6 reasons to see Divergent NOW!

Divergent is based on the best-selling book by American author Veronica Roth and is a high-energy action/drama set in a post apocalyptic world in which every human being must be placed into a particular clan and conform to the rules and morals of that clan to avoid any conflict that may stir another World War.  Despite the rigid rules of this new society and the brutal control of its rulers including the sinister Jeanine Matthews (Kate Winslet from Titanic), there are few whose personality tests which place them in clans, prove divergent - their characters do not conform to any of the existing clans.  Unfortunately for lead character Trice (Shailene Woodley from the Descendents) being a divergent means she will most likely be killed for her unique personality as the villainous Winslet goes to extremes, including mass murder, to rid society of anyone that is different.  What we get is a powerful film with an amazing performance by new star Woodley.  Here are 6 reasons to see the film now! 


1. Shailene! Shailene! Shailene!  Most remember Shailene Woodley for her role as George Clooney's daughter in 'The Descendants' but in Divergent she transforms into a stunning lead actress who is surprisingly capable of handling the large scale fight sequences and physical demands of the lead role of Trice.  Take my word you will fall in love with her from the first scene.

2. Fans of the Hunger Games and other young adult adventure/drama films will be fully satiated with the high-energy action sequences and all the political intrigue of the post-apocalyptic world.

3. A break from zombies, werewolves and other assorted popular horror characters.  Learning from the giant flop that was 'The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones', Divergent stays true to its source material  and portrays a compelling story of a young woman who can't conform to a rigid society.  Added enjoyment includes the love story between Shailene and new British heart-throb Theo James which will satisfy fans of romantic/action pieces including Twilight Fans since despite not being vampires, Shailene and Theo are convincing as a couple that finds love despite the horrific world they share.

4. Amazing guest appearances.  Herds of your favourite popular character actors make appearances including Fitz himself, Tony Goldwyn, from 'Scandal' as Trice's father, cult hit phenomenon Maggie Q from Nikita and Mekhi Phifer.   Ashley Judd also plays a significant role as Trice's mother and does some pretty good action sequences reminiscent of her popular action movies; Oscar winner Kate Winslet from 'Titanic' brings a bizarre, sinister poise to the villain. 

5. Amazing plot.  What I particularly liked about this film is the story at the heart of all the adrenaline driven action sequences.  The film is really a metaphor for those of us who have never felt 100% normal or fitted in with society's rules of what should and should not be done.  It's every religious persecution, sexual identity and feminist rights struggle wrapped up into a tour-de-force film.  It's amazing how Trice's character is portrayed as she is able to think differently and resolve trials in a way that no one else in the society can.  It's your childhood rebel fantasy come true!

6. Kate Winslet gets the butt-whooping she deserved since 1998.  For those of us who ever wanted revenge on Kate Winslet for not giving Jack any space on that piece of debris in 'Titanic', there is a brutal 'cat fight' between Shailene and Winslet.  Yes, Kate finally gets her nether regions kicked for her bad decisions in 'Titanic'.  

See Divergent NOW.  Well worth the money.

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12 Reasons to watch 300 Rise of the Empire now (I mean NOW)

12 Reasons to watch 300 Rise of the Empire now (I mean NOW)

List by T. Austin

12. SUPERIOR PLOT. It's not your usual sequel.  I would describe it as more of a parallel story as the new plot takes place during the same period as the Battle of Thermopylae featured in the first film.  This makes for a more heightened plot and adds more insight into the tragic death of King Leonidas and the 300 Spartans in the original film.

11. ARTEMISIA!  This should probably be reason number one but I can't wait to get into how amazing Eva Green is as the 'bad-ass' villain Artemisia.  This is a performance you have to see to believe as Artemisia weeds down anything with testicles.  Eva Green is best known as the Bond Girl in Casino Royale but in 300 her performance is so good her character is best described as an 'epic bitch'.

10. Fans of the current popular 'sword and scandal' shows including Game of Thrones and Spartacus will find much enjoyment here as 300 ups the large-scale epic fighting with improved CGI battle sequences.

9. Speaking of Spartacus, fans of that show will be elated at the special appearance by the Doctore himself (Peter Mensah) who finds a young Artemisia, trains her to become a killer and is more or less responsible for her becoming an 'epic bitch'.

8. Fans of the gritty violence in the original 300 will salivate at the heightened blood bath and down-right gruesome action sequences.  I'm not a fan of this but it presents realistic imagery of the brutality of war. 

7. Ladies will rejoice at the return of the 'brief' clad Spartans with their digital abdominal muscles as the writers have continued to ignore historical facts to make the heroes seem more like 'He-Man' than actual historic  figures.   Xerxes as well seems to be allergic to wearing clothes.

6. The sequel gives us more insight into probably the most intimidating movie villain in years; Xerxes' entire back story including his ascension to the throne as the 'God-King' is a pivotal part of the new plot.

5. Fans of the fantasy genre will find much enjoyment as the series continues to mix actual history with fantasy elements including Xerxes deliciously over-the-top transformation from man to 'God King', his strange beast-like pets and even sea monsters which provide an added threat during the climatic battles.

(No Medusa is not in the film; but doesn't Rihanna look awesome in this image?  I digress)


4. While the original film is best known for its violence than its writing, the sequel improves with hilarious one liners mostly delivered by Artemisia during her 'power tantrums'.  The best line comes at the end when she coos to the hero 'you fight HARDER than you ....' (You get the idea).

3. Which brings me to one of the most entertaining scenes; the 'love-making' scene between Artemisia and new hero Themosticles (played by Sullivan Stapleton) is one of the most bizarre, yet entertaining, sex scenes I've ever seen.  I can't describe it but the comedy involved will have viewers rolling in the aisles.

2. For ladies who are not fans of violent films you can't afford to miss this as Artemisia provides enough 'female empowerment' to make you forget she's slaughtering every man in her sight. And for those who have ever questioned how a woman can be dominant in a submissive role during a 'love making' scene you have to see this for yourself.

1. And the number one reason to see the new 300 is for its broad, epic, large scale computer generated special effects which significantly improves on the awesome war set pieces of the original.  The action sequences are 'jaw dropping', the CGI locations are grandiose and recall the gigantic scale of old Hollywood.  The battle has moved from the fields in the original to the foreboding seas as the Persians and Greeks engage in open combat on devilish-looking barges and ships.  This makes for a truly compelling special effects extravaganza which is all complemented by a tour-de-force performance by Eva Green as Artemisia.  SEE IT NOW.   

10 Reasons to Hate Scandal

10 Reasons to Hate Scandal

List by T. Austin

10. Tony Goldwyn was much more convincing as the voice of Tarzan in the Disney movie than the President of the United States.

9. Kerry Washington's amazing wardrobe just makes you think of how cheap your Mother's Day present was. 

8. Everyone is always yelling at each other. 

7. Olivia's dad is kinda creepy and reminds you of the dude that played Candy Man (plus he spits when he's really angry). 

6. Tony Goldwyn killed Patrick Swayze in Ghost and we haven't quite forgiven him for that. (Yes that was Fitz in Ghost trying to get into Demi Moore's unmentionables)

5. Tony Goldwyn tried to kill Whoopi Goldberg in Ghost and we haven't quite forgiven him for that either. Love you Whoopi! 

4. No one in the show is a vampire or werewolf.  That's just weird.  (Imagine Mellie as an enraged werewolf - EPIC!)

3. There are little or no explosions in most episodes. Like zero.

2. Kerry Washington is sooo good you'd rather see her talent be used in a reboot of Wonder Woman. 

1. And the number 1 reason to hate Scandal is...there is little chance you'll see a zombie in any episode. Yeah even Mellie is supposed to be alive.  Now that's just wrong.