Through my bookcase

 Movie review —  “The Great Gatsby”  The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a powerful story about love, dreams, and the emptiness that often hides behind wealth. Set in the 1920s in New York, the novel follows Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire who throws huge, glamorous parties in hopes of winning back the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan. The story is told through Nick Carraway, Gatsby’s neighbor and friend, who slowly discovers that Gatsby’s fortune and charm cover a deep sadness. Gatsby built his entire life around his dream of being with Daisy again, but Daisy is already married to Tom Buchanan, a rich and arrogant man. As the story goes on, we see how Gatsby’s hope begins to break when he realizes that the past can’t be brought back. One of the most interesting parts of the book is how it shows the American Dream. Gatsby starts from nothing and becomes rich, but no matter how much money he earns, he never truly belongs to the world of the upper class. Fitzge...

Game Review — Cyberpunk2077 Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action RPG developed by CD Projekt Red, set in a dark, futuristic city called Night City. The game puts you in the role of V, a mercenary trying to make a name in a world full of crime, technology, and corruption. From the start, the game throws you into a mix of high-tech weapons, cybernetic upgrades, and dangerous missions that test both your skill and morality.  The story is one of the strongest parts of the game. It follows V’s journey after a heist goes wrong, leaving them stuck with a digital ghost — Johnny Silverhand, a rebellious rockstar played by Keanu Reeves. Their strange connection becomes the heart of the game, as you explore who controls whom and what it means to stay human in a world ruled by machines. The story is full of emotional moments, choices that really matter, and several different endings depending on what you decide. The world-building in Cyberpunk 2077 is impressive. Night City feels alive and r...

 Movie Review — “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse”      Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is an amazing and emotional movie that easily stands out as one of the best superhero films ever made. It’s a sequel to Into the Spider-Verse, and it continues the story of Miles Morales, a teenager trying to balance his life as both a student and Spider-Man.  In this movie, Miles reunites with Gwen Stacy, who takes him on a journey across the multiverse — a place full of different versions of Spider-Man from many worlds. At first, it’s exciting and full of fun action, but soon Miles discovers that being part of this “Spider Society” comes with rules and sacrifices that he doesn’t agree with. This leads to emotional conflict and tough choices, showing how much he has grown since the first movie.      The animation is one of the most impressive parts. Every world looks completely different, and the art style changes depending on the characters and emotion...

Movie review — The Matrix (1999)  I finally watched The Matrix properly and I have a lot of mixed feelings about it. It’s one of those movies that almost everyone calls a masterpiece, and I can understand why — it’s visually stunning, creative, and ahead of its time. But after finishing it, I also felt that it’s not perfect, at least not for me. Let’s start with the good. The world-building is amazing. The idea of humans living inside a simulated reality created by machines is still fascinating, even decades later. The green-tinted scenes, the slow-motion effects, and the famous “bullet time” moments all look iconic for a reason. I liked how the movie made me think about what’s real and what isn’t — that’s something few action movies manage to do.Keanu Reeves fits the role of Neo really well. He has this calm, slightly confused energy that works perfectly for someone discovering that everything he believed in might be fake. I also liked Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus — he brings a...

Movie review — Sonic 3 I watched Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in January with my friend and we both absolutely loved it so much that we went to see it again a week later. One of the main reasons this movie stands out is the addition of Keanu Reeves as the voice of Shadow the Hedgehog. His performance gives the film a new tone that makes it feel fresh and different from the first two.  From the start, the movie is full of energy. The pacing is fast, the action scenes look great, and the animation quality feels improved. It’s exciting to watch but also has calm, emotional moments that make the story more meaningful. Shadow quickly became my favorite part of the movie. His character brings a serious and mysterious vibe that balances Sonic’s lighthearted personality. The way their relationship develops throughout the film makes the story more interesting than just another good-vs-evil plot.  Jim Carrey also returns as Dr. Robotnik, and he’s just as entertaining as before — wild, funn...

Love, Death & Robots review     Earlier this month, our English teacher suggested we watch an anthology of animated short films on Netflix. I’ve always been really into animation ever since I was a kid, so I figured I’d give it a try—and honestly, I was super impressed. This wasn’t your typical animated series. Each episode was completely different in style and story, but all of them had something meaningful to say.        What I loved most was how each short used color and lighting to create a specific mood. One of the stories was set in a dark, dystopian world, with harsh shadows and sharp contrasts. Another used warm, glowing colors to tell a more emotional, nostalgic story. It was amazing how much the visuals helped tell the story without needing a ton of dialogue. The techniques varied a lot too—some shorts used 3D animation, others had a hand-drawn or painterly style. It made the whole experience feel like a journey through different creative...

“THE GAME” (1997) by David Flincher review I watched The Game (1997) this month, and I’m still thinking about it—it completely messed with my mind (in the best way possible). It’s a psychological thriller directed by David Fincher, who also made Fight Club, so I had pretty high expectations. But honestly, this movie might be my new favorite. The plot follows Nicholas Van Orton, a super-rich and serious businessman who gets an unusual birthday gift from his brother: a chance to participate in a mysterious “game” created by a company called CRS. At first, nothing seems that strange. Nicholas is skeptical, and everything feels like an elaborate prank. But slowly, the game begins to take over his life. Things spiral out of control—his money disappears, people turn against him, and he can’t tell if anything is real anymore. I found myself questioning everything, just like the character. The suspense is insane, and every scene keeps you guessing. I loved how unpredictable it was. Just when ...

 Review of The Wicked King by Holly Black The Wicked King is the second book in Holly Black’s The Folk of the Air series, and it takes the tension and drama of The Cruel Prince to the next level. The story picks up months after the events of the first book, with Jude now in a position of power as Cardan’s advisor and secret manipulator. However, her control is fragile, and the political games in Elfhame are more dangerous than ever. This book shines in its exploration of court intrigue and power struggles. Jude is constantly walking a tightrope, balancing her desire for control with the ever-present threat of betrayal. The stakes are higher, the dangers more intense, and the secrets more shocking. Black’s ability to weave suspense and tension through every chapter keeps the reader completely engrossed. Jude and Cardan’s relationship continues to evolve, filled with even more complexity, tension, and ambiguity. Their interactions are charged with underlying attraction and hatred, ma...

 Review of "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince is a captivating fantasy novel that introduces readers to the world of Elfhame, a dangerous and magical faerie realm. The story follows Jude Duarte, a human girl, who, along with her two sisters, was taken to live in Elfhame after her parents were murdered by a faerie general. Growing up in this ruthless world, Jude is determined to prove her worth and gain power in a society that despises humans. The novel excels at creating a dark, vivid world full of intrigue and treachery. Elfhame is not the fairy tale land of light and kindness; instead, it’s a realm where danger lurks in every corner, and no one can be trusted. Holly Black brings this world to life with her rich descriptions, making it both alluring and terrifying. Jude is a complex, fierce protagonist who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself, even against the cruel Prince Cardan, one of the most powerful and arrogant fae in Elfhame. Their tense...

  Review of Netflix’s La Casa de Papel (Money Heist) La Casa de Papel is my favorite Netflix show ever. It’s a thrilling Spanish series on Netflix that has captured the attention of viewers worldwide. The show revolves around a group of criminals brought together by “The Professor,” a mysterious mastermind with a detailed plan to rob the Royal Mint of Spain. Their mission? To print billions of euros while keeping the police and government at bay. What makes La Casa de Papel so gripping is its mix of intense action, complex characters, and unpredictable twists. The story is full of tension as the heist team faces one challenge after another. Each episode leaves you wanting to know what happens next, making it easy to binge-watch the entire season in a single sitting. The characters are one of the biggest strengths of the show. Every member of the heist team has a unique personality and backstory. From the fearless Tokyo to the genius Professor, their motivations and struggles are ex...

     PERCY JACKSON SERIES REVIEW (first and the second book)     I have pursued reading as one of my hobbies exactly 2 years ago and it's been continuing to be one of my favorite things to do in my free time, till now. When it comes to discovering new books, nothing beats the thrill of picking up a novel that captivates you from the first page. One of these examples was the first book of Rick Riordan's most famous series: "Percy Jackson and the Olympians".        I embarked on my adventure with Percy Jackson a in 2023, when I came across many positive reviews of Riordan's widely known series. Although I watched the film adaptation of the book two years ago, I can definitely say that the movie differs in almost every way from the written version of "The Lightning Thief". I didn’t hesitate to pick up the series because I had been fascinated by Greek mythology for a long time. Since childhood, I had read many books on the subject, but I had neve...