Vampire Academy

Vampire Academy is the film I have watched next day noon. It was entertaining and decent pass time. I like the lead actress Zoey Deutch. But to be honest it wouldn't be my first choice among the many other vampire films.

Blue Jasmine

Blue Jasmine was viewed at a cinema in Bangkok (the best way to avoid noon sun and heat) and as soon as the film started I have forgotten about the allegations of Woody Allen, Oscar win of Cate Blanchett, well everything. It is a very good film and it was superbly acted by everyone in it. And Cate Blanchett was so good. Yeah I'm within the majority on this one. And in this case, it looks like I'm able to separate the art and the private life of the artist.

I just saw this again on TV and liked it even better.

The Mystery of Mercy Close

The Mystery of Mercy Close 

If I go to a holiday next time, I'll update this blog daily insaallah. Going back is difficult.

On the book: Marian Keyes is a very entertaining writer and this one is no exception. I like the lead character and her very clearly defined likes and dislikes. Recommended.

Open City

Open City - I got a nasty surprise right from the start. The legit Thai dvd didn't have any English subtitles. But since I like Kim Myung Min and Son Ye Jin, I thought I'd give it a go based on my having memorised stock phrases all throughout my Korean drama viewing. Well I understood about 10% of the language (remember, I'm an optimist!) but even if I didn't, this one harboured no mysteries. It is, what I safely can call a 'melo - action' film. The other film that can go into this category would be the excellent Shiri. This one is just plain bad. A waste of a great cast since neither was particularly believable despite doing everything right and looking good. (Except maybe the mother of the cop acted by Kim He Sook)  Anyway stay away from it.

The Redeemer

The Redeemer this one is probably my favorite of the Harry Hole novels so far. Not only we have a hired killer on the loose but also we have the last dregs of the secret gang within the police force. Harry, once again goes on a drinking binge and once again comes out of the novel with scars but also his integrity intact.

I'm very happy with this detective and his adventures. Thanks Mr.Nesbo.

Before I Go To Sleep

Here is another one with 'sleep' in the title. Before I Go To Sleep was found at an online secondhand bookstore after reading about it in amazon and wondering about how the story is told.  I have looked the writer on line and to my surprise he is a man and a physisist. Well the main character is a female and the story is told by her, she has this memory disease where everything wipes up everynight and she wokes up remembering nothing. Seems interesting doesn't it. Well despite the fact that I have read it without yawning through it, I can't say the novel was gripping.

Sleep No More

Sleep No More is one of the only two books that were stolen from my possession. The first one was at boarding school (The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco). This one was in the back pack the burglar took with him when he entered our house - with only me sleeping in it and being woke up by the said gentlemen burglar (my sister called him Arsene Lupin since he didn't harm me, just ran away when I woke up and confronted him - in a rather polite way, apparently manners cannot be shaken off, neither by sleep nor by fear and incomprehension)

But even though I have read more than one third of it, this one was not a book I have particularly mourned after. I didn't replace it right away, in fact I think it has been about 10 years since it was stolen.

Anyway when I saw it in Lamai, I have decided to give it another go -an irrational part of me expecting it to be stolen again-. Well, it was not a book that I liked. I have no idea whether it is because of the circumstances, but the characters and their motivations seemed rather silly. Obsession, love, family were themes I usually prefer in fiction (anything but war as far as I'm concerned) but this book left me cold right to the end. Not recommended.