So yet again I have found another movie/book that looked interesting to me. Of coarse I cannot watch a movie unless I have read the book first.
Eat, Love, Pray was a very different book then that of what I usually read. I love to read novels and this was more of a bunch of experiences strung together about the author during a year of traveling. I did enjoy this book though. I loved Elizabeth Gilbert's insights and realizations. I also loved the people she met along the way. I related to the author in a way I haven't related to other authors I've read. This book was well deserving of it's place on the New York bestsellers list.
The movie was delightful! The rich scenery and delectable dishes, plus the witty lines and funny little mishaps we all have. Julia Roberts was perfect for the role and played the part of Liz Gilbert. I also loved all the secondary characters. The actors chosen did a good job and really helped move the movie along. The movie was long, but there is a lot of story to tell so that's to be expected. I enjoyed the movie quite a bit.
The movie and book were very similar with very few alterations. I would highly recommend them both.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Book: Water for Elephants
So I have recently been interested in looking at the New York Best Sellers list for my next book to read. Water for Elephants looked like a unique story so I gave it a go.
The story is about a young man in the 1930's who is about to graduate from college when he finds out his parents have been killed in a automobile accident. He dashes out of his final exams before completing them and jumps aboard a train. Little does he know that this train is a traveling circus. He soon becomes the circus's vet and gets caught up in the drama of a 1930's circus.
This book is full of colorful images, extraordinary writing, and a very insightful look into the history of circus life during the depression. I loved the historical pictures of real circus' during the time. I loved the rich characters. Especially the main character Jacob Jankowski. He was an interesting character and one that you couldn't help but love.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants something fresh and new.
The story is about a young man in the 1930's who is about to graduate from college when he finds out his parents have been killed in a automobile accident. He dashes out of his final exams before completing them and jumps aboard a train. Little does he know that this train is a traveling circus. He soon becomes the circus's vet and gets caught up in the drama of a 1930's circus.
This book is full of colorful images, extraordinary writing, and a very insightful look into the history of circus life during the depression. I loved the historical pictures of real circus' during the time. I loved the rich characters. Especially the main character Jacob Jankowski. He was an interesting character and one that you couldn't help but love.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants something fresh and new.
Monday, July 12, 2010
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Movie
I must first state that I have been a fan of this series since I read Twilight in October of 2006 for the first time. I instantly loved the romance and the ablility I was able to relate to the main character. I was seventeen at the time. This series has continued to be a favorite of mine since that time and probably always will be. I do realize you either love this series or hate it.
That being said I went to see the latest movie in the Twilight Saga the day it came out. Eclipse was my favorite book of the series and I was most anxious about this movie. I was worried they wouldn't do it right, worried the director would cut out my favorite parts, worried they would over do the action and not add the romance. But my worries were put to rest. It was the best movie so far.
Director David Slade added both action and romance in a beautiful balance. Capturing the sense of speed and power of both vampires and werewolves, while also capturing those emotional moments of love and betrayal. In my opinion I found the acting perfect to how I pictured the characters in the book. The music fit the scenes, the colors and tones used to evoke a certain emotion well done. Perhaps I am biased because I am in love with this story, but it truly was my favorite and a guilty pleasure!
That being said I went to see the latest movie in the Twilight Saga the day it came out. Eclipse was my favorite book of the series and I was most anxious about this movie. I was worried they wouldn't do it right, worried the director would cut out my favorite parts, worried they would over do the action and not add the romance. But my worries were put to rest. It was the best movie so far.
Director David Slade added both action and romance in a beautiful balance. Capturing the sense of speed and power of both vampires and werewolves, while also capturing those emotional moments of love and betrayal. In my opinion I found the acting perfect to how I pictured the characters in the book. The music fit the scenes, the colors and tones used to evoke a certain emotion well done. Perhaps I am biased because I am in love with this story, but it truly was my favorite and a guilty pleasure!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
The Time Traveler's Wife: Book vs Movie
Perhaps you have heard of this best selling novel, or maybe you have seen the trailer for the movie. Will this is a unique story that you shouldn't miss.
Henry DeTamble is a time traveler. He was born with a genetic disfunction where periodically he vanishes from the present and turns up in another year and location completely naked. (He is unable to bring anything with him when he travels.) Apparently big events in his life draw him to the same locations many times. Like the car accident that killed his mother and the meadow near the house where his future wife lives. Clare first meets Henry when she is six years old, but for Henry he doesn't meet her until his is twenty-eight.
This story tells the life of two people joined together through a weird twist of time and fate. Both captivating and remarkable. A story unlike any other and a true masterpiece.
Book: Books hands down win out in my opinion. They paint a picture with words and feelings that no two hour movie could ever capture. Characters are always more developed and stories lengthened. Scenes that can never translate to the big screen add depth and intrigue into a story. This book also weaves quotes from literary works and authors such as Rainer Maria Rilke to create a beautiful richness to the story.
Movie: Eric Bana (Henry) and Rachel McAdams (Clare) are the perfect choices for this movie. They both play to the heart and soul of these characters and add that emotional connection to each other and the audience that you so long to see in a movie. Though only a snippet of the book, this movie shows the essence of the lovely story painted by the author of the book. Rich in color and emotion this movie will make you long to know more.
Henry DeTamble is a time traveler. He was born with a genetic disfunction where periodically he vanishes from the present and turns up in another year and location completely naked. (He is unable to bring anything with him when he travels.) Apparently big events in his life draw him to the same locations many times. Like the car accident that killed his mother and the meadow near the house where his future wife lives. Clare first meets Henry when she is six years old, but for Henry he doesn't meet her until his is twenty-eight.
This story tells the life of two people joined together through a weird twist of time and fate. Both captivating and remarkable. A story unlike any other and a true masterpiece.
Book: Books hands down win out in my opinion. They paint a picture with words and feelings that no two hour movie could ever capture. Characters are always more developed and stories lengthened. Scenes that can never translate to the big screen add depth and intrigue into a story. This book also weaves quotes from literary works and authors such as Rainer Maria Rilke to create a beautiful richness to the story.
Movie: Eric Bana (Henry) and Rachel McAdams (Clare) are the perfect choices for this movie. They both play to the heart and soul of these characters and add that emotional connection to each other and the audience that you so long to see in a movie. Though only a snippet of the book, this movie shows the essence of the lovely story painted by the author of the book. Rich in color and emotion this movie will make you long to know more.
The Bronze Horseman & Tatiana and Alexander
If you haven't heard of the Tatiana and Alexander books then you have missed the most beautiful epic love story ever written.
The story begins in Russia during June of 1941 the day Word War II began in Russia. Tatiana is seventeen and living with her family in there communist shared rooms. War seems so far away from Tatiana's sun filled world. On the first day of war she meets Alexander a soldier in the Red Army. The two have an instant connection. But family, war, communist Russia, and Alexander's hidden secret threaten to tear them apart forever.
This story was the most beautiful love story I have ever read. Rich with history, danger, love, and strength to endure. If you truly believe in the power of love then you will want to read this story.
Disclaimer: This story is both graphic and uses strong language.
The story begins in Russia during June of 1941 the day Word War II began in Russia. Tatiana is seventeen and living with her family in there communist shared rooms. War seems so far away from Tatiana's sun filled world. On the first day of war she meets Alexander a soldier in the Red Army. The two have an instant connection. But family, war, communist Russia, and Alexander's hidden secret threaten to tear them apart forever.
This story was the most beautiful love story I have ever read. Rich with history, danger, love, and strength to endure. If you truly believe in the power of love then you will want to read this story.
Disclaimer: This story is both graphic and uses strong language.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Book Review: Graceling by Kristin Cashore
I just finished an amazing book called "Graceling" by Kristin Cashore. The book is about a girl who is "graced" with the ability to kill a man with her bare hands. She is the neice to the King and his royal thug.
Children born with a "grace" have two different colored eyes and have a specail talent that they can do better than anyone else. Katsa doesn't particularly like her grace being used to beat up innocent people simply because the King doesn't like them.
Katsa meets Po a graced fighter like herself from another kingdom. He incourages her to stand-up to the king and be her own person. They soon become fast friends and set out to uncover a hidden threat in a nearby kingdom.
This story was brilliantly written! The characters are rich and well rounded. I loved the story line and the constant mystery that kept me wondering what would happen next. And of course like all my favorite things it had to have a romance! This romance was truly wonderful. Passionate and beautiful. Rich characters, hidden mysteries, action, and romance what more could you ask for? Delightful book! A real page-turner!
Children born with a "grace" have two different colored eyes and have a specail talent that they can do better than anyone else. Katsa doesn't particularly like her grace being used to beat up innocent people simply because the King doesn't like them.
Katsa meets Po a graced fighter like herself from another kingdom. He incourages her to stand-up to the king and be her own person. They soon become fast friends and set out to uncover a hidden threat in a nearby kingdom.
This story was brilliantly written! The characters are rich and well rounded. I loved the story line and the constant mystery that kept me wondering what would happen next. And of course like all my favorite things it had to have a romance! This romance was truly wonderful. Passionate and beautiful. Rich characters, hidden mysteries, action, and romance what more could you ask for? Delightful book! A real page-turner!
The Last Song Movie vs. Book
So this weekend I headed to the movie theater to see Nicholas Spark's newest movie based on his book. The Last Song is about a teenage girl who is a bit of a rebel. She hates her dad even though they share a passion for playing the piano and writing music. Ronnie's parents divorced several years back. She and her younger brother Jonah live in New York with there mom, but this summer they are going to spend time with their dad in his home on the beach down south. Ronnie spends her first few days with the wrong crowd and winds up getting in trouble. But she soon meets Will a volleyball player/aquarium volunteer/car mechanic. He is sweet, kind, and pretty much the dream boy. They fall in love over the summer. But when hard times come for Ronnie in her family she isn't so sure she wants him in her life anymore.
So lets talk book first, since I read it before they made the movie. I liked this book. Sweet and romantic and of coarse tear-jerking like all his books. Probably not my favorite book of Nicholas Sparks, but it was good. More for a teenage crowd.
So now movie. The story was very close to the book all things considered. The location was pretty and similar to what I pictured while reading the book. The cast was good, not amazing, but good. Except Miley Cyrus. I didn't like her as the lead. She constantly had a pouty face and a lot of her lines came across very flat. I didn't feel the emotion I felt that Ronnie should embody.
All in all I would give this movie a C+. It just wasn't all I was hoping for.
So lets talk book first, since I read it before they made the movie. I liked this book. Sweet and romantic and of coarse tear-jerking like all his books. Probably not my favorite book of Nicholas Sparks, but it was good. More for a teenage crowd.
So now movie. The story was very close to the book all things considered. The location was pretty and similar to what I pictured while reading the book. The cast was good, not amazing, but good. Except Miley Cyrus. I didn't like her as the lead. She constantly had a pouty face and a lot of her lines came across very flat. I didn't feel the emotion I felt that Ronnie should embody.
All in all I would give this movie a C+. It just wasn't all I was hoping for.
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