Pandora's Box #1

Before i destroy What's New Wednesday, i thought about try it on Saturdays where i have more time to do it. Obviously, it can't have the same name now so thanks to Silvestro for the new name. Nothing else changed :)

(Meme previously called What's New Wednesday and hosted by My Love Affair With Books )

Meme Info: It's a round up for any interesting news we found the week that passed.
Anyone who wants to participate, feel free and leave your links at the comments to check it out too. (if many people take part i will put up a linky).

In front of every little paragraph will be a tag ( Music,Movie, Book,etc) so in case you are not interested in something you can just skip it. At the end, are our week's finds.

[Books] New covers (credit Murphy's Library):

[Book] Bloodlines 1st chapter released: here

[Book] Clockwork Prince Prologue released: here

[Book] For the people who didn't catch up with Julie's Kawaga chat here all the important info you need to know.

[Book/Movie] The Seventh Son gets a release date: February 15th, 2013

[Book/Movie] First photos of the dwarves at The Hobbit. You might want to like the Peter Jackson page at Facebook for more updates.

 

 

 

 [Movie] First photos of the Amazing Spiderman with Andrew Garfield:

 

 

 

More

[Movie] Last Batman movie poster is out

 

 [Movie] Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt.2 already broke 2 Twilight records: 

"Harry Potter Pt.2 shattered the midnight record set by The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, which took in $30 million during its midnight screenings, with $43.5 million."

and 

”Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” smashed the record for the largest single-day gross with a $92.1 million haul on Friday, according to studio estimates. The previous record-holder, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” grossed $72.7 million. “

 [TV] Emmy Nominations was announced

[Music] New videos: Best thing i never had by Beyonce, Every Teardrom is a waterfall by Coldplay

New in TBR (click for summaries):

Movies:

Catching Fire, Book Review

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol. Catching Fire maintains the adrenaline rush of Suzanne Collins's series launch

Catching Fire ( Hunger Games #2 ) by Suzanne Collins
ebook, 256 pages
Published 2009 by Scholastic


REVIEW (spoilers from previous books):
After i finished Hunger Games, i was excited so i immediately got Catching Fire. Unfortunately, i can't say i enjoy it that much. 


Once again, the book has the story from Katniss' POV. First part, is back at District 12 after the winning of the games. At some point, after things that happened, she is picked once again with Peeta for the Hunger Games and again you see the preparation and everything that annoyed me at the previous books. Part 2, of course, is again the new Hunger Games.

As you can see the book is like a copy of the previous one in the main plot but with changes over the actions of the previous book. Result of that was, to really get bored at the first part once again. Thankfully, when we went into the games the story got interesting again. I have to say i liked more this book's games since the trap had a mystery behind it which wasn't that easily seen and it was far more dangerous both the setting and the new players.
You see a little more of Katniss power and influence to other. She is an amazingly strong person who fights or sacrifices herself for the others and cares for what's happening and what she brought upon the people. I found Peeta same boring as before. But i did love all the new players. They were so interesting and their scenes had meanings and excitement.


Apart from those i did found the book repeating the 1st one. Since the actual big change only happens at the last 1-2 chapters. It certainly leave a cliffhanger and you need to read the next book after it. What actually saved it for me, and made me finish was the games once again.

Mockinjay (Hunger Games #3) - Small Review
Can't read it. I tried. It's such a letdown after the previous two. Katniss is really annoying and there is nothing worse than a great character turn to be an a**.
Went and read the last chapters so i know what's going on. Didn't like the end either. Again cause of Katniss. She feels so dead and useless.

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part II, Movie Review

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, is the final adventure in the Harry Potter film series. The much-anticipated motion picture event is the second of two full-length parts. In the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort. It all ends here.

REVIEW:
Finally!!! I was going crazy with the waiting ^^ I can say only one thing for sure. This is the best Harry Potter movie so far!

Firstly, we have the 3D part. It was good. It could be better but it wasn't a disappointment. The movie is full of special effects and they are fantastic! I bet if you compare the 1st and this movie, you will be shocked. And i think it also had the best soundtrack of all the movies. It was different and this time i loved hear it behind the scenes.

As for the story, they did left big parts out even with a 2-part movie (like Albus' scenes, some Snape-Lily scenes, some wand related scenes) but i can't say it bothered me. I especially liked how in certain parts had flashbacks from the old movies, to help the people remember and understand what was going on.

They also changed the battle at the end which was a good thing for me. The battle in the book is way shorter, especially the Harry vs Voldemort. But here they actually created a whole thing around them. Voldermort kicked Harry's ass a lot. Literally.

The Hermione-Ron kiss which everyone was waiting for was actually really cute. Most of the kissing scenes in the rest HP movies were a bit awkward so i have to say i was surprised.

And it certainly has the best acting. Especially Radcliffe,  Phienes and Rickman. They show us other sides of Harry, Voldemort and Snape. Snape is by far one of the best in this movie. But i need to say also, what a good job Helena Bonham Carter did as Hermione-Bellatrix and how Maggie Smith became the most awesome teacher at Hogwarts. She was my favorite person to watch. I could go on and on for every actor. They all were so good. I couldn't be more happy for the casting.

Most people cried through the movie as far as i know. And they were sad at the end. The thing is the worst scene for me was the first time we see the dragon. I do have a soft spot a animal violence, and even if it was a special effects creature it bothered me a lot watching the pain in its eyes. I was like "come on. move to the next scene!".

Do i really have to recommend it? You know what Harry Potter is by now. Funny is that i'm not that sad as i've seen other people. Every time i wake up i see my Harry Potter posters around me. Every time i want something fun to read and old, i will pick Harry Potter. I can re-watch the movies anytime. And as always, i still create my own Hogwarts stories in mind. I still have HP with me, so i guess i'm okay ;)

The Paris Secret Giveaways

READ OUR "THE PARIS SECRET" REVIEW

Giveaway #1 : A digital copy of The Paris Secret

-Open International
-You don't have to be a follower but it's always appreciated
-Deadline: July 23rd, 2011

FILL THE FORM TO ENTER

Giveaway #2: Grand prize pack (A beautiful Eiffel Tower pendant, delicious Lip Gloss, signed poster, The Paris Secret playlist and Audible Gift Card for 2 Audiobooks!)

 

• In order to enter to win the Grand Prize pack including a beautiful Eiffel Tower Pendant, delicious Lip Gloss, a Signed Poster, The Paris Secret Music Playlist and an Audible Gift Card (2 audio book downloads), you must answer at least one question in the comments on any of the tour stops.  You may answer as many of the questions as you like, for up to 15 entries in the tour.  Only one answer per tour stop will be considered valid.
• No purchase, affiliation, status as follower to a certain blog or any other association is required to enter.
• Full rules for the contest can be found at The Paris Secret's tour home page.
  
• Winner of the Grand Prize pack give-away will be announced on Angela's homepage on Tuesday, July 26th.

Our Question:  "If your life was going to be turned into a movie, who would you want to play the leading man?  If you decide to share an image, please make sure it’s safe for all eyes to see."

READ OUR "THE PARIS SECRET" REVIEW

-Enjoy! Feel free to ask at the comments your questions. :)

Monday July, 4th - Julie, That's Swell / Guest Post, Maya's Map of Paris
Tuesday, July, 5th - Tishia, Paranormal Opinion
Wednesday, July, 6th - Heather, Bewitched Bookworms
Thursday, July, 7th - Jules, The Great, The Good and The Bad / Guest Post, Visitor Tips for Paris
Friday, July, 8th - Mysterious Books / Interview with Angela

Monday July, 11th - Deea, Deea's Book Journal / Guest Post, The Paris Secret Playlist
Tuesday, July, 12th - Sarah, Workaday Reads
Wednesday, July, 13th - Lisa, Baffled Books / Guest Post, What's In Maya's Bag
Thursday, July, 14th -Yiota, Splash of our Worlds
Friday, July, 15th - Lori, Romancing the Darkside
Monday July, 18th - Penelope, The Reading Fever / Guest Post, A Day in the Life
Tuesday, July, 19th- Mandy, The Well Read Wife
Wednesday, July, 20th- Rebecca, Kindle Fever
Thursday, July, 21th- Missie, The Unread Reader / Guest Post, When I'm Not Writing
Friday, July, 21th - Crystal, Elegantly Bound Books / Interview with Angela  

Tuesday, July 26th: Announcement of the big prize winner on Angela's Blog!