{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:

Title: Into the Woods
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

A witch tasks a childless baker and his wife with procuring magical items from classic fairy tales to reverse the curse put on their family tree.

Into the Woods is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales in a musical format that follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel-all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.

So, Katie and I had a girls' day on Saturday and took advantage of it by seeing a movie that we knew there was no way on earth her daddy would want to see, not once he discovered that it was a musical. I know a lot of people who unfortunately feel that way, about musicals and foreign films alike, so I miss out on a lot. But I knew Katie would appreciate this film because of its roots in her favorite Disney films and because she just loves singing.

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?

GIF it to me straight:

I *really* wanted to like this more, and it's agonizing that I didn't. :(

Were you a fan of the original? Have you seen the movie? How do you think it fares as an adaptation?

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Labels: cinderella, disney, fairy tales, into the woods, little red riding hood, movie mondays, movie reviews, movies, rapunzel, retellings, reviews

{Movie} Review: Frozen

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 adaptation:

Title: Frozen
Director: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Stars: Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Idina Menzel
Release date: November 27, 2013
Based on: The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen

Fearless optimist Anna teams up with Kristoff in an epic journey, encountering Everest-like conditions, and a hilarious snowman named Olaf in a race to find Anna's sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom in eternal winter.

I shamefacedly admit that I have The Complete Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen in a gorgeous leatherbound volume sitting on my shelf, completely unread.  It was a gift several years ago and I love it in theory, but the thing is huge and rather daunting, and so I've never been compelled to pick it up.  I know of the stories in the book, but I've never actually sat down to read them.  I know that Frozen is only very loosely based on The Snow Queen, but I'd still like to read the original story, which is said to be one of the most beloved by this author.

That being said, I might have a new favorite Disney movie.  Seriously...it rivals my adoration for Tangled.  We took Katie to see it back when it first came out, and we all loved it.  Then, her daddy was out of town for the weekend so I decided to make it a girls' weekend and treat her to mani/pedis and another viewing of this beautiful movie yesterday.  So worth it. And since I've now seen it twice, I decided maybe I should review it this time around.

First off, I have to say I love how this movie scoffed at insta-love, how it thumbed it's nose at love-at-first-sight and all that jazz.  It's a sweet movie, and there's definitely romance involved, but it was interesting to see both sides of love portrayed in this film:  the instant gratification kind and the slow burn.  Obviously, I'm in favor of the second.  But it was also nice to see the repercussions of a fast and furious love affair depicted.

Most of the cast is rather unknown to me, but sometimes, I think that's best, as in this case.  However, I absolutely adored the casting of Kristen Bell as Anna, and I was ecstatic to find out that she did all her own singing!  (It was kind of like when I found out that all the cast in Pitch Perfect had to be able to sing, too.) I've loved Kristen since her days as Veronica Mars (another movie I'm terribly excited for) and I think she was perfectly cast as the sweet but spunky Anna.

The side characters were all pretty awesome in their own right, as well, and just as perfectly cast, especially that Olaf fellow.  I think the first time I saw that little snippet with Olaf and Sven and the carrot, I thought it was Jack McBrayer voicing the clumsy snowman.  Just seems like a role he would take on, but Josh Gad was actually the voice of Olaf.  He did an outstanding job, too.  And Sven may not have had any lines -- other than the ones Kristoff put in his mouth -- but he was easily one of my favorite characters.

I loved this parable in which two sisters must learn their own place in the world in the absence of their parents.  Their relationship became strained at an early age, but through trials and tribulations, they've found their way back to each other.  The power of true love really is enchanting, and I was captivated with the way it was expressed in this story. Especially that true love isn't just the love found between a person and their significant other but that it can also be the bond between family.

Just from what I've read, the story in this movie is very different from the original tale, but I like the spin that Disney's put on it.  The heroine was plucky and courageous, just as I expect from my Disney princesses, and though there was no frying pan-turned-weapon in this movie, Anna did wield a musical instrument when she was being attacked.  :)  The animation was gorgeous, as per usual, and even the song and dance numbers made me smile.  All in all, another winner from the creators of Tangled and Wreck-it Ralph.

GIF it to me straight:

Utterly adorable, unbelievably cute...a must-see!

Have you read the story before?  Have you seen the movie?  How do you think this one fared as an adaptation?

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Labels: favorites, frozen, movie mondays, movie reviews, must-see, reviews

{Movie Review} Movie Monday #19: Catching Fire

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?





This week, I'm featuring the following adaptation:

Title: Catching Fire
Director: Francis Lawrence
Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Sam Claflin
Release date: November 22, 2013
Based on: Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion in the Districts of Panem.

I purposely didn't re-read Catching Fire prior to seeing the movie.  I'm always disappointed when I do that because it makes it that much easier to pick up on all the things that an adaptation is lacking.  But with this movie, I honestly don't think anything was missing.  The power, the message, the emotion of the book...it was all there for the world to see in the movie.

Jennifer Lawrence is just awesome.  I don't even really think I need to go into that because you've seen her act, you've seen the interviews, and you've seen her spaz out over meeting Jeff Bridges.  She is the girl you want to be best friends with.  Sam Claflin as Finnick was Finnick.  Holy hotness!  And lots of people are finally giving Josh Hutcherson the praise he deserves after his role in this sequel, but I've been a fan since Bridge to Terabithia.  I cried like nobody's business at the end of that movie, and I know he'll have me crying again in Mockingjay.

But what really surprised me, though, is how much I love Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket.  Admittedly, I kind of despised this character in the books because of what she and the Capitol stood for, but when brought to life on the big screen, I can see her character for what she really is:  a woman who is only now witnessing the horrible injustices served up at the hands of the Capitol.  Effie was oblivious to it all before the Quarter Quell, I think, and that doesn't make it alright, but now her eyes are open and she's come to think of Katniss, Peeta and even Haymitch as family.

Oh, and the costumes, especially Effie's...I think they were even more elaborate and gorgeous and just stunning this time around.  I mean that twirling "girl on fire" dress in the first movie was amazing, but the dress with the mockingjay wings?  That was beyond impressive.  And the statement it makes!  The costume designers on these movies are simply amazing.

I'm hoping to see the movie again with my sister to pick up on all the nuances I missed while I was fangirling the first time around.  Also, she's pissed that I saw it without her, especially since I was the one who got her to read the series in the first place.  Oops.  =)  But maybe I'll re-read before I see it this time.  Just in case I really did miss something.

All in all, I thought the movie was absolutely brilliant.  The cast and the acting were phenomenal, even better than in the first movie, and even though this movie isn't quite as sad and emotionally draining as the story in the first, my eyes still welled up a few times.  These adaptations are really living up to the supremely high expectations the books set for them. My only complaint is that I wish the final book weren't being split into two movies.  :(

Have you read the book?  Have you seen the movie?  How do you think this one fared as an adaptation?

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Labels: adaptations, favorites, from book to screen, movie mondays, movie reviews, must-see, suzanne collins, the hunger games

{Movie Review} Movie Monday #18: The Great Gatsby

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?





This week, I'm featuring the following adaptation:

Title: The Great Gatsby
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan & Tobey Maguire
Release date: May 10, 2013
Based on: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

An adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Long Island-set novel, where Midwesterner Nick Carraway is lured into the lavish world of his neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Soon enough, however, Carraway will see through the cracks of Gatsby's nouveau riche existence, where obsession, madness, and tragedy await.

First off, don't tell my husband I watched this without him while he was out at the deer lease this weekend. ;0)  It's his favorite book and we were supposed to watch it together, but my sister came over and well, you know her obsession with Leo.  Oops.  Secondly, I had my reservations about this one, not because I didn't like Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of Romeo + Juliet, but quite the opposite.  I really loved that movie when I was a teenager, and I still find myself watching it whenever I'm flipping channels and find it showing on cable.  Also, I've never read The Great Gatsby.  It was never a requirement for the Honors or AP English classes, and with all of the other reading I had to do back then, I never fit it in.

I really wish I'd read the book before I saw the movie, though.  I thoroughly enjoyed the moral implications of this story, the focus on obsession and insanity, and I think I would have enjoyed it that much more if I'd read it first. Also, the dialogue at the beginning of the movie was quick and stunted and I never knew if the characters were participating in the same conversations because I was quite confused for a bit.  Once the pieces started to fall into place, though, I had a better grasp on the quixotic way everyone seemed to speak to one another. But now I find myself wondering if that was all Baz Luhrmann's doing or if that's how it was initially intended in the book.

I don't have the fixation with Leonardo DiCaprio that my sister does, but I don't think a more perfect Gatsby could have been cast.  Admittedly, I haven't seen the Robert Redford version, so I can't make a true declaration, but I was pretty convinced of DiCaprio as Gatsby.  (I just hope this Baz Luhrmann/Leo DiCaprio pairing doesn't become like that Tim Burton/Johnny Depp thing...there can be too much of a good thing.)  I'm not the biggest fan of Tobey Maguire after those Spiderman movies, but I actually found his performance in this movie to be quite good, as well. My dislike for Daisy's character hampered my opinion somewhat, but Carey Mulligan portrayed this spacey, lost woman quite well.

I was afraid that the soundtrack would also detract from the storyline, but I should have known better.  It's really odd how well those beats complemented the feel of this roaring '20s story, but it worked.  I'm not usually one to purchase soundtracks, but I'd definitely consider this one.

So. Good story. Great actors. Fabulous soundtrack. Beautiful choreography. Gorgeous costumes. Yep. It all amounts to one visually stunning movie that sounds as good as it looks. I hope my husband likes it as much as I did. :-P

Have you read the book?  Have you seen the movie?  How do you think this one fared as an adaptation?

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Labels: adaptations, all the feels, f. scott fitzgerald, historical fiction, movie mondays, movie reviews, the great gatsby, the roaring 20s

Movie Monday #17: Oz the Great and Powerful

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?





This week, I'm featuring the following adaptation:

Title: Oz the Great and Powerful
Director: Sam Raimi
Stars: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams
Release date: March 8, 2013
Based on: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz. At first he thinks he's hit the jackpot-fame and fortune are his for the taking. That all changes, however, when he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz), and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity-and even a bit of wizardry-Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.

My 5yo daughter has been harassing me to watch Oz since they started showing the previews again on Starz, now that it's hit cable.  So, since the hubby had to work late on Friday night, me and the kiddo curled up on the couch and got our munchkin on.

So far as watching with a child, that experience was great.  The movie was so colorful and vibrant and Katie just adored it.  And it was a pretty movie, I'll give it that.  But I felt that, as far as adaptations go, it was trying too hard to be evocative in the way that Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland was, and it just fell flat, especially with James Franco in the lead role.

Don't get me wrong, I like Franco.  And I can almost see why he was cast as the conman his character starts out as, but he just never felt like Oz to me. Honestly, I don't know who I would have picked for that part, though.  My favorite characters were his little lackeys on his quest to find the Wicked Witch:  Finley and China Girl.  I've always adored Zach Braff, though.  China Girl was just all kinds of adorable, and I liked how her ailment in Kansas correlated with her distressing injury in Oz, and how unlike his persona back in Kansas, Oz was able to actually help her the second time around.

I loved that the parallels that exist between Kansas and Oz are still ever-present in this adaptation.  Even if this prequel doesn't hold a candle to the original movie and the emotional ties I have with it, it was still an entertaining movie. Daughter has already asked if we can buy a copy so she can watch again and again, much like I rewound and rewatched that old VHS of mine when I was a little one.  'Course, there for awhile, it was 'cause I was trying to spot that crane/guy hanging after my older sister told me about it.  Yep, we were kinda warped.  =)

**I have never read any of the books in L. Frank Baum's Oz series, but it's on the list.  Now that I have a little girl, I think it's high time we read them together.

Have you read the books?  Have you seen the movie or do you have any plans to?

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Labels: adaptations, from book to screen, movie mondays, movie reviews, retellings, the wizard of oz

Movie Monday #16: Pitch Perfect

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?





This week, I'm featuring the following adaptation:

Title: Pitch Perfect
Director: Jason Moore
Stars: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Skylar Astin
Release date: October 5, 2012
Based on: Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory by Mickey Rapkin

Beca, a freshman at Barden University, is cajoled into joining The Bellas, her school's all-girls singing group. Injecting some much needed energy into their repertoire, The Bellas take on their male rivals in a campus competition.
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The Barden Bellas are a collegiate, all-girls a cappella singing group thriving on female pop songs and their perfect looks. After a disastrous failing at last year's finals, they are forced to regroup. Among the new recruits is freshman Beca, an independent, aspiring DJ with no interest in the college life. But after she meets Jesse, from the rival all-male a cappella group, Beca has a new outlook and takes it upon herself to help the Bellas find their new look and sound and get back into the competition.

So, I finally watched Pitch Perfect over the weekend.  I've had it DVRd for a couple months, probably, and after Natalie's glowing review, I knew I had to see it, despite my lack of enthusiasm for the show Glee, which I assumed is what this movie would be like.  But it wasn't, at least not as far as I can tell.  Honestly, I've tried to watch Glee a few times, but I just don't get the draw.

Anyway, it wasn't until I was putting together this post that I realized this movie was actually based on a book.  One I've never heard of, but whatever.  It was actually pretty hilarious.  Campy, but hilarious.

[Their bus starts to sputter and slow]
Aubrey: What the hell?
Fat Amy: It's pretty cool, actually... I think we're just running out of gas.
Aubrey: No, that can't be! You just filled the tank!
Fat Amy: Yeah, I did! And yet, maybe I didn't, because I got hit by flying Mexican food.
[the bus sputters to a stop]
Fat Amy: And we're out.
Aubrey: A-ca-scuse me?
Fat Amy: A-ca-believe it! 

What really made this movie for me was the characters and the actors who portrayed them so raucously.  I liked the two nice kid main characters, played by Anna Kendrick and Skylar Astin.  I kind of love everything I've seen Anna Kendrick in -- even that one series.  But the most fun came when Rebel Wilson (Bridesmaids) or Adam DeVine (Workaholics) had screen time.  They are over-the-top and had me laughing hysterically, which also made me glad no one was around to see the giggle-snorts.

It was also fun seeing Elizabeth Banks as one of the commentators for the competition that the a cappella groups attend, and I even believe I saw her name listed in the credits as a producer.  I adore this woman's affection for the young adult genre in general.

This movie is full of witty dialogue, girl-bonding, and a sweet romance that never felt saccharin or took center stage.  (Pun intended.)  Pitch Perfect is what Glee wishes it could be.  I'll be keeping this one on hand when I need a good laugh.

Have you read the book?  Did you even know there was a book?  What do you think about it being made into a film?  Have you seen the movie or do you have any plans to?

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Labels: funfunfun, movie mondays, movie reviews, pitch perfect

Movie Monday #15: Seventh Son

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?





This week, I'm featuring the following adaptation:

Title: Seventh Son
Director: Sergey Bodrov
Stars: Ben Barnes, Jeff Bridges, Julianne Moore
Release date: January 17, 2014
Based on: Seventh Son by Joseph Delaney

A 18th century adventure story centered on young Thomas, who is apprenticed to the local Spook to learn to fight evil spirits. His first great challenge comes when the powerful Mother Malkin escapes her confinement while the Spook is away.
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John Gregory, who is a seventh son of a seventh son and also the local spook, has protected he country from witches, boggarts, ghouls and all manner of things that go bump in the night. However John is not young anymore, and has been seeking an apprentice to carry on his trade. Most have failed to survive. The last hope is a young farmer's son named Thomas Ward. Will he survive the training to become the spook that so many others couldn't? Should he trust the girl with pointy shoes? How can Thomas stand a chance against Mother Malkin, the most dangerous witch in the county?

Um, I will see anything, and I mean anything, that Ben Barnes is in.  Seriously.

I haven't read this book.  Nor do I have any plans to.  So, I will be seeing this movie as a regular ole person with no knowledge of the actual storyline.  And I'm okay with that.  I mentioned Ben Barnes is in it, right?  :P

However, I thought this was the movie that the Pettyfer was slated to be in, which was the reason he wasn't going to do City of Bones.  I am so out of the loop.  Though, if the numbers don't lie, I think it was in his best interest not to appear in City of Bones.  Or maybe he would have made it better?  I never did like the casting of Jamie Campbell Bower as Jace.  Yuck.

But I digress.  Looks like Seventh Son is full of awesome fight scenes and magic and good ole Jeff Bridges. And he needs this after that crappy R.I.P.D. movie.  I didn't see it, but you just know it's craptastic.  :P

Have you read the book?  What do you think about it being made into a film?  Do you think you'll see it? Will this adaptation do the book justice?

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Labels: ben barnes, joseph delaney, movie mondays, seventh son, the last apprentice, wardstone chronicles

Movie Monday #14: The Book Thief

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?




This week, I'm featuring the following adaptation:

Title: The Book Thief
Director: Brian Percival
Stars: Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson
Release date: November 15, 2013
Based on: The Book Thief by Mark Zusak

While subjected to the horrors of WWII Germany, young Liesel finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with others. Under the stairs in her home, a Jewish refuge is being sheltered by her adoptive parents.
-----------------------------------
The 550-page, World War II-era novel, narrated by Death, tells the story of Liesel Meminger from the time she is taken at age 9 to live with a foster family in a German working-class neighborhood. Liesel arrives having just stolen her first book, "The Gravediggers Handbook" -- it will be the beginning of a love affair with books.

So, I didn't actually realize this movie was already a thing until I saw the trailer pop up in my inbox:

Honestly, I thought it was slated for next year for some reason, which meant I had plenty of time to read the book before the movie's release.  (Yes, I know I am probably one of the last people on Earth who hasn't read this book yet. *hangs head in shame*)  And how did I not know the book was narrated by Death?  I think I probably would have read it a lot sooner if I'd known that.  I have a strange fascination with death personified.

Not having read the book yet, I'd still like to offer up my opinion on the trailer:  it looks beautiful.  And I mean that in the way that a lot of stories set in this time period are beautiful and tragic and hopeful. However, now that I know the book is told from Death's perspective, how is that going to be executed in the movie? Or is it?  I saw nothing that made me think it would be narrated by Death.

I'll be honest, I'll probably wait until this is released on DVD/OnDemand.  It just looks and sounds like the sort of story that might make me a sniffling, snotty mess, and I hate doing that in the theater.  I much prefer emotional stories from the comfort of my own couch, with a box of tissues in hand.  Plus, that'll give me more time to read the book.  ;0)

Have you read the book?  What do you think about it being made into a film?  Do you think you'll see it? Will this adaptation do the book justice?

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Labels: all the feels, historical fiction, mark zusak, movie mondays, the book thief, tough subject, wwii

Movie Monday #13: Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters

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?




This week, I'm featuring the following adaptation:

Title: Vampire Academy:  Blood Sisters
Director: Mark Waters
Stars: Zoey Deutch, Lucy Fry, Danila Kozlovsky
Release date: February 14, 2014
Based on: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, half human/vampire, guardians of the Moroi, peaceful, mortal vampires living discretely within our world. Her legacy is to protect the Moroi from bloodthirsty, immortal Vampires, the Strigoi. This is her story.
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Rose Hathaway is a dhampir, half-vampire and half-human, who is training to be a guardian at St. Vladimir's Academy along with many others like her. There are good and bad vampires in their world: Moroi, who co-exist peacefully among the humans and only take blood from donors, and also possess the ability to control one of the four elements - water, earth, fire or air; and Strigoi, blood-sucking, evil vampires who drink to kill. Rose and other dhampir guardians are trained to protect Moroi and kill Strigoi throughout their education. Along with her best friend, Princess Vasilisa Dragomir, a Moroi and the last of her line, with whom she has a nigh unbreakable bond, Rose must run away from St. Vladimir's, in order to protect Lissa from those who wish to harm the princess and use her for their own means.

First things first, here's the teaser trailer that was just released:

I don't know about you, but I am pretty effing stoked for this movie.  I am totally on board with the casting. I love that the cast is full of virtually unknown actors...I think it makes it a ton easier to envision them as the characters from the books.  And boy is it easy to envision Danila Kozlovsky as Dimitri!  =)

Look, he's wearing the duster!!!

I came to the VA series after all the books were released, and I listened to them back-to-back on a road trip.  It was awesome.  But even more awesome than that was finding out that the first book was being made into a movie.  I admit, I was skeptical at first, but I see some serious potential in the movie, especially after this teaser trailer.  Twilight hypocrites and naysayers, back the eff off!  This is NOT that kind of vampire story.

See that humor there?  The friendship?  Those things set this book apart from that other vampire novel. Another good thing this adaptation has going for it is the writer/director team of Daniel Waters (of Heathers fame) and Mark Waters (of Mean Girls fame).  Some of the quotes already up on the IMDb page are more proof -- at least to me -- that this film is going to excel where others have failed. 

I hate that we have to wait until Valentine's Day for the release, but that's just clever marketing. I will definitely be dragging my honey to see it with me.  In the meantime, I'll be doing a series re-listen, I think.  :D

Have you read the book?  What do you think about it being made into a film?  Do you think you'll see it?

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Labels: adaptations, favorites, from book to screen, movie mondays, richelle mead, vampire academy, vampires