Month: March 2015

Film Review: Chappie

M.T.Wilson @ The Last Book on the LeftLeave a comment

Cinema release date: 6th March 2015

Director: Neill Blomkamp

Starring: Dev Patel, Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver, Sharlto Copley

Runtime: 120 minutes

Genre: Science-Fiction, Action, Thriller

Watched in: 2D

Rating: 4/5 stars

So there are a lot of sci-fi films out there these days, and we seem to have a bit of a thing about artificial intelligence. When going in to see the film I did have my doubts about whether it would bring anything new to the genre. However, it was a great film and different to other films based around similar ideas. At no point during the film was I bored, it really gripped me.

In the near future crime is enforced by a robotic police force. The scientist who invented them (Dev Patel) steals one of the robots and programmes it to be an intelligent and self-aware being. There are also a tonne of gangsters in the mix. Another scientist (Hugh Jackman), who hates the idea of artificial intelligence, sets out to destroy Chappie, who must survive with the help of his new friends.

One of the things I like about the film is that it is set in South Africa. So many films these days are set in America so it was really refreshing to have a different setting. Although, one of the characters has an accent so strong they have subtitles for his speech!

I wasn’t exactly expecting it to be a comedy but among its serious moments there is a fair amount of comedy. Imagine a criminal teaching Chappie to walk like a gangster and you can imagine that there is certainly some funny moments in this film. Though there are also a few odd moments too.

The characters are really strong and change and develop as the film goes on which is really great to see. I felt like I really cared about the characters. Hugh Jackman makes a great villain as well. All of the acting was really good.

Overall I very much enjoyed watching the film, despite having my reservations before I saw it. Even one of my friends I went with who isn’t typically big on sci-fi loved it. So I think it can be enjoyed by not only sci-fi fans but by others as well. It’s not for everyone though and has had mixed reviews. I’d say watch it yourself and see what you think of it.

A Sequel to You?

M.T.Wilson @ The Last Book on the LeftLeave a comment

So a few days ago I posted a book review of You by Caroline Kepnes. For the most part my review was positive so when I discovered her next book would be coming out in September I thought I would eagerly await it. Until I discovered it is a sequel to You. Really? The book is called Love and tells the further story of Joe as he continues trying to find love and creepily stalks girls.

Now, as much I loved You, does it really have sequel potential? I thought the book ended quite roundly, and when I read it I didn’t have any inkling that there was any possibility of a sequel. In some ways it could be interesting to see what turn the book takes. But at the same time I can imagine it just being a repeat of You but with some new characters for Joe to interact with. I think Kepnes is stepping on dangerous ground and it will have to be something fresh and different from You to please me.

I will read and review Love when it comes out in September, but I won’t be expecting much, so that if it actually surpasses my expectations it will be a pleasant surprise.

See my review of You here.

Cover Reveal! Golden by Melinda Michaels

M.T.Wilson @ The Last Book on the LeftLeave a comment

Today I am participating in the cover reveal for Golden by Melinda Michaels, to be published by REUTS Publications! Golden is the first book in a Young Adult magic realism series.

High school senior Hanna Loch just suffered a blackout in front of her entire homeroom class. She hasn’t had one in over ten years, and she’s terrified—the last time she blacked out, she woke up with no memory of her life before. To make matters worse, no one can explain why it happens. For Hanna, bad things tend to come in threes.

And that doesn’t even begin to cover it . . .

When she learns she could be a descendant of someone who lived once upon a time, Hanna must put her trust in William Vann, a descendant of one of the most hated villains ever known. Their histories are intertwined in more ways than she expected, and he has answers about her past, answers even her family won’t share.

But is it safe to put her trust in someone who appears to be danger reincarnate, while trying to escape the darkness that tried to kill her ten years ago?

A loose fairytale retelling, GOLDEN is a story that’s just right, weaving together lost secrets, vengeful enemies, and what happens when fiction becomes reality.

Melinda Michaels Author PhotoMelinda Michaels is the author of Golden and currently lives in Milford, Pennsylvania. A self-proclaimed historian with a rare sense of humor, Melinda finds an immense amount of joy in knowing useless facts, exploring historical places and drinking copious amounts of coffee. When she’s not writing she can be found researching obscured time periods for her own amusement or refurbishing old furniture.

Melinda loves Philadelphia and visits often to enjoy the city with her husband Andrew. Together they have three rambunctious pets. Archie the Beagle, Winston the Boston Terrier and Beatrice the cat.

 

So without further ado, here is the stunning cover!

golden-cover-reveal

For more information about Melinda and Golden visit her Facebook, Twitter and website.

The novel has a really interesting premise which will be eagerly awaited!