I, Robot

This is, out of the films I have ever seen, one of my favourites.It is full of action with humorous touches. As it is set in the future, automatically it is full of special effects and flashy gadgets, like for example, life size robots designed only to help humans, in any way possible, and programmed using the three laws of robotics:
1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey any orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
So every robot is '3 laws safe' for the most part...
The plot is driven around Will Smith's hate for robots, so when the person who created these robots apparently commits suicide, it is up to him to find out what really happened.
With unbelievable concepts and extreme effects, if you liked Men In Black, I'm pretty sure you'll like this. So be prepared to be fast-forwarded into the future of technology where everything is 'three laws safe' with a wink.

The A Team

This film is a thoroughly enjoyable, hilarious 2D comedy. I think it works very well in 2D and although it has violence in, it is a comedy about an independent army unit and if it had been in 3D I feel the film would have been more focused on special effects than the humour. Also one of their 'plans' wouldn't have been as funny or as effective if it was in 3D.

It is based on the famous TV series but with a fresh cast and new missions. Whereas the TV series was about the team's missions, the film is set long before that and tells a very different story. it is made even better because it has a fairly low rating (12a) so it has a wide audience.

I think you will enjoy this if you are a fan of the old A-team or a new viewer. And although it is based on a plot with adults, I feel that teenagers will enjoy it a lot too.

Hello! New Look...

Hi! The Critic here, obviously.
Sorry I haven't been on in the last few weeks, but I will be scheduling around seven to come out over the following weeks so keep tuned in! The first one, of "The A-Team" movie will be coming out around 6pm today.
I am also going to have a make-over of the blog, with new colours and maybe a new style...
If you have any questions or comments, please post here so I know what you think. I am working with the Facebook issue that when you share the post, the first few lines of the review don't turn up, but something else.
Please, invite your friends and if you have any suggestions, like what book/film to review next, I am open to options or though I cannot guarantee having seen/read or owning it!!!
Lizzie <3

Ironside - Holly Black

Tithe is a book about faeries, but not the soft sweet sort that sing you to sleep, these are the cruel, human hating kind who are much more mischievous! It is about a girl who is disguised as a girl living in someone's else's family, but under all her glamour, she is one of the faeries as well. She makes a reckless declaration to the fairy king, and is sent on an impossible quest to do something that has never even been heard of - find a fairy that can tell a lie.

And faeries never tell lies. Not just won't, but can't.

So she is thrown into a desperate struggle to find something that doesn't even exist, but she also finds herself forced into a war. A war where her friends risk their lives and that their seems no way to win...

This is a sequel to "Tithe" which I have not read, but I think it works well as a book on it's own, and doesn't rely too much on you knowing the plot from the first book. Can't wait to read Tithe and to find out more about these characters! It is very good and Holly Black paints an excellent picture of each scene in your head. I really felt like I was in the book! 9/10!!!

Wasted by Nicola Morgan

Wasted is a book about a boy, Jack, who is obsessed by luck. He owns a band called Schrödinger Cats and at the start of the book he is looking for a singer for his band. He takes a trip back to his old school to see the head of music and ask her for some help. But, as if by chance, he hears a girl singing in the music room she has hired out. It was only by luck that she left the door slightly ajar and only by luck that he went the long way to the head of music department and only by luck that she was singing at the time. And this was also a lucky chance for Jess, the singer, because the Schrödinger Cats are going to play at the school prom and this is the opportunity she has been looking for because everyone wants her to continue with her other studies and leave her music behind, but if she can find a good enough reason to carry on with her music, she will grasp the opportunity with both hands. Jack may be obsessed by luck, he doesn’t believe in it. He thinks everything has a logical reason for why it worked out that way, but he even uses a coin to make his important decisions.

It has several heads or tails points in it, and I think these were a very good idea to put in. I hope there is a sequel! 9.7/10!

Princess For Hire by Lindsey Leavitt

Desi's life is boring and dull till she reads a magical advert for a substitute princess. When she accepts the job, her life turns dramatically from a normal teenager to a princess sub - but no-one else knows that! This is a very funny book, full of the kind of magic that I really wished existed. I really found myself sympathizing with the main character, Desi and I hope there's a sequel to find out what happens next.

If you're a fan of the Princess Diaries then you'll love this!

9.5/10

Ice by Sarah Beth Hurst

Ice tells the story of a girl, Cassie, who makes a large bargain to save her mother. She often questions herself about whether she should have done this to save a woman she doesn't even know. As time passes, she knows that she must choose one life she wants to live and stay with that decision although she fears she has made the wrong one.

Cassie travels through sea and forest in extreme temperatures and conditions, and to the end of the world - and beyond - in an attempt to save the one person in the world she truly loves. In the end she must make the choice between her love or her family - neither of which you could describe as ...ordinary.

I found this an unfaultable read. The characters' feelings are shown very well and the reader almost feels like a part of the plot, especially when Cassie is frustrated.

An amazing read full of magic and adventure and I really hope there will be a sequel!

10/10

Gadget Show - TV Series - Five

This is a show basically all about gadgets and technology with loads of great prizes in their prize draws. They review the latest gadgets and find the top five in a specific category, which could be anything-from kettles to gadget filled cars! Every show they have competitions within the presenters to find the person who can build the best skateboard, music video or even who can survive best in the wild! Sometimes they test gadgets against the professionals, to see if you can be better than them if you use the right tech. I find it very good and funny when they test things to destruction! 10/10!!!

The Prisoner - TV Series - ITV

This is a very good series, and I wish had seen the previous ones! So far, it seem to be about a man stuck in a village and no-one believes he can get back to America, although no-one has even heard of America. He believes that he is kept prisoner but doesn't yet know why. There have been other people who have believed they are trapped as he is, but all of those are dead now, either getting killed whilst trying to escape or killed otherwise. He has no leads or ideas on how to get away and back home again but he knows that if he doesn't try to get home, he will never return. I would give this 9/10!

Outnumbered - TV series - BBC1

Hilarious! It is about a family - 3 children (2 boys, 1 girl), a Grandmother who is giving her family a lot of money, a dad that tries to act calm and a mum with a lot of spur-of-the-moment ideas. Currently, series three is being shown at 9.30 on Thursday nights. I think this is the best TV comedy out there at the moment but I don't think it would be as funny if they where real because I would definitely feel very sorry for the parents! I seem to find it more funny than my parents-maybe younger people find it funnier! A great watch for anyone over 12 I think! 10/10!!!

City of Secrets - Mary Hoffman

On Matt's 17th birthday, he receives a £20 book token from his Aunt Eva, the same as he does every year. As he is dyslexic, he doesn't have anything to spend it on. But one afternoon on the way home from school, he passes an old shop and feels that he should walk inside. Before he knows it, he has swapped his book token for an old battered book from 400 years ago. As he falls asleep that night with the book in his hands Matt is transported to another world...

City of Secrets is another fantastic story from the Stavaganza sequence. It is full of curses and trickery and is very gripping. It had me on the of my seat all the way through. It is complete with surprises, twist and turns. Well done Mary Hoffman, you've made another GREAT book again! 9.8/10!

City of Flowers - Mary Hoffman

Sky is a normal teenage boy-well, if you class having a rock-star for a Dad and a Mum with M.E. as normal. But then Sky's life gets even more obscure, as he discovers he is a Stravaganzate, a person who, with the help of a tailsman, can travel in time and space. Sky's tailsman will only ever take him to one place though, 16th century Italy, known as Talia. He meets several people there that he is familiar with there, and makes some new friends, not only in Talia, but his normal day to day life as well. He has discovered, that like all the other Stravaganzates, he has a special purpose. and that is why he was "chosen" to go to Talia. This is another gripping read from Mary Hoffman in the Stavaganza series, just as thrilling as the rest! 9.7/10!

City of Stars - Mary Hoffman

The second book in the Stavaganza series is about a teenage girl called Georgia O'Grady who is transported to another world-16th Century Italy (called Talia)-every night; and all she has to do is hold her model of a horse with wing (her tailsman) and think of Talia. Once there, she meets people who are the same as her and able to travel from England to Talia and she discovers that when she is in 16th century Italy, she has no shadow. While she is in Talia, She also Mulholland, a boy that used to go to her school back in England. He, like Georgia, is a Stavanganzate. She mets a young boy from the enemy, befriends him, and then he tells her that he wants to move permanently to England so he can cure his illness. When he begins to translate, things go from bad to worse... This is another great book from Mary Hoffman and definitely worth reading if you enjoyed the first book. I would rate this book 9.5/10

City of Masks - Mary Hoffman

This is the first book in the Stravaganza Sequence. It is about a young boy called Lucien Mullholland who finds out that he has special gift - the ability to travel in time and place to 16th century Italy or Talia as it is called then. His father gave him a book that later becomes his Tailsman-the object that enables him to be transported to a different place when the owner holds it whilst they are unconscious. He normally suffers from cancer, but when he is in Talia, it is like he is fully recovered. Luciano (as he is called in Talia) is living a double life. He discovers that there was a very important reason to go to Talia, and just as things seem to be running smoothly for him, life seems to take a change of direction and a long downhill plunge - for Lucien and Luciano.
This is a gripping story form beginning to end, and I would say it is suitable for girls and boys from 11yrs upwards. I would give this book 9.5/10.

Mariana and the Merchild - Caroline Pitcher and Jackie Morris

This is yet another book where Jackie has done fabulous illustrations (but how couldn't she?) I apologise, but i am running out of ways to describe her amazing work and must concentrate more on the content, word-wise. It is a beautiful story about a lonely person who longs for friendship. Then,one day, she finds something really special hidden inside a crab shell and realises a true love and friendship.
I would rate this book 9.7********* out of 10**********!!

The Barefoot Book of Classic Poems - Jackie Morris

There are most of my favourite poems ever in here and the are accompanied by amazing illustrations. The thing that I like most about Jackie's work is her careful eye to detail. She almost always has something going on in the background and I do love the way that she draws her Polar Bears. I wish I could! The poems are of varied length and from many different genres. She continues to amaze me about how well she can draw. I would rate this book 9.8********* out of 10*********!!!

Until Wishes Are Fulfilled 2-Alec's Story- Michael Alexander.

I find this book just as good as the first one. It has the same basic idea, but it is really different at the same time. It is full of new magical spells and that same sense of fun as last time. In it, you meet some of the old characters and some new ones.I love all of the creative ideas and wish i could do half of the things the children in this book can do! Is there no end to Michael's imagination? It seems not! It is just as good as the first book and I hope there are many more to come in this series. As last time, I have a friend currently reading this so she can give me her review of the book as well. I would give this book 9.5********* out of 10**********!

The Truth Cookie - Fiona Dunbar

I really enjoyed reading "The Truth Cookie" because it was fun and lively. I liked it because you really got to know the characters in the story and understand all their feelings and motives. I liked the way that everyone in Lulu's family treated each other and that you could clearly understand what was happening. I enjoyed reading about all of Lulu's adventures and the places she went. Her many creative ideas of how to deal with her family were just one of the things that kept me reading. I loved reading this and would recommend it to anyone aged between eight and twelve. I think this would also be suitable for anyone who watched the TV series and enjoyed it.

I would rate this book 9.2********* out of 10**********!!

Tell Me A Dragon - Jackie Morris

This book is amazing. I fail to understand how someone can draw as well as this. I love all of the tiny details in the back ground aren't noticeable at first, but that would make the picture seem bare without them. Her ideas are amazing and her pictures are very colourful. I wish i had my own dragon like any one of the many in this fabulous book. You get to meet all the different people's dragons from all over the world. They come in all shapes and sizes and in a myriad of colours. I congratulate Jackie on making such an awesome book! 9.8********* out of 10**********!!!

Candyfloss-Jacqueline Wilson

I, the same as with all of Jacqueline's books, enjoyed this alot. I'm not quite sure what it is about her books, but when I start reading them, I can't seem to stop until I have finished. Maybe it's because all of her books have a different story to them and they don't have anything really unusual in them like monsters. It might be because her books are about everyday lives of everyday people, but they aren't boring like they could be if they had been written differently. I don't know what it is, but with "Candyfloss", she pulls it off again. It is a story about a fairly normal family, but it is fun and gripping. The only problem I find with her writing, is that I feel she should make more series of books instead of individual books so that you can carry on reading about her characters when the first story has finished. I would give this book 9********* out of 10**********.

Starlight Sailor - James Mayhew and Jackie Morris

I got this as a present for Christmas, not because of the story, but because of the amazing pictures that work amazingly with the pictures. They are just like the images I can see in my head and they are drawn with great skill and precision. I feel like the pictures on their own tell a million different stories on their own, and the words create a million pictures. At first, I found it hard to believe that the picture were hand drawn but they are. The words are absolutely amazing and word fabulously with the skilfully drawn pictures. I wish I could write or draw as good as these two people can. I think this sort of book would be aimed at people of any age, and I would rate this 9.7********* out of 10**********!