50 Shades Darker by EL James (*Spoiler Free*)

"Romantic, liberating and totally addictive, the fifty shades trilogy will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever...

Daunted by the dark secrets of the tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Ana Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a US publishing house. But desire for Grey still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, she cannot resist. Soon she is learning more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades than she ever thought possible. But while Grey wrestles with his inner demons, Ana must make the most important decision of her life. And it's a decision she can only make on her own."

My rating: 8/10

My comment: This book was so much more intriguing than the first. I loved learning about Christian's history. The emotions in this book was so much more powerful. I especially loved the cliff-hanger at the end. I am looking forward to reading the final book in the trilogy. :D

Stranger than fiction (2006) (**spoiler free**)

Directed by: Marc Foster

Starring: Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

IMBD synopsis: ''Everybody knows that your life is a story. But what if a story was your life? Harold Crick is your average IRS agent: monotonous, boring, and repetitive. But one day this all changes when Harold begins to hear an author inside his head narrating his life. The narrator it is extraordinarily accurate, and Harold recognizes the voice as an esteemed author he saw on TV. But when the narration reveals that he is going to die, Harold must find the author of the story, and ultimately his life, to convince her to change the ending of the story before it is too late.''

My rating: 7.5/10

My comment: I haven't seen an Indie movie this good since "Whip It". Will Ferrell is one of my favourite comedy actors and seeing him in this type of role was different and exciting. This movie has an all-star cast, and you'll also get to see appearances by Queen Latifah (Chicago), Maggie Gyllenhaal (Secretary) and Tony Hale (from one of my all time favourite TV series, Arrested Development). This movie will have you in tears, both from laughter and sadness.

Book Club Tuesday: Lola and The Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

"In this companion novel to Anna and the French Kiss, two teens discover that true love may be closer than they think.

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn't believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expensive the outfit- more sparkly, more fun, more wild- the better. But even though Lola's style is outrageous, she's a devoted daughter and a friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighbourhood.

When Cricket- a gifted inventor- steps out from his twin sister's shadow and back into Lola's life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door."

My rating: 8/10

My Comment: I have watched many reviews on youtube about this novel and abouth the companion novel. I still have plans to read "Anna and the French Kiss" in a couple of weeks. It was nice taking a break from adult and classics books by reading a Young Adult novel for a change, a great book for lazy summer afternoons.

Hugo (2011) (**Spoiler Free**)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Asa Butterfield, Chloë Grace Moretz and Christopher Lee

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Family

IMBD Synopsis: Hugo is an orphan boy living in the walls of a train station in 1930s Paris. He learned to fix clocks and other gadgets from his father and uncle which he puts to use keeping the train station clocks running. The only thing that he has left that connects him to his dead father is an automaton (mechanical man) that doesn't work without a special key which Hugo needs to find to unlock the secret he believes it contains. On his adventures, he meets with a shopkeeper, George Melies, who works in the train station and his adventure-seeking god-daughter. Hugo finds that they have a surprising connection to his father and the automaton, and he discovers it unlocks some memories the old man has buried inside regarding his past.

My rating: 5.5/10

My Comment: I have said this before and I'll say this again. I'm not a fan of sci-fi or fantasy movies (except Harry Potter). I have to commend British movies on one thing, though., and that is their great attention to detail. Next time watch a British movie and then an American movie straight afterwards and you'll see what I mean. It was nice seeing Sacha Baron Carter playing a role that isn't too crazy like Bruno and The Dictator.

Healthy Snack substitutes

When I first started eating healthy, one of the hardest things that I had to adapt to was snack substitutes. I bellow i have provided a list with categories: Crunchy and Sweet

Crunchy

1. Veggies (such as carrot sicks and celery; you can combine them with cottage cheese, hummus or peanut butter)
2. Popcorn (lightly salted)
3. Whole grain pretzels

Sweet

1. Cereal bars
2. Fruit
3. Dark Chocolate

If I am have deathly cravings (usually for chocolate) I always make some herbal tea or (if its still morning) a cup of black coffee.

My top 5 musical movies

Number 5.

Mamma Mia (2008)

Directed by: Phyllida Lloyd
Starring: Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan
IMBD rating: 6.3
IMBD Synopsis:The story of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father told using hit songs by the popular '70s group ABBA.
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Number 4.

Moulin Rouge!(2000)

Directed by: Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo
IMBD rating: 7.6
IMBD Synopsis:A poet falls for a beautiful courtesan whom a jealous duke covets in this stylish musical, with music drawn from familiar 20th century sources.
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Number 3.

Singin' in the rain (1952)

Directed by: Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly
Starring: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds
IMBD rating: 8.4
IMBD Synopsis:A silent film production company and cast make a difficult transition to sound.
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Number 2.

Chicago (2002)

Directed by: Rob Marshall
Starring: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere
IMBD rating: 7.1
IMBD Synopsis:Murderesses Velma Kelly (a chanteuse and tease who killed her husband and sister after finding them in bed together) and Roxie Hart (who killed her boyfriend when she discovered he wasn't going to make her a star) find themselves on death row together and fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows in 1920s Chicago.
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Number 1.

Funny Face (1957)

Directed by: Stanley Donen
Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, Kay Tompson
IMBD rating: 7
IMBD Synopsis:Fashion photographer Dick Avery, in search for an intellectual backdrop for an air-headed model, expropriates a Greenwich Village bookstore. When the photo session is over the store is left in a shambles, much to salesgirl Jo Stockton's dismay. Avery stays behind to help her clean up. Later, he examines the photos taken there and sees Jo in the background of one shot. He is intrigued by her unique appearance, as is Maggie Prescott, the editor of a leading fashion magazine. They offer Jo a modeling contract, which she reluctantly accepts only because it includes a trip to Paris. Eventually, her snobbish attitude toward the job softens, and Jo begins to enjoy the work and the company of her handsome photographer

50 shades of grey by EL James (**Minor Spoilers **)

"Romantic, liberating and totally addictive, Fifty Shades of Grey is a novel that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

When literature student Anastasia Steele interviews successful entrepreneur Chrsitian Grey, she finds him very attractive and deeply intimidating. Convinced that their meeting wnet badly, she tries to put him out of her mind-until he turns up at the store where she works part-time, and invites her out.

Unworldly and innocent, Ana is shocked to find she wants this man. And, when he warns her to keep her distance, it only makes her want him more.

But Grey is tormented by inner demons, and consumed by the need to control. As they embark on a passionate love affair, Ana discovers more about her own desires, as well as the dark secrets Grey keeps hidden away from public view..."

My Rating: 7/10

My comment: Wow. What can I say? It wasn't anything like I've read before. This book was so compelling and addictive (just as described in the book description). I had actually first started reading the book in August 2012, until my sister made a comment (while I was reading it next to her in the car) that only perverts would want to read that book. The last week I started reading it again with my friend and finally finished it. As a virgin I wasn't intimidated by reading the sex scenes and the details they had. I was more intimidated by the fact that Ana was so in love with a guy that just wanted to hurt her. I admire the author's unique style of writing, though, and I'm looking forward to reading 50 shades darker. ;)

-Heather McIntosh