Posts from @esther-emmanuel

[Movie] Family And Second Chances! I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009)

esther-emmanuel — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 14:09:36 GMT

I'm not usually a fan of Tyler Perry movies but when I watched I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009), I realised that a low rating does not always mean a movie is bad. Some movies can be far more entertaining than critics give them credit for. Not every movie will appeal to everyone and sometimes a story that gets mixed reviews can still offer something worthwhile to the right audience.

Seeing Taraji P. Henson on the cast was what drew my attention. She has appeared as lead in some of Perry's movies and she is talented as an actress. In this movie that mixes comedy, drama, family troubles and the possibility of change, she shows through impressive acting what happens when the person who needs saving the most is the one who refuses to admit it.

Written, directed and produced by Tyler Perry, I Can Do Bad All By Myself is an American romantic comedy drama starring Taraji P. Henson, Adam Rodriguez, Brian White, Mary J. Blige and other supporting actors.

The movie is about April (Taraji P. Henson), a nightclub singer who has built a life around herself and has little interest in taking responsibility for anyone else. She enjoys her independence, drinks too much and spends much of her time with her married boyfriend, Randy (Brian White). Then things take an unexpected turn when she discovers three children breaking into her home to steal food. The children are her late sister's kids and their situation leaves April with an unwanted responsibility.

The children's arrival forces April to confront a part of her life she has been avoiding. She is not interested in becoming anyone's guardian and the children are dealing with their own pain and uncertainty. Then Sandino (Adam Rodriguez), a Mexican immigrant enters her life as a handyman and gradually becomes an important presence in the household. Unlike April, he is patient, caring and willing to offer help without expecting much in return.

His relationship with April develops as she begins to question some of her choices and consider the possibility that she deserves more than the life she has settled for. With the children needing guidance, she struggling with her personal life and Sandino offering a shoulder to lean on, will she let people in and allow herself to change?

My Review And Rating

Though this movie is rated quite low which has become a common thing with Tyler Perry's movies, I still enjoyed watching it. The plot is a familiar one that touches on the theme of second chances and finding oneself. The storytelling is averagely okay but the acting is what makes the film interesting.

Taraji P. Henson delivers convincing acting as April and I like that this character is not presented as a perfect person who suddenly becomes good because children enter her life. She can be selfish and stubborn to the point that you want to ask her what she is doing with herself especially when she puts her relationship with Randy ahead of her wellbeing. April is a character I believe most viewers can relate with. I found Henson's performance engaging as she can be sharp and funny one moment and then let the hurt beneath April's behaviour show in the next.

The other actors were spectacular in their roles, especially Adam Rodriguez and Mary J Blige. I liked the chemistry between Henson and Rodriguez, it was convincing. Also, the addition of the Madea scenes grounds the movie as Perry's work and further enhances the comedy part.

One part of this movie that didn't sit well with me is how the emotional issues are handled. April's repeated return to Randy (Brian White) even when his unwillingness to leave his marriage becomes painfully obvious, can be frustrating to watch. I wish the movie had explored more deeply why she remains attached to him instead of relying heavily on their arguments and emotional confrontations. The children's experiences also deserved more attention. Their loss and emotional difficulties are serious matters yet the film moves past them too quickly like it's on a time crunch.

Still, I like that the movie focuses on how people can become trapped in unhealthy relationships, hide behind their independence and struggle to accept the help they need.

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[Movie] Can Love Change Our Destiny? The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

esther-emmanuel — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:17:54 GMT

My interest in romance movies is below average because I often find the plots of many of them clichéd and predictable. So when a friend recommended The Adjustment Bureau (2011), I was a little reluctant to watch it. But once I discovered that Matt Damon and Emily Blunt were the lead actors in this movie, I needed no further convincing. The film turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

Written, directed and co-produced by George Nolfi, The Adjustment Bureau is an American sci-fi romantic thriller that stars an ensemble cast including Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Anthony Mackie, Michael Kelly, and other supporting actors. This fascinating movie that makes viewers reflect on the concept of destiny and how it really works, for example, what if the person you are meant to love is also the person you are not supposed to be with? What if every decision you make, every unexpected encounter and opportunity that comes your way has already been planned by someone you cannot see? Would you accept your fate or fight against a system that seems to know your future better than you do?

This romantic sci-fi follows David Norris (Matt Damon), an ambitious politician whose promising career takes a hit when he loses a US senate election. While preparing to deliver his concession speech, he meets Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt) who leaves a strong impression on him. Their connection feels natural and there is an immediate attraction between them.

Just when he thinks he has found someone worth pursuing, he discovers that their encounter was never supposed to happen. Strange men in suits who can control people's movements and alter their circumstances are working behind the scenes to keep David on the path intended for him. He soon learns that these men belong to “the Adjustment Bureau”, an organisation that ensures people's lives follow a predetermined plan.

Harry Mitchell (Anthony Mackie), one of the agents responsible for keeping David on track, gives him a glimpse of how the system works. But David cannot simply forget Elise and move on with his life.

Years later, fate brings them together again and his feelings for her remain just as strong. The problem is that Elise has dreams of her own and their relationship threatens the future that has supposedly been mapped out for them. As David begins to understand the extent of the Bureau's power and control, he faces a difficult choice between accepting the life planned for him and risking everything to be with the woman he loves.

My Review And Rating

Apart from my love for the lead actors, the way this movie combines romance with an intriguing sci-fi concept without complicating the story is what makes it worth watching in my opinion. The plot is solid and the storytelling is well done. The idea that unseen forces could be quietly directing our lives is fascinating especially when you consider how often we blame missed opportunities on bad timing or coincidence.

Matt Damon does a good job portraying David's frustration and determination to take control of his life while Emily Blunt brings warmth, charm and a refreshing independence to Elise. Their chemistry is convincing enough that I could understand why David was willing to risk so much for her. Anthony Mackie also makes Harry an interesting character because he is not simply presented as a cold, unfeeling agent carrying out orders.

One part of the movie I wasn't satisfied with is the unclear workings of the Bureau. How they operate and why their rules are rigid is not clearly explained in the film. Also, the chase sequences became a little tiring after the first two times particularly when David keeps trying to outsmart agents who supposedly have control over almost every circumstances. I guess even such an organisation have their loopholes.

Still, I liked that the romance and the science fiction elements were smoothly blended to create a fascinating movie that had me rooting for Harry and Elise to be a couple.

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[Movie] Justice Or Revenge? Citizen Vigilante (2026)

esther-emmanuel — Sat, 10 Oct 2026 11:43:21 GMT

In my search for an action thriller to watch last weekend, I found Citizen Vigilante (2026) and the eighty-nine minutes long crime thriller had me on the edge of my seat from the beginning to the end. Thereafter, many questions crossed my mind such as what happens when people lose faith in the justice system? Do they keep waiting for the authorities to do their jobs or does someone decide to take matters into their own hands?

In a world where people watch criminals escape punishment and wonder whether justice is really being served, it creates a perfect opportunity for vigilantes to rise. This is also a common theme in hero films by Marvel Studios and other producers.

Written, produced and directed by Uwe Boll, Citizen Vigilante is an action thriller starring Arnie Hammer, Costas Mandylor and other actors who take the frustration of societal injustice and turn it into a violent, realistic movie. While I can understand the anger that inspires this movie, I think there's a big difference between wanting justice and believing you have the right to decide who deserves to live or die.

This movie follows Michael Sanders (Armie Hammer), a former American military officer who moved to a European city to manage the property business he inherits from his estranged father. On the surface, he looks like an ordinary wealthy businessman but he has another identity that makes him far more dangerous. Calling himself “the Citizen Vigilante”, Sanders secretly hunts down criminals he believes have escaped justice. His targets include violent offenders and people in positions of authority who he blames for allowing crime to continue.

As reports of violent attacks fuel public fear, his actions begin attracting attention of both the police and the public. People start treating him as a hero rather than a criminal. He soon becomes a sensation on social media where his violent crusade wins him supporters who believe the authorities have failed them. Sanders' growing popularity creates problems for the police who are under pressure to identify and arrest him. Interpol Chief Henry (Costas Mandylor) is determined to stop the vigilante before his actions cause even more trouble.

As the investigation progresses, Sanders finds himself caught between the people who admire him and the authorities determined to bring him down. What starts as one man's private campaign for justice grows into a wider conflict about crime, immigration, public safety and the limits of the law. But can the Interpol stop him? Or better, can they deploy more efforts to reduce the crime rate in the society and ensure the criminals get their due?

My Review And Rating

First, this plot is a solid one that addresses a societal issue that has existed since the beginning of time. Oftentimes, criminals walk free due to an imperfect justice system and sometimes, a person or group would rise to address this situation in their own way. I'm sure many viewers can relate but this movie heavily pushes this political message. It doesn't allow the story to develop naturally and let viewers make up their own minds. It repeatedly tells us what we should think and I know many may not agree with this movie hence the low rating.

The opening scene where a young mother is murdered before her son by a riffraff immediately creates the kind of fear the movie wants to explore. Sanders’ targets and the authorities who oppose him also reinforce this fear and violence. Do I agree with the portrayal of this fear and violence? In a way because how else would Uwe Boll drive home his point?

Many people are frustrated by crime, corruption, delayed trials and the feeling that powerful people can escape punishment while ordinary citizens are left to suffer. It's easy to understand why someone who has been failed by the system might sympathise with a person who promises to make things right. On the other hand, there are those who sympathise with criminals, actively participate in those crimes and would be against the idea of vigilantes.

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[Movie] Oddly Funny And Messy! Mortdecai (2015)

esther-emmanuel — Sun, 04 Oct 2026 22:06:27 GMT

I have always loved Johnny Depp in movies but seeing him in Mortdecai (2015) gave me a weird vibe. In fact, I see this movie as a strange one, the kind of film where everyone seems dressed for a sophisticated comedy, the location is an international adventure and the plot involves stolen art and hidden treasure yet much of the humour revolves around a moustache that makes the owner's wife gag.

Written by Eric Aronson and directed by David Koepp, Mortdecai is an American action comedy starring Johnny Depp as Charlie Mortdecai, an eccentric British aristocrat and shady art dealer alongside his wife, Johanna played by Gwyneth Paltrow and Paul Bettany who plays Jock Strapp, his loyal manservant, bodyguard and partner in his adventures. Ewan McGregor also appears as Martland, an M15 officer with history and unresolved feelings for Johanna.

The story follows Charlie who is recruited to help find a stolen Goya painting. This is not an ordinary missing artwork and it is rumoured to contain information leading to a fortune in Nazi gold. This immediately puts Charlie in competition with criminals, wealthy collectors and other dangerous people who want the painting for themselves.

Charlie moves from London to other parts of the world trying to stay alive, protect his lifestyle and avoid losing what little dignity he has left. He speaks in an affected aristocratic accent, wears elaborate suits and treats his moustaches like it's a part of the cast. His manservant, Jock, is constantly dragged into situations where loyalty to his employer always results in physical pain for him. Will Mortdecai succeed on his mission to retrieve the painting?

My Review And Rating

The plot of this movie held my attention for most of the running time more than the comedy. It's marketed as an action comedy and there are some good action scenes but I really wanted more comedy simply because of Johnny Depp. Still, there were moments that I enjoyed the sheer silliness of this film.

Among the ensemble cast, Paul Bettany was probably my favourite part of the film and he played the character of Jock perfectly. His loyalty is beyond reason and the movie rewards that loyalty by having him injured, humiliated or placed in danger. Also, his relationship with Charlie works because he plays Jock's suffering with enough commitment that the ridiculous situations become more amusing.

I also enjoyed watching Gwyneth Paltrow and Ewan McGregor lean into the movie's upperclass comedy. Johanna’s disgust with Charlie's moustache becomes one of the running jokes and her scenes with Martland have more energy than some of the action scenes. McGregor seems comfortable playing the frustrated rival who is trying to do his job while also dealing with Charlie's presence in his life.

Another commendable part of the movie is the cast, the costumes and the travelling around all suggest a stylish comedy adventure. There is something appealing about the idea of a broke aristocrat chasing a stolen painting while criminals are after him. Yet the film struggles to turn these elements into a much more funny and exciting experience. The plot becomes complicated without becoming more interesting.

One main flaw is how heavily the movie relies on Johnny Depp’s performance style. Charlie Mortdecai is built around the accent, the mannerisms and the moustache. I admit the character’s ridiculous vanity has some comic potential but after a while, it becomes a drag. The scenes where Johanna reacts physically to the moustache are amusing at first but the repetition made me wish the movie would move on from the facial hair issue.

All in all, Mortdecai is not completely unbearable. The film looks polished, the cast is talented and the witty lines or situations land well enough to remind you it's an action comedy.

Rating this movie, I’d give it 6.5 out of 10 stars.
This movie is a polished, old-fashioned action comedy with an eccentric hero, stolen art and a talented cast.

https://youtu.be/Fi7SXfdfGtw?si=DdQMJCsahd1WUkx_

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[Book] Review: The Rose Bargain By Sasha Peyton Smith

esther-emmanuel — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 22:17:00 GMT

My love for historical dramas led me to this fine novel that blends the genre with fantasy about a girl who walks into a ballroom carrying the usual weapons of a debutante: a beautiful dress, good manners and the hope of making a respectable marriage. Her expectations are high if only to defy her family. But in The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith, even beauty has a price and sometimes that price is a piece of your own body. This idea made me curious about the author's world as this is my first time reading any of her works.

The Rose Bargain looks like a fine Victorian romantasy but underneath the colourful gowns, balls, handsome princes and faeries is a rather uncomfortable story about what women are expected to sacrifice to survive which is what held my attention all through the 389 pages.

Set in London 1848, the author takes her readers to an alternate England ruled by Queen Moryen, an immortal faerie who gained control of the country centuries earlier with the aim of ruling forever. Each year, young women entering society have a chance to make a “Rose Bargain” with her. They can trade something precious for a quality they want such as beauty, talent, charm or some other advantage that might help them secure a good husband. The catch is that the payment is often painful. A girl might give up part of her body, a sense or a memory for something she has always wanted.

The author builds this magic system to feel almost normal to the characters and the girls grow up knowing that becoming desirable might mean giving away a part of themselves. But not the main character, Ivy Benton, who has more pressing concerns than becoming the prettiest girl in the ballroom. Her older sister, Lydia, disappeared after making a bargain with the queen and returned with memory loss.

The scandal of Lydia's disappearance has damaged the Benton family's reputation while their financial situation is also falling apart. Ivy wants answers but she also knows marrying well might be the only way to save her family. Then Queen Moryen announces that her son, Prince Bram, is looking for a bride, turning the marriage season into a competition. Ivy enters alongside other young women knowing she might lose any chance of marriage. Will she succeed in her agenda to save her sister?

Genres: Historical Fantasy, Adventure, Romantasy, Magic
Publication: February 2025
Pages: 398

My Review And Rating

The plot is interesting and reminds me of The Selection by Kiera Cass though the fantasy and historical elements sets them apart. Still, The Rose Bargain is well written and enjoyable. I liked the way the book plays with the idea of choice especially in a time when girls were not allowed any. The girls choose whether to bargain or not and they choose what they want. But the uncomfortable part is how much of a choice is it when society has already decided that a woman's future depends on her beauty, marriage and family reputation?

I find the main female character, Ivy, particularly interesting and likeable. She enters the competition not because she dreams of marrying a prince. She has a family to save and a sister she wants to understand. That made her easier for me to connect with. I also liked the friendship between the competing girls. They begin as rivals, yet some gradually become allies and friends. Their different perspectives also give the story more room to explore the pressures placed on women from different backgrounds.

The romance was enjoyable for me although I didn't buy the love triangle because it's a familiar romantasy pattern. There is the seemingly perfect prince and the complicated, dangerous one so figuring out who deserves Ivy's trust becomes part of the fun. I liked the tension more when it connected to the larger mystery than when it leaned too heavily into romantic uncertainty.

The worldbuilding is another strong part of this book. I liked the combination of Victorian era and faerie magic. The ballroom scenes, gowns and social expectations give the story that Bridgerton setting while the bargains and fae politics being in a darker fantasy atmosphere. The author blends these elements perfectly to deliver a fascinating story.

Though this book occasionally leaned into familiar young adult romantasy territory, I found the idea of treating bodily sacrifice as part of beauty culture unsettling. It's almost a magical version of the ways women are encouraged to hurt, restrict or change themselves to fit an ideal.

Rating this book, I’d give it 7.5 out of 10 stars. The Rose Bargain is a well-written and interesting historical fantasy. It kept giving me enough mystery to turn the pages. The deeper I got into the story, the more I became fascinated by the world Sasha Peyton Smith had created.

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[Movie] The Fantasy Adventure Continues! Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters (2013)

esther-emmanuel — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 13:56:42 GMT

After the blast I had with the first film in the Percy Jackson franchise, I didn't waste time jumping into the sequel. Based on a novel of the same name by Rick Riordan and directed by Thor Freudenthal, Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters (2013) is a fantasy adventure movie and also the second installment in the franchise.

The lead cast from the first film returns with an additional new cast and viewers are taken back to Camp Half-Blood where the epic adventure continues with the Greek gods manipulating the lives of the youngsters to get their way. This time around, the danger doesn’t come from outside but within. Camp Half-blood is in danger because the magical border protecting it has been poisoned. The lives of every resident is at stake and unless something is done, monsters will soon be able to get inside.

The demigods immediately put their heads together and discover that the answer to Camp Half-Blood’s situation lies in the legendary Golden Fleece, hidden somewhere across the Sea of Monsters, a dangerous location where few dare to venture. As expected, Percy Jackson (Logan Lerman) and his friends, Grover (Brandon T. Jackson) and Annabeth (Alexandra Daddario) find themselves at the centre of this growing crisis. Along with other demigods, they must embark on a dangerous quest to stop the poison and restore the magical border.

Can these young demigods face the monsters and get the Golden Fleece to save their home?

My Review And Rating

The first film set an exciting and epic pace for this franchise and as such, I watched this second movie with the same expectations. The plot gets even better as it reveals things about the demigods including the shocking discovery that the camp’s magical protection is tied to a demigod. And the only way to save that demigod is to put their trust in someone they never expected to rely on.

For me, the idea behind this movie is more adventurous and exciting because it takes Percy and his friends outside the safety of Camp Half-Blood and gives them a proper quest. Percy is joined by Annabeth and his new half-brother, Tyson, a Cyclops who Percy has a hard time accepting. Of course, the adventure would not be fun without Grover. He gets dragged into the quest and this time around, he falls into serious trouble.

I like that this movie delves deeper into mythology where the demigods’ journey takes them across the Sea of Monsters. They run into all sorts of mythical creatures and dangers. These scenes really captured how these characters deal with Greek mythology in a modern world and it was fun to watch. Imagine a taxi ride becoming dangerous and an ordinary destination turning into a trap.

The part I found more interesting was Percy's relationship with Tyson. Percy has spent most of his life feeling like an outsider, so seeing him struggle with having a stepbrother who is different from him shows another side of his character. Tyson is sweet, innocent and almost childlike but he is also powerful.

Annabeth also remains one of the more enjoyable parts of this movie and Alexandra Daddario embodies her very well. Her connection and friendship with Percy is convincing and works because they balance each other without the film needing to turn everything into romance.

As I said earlier, I loved the plot and adventures in this film but feel the flaw shows itself in the action scenes and CGI. It's like the movie moves from one problem to the next so fast that it affects the visuals. For example, the scene where Percy and his friends confront the Cyclops has all the ingredients for a tense sequence but the danger is mixed with so much obvious CGI and quick action that it loses some of its impact. The same thing happens with some of the mythical creatures. I don't know what happened in this movie. It seems the cinematographer was changed from the first film.

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[Book] Review: Son Of The Slob By Aron Beauregard

esther-emmanuel — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 09:33:33 GMT

There are some horrors that are really scary and there are others that are disturbingly disgusting. After I read The Slob, I resolved not to read any more books by Aron Beauregard until I saw the sequel and curiosity became my undoing. Imagine mentally consuming the disgusting and gory lifestyle of a serial killer only to be told he has a son who is like him. Aron Beauregard clearly did not sit down intending to write a horror story that would make his readers comfortable.

Son Of The Slob is a nasty, outrageous and stomach-churning piece of splatter horror that will shock your senses from start to finish. The story follows a child whose life is anything but normal thanks to the horrifying legacy of his father, a notorious serial killer known as the Slob.

His father has left behind more than trauma and terrible memories. There is an entire twisted world surrounding the man and as the story unfolds, we begin to understand how deeply the father's world has affected the son. As I turned every page, the question that lingered in my mind was how much of the father's darkness has been passed down to the son and how much of it comes from the son's own choices. The book is not for every horror fan so remember to check trigger warnings before picking it up.

Genre: Body Horror, Splatterpunk, Horror
Publication: July 2021
Pages: 220

My Review And Rating.

The ending of The Slob is satisfying in a way but I was curious about the female lead character, Vera, since she fell pregnant at the end of the first book. That was the pointer that the author had further plans for Vera. I delved into the sequel to know more. Aron Beauregard writes the kind of horror that are vile, nasty, and make you question why you even decided to read them in the first place. Son of the Slob is all of these and even more.

First, I would advise that readers shouldn't pick up this book expecting a fun, entertaining read. After all, it's splatterpunk horror but with a psychological angle that elevates the story and even this won't save sensitive readers from the gore. I thought I had reached my limit of depravity but Aron Beauregard says no and puts me through a disgusting rollercoaster ride.

For me, this book is a wild ride in extreme horror. The author throws everything at his readers without remorse or care. It is quick paced filled with extreme gore, violence, filth, murders, mutilation, ingesting of dead and live rodents, body horror and scenes that will make you wince every time you read about them. Also, the subplots revolve around themes like trauma, motherhood, guilt and whether evil can be inherited or passed down through genetics. There are moments when I had to pause because my brain needed a second to process what I had just read.

Son Of The Slob is a worthy sequel to its predecessor. Aron Beauregard outdid himself with this one. I loved how he writes the story to reveal how Vera’s motherhood experience becomes the source of horror. Also, he explores how the monster’s (The Slob) son (Harold) becomes a legacy, how he struggles with his identity, the abuse and cycle of violence and consequences of sexual violence.

The plot sequence is a fast one that accommodates all the nefarious activities that happened throughout the story along with all the creepy characters. Some other themes explored in this sequel are the nature of evil, generational trauma, and inherited perversion.

Harold is a unique character in my opinion. The way he evolves from a bald looking baby to a vile nasty child with crooked teeth and horrific skin conditions is uncomfortable. Still, I had a little empathy for him but it was for a brief moment because he is a living reminder of the trauma Vera went through at the hands of his father in The Slob.

I liked that the author doesn't write this sequel around the father but instead makes his presence almost like a shadow hanging over Vera and her family. The horror isn't just about what happened in the past but about how that past continues to contaminate the future.

This is by far the most disgusting and disturbing book I have ever read. Still, I have to give the author credit for committing to this madness. His writing style, narration and descriptive skill are top-notch. Son Of The Slob isn't trying to be a tasteful horror novel that quietly creeps under your skin and makes you sleep with the lights on. It wants to shock and disgust you and make you wonder how someone's imagination even got there.

Rating this book, I will give it 8.7 out of 10 stars. This is extreme horror at its most unapologetic. It is grotesque, disturbing, outrageous and definitely not for everyone. If you don't have the heart for it, don't read this book.

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[Book] Review: The Predator By RuNyx

esther-emmanuel — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 18:39:45 GMT

Who is the real predator between two people who walk into the same room knowing how to destroy each other? Is it the man who has built a reputation around violence or the woman who can hack into any computer system in the world and still point a gun at him? These are the questions I had in mind while reading The Predator by RuNyx.

This book is the first in the mafia dark romance series Dark Verse and it came highly recommended by readers in my online bookclub who had finished the entire series. One reason I picked it up is because it's a blend of mafia and dark romance genres. I've never read something like this before and the book exceeded my expectations.

"No one else gets to kill you, Ms. Vitalio," he spoke quietly. "The last face you see before you die will be mine. When it comes to death, you're mine.”

That excerpt was spoken by Tristan Caine to Morana Vitalio. They are not exactly the usual mafia romance couple where one person is dangerous and the other is waiting to be rescued. These two are dangerous but in different ways and that was what made their relationship fun to read.

Synopsis

Tristan Caine is part of the Tenebrae Outfit, a powerful mafia organisation and he is known by the nickname “The Predator” because he is feared, ruthless and impossible to read. Morana Vitalio on the other hand is a brilliant hacker, stubborn and always willing to put herself in danger to get whatever she wants.

Morana enters Tristan's home with the intention of killing him because of her missing hard drive, instead things become complicated when an old mystery involving their families resurfaces. A twenty year old secret and a much bigger threat begin pulling them in the same direction. They hate each other but soon realise that neither of them can solve the mystery alone.

So the two enemies are forced into an uneasy alliance while trying to figure out who they can trust. And considering the world they live in, trusting anyone is probably the most dangerous thing they could do.

Genres: Fiction, Mafia, Dark Romance, Mystery
Publication: January 2020
Pages: 318

My Review And Rating

The book held me spellbound from the beginning to the end. It's categorised as a mafia dark romance but I didn't expect the story to be any different in style from other books in the genre that I had read. The plot is solid and the story is well-written. It was clear to me that the author knew what they were doing when they penned this book.

The romance isn't the only theme taking centre stage in this story. There is actual mystery underneath all the tension and that is what makes this book and the entire series a hit for me. RuNyx gives their readers pieces of information about Tristan, Morana and their families without revealing everything at once. That suspense alone gives the feeling that something much bigger is hiding behind the mafia rivalry. By the end of this book, I was stunned by the unraveling of the mystery and the twists that followed.

Tristan is one of those characters who makes you want to keep reading so you know what more is underneath his calm and dangerous surface. He's the typical cold mafia man who doesn't explain himself and has very little patience for anyone who gets in his way. But his past holds the key to his behaviour.

Morana is the character I found more interesting because she wasn't intimidated by Tristan. She doesn't suddenly become weak because she is attracted to a dangerous man. She challenges him and gets herself into situations that make you wonder if she has any sense of self-preservation but her intelligence makes me like her more.

Their relationship is interesting to read about but I wanted more emotional development before they became intimate. The author portrays the enemies-to-lovers part very well and the tension and attraction between them is convincing. But I wanted them to shift gradually from being enemies to something more.

The mafia setting is also interesting though the book doesn't give us a perfectly realistic picture of organised crime and that was okay for me considering the mystery built into the plot. So I treated this book as a dark romantic suspense rather than a realistic mafia story.

I should mention that The Predator is the beginning of the Dark Verse series and not a complete standalone story. The author describes the series as one continuous story with the first two books following Tristan and Morana. So if you reach the ending and feel like you have been left hanging, it's intentional.

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[Movie] Greek Gods And Teenage Troubles! Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (2010)

esther-emmanuel — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 19:02:30 GMT

Imagine you discover that the Greek gods you thought were myths are actually real, and worse, one of them happens to be your father. That is exactly the kind of trouble Percy Jackson, the lead character in this fascinating fantasy movie, finds himself. One day, he is an ordinary teenager struggling to understand life and next, he discovers that he is a demigod, the son of Poseidon. And worse, everyone thinks he has stolen Zeus’ most powerful weapon.

This movie immediately caught my attention when I saw the poster and read the synopsis. Like most fantasy movies, there are Greek gods, monsters, magical weapons and teenagers with extraordinary powers.

Based on Rick Riordan’s novel of the same name, written by Craig Titley and directed by Chris Columbus, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (2010) is an American fantasy movie starring Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Rosario Dawson, Uma Thurman and other supporting actors.

The opening scene shows a group of Greek gods in a meeting and suddenly Zeus appears in their midst revealing that his lightning bolt had been stolen. He threatens destruction if the bolt is not returned. Thereafter, we meet the trio star characters of the movie. Logan Lerman plays Percy, a confused teenager who becomes a demigod with powers. There is Annabeth played by Alexandra Daddario, a daughter of Athena, who knows more about their realm than Percy and Grover played by Brandon T. Jackson who is Percy's best friend and protector.

After Percy learns about his true identity and that Zeus’ lightning bolt has been stolen, being the son of Poseidon, he becomes one of the main suspects. His mother, a human, takes him and Grover to Camp Half-Blood where young demigods train and learn about their abilities. There he meets and becomes friends with Annabeth.

When dangerous looking creatures begin to attack the camp in search of the bolt, Percy, Annabeth and Grover decide to set out on a journey to find the missing lightning bolt and prevent a war between the gods. Their adventures take them through encounters with monsters, witches, magical traps and some familiar faces from Greek mythology. But the question remains: Who stole Zeus' lightning bolt and why?

My Review And Rating

My love for fantasy movies was what drew me to this film and the fact that it's based on Greek gods. I liked how the movie takes mythology and merges it into a modern world. The idea of gods living among ordinary people is interesting especially when the characters have to deal with things like modern transportation while running from creatures that belong in ancient legends.

The plot is solid but I found the pace a bit too fast like the film is rushing from one adventure to the other without giving the characters enough time to breathe and the viewers must catch up as well. Percy discovers he is a demigod, learns about Camp Half-Blood moments later and soon, he is sent on a quest to find the bolt. I think that is a lot for a teenager to process. Also, there are some emotional moments like Percy's encounter with his father and mother that I feel could have carried more weight if the movie had slowed down.

Some of the fantasy scenes are entertaining and so is the cast's performance. Logan Lerman appears a perfect fit for the role of Percy and makes it easy to root for him while Alexandra Daddario gives Annabeth the confidence and toughness she needs. These two are paired as love interests and their chemistry is convincing though I wish their relationship had been given more room to grow. Uma Thurman plays Medusa spectacularly giving the movie one of its memorable moments.

The humour in this movie works especially when Grover is involved but the tone brings a little confusion. It's like the film wants to be a big fantasy adventure, a coming of age story and a comedy at the same time. I feel the mythology could have been explored more deeply than what we got.

Still, I enjoyed Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief. It's not one of those movies that sticks strictly to epic fantasy elements but it has a good central idea, a likeable young cast, monsters and Greek mythology to keep you glued to the screen.

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[Movie] A Beautiful Mystery With Twists! The Tourist (2010)

esther-emmanuel — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 18:18:18 GMT

When I saw the trailer of The Tourist (2010), I resolved to watch it simply because of the unexpected pairing of Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie in a romantic thriller. I wanted to see if their chemistry would be convincing and whether they would bring some personality to the film. I wasn't disappointed.

Co-written and directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, The Tourist is an American romantic thriller starring Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, Paul Bettany, Timothy Dalton and other supporting actors. As the title suggests, the movie is centred around Frank (Johnny Depp) who is supposed to be an ordinary tourist enjoying Venice after the end of a relationship. There is also Elise (Angelina Jolie) who is in Venice waiting for her mysterious lover, Alexander Pearce, a man wanted by French police, Scotland Yard and a gangster, Reginald Shaw (Steven Berkoff) for stolen money.

At this point in the movie, you would want to know who exactly is the tourist. Is it Frank, an ordinary mathematics teacher, who arrives in Venice without knowing that he is walking into a dangerous game? Or is it Elise, the elegant lady, who is being followed around by people trying to figure out who she really is?

There is something suspicious about Elise from the first scene. She moves through Paris looking calm and poised while the police follow her around. Pearce sends her instructions to choose a stranger on the train who resembles him so that the police and Shaw's men will believe they have finally found their man. Unfortunately for Frank, he happens to fit the description.

Suddenly, Frank's quiet trip becomes a chase involving the police, gangsters, boats, hotel rooms and people who seem to know much more than he does. What is really going on and where is Alexander Pearce?

My Review And Rating

Somewhere from about ten minutes into the movie, you will notice that the plot is a bit muddled. It's a solid, intriguing plot that blends romantic comedy with thriller. But how the storyline plays out causes confusion until the end when the conflict is resolved and everything makes sense. Also, the ensemble cast gives this movie a charm that draws in the audience but I feel the directors make little use of their star actors.

The cast performance is laudable. Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie are the biggest reason I watched this movie. Jolie fits Elise beautifully. She has that old-fashioned movie star elegance that the film wants from her. There is a scene where she gets Frank to invite her to dinner without actually asking him directly. It tells a lot about her personality without needing a long explanation. Depp on the other hand is a little strange in this movie. I expected more of the playful, mischievous Depp we often get in films but Frank is mostly quiet, awkward and bewildered. I understand that this is part of the character but I kept wishing the movie would give him more spark.

The romance part was averagely okay but I wanted more from Jolie and Depp. We see they are romantically involved but their emotional connection wasn't convincing enough for me. Frank is clearly fascinated by her while Elise knows she is putting him in danger yet they play on. Their dinner, the hotel scenes and the moments when Frank tries to understand what is happening gives this movie some romantic side. But you would wonder if Elise is genuinely attracted to Frank or he is simply part of her plan. I think this confusion dampened whatever emotional connection the actors could have portrayed.

There is a big reveal towards the end but I won't spell it out because I think this movie is more fun when you discover it yourself. But I will say the film spends so much time making us question Frank's identity that the final answer feels like the natural destination of the whole mystery. It also give Depp’s character a different meaning when you look back at his earlier scenes.

The supporting cast is also packed with good actors. Paul Bettany beings some energy to Inspector Acheson whole Timothy Dalton and Steven Berkoff have interesting roles yet I feel the movie doesn't always give them enough to work with.

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