Raphael: Stay. Good dog. Luke: Bite me. Raphael: Roll over.
Luke: Play dead.
Simon: Boom! *High-fives with Luke*
-Raphael and Luke banter, while Simon supports Luke, Shadowhunters Season 1
The following post contains spoilers. You've been warned.
From left to right: Isaiah Mustafa as Luke Garroway, Matthew Daddario as Alec Lightwood, Emeraude Toubia as Isabelle Lightwood, Katherine McNamara as Clary Fray, Dominic Sherwood as Jace Wayland, Alberto Rosende as Simon Lewis, Harry Shum Jr. as Magnus Bane (from www.cafecomlivroo.com)
I have to say, people of the Shadowhunter fandom has been through a lot. They've been through the incest, the excessive love triangles, the passion cries for the right casting for the film, the movie itself, the failure of the movie, and finally this. The Mortal Instruments converted itself into a television series on Freeform, and it started to air last January of 2016. Before the series even began, the reactions to this has been a mix-bag. Everyone was pretty comfortable with the movie casting, so I can understand if everyone panicked when the casting has been brought to a clean slate. Then the trailers came, and people worried. It was easy to say that the budget given to this series is not as big compared to most, and it is quite evident in the special effects. Plus, a lot of people were not comfortable with the acting skills of the actors and actresses portraying the characters. Recently, the series has ended and it has been renewed for a second season in 2017. Now the question remains...did it give justice to the Shadowhunter fandom? Welcome to the last day of our Shadowhunters Discussion, where we finally tackle the first season of Shadowhunters.
Simon: You killed two cops! Jace: They weren't cops! *banters about it for the next ten minutes*
-Simon & Jace, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones movie (2013)
The following discussion contains spoilers. You've been warned.
From left to right: Lily Collins as Clary Fray, Robert Sheehan as Simon Lewis, Jamie Campbell Bower as Jace Wayland, Kevin Zeger as Alec Lightwood, Jemima West as Isabelle Lightwood. (From: Moviepilot)
Today is day 2 of the Shadowhunters discussion, and we are
going to talk about the movie that showed during 2013. Yesterday, I discussed the book and if you
want to see that before diving into this, you can click here. For this post, I
will not go on and on about how it was not loyal to the source material (a.k.a.
book), because it is just a movie adaptation. These kinds of things do not
necessarily have to be extremely accurate to the original story. The movie is based on the book, and it is not the
book. In my opinion, movie adaptations are all right just as long as they can
still make a good story. Yes, I am looking at you Percy Jackson movies. Anyway,
I just watched the film again last night and I have a lot to say about it.
When I heard that this movie was going to happen, I had my
reservations. Then the casting news came, and all I could do was nod. And then
the production designs were teased, my eyes gleamed for a moment. Finally, the
trailer and pictures came, and I became even more excited. The movie looked
aesthetically good so I couldn’t wait to see it in theaters. And guess what? I
did, and did I like it? Well…
The first season of Shadowhunters is officially over! To commemorate its success in television, I'd like to stroll down memory lane and talk about everything that you may need to know about The Mortal Instruments. By doing that, I am going to spend three days discussing about the book, movie, and of course the TV series. These are not really reviews, but more of thoughtful detailed discussions on what I liked and disliked about this fandom. If you've been following my blog for quite some time, then I am sure you are aware that I am part of the Shadowhunter fandom. I love the stories of the Shadowhunter, mostly because they are compelling, suspenseful, romantic (???), and thrilling. It's all you can ask for in a typical Young Adult series. For part one, I am going to talk about the thing that started it all; the book itself. But I will only be discussing the first book of the Mortal Instruments, which is The City of Bones, since the TV series and movie based their storylines here. This week, I took some time rereading it and studying it. So let's get started.
The Story: Clary Fray is just your average teenager until she started to feel insane. Well, this is because she began to see things that are out of the ordinary. She would see people with wings or fangs, or even cat-like eyes. She even witnesses a murder committed by a bunch of teenagers that only she could see. The confusion and hysterics continue until Clary's overprotective mother goes missing, leaving their house trashed and attacked with no explanation. Clary had no choice but to seek the help of the murderers she saw earlier, only to learn that everything that she had in her life was a lie. Turns out, she was a Shadowhunter, a part-human and part-angel that serves to protect the humans from demons. She inherited this from her mother, who was assumed to be kidnapped by Valentine; a megalomaniac whose mission is to grab the Mortal Cup and to use it for his dark purposes. Clary and her newfound Shadowhunter friends attempt to find the Mortal Cup before it reaches to the evil clutches of Valentine.
Hello! I am here with another New Yolk Times post for you and today I am going to discuss the series that I've been waiting for, Shadowhunters. As some of you know, The Mortal Instruments series has been rebooted as a TV series on ABC Fami--- I mean, Freeform. So the plot is basically the same as the one you read in the book or seen in the movie.
To be honest, I was not looking forward to this. Yes, I got excited until I learned ABC Fa--- I mean, Freeform has decided to adopt the show. The promos to me were not too flattering but I was ok with the casting choices. And when I saw the pilot episode I gotta say... I was surprisingly okay with it.
It's been such a long time since I've written my last egg tray post. So I think it's time for you to know, what I've been into the past few months. So brace yourselves, it's going to jumbo-packed.
Movies and TV
Unfortunately, I haven't been very active in the cinemas lately. I was only able to watch one movie and it is called Blue Is the Warmest Color and it is a French film directed by Abdellatif Kechiche. The story is just really simple. It's about a girl named Adele (Adele Exarchopoulos) who just discovered that she is a lesbian and forms an intimate relationship with Lea Seydoux's character (sorry I forgot her name). That's it. I cannot say much because the plot is very simple and revealing too much will probably involve spoilers. Although I have to warn you, the movie is really long for a slice of life drama. It is three hours long. So the story line will sometimes become dragging because everything in this movie can get nitty gritty because every scene is detailed. From the dinner scenes to the dramatic ones, there's not a single pass through. This film took so much time with its montages and what is going on in these girls' lives. Plus the acting is very superb. I give kudos to this film for having the most realistic setting, from the make-up of the actresses to the transitions of each scene. Everything is not very glamorized and it looks like a story of a person that you would normally see everyday. It's a really nice, but a sad film. It ends on a very low note, though. And I'm kinda expecting a sequel for this.
Another film that I saw was in my Spanish Elective class and it is entitled, All About My Mother. It is directed by one of the most famous directors, Pedro Almodóvar. The story begins when Manuela (Cecilia Roth)'s son dies in a car accident on the night of his birthday. Her son's birthday wish was to meet his father, whom Manuela never wanted to mention. However, Manuela decides to search for him in the place they met, which was in Barcelona. Then it is revealed that Manuela was not some bland motherly character. She actually had a very interesting past. It took a very long time for her to find the boy's father, but in between, you will be able to see Manuela reconnecting to her past, which involves another world of theater and transvestites. I honestly did not expect this film to be that good, and I was totally invested in it. The following films that I watched have similar elements, and I recommend this to anyone who's willing to know more about the LGBT community.
I'm also hooked with two series, lately. The first is an anime which I made a blog about, it is entitled Baccano!And it is centered on the incident that happened in the transcontinental train, the Flying Pussyfoot. The episodes explained how the events came to be and how they were related and knotted into the present timeline. It's not just your typical mystery thriller, because it also involves supernatural themes. It has been my guilty pleasure for a week, and I loved all the characters in it. They were random and unique. Plus the soundtrack is great.
And last not but not the least, there is a brand new DC TV show called Supergirl, which was shown last week! Although it is too soon to say this, but I loved the first episode. I like how it is taking on this "Girl Power" vibe, making it much more different from the existing DC TV show. Also I've been a fan of Melissa Benoist since Glee and I cannot wait to see more of her in this show. I think she played her character, Kara, very well. So far, the plot tells us that even though Kara knew that she was a Kryptonian, she hasn't bothered using her special abilities and tried to lay low for a very long time. Then disaster strikes, and she decides to use her powers to save the people she loves from further danger. That was just the beginning, because her new problem was that the prison facility her mother handled was also destroyed and the villains wanting Kara's mother's head went to Earth to satisfy their vengeance by trying to target Kara. Now it is up to Kara to stop these guys and put them back to prison. It's a bit similar to Flash, so I'm curious to see how this series will turn out. But again, I really liked the first episode. So I cannot wait for more.
Games & Apps
It's been a while since I've done an Otome game, so I browsed through the Play Store till I discovered this sucker. It's called Midnight Cinderella. The story is kinda like The Selection series. Your character accidentally finds herself included in a small competition where they select the next ruler of the kingdom, and for no reason, your character gets chosen. To make matters even more interesting, your character needs to select a groom to rule with and that's where your suitors will come in.
There are more than five suitors and once you pick one, your story officially begins. You can also change your suitor in the middle of the story, as well. And like all Otome Games, your play time will be limited. In this case, I can only access the games five times using five Chapter Tickets. Once I run out of Chapter Tickets, I either have to wait for the next day or purchase one. I also can customize my character's appearance and make actual friends with other people playing the game. Also there will be instances where I have to pick what my character has to do next, which will greatly affect the ending I have with my suitor.
This Otome game will also feature bonuses, prices, and many opportunities to glamorize your account. And every month, there will be special side story events which you can participate with other suitors in the game and not just with the one you selected for the main story. It's quite a productive game, so I think you won't get very bored with it because of the many gifts you will receive each day. On top, you can see that I selected King Byron, the ruler of my rival kingdom, as my main suitor the story. So yeah, you can imagine how intense my nonexistent love life is.
The art in this game is fantastic. Plus I love how the narration of this game is so fluid and detailed. It feels like reading from a romantic novel, but with actual pictures of attractive looking men dominating your phone screen. This app is for free in the Play Store and the Apple Store, so if you're looking for an unrealistic romance and a man that will fit your ridiculously high standards, then you might as well try installing an Otome game. Particularly this one.
This game is recommended by CutiePieMarzia on Youtube. It is called Zombuster and I believe this game is designed by her brother. The game is very easy; all you have to do shoot the zombies and not shoot the people. For me, this game is perfect whenever I need to pass the time between classes or when I am just bored out of my mind. Also if you accumulate a good enough score, you can change your shooting avatar. Currently, my shooting avatar is a Jedi and there are a few more available in the shop. So yeah, install this game and it will change your life.
Books
Of course, I had the time to read! The first one is entitled All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. For a very long time, a classmate of mine in college has been recommending this book to me. I also discovered this book in a book list that I saw in a Candy Mag online article. This is the very first YA novel of Jennifer Niven, but it is written very well. It's a boy meets girl story, but the most interesting thing about their relationship is that it tackles a very serious issue in our society today; mental illness. Both deal with depression and anxiety in their own way, and I think Niven was able to display what depression is really like and was able to explain why it's something that needs to be treated like any other physical sickness. This possibly the first slice of life novel that I read, where I am convinced that the characters were almost real. They weren't glamorized, the writer did not bother to explain how someone is attractive or ugly. Niven was just able to fill in what was happening with very emotional details. It's a book where you do not fangirl about how hot the main guy is, but it's a book where you actually discuss what happened and why it happened. This story was definitely written from the heart, so it was able to touch me. Many say it's the new John Green, but I think it's a book that is barely comparable to his work. However, if you're a fan of him or even Jay Asher, then this book is definitely for you. It will hit you right in the feels, in a way that you can never imagine.
The only way for me to get over the series of Percy Jackson was not to read Rick Riordan's new series, but to read a brand new fantasy series. Ironically, I discovered this title in Rick Riordan's list of book recommendations. The book is called Magisterium: The Iron Trial and it is a book collaboration between one of my favorite YA writers, Cassandra Clare, and Holly Black. The story is everything that you would expect in a Middle Grade fantasy series. A boy who refuses to be a part of something mystical and special, him getting himself into a Golden Trio, they struggle with magic together, and they also deal with bullies and other puberty issues. However, knowing Clare, I knew there was something big going to happen in this book and there was (unless the big reveal was Holly Black's idea, I will never know). Also, I like the chemistry the main character has with his friends. They formed a great Golden Trio bond, that I never encountered that much in any fandom before. Their friendship is so cute and beautiful that it makes me cry. Also the plot twist drove me nuts, so I decided to get the sequel. The verdict? Well, there are many cliches, but you will still enjoy them. I mean, the most amazing thing about Fantasy novels will always be about the setting. The world told in every fantasy novel will still follow the same formula, but the world will still be new and exciting to you. And the world of the Magisterium is definitely beyond exciting. That plot twist will make you pee in your pants. It's amazing. Read it. I mean it. Go. Seriously. Plus it features a character who has the exact name as me. So yeah. Go read it. It has a good story too.
Beauty and other stuff
Believe it or not, I'm a girl so I like girly things including cosmetics. For the first time in my life, I bought a red lipsticks. You know you're entering adulthood, when you decide to get yourself the bold statement shade of lipstick. And it is the Auto Lip Crayon from Yadah, a South Korean Brand (because for some reason, I trust South Koreans and their expertise in make-up and anything that involves the word, "beauty"). It is in the color "Dazzling Red" and it is well, a dazzling red. It has a matte formula, which I normally do not like because of my dry lips. But this matte lipstick works really well. Either because I've been starting to take care of myself lately, or it just has a really good matte finish. It doesn't really dry your lips and it is also very long-lasting. Actually, maybe it is a bit too long-lasting because even after hours of going out, the color will still stick unless I forcibly remove it with a damp cloth. It also really good for people who are on a budget and still want to look like a random celebrity. Don't limit yourself, they have four more shades.
Weirdly enough, I've been enjoying using this black pencil. What's so special about it, you ask? Well...it's just a pencil. That is completely black from head to toe. I don't know with you guys, but I have this huge thing for anything that is stationery. So when I see some cute pen or notebook, I know I just have to get it. And this was one of them. Also, I did not regret this purchase--even if it is just a pencil that is a black color-- because it is really cheap. It will not exceed ten pesos, which probably only a few scents in American dollars. It even looks really good with my Lego Journal, which is color black as well. And it smells good. Yeah, my taste in stationery is something nobody can understand.
Yup, you guessed it. I entered the Adult Coloring Book craze, as well. Let's just say my mom got into it, so she encouraged me to try it out because she knew how stressed out I was with life, recently. The ultimate dilemma in this craze is to pick which coloring book would suit me the most. So it took me some time to decide which stuff I wouldn't mind putting a bit color into. Also, the sketches in these books are fantastic. It kinda made me not want to color some pictures and I nearly convinced myself that the only therapy I needed was to stare at a couple of some old intricate sketches of buildings and cupcakes. If you decided to buy an adult coloring book, then there is no worry. It may be or may not worth your money, since they are pretty pricey. But if you think coloring is fun, then you are more than welcome to try one out, especially if you a whole lot of vacant hours on your plate. Also, coloring does take your mind off things. Because your mind will be occupied on thoughts about which color you are going to use next. To make myself even more relaxed, I would accompany my coloring session with a bit of music from Spotify.
And that is it for my Egg tray! I told you it would be very long. And there are many other favorites that I wasn't able to mention, but I will save it till the next Egg Tray post. If you made it this far to reading, first of all thanks and I will see you till the next post~
Remember when I fangirled about the announcement of The Mortal Instruments becoming a TV series? Well guess what, it actually pushed through and after all the casting announcements and progress, we finally get a glimpse of a teaser and a legit trailer! Unless you're one of those people who went to New York Comic Con, then oh, well. You already.
Now I am well pleased with the very first teaser. For me, all the colors and all that mystic shiz going on accurately captured the vibes of the TMI series, at least for the first book. Also, for once, the casting is pretty good. Isabelle finally looks Isabelle, Clary's hair color is correct, and so on. My only concern now for the show is that if it will also be able to transition into a much darker and eerie tone, like that of the movie. The problem with the movie was that it was trying too hard to be scary and kinda dark. The Mortal Instruments has that very element but it is wrapped around with some light and vibrant stuff. Kinda like ecstasy, but not really. The teaser is able to give me that very feel, but I'm really hoping for some serious things to happen, because as of now it really aims to cater to a much younger audience. I am honestly hoping they would be able to make the show look enticing for adults too, because the series deals with also very mature topics as the story progresses.
And then we have the trailer. Honestly, this very trailer kinda reduced my excitement. First and foremost, we again talk about casting choices. Kat McNamara pulled off the Clary look, but the acting skills? I'm not so sure about that. Her acting technique seems a bit ten times more awkward compared to what Lily Collins offered. Her screams and yells were too sweet-sounding, and Clary Fray is anything but sweet. Unfortunately, the trailer only showed her frightened side, but as they put in more teasers, I'd like to see another angle of Kat McNamara as Clary, preferably her stubborn side. I also have a good feeling about Harry Shum Jr. and Dom Sherwood who are playing Magnus and Jace, respectively. Harry, for me, will somehow never pull off the complete Magnus look compared to Godfrey Gao, but his acting was really good. It is the first time I've seen him act in such a setting, and so far I like what I see. As for Dom Sherwood, we only get to see barely a glimpse of his character. He managed to say a line that was very Jace ("What? No thank you?"), and that's probably the only Jace line I've ever heard. The rest was him explaining what Shadowhunters are. Mostly, the trailer and teaser highly focuses on Clary, who is obviously the main protagonist. I didn't get to see much Jace, and it is something that I still look forward to because he's also a very major character. Apart from that, I think he did okay. So apart from the eerie element, I am very concerned with the acting. Yes, I am looking at you, Kat. I will be watching each and everyone of the cast, especially her.
I do hope that the next trailers will reveal the other characters as well. I am also kinda disappointed that these guys do not have accents anymore. Having accents almost seemed like a shadowhunter trademark to me. But, whatever. Shadowhunters will premiere on ABC Family this January of 2016, and this time, I will lower my expectations for this. I get that most of these actors and actresses are still not that established, so I will cut them slack. But it's very important that they do the storytelling right. I'm not saying that it should be book accurate, but hopefully it would still be very interesting and that they will be transition to different types of tones.
Here ye! Here ye! We have a new Jace, and that means...aww, Jamie Campbell will not be our Jace.
Recently ABC Family announced that Dominic Sherweood shall be our brand new Jace for the Shadowhunter series! And honestly, I know nothing about this guy.
Since I love The Mortal Instruments so much, I took the liberty to do a little bit of research on him. Aside from being the boyfriend of the adorable Sarah Hyland, he was born and raised in Southeast England. And this makes him fit the role of Jace well, since Jace has English blood. But then again, if the series still intends to make all the Shadowhunters sound European, then yes we will get more accents than we bargained for.
I also checked the movies and televisions series he has done, and he's actually the guy in Vampire Academy (You know, the weird emo guy who stays in the library all the time). And he's also the guy who.....
Got that James Dean daydream look in his eyes! That's right, folks. Our beloved new Jace is the same two-colored eyed man in Taylor Swift's artsy music video, "Style". And as most Shadowhunter fans know, Jace has golden-like eyes, and he has neither. Looks like you still need contacts, buddy.
And so far, that's all I know about him. Hopefully we will receive more announcements about the upcoming show and hopefully a new casting for Clary Fray. So my question for you is, do you think Dominic Sherwood will do Jace justice? I know it's too soon to tell, but if we got more suggestions or if we still want Jamie back, then it's better to voice out those opinions now while the production is still young. As for me, I'm fine with it as long as they get him to look more like Jace. As for his acting skills, I don't have much worries. He may not have a very credible background on it, but I've seen him done the stoic bad boy archetype before. However, Jace is not exactly stoic, right? So I guess the question I have for him is that if he can pull off the troll, tormented, narcissistic, obsessive-compulsive, pretty boy.
Last year I posted that The Mortal instruments will be turned into a series. And it is finally happening. ABC Family just announced that they will take on the high-end series entitled, "Shadowhunters". Now the title has really great ring to it, but there are still so many questions that need to be answered. Who are the cast? How much of the story will they keep and delete? Will they include the incest and the other controversial themes the entire series entail? Will they change it up more? Will it turn into a flop?
According to an article by The Hollywood Reporter, Constantin Film will be involved in the project, with Ed Lecter as the executive producer. Not much is revealed about the series itself and there is still no word about who is going to be part of the cast.
I don't know much about the ABC Family and the series they produce. However, as far as I'm aware, they also make movies meant for kids and families. It gives movies and shows to Disney, for crying out loud. In other words, I haven't seen them take on a project that involves adult-like plots yet (maybe we can give Once Upon a Time, an exception). If you do know, please let me know. Because for now, I am not confident about ABC handling the entire thing because I was hoping for HBO or at least, CW, because I've seen them execute shows that are beyond abstract. And The Mortal Instruments has a lot dark themes that cannot be easily explained to younger audiences. Plus the reading audience of the series are purely young adults, or at least that's what I observed. And that kind of conflicts with the target audience, ABC intends for the Shadowhunter series. I understand that they want to attract older viewers (and by older, hopefully they mean someone ranging from late teenage years to mid-adulthood), but families? Really? And if Disney somehow wants to become involved with this, then we are doomed. However, I hope they prove me wrong. Like, if they can stay true to the story, bring in fantastic actors with actual acting skills, and offer a fair amount of fan service, then I will be more than glad to say that my doubts were too much. Let's just see how this will play out. And I pray it will turn out well.
It's been a while since I blogged. Let's say I've been enjoying my holiday break and tried to have a life (not really). I know it's kind of too late to reminisce about 2014 now, but I am going to do it anyway. Last year was actually a very pleasant. It may have not been that eventful, but most of the memories for I have for 2014 were full of bliss. I reached my second year, I turned 20, I got brand new pets, I discovered cosmetics, I learned many things, and I started this blog to share many of the things I learned...and cherish. So yeah, it was a good year.
So for this post, I would like to talk about all the books I managed to read for 2014. I saw Rick Riordan do something similar to this and I thought why not share my reading list. I may have not read thirty books like he did, but I still think it is worth sharing.
1.) The Lake by Banana Yoshimoto At the beginning of the year, I sort of made a resolution that I would read a book that's beyond my comfort zone; meaning I would read a completely different author, since I was so used to Riordan, Clare, Rowling, and all those amazing authors. Then one fateful school day, I encounter this in a secondhand book sale. It's a simple story about a frustrated artist who recently lost her mother and then meets this male medical student with a tortured past. Sounds like a pretty generic love story to most people but as I started reading it, it wasn't. Yoshimoto had a different way of writing it. The situations were pretty simple, but each word was heavy with the sorrows and whatever feelings the characters were having. Whilst reading this I could mentally hear dramatic violin and piano music playing. The story was that dramatic. It would be cliche for me to say that this isn't a typical love story. In its own way, it is like every love story ever told but I've never seen a relationship between two characters that is filled with so much sincerity. Most love stories I've read are bursting with passion, but the love these characters had was so sincere, simple, sad, but absolutely beautiful. Reading this was a refreshing experience and a good way to start the year.
2.) The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman Believe it or not, this was my first Neil Gaiman book. And before reading this over the summer, I have always wanted to try one of his works. In this very odd tale, we have a boy named Nobody Owens, who grew up in a graveyard. In this coming-of-age story, I was so overwhelmed with how the main character was raised. And I was immediately drawn by the plot the moment I read the first chapter. The beginning had an eerie aura to it, which I enjoyed. I almost forgot what it was like to read something strange but interesting. But in the end, it gave me a glimpse of what it's really like to grow up and live. Now that I'm two decades old, I fully grasped what Gaiman meant at the end of the story. If that's really the message he wanted to evoke here...
3.) Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan Okay, I honestly do not know how to explain the plot of this book. All I can tell you is that it is the very last book of The Heroes of Olympus series, which is the sequel series to Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Basically the entire series revolves around Greek and Roman mythology, with young Greek and Roman demigods as the main characters of the story. Riordan has never failed to impress me with not only his witty writing skills, but also how he has managed to make something modern out of something that is absolutely ancient, which are the elements of Greek and Roman mythology. I love how he builds the suspense (campers, let's give him a hand for this, even if we suffered every year. If you know what I mean), and the character developments in these books are well written, especially in the last book. The Blood of Olympus gave me a chance to appreciate other characters, which did not have much appearances in the other books. And to be honest, I was emotionally preparing myself to cry every time I turned to the next page. The suspense that he has been building up for years has finally led to the pages of final book, and Rick can be very good with surprises.
4.) Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
The first thing I said to myself when I first saw this book was, "Wow. This is my book" Why? Well, this story is about Cath, a fangirl who writes fanfiction about her ultimate fandom. Just like the main character, I'm a fangirl who has a hard time of letting go of a fandom. The only difference between her and I is that I have multiple fandoms. She only has one. Plus, I do not write authentic slash fanfiction that can reach the parts of Japan. I do not know if you consider this as a Chick Literature, but if it is then it is the best one I've ever read. Perhaps the reason behind this is because I could relate to everything Cath went through. I know what it's like to write fanfiction, I know what it's like to really love a fandom and become very attached to it, and I know the feeling when your talents are being put into question. Cath's life was almost similar to my life. But what I really love most about this book was that Cath did not easily say that she was awkward in every situation, she demonstrated it. She fully expanded how she felt in every chapter and I was able to grasp it. I just love how Rainbow showed the life of an Otaku (introverted people who stay in their room and spend most of their time, being passionate towards their interests or hobbies), and I just love how she showed how human we Otakus actually are. She showed that we Otakus, do not just selfishly love our fandoms. We bleed for friendship, we bleed for accomplishments, we bleed for a life, we bleed for love. Being an Otaku is not that easy, you guys.
I know what you guys are saying... Tama? You call this a reading list? What happened? Haha, I apologize. I am actually disappointed with myself because this is all that I've read for the year. I would usually read more than this. I guess this is what happens when you have a smartphone and 24/7 WiFi. This year, I would like to try more books. I don't know if I should consider this as a New Year's resolution, because they usually do not end well. But I will try to read more this year. And currently, I am starting with this:
5.) The Mortal Instruments: City of Heavenly Fire Just like the Blood of Olympus, this is the final installment to the Mortal Instruments series (gah, I can't believe my favorite series ended this year!). How am I holding up with this book? Not so well, since my feels are just overflowing my house at the moment. But it's getting good, so far. Good job at breaking my heart, Clare.
I studied my butt off for an intense exam the day before, so I lacked sleep. I studied again in the morning, tried my best not to feel tense and all, took the exam, pigged out, then I return home to my laptop and saw this announcement on my Facebook news feed.
For source of photo, read more about the news here
That's right! The Mortal Instruments is going to be TV show (and hopefully, a series), which is awesome!
I logged on to Twitter the other day and saw TMI fans across the globe going crazy over this announcement, bombarding Cassie Clare (the awesome author of the book series) with so many questions (including me) regarding it.
I guess operation, "Turn The City of Ashes into a film"did not go so well, but hey, I do not know with you guys, but I think moving this to our personal TV screens is a better idea. Why? Here's why:
1.) The script will most likely go by the book
According to the article I read, Constantin Film and Martin Moszkowicz said that TMI's plot will be further explored compared to that of movies. Let's be honest, a maximum of three hours is definitely not enough to show all the wonders of The City of Bones. Although the movie was very satisfactory for me, I have a good feeling that we will get to see a whole lot more when it turns into a series. Plus, they are most likely going to start the story from scratch, so they can definitely make up for minor inaccuracies shown in the film last year.
2.) Watching the series will feel like reading the book all over again.
I don't know with you guys but that's how I feel whenever I watch a series. Just watching an entire season is like reading the first book. The feels will get even more intense if you hear the words, "tune in next week" (but not for the Shadowhunter readers, because we all know how it officially ends), and you will be craving for more. Sure, series breaks can be very aggravating but they keep you excited about something, which is very effective. And watching an entire season is obviously longer (and better) than watching a film.
3.) It will be relaunched as "High-end Drama series"
Although the casting and network is still not yet official, I have my own opinions and options concerning these.
In case they do a recasting, I honestly hope that Godfrey Gao (the actor who played Magnus), Kevin Zeger (who played Alec), and Lena Headey (who played Jocelyn--and yes, Cersei Lannister) to stay in the series. The rest can just go. Also they need to put Raphael in The City of Bones this time, he is not some insignificant character that you can just flick away. So let's hope the writers can put him in. Apart from that, I cannot say who I want specifically to play the rest of the characters because my expectations are just way too high. I'd love to describe how my ideal Izzy, Simon, Jordan, or whoever would be like but it would take an entire novel. Don't get me wrong, I appreciated Lily Collins, Jamie Bower, and the rest of the bunch. In fact, I think they did a great job, really. But at the end of the day, I am not so sure if they were the right fit for their roles. If they do intend to return then that's fine. But I still think a recast is a better idea.
As for the network, I honestly want CW or HBO to take on the series. Yes, I choose them because my favorites series come from these networks and it would be really great to know that TMI will be featured in any of them. Just imagine it getting an Emmy Award for whatever. That would be give TMI fans across the globe a whole bowl of ecstasy.
And yes, as a hardcore fan of the Shadowhunter series, I want The Infernal Devices to become a spin-off series. If you think about it, it would be really cool. Furthermore, it is my favorite Shadowhunter Series so far. But I still think they will have a hard time looking for the right Will Herondale. It simply can't be done. Even the ducks will agree with me. As for The Dark Artifices and The Last Hours, it is really hard to say because for one thing... Lady Midnight and Chain of Thorns are not even out yet (No kidding, Tama). I do imagine The Bane Chronicles being a mini-series, though.
So yes, I am very excited about this whole thing. It makes me want to reread all the books of TMI. Hopefully this will push through and that the series won't flop. Go shadowhunters!
