Hipsy's View: The Woman in Black

     If you enjoy a good thriller, then I have a treat for you. But be warned: if you fear the dark and believe there are evil things in this world, take caution in watching this movie in the dark and after the sun has gone down.

During afternoon tea

There's a shift in the air,

A bone trembling chill

That tells you she's there.

There are those who believe

The whole town is cursed,

But the house in the marsh

Is by far the worst.

What she wants is unknown,

But she always comes back.

The specter of darkness,

The woman in black.

     Now I am not one for scary movies. When I watched The Grudge, I had a hard time going to sleep for a few nights (especially when I knew hiding under the blankets would not protect me). There was one movie I cannot remember the name of it (and prefer never to see it again), that ruined a Grimm Fairy Tale for me and scared me so badly that my mother had to baptize me and said the Lord's Prayer over me for me to calm down. You might think that strange, but I was raised in a family and town full of superstition and old legends. So I am very wary when it comes to scary things. But I have to say, though spooky, The Woman in Black was a good movie, full of suspense, mystery, and hope for the better. 

     The story follows a young lawyer (played by Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe) who has grieved the death of his wife for four years, and in that time raised their toddler son. He travels to the town of Crythin Gifford to tend the papers of a late client, Mrs. Alice Drablow, and prepare her estate to be sold. Though warned not to by the locals, Arthur goes to the estate of Eel Marsh House. There, he learns the truth of how the woman in black came to be and why she haunts the town. Can he find a way to bring her peace and save his son from a fate only she can cause?

*Image sourced from imdb.com

     I was on the edge of my seat the whole time I was watching this movie. Though spooky and good, I did my best to not be out in the dark after watching the movie. It kind of reminded me of one of the versions of a Hispanic story called La Llorona (The Crybaby). I know of at least four versions of the story, but the one this movie reminded me of was the one where a woman had gone mad and killed her children by drowning them in the river near her home. Once she realized what she had done, she became worse and dug her nails into her face before she committed suicide. Legend says if she comes upon you at night, she will dig at your face and scream like a mad woman. But you know when she is coming; you can hear her wailing everywhere near you.

     Though not exactly like this, the woman in black did go mad when her child was taken from her. And also like La Llorona, though she scares me, I feel pity for the woman in black. The saddest thing I can think of is losing your child. In a way, you can somewhat understand why she wanted revenge for her child's death (spoiler alert, sorry).

     So if you have not seen this movie yet and enjoy spooky thrillers (or this story seems intriguing to you as it did to me), I'd advise you to watch it. I give this movie four stars (I liked it, but it still scared me; that's why I give four stars instead of five).

Hipsy's View: Jane Eyre (2011 Version)

Well, I know that many of you that have stuck through reading my blogs (yes, I know it's been awhile since my last blog and I'm sorry I haven't posted anything lately) may have already seen the movie I am about to review. But if not, then welcome to the first Hipsy's View Blog of 2012!!!

Today, I am reviewing a movie based on one of my favorite books from the Romantic/Goth Era, Jane Eyre. In fact, I may have never read this book if not for my high school Honors Senior English class, so a shout out to my English teacher, Mrs. Burgoyne, for having me read the novel. 
Anyway, I must say this motion picture version of this classic story has to be one of my favorites between the two I have seen (this version I am reviewing and the 1996 version, starring William Hurt and Charlotte Gainsbourg). The plot of the story follows a young governess in her personal journey in finding her place in life, and on the way she discovers pain, fear, anger, hope, and love. This movie's plot stays very close to the novel and I think the cast was chosen very well. Mia Wasikowska does a well job as "poor, obscure, plain and little" Jane, Judi Dench was perfectly chosen to be Mrs. Fairfax (in my opinion),  and Michael Fassbender's portrayal of Mr. Edward Fairfax Rochester is exactly how I imagined him to be as I read the book. Even the setting of Thornfield is wonderful and well-placed. The only things that I judged against were the portrayal of Blanche Ingram and the ending. I had always imagined young Ingram as a proud woman, with blonde hair, and a little older than Jane (but not by much). And the ending, I think, could have had more, even though it was a wonderful ending.
If you have not seen this movie yet, I advise you to watch it, especially if you are a Romantic (like myself when it comes to books and movies). Even those that have read the book before watching any of the Jane Eyre movies would enjoy this version, I guarantee it. And if you have not read this story before, I highly advise you to read it; classic stories like this one are always fun and interesting challenges to ensue. Until next time, this is Hispy telling everyone to enjoy your books, music, and videos.

Hipsy's View: Life of Death

Note: This review is also posted on Goodreads.com. It's basically the same review there, but I thought I post it here if any of you didn't have a Goodreads account. If you get a chance to read this book, I hope you enjoy it. You can find it on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites.

I recently finished a book called Life of Death, and I loved it. I didn't know what to expect at first when I started reading this book. Then I thought I knew what the story was about; I thought it was the story about the life of an immortal. I was right...and wrong. This story is told in two views: the first is the view of a young woman and the other is that of a "fly on the wall". This is mainly a mystery. Usually, I'm not into mysteries, but since I have started writing my own type of mystery, I have started reading others' mysteries. And like many mysteries, this one is full of life, love, pain, anger, sadness, and death. This story could also be considered a thriller, if you read it like that. If what I just said has confused you, I meant to. This story is meant to be in YOUR perspective. What is the time setting of this story? The town setting? The race of the characters? What is the origin itself? The author left that decision to our own imagination, which makes a story always interesting and makes you unable to put it down. I give Life of Death a five star rating.

Hipsy's View: Water for Elephants

The circus has just came into town, literally. Everyone in the nursing home is excited and cannot wait to go there with their families. Jacob Jankowski is extremely excited to go and see how much the show's changed since he was in two when he was a young man. As he waits for his family to come for him to take him to the show, he flashes back to the unplanned event that set him on the track of entering the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show On Earth.

I finished this great book three months ago. Most of you have heard of it, especially since it is a major motion picture now. It's Water for Elephants by the author Sara Gruen. I couldn't put it down. After reading it, I watched the movie. Both are quite entertaining. In my opinion of the movie, it was a bit cleaner than the book (I think this may be mainly because there would be -and will be- younger audiences watching this movie "about a circus!"), some things that weren't added should have been, and I think Robert Pattinson was perfect for the part of Jacob. And who couldn't love Rose, both in the movie and the book! I would have to say this is truly the first adult audience book I've read. What I mean is that people younger than me, of course, may have read it, but this novel is an adult book (21+). But I can't complain since enjoyed it so much. So, all my adult (and sometimes almost mature) viewers, if you want a book to read before watching the movie, I recommend Water for Elephants to you. Until again, keep reading, listening to music, watching movies, and checking my blog. You just find your next form of entertainment from me.

Hipsy's View: Benjamin Button

*WARNING: SPOILER ALERT!!!!!! If you have not read this story, I advice you not to read this blog, due to that it contains some spoilers. If you do not mind being told parts of the stories, then please read this review and comment.*

Today, I read a story where I first laughed, and by the end of it I cried. Some may think that strange to do, but this is the second book I have read from F. Scott Fitzgerald, and had the similar feeling towards the end of a story. For the first time, I have read The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and I pity the character Benjamin. In the beginning, the story seems like a comedy; it's funny to see how a child is born a fully grown, elderly man, and can speak as though he has been talking for sixty years. I could even imagine his bridle, old legs sticking out of a baby carriage. But as the story progresses, I feel sorry for poor Benjamin because instead of enjoying the things we should as we age, such as becoming a parent and being successful in business --and in Benjamin's case, war-- those things start to slip away. They don't slip away because of old age and the loss of memory, but because things like that do not matter to little boys. And instead of dying knowing he has loved ones among him, it became "all dark" and everything "faded out altogether from his mind." Now usually I cry when a character dies in a movie or a good story, but I felt sad for Benjamin. Life was unusual for him, like it is for everyone, but to go through it backwards I think would be horrible. It would be unfair to go through life in an unusual order and not know what you could have, and did accomplished when you were on this earth in the end.

I liked this story, but I feel sad to think of a character who had to live a life backwards and not join us in the things we all must -- or have already have -- experience in the beginning, in the middle, and near the end of our own stories.

Hipsy's View: Matched

Well, today's the day I give you my very first review on a book I have read during my leisure time. I couldn't put it down, and though I had to begin classes today, I finished reading it within four days (which is like a record for me). So all of those of you that enjoyed Stephenie Meyer's The Host, I would certainly recommend that you read Ally Condie's Matched. Condie plans to write two more sequels to this novel, completing a trilogy by the end on 2012 (the second is rumored to be released November 2011, and the third on November 2012). As an avid reader myself, I must tell you, this book was GREAT!!!!!!!! 

Growing up, I was always told two things about books:  One, never judge a book by it's cover, and two, never read the ending of book because you'll ruin the story and not be interested in it. Well, this may come as no surprise, but I usually break those two rules. It's habit for someone to judge a book by it's cover, plus I find it helpful to do so (last time I judged a book by it's cover and tried to read it, I couldn't finish the book because the judgment I made was right; it was dull and not interesting, just like it's cover). Also, I find that reading the ending of a story to be helpful, because after reading a small piece of the ending, I want to know more of how the story or novel came to that ending, and who are some of the characters that are referred to. Well, as usual, I judged Matched by it's cover. 

I found it interesting, seeing a girl in a green dress trapped in a bubble. It made me wonder what it could be about. I heard a little about it, and I thought it could be a good read whenever I could get a chance to go to the library. Then, luckily for me, I went to a bookstore near the laundromat I was at on Thursday. I was searching for a different series I have been badly wanting to read again. After picking up a classic book I once read when I was younger (A Wrinkle In Time), the bookstore owner pointed out Ally Condie's novel to me; it was the last copy on the bookshelf. I was intrigued to pick it up and read it right away. I thought to myself, I may after all be able to read this novel before school began again (and I did). As I got back to the laundromat, I started to read the book (surprisingly, I didn't read the ending this time, which is a good thing for this story). But I had to reluctantly, put it down. The next day though, I was able to enjoy the story, which I think many of you will as well.

The story is about 17-year-old Cassia Reyes, who lives in the Oria Province, in the near future. The province and many others are under control by the Society. The Society has helped perfect the world as we know it and everything is done for the greater good. The Society also tells people who they must love, where they must live and work, and when they must die. When the time came for Cassia to be matched with her future "husband", she was matched with her best friend Xander. Both were given a microcard, explaining to them about their match. Since Cassia and Xander grew up together, they knew much about each other all ready. But the day after they are matched, Cassia looks at the microcard, meaning to see Xander's face and maybe learn something she may not know about him yet. But instead of seeing Xander, she sees another boy from her childhood past; his name is Ky. Was she matched correctly, or did the Society match her with wrong person?

This is another perfect story for all those who are not much into science fiction. Plus, as the reader, I was able to connect with Cassia and her story. She starts off doing everything that the Society says is right, and then she starts to think for herself and wonders if everything the Society says or does is best for anyone. Why can't we choose for ourselves? Why can't we love those we want to love? Why can't we die on our own terms? Everything Cassia felt, I felt. Like many readers, I was no longer myself; I was Cassia Reyes. But if you truly want to know more about the story, you're going to have to go to the library or buy the novel, and read the story. If I was a certified and paid critic, I would give Condie's Matched five stars and perhaps a "Book of the Year" award. So go check it out. If you want to know more about the novel, go to it's website at http://www.matched-book.com/

*Note: the picture above is the cover of the novel, but I added the words on the bottom of the picture. I have no copyrights to the picture or verse below the picture; those belong to the owners.

Hipsy's View: Merry Christmas 2010

Hey everyone, just dropping a line to wish you all a Merry, MERRY Christmas and a Happy New Year. Coming to the end of another year, and just beginning a new year in my life (I just recently turned 21), I realized how many things I have seen in such little time. I know I've started this blog to be a somewhat freelance, unemployed critic, but I'd like now to share with you some of the things I have seen.

I'm young, and I still have more to learn about, but I have seen so much all ready; you, my readers, may even shared these experiences (even more than me).

A year after I was born, the Berlin Wall came down. When I was seven, the world was shocked by JonBonet Ramsey's death. After I was ten, I saw that world didn't change into a "Jetsons" episode with flying cars and maid robots in 2000. But three months before my 12th birthday, it did feel for moment as though the world was coming to an end as I watched along with my classmates the Twin Towers fall during 9/11. As I got into high school, I changed from the tomboy to the quiet loner-with-friends. And now, I am 21-year-old Hispanic/Caucasian girl who almost has an AA, and who has yet still to see the real world. 

This past year has been difficult for my family and I, but as we come to the end of another year, I have a feeling this next year holds something better for us. I pray your future in the next year will be just as grand. Again, Merry Christmas, everyone. May your holidays be as wonderful as mine have been so far.

Sky Alicia