The Chronicles of Koa: Netherworld- Book Release

It's a lovely day! The Chronicles of Koa: Netherworld just went live on Amazon. Guess who is thrilled, amazed, overjoyed, delirious with excitement...This girl! Me! Hooray! I hope everyone gets a chance to purchase this novel so that you can finally see what all of the hype was about.

This novel is very special to me. I started The Chronicles of Koa in November 2012, right before a horrible car accident that left me unable to write or do anything for the beginning of the new year. I was lucky to recover so quickly, and return to my work on this novel. I think the time I lost only made me work harder, dig deeper, and find out who my characters were. I've never been more focused. 

I am overwhelmed with emotion...and pleased to present the results of my hard work to the world!

Brief Description:

Meet Koa Ryeo-won, Netherworld secret agent. Being a half-blood, half vampire and half human, hasn't been easy for Koa. She has had to live with her thirst for blood and the fact that she is being hunted for far too long. Koa uses her abilities to protect herself and the humans she loves from the escaped supernatural creatures of a different world.

Halston is blonde, British, and the leader of the Netherworld division. He may be her best friend, but he is also...Koa's boss. Together, they fight evil and keep order in this changing world. Koa thought she had everything under control...an attractive human pet, a good job killing naughty vampires, and a sprawling manor. That is, until her life, and that of her cursed mother's, is threatened by none other than a vampire king.

Is Koa ready to journey to the Netherworld and set free the only creature that can help her stop this king?

 

Available on Amazon

 

Iron Man 3 Review!

The time has finally arrived and I did no less that watch Iron Man 3...two nights in a row. I watched it in regular 2D and 3D. There wasn't much of a difference honestly.

Synopsis:

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) has made enemies. In this installment of the Iron Man franchise, Toby Stark battles the Mandarin, Sir Ben Kingsley, who has been supposedly bombing various locations in the United States. It turns out that the Mandarin is nothing more than a puppet to a man named Aldrich Killian( Guy Pearce) whom Tony Stark angered 13 years ago. Aldrich has used the help of the brilliant Maya Hansen, another person Tony Stark has burned in the past, to create Extremis. With Extremis, Aldrich controls former wounded soldiers to complete his conquest to monopolize the war on terror.

Pros:

I really enjoyed the films goal of showing that Tony Stark is more than a man in a suit. During the majority of the film he is without the Iron Man suit. He has to use his other skills to return home, rescue Pepper Potts, and defeat Aldrich Killian. He is either suit-less or in pieces of the suit during most of the movie. It reminds me of Captain America in The Avengers pointing out that without the suit, Tony Stark is nothing. Not true. Tony Stark proves it. I enjoyed his Home Alone-esque takedown of the enemy lair. I also enjoyed Ben Kingsley's performance as the Mandarin. He was both sinister during his depiction of the evil terrorist, and hilarious once we find that he was just a pawn.

I also love Pepper Potts character arc. She has become much more than Toby Starks secretary. The little boy, Harley, is also a delightful addiction.

Cons:

If you're a

loyal comic book fan, you probably won't appreciate what they've done to the Mandarin. They pretty much made him a parody of the true Mandarin and perhaps eliminated any chance of using that villain in a serious way. They perhaps overdid Tony's lack of a suit. Another thing...poor guy...I must say, this was the worst President ever. The President just seemed clueless and lost the entire film, and I really enjoyed William Saddler in The Shawshank Redemption.

All in all, I really enjoyed Iron Man 3. It was full of action, had a believable story, and it was full of laughs.

Best line of the movie:

As Tony Stark goes through the villains lair, he fights various goons. One of them holds his hands up and drops his gun when approached by Stark.

He says, "Honestly, I don't even like working here. These people are really weird."

Hilarious!

Catch Iron Man 3 in theaters today!

Evil Dead

Five friends return to a family cabin to help their friend detox. Little do they know that only a short while ago a ceremony was performed to exorcise a young girl of a demon. Unfortunately, they left behind the book that summons the demon once again. Even more unfortunately, one of the friends, the teacher, is too curious to let the book go unread, thus releasing the demon upon their poor detoxing friend.

All right. This looks familiar, and I didn't expect to enjoy this movie...but I did! It had all of the same elements of every cabin in the creepy woods movie I've ever seen, but it was very well done. I can't think of anyone that can out do Jane Levy! This girl makes a face that will strike fear into your heart. She fully commits and gives us a grimy, horrifying, performance that'll keep your stomach in knots the entire time.

The standout characters for me were, Jane Levy (of course) and Lou Taylor Pucci. The others were ok, but not as committed to their roles. Nonetheless, I was completely engrossed in this film. Every gory scene was perfect and it definitely makes you believe that there is evil in that cabin.

You won't be disappointed. Watch it now!

April's Must-See List!

Here is my list for movies that should please this month! We are quickly approaching May, where the list gets even better!

-42:

April 12th Starring Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford (Drama) The story of how Jackie Robinson overcame adversity and became the first black man to play Major League Baseball.

-Evil Dead:

April 5th Starring Jane Levy (Horror) 5 friends venture to a cabin in the woods and unwittingly unleash an evil that threatens to destroy them all.

-Oblivion:

April 19th Starring Tom Cruise and Morgan Freeman (Sci-fi/Adventure) In a post-apocalyptic future world, a man discovers that what he was told about what happened to Earth and its survivors may have been lies.

-Pain and Gain:

April 26th Starring Dwayne Johnson and Mark Wahlberg

(Action/Comedy) A trio of bodybuilders get more than what they bargained for when they become wrapped up in extortion and kidnapping.

Take This Waltz

I know! This movie isn't exactly new! Nevertheless, I felt like I had to share this hidden gem with you all!

Let me start by saying that Michelle Williams has made me a full fledged fan! I am in love with her. She is perfect in this understated film that has such a raw, powerful, story. It is perfectly portrayed by Michelle Williams, Luke Kirby (my new crush) and Seth Rogen.

Guess what, Seth Rogen plays Michelle Williams' husband. They seem happy on the surface...until Michelle meets this attractive neighbor and starts to contemplate cheating on her husband. I don't want to reveal too much, but this movie has one of the best scenes I've ever seen. Watch it and I am certain you'll know which one I am talking about!

Who am I kidding! Check out a clip of the film and run to your Netflix streaming device and watch the entire movie NOW!
That is all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-ZkTRyzI0Y&sns=tw
Good day!

After Earth-Coming Soon!

If you haven't seen the trailer for After Earth starring Will Smith and Jaden Smith yet...DO IT NOW!!! This is a sci-fi thriller that looks incredible. It's even better than Will and his son actually play father and son roles in this film!

Jaden seems to be embarking on a journey to an evolved earth that has developed into a human obstacle course. Check out the trailer now. In theaters June 7th 2013!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Exq0jyvpSg8&sns=em

Jack the Giant Slayer

Jack the Giant Slayer was unfortunately another mediocre film this week. I had such high hopes for this and Oz the Great and Powerful! A revamp of the classic fairy tale about bean stalks and giants, Jack comes up a little...short.

The lore behind it tells the story of monks who wanted to climb to the heavens in search of God. The monks apparently know how to use dark magic and they create the magic beans that lead them to the land of the giants. The giants, however, have their own ideas and they descend to the land of the humans and create all manners of havoc. The only way to stop these vicious giants is to use more magic and create a crown that bends the giants into submission. Anyone who wears this crown can control the giants, and the mighty King Eric sends them back to their home in the clouds and has the bean stalk chopped down.

It's quite the coincidence that both young Jack(Nicolas Hoult) and the princess listen to this story every night before bed as children. Ten years later, they are both thirsting for adventure as inevitably run into each other at a show about the same story they both love so much.

Both attractive, youngsters, want more out of life and find themselves on an incredible journey when Jack spills the beans and a new stalk grows. I won't reveal too much of the story, but I do feel like a few things could have been bette. Poor Stanley Tucci is the villain and he doesn't last too long. But, the awesome Ewan McGregor is the star of this movie for me! He is the captain of the royal guard, but he gets the best lines and most of the action. He is the hero for saving this movie!

All in all, Jack the Giant Slayer isn't horrible. On the contrary, the visuals are acceptable and some of the action is nice. You will be entertained, I just had higher expectations. I suppose I have to wait for the summer, when Iron Man 3 will save the day! Oh, and don't waste your money on 3D for Jack the Giant Slayer.

Oz the Great and Powerful

Oz the Great and Powerful is beautiful, yet a bit lack luster at the same time! How is such a thing possible? Well, for one James Franco isn't entirely likable. We can attribute that to the role. Oscar, or Oz, is supposed to be greedy, arrogant, and selfish, and I suppose James Franco portrayed those qualities quite accurately.

Poor Mila Kunis has accepted a role that isn't exactly...flattering. She is after all the Wicked Witch, green skin, long nose, and all. It isn't fair, Glinda(Michele Williams) and Ivanora(Rachel Weisz) get to sport lovely gowns and Theodora (Kunis) must wear an odd equestrian inspired outfit. Moving on.

(DANGER! Spoilers Ahead)

Young Oscar is a circus magician who cheats people on a daily basis with his tricks. His only moment of purity is when he genuinely looks sad that he cannot make a young girl walk when she says that she believes in him and asks for his help. Nonetheless, he's back to his old ways when he is rude to his only friend and helper, Frank (Zach Braff) who also doubles as the little monkey, Finley.

Apparently, he has angered a few fellow circus performers and must run. He hops into a hot air balloon, gets swept up in a tornado and nearly impaled by flying shards of wood. He prays for a second chance and voila! We leave the black and white world of Kansas behind and enter the technicolor land of...Oz!

The next few minutes flies by at hyper speed. Oz lands, meets Theodora, they kiss, and she is suddenly madly in love with him. It's obvious to the audience, that he doesn't feel the same. Theodora leads him to the Emerald City, and they pick up a little talking monkey along the way, Finley. I did find it strange that Zach Braff sounded a lot like Nathan Lane as he voiced the monkey!

Ivanora is waiting for them and she does not think Oz is the wizard of prophecy, whom is supposed to get rid of the Wicked Witch and reclaim the throne. They send Oz to break the wand of that evil witch and along the way, Oz and Finley rescue an adorable girl made of China. She is charming, funny, and one of the best things about this movie.

We learn that Ivanora is actually the wicked one and has framed poor, beautiful Glinda, the Good Witch.

Once Oz learns the truth, he aides with the Tinkers, the Farmers, and the Munchkins and they prepare for war! Too bad Ivanora has tricked Theodora into thinking Oz has betrayed her. She gives her a green apple and the lovely Theodora sheds her beautiful visage and becomes the grotesque, cackling, hag she was destined to be.

Oz faces some tough decisions when he realizes those poor people are depending on him. He isn't sure he wants to help others yet. Sure he wants all of the gold the throne entails but he also wants to run away back to Kansas. Nonetheless, he finds some goodness within himself thanks to the little China girl. He prepares the people, creates some clever inventions and leads them to the Emerald City. Can you guess the outcome? Well, I am sure you can, but I am going to encourage you to see for yourself, if for nothing but the beauty of the cinematography, and the lovely creations.

There are a few things that I really enjoyed about the film, and they were all references to THE WIZARD OF OZ. the cowardly lion and the scarecrow were cleverly foreshadowed. This film is entertaining. It just wasn't as remarkable as I anticipated. Johnny Depp and Robert Downey Jr. were both wanted for the role of Oz, and I couldn't help imagining how wonderful it would have been if either of them had accepted.

Ender's Game!!!

This is one of the most exciting events I can think of right now! I have been waiting for this amazing book by Orson Scott Card to be made into a movie for years, and finally it is approaching. To make things even better, it comes out around my birthday! Catch it November 1st 2013!

I personally don't think they could have made a better choice to play Ender than the stunningly adorable Asa Butterfield. That little boy has such a powerful acting ability that he can make you believe him without saying a word! Trust me! Have you seen The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas or Hugo? There's the proof. He is amazing and I cannot wait to see him portray this spectacular role of Andrew 'Ender' Wiggings, an unusually gifted child who is sent to an advanced military school in space to prepare for a future alien invasion. Sci-fi at its best!

Enjoy the following movie stills!

The Impossible

The Impossible is the true story of a families struggle to survive a devastating tsunami and find each other in a foreign country.

Cast:
Naomi Watts (Nominated for an Oscar for her role in this film)
Ewan McGregor
Tom Holland

Synopsis:
A family of five travel to Thailand for a Christmas vacation. They are caught off guard by a massive tsunami that tore through the coast in 2006. Lucas and his mother are separated from the father and two smaller boys. Plagued by numerous injuries and fear, the young Lucas must help his mother and find their way back to civilization. They believe that the other family members are dead and try to stay together once they reach villagers who take them to a shabby hospital. The scene is chaotic as dead bodies litter the roads and the cries of those injured and grief stricken fill the air.

My Thoughts:
I knew going into the theater that this was going to be an emotional film. I actually cried when I saw the trailer. It's that heart wrenching! What I didn't expect was the horrific images of the tsunami. My jaw dropped as I watched children, mothers, animals, and all walks of life get swept away by giant waves. People were stabbed, crushed, smacked and strangled during this event and within the first 15 minutes of the movie, I was slouched in my seat crying... If I hadn't seen this happening to children, I might have been able to compose myself. The Impossible is a beautiful movie, not just the cinematography, but the depiction of human emotion and triumph.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and have to give accolades to Tom Holland who played Lucas. Naomi Watts was remarkable in her Oscar nominated role. I felt everything she felt. Ewan McGregor was superb as well, his scenes were perfectly touching, and the two little boys were charming and we all hated to see them suffer.

You must see this film. Do it now!

You Don't Know Jack!!

Jack the Giant Slayer comes out March 1st and I will be one of the first in line to watch Nicholas Hoult grace the silver screen again, and this time...we get to hear his native British accent! Yay!

We also get to see Stanley Tucci be a glorious villain and our favorite Jedi, Ewan McGregor, lead Jack up the famed beanstalk from one of our favorite fairy tales! Review coming soon!

Countdown to Iron Man 3 w/ Pepper Potts!

New poster for Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts! In theaters May 3rd!

Ben Kingsley is The Mandarin! Iron Man 3

Iron Man 3 comes out this summer and Ben Kingsley is playing the frightening villain, The Mandarin, whose reach has no bounds and proves to be Tony Starks greatest foe. Ben Kingsley is remarkable and I am sure he will be wonderful to watch. Iron Man will surely be tested in this latest rendition, and we cannot wait to see how his hero's journey unfolds!

I am also excited to see the lovely, Rebecca Hall play Maya Hansen, a genetic re-programmer. Gemma Artenton, Diane Krueger, and Isla Fisher were considered for the part, but it was the stunning, Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) who was offered the role! i would have loved to see her in Iron Man, but alas, there were scheduling conflicts!

Catch Iron Man 3 in theaters May 3rd 2013!

Who is excited?!

Warm Bodies

Who knew zombies could be so charming? Well, Nicholas Hault is not your typical zombie. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, there are two types of corpse, normal, shuffling around groaning types and bonies.

I really enjoyed this movie! Warm Bodies had the perfect combination of creepy and hilarious. Now, whenever I see Rob Cordry (Hot Tub Time Machine) I know I can depend on him to make me laugh...even as a zombie! He was fantastic and very likable.

Of course Nicholas, or R, is naturally attractive, even under all of the zombie makeup and dirty scratches clothes...even as he chews raw human brains, he is a great character and I found myself rooting for him! He basically starts the movie as a not-so-mindless zombie who has an awareness of his surroundings that you wouldn't expect.

R spends his day shuffling around an airport and collecting random keepsakes. His life...err...death changes when he catches sight of the beautiful Teresa Palmer. She ignites something within him that causes him to feel again. This starts a journey towards reclaiming his humanity as he rescues and protects her from the other zombies. His interaction with a living person and their odd attraction to one another begins a revolution amongst the other zombies who want to be normal again as well!

Warm Bodies is a surprising delight and I enjoyed every minute of it! John Malkovich is his usual self...playing a complex character...you don't know if he'll be a villain or a ally, and I love that!

Analeigh Tipton (Crazy, Stupid, Love) is a fresh face that I also love! She is hilarious, and if you were a teenage girl in the 2000's you might remember her from America's Next Top Model!

Catch it in theaters now!

Beautiful Creatures

This past Sunday I invited ten of my girls to join me for a night of dark fantasy! Alas, Beautiful Creatures, based on the novel by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, delights us all.

Cast:

Emma Thompson, Viola Davis, Jeremy Irons, Emmy Rossum and newcomers Alice Englert and Alden Ehrenreich.

Synopsis:

Ethan, a high school junior, longs to escape his small town life and crosses paths within a beautiful new girl with a mysterious past and an even more mysterious family. Everyone suspects that her family, the Ravenwoods/founders of the town, have dark and mystical powers. They are correct.

Lena actually has powers and the approach of her sixteenth birthday means the choice between the light and the dark. Can their love survive?

Review:

I actually enjoyed the movie and felt good after I watched it! I am ready for the sequel!

• Pros: the acting was very good! The British alums were superb and the young newcomers were also pretty convincing. Emma Thompson was so much fun to watch! Emmy Rossum did her job and was practically dripping with sex appeal. The story was pretty generic but the effects and the over the top family made it worth it!

• Cons: the cliches, the southern stereotypes, the confusing part in the end where Lena did something with her hands and nothing happened, yet Emmy Rossum was frightened.

She actually said, "No one can do that!"

I was like, "Huh? What did she do?" Nothing happened... Anyway, I must have missed something. The dialogue was cringeworthy in some parts. I also didn't enjoy hearing the evil ex/mean girl talk. She was way too typical!

Overall, the movie was entertaining, the costumes were bright and colorful and a the sets were a visual masterpiece! I love how the outside of the Ravenwood mansion looks all dilapidated and creepy, but immaculate, clean, and modern on the inside! The use of magic was interesting as well. These casters pretty much act like gods.

Enjoy a dark twist on a classic fairy tale of forbidden love? Catch Beautiful Creatures in theaters today!

If you've already seen it...what did you think? Comment!

Guy Pearce is Aldrich Killian, brilliant geneticist!

Iron Man returns to the big screen this summer! Starring, Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Guy Pearce, Ben Kingsley and the lovely Rebecca Hall!. Are you ready for Iron Man 3? In theaters May 3rd 2013

Miyazaki Does It Again!

From Up On Poppy Hill!

This is a Miyazaki film (Spirited Away, Ponyo, Howl's Moving Castle) so we know it will be beautiful! It actually released in Japan in 2011 but the U.S. will finally get a chance to view it on the big screen this March!

Synopsis:

Set in Japan of the 1960s, the film tells the story of Umi Matsuzaki, a high school girl living in a boarding house. When Umi meets Shun Kazama, a member of the school's newspaper club, they decide to clean up the school's clubhouse.

However, Tokumaru, the chairman of the local high school and a businessman, intends to demolish the building for redevelopment and Umi and Shun, along with Shirō Mizunuma, must persuade him to reconsider.

It is the story of young love and there is an interesting mystery about the high school couple's birth. Catch it March 15th 2013 in select theaters!

Happy Valentines Day!

Top Health and Fitness Apps!

Here is a list of my favorite health and fitness apps. Such apps help you stay on track so that you can meet your goals in 2013! You can find these apps on both iOS and Android devices.

1. My Fitness Pal
•Want to lose weight fast? Download this app! It helps you track your calorie intake and exercise. Once you know how much each meal is going to cost you as far as calorie allowance, you become much more aware about what you choose to eat!

2. Gympact
•Earn money just by keeping your weekly pact of going to the gym! Lose money of you skip your workouts!

3. Run Keeper
•Stay motivated and beat your best times each week. This GPS device tracks your walks or speed, distance, and pace while running. This is especially good if you have Gym Pact, it allows you to count your walk or run towards your pact instead of checking in at a gym.

4. Spark Recipes
•Delicious low calorie recipes from people like you!

5. Jillian Michael's
•Motivational check ins from one of the top trainers in the U.S.A! Workout videos and a list of moves you can do to target your trouble areas.

6. Denise Austin
•Another world renown trainer who gives excellent daily tips, meal ideas and workout videos!

7. Ease Into 5k
•Go from walking to running a 5k in just weeks! This excellent app does the pacing for you. Run a little, walk a little, until you can complete a run without breaks!

8. The Eatery
•This app is just fun! Take a photo of your meal or snack and post it to The Eatery. Users all over the world rate how healthy your choices are, and you get to do the same!

What are some of your favorite health and fitness apps? Comment!

Happy Chinese New Year!!

A few friends and I celebrated Chinese New Years at AZN Azian Cuizine and it was absolutely remarkable. The food was great and bountiful as well as the entertainment.

There was an excellent noodle making show as well as an energetic dragon dance. A few friends got their fortunes told and the feast we shared was a delightful way to end the evening. I must say, the owners were incredibly personable and a treat to get to know and the serving staff get top marks!

Here are a few pictures of the festivities! The dragon dance video and noodle making show will be posted as well!