SubTitle: Inspiration for the Major Motion Picture
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Imprint: Penguin Books – A Penguin Original
Pub Date: 27 September 2011
ISBN: 9780143120155
Author: Arthur Conan Doyle
Love Sherlock? Grew up imagining that you’re Watson and tagging along with the famous fictional detective whenever he managed to sniff a mystery? Well then, this book is definitely for you, and it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve read about the legendary detective, you wouldn’t want to miss this memoir. It will definitely bring you back into the world of unsolved, exciting mystery.
I highly recommend this book to all hardcore Sherlock Holmes fans. I rate this book 5 stars.having said that, watch the trailer of movie over here:
I received an ARC of this book from penguin group Publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review for this book.
Book description:
INSPIRATION FOR THE MAJOR MOTION PICTURE SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS
Sherlock Holmes is on the case once again. This newest collection of stories includes many of the most familiar cases Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson ever solve, including “Silver Blaze,” “The Greek Interpreter,” and “The Musgrave Ritual.” As Holmes’s fame grows, it brings him a notoriety that piques the ire of London’s criminal underworld, who begin to scheme against him. In “The Final Problem” Dr. Watson relates the grisly, fatal, and shocking tale of how Holmes finally meets his match, encountering the diabolical Professor Moriarty in a terrible struggle at Reichenbach Falls.
Guy Ritchie’s sequel to his acclaimed Sherlock Holmes (2009) is in theaters December 16, 2011. The new film stars Robert Downey, Jr. as Sherlock Holmes, Jude Law as Dr. Watson, and Stephen Fry as Sherlock’s brother, Mycroft Holmes. The film also stars Jared Harris (Mad Men), Rachel McAdams (Sherlock Holmes, Morning Glory), and Noomi Rapace (Stieg Larsson trilogy).
About the Author:
ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE (1859-1930) was born in Edinburgh, where he grew up and studied medicine, and began writing mysteries shortly after setting up his own practice. Doyle published fifty-nine Sherlock Holmes adventures in all, beginning with A Study in Scarlet in 1887.
I enjoy reading Shakespeare’s work. And I enjoy watching the movie adaptations of Shakespeare’s work even more. My all time favourite got to be the ‘Midsummer’s Night Dream’. I liked it very much because it was a comedy, not a tragedy.
Shakespeare’s tragedy like ‘Romeo and Juliet’ never failed to distress me and therefore, I avoid watching the movie adaptations of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Yes, you’re reading it right. ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is classified as a tragedy, even though many would have you believe that it’s one of the greatest love story ever told.
The ending of Shakespeare’s tragedy does not give me much satisfaction as I’m more into happy ending, and so, I was rather skeptical when I first saw this movie, ‘Gnomeo and Juliet’. As the title suggested, it’s an adaptation of Shakepeare’s tragedy, ‘Romeo and Juliet’. I thought I wouldn’t enjoy watching it, but boy was I wrong.
I never felt more glad to be proven wrong until I watched ‘Gnomeo and Juliet’. ‘Gnomeo and Juliet’ is one hell of a love story laced with not only comedy, but packed with moral values in it.
Like the original ‘Romeo and Juliet’ written by William Shakespeare, Gnomeo and Juliet belongs to a feuding family. They crossed path and fell in love with each other despite of their family background. What’s special about Gnomeo and Juliet is that it’s set in the world of warring indoor and outdoor gnomes.
The story is really refreshing, captivating and engaging. The Juliet in Gnomeo and Juliet is not exactly portrayed as a forlorn, lovesick maiden, but a strong, spunky character who have minds of her own. She’s the Juliet you have never seen before.
In my humble opinion, this is the best rendition of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ ever. It’s not only funny, but witty as well. There’s something for everyone in Gnomeo and Juliet, and I highly recommend it for both adult and children alike.
Gnomeo and Juliet DVD is now available for pre-order. If you’re interested in watching it at the comfort of your own home over and over again with the little ones, you can go ahead and order it now. I’m sure you won’t regret it.
I’ve been under the weather these few days, and is definitely in no mood for anything except for lying on the bed and read. I’ve been devouring God knows how many romance books and the repetition in the plots started to get to me. And so, deciding that I had enough of the mush, I thought that it is time for me to have my daily dose of Bible reading. (You see, I’ve been making a point to read the Bible randomly before I sleep these days since I received the Children Bible from Booksneeze. Hopefully, this will become a habit).
I remembered that Bible have loads of beautiful romance to tell as well, and so, I flipped to the Book of Esther in the Old Testament. It tells the story of Esther, the Biblical Queen. The story of Hadassah, or rather Esther has always fascinated me as a child. The story is filled with intrigue, romance, bravery, and honor.
The book of Esther tells the story of a Queen who became the savior of her people through a curious mix of fate and charm. It is also a story of remarkable love, faith and devotion.
According to the Bible, Esther was a Jewish Queen of the Persian King Ahasuerus (identified in the history as King Xerxes I). The story of Esther started with King Ahasuerus, who held a 180-day feast in Susa. He ordered his Queen, Vashti, to appear before him and his guests wearing no veil to display her beauty. This act is considered dishonourable, and therefore, Queen Vashti refused the King.
King Ahasuerus was enraged at her refusal to obey his command and so, the king asked advisors what should be done.
One of them said that all the women in the empire would hear that “The King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the Queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.” Then the women of the empire would despise their husbands and started to act in defiance. And this would cause many problems in the kingdom. Therefore it would be good to depose her.
And so, he divorced Queen Vashti and she was exiled and he began searching for a new queen to take her place at his side. To find a new Queen suitable to King Ahasuerus, it was decreed that beautiful young virgins be gathered to the palace from every province of his kingdom. Each woman underwent twelve months of beautification in his harem, after which she would go to the king.
When the woman’s turn came, she was given anything she wanted to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. She would then go to the king in the evening, and in the morning go to the harem where the concubines stayed. She would not return to the king unless he was pleased enough with her to summon her again by name.
Esther was then introduced to King Ahasuerus and he fell in love with the lovely and graceful Esther. She was chosen as his wife and queen. Esther was an orphan and was raised by her cousin Mordecai. She was born ‘Hadassah’ and received her name ‘Esther’ upon entering the royal harem. Her name was a form of the Persian name Satarah, which means ‘star’.
Through Mordecai’s instincts of caution and warning, it was not revealed to the king that his new bride was Jewish in origin.
It’s rather romantic, love at first sight. Esther had no idea at this point of her life that she shall soon be a saviour to her people.(Esther 4:14 ). Esther was told not to disclose her Jewish origin.
Enter Haman, who came into power beneath the king. This man hated all Jews and talked King Ahasuerus into allowing him to kill the Jews for they have been rebellious and is a threat to the kingdom. Haman didn’t know, as the king didn’t, that Queen Esther herself was a Jew.
Unfortunately, Ahasuerus listened to Haman and made the decree, as he thought he was just going to destroy the rebellions, and not the entire race. Mordecai was very unhappy, as was Esther upon hearing the news. She was horrified that her people would soon be destroyed and killed.
Her husband felt that Haman was his friend. In those days, no one, including the Queen, could appear before the king without being summoned. To do so is asking just like signing your own death warrant. But Esther knew that only the king could deal with Haman’s deceit and she had to risk death to get him to see this.
Queen Esther then ordered the Jewish hold a fast for three days and nights to request God’s intervention to save them and she herself would also be fasting. And after that, she shall go to the King, though she know that it is against the law for her to see the King un-summmoned.
Ans so, on day three, Esther donned her royal attire and stood in the inner court of the palace, fearing that she will be killed as soon as she saw the king there.
King Ahasuerus loved Esther very much, and so did not order her be put to death, but instead held out his golden scepter, indicating that she was free to speak to him. “What wilt thou, Queen Esther? And what is it thy request? It shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.â€
Esther’s request was that the king and Haman attend a banquet she prepared.Weird, isn’t it? Esther did not tell this man who loved her what was on her mind and in her heart at the moment.
But Esther had great wisdom and wise people know that sometimes timing is everything. She could not afford to ruin her one chance to save her people from annihilation.
After the banquet, Esther asked again for the two of them to come for dinner the following night. Haman, at this point, thought he had won the Queen’s favor as well as the King’s.
The following day at dinner, Esther finally told the king about Haman (Esther7:3)Haman begged Esther for his life and fell upon her in his dismay. Ahasuerus had gone for a walk after hearing the crimes of Haman and returned to the room and thought Haman was forcing himself on his beloved queen and ordered Haman to be hung.
This story of sublime love shows not only how a phenomenal woman can earn the lasting devotion of a loving husband, but shows also how God can and does intervene to perform immense miracles. The Book of Esther can be divided into three main sections. Chapters 1:1-2:18 – Esther replaces Vashti; 2:19-7:10 – Mordecai overcomes Haman; 8:1-10:3 – Israel survives Haman’s attempt to destroy them. The noble Esther risked her own death as she realized what was at stake. She willingly did what could have been a deadly maneuver and took on the second-in-command of her husband‘s kingdom, Haman. She proved a wise and most worthy opponent, all the while remaining humble and respectful of the position of her husband-king.
The bravery of Esther saved the Jews and the genuine love of a woman by a man gives us a story that brings tears to the most sensitive of souls.Reading the Book of Esther makes me wonder if such great love exist?
The Book of Esther shows the choice we make between seeing the hand of God in our circumstances in life and seeing things as merely coincidence. God is the sovereign Ruler of the universe and we can be assured that His plans will not be moved by the actions of mere evil men.
Feasting is a major theme of this book: there are ten recorded banquets, and many of the events were planned, plotted, or exposed at these banquets. Although the name of God is never mentioned in this book, it is apparent that the Jews of Susa sought His intervention when they fasted and prayed for three days (Esther 4:16.)
Anyway, the story of Esther never failed to warm my heart. The story of Esther was told in many ways, and have many different version. There’s also a movie about Esther, though it was ‘beautified’ in many ways and does not really reflect what the bible says. I find the movie beautiful nevertheless too. The movie is known as ‘One Night With The King’. You might wanna look this up. It’s on youtube.
Here’s the trailer.
And there’s this hauntingly beautiful song that was played in the movie during Esther’s coronation and her wedding…very beautiful that it brought me to tears as I watched the movie after reading the Bible.
The lyrics to the song:
Ziba malekeh hamra he shah ba jaho jalal
Ziba melekeh hamra he shah
Miad as rah
English translation:
The beautiful queen and king are coming in all their glory
The beautiful queen and king have arrived
Cleffairy: Vashti did not come when she was summoned, but Esther came un-summoned. The King’s love for Esther must have been so great that he pardoned her…
Is it possible to gain understanding towards certain matter a few years late? I am not sure how knowledge works for people, but I think I am quite a slow learner. I need to understand how everything works before I absorb certain information into my brain. I guess my brain is pretty selective in storing infos.
I come to realize that as of late, I started to understand more about physics and it’s theories 8 years after I left school, when I’m no longer required to understand the theories. It is amazing how human brain works…it’s really a wonder. I failed physics for my SPM examination. Yes, FAILED. Because I could not understand the formula and how the theories ought to be applied in real life.
But amazingly…. 8 years later, I could grasps on the concept…one quite a few physics theories… such as Newton Law, Momentum, Inertia, Quantum Physics and many more. I come to wonder…if my brain is taking me into a different direction by allowing me to finally understand and work on the theories correctly? Is this what they call wisdom? If it’s not wisdom, then what exactly do you call this? The ability to grasps on certain knowledge and relate it to real life?
God, my father would really be proud of me if I told him I finally understand certain concept in physics and actually get the calculation right. Is it because now I exercise my brain more than before, it made my brain more active then when I was studying? Is that how our brain actually works? In order to really use your brain and gain understanding, you need to continuously exercise it and give it constant stimulation?
Anyway, ditch physics and my questions. What I want to talk about today is…understanding and coming to term with certain matters after a few years. You see, when I was a little girl… I read a lot of classics. Authors like Charles Dickens, Jane Austen and many more are on my regular read. No… I did not read the children version of their stories. I read the unabridged version instead, and more often than not, I struggled to understand the entire thing. I believe, my mind wasn’t sharpened enough and I lack experience to totally understand what the books are trying to deliver.
Same goes with movies. You see… my husband is a rather technical person… while I am the direct opposite. I am the creative person in the household.Like any other typical man, my husband tend to gravitate to watch movies that revolves around…technology and science. I don’t quite watch science fiction unless I could relate it in real life. And instead of being fascinated about certain things like other people do… I showed my interest and understanding through writing them down instead.
As of late, I realized that I am really quite a slow learner. I understood one movie in particular about 6 years late. The movie in question is ‘Antitrust’.
Antitrust is actually a movie targeted to people who believed in that human knowledge belongs to all and people who supports Open Source. In order for people to understand what this movie is really about and what message it’s trying to send across, one would have to understand Open Source concept, and Microsoft antitrust case that has been quite a hit in commercial court all over the world back then.
Initially, Antitrust is about Milo Hoffman. The story stars off with him working with his three friends at their new software development company known as Skullbocks. Things started to gets murky when Milo Hoffman is contacted by CEO Gary Winston of NURV (Never Underestimate Radical Vision) for a very attractive programming position: a fat paycheck, an almost-unrestrained working environment. Milo accepted Winston’s offer and he and his girlfriend, Alice Poulson, move to NURV headquarters in Portland, Oregon.
Despite development of the flagship product (Synapse, a worldwide media distribution network) being well on schedule, Hoffman soon becomes suspicious of the excellent source code Winston personally provides to him, seemingly when needed most, while refusing to divulge the code’s origin.
After his best friend, Teddy Chin, is murdered, Hoffman discovers that NURV is stealing the code they need from programmers around the world — including Teddy Chin — and then killing them to cover their tracks. Hoffman learns that not only does NURV employ an extensive surveillance system to observe and steal code, the company has infiltrated the law and most of the mainstream media. Even his girlfriend is a spy, an ex-con hired by the company to manipulate him into doing their deeds.
While searching through a secret NURV database containing surveillance dossiers on employees, he finds that the company has information of a very personal nature about a friend and co-worker, Lisa Calighan. When he reveals to her that the company has this information, she agrees to help him expose NURV’s crimes to the world. Coordinating with one of Hoffman’s friends from his old startup, they plan to use a local cable access station to hijack Synapse and broadcast their charges against NURV to the world. However, Lisa Calighan turns out to be a double agent, foils Hoffman’s plan, and turns him over to Winston.
Hoffman had already confronted Poulson and convinced her to side with him against Winston and NURV. When it became clear that Hoffman had not succeeded, a backup plan is put into motion by Poulson, the fourth member of Skullbocks, and the incorruptible internal security firm hired by NURV. As Winston prepares to kill Hoffman, the second team successfully usurps one of NURV’s own work centers, “Building 21” and transmits the incriminating evidence as well as the Synapse code. Winston and his entourage are publicly arrested for their crimes. After parting ways with the redeemed Poulson, Hoffman rejoins Skullbocks.
Okay… after re-watching this show almost 7 years after I first watched it, it is no longer a nonsense movie that could put me to sleep. I could now understand what the movie is all about, after being an Open Source supporter myself. What the characters did in the story is also no longer gibberish to me, and much to my amusement, Antitrust actually have loads of message to tell, and honestly…this movie… is pro-Open Source and rather anti Microsoft.
It is amazing how Antitrust seems to send you to a paralell world of Internet and software development technology and the dirty tricks that comes with it. What amaze me is that the movie itself gives allusion that the antagonist in the movie is Bill Gates of Microsoft himself. I’m really surprised that they are not subjected to libel.
Anyway, I learned a lot from this movie too… albeit a few years late. This is what learned:
Knowledge is power, but it could also destroy and corrupt.
Never ever try to dominate the business world in a dirty way, or one day, it might backfire.
Behind a good software, there’s always good programmers, and one should not just stick at one brand in regards to technology. If there’s good and free software out there that could benefit you, consider using it instead of the expensive proprietary.
One should not be extreme… it doesn’t matter if you support Microsoft or Open Source, as long as you open your mind to everything, there’s limitless possibility.
Human knowledge belongs to the world and not just one person.
Always anticipate the move of your opponent. Life is like playing a game of chess. One must anticipate the opponent’s move, or one will loose.
Sometimes, even your loved ones can be your enemy, so beware… don’t trust anyone but yourself 100%.
Always have a backup plan.
Things are not always what they seems to be.
And last but not least… what seems to be harmless, cute and pretty childish on the outside, may hold many dark secrets and could possible be the cause of destruction inside. (Referring to the servers in NURV that contains CCTV surveillance of programmers all around the world… it was disguised as children’s PC in a daycare in NURV)
This movie… is something to WOW for. But only if you understood how Microsoft, Open Source and Programming world works in reality. Thumbs up for Antitrust. Here’s the trailer for Antitrust:
And if you’re wondering where you can watch Antitrust, the entire movie… You can watch it HERE
Cleffairy: The Internet should be public, open and accessible.
You heard me right. They killed my Superman. 🙁 Okay, that’s a little bit loon, and I bet you folks are wondering what the hell I’m talking about? Well, I am talking about this movie, The Way Home. Dean Cain, who acted in Lois&Clark The New Adventures of Superman as Clark Kent a.k.a Superman played Randy Simpkins, a workaholic husband and father who is torn between the demands of his job and family.
When I first saw a glimpse of Dean Cain on the DVD cover, the first thing that I thought was ‘Whoa… Clark, you’re out of shape. You look… chubbier!’
My second thought when I was hurled into the world of Randy… I really couldn’t connect. Why? Because of the cast, of course. I am used to seeing Dean Cain moonlighting as Clark Kent aka Superman, not a workaholic husband and father who is irresponsible enough to ditch his two year old son to play by himself. In my mind, Dean Cain would always carry the image of the solid and steady and responsible Clark Kent who could balance everything in his hectic life and the strong and powerful Superman who only two things in his life could bring him to his knees, which is: Kryptonite and Lois Lane. And Superman is not like Randy… he’s… good with children. He doesn’t tell children off when he’s trying to save the world, instead, he gave them a bit of their time and gives word of encouragement before flying off to save the world.
In The Way Home, there’s a scene where Dean aka Randy was completely helpless. He was reduced to a desperate man who longs to be reunited with his son. He fell onto the ground, and was on his knees while yelling for God’s sign and guidance.
I was really… uh… speechless to see this scene. I mean… uh… at this point, I still can’t see Dean as Randy. I still see him as Clark/Superman. And Superman is a strong, solid and dependable character. Superman is concrete…a hero, while Randy is just a mere mortal.
Okay, I’m not being fair here…The Way Home is a good story. The movie based on a true story, set on March 31, 2000 where Randy Simpkins came home early from the office to help his wife, Christal, pack for a vacation to the beach. Within minutes on their rural farm home, their 2-year old son (Joe) is gone.
The next 8 hours would put Randy through a life-altering roller coaster of emotions that would challenge his priorities regarding God, his family, and community.
The movie is very good, in fact, as it’s based on a true story where a child is lost, and the story of faith. The message that the story is sending is clear… faith that God would not let you endure more than you could handle, and with God’s will, all will be right again apart from the child and spousal negligent message, but I still couldn’t picture Dean Cain aka my Clark Kent/Superman as Randy.
*SOBS* Why can’t they choose someone else to play Randy? Oh, Dean, I know you fancy characters that’s really inspiring, but from a superhero to a negligent husband and daddy? NOOOO! I felt as if through Randy, my Superman just died and there’s no chance of reviving him. 🙁
Dean, you go from this:
And this
To this:
And this… watch the interview on the making of the film… based on a true story:
On March 31, 2000, Randy Simpkins came home early from the office to help his wife, Christal, pack for a vacation to the beach. Within minutes on their rural farm home, their 2-year old son (Joe) is gone.
The next 8 hours would put Randy through a life-altering roller coaster of emotions that would challenge his priorities regarding God, his family, and community.
It is truly a moving and inspiring story. I have no complaints… except that I felt that they killed my Superman. *SOBS*
You see…sometimes, strong fictional characters would just devour someone’s identity once they played that character. I can’t really see Dean Cain as other people than Superman/Clark Kent on screen… just the same way I can’t see Pierce Brosnan as James Bond…same goes with Daniel Radcliff as Harry Potter… and not to mention the well crazed Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen. Strong fictional characters devoured one’s identity…and the markings will always be there even when they are no longer playing those characters, no matter how one try to escape that.
I received this DVD free from Thomas Nelson Publishers for an advance viewing as part of their Booksneeze bloggers program . I was not required to write a positive review and therefore, the book review is 100% my own opinion.
Cleffairy: I longed for the day I could create such character for my novels… characters that could devour one’s real identity.
“I’m truly, madly, deeply, passionately in love with you”
I think I just died and went to heaven for a couple of minutes after hearing those words. *SIGH* I’m completely hopeless. Hurl those words to me, and I’ll buy it…well…. maybe, maybe not. Depending on who would say that to me. But if those are the words spoken in the movies, hooooyeahhhh, I’ll definitely melt into a puddle of goo and beyond.
Who would have thought? That the fiery, lunatic fairy who rant and rave most of the time have quite a heart for fluff and romantic movies? Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit. I’m a romance author and IÂ married my first love, so get a clue already, will you? Romance authors are usually insane. Well, almost, I guess. I prefer to be known as eccentric.
Okay, most of you might be concern for my sanity by now. But fret not, I am still quite sane, and I’m talking about Letters To Juliet. Remember that movie I’ve talk about back then? I told you I was anticipating that movie like mad, and watched the trailer countless times, and this is it. I finally got to watch it online and was on cloud nine. I felt as if I’m in love again watching such a lighthearted summer romance movie.
I could have went and watch with my husband in the cinema if I want to. After all, it was released in Malaysia on 20th May 2010. It coincide with our 8th anniversary, but then again, I was too busy celebrating my real life romance to even consider going into the cinema for this movie. You know, you get the picture. The dimmed- lighted dinner in a quiet fancy restaurant… and the non-dinner in the dark. (Geez… it’s my anniversary, I don’t kiss or make out and tell, folks, so buzz off~!)
*SPOILER ALERT AHEAD, LEAVE IF YOU DON’T WANT SPOILERS*
Letters to Juliet is about Sophie Hall. She is a fact checker at The New Yorker magazine who dreams of becoming a writer, but her boss, Bobby, does not share her dreams and ambitions.
Sophie was annoyed, of course. Who wouldn’t? Pre-honeymoon is not supposed to be that way. To add cherry on top, Victor seems to be only interested in himself and what he does, and never listens to what Sophie have to say. Most of their conversation often ended up one-sided.
And while he is out one day, Sophie went sightseeing and comes across the house where Juliet Capulet supposedly lived and watches in awe as numerous people gather to write letters to Juliet about their loves and post them on Juliet’s wall. Sophie writes of this in her journal for a few hours and sits on a bench, waiting for closing time, to see what becomes of the letters.
A young Italian woman came to collect the letters, putting them all into a straw basket, and Sophie follows her to a restaurant where the woman meets with three other women, who reveal themselves to be ‘Juliet’s secretaries’, writing back to each of the letters she had collected earlier on.
The next day, Sophie helps Isabel, one of the secretaries, take the letters. A loose brick falls, revealing a crumpled old envelope. Sophie discovers it is a 1957 letter written by Claire, an English woman who while in Italy studying art, fell in love with Lorenzo Bartolini. When he asked her to elope with him, she did not show up. Feeling terrible with her decision she wrote to ‘Juliet’ about it and Sophie writes back to Claire.
A few days later, a young Englishman arrives. Charlie then reveals that because Sophie responded his grandmother is now here to find her love. When Sophie asks to meet Claire, Charlie says no, but Sophie follows him and is introduced to Claire who is more than happy to meet the ‘Juliet’ who wrote back to her.
Together, the three decide to embark on a journey to find all the Lorenzo Bartolinis near Siena, Italy where Claire says Lorenzo always enjoyed. The three meet many Lorenzo Bartolinis, but none of them seem to be the right one.
While traveling, Sophie and the grandmother and grandson learn about each other’s lives like that Charlie has an ex-girlfriend he hasn’t seen in a year, named Patricia, with Claire learning that Sophie’s mother abandoned her when she was nine and Sophie learning that Charlie’s parents died in a car crash when he was ten. Charlie, at first rude, is now attracted to her.
The three met many men named Lorenzo Bartolini, including one who has died. Seeing his grandmother cry, Charlie blames Sophie. Claire berates her grandson and tells him about Sophie’s mother, then she visits Sophie in her hotel room and comforts her. Charlie apologizes to Sophie who has gone out and laid down on the grass next to Charlie, and they kiss under the stars.
The next day, while driving back, Claire asks that they stop at a vineyard when she notices it is the vineyard that makes their favorite wine. There, she sees a young Italian man who looks exactly like Lorenzo.
Insisting it’s him, Sophie and Charlie went and ask him for his name, which he says is indeed Lorenzo Bartolini. Deciding it must be Lorenzo’s grandson, they ask to speak to the young man’s father, whose name is also Lorenzo. The middle-aged man says his elderly father is also Lorenzo Bartolini, and he was out riding his horse.
Charlie urges his grandmother to see if it’s the right Lorenzo, but Claire decides she doesn’t want to. Just then, the elder Lorenzo and it is revealed that he is indeed Claire’s long-lost love. The two was then reunited.
Lorenzo introduces the three to his family. Later, Sophie leaves to go back to Verona to find Victor. Claire tells Charlie not to wait fifty years before he discovers there is only one girl he loves. Charlie races after her bu he saw her hugging Victor, and so he left.
Back in New York, Sophie presents a story to her boss identical to Claire’s tale, and he tells her he is going to publish it. Excited, she rushes home. The next day at work, she gets an invitation to Claire and Lorenzo’s wedding.
She then breaks up with Victor at the kitchen of his Italian restaurant because she doesn’t love him anymore and goes to the wedding. At the end of the ceremony, she attempts to talk to Charlie, but believes a woman that is with him, Patricia is his girlfriend.
She hurries away to a balcony, but Charlie follows her. Sophie professes her love but tells him to go back to Patricia, whom he explains is his cousin, and not his ex-girlfriend he mentioned earlier on. He admits he is in love with Sophie. He attempts to climb up to kiss her like Romeo Montague but fell flat to the ground. Sophie hurries to him to check if he’s all right and they kiss.
As I’ve said… I’ve been anticipating this movie a month ago, and it was a pleasure to be able to watch the full movie, and I’d rate it 4 out of 5. If you like Harlequin Romance or Silhouette or even Mills and Boon, you’ll absolutely adore this. It’s almost 100% Harlequin-ish and Silhouette-ish, minus the hot and steamy sex scene, that is. The movie is rated PG-13.
And considering I’ve always have the hots for European men with accentuated British accent, this movie is something to die for, so I give this flick, a few thumbs up.
Cleffairy: I didn’t know love had an expiry date. I didn’t think they ever expired…
I was in Wonderland. The same place where Alice of Alice in Wonderland went to. Or well… it’s not really Wonderland, but I was in Midvalley Megamall on business two days back, and they’re doing this wonderful promotion for Alice in Wonderland movie by Tim Burton by setting up the life size wonderland on the ground floor of Midvalley. The movie is screened in Malaysia on 11th March 2010, and as usual, there’s a mad rush in the cinema.
The was camwhoring to the max as well, and I wasn’t really keen on snapping photos, as there’s too much people over there. I daresay most of them are bloggers, camwhoring like nobody’s business and I daresay, there will be mushrooms of blogpost where bloggers would post up their pictures in the lifesize Wonderland in Midvalley Megamall. There’s huge mushroom and talking roses, as well as the tea party table and stuff.
I apologize if you’re expecting camwhoring picture of me with giant roses or even giant mushrooms, cuz there would be none over here. They are for my eyes only. 😛
What I want to share with you in this entry is Alice’s original story, Alice in Wonderland 2010, and the items that appeared in the movie itself.
Let’s start with Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll first, shall we? Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland, or usually better known as Alice in Wonderland was not quite my favourite as a child. It’s a good bedtime story, as it tend to bore me. My daddy’s stories are much more interesting to me than Alice’s adventure. In a way, Alice in Wonderland is a literary gibberish. And rightly so, as Alice’s in Wonderland’s genre is actually literary gibberish/literary nonsense, as many scholars would classify it.
The tale itself was written for a girl named Alice Liddell. It was told by Lewis Caroll to Alice Liddell and her sisters merely to pass time, but Alice Liddell likes the story, and asked Lewis Caroll to write it down for her, and thanks to this girl, Alice in Wonderland was published for the whole world to enjoy.
Alice in Wonderland, literally is a literary nonsense, where there’s no actual plot. The story is about a girl, wandering from one character another, and one place to another, and the author had told the story as he goes. That explained why Alice’s in Wonderland story is rather queer. People would either love it or hate it. But most would love it, as it played with logic. I kinda hate the story, though I would really love to go to Wonderland like Alice.
My daddy used to read Alic’s story to me, and I would either fall asleep almost instantly, or I’d begged him to tell me his own stories. Anyway Alice says something in the original story in the first chapter that most bloggers would agree. Below is what she said:
“What is a book without pictures and conversation?”
In modern era, that would definitely be this:
“What is a blog without pictures and camwhoring?”
LOL… fine, that’s not really a tasteful joke. I know loads of bloggers out there works with picture more than they work with words. 😛 Oh, well, many people have something in common with Alice- the love and fondness for pictures. And since most of you have something in common with Alice, maybe you should watch Alice in Wonderland (2010) by Tim Burton.
The movie is more to my kind, fantasy-like filled with dark action. I’ve watch it online, and I can assure you it would be entertaining. In my opinion, better than the original story, as there’s plot, and one could relate with the story-cause and action. The book may send me to sleep, but surprisingly, the movie didn’t. Perhaps it’s because it’s filled with action.
In the movie, an adult Alice attends a party at a Victorian estate shortly after the death of her father. She then discovered that the party is actually an engagement party to wed her into the Ascot family, who now own her father’s trading firm. Unsure of an answer to the proposal, Alice runs away and follows the White Rabbit, but falls down a rabbit hole into a weird world she previously visited as a child, although she has no memory of it. From there Alice’s adventure begins, and she then tries to free the weird world from the clutches of an evil queen who stole the throne from her sister.
Don’t let me spoil you… watch the movie for yourself. Below is the trailer for Alice in Wonderland 2010.
When I was in Midvalley Megamall earlier on, I managed to snap some picture of the life-size Wonderland. They did quite a good job recreating Wonderland, and being claustrophobic around people, I only went back there at about 11pm to snap some photos. I just can’t stand the crowd and camwhoring. 🙁 So pardon me for the poor pictures, as they had already turned off the lights when I went there to snap pictures.
Giant mushrooms and giant, talking roses as featured in Alice in Wonderland. They are huge, mind you. Much more bigger than me.
Huge, giant mushrooms that populates almost the entire Wonderland/Underland.
The ghostly giant tree, sure to give nightmares to naughty little children.
The mushroom trails…
And then there’s items from the movie exibited over there…
It’s the Mad Hatter’s Hat
The description for Mad Hatter’s Hat that’s worn by Mad Hatter.
The Mad Hatter’s Sword.
The description above made me think that sometimes, people failed their spellings because of looking at too much pictures. Tsk tsk tsk! Malaysians!
The teapot that’s used in the tea party in Alice in Wonderland. Tea is my kinda thing. I would have tea anytime. Unfortunately for me, I wasn’t invited for the tea party.
So yeah, Alice hid inside the teapot when she was as small as Thumbelina.
And then there’s the heart shaped padlock and chains.
And no, the chained wasn’t used to tie me up at the bedpost. Keep your bondage fantasy to yourself, please.
The Eat Me Box…
So yeah, it’s supposed to be cakes inside the glass box, ladies and gentlemen, not praline or chocolates.
One item that really caught my attention is this beautiful shield that’s supposed to be Alice’s.
The shield’s description.
I brought these back home as something to remember Wonderland by. It’s actually vouchers cum character’s profile cards, but not many bothered to look at these freebies, as they were too busy snapping away.
Nice, isn’t it? They are beautifully printed on glossy cards. Too bad not many are interested in the character’s profile cards.
And since I’m in the mood of Alice’s in Wonderland and in need of sleep… I think I’ll just read this book tonight.
*grinz* The original complete and unabridged Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll.
Gosh… it’s been ages since I last read this book. It must be almost a decade… and boy, the pages are so yellowish and the book has an awful old book smell.
Cleffairy: Off with her head! Off with her head and things get curiouser and curiouser. Gosh, we’re all mad here. And do you know that even though Tweedledum and Tweedledee, Humpty Dumpty and the Jabberwock are often thought to be characters in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, they actually only appear in the sequel, Through the Looking-Glass?
Huge, giant mushrooms that populates almost the entire Wonderland/Underland.
The ghostly giant tree, sure to give nightmares to naughty little children.
The Eat Me Box…
