The Sex Lives of Cannibals Review

Don’t let the title deceive you this book has nothing to do with cannibals or the sex lives of anyone, don’t let that deceive you either because this book is well worth the read. I’m not quite sure why Troost choose the title but it did catch my attention when I was exploring the bookstore, and once I saw the synopsis on the back of the book I knew that I just had to check it out.

Maarten Troost is the author and the main character. In this novel he starts of confused, lost, and selfish. Living off of anything he can get his hands on while doing nothing with his life the author is looking for something more, something that offers adventure without the fee. His girlfriend and him soon start searching for jobs around the world where they can help out others while getting away from things back home in the states. Soon enough his girlfriend Sylvia gets a phone call to take a job at a place called Kiribati, which is not pronounced that way, they take it in a heart beat and off to the far corners of the earth.
As soon as they get they enter a world so different from their own it seems as if they have walked on to a different planet. The island is so small is can just about contain the population, then there is the concern of trash and fecal waste that is deposited into the ocean forming a reef right along side the island. Maarten does such a great job getting the attention of the reader with his highly descriptive use of words. Although there is no need to try and get the attention with the author with similes and metaphors because the stories are just so ridiculous that it is even hard imagining living on the island let alone actually staying there. The struggles faced by Maarten as he learns to adapt to the world around him is turned into a comical outlook of the way of life the islanders have lived in for centuries. All the hardships he face allow him to become a better person and a great comedian looking for a joke out of every sort of situation he encounters.

Deprived of electric, news, water, food, and almost ever thing that comes to us in America so simple, life suddenly becomes an epic battle to live. There is no need for movies or cheap entertainment on this island, everyday is interesting and worth getting up for as Maarten is sure to note. The island and novel are full of mysterious characters, crazy adventures, and events that are hard to even imagine. If you find yourself allured to tropical islands with their mystic qualities, and adventurous books this is the one for you. Maarten does a great job making a parody of his life and failures to adopt at first to the culture around him. This book contains tons of knowledge from the world beyond ours. The curious lifestyle that soon takes place for Maarten and Syliva is by far one of the most interesting topics I have read to this date. This is a summer book if I have ever seen one.

The author goes on a journey of self-exploration trying to find himself, and before the book concludes he not only finds himself but ends up with much more in his life than he could ever have expected. This book gets a 4.5 out of 5 because the title was misleading and the author gets a little intense with his use of vocabulary words at times. Overall the book is a great read and to miss out on it would be missing out on a world that is unknown to the rest of us. Trust me on this you have got to check it out. The reason I loved it too, was that as an American with confusion floating all around and not sure what to do with my life as well as knowing what I can and can’t do, I related completely to the author. Check it out because its worth every page.

Ratatouille Review

Pixar is just one of the companies that you expect the best of the best from, no matter what the situation or scenario. They just have that reputation and Ratatouillie was no exception. The quality of the movie was strikingly perfect as usual, even though I saw the movie on a blow up screen on a beach in Wildwood NJ during fireworks and lights all over the place. The storyline like all of the other Pixar movies was original in every sense and provided enough knowledge to actual make it a learning experience for the movie-goer. Then of course there is the comedy that hits you in a face the way you want see an unsuspecting person get smacked in the face. This movie has it all. The only flaw that I may have sensed was a steering away from the older crowd and more towards children, as well as the stereo typical villain with complete shadowy background and facial features that make him as distinct as anything.

The movie starts off with Remey the rat who is the main character, but the kind of character with ambition, intelligence, talent, and compassion. He is the perfect kind of character that is so easy to fall in love with. Then we have his partner in crime, the silly garbage boy who has nothing going for him, until of course he meets the rat and everything in his life is suddenly turned around in such an unsuspecting matter.

This is were the movie gets a little typical as most movies. The chef gets a little full of himself, has a falling out with Remey and then falls for a girl. The same classic storyline that is the backdrop for the main plot. This is one thing that everyone saw coming from the start and is kind of annoying when Pixar is the one producing it. One must take in mind though that this is still a kid movie, and you can only be so clever at such a low level when trying to keep the attention of children.

Overall this movie is a 4.2 out 5. I loved the ability for Pixar to approach the audience about something we are all so familiar with and make it educational along with entertaining at the same time. The numerous characters were full of life and each added something different to the movie. The plot was creative to say the least. Then there are the flaws with your typical villain, classic boy and girl, someone gets famous and ditches the one who made him famous kind of plot, and the average age for the movie was probably between 3-12. Although there were some adult jokes, gun in break-up then quick make up scene...you'll see what I mean, but for the most part it was meant for children. It was good just not amazing. I do suggest you see it though, you won't be disappointed.

Live Free or Die Hard Review

I see at least one movie every 10 days, that's an underestimate. So with that in mind I'd like to consider myself a good critic with being able to distinguish dirt from gold. I've waited for a good movie to come out that I didn't expect to be good and just blow me away this summer. I mean Pirates was awesome but I expected that, Knocked-Up was funny but who didn't see that coming. 300 was awesome with the trailer and hype leading the way though it was also expected. With that said, Die Hard was something I was looking forward to, still I mean how good could a 4th movie be about some guy who is suppose to be a hero saving the world as Bruce's age. Some how though this movie pulled it off. If you weren't blown out of your seats by the action you might have laughed your way out of it, with the perfect complementing role I have seen in ages played by Justin Long. Together Bruce and Justin are like Peanut Butter and Jelly. It may sound cheesy but never in my life have I seen a duo that could put on such a show without the weak guy being annoying as all hell, and the tough guy just going over the top with his attitude. I mean they were even better than Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. This movie also had a cool concept that most people don't realize with our government. It's not always an outside person who may attack us, and we may get attacked by one of our own strengths, technology. The villains do there thing, but aren't stupid in the ways they meet their demise. John McClane (Bruce Willis) is just a bit more experienced in this line of work, in other words his wisdom is much greater than anything they could hack.

From the get go the action is non-stop, McClane has the lovable I don't get a shit attitude. If you kill me, you kill me, but odds are I'm going to kill you first...can you honestly think of a better attitude in life, probably not. Meanwhile hacker boy Matt Farrell played by Justin Long, lives in a world of virtual reality and it's because of him that America may soon be on its knees. Justin also has the ability to bring it back to life. The journey around the the east coast let's John and Matt bond while they figure out a way to prevent things from getting worse after the villians have already shut down everything they could that involves computers. Action, Laughs, Action, Laughs, Interesting idea on the government can be attacked, Action, Laughs, Action....Damn Bruce Willis is crazy cool. That's what you will experience during this movie. I don't want to give much more away, but you will enjoy this movie. I mean sure some of the action scenes are a little over the top, but remember this is John McClane we are talking about so if you put that into consideration then anything is possible. I'm going to give this a 4.5 out of 5.....the .5 is because some of the action really is ridiculous at times. I mean why does every big action movie have to some how top the next one with some explosion that with all the bombs America has in store would still be impossible to replicate. Either way this movie ROCKS in ways you will never expect. Bruce and Justin better be working together real soon. I hope Bruce plays the PC in the next Mac commercial....yea, they were that good together.

Fight Club Review

Well it's been a month since I have showed any sign of life on this blog, but I'm back with a vengeance. Life has been a bit rough, and I've taken my hits low and high. With that said I took Fight Club under my wing, the perfect book, during this time. This is Chuck Palahniuk first book, and it's was masterfully written.

Fight Club has an interesting beginning, starting at the end. If you are like most people and have seen the movie, well just expect the book to be twice as good. The movie blew me away, but the book made my world spin twice as fast with a huge overdose of anarchism associated with it. The ideas, plot line, characters, and situations encountered can really make one think about their existence on this measly planet we call earth. The main character let's say Cornelius, since we never really no his name, is living a worthless life, dragging on silently while working his day job for a huge car business. Until he meets Tyler Durden, someone that does everything and anything Cornelius is afraid to do. Pretty soon Cornelius finds himself facing the end of his own existence when he comes home to nothing one day. The thoughts that fly through his head after he meets Tyler are those of many middle age men in society caught in the age of nothing. As Palahniuk takes note that we have no wars, but we are own great depression. We were raised to think we would be rock stars, famous actors, or athletes; after we swallow the hard truth we take our desk job and just play are little role in society. This is the main point behind the whole book, "Accepting nothing." This can be looked at from two views. As not accepting what we are suppose to, or by just accepting nothing more out of life. Tyler builds an army of revolutionaries who aren't going to accept nothing. They are saying no, they are finally going to change their lives. Tyler shows people that they can do what they want, and there is nothing more brilliant then the one passage were Cornelius holds a man at gun point telling him to follow his dreams, and that he will keep his license to check on him every so often to make sure he's not working at a convenience store but going to school to become a veterinarian. As well know though the whole back setting to this book is everyone has join a club were they fight to release themselves of everyday issues. This fight club grows so quickly, and soon overtakes all males around the nation.

With this new found power of being a leader, and showing males that they can go back to the stone age by pounding on each others faces once again. That they can do so much more with their lives if they can take these harsh beat downs once a week. In one part Palahniuk perfectly explains that the world slows down in a way that can only be experienced after you have been punched so much. This book is a classic, it should get a Pulitzer Prize, and be part of 8th grade literature classes across the world. It let's people know that you will fail in life, but that shouldn't stop you from following your dreams. Not everyone is going to make it to the big leagues, but there are many more things out there that individuals can accomplish on their own. The climatic almost ending that takes place about 3/4 in the book when Tyler is really Cornelius makes perfect sense. That everyone wants to be something, but they are just afraid to act a certain way in the eyes of others. This is no more obvious then in today's society with people living behind computer screens and doing the talking from the comfort of their home. Most books are for pleasure or just for a good story; this book has a harsh lesson, get up and live your life or else you will regret it. 5 out of 5.....I really mean it, this book is by far one of the best to come out of the 90s. This should be on everyones to do list and I mean like top 10 before you die.

Secret Pirates Ending

If you went to see Pirates of the Caribbean 3 already, and didn't stay for the after credits ending please read on, if not you may just want to go see the movie yourself before you read it. Below you will the secret ending worth sticking around for.

-SPOILER-
"Ten Years Later," appears on the screen, as a young boy around 10 years of age is seen singing "Hoist the Colours" as Elizabeth is walking with him. It is understood that this is the child of Will and Elizabeth. The sun then sets, followed by a green flash. Will then appears on the mast of The Dutchman, sailing towards the shore.

Pirates of the Caribbean 3 Review: One HELL of a movie

This month may have been one of the most dynamic, action-packed, expensive movie month in the history of film making. The tri-fecta of third installments is sadly over. It started off with a poor excuse for Spider-man 3, got a good boost from Shrek 3, and I was swept out of the water with the eye-dazzling Pirates 3. I did my best to stay away from other reviews before venturing into the high seas of the Caribbean this time. It payed off much better than I could have even hoped for.

Pirates of the Caribbean is a franchise that will be around for decades to come. It started off with the stunning first installment, and one of the first actual Pirate movies to be a hit since the elaborate movies of the 40s and 50s. It caught the hearts and attention of people all around the world. Based on the Disney ride, and with many inside jokes about the pirate world and the ride itself, the movie exceeded expectations to the point that they were able to announce a 2nd and 3rd installment at the same time. Now the 2nd one caught me completely off guard and I wasn't sure how to digest it. It was confusing, long, and I will admit a little boring at times. Still I stuck by my wits and claimed to all my friends it was a good movie. The reason I said this was because there had to be a reason why Disney, of all companies, would make viewers have to sit through this. It all made sense it the final or at least the 3rd one.

I am still trying to recall all the fascinating moments in the movie, the characters were played perfect, the storyline couldn't have been better, the action was definitely not what you would expect from a Disney movie, the score kept you heart beat up the whole time, and everything finally coming together in this movie was just perfect in every sense. There are numerous scenes in this movie that will make you want to go back for more. It starts off with Pirates around the world being hung, and sentenced. Then quickly shoots over to Singapore where the map of World's End is in the hand of Captain Sao Feng. The setting around him is done up in with details that makes you just wish you could pause the movie and take a virtual tour of the place. We join the main characters who were looking for Sparrow. Will Turner is having problems with Elizabeth and they haven't spoken for the whole trip. This time it seems as if everyone has there own plans in front of the loyalty of one another. The double crossing gets a little out of hand at times, and makes you want to just give up, but pay attention closely, good ol' Jack knows what he's up to.

It gets really crazy when we visit Jack is Davy Jones' Locker. There are dozens of Jacks as he hallucinates in this afterlife like state. This is probably one of my favorite parts, the weirdness of it all makes me feel like I'm in some type of Led Zeppelin/Pink Floyd world. Later on everyone meets up with Jack as they cross the into World's End. Pirates and pirates there are many in this movie, they do just the right amount of time on each character to get the point across and develop a sense of personality for each. Elizabeth comes on as beautiful as ever, Will is becoming the pirate he is destine to be, Captain Jack is at his best, and Barbossa is a good guy...maybe?

The movie really gives you an idea of just how intelligent, and famous Captain Jack Sparrow is outside of the first two movies. He is a legend not be reckon with, his father also is the oldest pirate known, played by Keith Richards. In the end it's as almost every character has some goodness left in him except Lord Beckett, and even he shows a sign of giving in to the pirates in the end. I wasn't sure why he did what he did in the end, but it sure made one hell of an awesome seen with splinters flying everywhere....you'll see. There were definitely a lot of camera angles that can be traced by to Neo in the Matrix style. With Sparrow and Jones fighting on the mast inside the maelstrom with a spinning 360 view, Lord Beckett's death walk, to Elizabeth and Turner marrying each other.

This movie is worth 20 bucks to see, and if you see it once you should see it again. The best part of it all is probably when there is the meeting before the huge battle between all the main characters. The electric guitar with the bass, and the camera spinning around them from miles away while they approach each other on the virgin sand surrounded by crystal clear sea water. That is by far one of the best scenes in any movie I have seen. The sudden twist at the end, which really makes the whole story come together is even more surprising. Although there were a few things I still don't get, that's probably because it's a little over my head, this movie was just down right amazing. I will see it again, probably today, and I will give further feedback on it. The most important message in this movie is that Pirates just can't be trusted, and that's what made the movie from the start. Sparrow used this to his advantage but also he did help everyone in the end. Elizabeth and Will finally do what we have all be waiting for, yet there is a question that I was still curious about and that is of Calypso. Maybe that question was answered after the credits, I wouldn't know because I walked out, but please stay for the whole thing. I give Pirates of the Caribbean a 5 out of 5 for a hell of a swashbuckling time.

Shrek 3 Review

3-D animation is what color movies were in the 1940s. It is still fascinating to see these creatures come to life on screen, and they quality has been getting better with each film. Shrek 3 will make your jaw drop when you see the first close up of Shrek. He looks so real with his freckles it's a little scary. What I love about the Shrek movies is that they are meant for kids, but has lots of adult humor, so adults have an excuse to sit through a cartoon. All of the Shrek movies take an extra step that crosses the boundary that Disney movies dare not to, that's why I enjoy them so much.

The 3rd movie was a little short, but for the most part I was entertain the whole time. The best thing about short movies is that there is never any down time if it is a relatively good movie. Although this movie kind of annoyed me a little bit when Shrek runs into more problems again and he gets down on himself again. I wish they would try and find something else to work the plot around then the fact of him having to overcome some impossible odds while questioning himself throughout the whole time. The best thing about this movie was Gingerbread man, Pinocchio, and Donkey of course. They steal the show around the sobbing Shrek who is always having problems that everyone else around him deals with just fine.

The movie overall is a decent one. The laughs are non-stop, the incorporation of other classic fairy tales is great, and the animation is the best I have seen so far. I wish they would make a spin-off of Gingerbread man or Pinocchio. Shrek is a cool guy and all, but I think we've all had enough with his poor misfortunes that lead him to the best of things. I give Shrek 3 a 3.7 out of 5, it was a great addition to this series, and I am looking forward to the Puss-in-boots spin-off and the supposedly next 3.