We all delight in seeing our favorite books brought to life on the big screen. We cringe at casting. We scoff at release dates. All the while, we're gearing up to see if the director's vision lives up to the world we've conceived in our own imaginations. Sometimes it does...and sometimes it doesn't. We could lament the movies that don't measure up, or we could return to the books for a re-read, possibly with a slightly different mind-set. All's fair when it comes to artistic vision, right?
Today, I'm featuring the following movie:
Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Director: Josh Boone
Stars: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff, Laura Dern, Sam Trammell, Willem Dafoe
Release date: June 6, 2014
Based on: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Hazel and Augustus are two teenagers who share an acerbic wit, a disdain for the conventional, and a love that sweeps them on a journey. Their relationship is all the more miraculous, given that Hazel's other constant companion is an oxygen tank, Gus jokes about his prosthetic leg, and they meet and fall in love at a cancer support group.
Okay, my friends. Most of you have read the book, so none of this will be new to you. But just in case you're the one person on my friends list who hasn't read the book or seen the movie yet, there will be loads of spoilers from here on out. So, ya know, if that kind of thing bothers you, you should probably stop reading here. Okay? Okay.
I went with my sister on Saturday to see TFiOS because we'd listened to the book together at some point last year and we both loved it. I've since listened to it several more times, and each time, I think I found a new favorite part. So, obviously, I was a little worried that this movie wouldn't hold a candle to the book from which it was adapted. But it did. It so did. Mendy even thought so, and she's pretty freakin' hard to please. She's also maybe a bit cold and unfeeling, as she didn't shed a single tear during the whole dang movie, while I was a hot, embarrassing mess. OR, when she ran from the theater the second the credits started rolling, it could have been because her fake eyelashes were floating down her cheeks on rivers of TFiOS-inspired tears. I guess we'll never know, since in my haste to follow her, I managed to drop my phone somewhere in the row in front of us and the lights hadn't come up yet.
The general consensus afterward, though, was that it was a beautiful, heartbreaking movie, and it was one hell of a nearly-true to the book adaptation. The feels were all there. The pivotal moments remained. The witty dialogue, for which John Green is known, was there in spades. There was only one scene I remember being cut, and it was the one where Augustus is arguing with his mother to go to Amsterdam. And I totally get why that was eliminated because it really added to the sting of finding out Gus was sick on that bench with Hazel Grace. I'm sure there were other scenes missing, but as I said, the pivotal moments made it, and that's crucial to any adaptation, but especially this one. TFiOS fans can get downright rabid in their vehemence that this film adaptation remain as true to the book as possible. As a fan myself, I think the movie was pretty damn close to the book I've loved more each time I read it.
Like so many others, I was nervous about the casting. Brother and sister in one movie, only to be cast as lovers in another. That might not have been such an issue, had the release of both movies not been scheduled so close together. Honestly, I still can't speak to that because I haven't seen
Divergent yet, but after seeing them in TFiOS, it's obvious they have chemistry. But I think that chemistry could also be conveyed in a sibling bond, the way they joke and jab at each other in this movie. I think Ansel Elgort is the
perfect Augustus Waters. I'm still not sure Shailene Woodley was the Hazel Grace Lancaster I had pictured in my head, but she was well-cast nonetheless. And Nat Wolff as Isaac...so adorable. When he's breaking the trophies in Gus' room after Monica breaks up with him because she's too chicken sh!t to see him through his surgery, he is so acutely Isaac in that moment. I
never would have envisioned Willem Dafoe as Peter Van Houten, but it worked. And I still despised his character as much in the movie as I did the first time I read the book. I understand him to an extent, but that doesn't mean I have to like him, not after he treated Hazel Grace -- his biggest fan -- so atrociously.
The funny thing about this movie is that all the parts that I thought would be my favorite scenes -- Hazel leaving the Venn diagram for Gus, Gus telling Hazel that he is in love with her, the kiss in the Anne Frank house, the egging of Monica's car -- none of those compared to the scenes that just generally showed the chemistry between these two characters. Like, when Gus is blatantly staring at Hazel from across the circle at the group therapy session. It was silly, it was cute, and it was kind of swoony in a juvenile sort of way. And it wasn't the kiss in the Anne Frank house that I found so delightful...it was the two sick kids climbing all those stairs, trying for some semblance of normal in the face of what Van Houten had just done to them. So many beautiful moments...I honestly don't know if I could pick a favorite anymore.
I'm an ugly crier. I shouldn't have seen this in the theater. But the rest of the audience looked as puffy and swollen as I did, so who cares, right? Except that everyone outside could pinpoint exactly who had just come from seeing TFiOS. Still, when my older sister asked if I'd read the book, would I recommend it because she was thinking of buddy reading it with her neighbor and then going to see the movie, I told her I absolutely would, even though she "hates sad crap" and doesn't like sad movies. (How am I the only sister who isn't emotionally stunted?) Because it's not just about the sad, emotional bits. It's about
all the feels. All that snappy dialogue and those beautiful moments. It's about dealing with life, pain, and death, and coming through it. So, yes, I highly recommend it.
If you've read the book, I think you'll love this movie. If you haven't read the book, you're going to hate John Green as so many have already complained, but then you'll read the book and you'll love him again. And you'll probably still love the movie. Or not. But either way, you'll remember this experience and know it's always better to have read the book first. But even reading the book first in this case can't save you from all the feels.
Were you a fan of the book? Have you seen the movie? How do you think it fares as an adaptation?
Friday, June 19, 2015
A Playlist for June
I had some health issues recently that left me in pain and rather lethargic, so I spent a good deal of time on the couch. It's summer, though, and all of my shows are on hiatus and I'm all caught up, so I resorted to Netflix and discovered a couple of gems. I'm pretty sure I'm, like, the last person to discover these, but whatevs.
First of all, YUM. So much better than Ben Affleck, IMO. Also, this satisfies my longing for more superheroes until the next Marvel movie. Or at least until I finish this season on Netflix. :(
My husband wasn't terribly impressed by the first episode and so he hasn't continued watching with me. His loss. My 7yo daughter thought it a bit too violent and has also ceased watching. But I told her she wasn't supposed to be watching with me, anyway. It's summer. She should be playing outside, lol. But this Daredevil reboot is just right for this mama bear. :D
Anything else on Netflix that I've obviously been missing but need in my life, like yesterday? Always up for recs!
wasam a huge fan of the books. I even re-read the series in anticipation of the movie. But it was on one of the movie channels the other day when I was couch-bound, so I decided to give my curiosity a break and let it play.I'm also looking forward to watching The Seventh Son (Ben Barnes, YUM) and taking the little one to see The Minions movie soon. =) Those little guys are just too cute.
But I don't want you to get the idea that my butt is always parked on the couch. =) Besides finishing up Daredevil and The 100 on Netflix, we've got plans to blow some stuff up for the 4th of July and more plans to get our butts in some water, a la Schlitterbahn and maybe Hamilton Pool. (So pretty!) Once I'm all rested up, I see some hiking in my future, as well. Assuming the 100 degree days hold off for a bit. o_O
Hope you're all enjoying your summers and that you've got lots of great things to read, watch, and listen to!
Friday, February 6, 2015
Introduction to Hogwarts
I absolutely love the Harry Potter books. I read them about 7 years ago when I was pregnant with Aubrey. From first to last, I devoured them. There is nothing quite like reading those books for the first time.
Now, fast forward a few years, and we take Aubrey to Disney for the first time. She was Four at the time, and it was the very best experience.
I wish you all could have seen her face when she saw Cinderellas Castle. It was one of those moments you never forget as a mother. Her eyes were all big, and she started screaming.
When we took that trip, we also went to Universal. She didn't know what Harry Potter was at the time. She was all about the Disney princesses. Plus, she was a little too young to take on some of those attractions. That top photo was taken by me when we went, and I'm still kicking myself in the ass for never trying the ButterBeer. It was right there! But I don't know if I will like it, so I passed.
Previously, I had only watched the first 3. I'm not sure why I didn't continue watching them. Just got caught behind with life I guess. Well, over the span of 2 weeks, Aubrey and I watched them all.
She now loves Harry Potter. She cannot wait to see what attractions they have at Universal. I'm looking forward to it to, because now there is more than when we went a few years ago.
I must say, after watching all of these movies, I'm definitely do for a re-read soon. Holy crap, I forgot so much stuff. You would think I didn't read the books at all. Aubrey kept asking, why did so and so do that, or what just happened... etc..
I had no clue. I'm all like, be quiet, I don't know.. At one point, Aubrey looks over at me all skeptical, "Mom, I thought you said you read these." Ha, little smart ass. Well, I need to re read them, that much is clear.
It was a great bonding experience with her too, because I want her to like some of the things I do. I would never force anything onto her, but I just knew she would love it.
So the top things I learned while binge watching these....
~ I still can't stand that bitch Bellatrix Lestrange
~ Dobby looks like Smeagol with big ears.
And last of all...
~ Harry Potter is hot.
It's the dark hair and glasses for sure. If I went to Hogwarts, I would have been all over that shit, and it has nothing to do with him being the Chosen one. lol.
Monday, January 26, 2015
{Movie} Review: Into the Woods
We all delight in seeing our favorite books brought to life on the big screen. We cringe at casting. We scoff at release dates. All the while, we're gearing up to see if the director's vision lives up to the world we've conceived in our own imaginations. Sometimes it does...and sometimes it doesn't. We could lament the movies that don't measure up, or we could return to the books for a re-read, possibly with a slightly different mind-set. All's fair when it comes to artistic vision, right?
Today, I'm featuring the following movie:
Director: Rob Marshall
Stars: Anna Kendrick, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt & Chris Pine
Release date: December 25, 2014
Based on: Into the Woods by James Lapine
And she actually ended up enjoying the movie a lot more than I did. Don't get me wrong. Cinematically, it was gorgeous to behold. It was so visually stunning, and I guess, audibly, just as gorgeous. But it was rather long and drawn out for my tastes and ended boring me there toward the end.
I found nothing lacking in the acting or the vocal performances. Yes, some actors and actresses were stronger than others, as is the case in any film, but I don't think any one performance can be blamed for my lack of enthusiasm for the movie. I've never seen the original musical that this movie was based on, for which I am very glad considering the changes they made to this adaptation and how they seem to have enraged some because of their omission.
But I love a good retelling. I especially love a story like this that combines several tales into one. And this story is so well done, so auspicious in nature that I was absolutely positive I would love it. I adored Anna Kendrick in Pitch Perfect, and Meryl Streep is a goddess among women. And I just knew that Chris Pine would play the perfect douche-arific prince to Anna Kendrick's Cinderella. But the pacing kept me from finding this movie as endearing as I'd hoped.
One thing I've noticed I appreciate more and more these days, though, is stories where the young maiden doesn't require saving by a prince or any other male character. That these girls determines their own course of action, their own future, makes me like these modern-day heroines more and more. If only there had been more of those when I was growing up; damsels-in-distress are so last decade. :)
My favorite scene, in case you were wondering, is the one depicted below, where the prince and the "other" prince sing "Agony" on the falls. The whole theater was cracking up during this song and I think even Katie gave way to how ridiculous that whole scenario was. But it was funny and entertaining and really, what more can you ask for?
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Movies or TV Shows
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the awesome ladies at The Broke and the Bookish. Apparently, they are overly fond of list-making and love to share their bookish lists with the rest of us book nerds. =) We're game.
April's Picks:
These are my top 5 shows. All of which I watch with the hubs. The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones are really our top two. We live for these shows. Big Bang Theory is hysterical. Yay nerds, and Survivor, we started watching that while we dated. Breaking Bad is over, but we are watching it on Netflix.. I think we have 2 seasons left to watch.
These are the shows that we don't religiously watch, but we dvr them for when our others shows are on break. House Hunters, I just love looking at all the houses. Tosh, Omg that guy is so funny. Inappropriate but funny as hell. Catfish is like a guilty pleasure. I'm not sure how real it is, but sheesh, the things that people will believe over the internet. Plus, I think Nev is super hot. River Monsters! I could have added a regular show poster but that meme was too funny to resist. And Property Brothers, I know most woman watch it because of the brothers. And they are attractive, I'll admit, but Brian and I just like to watch how they renovate stuff. It's amazing, really.
Jen's Picks:
This one doesn't count toward my list because it's my favorite movie ever and nothing will ever supplant it, but I still feel the need to share and find fellow like-minded The Princess Bride enthusiasts:
If you haven't seen this movie, you don't know what you're missing. I sincerely mean that.
With that, here are my favorite TV shows:
Some oldies but goodies and some new shows that became instant favorites. And one that becomes even more of a favorite with every new incarnation it goes through. ;) Obviously, this is not all the shows I've loved over the years -- and still love -- but it's a pretty good sampling. I honestly don't watch all that much TV these days...the hubby controls the remote control most of the time and I get in my reading time while he's watching Pawn Stars or Counting Cars or whatever History Channel show is on. :P
What kind of stories do you love to see come to life on the silver screen (or the small screen)? Be sure to share a link to your TTT post so we can visit!
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
{Movie} Review: The Fault in Our Stars
We all delight in seeing our favorite books brought to life on the big screen. We cringe at casting. We scoff at release dates. All the while, we're gearing up to see if the director's vision lives up to the world we've conceived in our own imaginations. Sometimes it does...and sometimes it doesn't. We could lament the movies that don't measure up, or we could return to the books for a re-read, possibly with a slightly different mind-set. All's fair when it comes to artistic vision, right?
Today, I'm featuring the following movie:
Director: Josh Boone
Stars: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff, Laura Dern, Sam Trammell, Willem Dafoe
Release date: June 6, 2014
Based on: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
I went with my sister on Saturday to see TFiOS because we'd listened to the book together at some point last year and we both loved it. I've since listened to it several more times, and each time, I think I found a new favorite part. So, obviously, I was a little worried that this movie wouldn't hold a candle to the book from which it was adapted. But it did. It so did. Mendy even thought so, and she's pretty freakin' hard to please. She's also maybe a bit cold and unfeeling, as she didn't shed a single tear during the whole dang movie, while I was a hot, embarrassing mess. OR, when she ran from the theater the second the credits started rolling, it could have been because her fake eyelashes were floating down her cheeks on rivers of TFiOS-inspired tears. I guess we'll never know, since in my haste to follow her, I managed to drop my phone somewhere in the row in front of us and the lights hadn't come up yet.
The general consensus afterward, though, was that it was a beautiful, heartbreaking movie, and it was one hell of a nearly-true to the book adaptation. The feels were all there. The pivotal moments remained. The witty dialogue, for which John Green is known, was there in spades. There was only one scene I remember being cut, and it was the one where Augustus is arguing with his mother to go to Amsterdam. And I totally get why that was eliminated because it really added to the sting of finding out Gus was sick on that bench with Hazel Grace. I'm sure there were other scenes missing, but as I said, the pivotal moments made it, and that's crucial to any adaptation, but especially this one. TFiOS fans can get downright rabid in their vehemence that this film adaptation remain as true to the book as possible. As a fan myself, I think the movie was pretty damn close to the book I've loved more each time I read it.
Like so many others, I was nervous about the casting. Brother and sister in one movie, only to be cast as lovers in another. That might not have been such an issue, had the release of both movies not been scheduled so close together. Honestly, I still can't speak to that because I haven't seen Divergent yet, but after seeing them in TFiOS, it's obvious they have chemistry. But I think that chemistry could also be conveyed in a sibling bond, the way they joke and jab at each other in this movie. I think Ansel Elgort is the perfect Augustus Waters. I'm still not sure Shailene Woodley was the Hazel Grace Lancaster I had pictured in my head, but she was well-cast nonetheless. And Nat Wolff as Isaac...so adorable. When he's breaking the trophies in Gus' room after Monica breaks up with him because she's too chicken sh!t to see him through his surgery, he is so acutely Isaac in that moment. I never would have envisioned Willem Dafoe as Peter Van Houten, but it worked. And I still despised his character as much in the movie as I did the first time I read the book. I understand him to an extent, but that doesn't mean I have to like him, not after he treated Hazel Grace -- his biggest fan -- so atrociously.
I'm an ugly crier. I shouldn't have seen this in the theater. But the rest of the audience looked as puffy and swollen as I did, so who cares, right? Except that everyone outside could pinpoint exactly who had just come from seeing TFiOS. Still, when my older sister asked if I'd read the book, would I recommend it because she was thinking of buddy reading it with her neighbor and then going to see the movie, I told her I absolutely would, even though she "hates sad crap" and doesn't like sad movies. (How am I the only sister who isn't emotionally stunted?) Because it's not just about the sad, emotional bits. It's about all the feels. All that snappy dialogue and those beautiful moments. It's about dealing with life, pain, and death, and coming through it. So, yes, I highly recommend it.
If you've read the book, I think you'll love this movie. If you haven't read the book, you're going to hate John Green as so many have already complained, but then you'll read the book and you'll love him again. And you'll probably still love the movie. Or not. But either way, you'll remember this experience and know it's always better to have read the book first. But even reading the book first in this case can't save you from all the feels.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Top Ten Tuesday: Like, Try, Why
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the awesome ladies at The Broke and the Bookish. Apparently, they are overly fond of list-making and love to share their bookish lists with the rest of us book nerds. =) We're game.
April's picks:
Jen's picks:
So, which books would you suggest? :) Share the link to you TTT post so we can visit!
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
{Movie} Review: Veronica Mars
We all delight in seeing our favorite books brought to life on the big screen. We cringe at casting. We scoff at release dates. All the while, we're gearing up to see if the director's vision lives up to the world we've conceived in our own imaginations. Sometimes it does...and sometimes it doesn't. We could lament the movies that don't measure up, or we could return to the books for a re-read, possibly with a slightly different mind-set. All's fair when it comes to artistic vision, right?
Today, I'm featuring the following movie, which is more of a continuation than an adaptation, but since there's a book spin-off series coming, I'm counting it:
Director: Rob Thomas
Stars: Kristen Bell, Chris Lowell, Jason Dohring, Enrico Colantoni
Release date: March 14, 2014
Based on: the beloved TV series of the same name
I am a hardcore Veronica Mars fan. Loved the show when it was on. Watch reruns every chance I get now that it's in syndication. Still think of Logan Echolls every time I see a yellow Xterra. And I had every intention of seeing this movie in the theater with my older sister when I visited her over Spring Break. But, as luck would have it, the movie wasn't widely released and wasn't showing near her at the time. Woe is me...I guess I'll have to drag the husband to see it, even though he detests the tiny, blonde P.I. But, wait! An email just arrived in my inbox on Friday night that let me know that as an AT&T U-Verse subscriber, I have the ability to watch this movie via On Demand while it's playing in theaters simultaneously. What?!?!?!? Best. News. Evar!!!
While the husband was out in the garage watching some UFC event with the guys, I snuggled on the couch with a glass of wine and prepared for this movie to right the wrongs of the past. I was bereft when this show was cancelled, and I hated the way things were left. I liked Piz, but he and Veronica never had the same chemistry, the same magnetism that she and Logan did. And I needed to see those two get their happily ever after. I won't spoil anything, but I will say there's a bar fight and V gets in on some of the action herself. Make of that what you will.
I really wish this series was still on. It was way too short-lived, but even so, this movie continuation hit on all the right notes. The sarcasm and wit, the friendships, the swooning. It so didn't feel like ten years had passed since these characters had all interacted. I mean, there was the awkward weather chit-chat between Veronica and Logan upon their initial meeting, but they picked up right where they left off with their banter, and it was like old times again. Sexy old times. (Logan in dress whites is a sight to behold.) =D
The story itself was also made of awesome. Veronica is leading a rather mundane life, doing the good girl thing, graduating from law school and preparing to take the bar. But she seems kind of miserable. I really found it entertaining how she likened her affinity for detective work to an alcoholic addiction, not unlike her own mother's problem with alcohol. And it made a lot of sense because despite how put-together her life seemed, she was missing something. Investigation work is like a drug to her, and she may very well let that addiction cost her everything.
The voice-over monologuing is still ever-present. Keith Mars is still an indominable voice of reason. Dick is still an asshat. And Wallace and Mac are still great friends who tell it like it is. It's like nothing has changed...except Veronica. But she's getting there.
This movie was great, but all it succeeded in doing was making me want more. There are two YA Veronica Mars novels due out soon, one of which actually released yesterday. I'll be procuring the audiobook very soon, since Kristen Bell herself is narrating. So, at least I have that to look forward to. But by golly, I need more Veronica Mars in my life. Or at least heroines like her. Overall, I'm giddy with how this movie turned out -- and in the manner in which I was able to view it, like watching an extended episode from the comfort of my own living room. I'm confident fans of the series will love this movie, and I'm hoping it will make fans of the kids who are too young to remember the show in its prime.
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starryeyedjen
- I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
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