if you haven't seen either, then don't read my review, or anyone else's, if you hear they're good you'll expect too much, if you hear they're bad you'll expect too little, so just know this: they're worth seeing.

I admit when I saw the very first teasers for the Last Samurai I snorted and turned my back on it. Lets just say I'm not the biggest Tom Cruise fan, but, after the trailers, and seeing the movie, I'm certainly a fan of The Last Samurai. It was an epic adventure, about a man's journey. It's about learning of another way of life, and growing to respect and love the unknown. The music, the scenery, the characters, everything seemed flawlessly depicted (barring the first scene by the ocean - it looked too CG for me, and the bay looked like a gigantic set - and one slightly over dramatized fight scene - does anyone get that? After he'd killed them all, he started fighting them again??? What was that about?)

I must say as a sceptic and a harsh critic, I have nothing to complain about. This movie made me FEEL everything, and it totally ensared me, infact it has me at a loss for words. I'm trying to think of something else to complain about but I can't. Perhaps the only thing I wish is that I hadn't seen it b4 ROTK because I couldn't help but compare the two.


ROTK. Perhaps the most awaited movie this year, everywhere you go people are talking about it, either counting down the days or discussing the first two. Finally its out, and for one reason or another you're the only person who hasn't seen it yet, and everyone is talking about how great it is, except for that long winding ending. So you finally go see it, ... well I did anyway, perhaps my expectations were toooooooooo high? Perhaps The Last Samurai was still in my mind? Although I didn't want the movie to end, and I enjoyed some scenes tremendously, it didn't leave me feeling as joyous and empowered as the FOTR, nor did it leave me giddy and excited like TTT. I expected to cry, but barely got teary eyed, I expected to jump, or cring - but perhaps the fact that I'd read the books already, had something to do with it.

Don't get me wrong I really enjoyed ROTK I'll never forget pig face, or Legolas killing the Oliphant, or Aragorn becoming the king and loosing all traces of strider. But I did wish there was more of Arwen with Aragorn, and that Eowyn and Faramir's love was shown more clearly. I wish that we saw what becomes of Gimli and Legolas, and that the ending was more powerful. I wanted it to be hard to let go or LOTR but it isn't. I wanted to bawl my eyes out but I didn't.

So perhaps my tragedy is that I expected and expected with ROTK whereas I expected nothing if anything from the Last Samurai.

Someone in the bathroom afterwards said "Peter Jackson, thank you for the best christmas present ever!" I believe that is the best summation ever. And if the Oscars don't recognize him and the most amazing cast ever assembled, then the oscars should be disbanded, and destroyed.

Last samurai : 9.5 stars
ROTK: 9 stars

What're your favorite scenes from ROTK? Mine is when Aragorn says "You my friends will bow down to no one" and everyone kneels b4 them.

Has anyone seen the Spiderman 2 trailer? http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/sony/spiderman2/ Its worth checking out, it looks pretty darn cool!

I generally don't make a reading list till after the fact. Each semester I come across books either by accident or through recommendations. This semester I have read quite a mix of books, looking back on them made me realize I want to start keeping track of books I read. So this is my first reading list.

1) The Color Purple - Alice Walker:

I really enjoyed this, the voice was fresh, and the voice of the character was very powerful, and it felt personal, as if Nettie was talking for herself. It's a good read if you're interested in finding out about American History during and post slavery and how the changes affected the country.


2) Stupid White Men - Michael Moore

I would have read this book just for the title :D It was quite an eye opener about the things going on in America. I remember being quite puzzled like most people just after the elections, trying to understand what the electoral college was there for, and why people bothered to vote if the electoral college's votes decided the outcome... The book clarified a lot of questions, and also informed me about a lot of things. Its told in a very honest straightforward and non-preaching manner. Michael Moore RULES!! Thanks Mike for writing that!!

3) 1st To Die - James Patterson

Your typical murder mystery. I picked it up, cos I'd read the Beach House by Patterson and enjoyed it. This book has its highlights, but there are parts that just drag along. There're just enough possible killers to leave you guessing back and forth as to who the real culprit is.

4) Ward Six - Anton Chekhov

I like books like these, because the topics are different from what you'd read in popular culture. You get sucked into the world, and the time period, and even though its not at all positive, or a heroic tale, I didn't feel very depressed after reading it - I expected to be... hmm... oh well

5) Atlas Shrugged - Ayn Rand

Okay this book will have me ranting and raving about its merits about why I love it, about why its already become my favorite book of all time!! Its about our problems today, about our inability or unwilligness to think about things, to try to understand why things go wrong. Its because of our mentality or culture of blaming someone else - anyone else for our problems. Its always easier to look for an enemy, because of their color, religion, attitude, because they're different from you so offcourse everything wrong in your life is their fault. WAKE UP people!! Stop looking for answers outside, look inside yourselves first then earn the right to point fingers.

6) Straight Talking

A British novel I picked up over thanksgiving. I enjoy british authors cos they have a different style of writing. The authors I've read tend to be more flippant. The moods are lighter, and the stories end up being more fun. Its more of a chick book though:)

7) Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less - Jeffrey Archer

8) The Prodigal Daughter

This book is the second part to Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer. I recently found out there's a third book, I think its called Son's of Fortune, I'll probably get it along with Enders game this Christmas.

This book was loads of fun!! when I was in England I watched the miniseries with my dad, but that was years ago, and I could barely recall the title, so when I saw the book I couldn't resist buying it. It's a rather small book, very quick read and lots of fun. I found myself laughing out loud, and whenever I put it down, I'd be wondering in my head what they'd come up with next. It's about victims of 419 getting together to avenge themselves over the perpetrator. REALLY COOL!!!

I am currently reading:
Princess Sultana's Daughters - Jean Sasson
7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Steven Covey
The Boomerang Clue - Agatha Christy

Any recommendations? Comments?