly as affected as some of the people around me were. I actually thought that the news coverage for his death was a bit of an over-reaction. His return from the land of the comatose Kryptonians who were punched hard was interestingly funny.

This 17 minute video is probably what most of us are thinking right now. I liked it when he said, “The sacred suspension of disbelief, as far as death, has ended. Death of Superman, didn’t kill Superman. It killed death.” 

Right now as far as death and a sudden resurrection is concerned, it destroyed what’s left of that sentimental attachment that I had with a character, because I know they’re coming back. I’m not saying they should stop doing it (although, I know that’s implied), I just wished they didn’t make a big fuss concerning the death stories. Most especially if said character is alive in other issues afterwards. I empathized with the fans who felt they were betrayed, I wasn’t a big Superman fan but I was enraged when I heard about his return.

Anyway, this is actually, and surprisingly, very educational.

And do catch Chronicle this weekend, Max Landis is the writer of one of the best movies to ever grace the big screen.

If you haven’t seen this before, well good for you. This can only be described as a complete eyesore, and is shamefully coming from one of the most beloved science fiction movies out there. George Lucas has proven that the latest CGI sequences that he added to the original films is not the end of his mission to put us all in great misery and vexation. Now, LucasFilms is set to release the 1999 Star Wars movie The Phantom Menace, in 3D! Things just keep getting worse.

Star Wars is hypnotizing. That is the only way I could describe the franchise. The prequels were a bit disappointing, but nevertheless, I stuck by the franchise like a TV show patron protesting when their favorite show is cancelled.  But 3D? and a very very unecessary kids featurette?

I have very strong feelings when it comes to 3D movies, I dislike them with a fiery passion. Especially when said movie is really not made for it. In as much as Star Wars is action-packed, and is set in a place where maybe, just maybe, 3D will help maximize the experience of  travelling around the universe, I seriously do not think it will work.

The Guardian described the kids featurette brilliantly:

Hosted in the style of a McDonald’s Happy Meal advert by an exuberant voiceover man who sounds like a harried parent trying to persuade a recalcitrant sprog to eat their dinner, it appears to have emanated from somewhere in the seventh layer of Hades,. “Hey wait, a double-bladed light saber! That’s not fair!” chuckles Mr Cheerful as the action unfolds on screen, followed swiftly by: “Chill out R2 – I was just getting to you and C-3PO!” It’s enough to make one chew one’s own kidneys.

They went on by saying that Mike Nichols should have been chosen to edit the movie since he has successfully edited out Jar Jar Binks and the Young Annakin’s yells, and created a very decent 115 minute movie out of all that’s left.

But we all have yet to see it onscreen, I have to be disinterested, though. All the ideas were bad from the get-go, and this will have to be ratified by movie goers next week. I shall be one of them.

May the force be with all of you.

Brand new trailer for the most awaited HBO series of 2012!  The show is based on the best selling novels of George R.R. Martin, and this particular season is off of the second book, A Clash of Kings.

The trailer shows some of the most memorable moments that I have read in the book. I’m very sure that this would be an awesome series.