The DUFF (2015)

     About:
   
              A high school senior instigates a social pecking order revolution after finding out that she has been labeled the DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) to her prettier more popular friends. Starring Bella Thorne, Mae Whitman, Robbie Amell, and more. Directed by Ari Sandel.










My Review:


                When I first learned that the book The DUFF was becoming a movie I was so excited.  I loved the book and found it absolutely amazing. So when the movie came out I just had to see it as soon as possible. Truthfully though I was a little disappointed with the movie. If I have never read the book I would have given this movie five stars right away no doubt about it. So if you haven't read the book you will totally love this movie. It's funny with real sincere moments that make you go aww and you just can't help but love Bianca and Wesley's relationship. It just didn't stay true to the parts I most liked about the books. Bianca and Wesley's relationship was a little different in the book and the movie. Though after seeing this movie last night I definitely want to read the book again.

                So I guess I'll start with the plot this time and the characters before I move onto the actors. So basically The DUFF is about a girl who is basically happy with her life until her neighbor and ex-friend Wesley calls her a DUFF. After that she has a little breakdown by dumping her two hot friends and striking a bargain with Wesley to help him pass Science if he helps her not be a DUFF anymore. She wants to be attractive and her crush, Toby Tucker, to like her back. Once that deal was made Bianca goes on this adventure of finding her self and trying to love that self with Wesley learning what he really wants and to not care what others think along with Bianca. 

               Bianca and Wesley's characters together are so cute and funny. I just loved their bickering and banter back and forth. I connected with Bianca a lot because I love my cheesy t-shirts and my kind of boyish clothes. I also am a dork hence the name of my blog. Wesley was awesome.  I loved his character. He is definitely my favorite. He actually reminded me a lot of my brother who talks and acts the same way as Wesley. He also does the chest thing that Wesley did in the locker room (you'll know what I'm talking about when you see the movie). I also liked Bianca's friends who were so nice and always there for Bianca when she needed them. I liked all the characters frankly.

              I liked that Mae Whitman played Bianca. I know there are a lot of people who complained saying that they should have picked an actual ugly person for the role but I thought that she was perfect. Yes, she wasn't straight up ugly but girls that do look like her are picked on and made fun of for how they look. I remember overhearing someone say if you're not skinny, you're not pretty. Obviously that's not true but a lot of people do think like that so I think the people who complained about her being cast have no grounds. Bella Thorne was so amazing in her role of Madison. I absolutely loved her acting in this role. She really did well in acting like a b*tch and really owning it. I mean you can't have a good movie without a good antagonist. Ok, Now I loved Robbie Amell as Wesley. He did so well withe the role and well I just loved him. He's very good looking and well just cute too when he smiles. But anyway He really acted his role well has a typical guy who sometimes says stupid things and had some insecurities as well despite being good looking and popular. I have never been disappointed in Robbie's acting and this movie continues that feeling. I also liked Ken Jeong, Romany Malco, and Chris Wylde's acting in their roles as respective figures in the school. They topped the movie off with their little funny scenes. Especially the bonus scenes which rolled during credits. They were so funny.

              Overall, I really did enjoy the movie. The only problems I had were it's relationship to the book and the fact that there were a few scenes or just things that were in the movie that were just unnecessary. The movie would have been better without them but I guess every stupid-funny movie has them. I enjoyed the acting and the somewhat realism of it all. If you love stupid funny movies then this is the one for you. I still recommend reading the book and if you have read it and haven't watched the movie, I still think you should see it, just don't think it with religiously follow the book.


Stars: 4/5

Yellow volume 1 by Makoto Tateno

About: 

            Taki and Goh share just about everything - their  apartment in the city, their job as elite drug "snatchers" and even dinner duty. But hot Goh wants to go much deeper undercover with  his gorgeous partner. Too bad Taki doesn't  swing that way... or does he? If yellow is the warning color, will this team finally end up in-the-red (and in bed)?

Boys will be boys, and the hot guys of Yellow are no exception. An illict thrill ride from cover to cover,  this hip drama turnes up the heat on every page and guarantees to get your heart fired-up!



My Review:



                     So this is the first time I've read a yaoi manga and I have to say I completely enjoyed it. It is not however my first time experiencing  yaoi. My first experience  was with the anime Love Stage! I was hooked after that. I never thought  I would like yaoi but with seeing so many reviews and good opinions on it made me want to try it. Well now I'm  addicted  so if you haven't read or watched yaoi you might not want to unless you need a new fix.

                      Ok so back to Yellow. It does have adult content  but however  it's  not too explicit as the description entails. Yes there are a few sex scenes and sexual innuendos but it's  not hardcore or just full of sex and no plot. The few sexual scenes though were nice and not just put in randomly. I thought it was tastefully done. The sparks between Taki and Goh are definitely  flying  in this volume.

                       Before I get into the chemistry between these too I should  talk about them individually. Taki is a tall and handsome and has the body to complete  the package. Taki is also decidedly hetero as quoted in the manga. He's  also the fighter and the smart one of the pair. Goh is tall dark and handsome. He's  also definitely gay. He's  in love with Taki as well. He always promises Taki that he will make him fall for him. Goh is also the lock picker of the parnership. They are both strong alpha males with clashing personalities. Now the relationship  between the two is strictly  friendship with a one sided love. Even though Taki denies it, there is huge chemistry between them. Though whenever Goh tries to make a move on Taki he always ends up with a gun in his fave or Taki just plain old kicking him. What I really  liked about their relaprelationship though was that it wasn't  rushed and they didn't get together right away. I hate when an author does that. No their relationship is perfectly paced.

                       Now for the plot.  It was pretty good. There is no huge main plot. Basically each chapter was a new job with new mini plots and characters. But they do catch your attention  and keep it. I enjoyed every chapter. I literally could not stop reading. I was throughly hooked. You won't be able to put it down. It's full of action, some really funny moments,and some steamy ones.  In this volume Goh and Taki have to find Marijuana before the police raid the ring leader's place, find the "treasure", and find the dangerous pleasurable drug Sweet Death and get it off the streets. Like I said it is full of action and will definitely keep you occupied. I do highly recommend this manga if you like yaoi and if you're someone who is interested in trying the genre out then this would be a good start and you can also start with Love Stage which I mentioned earlier.

                      Now for the art. I like the art a lot. I normally like art like the stuff Arina Tanemura draws. Whismical and cute but I really liked Makoto Tateno's work as well. It's very clear and attractive, also sleek I guess. I don't  know how to describe it. It just wasn't a mess which is a good thing. The cover above gives a tiny preview.

                      Now overall, I highly enjoyed this manga. I mean I literally bought the next two volumes online the second I finished the first one, I have only done that one other time with the manga series Skip Beat! I usually can wait weeks or more for another volume but there was no way I was going to wait to buy the next one. So anyway again I think you should check out this manga series. I hope you enjoy it and I hope you enjoyed this review.



Stars: 5/5

Kingsman: The Secret Service

About:
       

1. Gary "Eggsy" Unwin (Taron Egerton), whose late father secretly worked for a spy organization, lives in a South London housing estate and seems headed for a life behind bars. However, dapper agent Harry Hart (Colin Firth) recognizes potential in the youth and recruits him to be a trainee in the secret service. Meanwhile, villainous Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson) launches a diabolical plan to solve the problem of climate change via a worldwide killing spree.

My Review:

 

               So I was a little worried about seeing this movie because I saw so many trailers about it and I was afraid that it gave almost everything away. That was so not the case with this movie. It was action packed with comedy and some nice quips. I was fortunate enough to see this movie at the Alamo Drafthouse in Yonkers. You know what I'm talking about if you live in New York. 

              So while watching the movie, I was happily munching on buffalo wings and fries while my dad was enjoying his burger. Anyway back to the movie, Taron Egerton did an amazing job in playing the role of Eggsy. It felt like he was actually that character and I just enjoyed his facial expressions throughout the whole movie. I also admit he was pretty cute. Kind of swayed me a lot. Probably would have said he was amazing even if he wasn't, which he definitely is. I may have developed a tiny crush on him that will stay with me for a little while, not gonna lie. Now Colin Firth was also amazing. I have always enjoyed his acting, like when he was in the movie What a Girl Wants. Now if you have not seen that movie I suggest you watch it. He was actually a huge part in why I wanted to go see this movie. I also could never forget Samuel L. Jackson's acting. He did so well in fulfilling the role of an evil mastermind who hates the sight of blood and has a crazy a$$ sidekick who literally has an awesome kick which could slice anyone in half.

             Now on to the plot. I very much enjoyed this story. We got a boy who has a pretty horrible home life with his mom liking the wrong men and his mom's boyfriend always threatening him. We also have a spy who needs to pick someone to participate in a life threatening interview to fill a spot on the Kingsman. The movie really starts going when they finally cross paths and are well on their way in this story. Now while Eggsy is doing his very long life threatening interview we have Valentine trying to depopulate the human race with Harry on the case ( I did not mean for that to rhyme). In between all this action you have them ( especially Eggsy) go through comical situations or just stupid things they say that make you laugh so much. I still think of some of those funny scenes. The movie was very smooth and had a perfect pace. There was no boring moment or weird shifts in scenes. It was all so perfect.

          Overall, The plot was very enjoyable with it's tasteful stupid funny moments and just amazing script. The acting was on par and I really have no complaints. I would definitely recommend you see this movie. I actually plan on seeing it again. I mean I have to, it was that good. As we were walking out of the theater I turned to my dad and said, "We're buying that on dvd." Which we almost never do anymore because of Netflix and Hulu. SO again, please go see this movie. You will not regret it and I do hope you enjoy it.

Stars: 5/5