Romantic, Sexy, and Anti Valentine's Day Songs

So a couple of days ago I asked you guys for some romantic and sexy song ideas because I just couldn't find a single album by one artist that really did it for this romantic month of love. I feel like I am being overdosed with Valentine's Day stuff but the hopeless romantic in me still loves the idea of it. Not the media-crazed big red hearts and flowers and chocolates part, but just using the date - so symbolic of love - as an excuse to go the extra mile for someone to show how much they mean to you. So this is a list of songs for everyone on Valentine's Day, there are fun songs, sexy songs, romantic songs, and songs for people who just don't like this holiday and want to celebrate their awesome single selves. They are not in any particular order either, just categories - thanks so much for your help and I hope you enjoy it!

Romantic Songs 

Sea of Love - John Phillips
I love these classic songs, they just paint this picture of dancing in one of those gazebos by a moonlit lake with the car radio gently playing this song in the background. Recommended by Heather :)

All of Me - John Legend feat. Lindsay Stirling

I know a lot of people find this overly played and sappy but I genuinely love this song, to my ears it sounds heartfelt and genuine and with Lindsay Stirling's violin tugging on your heartstrings, it just makes the song that much sweeter.

My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
Ah, the classic and ultimate sappy love song in my opinion, still admittedly one of my favourites - I mean, really, how can you beat the way Celine Dion's voice and the music come together and bring you up and down as if you, yourself are Rose saying 'I'll never let go, Jack' are you carefully pluck each one of his cold, dead fingers from the door that we all know could have fit two. Sorry, that wasn't really romantic was it? I just wanted him to live!!

Right Here Waiting For You - Richard Marx
The heartbreaking yet hopeful 80s ballad for long-distance lovers.

Butterfly Kisses - Bob Carlisle
This is such a beautiful song for fathers and daughters, or parents and children - a good reminder that Valentine's Day doesn't have to be just about lovers. I remember my dad dancing with me before I left for my 8th grade grad dance 'just in case those boys are too stupid to ask you to dance' (they were) - that is what this song reminds me of. Recommended by the lovely Patricia :)

I'd Rather Go Blind - Etta James
Etta James I feel is just one of the soulful voices that is the sound of love. 

Thinking out Loud - Ed Shereean

Honestly, the first time I hear this at the beginning I thought it was Michael Buble, but then I realized it was Ed Shereean - who I am finding is coming out with more and more of my favourite songs - I was just so happy. He seems like such a sweet person from the little I know of him and he seems like he just has one of the biggest hearts out there in celebrity land. Also, check out the video, he has some sick dancing skills! Thanks to Brittany for this one :)

Come and Get Your Love - Redbone
Guardian's of the Galaxy really re-awakened this song back into mainstream I think but I have always found it to be so happy and uplifting - which is how love should make you feel! Thank you Challice for this and the next two songs :) 

Call Me - Blondie
What a fierce, take control of what you want kind of song - eat your heart out Carly Rae ;)

Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen
This makes me want to do some head-bobbing, foot-tapping 80s dance around my apartment...actually I think I shall ;) 

Kiss From a Rose - Seal
I know it says rose, but I imagine standing in a field of sunflowers on a sunny, windy day when I hear this song. Also driving... a lot of songs remind me of driving. Thank you Janie for recommending this song :)

Truly, Madly, Deeply - Savage Garden
This song is in like my personal top 5 of favourite love songs, it is just so...90s perfect. Thank you Clayton for actually suggesting a legit romantic song. (mischievous 'brother in law')

Hanging by a Moment - Lifehouse
I feel like this is one of those under-appreciated, almost hidden love songs because it doesn't sound sappy. It's more like a crashing, unabashed declaration of emotion. Thanks to Clayton again.

Light Surrounding You
I had never heard this song before it was recommended to me by Melissa (thank you!) but it is really beautiful and a great song to feature on this list.

You and I - Ingrid Michaelson
This is such a cute song!! Thank you Heather MN lol 

Hero - Enrique Iglesias
This song was also suggested by Clayton but I probably would have put it up anyway because it is another one of my favourite love songs. The music video is so friggen dramatic though, that it almost makes me laugh.

Remember these bad-boys?

At Last - Etta James 
The lady of the songs of love strikes again with this timeless classic. I like pushing the button at the drugstore that plays this song - you know that board with 30 second song samples from CDs they are selling? (Reminds me of hit clips.)

You Go to My Head - Ella Fitzgerald
This is another song I hadn't heard before it was recommended but holy, does it ever remind me of something that would be playing at some elegant, swanky party filled with sparkle, laughter and beautiful gowns when two people, just meant for each other lock eyes from across the room. They don't know each other but they feel the attraction right away. It's all very James Bond when he confidently approaches and asks the lady for a dance. Thanks to Vikki for this and the next two songs :) 

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack
This song just sounds so sad and heartbreaking but it is so beautiful and haunting...almost makes me want to cry. 

You Go to My Head - Louis Armstrong
Same swanky party, later in the night on a starlit balcony, looking in each others eyes and trying to figure what the other is thinking. I am imaging a young Sean Connery as James Bond across from the stunning Elizabeth Taylor.

Evergreen - Barbra Streisand
One of the other voices of my childhood, the lovely tunes of Barbra Streisand would fill the walls of my house on a Sunday - I miss those days, and this is a lovely song. Thanks to Star for this one and the next two.

Unchained Melody
My mom loves this song, I remember her telling me that she loved how that the title suits the song because no where in the song do they say 'unchained melody' - I know a lot of people will be reminded of the movie Ghost with Patrick Swayze when they hear this. Recently I had a mild obsession with this song so I put it on full blast and repeat and wandered around our small apartment singing along...loudly...I'm sorry neighbours.

I Cross My Heart - George Strait
A sweet country love song :)

Sleepwalk - Santo & Johnny
I absolutely adore these old songs they are just so classic and beautiful, it plucks my heartstrings. Thank you again Vikki for this one and the next three!

Romeo and Juliet Love Theme - Tchaikovski
The great composer put music to one one the oldest and most loved er...love stories of all time! Obviously this composition deserves a honoured position on this list

God Only Knows - Beach Boys
I love the Beach Boys :)

You Are So Beautiful - Joe Cocker
Forever and ever will this remind my of the little rascals. Thank you Vikki and Meggen

Amazed - Lonestar
I once killed this at karaoke...I mean, I completely murdered it...I destroyed this beautiful song of love because for the life of me I could not remember how it went. I'm sorry Jazzy...so, so sorry. Thank you Star for this suggestion.

Kiss Me - Sixpence None the Richer
YES! I love this song so much, makes me so happy in my 90s nostalgia :) Thank you Shawna

You Save Me - Kenny Cheseney
I do like these romantic country ballads :) Thank you Meggen for this and the next two :)

Alive - Adelitas Way
This song was such a wonderful and happy and hopeful song about love, it made me feel good to listen to it. :)

Suddenly - Billy Ocean
This was another song I never heard before but I really enjoyed it a lot, it was so lovely :)

So here are some more of my personal favourite love songs that I hope you guys enjoy as well:

I Will Always Love you - Whitney Houston
My mom bawled when Lorelai sang this to Luke...so did I. It was also one of my favourite songs when I was three...so there's that too.

Be My forever - Christina Perri and Ed Shereean
So happy :)

500 Miles - Proclaimers
Okay seriously, who doesn't love this song?


Sexy Songs - for uh...later.

Chicks Dig It - Chris Cagle
I was surprised by this lively country tune, but...I dig it :p Thank you Eric

Grind on Me - Pretty Ricky
Thanks Heather MN for this song, it made me laugh when I remembered this song but it is undoubtedly a very sexy song ;)

Into The Night - Chad Kroeger and Santana
Love that soulful guitar

Candy Shop - 50 Cent
Reminds me of 9th grade when I thought I was a bad-ass lol but still a damn sexy song filled with sugary innuendo lol Thanks Robin :)

Rock Your Body - Justin Timberlake
Yep, it's sexy.

My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark - Fallout Boy
Suggested by Janet, I have to agree that I don't know how or why but this song has a sexy feel... it is also a tad bad-assy.

Animals - Maroon 5
The songs is very sexy in my opinion - carnal and primitive which I like, but the video is hella creeps.

Bad Things - Jace Everett
Also the theme to True Blood, I still really enjoy this song :)

Bailamos - Enrique Iglesias
Scott and I danced to this in a thunderstorm once...it was nice ;)

Scream - Usher

One More Night - Maroon 5

Assassin's Tango - John Powell
I so desperately want to learn the tango...

I Put a Spell on You - Nina Simone

Sex and Candy - Marcy Playground

Anti Songs

Bye Bye Bye - N'SYNC

Blank Space - Taylor Swift
This song is hilarious and the video makes it just that much funnier.

Holding Out for a Hero - Jennifer Saunders
Now this song I completely rocked at karaoke... two Valentine's Days ago actually lol

What The Hell - Avril Lavigne

Bitch - Meredith Brooks

Roar - Katy Perry

Losing His Touch - Jack Off Jill

You Don't Own Me - Lesley Gore
Thanks Heather MN

Feel Good Drag - Anberlin

U+UR Hand - P!NK


Well that is all I have for now, I am sorry I didn't include all the the suggestions, I did try to do most of them. I also apologize for the diminished discussion blurbies - it was getting late. I am not going to give this list or these songs an actual rating because they are simply compiled for those who will enjoy them. If you have any more suggestions, let me know! :) Have a good one!

~Oriona

Picture credits are now linked through the pictures themselves

Enya - A Day Without Rain - Album Review

Release Date: November 21, 2000

Warner Elektra Atlantic Corp.

Genre: New Age Pop

Enya definitely has a very different yet beautiful style that I have found I enjoy especially on rainy days. There are some songs that are beautiful and uplifting, some that make you feel grounded and close to the earth and some that almost make you want to cry. Although sometimes I find it difficult to understand all the lyrics, her music does speak to a certain part of my soul that still dreams of flying among the birds, getting to touch a soft white cloud or walk through a mystical forest.

1. A Day Without Rain
This beautiful instrumental opening is really a lovely way to start an album I found this song to be like taking long deep breaths in and out and it just makes me feel so peaceful and relaxed. With no lyrics it is hard to know what Enya might be trying to convey with this song but just going by how it makes me feel I would say this song is just peace, tranquility, calm, and a little bit of magic.

2. Wild Child
I really feel like this song is about living in the moment, being grateful for the day and all you have, time is passing, and you can't do anything about the past or future in this moment so you should enjoy it - what a day to be alive!

3. Only Time
This is one of Enya's more well-known songs that she released, and one of my favourites. However, I feel like this song has a deeper meaning than what I have ever been able to comprehend. What I get from it is that time is always passing, I think the song is about love and loss and I think it is really beautiful.

4. Tempus Vernum
In all honesty, this song use to scare me as a child. It reminded me of Lord Frolo's solo song from the Hunchback of Notredame (Disney version). It is just so dark sounding and it's all in what sounds like Latin (not that I really know what Latin sounds like). Not one of my favourites. Thank goodness that on the CD it has a great transition into the next song which is much nicer.

5. Deora Ar Mo Chroi
Again this song is in a different language but nonetheless it is so beautiful and harmonic, to me this sounds what I would imagine singing in heaven sounds like, peaceful and uplifting.

6. Flora's Secret
Although this song is in English, I still have no idea what she is talking about - I feel like I am listening to poetry that is using imagery that I need the aid of my 12th grade English teacher to comprehend. That being said, I still find the words beautiful and the music speaks to a part of me that seems to understand better than my silly brain.

7. Fallen Embers
I remember being home alone and singing this (being one of the songs I could mostly understand the lyrics) and being all dramatic looking out the window. It is just so tragically beautiful - a woman singing to someone she loves but isn't with anymore for some reason.

8. Silver Inches
It's funny to me that it's called 'inches' because the beginning sounds to me like a ballerina tip toeing quickly inch by inch. This sounds uplifting and fun...and I could also imagine one of those old-fashion ball scenes with the people doing the gentle hand-touch dance to this song.

9. Pilgrim
To me, this song is about self discovery; learning who we are through the choices we make.

10. One by One
This is kind of a fun-ish story about people who thought they wanted to be on their own but realised in the end that they were really meant to be together. Don't say goodbye to someone you love.

11. Lazy Days
I used to lay on the carpeted floor of my living room or outside in the grass while I listened to this song and imagine being in a field of sunflowers, with the wind blowing through my hair and the sun shining on my face, warming me.

Clearly this whole album holds a lot of memories for me and it is one of my favourite throwback albums when I want to revisit my child hood. So I may be slightly bias, but here is my review:

Emotion: I am going to give A Day Without Rain a 3/5 because it mostly makes me feel calm and uplifted, but nothing much more than that.

BMR: There's never much of a beat or what I would call rhythm, but it is very melodious and flows like water, which is the type of music that it is, so I will give 4/5.

Enjoyable?: Absolutely, there have been many afternoons for me spent just listening to this album and I think that because its so different and ethereal, it definitely takes me away to a different place that doesn't call for any other entertainment. 5/5

Creativity Another 5/5 because I have listened to many different kinds of music and I have never heard another that sounds quite like Enya.

Message: 3/5 I believe a lot of what she was trying to say had to do with the passage of time - but I wasn't really sure most of the time, and it made it more difficult with some of her songs being in different languages.

Total: 20/25

All in all I do love this album, I recommend it to anyone who wants something beautiful, calming, and easy to listen to with your morning hot beverage of choice. If you guys didn't notice before, you can click on the titles of each song to listen to it on youtube - let me know what you think!

Have a great day!
~Oriona














Sources and Picture Credits:

www.amazon.com/A-Day-Without-Rain-Enya/dp/B000050XEI

www.allmusic.com/album/a-day-without-rain-mw0000105750/releases

The Fountain - Movie Review

Directed by Darren Aronofsky

Release Date: November 22, 2006

Warner Brothers Pictures and Regency Enterprises

Starring: Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz

Film Synopsis:

Tommy is a medical researcher studying brain tumours and desperately trying to find a 'miracle cure' for his dying wife, Izzy. Their story is mirrored by the book Izzy has written about a conquistador from the 1500's searching for the mythical tree of life in order to save his queen and country.

Watch the trailer here.

Discussion:

*Major Spoiler Alert*

So the first time I saw this movie, I was very confused about what was actually happening. I could see that his wife was dying, but was kind of thrown by the flashes between him as a 15th century conquistador and a guy floating in space in a giant bubble with a tree. I really feel that you have to watch the entire movie to even begin to understand what is happening. However, to say this movie is about a guy whose wife is dying and he is trying to cure her is like saying the Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is about some guys going up a river in a boat.


What the movies is really about is life, death, and love. Some people think this movie is them being reincarnated - I'm not entirely sure of that. It very well could be, and there are some signs pointing to that, but I think that the part that happens in the past is just the story Izzy wrote about a conquistador and his queen -  and that part of the movie is to symbolize and illustrate what is happening to them. It's how Izzy views her illness.

 I am not too clear about the guy in the future but I have a theory that when Tommy plants the tree at the end, he then goes and finds the actual tree of life - that his lab seems to have found - and he becomes immortal. Clinging to the love of his wife and one day takes her whole tree - which maybe he replanted as the tree of life, or took her body to the tree of life OR the tree just became symbolic of her; I'm still not sure. But anyway, he takes his tree/wife to Xibalba (the nebula surrounding the dying star) as a way of dying and being reborn. My other theory is that the guy in the bubble is just Tommy's way of finishing the story. What's more is the whole part with him and Izzy in modern times is the guy in the bubble's memories. That's really all that I find really confusing. It makes sense and then it doesn't. - wibbly wobbly.


Either way, this movie is really stunning visually and I loved all of the symbolism of him just...moving through time and space. It is a story that makes you just sit there and think about how inevitable death is. We are all constantly moving toward it and there is nothing really we can do. What is most important in our lives is the people we love and spending time with them. It's about the experiences in life that add up to who we are in the end. We cherish those memories because one day someone we love will die and all we really have when they are gone is their memory.

Maybe this movie is about reincarnation in a way because energy can neither be created nor destroyed. It simply...changes. The energy that was these two people who loved each other might change one day to be another two people who love each other. Or maybe, it will just be a tree.

Review:

Protagonist: It is kind of hard to pick which version of Hugh Jackman's character is really the one to review, but I decided on Tommy because the conquistador is like the story version of him and the bubble guy is the future version of him(?). I think throughout the movie I just kind of felt bad for Tommy. I mean, the guy's wife is dying and he has the answer for her cure so close to him...just at his finger tips and before he can get the chance to use it, she dies. He was also pretty relatable I thought, because how many people these days have had to watch someone they love slowly die right in front of them and they are powerless to stop it?  He did do a lot of changing in the movie, I think at first the version of him in the bubble with the tree didn't want to face his past but he eventually did and he ended up dying feeling 'whole.' But the conquistador I think took a turn for the worst - he seemed to be a bit greedy and destructive at the end drinking all that life sap. For all that I give the character of Tommy: 4/5.

Antagonist: Time and the disease are really the antagonists in this story. Although the inquisitor was a pretty menacing guy, he wasn't really important to the story. There is nothing that can beat death or fight passage of time - they drive the events of every story really. For that I give them 5/5.

Support Characters: I think of Izzy as a lead/support character. Although she was Tommy's wife and the conquistador's queen, she just had this heir of the mysterious oracle who was helping Tommy learn some divine truth. Which in the end I think he did, using the memories of things she said and her story. The other people in the movie did almost nothing except for Tommy's boss played by Ellen Burstyn - she was kind of like a motherly figure. Being that most of this movie was about Tommy's inner struggle with dealing with the death of his wife and the supporting characters didn't really contribute much, I give them 3/5.

Classic Potential: I am not entirely sure about this one, I think this movie was made a bit before it's time and I don't think a lot of people will get it, but maybe people in the future will see more from it so I'm gonna go half and half and give it a 2.5/5


Acting: Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz are amazing actors and I think they did a really good job, especially at the end when Tommy is sitting on the bed crying and giving himself a crude ring tattoo to replace his wedding band - was really heart wrenching and made me bawl my eyes out. I'm still sniffling a bit while writing this. I think it was cool how they both played multiple characters but those characters still mirrored each other. 4/5

Soundtrack: I just finished watching the movie less than two hours ago when writing this and I can't even remember the soundtrack really, so for that 2/5.

Special Effects: Really good. Like I said before this movie had stunning visuals and symbolism and it was all very beautiful and seamless to my eyes. I give it 5/5


Overall Rating: 25.5/35

References and Picture Credits:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414993/

http://www.dardarkom.com/17922-watch-and-download-the-fountain-2006-online.html

https://magnoliaforever.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/ashleys-top-50-favourite-films-of-all-time/

http://cinema.theiapolis.com/movie-0F4A/the-fountain/gallery/hugh-jackman-in-the-fountain-2006-1086055.html

http://writewithhonour.blogspot.ca/2012/08/the-fountain-2006.html

http://www.aceshowbiz.com/still/00000729/the_fountain24.html

http://fyeahdarrenaronofsky.tumblr.com/post/4966522118/raphmike-hugh-jackman-the-fountain-2006

http://www.aceshowbiz.com/still/00000729/the_fountain15.html

Points System

Okay, so this is how I am going to be rating the books, movies, and music albums I will be reviewing from now on. Each category is rated out of 5 and then totaled at the end for an overall rating.

Books:

Protagonist/Main Character: rated on likability and how well a reader could relate to them. They are also judged on how much character development happens over the course of the book and if they are an active participant of events - or does he/she just sit around letting all the other characters carry her through and basically does nothing but everything 'surrounds' that character. (I'm looking at you, Bella)

Antagonist: Basically judged on how good of a villain they are and how much they drove the plot. Could the story have still happened without them?

Support Characters: Do they give something extra to the book? How do they help the main character and how to they help make the story?

Addictive-ness: How hard was it to put down?

Classic Potential?: Could this book and its author stand the test of time and take a place next to the greats such as Shakespeare, Jane Austin, J.R.R. Tolkien, Homer?







Movies:

Will be rated like books with these changes:
There will be no addictive-ness rating

The Classic Potential will be compared to movies like Casablanca, The Wizard of Oz, Gone With the Wind, and other movies like that which could never really be remade or topped. Movies that will always be around and enjoyed for generations.

There will also be these categories:

Acting: Did the people playing the characters really make them come to life, or did you just see the actor?

Soundtrack: How well did the soundtrack capture the mood of the movie?

Special Effects (if applicable): Were they well done for the time period of the movies and were they believable?

*I can also foresee other categories coming up with different kinds of movies but I think these are good and can encompass most movies I will be reviewing.


Music Albums


Emotion: Does the album provoke any emotion from you?

BMR: Beat, Melody, and Rhythm - how are they? Does it suit the kind of music? Is it confusing?

Enjoyable? Could this on its own be entertainment? Would sitting in a room listening to this music be enough to entertain someone.

Creativity: How different is this from other music in the media? How did the artist take this genre and make it their own?

Message: Is the artist trying to say something with their music?


These are all I can think of that would cover just about anything, but if there is some other aspect that you would want me to talk about when I am reviewing something, let me know!

~Oriona

Picture Credits:

http://pixshark.com/open-book-magic.htm

http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/classic-movies/images/582858/title/classic-movie-wallpaper-wallpaper

http://www.trickntrick.com/2014/03/easy-way-to-make-money-online-listening-to-music/

http://rockyourworld.co.za/inspired-through-experience/listen-to-the-words/

http://welltempered.wordpress.com/2014/02/08/classical-music-how-should-you-listen-try-these-four-ways-to-get-the-most-out-of-classical-music-then-tell-us-your-own/

The Celestine Prophecy - Book Review

The Celestine Prophecy
by James Redfield

Published in 1995 by Grand Central Publishing

Book Synopsis:

The Narrator, who is never named, journeys to the country of Peru in search of an ancient manuscript said to contain the secrets and meaning of life itself. When he arrives however, he soon discovers that the Peruvian government is working with the church in order to suppress the information. Now on the run from the government and trying to find his way home, the main character is cast into an epic journey. It is filled with danger and mysterious 'coincidences' that seem to lead him to where he needs to be in order to learn all of the 9 insights of the manuscript.

Discussion:

So I thought it was very cool that the main character was never named. Reading the book in first person almost gives the feel of it being you who goes on this adventure - which I think was intentional. This is another book that has been a favourite of mine for as long as I can remember. I started out with listening to it on cassette tape, then I read it in book form a few times and now I have the full, unabridged version on CD. It is a book that has been quite an influence on myself as a person and the way I think and approach the world. And for as many times as I have read and heard it (I am at the point where I could almost recite the whole thing), I could still read or listen to it again. Besides being a really good read with adventure, romance, and mystery, it has a lot to take away with it too. The insights are applicable to real, every day life and make sense - at least to me. I don't want to give too much away here but I just think that this book was very well done. A lot of these kinds of books that are explaining a spiritual theory are written a lot like text or self-help books and this one is written as an exciting story which I feel helps the reader to understand better and also enjoy reading the book more.

*Spoiler Alert*

Review:

I think there is a reason I have read and listened to this book for the past...10+ years. It is a good book, I am not sure where even to start if I was going to try and criticize it. It has a straightforward plot, it has excitement and intrigue and I found it very enjoyable. But let me rate it and further discuss with my new points system.

4/5 - Protagonist: He was very easy to relate to with the perspective of the book being in first person. Although he seemed skeptical and a bit dense while trying to grasp the insights, I think maybe that this was for the reader's benefit to ensure that he or she would fully understand. That being said, I still found it a bit repetitive and annoying. He did however really develop through the book as he learned the insights; you could see him becoming more 'connected.' He was also very active in what was happening in the book, he actually seemed to be a main player of what was happening in the events of the story.

5/5 - Antagonist: The Peruvian government and the Christian church made a very menacing foe in the story; I felt real anxiety whenever they were close. But it goes more than that, they really drove the plot of the story. At first I was only going to give them 3/5 because I was thinking, 'well, he still would have gone to Peru and learned about the manuscript' - but he wouldn't have had all the vital experiences that really helped him to grasp the insights. For instance, he wouldn't have met Will, he wouldn't have run up that mountain to get away from them and then he wouldn't have had that super spiritual experience that helped him connect to the universe!

4/5 - Support Characters: Literally everyone the main character met was helping him in some way. Even if the characters themselves weren't 'favourable' - they were still helping the protagonist learn something important. But most of the other characters were literally helping him either learn or get to a new place...sometimes both. The reason I am giving only 4/5 is because it was a serious and heavy book and it would have been nice to have a comic relief character.

3/5 - Plot: Like I said before, it has a straight forward plot. Character goes on journey for knowledge and gets it. The reason for 3/5 is because...it's a straight forward plot. Yes, there is danger and he sort of takes a windy path to get there, but at the end of it, he has the information and goes home. I like books to have more intrigue and for me to go 'um..what!? How did that even just happen!?' That was one thing that never really happened in this book. Furthermore there was never a point where the main character reached a really 'dark' or 'low' point where it looks like all hope is lost. I think that is vital to making a story really make you ache in your lit-heart, that's what makes a character really come to life and makes you cheer for them to get back up and keep going.

4/5 - Addictive-ness: I can't quite remember the first time I heard/read this book but I do know that it is a really good read and very difficult to put down once you have started. But, if you had something to do and did put it down, you could be away from it for a while and let what you have read really sink in.

2/5 - Classic Potential: As much as I do love this book I don't think it is going to become a 'classic' and what I mean by that is, it isn't in the same category as Shakespeare, Jane Austin, or J.R.R. Tolkien. It is directed to a group of people that is simply too slim right now and most definitely not in the main stream media. It also didn't have enough of the elements that really make it a great literary masterpiece. It is a good read, a wonderful adventure, and a great book on spirituality, but not a classic. (it will be in my house though).


Total: 22/30


This book has already been made into a movie by the same name which I give thumbs down to because I really don't feel it did the book justice at all.

I do recommend the book however, and I hope you enjoy. If you decide to pick it up, let me know what you think!

That's it for now!
~Oriona




Sources:

http://www.amazon.ca/The-Celestine-Prophecy-James-Redfield/dp/0446671002

Picture Credits:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/354095589425174307/

http://thecelestineprophecymovie.com/dvd.php

Happy New Year!

Okay so I had every intention to do my blog the past couple of weekends but it has been very hectic here so this upcoming Sunday I will be going into the planned blog schedule. When I wrote the first one I was staying at my mom's and taking care of her after she had surgery, and then the following week I came home and then it was holiday shopping and parties. Then there was cleaning to get ready for my friend to come visit in the states and that has been what I have been up to lately. Anyway, I have so many ideas and posts I am working on for book reviews, and it has been a challenge trying to find movies and albums to compliment the chosen books. I also find it hard because a lot of books I have wanted to review have also been converted to film, so I don't quite know what to do about that situation.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you guys know that I am still here and looking forward to taking this literary/musical/cinematic journey with you guys :) keep your eyes open for my next book review this Sunday!

That's it for now,
Happy New Year!

Within Temptation - The Heart of Everything - Album Review

So I have revised my simple 'song review' to a whole album review. Getting this blog started as well as everything else going on this week has somewhat set me back from the schedule I want to maintain once I have everything up and running. I think this week I am starting with a Dark, Powerful, Female theme although I don't know why. I do however want the book, album, and movie I review each week to fit into a similar category. For future reference, I want it to be Sunday Book, Monday Movie, and Tuesday Tunes - all reviews and discussion and then a follow up video discussion all three in even more detail which I am hoping to post on Fridays or Saturdays. This week I have decided to review and discuss the album The Heart of Everything by Within Temptation.

Release Date: March 12, 2007

GUN Records

Genre: Gothic/ Alternative/ Symphonic Metal

The lead singer, Sharon, has a beautiful, feminine, and strong voice that is also haunting and really captures your attention within seconds of hitting play. Each piece evokes a lot of emotion, from the amazing rise and fall of the guitar and drums and the dramatic lulls in music that are brought back up so intensely - it really is art to my ears.

1. "The Howling"  
There are so many interpretations I can think of when I hear the lyrics, but the main thing I hear is that there is a battle being fought. That can be interpreted as a physical battle between two sides or an internal battle between two sides of a person. I have this visual of someone suffering from his or her own hubris and through the mistakes they have made they are dragging other people into the struggle and through it all he or she just wants it to end.

2. "What Have You Done" (featuring Mina Caputo)
This is definitely a song about two people who love each other but circumstances beyond their control are causing them to do things that pull them apart. Despite everything, there is a kind of hope that maybe they can get through it together.

3. "Frozen"
So this song is about someone who had to give up someone they loved or do something that hurt both of them but was ultimately better for the person they are singing about. At least that is the hope or whatever it was, the pain it caused would have been pointless. I think the "frozen" part is because the person singing had to be cold to the other in order to 'sacrifice' to save the other person.

4. "Our Solemn Hour"
This song right off sounds a lot (to me) of that song that Lord Frolo sang in Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame. The chanting of "Sanctus Espiritus" throughout the whole song and basically asking for deliverance - to me it sounds like a prayer to God asking for guidance for humanity to show us a better way and lead us out of the dark place where we have put ourselves (supposedly).

5. "The Heart of Everything"
To me, this song is about freeing ourselves from the oppression from what society thinks we 'should' be and holding on to who we are. I think there is also a darker side to the song where someone who feels that they can't be who they are decides to just let it go. The most important thing is making sure you always hang on to who you are because without that you are lost.


6. "Hand of Sorrow"
This song reminds me of those Bard songs from Skyrim - it definitely tells the story of a man who is, as the lyrics say, "torn between his honor and the true love of his life" - now that could mean anything, but in my imagination he has to choose between the woman he loves and the oath he took to serve his king - and if I want to elaborate, maybe he isn't allowed to have a wife, or maybe has been ordered to kill her - intrigue. Anyway, in the end I think he decides to obey his "honor" but he still watches over his true love in secret.

7. "The Cross"
Okay, I really think that if this isn't a song comparing a relationship to Jesus, it is a song about Jesus talking to any person who hasn't converted to that faith. I mean, the chorus says, "Why have you waited to embrace me my dear/Cold is your silence, denying what is real/I'm still wondering why I'm still calling your name/and I wonder, oh I wonder ...    /In my heart I still hope you will open the door/You can purify it all, answer my call" - Christians say that 'giving your heart to Jesus and taking him as your saviour will cleanse your sins.' I think that is kind of what I feel it is about. And the song is called 'The Cross' - come on.

8. "Final Destination"
I really feel like this song is inspired by the movie of the same title. If I remember, it is about the main character finding out that Death is coming for him and he or she keeps trying to escape it, but you can't escape fate or death. Eventually they will both find you.

9. "All I Need"
Simply put, I think this song is about falling in love. Someone who has trust issues finally finds someone they want to open themselves up to and all they can say is 'don't tear me down for all I need'  Don't hurt me because I need you to love me like you say you do, and I am trusting you.

10. "The Truth Beneath the Rose"
Oh now this one is interesting, I never realized before reviewing this album more in depth but Within Temptation seems to make a lot of religious references in their music. Here I believe they are referencing the Knights Templar and anyone who has read the DaVinci Code by Dan Brown (or seen the movie) should know the reference to the Rose Line - which at the end of the book lead to the final resting place of the Holy Grail. The lyrics are pretty deep but I believe it is about seperating what is actually holy and what is just a greedy conquest of men for power.

11. "Forgiven"
It sounds a lot like someone singing to a loved one who has passed away. Such a beautiful, but sad melody - kind of reminds me of My Immortal by Evanescence. My advice is to not listen to this if you are already sad - this will make it worse.


Review:

The above song interpretations are just what I think they are about, I didn't do any research to see what the band said or what other people thought, I just listened to the lyrics and this is what I came up with. I think music is like any kind of art that has different meanings for different people.

Overall I give this album 8.5/10 Stars. I think they have a really good command of the genre and that their music is really what I need it to be while I am in the mood for it - edgy but almost with a spiritual element to it - maybe that's not the right word, but it is different. I like the different. Plus I have this part of me that really would like to have a great rock star moment on stage one day. I mean, all out with the awesome outfit, lights, smoke, the crowd going insane and me belting out a super bad ass song - These songs could make that happen. Sadly, as much as I enjoy heavy metal, I don't think I could pull off the vocals found in more mainstream Heavy Metal or Rock.

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy it and if you want to check out the band a little more, here is their website:
http://www.within-temptation.com/

Got any suggestions for Artists/Albums I should review in the future? Let me know!

~Oriona

PS

As I try to catch up and get on track, there wont be any posts this week, although I will try to upload the follow up video to go with this and my previous two posts. Next time I am looking to go into a completely new direction of genre so stay tuned!


Picture Credits:

http://wallpaper.metalship.org/en/wallpaper/The_Heart_of_Everything-34.html

http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/within-temptation/images/15412488/title/wt-wallpaper

Hunger Games - Movie Review

Details:

The Hunger Games

Based on the book by Suzanne Collins

Release Date: March 12, 2012

Lionsgate Films

Directed by Gary Ross

Movie Synopsis: 

Living in poverty stricken District 12, in the outskirts of the country of Panem, young Katniss Everdeen has a hard life. In this dystopian future, the people of Panem's districts live everyday on the edge of starvation, and every year they are forced to watch in horror as one boy and girl between the ages of 12 and 18 are taken from each of the 12 districts to fight to the death on a televised event called the Hunger Games.

Discussion:

So I was "hmming" and "hawwing" about which movie to review first because there is just so many that I want to talk about, but those will all come in good time. I wanted to pick something that would also fit in the same 'feel' as Sabriel. You know, strong female protagonist and also a bit dark so I thought this was fitting. Also if I am being 100% honest, I wanted to pick something a bit more popular so more people could relate to it.

I am happy to say that I read the Hunger Games book before the movie came out and I was fairly impressed by the way it turned out. It seems to be happening a lot these days where they take an awesome book series and decide it needs to become a movie series. For a lot of us book lovers, the picture to the side rings absolutely true when Hollywood takes a beloved book or series and tries to summarize it in a two hour feature film. For some, we wish they would take one book and make it as long as the Lord of the Rings extended edition. It also had better be perfectly cast and follow the plot to a T and not miss a single detail.

That all being said, I think that after realizing through the Twilight series what a huge profit they could make by taking a popular book series and making it into a movie franchise - they also realized that they need to keep the fans happy. To that purpose I think they are doing their best to stay true to the spirit of a book if not to the plot. I think that is what they managed to do with the Hunger Games.

The way the movie was filmed was definitely different and interesting and reminded me somewhat of an independent film at the beginning. It was very artistic and gritty. They did an awesome casting job as well, Jenifer Lawrence was definitely a great pick for the role of Katniss. I don't want to give too much away, although I don't think there are too many people who don't know how this movie goes anymore. I will say this though, I am really happy to see more media where the lead female protagonist is not just the arm candy for the male hero. I think it is important for girls to have such a strong role model. I also really admire Jenifer Lawrence for being a good role model off screen as well.

Review:

I really don't have many complaints about this movie that aren't because I read the book - and I am not going to get into a big book vs. movie discussion. The only thing I will talk about in that respect is the first 3 finger salute when Katniss volunteers. In the book, it read as a much more profound moment than I felt came across in the movie. I mean really, that was the first major turning point in the story. I don't know if people really realize but that three finger salute, first of all, is a symbol of admiration and respect for the people of that district. On top of that, doing that was the first sign of open protest towards the capitol and it was a huge deal for the people of District 12 to be brave enough to do that. I really think that for such a major aspect of the story - although subtle, they really didn't give it the proper explanation or profound feeling that I think they should have. That all being said, I think that for a first installment of a series, they did a really good job. Hollywood can never really know how a series is going to go over with the fans. I am really happy that they invested a bit of money into making sure that the special effects were good too, I mean I am glad that Katniss didn't end up running like this. But then again, she would just run normally being that she doesn't have powers, but I just wanted to include that. (hehe) Movies like Beautiful Creatures shows us that not every book series would be good as a movie but I am fairly confident that Hollywood found a winner with this series. (Totally not because the sequels are already out)

I give the Hunger Games 8 out of 10 stars (still working on the points system and I know I used 5 stars last time but I forgot that stars aren't limited to groups of 5 and I will probably go back and change these) - I recommend it to anyone.

Hope you enjoy it :)

Picture credits:

http://ifunny.co/fun/1yHKodsA1

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_hunger_games/

Sabriel - Book Review and Discussion

Sabriel by Garth Nix

Published in 1995 by HarperCollins Publishers

Warning: some small spoilers.

Book Synopsis:

18 year old Sabriel has lived a sheltered life at a boarding school for girls in the country of Ancelstierre. After receiving a mysterious gift and message, she is little prepared for the dangers she will face on her journey when she returns to her homeland of the Old Kingdom to find her missing father; a man known only as The Abhorsen. The Old Kingdom is filled with dangerous magic and dark creatures that continually claw their way out of death to wreak havoc on the living. The only person who can help is the Abhorsen and now that he is missing, Sabriel must claim her birthright as the new Abhorsen in order to save her father, her homeland, and defeat a great evil.

Discussion:

This is a book I have had for a long time and have always had a love for its exciting and intriguing plot. The characters are very lively and unique and it is easy to get lost in the culture of this fantasy world. I find I related to the character of Sabriel as she was thrust into following in her father's footsteps. I can imagine how hard it would be facing a challenge like that and not really feeling prepared for the job. The interesting way that magic played a part in this world was also a great aspect of this book. The magic is called "The Charter" and is used through signing, singing, whistling, or speaking "Charter Marks" of which there is an innumerable amount and each one has a specific purpose or meaning. There is also the evil side of magic which is called "Free Magic" and it is uncontrollable and consuming to the people who use it. Going back to Charter magic, "Charter Mages" are people who are connected to the Charter and can therefore use magic and anyone can become a Charter Mage by being baptized into the Charter. I also find it interesting that magic is used musically in this book, I find it very different and its another way that it makes this world seem close and almost real. Anyway, the culture and world of this book are painted very vivdly in this story and I am very happy that this series continues in the next two books; Lireal and Abhorsen. I plan on reviewing these books in the future and, I have also heard about another book that apparently was lost and has now been found and released in October called Clariel.

Review:

I think I will come up with a points system later but for now, I give this book 4.5 Stars. I recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy, magic and adventure. The only complaints I have are that at times I found the main character to be a bit whiny, I would have imagined her as more of a 'step up to the plate' kind of person without all the somewhat juvenile outbusts. Although on that note, she is only 18 and she did have a very big task ahead of her. The other thing is that the romantic relationship in the book seemed to happen quite suddenly, one minute they barely talk or even know each other and the next minute they are in love. Personally, I think that if there is going to be love in a story there should be more relationship development. But then again, I am glad that the love part was not the main aspect of the book either. All in all this is a great book and series, enough so that I repeatedly return to the land of the Old Kingdom to relive this great adventure.

Dream Cast:

If Sabriel were to be made into a movie, this is who I think would be great for the main roles:

Emma Watson - Sabriel

Liam Neeson - Abhorsen

Chace Crawford - Touchstone

Martin Freeman - Mogget

Ian Somerhalder - Kerrigor

Sean Bean - Colonel Horyse

I feel that Emma Watson and Liam Neeson fit the look and have the outstanding talent for those roles for sure. I know that Martin Freeman would make a good voice actor for Mogget because he is both funny and sassy. I don't know much about Chace Crawford's acting, I know he was on Gossip Girl but I've never watched that show, I think he has the right look. Ian Somerhalder I know is a good actor, though honestly I didn't think about him for this role until I started researching. I had only really thought of a voice actor for the role (Benedict Cumberbatch) because when I imagine this character I think of what is on the cover, but now I realize that when Kerrigor appears he is actually mostly in physical form and his character is supposed to also be Touchstone's older brother. I think him and Chase could pass for that and I know he is good at playing the evil brother so this is why I picked them. And I think Sean Bean and Liam Neeson have a similar intensity and I feel they are supposed to be similar in that aspect so that is also why they seemed like ideal choices.

Anyway that is about all I have to say about this book for now, I really look forward to hearing what you guys have to say about this new blog and what you think of my review. What do you think I should do in the future?

Let me know!
Oriona



Image Credits:

http://www.kdramastars.com/articles/24457/20140609/emma-watson-boyfriend-matthew-janney-musical.htm

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0293509/

http://mashadutoit.com/2008/04/05/leo-and-diane-dillon/

http://speakerpedia.com/speakers/ian-somerhalder


http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2014/03/01/neeson-annoyed-with-ny-mayor-bill-de-blasio/

http://www.listal.com/list/0-chace-crawfords-face

http://blog.findmypast.co.uk/2013/famous-family-trees-sean-bean/