My Two Lost Pennies on The Lost Symbol

As expected, Dan Brown has a flair for delivering a twist in his writings, though this time I think has been toned down. The inclusion of certain technology such as Noetic Science and the breathable oxygen liquid were pretty intriguing, while technology used in the CIA was rather fascinating, assuming they are facts and not fiction.

The Dan Brown effect is still pretty good in this novel of his, not failing to keep readers on tenterhooks, well at least for most of the part. I have to admit at some point it feels as if Brown was rambling on, especially in the final 60 pages of the book. That I think was cause of a fleeting climax, from the way the villain was exterminated to the way he ties up the loose ends. I always have this tendency to compare it to Angel's & Demons which was a brilliant masterpiece. The last 60 pages was a bit dreadful to finish, especially when I was in a rush to finish the book prior going to bed and wasn't interested in a plain nonchalant discussion between Langdon and Peter in the absence of any threat or villain just to tie up those loose ends.

Nonetheless, it's still a good read and despite knowing how the movies are always a let down, I would still love to watch it to verify my imagination. Dan Brown in my opinion is still an exceptional author in his own league.

On a scale of 5, I'll give Lost Symbol a 4/5, BUT on a DAN BROWN scale, I'll give it a 3.5/5.

Valentines Day Movie

Finally got to watch the movie which Ipoh decided in her own wisdom to not show. On a scale of 1 to 5 for a romantic comedy, I'll give it 3.5/5.

The Plus:

There weren't any chummy cheesy fairy tale love story. That really allowed me as an audience to relate better to the movie. Not to forget the star studded cast. Even if the plot was crappy I think it was worth paying to watch the stars =\. Best part though, was how the scriptwriter intertwine the lives of all the characters in the movie, demonstrating how they cross paths at the ending which really did the trick.

The Minus:

HOW DID THEY CAST TAYLOR SWIFT TO BE A BIMBO CONTROL FREAK?!! I was really expecting some average school girl like how she was depicted in her You Belong With Me video kind of character who stumbles upon love in high school. Instead she's this showy, lowbrow dancer (note not cheerleader) doing her bimbo dance every other time during her TV interview in her scene, not forgetting how she likes sticking her tongue down Lautner's throat too. Comedy wasn't exceptionally great, but it wasn't lame or banal. I was perpetually entertained by it.

There were some messages from the movie which really rang through. When you love someone you really love them warts and all, not only for their likeable traits. Valentine's Day isn't all about romantic love alone, it's a celebration for any form of love: friendship and also parental. And to cohabitate or get married? I think it's cohabitation from what I perceive. Ultimately, two is always better than one, was what the movie was essentially about.