The Princess and the Frog (2009)

This is a fantastic movie!

Fit for family viewing and made a surprising twist to the old-time favorite children story, The Frog Prince! Two thumbs-up!

-honey-

Directors:
Ron Clements
John Musker

Writers:
Story: Ron Clements
John Musker
Greg Erb
Jason Oremland

screenplay: Ron Clements
John Musker
Rob Edwards, etc.

Cast: Anika Noni Rose as Tiana (voice) Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen (voice) Jennifer Cody as Charlotte (voice) Oprah Winfrey as Eudora (voice), etc. Plot Summary: A modern day retelling of the classic story The Frog Prince. The Princess and the Frog finds the lives of arrogant, carefree Prince Naveen and hardworking waitress Tiana crossing paths. Prince Naveen is transformed into a frog by a conniving voodoo magician and Tiana, following suit, upon kissing the amphibian royalty. With the help of a trumpet-playing alligator, a Cajun firefly, and an old blind lady who lives in a boat in a tree, Naveen and Tiana must race to break the spell and fulfill their dreams. Written by The Massie Twins -more at www.imdb.com

The Road (2009)

In a moment, the world changed forever.

It will keep you thinking til the end.

-honey-

Director: John Hillcoat
Writers:
Cormac McCarthy (novel)
Joe Penhall (adaptation and screenplay)

Cast:

Viggo Mortensen as Father

Kodi Smit-McPhee as Boy

Charlize Theron as Mother, etc.

Plot Summary:

A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind and water. It is cold enough to crack stones, and, when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the warmer south, although they don't know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing: just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless cannibalistic bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a rusting shopping cart of scavenged food--and each other.Written by Sean Pollock

-more at www.imdb.com

Silas Marner by George Eliot

This is a dramatic novel by George Eliot (the pen name of Mary Ann Evans) which was first published in 1861.

It is about a linen-weaver alien to the lands of Raveloe, exiled by himself after being falsely accused of theft and killing a deacon by not being by his side on his deathbed. Unaccustomed to Raveloe's ways and culture, Silas Marner lived a life of isolation at the Stone-pits, weaving for 15 years and tending to his monotonous life until a major event changed his life forever. Having lost his pile of gold yet gained the golden-haired Eppie, slowly, Master Marner blended with the townfolks of Raveloe and his life could never be the same again.

At first, I find this novel boring to read at, not looking forward on to anything that would make me feel interested. I just wanted to try a classic novel this time, but unknown of the adventures that lie beyond the pages. I slowly dragged myself up until half of the book and there, it came to me...the beauty of this masterpiece which George Eliot conjured. The love of a child which changed the life of an old solitary man, talking about ethics, family, religion, etc. This is the first novel I've read of George Eliot, and I'd be looking forward to more of her works.

-honey

The Lovely Bones (2009)

Truly a lovely movie!

I first heard of it when it was mentioned at The Oscars, then when i rummaged through my dad's DVDs, I was kind of surprised that he had it in a pile of new movies he had.

In no second thoughts, I called my folks to watch this one.

And oh man, we got hooked up from start to end.

It gives me the screams, the thrill, the smile, the compassion and the sympathy.

Makes me think about what life in the in-between would be like for me...and whether my loved ones would also feel my presence despite the absence.

I so love this movie, and I'd surely recommend this to people.

-honey-

Director: Peter Jackson

Writers:

Fran Walsh (screenplay)

Philippa Boyens (screenplay)

Peter Jackson (screenplay)

Alice Sebold (novel)

Cast:

Rachel Weisz as Abigail Salmon

Mark Wahlberg as Jack Salmon

Stanley Tucci as George Harvey

Saoirse Ronan as Susie Salmon, etc.

Plot Summary:

"The Lovely Bones" centers on a young girl who has been murdered and watches over her family - and her killer - from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal. Written by Anonymous

-more at www.imdb.com

Case 39 (2009)

Even before I was in the middle of the movie, I jumped up to find anyone who'd watch it with me.
It got me so scared that left me shivering and hugging my pillow so tight like if it's a living thing, I already have suffocated it dead. Good thing my parents are still awake, and I asked Pa to come share the horrifying movie with me, hahaha.

I had no idea what this Case 39 would be. I never planned last night to scare myself off, I just wanted to surprise myself. And no, I did not search and read any synopsis about this one, and bang, it did surprise the courage in me. I actually went chicken, but even so, I still wanted to watch all of it. I was even glad the ending was satisfactory enough. You should try it...preferrably with someone, but if you aren't as scared with scary movies like me, you may as well venture this one alone.

-honey-

Director: Christian Alvart
Writer: Ray Wright

Cast:
Renée Zellweger as Emily Jenkins
Jodelle Ferland as Lillith Sullivan
Ian McShane as Detective Mike Barron, etc.

Plot Summary:
"Case 39" centers on an idealistic social worker who saves an abused 10-year-old girl from her parents only to discover that the girl is not as innocent as she thinks. Written by Unknown

- more at www.imdb.com

Avatar (2009)

another jaw-dropping, meticulously furbished motion pictures by James Cameron,

this movie is best seen in 3D pictures,

and it's as much worth to the experience you'll never forget!

Director: James Cameron
Writer: James Cameron

Cast:
Sam Worthington as Jake Sully
Zoe Saldana as Neytiri
Sigourney Weaver as Dr. Grace Augustine, etc.

Plot Summary:
When his brother is killed in a robbery, paraplegic Marine Jake Sully decides to take his place in a mission on the distant world of Pandora. There he learns of greedy corporate figurehead Parker Selfridge's intentions of driving off the native humanoid "Na'vi" in order to mine for the precious material scattered throughout their rich woodland. In exchange for the spinal surgery that will fix his legs, Jake gathers intel for the cooperating military unit spearheaded by gung-ho Colonel Quaritch, while simultaneously attempting to infiltrate the Na'vi people with the use of an "avatar" identity. While Jake begins to bond with the native tribe and quickly falls in love with the beautiful alien Neytiri, the restless Colonel moves forward with his ruthless extermination tactics, forcing the soldier to take a stand - and fight back in an epic battle for the fate of Pandora.
-written by The Massie Twins

-more at www.imdb.com

mirage by soheir khashoggi

01/09/10
this is the loud voice of women!
we are as equally capable as men in a lot of ways, probably not all, but in a lot of ways...even better, so don't shut us down nor deem us lesser.

-honey-

Amira, a girl from a wealthy and powerful family, expects to be sold into marriage and to never step outsider her house without being swathed in black veils. But she's not prepared for the savagery of the husband she first meets on her wedding night. In a daring attempt to save her own life, she escapes with her baby to start a new life in the United States. But her past--and her powerful husband--won't give her up so easily...

-plot summary by http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk
-book cover

the cat who said cheese by lilian jackson braun

01/05/10
love cats? like mystery novels?
this would be best for you.

-honey-

With the approaching Great Food Explo, there's lots of delicious activity in Moose County-restaurant openings, a cheese-tasting, and a bake-off are planned, among other events. But there's nothing as tasty as a morsel of gossip, so when a mysterious woman moves into the New Pickax Hotel, the locals indulge in lots of speculation. Even Qwill is distracted. And when a bomb explodes in her room, killing the hotel housekeeper, Qwilleran, Koko, and Yum Yum have to put aside the treats and figure out who cooked up this murderous recipe...

Meet prizewinning reporter--Jim Qwilleran and his extraordinary Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum-the most unlikely, most unusual, most delightful team in detective fiction!

-plot summary by http://www.fictiondb.com
-book cover

snow wolf by glenn meade

01/04/10
a real page-turner! you can't wait to know what will happen next!
i love this novel!

-honey-

IN THE HEART OF THEE COLD WAR, THEY SENT HIM TO PLOT THE ULTIMATE ASSASSINATION. NOW, THEY WANT HIM DEAD...

It is 1953. Joseph Stalin, the world's most tyrannical dictator, is teetering on the edge of insanity, and about to plunge the world into nuclear chaos. Only one man and one woman can penetrate the Iron Curtain and stop this madman, before it's too late.

But someone inside the Kremlin knows. And as the KGB's deadliest manhunter pursues these two CIA-hired assassins, another duel unfolds, between secret warriors of the West and East, with a U.S. agent caught in between. Now that agent must do the unthinkable: find his way to the heart of the Soviet Union and stop the mission he himself set in motion -- -before it ignites World War III.

-book cover

-plot summary by http://www.fictiondb.com

Notorious by Janet Dailey

01/01/10
if you're interested to read about ranching and cowboys, here's one for you.
and yes, Janet Dailey speaks about values and the love of land here.

-honey-

A RICH AND SWEEPING STORY OF DECEIT AND DEVOTION

Janet Dailey's mastery of grand romance, divided loyalties, and searing passion has made her one of the bestselling authors of all time. In Notorious, her finest and most exciting contemporary romance, Dailey returns to the wild ranch country of northern Nevada, where a determined woman fights to protect her family's land.

Eden Rossiter is the owner of Spur Ranch, located thirty miles north of the small town of Friendly, Nevada. Strong, cautious, and beautiful, she struggles in a world where a spirited woman is not generally welcome. Notorious for having eluded a first-degree murder charge years before, Eden is also widely admired for defying Duke Depard, the ruthless owner of the neighboring Diamond D Ranch, who is resolved to drive her out of business.

Eden stands up to Depard on her own--until a stranger drifts into Friendly. Soft-spoken and ruggedly handsome, Kincade takes up Eden's cause and becomes her ally against Depard. Although Eden has never trusted a man, together she and Kincade struggle through dangers and adversities, forming a unique bond, one that is strong and true. Gradually, Eden's reserve begins to give way to something unexpected, something she has been waiting for without even knowing it.

-plot summary by http://www.fictiondb.com
-book cover