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Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar's Revenge (Dead Men Tell No Tales) Review | Film & TV

It seems that I have done quite a lot of film and TV reviews in succession in the last few weeks, but there have just been so many great shows and films recently that I have to review them! Although I promise I will try and do a book review in the next couple of weeks once my final university work is out of the way.

I have to begin with saying that I haven’t always been a massive fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. For me, after the third film they just seemed to become quite repetitive and lack any real sense of plot or motive. So, it wasn’t surprising that when I first heard that they were making another one I was less than impressed. In fact, I believe I promised myself that I wouldn’t go and see this fifth(? I’ve literally lost count) instalment of a franchise that had already died out years ago. And then the news broke. Not only were they introducing a whole new set of characters, but, they were bringing back Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, two of the best characters from the original trilogy. 

It was clear that after the very weak performance of the fourth instalment, On Stranger Tides, that the Pirates of the Caribbean team were going to have to pull out all the stops to revitalise such a doomed franchise. And to be honest I think they succeeded. Will and Elizabeth were both integrated back into the story nicely, and whilst it would have been nice to see a bit more of Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, when they were the main focal point of the press releases for this film, the plot allowed for the newer characters to have their deserved introductions. 

One thing that stood out for me, however, was the fact that the plot basically mirrored that of the first film in the franchise The Curse of the Black Pearl. The original film came out in 2003 so you would hope the franchise would have moved on in 14 years. Sadly not. Whilst this was an interesting and, if not, nostalgic way of revitalising the franchise, it did, at times, make the plot seem quite repetitive and boring. Once again we are following a boy looking for his father, a girl looking for adventure and freedom and chuck in an alcoholic pirate and you have the basic plot for both the first and fifth instalment in the series. I’ve seen quite a few people online argue that this is probably the best way to restore the Gore Verbinski style of the original film, for me it just made the film really repetitive. 

I also feel as if they didn’t really do the title villain justice. Salazar, an undead Spanish pirate hunter, had so much potential to be one of the best Pirates of the Caribbean villains yet. The whole flashback scenes, which featured a very young Captain Jack Sparrow, were probably some of the more interesting scenes as they not only gave us a backstory to how Sparrow became so infamous on the seas but also created a genuine and believable motive for the villain. Instead, Salazar was reduced to almost a filler, a subplot that lacked any real development unlike the main plot centred around Henry Turner’s quest to find his father.

Overall, whilst this instalment of the franchise has paved the way for a better and brighter future for Pirates of the Caribbean, its similarities with the first film and its insistence of not developing new characters made it repetitive and, at times, boring. I hope the next instalment, which looks like it will include another old face, will be better.

Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 Review | Film & TV

WARNING! THE FOLLOWING REVIEW DOES INCLUDE SOME SPOILERS!

If you are a returning reader to my blog, you would have probably already guessed that I am a fan of the superhero movie craze that has dominated cinema in the last decade or so, particularly the Marvel cinematic universe. When I heard that Guardians of the Galaxy was getting a sequel I was excited but also a little apprehensive. It is common knowledge that the sequel of a movie franchise, and even in the case of some series of books, never lives up to its predecessor. With the success of the first Guardians of the Galaxy, it was clear that this sequel would either be amazing or really dull. 

Thirteen Reasons Why Review | Film & TV

A few years ago, I read and reviewed, Jay Asher’s YA novel Thirteen Reasons Why and loved it. So, when the news came out that Netflix had got the rights to produce a 13-part series based on the book, I was beyond excited. For those of you who don’t know the story, which is pretty unlikely as it has been one of the most talked about Netflix originals in history, the story follows awkward teen Clay Jensen as he comes to terms with the shocking suicide of his close friend, Hannah Baker. Returning home from school one day, Clay finds a box addressed to him filled with 7 cassette tapes recorded by the recently deceased Hannah Baker. Going through the tapes one by one, Clay discovers the thirteen reasons why Hannah killed herself and uncovers many hidden secrets of his senior class along the way.

I'll Give You The Sun By Jandy Nelson | Book Review

Book Details:

Author: Jandy Nelson

Ages: YA

Rating: 6/10

Number of Pages: 429

Plot: When tragedy strikes, the once inseparable twins Jude and Noah Sweetwine have been driven apart, living in two very different and separate worlds. Written across two different time scales, Noah’s narrative follows his exploration of his artistic skills and his dreams of attending the local art school, but will his mother’s secret tear all his dreams apart? Set three years after their family tragedy, Jude’s narrative follows her struggles in art school as well as the distinct separation between her and her twin. Following their dealings with love, school and, most importantly, their crumbling relationship, I’ll Give You The Sun, offers a unique idea to the contemporary YA genre. In a story that interestingly addresses the effects of loss and family, Nelson creates two loveable characters that the reader wants to support from the very first page. 

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children By Ransom Riggs | Book Review

Book Details:

Author: Ransom Riggs

Ages: YA

Rating: 6/10

Number of Pages: 384

Plot: An unexpected and shocking family tragedy sees young Jacob Portman travel to a remote island off the coast of Wales in order to uncover the secrets of the supposed 'peculiar' children his grandfather had told him so many stories of as a child. In a new and mysterious setting Jacob and his doubting father embark on an adventure that could prove Jacob’s new and peculiar visions and also uncover the secrets behind his grandfather’s past. In a small and archaic town, Jacob stumbles across the ruins of the orphanage once home to his grandfather and the peculiar children. Confused and disappointed, Jacob is almost ready to give up when he sees the beautiful Emma Bloom, one of the peculiar children from his grandfather’s photographs, but something is wrong – Emma hasn’t aged a day. In a story exploring the paranormal, Riggs creates a franchise that is able to mix the mysterious with historical elements.

University Update | Lifestyle

So the first term is over. I have officially managed to live away from home for a WHOLE term. That's 10 weeks doing my own cooking, cleaning and just generally keeping myself alive! And honestly, I'm quite surprised that I managed it. 

Whilst being miles and miles away from home took some getting used to (200 miles in fact), being in an environment where everyone is in the same boat really did help. Hearing stories from my friends who had already arrived at their universities, I was apprehensive and, honestly, quite scared about being thrown into a new area, knowing no one and being so far from home. To be honest, for me, it wasn't that bad. I'll take you back to the very first day...

Sophie's World By Jostein Gaarder | Review

Book Details
Author: Jostein Gaarder
Ages: Adult
Rating: 9/10
Number of Pages: 427
Plot: When 14 year old Sophie starts to receive random letters and questions in the post, the mystery of life and ancient philosophy begins to take over her everyday life. Things get even stranger when she begins to get postcards addressed to another girl - who is this girl, and does she have something to do with Sophie's own existence? As her philosophy mentor teaches her the mysteries that have plagued the world for centuries, Sophie's own existence is brought into question. A blend of philosophy, mystery and fantasy this 20-year-old novel continues to attract readers on a global scale. With an unusual structure and interesting narrative voice Sophie's World is able to claim a wide readership over its lifetime and will no doubt continue to be a modern classic.

I'm Off To University! | Lifestyle

Just a little disclaimer before you read the rest of my post, this is definitely not me bragging about my results or where I am going to university. This is just a quick update about where I am going!

The Year of the Rat By Clare Furniss | Review

Book Details
Author: Clare Furniss
Ages: Young Adult
Rating: 8/10
Number of Pages: 307
Plot: Told across the year following her mother's death, Pearl is torn by the grief of her mother's unexpected death and the joy she should be feeling over the birth of her new baby half-sister Rose. But Pearl cannot love Rose. It was Rose that caused her mother's death and turned her world upside down. To Pearl, Rose is nothing but The Rat. As friendship and family become even harder for Pearl to deal with, it seems that her mother's spirit still lingers and guides her through the darkest of times. In a story of grief and loss, Furniss explores the effects of heartbreak in a bittersweet tale full of woe and the glimpses of humour. This contemporary cleverly combines the sorrow and woe of loss with the importance of family and friendship.

Infinite Sky By C.J. Flood | Review

Book Details
Author: C.J. Flood
Ages: Young Adult
Rating: 8/10
Number of Pages: 271
Plot: After being rocked by their mother's departure, Iris and her older brother Sam have been affected in different ways. But when a traveller family sets up illegally in front of their farm it seems that Iris and Sam's lives will be changed forever. As Iris secretly strives to form a friendship with the son of the travellers, Trick, it appears that the presence of the travellers coupled with the blossoming relationship of Iris and Trick is forcing Sam even more off the rails. With tensions higher than ever before, and the knowledge that someone is going to die, Flood's novel explores the effects of family breakdown whilst creating a story that leaves you on the edge of your seat. This contemporary manages to consistently mix the elements of a suspense with the exploration of an interesting family dynamic that is not often written about so successfully.

Suicide Squad Review | Film & TV

WARNING! THE FOLLOWING REVIEW DOES INCLUDE SOME SPOILERS!

 

 

For the last ten years or so comic book adaptations have dominated the box office and have brought a whole new generation into the many different fandoms. Having not been interested in comic books to a great degree when I was younger, I consider myself to be a newly recruited fan of the comic book film adaptations. As a result of this, I don't have a vast knowledge of all of the characters and plots from the comics and so my review relies on only knowledge I have got from the odd comic I have read or information I have found online.

 

For those of you who don't know what it is about (if so where have you been?), the film follows a US intelligence officer, Amanda Waller (Viola Davis), and her plans to form a team of imprisoned super villains to rid the world of evil. Now with the backing of the US government, Deadshot (Will Smith), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney), Killer Croc (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) and El Diablo (Jay Hernandez) must join forces under their leader Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) to defeat a powerful force. As evil forces work against the team, including the Joker (Jared Leto), the bad guys have got to act as the good guys for a change.

 

Despite the negative reviews, I did enjoy the film. Granted, I have seen better superhero/ comic book style movies (most recently Deadpool and Captain America: Civil War). However, the characterisation combined with a killer soundtrack and great effects actually made the film enjoyable. I loved the characters as individuals, each had unique traits and characteristics that made them loveable in their own right. Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn and Will Smith as Deadshot were incredibly well cast, with both actors adding their own spins to the classic DC characters.

 

I will say though, the film lacked a main character. The film felt, at times, incredibly disjointed, appearing more as a series of character profiles rather than a whole film. The quick transitions and changes between characters points of view made it feel as if loads of scenes had been cut. After watching the film, I watched a few interviews with the main actors and I wasn't surprised when Margot Robbie said that loads of great scenes between the Joker and Harley Quinn were cut in editing. I think that if a singular main character had been chosen, like Harley Quinn, the film would have felt less disjointed and more like a feature film. But I guess that's what happens when a lot of big names are in one film.

 

Also, the marketing for the film focused on this notion of bad vs evil, so, I was very excited to see a crazy diabolical evil super villain that made the task force look like superheroes. To be honest, Enchantress (Cara Delevingne) had potential to be super terrifying, especially with the contrast between Enchantress and June. I was quite disappointed. Cara Delevingne was so great at playing both Enchantress and June but, once again, the editing let her down. Not enough time was spent on developing the story behind the power and magic of Enchantress. For a film that's main focus was supposed to be on the natures of bad and evil there was no killer super villain.

 

Overall, I did enjoy the film. The soundtrack was amazing, even if it was a bit of a bizarre mix of artists, and so were the characters individually. I think what has really divided critics with this film is the style of film that was eventually produced. The disjointed feel of the overall film might have appealed to some but for me there seemed to be missed opportunity to further develop character's back stories and establish a solid plot.



Harry Potter and the Cursed Child By J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany & Jack Thorne | Review

Book Details
Author: J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany & Jack Thorne
Ages: EVERYONE
Rating: 10/10
Number of Pages: 330
Plot: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series set 19 years after the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. After having an eventful childhood, being the boy who lived and fighting You Know Who, Harry's life hasn't gotten any easier but now he's a husband, a father and an employee of the Ministry of Magic. But now it's not just Harry struggling with the Potter fame. Albus Severus Potter couldn't feel any more different from his famous father and his elder brother, James, and his younger sister, Lily. As both Harry and Albus struggle with both the past and the present, the two must work together in order to finally vanquish the remaining darkness in the wizarding world and rebuild their broken relationship. Thrown back into the wizarding world, this story allows any Harry Potter fan to learn how the original trio have grown and made their own ways in the wizarding world, whilst being introduced to a whole new generation of witches and wizards.

NYX Haul | Beauty

I recently discovered that a Boots near where I live has a HUGE NYX counter and having heard lots of great things about the brand I knew I had to grab a few bits and bobs to try out. So I must admit I was completely overwhelmed. There were crowds of people around each stand with products literally flying off of the shelves. Well, maybe not literally but you get the idea.

Renegade (Silver Blackthorn Trilogy #2) By Kerry Wilkinson | Review

Book Details
Author: Kerry Wilkinson
Ages: Young Adult
Rating: 6/10
Number of Pages: 355
Plot: Following the events of the Reckoning, Silver Blackthorn is on the run. After escaping from the clutches of the tyrant that is King Victor, Silver and eleven other Offerings are now in search of rebel groups. With the entire country on high alert, will Silver be able to save her family and Opie? Travelling across the country, Silver and her team of Offerings must navigate through the traps and near misses in order to reach the infamous X and his rebel group. With the help of some unlikely friends along the way, Silver and her team rally more and more troops against the King, but will they have the forces needed to bring down the King and his Minister Prime before the next Reckoning? In a tale of suspicion and political intrigue, Renegade throws you back into Silver Blackthorn's world.

The Box | Thoughts & Opinions

Since relaunching my blog I have wanted to go further then just the original book reviews I would publish weekly. I wanted to publish a post at least once a week that could be about pretty much any topic so that I could share with my readers more about myself. Whether it be a news article I have found interesting or a trailer for a new film I'm excited for or even a quick update on what I have been up to, I hope that these posts give you a greater insight into my own life and hopefully might encourage you too to share your own experiences and loves.

Reckoning (Silver Blackthorn Trilogy #1) By Kerry Wilkinson | Review

Book Details
Author: Kerry Wilkinson
Ages: Young Adult
Rating: 6/10
Number of Pages: 360
Plot: In the village of Martindale, 16 year old Silver Blackthorn takes the Reckoning - a coming of age test that decides your place in society. Not only this but the test also selects a small group of 16 year olds to become Offerings to the aloof King Victor. When Silver is chosen as an Offering her future becomes uncertain forcing her to keep to herself. As the King begins to show his true colours the new recruits begin to realise that maybe being an Offering at Windsor Castle is not the privilege they had been led to believe their whole lives. Navigating through the ancient corridors of the old castle, Silver and her new friend Imrin find themselves in a world full of suspicion and intrigue not knowing who to trust. In a dystopian meets historical story, Wilkinson creates an interesting twist on the common dystopian novel.

The Martian By Andy Weir | Review

Book Details

Author: Andy Weir
Ages: Adult
Rating: 8/10
Number of Pages: 369
Plot: After an unexpected storm hits the base on Mars, astronaut Mark Watney is stranded with no way of contacting Earth or his team. But Mark's not ready to admit defeat. Using his engineering skills and botanical knowledge, Mark embarks on a desperate quest to contact Earth and get back to his team. As he overcomes more and more obstacles, Mark starts believing that his outlandish plan might work, but as the days draw on his supplies decrease. Will Mark have enough supplies to last? Written from a range of different perspectives, The Martian follows the desperate struggle to get Mark Watney off of Mars. A perfect mix of humour, suspense and adventure, the plot makes this novel impossible to put down and a story you won't forget for a long time.

End of Days By Susan Ee | Review

Book Details
Author: Susan Ee
Ages: Young Adult
Rating: 7/10
Number of Pages: 435
Plot: The conclusion in the Angelfall trilogy, End of Days follows Penryn and Raffe in their search of a doctor who can fix Raffe's wings and reverse the monstrous changes inflicted on Penryn's sister. But Penryn and Raffe are also on the run from the angels they have wronged and the impeding doom of a biblical apocalypse. With the evil angel Uriel trying to drum up support for his campaign to become the messenger of the angels and the growth of the human refugee camps, Penryn and Raffe are faced with more problems then they can cope with on their own and must seek out allies from both their present and past. Thrust into a new age of apocalyptic war, Penryn and Raffe are divided between their kind and each other. In a dystopian take on the traditional biblical ideas of the apocalypse, Ee uses the perfect mix of humour and courage to modernise a traditional tale.

Glass Sword By Victoria Aveyard | Review

Book Details
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Ages: Young Adult
Rating: 8/10
Number of Pages: 440
Plot: Following the shocking events of the Red Queen, Mare and Cal are on the run from the new Silver King, and Cal's evil younger brother, Maven. Mare Barrow, despite being a red blood, poses a threat to the Silver court due to her unique Silver ability of controlling lightening. Now with the knowledge that she is not the only of her kind, Mare alongside a group of red rebels, sets out to find and recruit these fighters to their cause - to bring down the king. In a tale of betrayal and rebellion, Mare is following a deadly path with the risk of becoming an even greater monster than the king threatening the lives of silvers and reds alike. Will Mare turn to the dark side? Or will her family and new recruits save the last of her humanity?

Review: I read Red Queen about a year ago and did really love the plot and characters that Aveyard created. Its unusual to find a series that incorporates the typical conventions of a dystopian with the more historical aspects of a royal court. I love this mix as it added a new lease of life to a genre, dystopian, which I feel has been over done in the last few years. I was therefore quite excited when I found this in bookshop and couldn't wait to delve back into Mare's world. The book continued with the interesting take on a world divided by blood and I feel that Aveyard still managed to make this believable and almost relatable in the current climate worldwide. In fact, throughout the book I felt myself comparing the distinct divisions between the silvers and the reds with religious and cultural divides across the world.

Another aspect that I think really makes the Red Queen series stand out is the integration of political aspects such as the ideas of protest and insurgent groups. Even though these political aspects have been used before in other dystopian novels, Aveyard leads with these themes adding a sense of individuality to her series. The use of the insurgent group the Scarlet Guard is a great addition to her storyline. Despite having shared characteristics with other groups in popular YA fiction, Aveyard I feel goes further into the running of the insurgent group as well as the many different roles that exist within it. For example one aspect I loved reading and learning more about was the divide in ideas between the leader of the group and his followers. I feel that this divide added a complexity to the group that other YA authors have yet to successfully delve into and explore.

"If I am a sword, I am a sword made of glass and I feel myself beginning to shatter."

I always judge a book by how I feel as soon as I have read the final line and it slowly sinks in that I will probably not return to this fictitious world for a good while. Upon finishing this particular sequel, I was left with a desperate longing to know more. And this I think is what makes this book, and this series, one which is loved or hated. For me, this aspect makes the series more intriguing and, honestly makes a huge impact on whether I am going to continue a series or just abandon it altogether. I must say that Aveyard's development of Mare Barrow was truly breath-taking. The moral complexity of Mare by the end of the book was extraordinary and totally unexpected. I can, however, see why people don't like Mare by the end of the book and feel as if more needed to be said. A clear example of this is a clear lack of Maven. Maven I feel is one of the best villains ever created in a YA series. A bold claim I know but for me Maven incorporates the best characteristics of a typical villain and yet is still a royal, so basically he is the Scar of the YA world.

Overall, I love this series. Aveyard adds a complexity to her characters and plot that really makes the series stand out amongst the other YA books of its kind. I loved the moral complexity of Mare and I can't wait to see how this develops in the next book. I do, however, understand why some people haven't enjoyed this sequel. I did feel at times that more could have been developed in regards to Maven and his diabolical plans to eradicate Mare's kind. Despite this I cannot wait until the next book!

Have you read 'Glass Sword'? Leave your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below!