The Young Victoria Directed by: Jean-Marc Vallée

The Young Victoria is a movie about the earlier years of Queen Victoria. It shows a quick recap of her younger years and stops at late teenage years. It goes through the story of her meeting and falling in love with Prince Albert. It tells a story of her hardship, the challenges she faced and the heartbreak she went through.

I rate it a PG, same as MPAA.

This movie was fantastic!! Emily Blunt played Victoria so well, and Rupert Friend was a most amazing Albert! I wouldn't quite add this story to my romantic favorites, for it talks more of Victoria's life and struggles. However it is adorable, it made me smile at the right moments and want to cry in the sad moments. Amazing movie.

The Princess and the Frog Directed by: Ron Clements and John Musker

A modern day retelling of the classic story The Frog Prince. The Princess and the Frog finds the lives of arrogant, carefree Prince Naveen and hardworking waitress Tiana crossing paths. Prince Naveen is transformed into a frog by a conniving voodoo magician and Tiana, following suit, upon kissing the amphibian royalty. With the help of a trumpet-playing alligator, a Cajun firefly, and an old blind lady who lives in a boat in a tree, Naveen and Tiana must race to break the spell and fulfill their dreams.

Movie review courtesy of IMDB.com

I rate this movie a PG, (instead of G as it's rated) for a few of the scenes, I think, would frighten young children.

I think this movie is adorable! It was well written and a nice addition to the Disney princess movies. The characters made me smile, and I even came close to crying in the end when the adorable Firefly Ray dies! :(

Leap Year Directed by: Anand Tucker

(I lied, I'm writing this one by myself because it was so amazing) Leap year is about a woman named Anna. Anna thought her boyfriend was going to propose to her after Anna's friend caught him leaving a jewelry store. Later on, Anna finds out that he only bought her earrings. Anna starts thinking about the story that her father had always told, about her grandmother, who proposed to her husband on leap year in Ireland because it was an old tradition. Anna decides to go to Ireland and propose to her boyfriend who is at a conference in Dublin. A massive storm causes Anna's plane to land in Wales, then Anna takes a boat to the shore's of Ireland, desperate to get to Dublin. She finds a way to a pub/hotel and asks the manager, who is also a taxi driver, to drive her to Dublin. He refuses, but later on decides to, for he needs money to pay the current months bill. Declan (the Irish taxi driving, pub owning man) and Anna go for a wild ride on there way to Dublin where Anna's boyfriend Jeremy finds her and finally proposes, reluctantly she says yes to him, and they go back to their lives, moving into the apartment that they had been wanting. Later on, Anna finds out that Jeremy only proposed to her because that's how they would get the apartment. Anna flies back to Ireland proposing to be Declan's wife, and he walks out of the room. Anna runs to a cliff side where she looks out onto a stunning view when Declan shows up again proposing to her and they end up kissing in the sunset.

I went to see this movie with my best friend, and her mum, whom I'm also good friends with, stated that this movie was her new Pride and Prejudice (Pride and Prejudice being her favorite movie). I for one must agree with her. This movie is an amazing movie! The characters that are portrayed were beautifully played. The movie was hilarious. I'll give it a PG. There wasn't really anything that a child couldn't watch. Some alcohol was drunk in the movie but that's it. Nothing crazy. I advice any hopeless romantic to see this movie.

The Dark By: Marianne Curley

Arkarian is kidnapped by the Order of Chaos, who plan to weaken the Guard by erasing his birth. Isabel is determined to save him, but that means defying Lorian's orders, risking her life, and facing the underworld itself. Going through many hardships in the underworld with her friend Ethan, and brother Matt. They meet a new friend along the way ( John Wren ) but also rescuing Ethan's sister who got killed when he was a boy ( she is a ghost/spirit ) - ( a wren is a birdlike creature but still has somewhat the appearance of a human ). When rescuing Arkarian, they gain another member of the guard Dillon who was working for the Order of Chaos but came to the good side. Arkarian and Isabel realise they love each other and Arkarian saves them by opening a rift. When they return Lorian summons Isabel to a hearing and Arkarian pleas for her life and finds out Lorian is his father. At the hearing Isabel is pardonned and Lorian grants her the power to cease ageing so she and Arkarian can be together.

Another good book. This book was easier for me to get into, but that was mostly because I finally got into the last book. I rate this one PG as well, for there wasn't anything objective. I would easily recommend this book to someone, and I already have.

The Named By: Marianne Curley

I'm sorry to say I did not post this the day that I finished it. So I am going to copy and paste from wikipedia.org for the next 3 posts. Once again, I'm sorry.

The Named starts out before Ethan, the main character, discovers his powers. He witnesses his sister's death which was caused by Marduke, an evil minion to Lathenia, the Goddess of evil and leader of the Order. The story continues when Ethan is 16. He goes to school in Angel Falls and is aware of his powers, and is relatively good at controlling them. The story switches point of views and Isabel comes into play. She is a long time acquaintance with Ethan because of his standing friendship with her brother Matt. Unfortunately, Matt and Ethans friendship grew apart because of their common interest in Rochelle. However, Rochelle doesn't come truly into play until later in the story. Ethan is training under the power of Arkarian the coordinator of the Guard. He has the power of agelessness and remains 18. He has blue hair and violet eyes, but only because of this power. Arkarian is also a truthseer (can read the minds of others) and has his wings which allows him to teleport to anywhere by thinking of it. Isabel becomes aware of her powers one day while getting ready for school. She has the power to heal. Arkarian tells Ethan this and tells him that he must train Isabelle to be ready for the final battle between the Order and the Guard. Isabel was in love with Ethan when they were young. She would follow him and her brother around just to be with them. She grew attached to the outdoors and was very strong for being a girl. This feature alone helped Ethan train her. At first, Isabel was weary about Ethan and couldn't trust what he was saying, but she grew to it and soon was a very strong member of the Guard and one of the named. The Named, are the group of nine who are said to fight Lathenia in the final battle. The nine who may or may not appear in this book, are Arkarian, Ethan, Isabel, Matt, Neriah, Rochelle, Jimmy, Shaun, and Mr. Carter. Ethan and Isabel go on their first mission back in time to make sure King Richard actually became king. The only way to get back in time is to go through the citadel (a palace with many rooms that appeal to the people who show up in them). They can only get to the Citadel through their sleep, and only their souls go, their body remains behind while they sleep.
Isabel is close to dying at one point in the book. Only her soul-mate can save her. Her soul-mate had to call her name to get her soul back to her body. Ethan tried but failed. Isabel couldn't hear him. Then Arkarian called her name. Isabel heard him. When she awoke she thought it was Ethan that had saved her. Arkarian said that Isabel can never know that he is her soul-mate.

I thought this book was quite interesting. However it took me a while to get into. I give this book a PG for it really has nothing that I object to.

Sherlock Holmes Directed by: Guy Ritchie

After finally catching serial killer and occult "sorcerer" Lord Blackwood, legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson can close yet another successful case. But when Blackwood mysteriously returns from the grave and resumes his killing spree, Holmes must take up the hunt once again. Contending with his partner's new fiancée and the dimwitted head of Scotland Yard, the dauntless detective must unravel the clues that will lead him into a twisted web of murder, deceit, and black magic - and the deadly embrace of temptress Irene Adler.
Credit to the synopsis goes to IMDB.com I rate this movie a PG13, mostly for violence.

I absolutely adore this movie! The relationship between Dr. Watson and Holmes is quite a fantastic one, Downy Jr. and Law played the characters beautifully! As I am an adorer of the late 1800's I found the costume wear stunning! The dresses McAdams wore were some of the most beautiful I've seen recreated. I love the way the movie slowed down, and you got to hear Sherlock think of the attacks to use before using them, it was quite an amazing touch. This movie has given me a whole new look at Jude Law, that I am happy to have. The action kept me hooked until the end and the acting was phenomenally done. I cannot wait to buy this movie on DVD, and I recommend anyone, and everyone to see it!

Book of a Thousand Days By: Shannon Hale

Book of a Thousand Days, is about a girl named Lady Saren and her maid, Dashti. The book is written as a diary (or, "book of thoughts" as Dashti writes it) by Dashti. Set in a fictional place inspired by medieval Mongolia. Dashti is part of a race of people called Muckers, said to be created of mud to serve the Gentry. When Dashti's mother dies she takes her last animal to trade for employment. Dashti is trained to be a Maid. When Dashti's training is done she is sent to a girl named Saren. Dashti learns that her Lady Saren is supposed to be wed to a man named Lord Khasan, but she refused. Lady Saren is sent to live in a tower for 7 years and Dashti, feeling it her duty to stay with Saren after swearing an oath, goes with her. In the beginning Dashti dutifully takes cares of Lady Saren and writes almost daily in her "book of thoughts." Lady Saren mostly cries and trembles all day while Dashti cooks, and cleans. After the time of 3 years Dashti and Lady Saren break free and make refuge in Song for Evela, where a man named Kahn Tegus who thought he would wed Lady Saren resides. They become scrubbers in the kitchen there. Dashti grows close to Kahn Tegus as Lord Khasan attacks and kills many people. Lord Khasan is looking for Lady Saren and now begins looking in Songs for Evela. Lady Saren tells Dashti that when she was young she was forced to witness Lord Khasan transform into a wolf. Dashti tells Kahn Tegus and the surrounding people that she is Lady Saren, out of Lady Saren's wishes. The next morning Dashti has help leaving the city where she forces Lord Khasan to transform in daylight. He attacks his men, who start attacking him. Lord Khasan is now dead and Lady Vachir, the woman who was betrothed to Kahn Tegus has found out that Dashti was posing as Lady Saren and wants her put to death. Lady Saren, and Kahn Tegus work together to clear her name. Lady Dashti and Kahn Tegus wed in the end. I rate this book a G, for general audiences.

In the beginning I was a little confused at the layout of the book, it took me a page or two to realize the layout, but after that I was fairly overtaken by this book. It was also a little confusing understanding the laws and customs to the book but with several pages in it became clear to me. The story had be guessing in the beginning all the way to the end. I love the relationship between Dashti and the characters, and I love the honesty Dashti shows to her "book of thoughts" It's like the inside look, that narrative pieces can't show. I would recommend this book to anyone. I loved it very much, and plan on buying it in the near future.