Book #25

"xxxHolic Vol. 16" by Clamp

I love "xxxHolic" because of its magic realism. Not much happened in this volume, still, reading it, it felt like reliving a dream. Clamp has an amazing ability to draw you into the story.

So, Watanuki decided to keep up the shop and wait for Yuko-san - even if it meant he would never grow old and he could never leave the shop again. Domeki's look when Watanuki told him about his decision. And while Domeki is growing older, he keeps coming back to the shop, day after day, to watch out for Watanuki. It's too bad that Clamp didn't include Watanuki's early days as the shop owner. We were only told that accepting a lower price for the fulfillment of a wish from a customer hurt Watanuki, we haven't actually seen it. It's too bad, I think it would've had a bigger impact if we were shown, not just told. But I'm glad that Watanuki still has Haruka-san who remains unchanging just like he...

One thing - I wonder about the egg Domeki received from Yuko-san. How will he use it?

Stonehenge Apocalypse

Finally, caught a part of Stonehenge Apocalypse on TV and you know what? It's actually a pretty neat movie. Sure, a bit cheesy like most apocalyptic made-for-TV films but really good nonetheless. And it was awesome to see Misha Collins, Torri Higgins and Peter Wingfield in one movie together. Even though I can't believe that ( spoilers! )

And you know what? Seeing Peter Wingfield again, it made me want to re-watch The Highlander. I have all seasons on DVD and I have yet to see them. Man, I loved Methos! Duncan/Methos are the only fics that I actually read for TH! I know that people loved Ritchie but I didn't. I never liked him and I actually found him rather unlikable. Didn't shed a tear for him. So... once I finish Mag7, maybe I'll give TH a go :)

Book #26

"Critic's Choice" by Josh Lanyon

This book had more than a touch of magic realism in it. The wind, the falling tree, the shop right in the middle of nowhere... I really loved the atmosphere, Angelo's remote mansion that was somehow scary and hilarious at once. And Neat, Neat was a hoot, really: "No one will hear you scream." LOL!

At the same time, I wanted to give Cris a hug. What Rey did, even though he knew, he must have known, how much it would hurt Cris should he find out... I'm not sure I could've forgiven him.

Watching The Magnificent Seven

Safecracker: I loved the scene in the saloon, when the little girl pointed out that the guy playing poker with Ezra was cheating and Ezra said, "I know." And when the guy pulled a gun on him, Ezra pulled a gun too and the rest of the seven jumped to his defense. That was so cool! I just loved how they worked as a unit, as a team.

But my favorite part was when Chris and Vin rode into Purgatorio. Vin started pointing out the men he had brought to justice during his time as a bounty hunter and Chris told him that if he stayed, he would be deader than a beaver hat soon. And when Vin told him that he was willing to risk it, Chris said, "Well, I'm not" and sent Vin home. Such a cool scene!

Witness: Billy, Mary's son, never grew on me. I think it was because of the boy who was playing the part. A cute looking kid but as an actor? A wooden doll would've done better. Also, this was pretty much an ep that should've showed us just how much Mary and Chris had in common - in reality, I find it a bit annoying, the way she keeps running after him, looking all teary-eyed.

The best part of the episode was Ezra's mom. It was so funny, her arrival, I mean. But Ezra's confrontation with her... Ouch. But it was nice to see that he actually outgrew her, that he matured and became a good man.