Mockingjay Part 1 - FILM REVIEW

I have never ever been so excited to see a film in my entire life. I was waiting for the release date two or three months before it was even released. I was following all of the pictures and clips from the film on Instagram. I was thrilled when the official trailer came out; I was watching it repeatedly, trying to determine what part of the book that specific clip was conveying to us about the story. I really enjoy watching films that were books because I love to see how the director interprets the authors words, and how my interpretations were different.

If you would like to see what the movie was about, check out one of my previous reviews on the Hunger Games trilogy.

ALERT! IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE MOVIE  OR READ THE BOOK YET AND DO NOT WANT IT TO BE SPOILED,  STOP READING NOW! 

 Oh my goodness,  the amount by which I love this film is indescribable and I cannot believe that they made it into two parts! I was so upset when I found out that I would have to wait another whole year to see what happens next! I probably cannot pick out one specific moment in it that I preferred the most, but here are the some of the highlights;

• When Katniss saw district twelve's remains and stood on the skeletons of the villagers-Horrifying.
• When the citizens were going into the forest with the peacekeepers and they climbed the trees and shouted "If we burn you burn with us!", then bombed the peacekeepers-Powerful.
• Katniss' "If we burn you burn with us" speech- Inspiring
• Hanging Tree song-(more on that later)
• Peeta strangling Katniss- Scariest moment-  I nearly died 

This song has been the only song that I have been singing for the past few weeks since I saw the movie. Jennifer Lawrence, truly captivates, when acting and singing, which is another talent of hers which we now all know about. The song's words are beautiful, and are sung emotively by the lovely Jennifer Lawrence. The song in itself is eerie and spooky and she gave the song the delicate touch that it needed.

Lots of people have said to me that the other two movies in the trilogy were much better because there was much more action. I completely disagree because yes, there wasn't a lot of action in Mockingjay Part 1, but it definitely was the one that moved me the most. Peeta going mad in his awful chamber was gut wrenching and heart breaking to see.

I would fully recommend going to see this if you have read the books because it is an amazing production and adaptation.

Malini
Read, Be Inspired and Write.

The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time - Play

The play is an adaptation of the book with the same title, about a 15 year old boy, called Christopher who has Asperger's Syndrome. In the middle of the night he finds his neighbour's dog has been killed with a garden fork. The story is set in Swindon, England in 1998 at the home of Christopher's father. Christopher, while investigating the 'murder' of the dog finds out some hidden family secrets that change his opinion on his family forever. Christopher is extremely intelligent and exceptionally good at Maths.

Staging was interesting because there were three walls filled with grids with LED's on each of the points. The stage in itself played a huge part to make the performance effective and powerful. In fact, the grid was  almost a character in in itself. The back wall could move backwards and forwards and the entire performance was influenced greatly by the dynamic of the stage. There was projection of different backgrounds on the back wall such as the passing images of the countryside when Christopher was on the train. Although the lighting was very impressive, it was psychedelic at times which gave me a small headache afterwards.

I really enjoyed the performance of the 'curious incident' since the plot was well thought out, and executed splendidly. I especially enjoyed it when there were flashbacks involving Christopher's mother because I thought that they were conveyed poignantly. I would definitely recommend  going to see this play because it is remarkable, memorable and worth watching.

Read, Be Inspired and Write.
Malini

The Fault In Our Stars- John Green

I honestly have never cried so much over a book before. This book is safe to say, my favourite book of all time. I realise that I say that every time that I blog about a book, but this time, this humble book absolutely melted my heart. So, the story is about a teenage girl; Hazel Grace Lancaster, the narrator and 16 year old protagonist, who has a terminal form of thyroid cancer that has spread to her lungs. Her  hard working mother and some doctors determine that Hazel had been depressed after being diagnosed with cancer so they sent her every week to 'The Literal Heart Of Jesus' (a basement in the middle of a cross shaped church) , a support group full of teens facing cancer and battling the same war as one another. Hazels 'friend' Isaac who had Cancer in his eyes, brought a recovered friend with him to support group one day; Augustus Waters. Let's just say that Hazel and Augustus fell for each other the way you fall asleep, slowly and then all at once.

John Green has changed my life with this book and I know that this sounds really cheesy and i am cringing right now but it is 100% true. Here are a few of my favourite quotes from the book:

"The world is not a wish-granting factory"

"Some infinities are bigger than other infinities"

“It's a metaphor, see: You put the killing thing right between your teeth, but you don't give it the power to do its killing.”

“Oh, I wouldn't mind, Hazel Grace. It would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you.” 

“there is no shortage of fault to be found amid our stars”

“Maybe 'okay' will be our 'always”

I highly recommend reading this book and then, only then, can you go to the cinema and see the movie which has brought the book to life amazingly so credits to the director; Josh Boone, the amazing actors and actresses who made the worlds favourite book come to life magnificently. You will need a box of tissues to be prepared (unless you are my mum and don't cry at sad things) and a bowl of Ben&Jerry's ice cream. 

Read, Be Inspired and Write.

Malini

The Hunger Games Trilogy- Suzanne Colins

Amazing. This is only one of the many fabulous words that I could use to describe these extraordinary books. They are undoubtedly the most gripping books that I have ever read. I was constantly reading them and after I finished the first one in under a week, I was itching to get going on the other two.  I don’t know why, but there is something that really engaged me when I was reading and I couldn’t let go, even if I tried. There is some part of my brain that has a thirst for unrealistic, yet believable stories.

The first time I heard about The Hunger Games, I was told it was a gruesome book written about barbarians. I was immediately intrigued. So, I asked my mother if I could read it. She told me that the film was deeply disturbing and that children were being killed and it was horrible so the book must be the same. Again, I was increasingly interested in the books. On my twelfth birthday I received “The Hunger Games” from my Auntie Henny and Uncle Robert, and I was overwhelmed because I couldn’t wait to read it (Thank You!).

The first of the series was about a girl, Katniss Everdeen, who is chosen to be part of the annual “Hunger Games”. The Hunger Games is simply, the hated Capitol that sends two people from each of the twelve districts to compete in a savage game where all the contestants must fight for their lives and kill one another to survive. They are put in an arena and left, closely monitored by the capitol’s cameras that watch and play the Hunger Games on every Television in all of the districts.  Her fellow contestant is Peeta Mellark, someone who, although they had never spoken, has a secret that changes their fate forever… 

When I was reading the last of the trilogy, Mockingjay I was in France, Skiing. I was at the beginning of the book when I went on holiday, and everyday, I would, on the slopes, be making up an ending for the book because I couldn’t bear to wait another hour before I would be able to read the end. I was so upset when I finally finished it. Sometimes I get so attached to books that I love so much, that it feels like there’s something missing from my life when I finally have to stop reading it. Luckily, I brought another book with me because, four days into the holiday, I finished it.

All I can say is, you have to read this once in your life because it is the most fascinating and enthralling series that I have ever read and I highly recommend reading them.

Read, Be Inspired and Write

Malini

A Wonderful Week Of Shakepeare

This past week has been absolutely amazing. I've seen two contrasting Shakespeare plays in the space of seven days. On Friday the 27th September I went to see Othello, the rap version and on Saturday the 5th October I saw the one the only Midsummer's Night Dream- with David Walliams in it! I am going to be reviewing them both, one after the other.

Othello

Othello Rapping. Rapping Othello? These two words do not sound right together do they? Well, if you think that they are not meant for each other, then think again because they fit together perfectly! When I went to see the performance at the Unicorn Theatre, I was a little bit un-sure about the combination. But I was proved completely wrong. The production was a contemporary interpretation of the famous story of Othello. Instead of being about what Shakespeare wanted it to be, it was about the                                                      dangerous world of...The Music Business.

There were four men playing all of the characters in the story including the women and they changed their personas by using colourful wigs, aprons and various props. The set was very simple, but the way they performed was not. I don't know how they kept talking for such long periods of time without breaking character or complaining about losing their voices!

I have to say, if you are ten years old or younger, I wouldn't recommend this because it can be quite rude in parts with lots of suggestion and innuendo!

A Midsummer's Night Dream

David Walliams. As many of you know, David Walliams is one of my favourite authors, actors and comedians of all time. Also, he wrote my favourite book, Mr Stink. Now, the reason I am talking about him is that yesterday, I saw him perform. LIVE!!!!

The play is about four people who all fall in love with the wrong people and they run away to the forest. Also, a group of workers from the local market of Athens, go to the forest to practise their play. Along the way, one of the stall owners, Nick Bottom (portrayed by David Walliams), gets turned into a donkey. Titania, the Queen of the fairies, falls in love with Bottom because her husband, Oberon, poisoned her into thinking this. I know, very confusing. Then, the people all get married, Hermia and Lysander, Helena and Demetrius. And they all live happily ever after!

The entire play was absolutely amazing. The lighting, the characters, the set, the characters. Oh, did I mention the characters? Anyway, the play really was fantastic, the fairies led by Titania were in pink tutus and sunglasses- a truly strange representation of fairies!

I honestly couldn't find a single fault with the entire performance. I also saw my friend Andrew at the same time at the theatre!! Also, two of my other friends were going to the night performance the same day! It is one small world!


Malini

Read, Be Inspired and Write

Noughts And Crosses, Malorie Blackman

This book is one of the most intriguing books that I have ever read. I received this book as a prize from my school, in recognition that I and three others in my class, were the all round best pupils over the year. The book is about an alternate world, where the black Crosses, rule over the white Noughts. 

Callum is a Nought, a lowly white citizen in a society, disciplined aggressively by the black Crosses.

Sephy is a Cross, the daughter of an extremely powerful, brutal and cold-blooded man in the country.

Sephy and Callum live in a violent, hostile world where Noughts and Crosses are simply not made to mix. Although, nothing can keep these two apart. They know it's wrong and that they shouldn't be friends but when their childhood friendship turns in to a passionate love for one other, they are strong willed in finding a way for to be together.

This book is impossible to describe in one word. It is just too brilliant and deep to limit how many words I can say about it. I love the way it is written in alternate paragraphs, one with Sephy speaking and one with Callum. It was a brilliant read and it was a real page turner. I couldn't put it down on my holiday to France.

The book has many ups and downs and sends the reader on an emotional roller-coaster. As soon as there are blue skies, a grey cloud comes and rains heavily on it. I must advise you that this book is very violent and I would not recommend this for anyone below the age of 10 years of age.

I love the way Malorie Blackman made this book because, as most of you know, life isn't like that. I think that racism is a terrible thing and anyone who thinks that they are better than anyone else, because of their skin-colour is completely mad because we all have the same insides don't we?

Once again, this book is my favourite book that I have read this year and I hope that you guys could read this too.

Malini
Read, Be Inspired and Write

Eleana Kumana

Hi everyone!
I just wanted to say that my best friend has a new blog called Eleana's Advice and Opinions and I really want all of you guys to look at it because it is brilliant! It is basically Advice and Opinions, about things like sexism, racism, learning to live with dyslexia and I think you guys will love it. I know I do!!!
I would like to give my thanks to Eleana because I am glad to see that my slogan has really payed off, someone has read, been Inspired and Written Their own blog!

Malini
Read, Be Inspired and Write.