Movie Corner #14

                Hello happy movie fans!    So I haven't seen all the movies I had planned these last two weeks and I'm not sure which of the ones I want to see coming up I'll be able to see at the start of their run given the MoviePass issues.  Yes I have a MoviePass and it has been allowing me to see movies at my hearts content, basically a dream come true for me.  I'm holding out hope they work things out and continue to work.  Either way I'm going to use it while I have it!  That said here is what I’ve seen the last two weeks:

The Equalizer 2:  5 Stars

                So the first movie was awesome.  I like these type of movies and these type of heroes that do bad to help the little guys.  It’s always something you can get behind.  Like the first one it has some amazing action sequences where he uses his skills and the things around him to really kick ass!  It had a little story of his current life after moving on from his last place which grounds him as well as his personal connection to the only friend from the agency he has left.  The movie even managed to infuse some laughter in there as well which really rounded it out for me and I am sure will be a movie I turn on all the time when it's on regular TV as something I can always re-watch!

Unfriended:  Dark Web: 4.5 Stars

                I went into this thinking it might be a bit of cheesy horror fun but was honestly surprised.  It has the who theme of everything is seen from a computer screen which on the big screen but when I watched the first Unfriended on TV it was a bit harder to enjoy as you have to read IM's and texts on the screen and because it's the side of the screen depending on your TV size it sometimes is hard to catch.  It's an interesting movie for sure and it did keep me fascinated and including the dark web aspect with all the crazy and illicit things was a good idea.  It was creepy and suspenseful and really kept you focused.  I was honestly creeped out. 

Mission Impossible:  Fallout: 5 Stars

                A couple weeks ago I hadn't seen past the first two movies years ago.  But they always look interesting and fun.  So I got me a 5 pack movie for $20 and marathon watched all 5 previous movies from start to finish and found myself really loving the action and the impossible aspects of them mixed with a surprising amount of humor.  I was really excited to dive into the newest installment and it was just as good if not better than the ones before it.  I enjoyed the different levels of espionage and all mixed in with some awesome action and tying things back to the previous movies so seamlessly.  It didn't feel like so many years has passed from the first films because they flow together nicely.  I would highly recommend a binge watch and seeing the newest installment! 

*****

                That's all for now.  Hopefully MoviePass gets it's stuff together and I will still be able to see plenty of movies on the cheap.  That said this week alone I have several in mind top two being The Darkest Minds (because hello book to movie adaptation) and The Spy Who Dumped Me because it looks hilarious!  What movies have you seen recently?  What should I see? 

Movie Wrap-Up #1

                First things first my giveaway for a SIGNED copy of Warcross (Warcross #1) by Marie Lu is on its last day so swing by to check it out!  So in the last couple months I have been seeing tons of movies again, more than before really thanks to my pass.  That said I miss doing my movie marathon wrap-up posts so I have decided to start posting again.  Now I’m still figuring out how this will fit into my normal posting schedule but I would like to add it in.  We shall see how it goes.  Let me know your thoughts in the comments below for sure.  So these are all the movies I’ve seen since January 1, 2018:

Downsizing:  4 Stars

                Downsizing looked like a hilarious type of movie where you can take a low middle class life and turn it into the mega life you always dreamed of by shrinking yourself.  The trailer looked pretty funny and I was curious to see what the story would be about.  That said while the movie did have lots of funny moments it wasn’t a comedy.  The film for me was more of a take on not only the environmental crisis we are in but social and economic class issues.  It had its impactful parts and lots of comedy sprinkled in there as well.  It was a movie I am glad I saw and did enjoy it but it’s not the type of movie I could watch over and over again. 

Molly’s Game:  5 Stars

                Jessica Chastain really delivered in this.  I just say the trailer and it made me want to see this movie and hear the story of Molly Bloom.  We join Molly as she searches for a lawyer to fight the charges against her.  We learn her story from the start and why we should be on her side.  The story is complex and intriguing but the performances really deliver.  It was a full meaty story told in a fast pace that really kept you on your toes.  It also had some serious emotional moments that caught me off guard.  Even knowing the story and how it ends I can still watch this and enjoy it again.

The Greatest Showman:  5 Stars

                A musical.  I have a hit or miss relationship with musicals.  I think it’s the mood.  I went in a bit uncertain about this one.  As with any the trailer looked good, the cast was full of those I enjoy, but I was leery.  Still I wanted to give it a fair shot and when I came out all I wanted was to go home get online and order the soundtrack and replay the movie.  This one caught me by surprise.  From a movie I wanted to see but only just so to one of my favorites.  The music.  The visuals.  The story.  It all just blew me away.  I was tapping my feet and trying to hum along to the whole movie.  I got super into it and even got teary eyed at more than one part.  This is a very touching story that I think anyone can enjoy.  And while I adore the soundtrack it is a full on musical with exposition told in verse so listening to it first may give away the story and should be savored and not spoiled.  I can’t wait to get this on DVD.

Proud Mary:  4 Stars
              This movie intrigued me as it was about a bad ass female character who takes care of business and the trailer was awesome.  I didn’t know all the details just that Mary was someone who wasn’t a copy but could handle her business and she is protecting a kid and there was action galore.  I was sold there.  I enjoy the actress Taraji P. Henderson and she did a good job with the roll giving the character some emotional moments for sure.  Still this movie was more for me action and violence and I was okay with it.  Things were a bit different than I expected going in but I enjoyed my time in the movie and the action was on point.  I know if I was ever in a bind I would love to have Mary on my side!

Den of Thieves: 4 Stars

                The movie is a rough adult version of cops and robbers.  It’s what the trailer depicts.  Lots of violence and bad behavior.  I enjoyed it for what it was and I liked that we got to see things from both sides.  Both sides of this were flawed, the cops had issues and the thieves weren’t evil.  I enjoy stories that show a lot of grey as not much is so easily right or wrong.  I like when I can root for the bad guy to both succeed and be captured because either way I win.

Forever My Girl:  4.5 Stars

                This is a super sweet romantic movie about love and fixing mistakes of the past.  It was very predictable and I knew what would happen before it did but I went in for a cute time and got just what I expected.  The trailer tells you everything you need to know.  If you enjoy the Nicholas Sparks movies then you will enjoy this.  Romantic and sweet but with some comedy layered in to balance out the hard hitting scenes that touch on a deeper issue.

  

The Commuter:  4 Stars

                This reminded me of a cross between Non-Stop and Eagle Eye both movies of which I really enjoyed.  The story is fast paced and keeps moving along with the intrigue and figuring things out.  I had it pegged from the start but that didn’t stop my enjoyment of it by any means.  I enjoy Liam Neeson in his action rolls enjoying that he can add in the emotional depth to the character and make it seem very personal.  It was a good time and I enjoyed myself so that’s really what counts for me.  I can easily see this being a movie I could put on and enjoy again. 

12 Strong: 4 Stars

                I went into this thinking it would be an interesting movie based on the trailer and a co-workers recommendation. I am hit or miss with war movies but I liked the underdog type vibe I got from it plus some of the actors I really enjoy.  I did go into this a bit annoyed as I had originally left my cozy reading nook with the intent to see the advanced day showing of The Death Cure but the website or the computers at the window whichever I was told it wasn’t showing that night.  Already there this was the only thing with a time slot I could catch so while it wasn’t what I wanted to see I still tried to keep an open mind.  I was rather surprised by the movie and how much I enjoyed it.  I could watch it again if it were on but I don’t have the urge to purchase it myself. 

The Death Cure:  5 Stars

                Okay so I know this is a book to movie adaptation and I would normally give it a full review on its own but I don’t remember the book that well.  I thought about re-reading it but after re-watching the previous movies I realized that the second movie jumped way off track from the books that it would be better to focus on the movie as a movie.  Now from what I did remember they kept several things, even one thing in particular I hoped they might change given they were making changes, still as a movie I really enjoyed it.  There was a ton of action it pulls you in from the start and you want to fight with them and help save the kids and take down WCKD.  It was also a great end to the movie series as a whole and I found it very filling.  I look forward to seeing it again and getting my copy for the shelf! 

                So having typed all these up I am thinking I may make this a bi-weekly post rather than monthly.  These are the movies I have seen this month and I have plans to see so many more in the future!  What are some movies you’ve loved recently or are looking forward to see? 

                Until next time…

Movie Review: X-Men: Apocalypse & Alice Through the Looking Glass

                Hello happy readers and Happy Memorial Day.  I hope you all have a good and safe day no matter what your plans are as this is a day many use for fun and parties it is a rather sad holiday for others.  That said I’m working but have made lots of goodies for my crew.  I also had a busy weekend with a birthday party and a double feature of X-Men:  Apocalypse and Alice Through the Looking Glass.  That said since I mentioned last movie review that I want to do a few more of these here and there I thought this would be a great one to do.  First though don’t forget to check out my giveaway open until 6/6 for a SIGNED copy of The Last Star by Rick Yancey here.  Now onto the movies.

 Rating: 5 Stars

                Okay so know as I discuss this I love these types of movies for sure but I’ve never read any of the source material so I have no idea if it’s “faithful” or not this is purely based on my enjoyment in watching the story develop.  I have really enjoyed the newest X-Men movies, I enjoyed the originals but this new set of the younger characters we know so well really are amazing.  Apocalypse takes place in the 80’s some years after Days of Future Past where Mystic is a hero among mutants and Magneto is a wanted man but one who has disappeared while Charles has been running his school and helping mutants understand and control their powers. 

                We’ve had past looks at Magneto, Charles, Raven, Beast along with Quicksilver and even our CIA agent.  However this time we get out first real look at young Jean Grey, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Storm, Psylocke and Angel as well.  Quicksilvers scene in the last movie was one of my favorite scenes because it was just so much fun, and he has a similar scene in this one putting his powers and quirky personality to the test again to a great soundtrack that just makes you laugh.  I dare you to watch it and not at least crack a smile.

                The bond between these characters is beautiful, since the first movie the connection between Charles and Magneto and their friendship and how even on opposite ends of things they have that respect for one another.  They are vastly different and the actors play off one another well.  The whole cast does a great job in my opinion.  Raven as she struggles with who and what she is now, no longer as comfortable in her natural mutant form with everyone expecting her to be a hero.  Magneto and a particular scene in the forest that just starts the whole movie really going forward in a huge way. 

                Apocalypse has tons of action scenes and some good CGI that didn’t seem exceptionally cheesy.  We also got our Wolverine scene in there that again plays well into the whole universe.  There were also some battles fought on the mental front and instead of simply having it be a battle of wills that it is, it’s shown in a my substantial and physical way that shows the depth and severity of it all.  All in all I think it was a great movie and I look forward to seeing what will happen next.

Rating:  4.5 Stars

                This one I had huge hopes for in 3D as the first Alice was the BEST movie I had ever saw in 3D before.  That said my theatre had to readjust the projector during the first 3D trailer so maybe that played into it but the 3D wasn’t nearly as epic as the first.  Again it may have been technical difficulties but while I saw some cool 3D here and there it wasn’t as immersive as the first so that kind of let me down some. 

                The story itself takes place three years after the first, when Alice came back to her world and took charge of her own destiny rather than marry some horrid boy as society would like.  She is yet again facing societies expectations of a woman after returning from her journey as a sea captain she finds things have changed.  As her world is spinning she is pulled back to Wonderland only to find things there have changed as well.  Her dear friend Hatter is fallen ill and only Alice can save him by taking on Time himself.  Yes Time is a person and a thing and it is so convoluted and fun! 

                All the things I loved in the first one were there from the beautiful landscapes and bright and colorful world to the very colorful characters and the wonderful quotes that just make you think.  I enjoyed the story well enough, save Hatter by going through time.  The experience was fun and going back in time we learn more about both the Hatter and the queens while also teaching valuable lessons like the importance of family and of being yourself and with that to not let the world tell you who you will be but to make your own path in it and find your true self. 

                While I really enjoyed all of these aspects I didn’t love it as much as the first be it for the 3D let down and it was a bit harder to follow and really be in there.  While I love Hatter I don’t see where saving his life was worth everyone risking all of Wonderland itself and I find it hard to believe so many would put that to be.  Still really enjoyed it and plan to buy it when it’s out.  That’s all for now I’d love to hear your thoughts on either movie in the comments down below.  Also can I say I’m obsessed with the Pink song in the credits!

                Until next time…

The Huntsman: Winter's War

                Hello happy readers, it's Friday.  Where does the time go?  I feel like the week just started and now it's over.  Sigh.  So I did end up getting up and dressed long enough to go out and see The Huntsman:  Winter's War during the advance day showing since I have to work this weekend.  Also I realized I haven't done a straight movie review other than book to movie ones in a long time and thought this would be fun.  So here goes.

Rating:  5 Stars

                The Huntsman:  Winter's War was one I knew I wanted to see even if I didn't know how it would work given how Snow White and the Huntsman ended.  Spoiler Alert:  Snow beats Ravenna.  But from the trailer it's the story we don't know, I was thinking a prequel story which after seeing the full trailer made sense.  Having come out of the movie I now see it as both a prequel and a sequel.  The story starts prior to the events in Snow White but then as events happy they jump forward in time to a point after the events in that one.  It was done very well and all flowed wonderfully for me so if anyone else had a slight concern on when it happens know it makes sense.

                 We get to meet Ravenna's sister Freya and how her heart is hardened and she becomes the Ice Queen wanting an army of Huntsman who harden their hearts.  She honestly thinks taking in children to train as warriors and teaching them love is an illusion and to be hardened is good.  She's the type of villain who you want to root against but at the same time you kind of understand given her history making her complex.  The love that blossomed between her two best Huntsmen Eric and Sara is not something that can be allowed.  I enjoyed Eric's character in the first movie and I enjoyed getting to know him better and see how he became the Huntsman I knew who helped Snow and the same on getting to meet his Sara.  The chemistry between them was pretty steamy, they are both amazingly good looking people for sure, but it was more.  They way they went back and forth and challenged one another I could see them as a perfect match for one another.  Plus Sara is bad ass! 

                 The plot really held my attention and there was lots of action happening from training, battles, ogres, a quest to find the mirror, and more.  There is also some comedic relief in there as well which I found myself laughing at, not just the dwarfs who did seem there for more laughs than much else, they were interesting and they seemed familiar in the best way.  There were other aspects of the first movie that we see in this as well from the settings in the woods and the mystical type creatures to the mirror itself which was the most unique way I ever saw the mirror portrayed.  The visuals in this are on point.  The magic and how both Freya and Ravenna's powers are portrayed to Freya's mask (love) and the world in general.  High points there for sure for the beauty of it all.    

Pretty!

                 Overall the movie was a fun time and I can't wait to see it again.  Plus the song from the trailer has been on my mind non-stop since first seeing it (Halsey – Castle) and the ending credits played a modified version which was pretty awesome.  I recommend giving it a try!  I'd love to hear your thoughts on the movie down in the comments!

                Until next time….

The 5th Wave Book & Movie!

                 Happy Monday!  I hope you all have had a good weekend.  Mind was rather fun I finally read The 5th Wave and then saw the movie.  See I planned that timing perfectly!  Okay so really I meant to read it earlier in the month but well…life happened.  But still managed to finish it in time.  So today I have some thoughts to share with you both a book review which I typed up prior to seeing the movie and then my thoughts on the movie.  So here we go starting with the book by Rick Yancey:

Book Rating:  5 Stars

                So we have an alien invasion but we don't start out at the beginning but after four waves of the invasion preparing for the unknown but sure to come 5th wave, hence the title.  At this point 7 billion of the population are gone.  That's serious numbers.  It's us verses the Others.  We have a couple different POV but the first is Cassie, a pretty kick ass girl.  She has been through some serious stuff and we see patches of it as we go along.  She is alone, and she believes the only way to stay alive is to stay alone.  Trust is no longer an option.  Until she meets Evan, the mysterious farm boy who saves her.  She made a promise to her brother that she would come for him and she has put it off unsure how to deal or how to move forward but she has to choose.  Give up or fight, defiance or surrender, life or death. 

                I was pulled in pretty quickly.  I had seen the movie trailer everywhere so I had images in my head for Cassie, Sammy, Ethan and the parents.  The others didn't really click until I saw the trailer again after reading then I could assign names to random characters.  I had a basic understanding of the story and plot but honestly I had no idea what to expect.  There is a scene right before the first POV change where I was completely shocked and then mad at the change because I wanted to go back to Cassie!  The first shift, before I knew it was a shift was a bit confusing for the first page or two for me when I realized we were now a male character and not Cassie, after that realization everything went rather smoothly.  I even figured out who the POV was.  We also see the POV from Sam and a Silencer which gave great depth and diversity but I'd still say the main POV was Cassie.  She was the focus, or at least it felt that way to me. 

                The whole story is like a mystery.  You have some things that are predictable and others that get you.  Then you have all this doubt and misdirection and you think one way but then start to question if you were wrong and paranoid but then something else happens and you still don't know what to think.  I am rather proud that I had it figured out, though I did have some moments of doubt creeping up on me at times.  I think that just shows the authors talent right there to invest you so deeply that you question your own thought process. 

                I really enjoyed that Cassie wasn't so much worried or focused on saving the planet, she doesn’t have any grand design to save what's left of civilization she just wants to save her brother and stay alive.  Her goal is challenging enough but it feels more attainable for one untrained girl to accomplish.  Cassie's POV was by far my favorite with the random and sometimes fractured line of thought it seemed so genuine and very much how I imagine myself should I somehow survive that long.  Also, OMG I just about died with the conversations with Bear!  Best stuff oh and let's not forget Howard!  Oh and Evan, he is a weird combination of awkward and sweet that works for me.  Plus not going to lie he still has chocolate in the end of the world so clearly he is living right! 

                Zombie was pretty interesting as well.  I liked seeing the opposite kind of view where Cassie was alone he was not.  He was in the center of the fight.  Getting to know the others on the team from Dumbo, Flint, Poundcake, Oompa, Teacup, Ringer, and Nugget was fun.  The dynamic of the team and their goals was interesting getting to know them.  I love the relationship that is formed between Zombie and Nugget that just made me all warm and fuzzy inside.  Everything was harsh and cruel in this world and there is some serious things happening and tons of death but when you have so many 'children' they are forced to grow up quickly but to see that almost brotherly bond was great. 

                Now some questions I don't feel I had an answer for and hope it will be revealed later are how do the disks work on the bus?  Red or Green chosen then vs how they are played out later.  Okay I guess it was just the one question.  Any others are more to things I'm sure will play out in the series as a whole.  If anyone happens to know this, maybe I overlooked it in my excitement to keep reading I'd love to know.  That's all for the book discussion part.  

Movie Rating:  4.5 Stars

                As a movie and as an adaptation I did enjoy myself.  I did notice some changes, some things I went in knowing would be different, like no shrapnel removal, for obvious shooting reasons and others for time.  Still I did enjoy seeing things play out, from the opening shots where Cassie is at the store stealing her items, the items she mentioned in the book, which was a nice thing.  The majority of the book is there. 

                Casting wise I really enjoyed everyone, Chloe Grace Moretz did a great job as Cassie.  Not only did I picture her while reading but as the movie played out I could feel for her and relate to her.  I also thought the casting was on point for some of the others as well like Sammy, so adorable, and even Zombie and the team.  Ringer, played by Maika Monroe, was on point for sure she looked bad ass cut you in your sleep if you mess with her and the attitude came across the screen.   Evan was hot and totally could see having some moments with him and he played the part well both serious and loveable in a conflicted way.  Now one of the casting decisions was to combine the role of Reznik with that of Dr. Pam from the book and had Maria Bello play them which was a bit shocking.  Reznik wasn't nearly the hardass from the book so it seems pairing them down. 

                The plot of the story was still there and everything was pretty clear and understandable.  I think anyone can go in and enjoy this movie and not be confused.  Some of the changes on how certain things are discovered are made clearer and simpler in the movie which I almost like more than the book and given how much they were able to trim and make everything flow I was impressed.  I like that most of the conversation and getting to know one another with Cassie and Evan is done on the move it was a good way to keep things moving along and keep pacing up.  Now some things that I think could have been expanded on to give more depth was the training base.  They changed that up some and paired it down substantially but in doing so we didn't get to know any of the team and had I not read the book I don't think I would have known any of their names accept Zombie, Ringer, and Teacup.  The nicknames aren't mentioned but very seldom and quickly and never really assigned to a character in the film.  I also feel that took away a bit of the bond that develops between Zombie and Nugget.  Also it appears that the Others have some type of powers that I didn't pick up on in the book, which I'm on the fence about since it wasn't explained…yet.  And I missed the Bear talks!

                Overall I really loved both the book and the movie.  I am so glad I finally finished the book and that I did so in time to see the movie.  Now I look forward to reading the next book but with the final book coming out this year I think I'm going to hold off until closer to that date so I have less wait time!  Now I'd love to hear all of your thoughts down in the comments.  Did you read the book or watch the movie, or both?  Let's discuss.  Also stay tuned I'll be posting my monthly challenge wrap up in just a little while!

                Until next time…

The Scorch Trials the movie and adaptation

                Back to the work week we go.  I hope everyone had a great weekend full of good times.  Maybe some of you went to the movies this weekend, after all there was a book to movie adaptation coming out.  Yep the sequel to The Maze Runner, which is The Scorch Trials.  If you're interested in my thoughts on The Maze Runner movie you can check out that review here.  There will be spoilers from here on out for both the movie and the book.  I'll be rating it twice.  On the movie on it's own (well sequel but whatever) and then on its book adaptability.  So without further ado…

               

Movie Rating: 5 Stars

Book Adaptation Rating: 2 Stars

                I should probably start this off by saying that I did not get the chance to re-read The Scorch Trials book before the movie.  I wanted to have a refresher but there are just so many amazing books that I'm working on reading right now I didn't end up re-reading one I'd already enjoyed.  Keep in mind this is the book that I went on a mini adventure with a friend to locate the day it came out and I will always remember it for that.  So while I don't remember a lot of specific details of the book I remember the general points.  Hence the low rating for the adaptation part, so much major stuff was changed even I who read this book five years ago noticed.  So on that front it was slightly disappointing after The Maze Runner did a pretty solid job of sticking to the main points of the book.  I was expecting something a bit different.

                That being said I also really enjoyed the movie.  I find that as I had an addiction to movies before I rediscovered my love for reading again I am able most of the time to separate the book and the movie and be okay.  Now sometimes I'm just mad because I LOVED the book and wanted to see it made into the perfect adaptation and that doesn't happen.  Most of the time even if they change a lot of things I can still look at it and enjoy it as a movie rather than a book adaptation.  With The Scorch Trials I'm somewhat happy to see them changing so many things in the hopes that they will change the final book and some things I didn't care as much for (it involves a certain characters end).

                Differences.  I did find myself constantly waiting for certain things to happen.  Again I remember bigger parts and not little things so I couldn't be sure if everything happening was the same, lots felt different but the direction I was following.  The biggest thing that did bother me about the adaptation part, and maybe even the movie as I'm thinking about it now is the end of the Maze Runner and title.  In the book The Scorch Trials were trials and WICKED followed their progress through the Scorch and it was deadly and dangerous and such but it was much like the maze in that they were monitoring them, all part of the plan.  That's even how the movie leads you to believe, "initiate the scorch trials," she says at the end of The Maze Runner.  Still the movie goes off in that they escape and are on the run.  I liked the idea and the visuals and such don't get me wrong but it was no longer a trial which given the title is misleading. 

                A few other things I wish would have been included in the movie was a better explanation for the worlds current state, a rehash from the end of movie one with the sun flares, but more a how any people survived and a better description of the Cranks.  We see them and are chased by them but they aren't explained properly.  They were more like fast moving zombies. I remembered Cranks from the books but I know some who didn't read the books were a bit confused where the zombies came from.   

                The movie while following a different path than the book featured lots of action and dystopian like atmosphere.  There is still lots of running and struggling to survive.  We get to see our favorite characters and how they react to different situations.  Remember none of them remember life before waking up in the maze so everything else is new to them.  To spend all your time trying to escape to something better and to find the scorch waiting for you.  Talk about a shock to your system.  I just love Newt and Minho!  We also get to meet Brenda and Jorge who were not what I described and I admit after seeing Jorge I couldn't stop thinking of Revolution.  I also loved my Firefly flash back seeing Wash and Game of Thrones with Littlefinger (whom I don't normally like his characters I do love is accent)! Anywho lots of deception and betrayal and evil companies who swear they are doing everything for the good of everyone but do we believe them?  The whole sacrifice a few to save many mentality has always been interesting to me in its variations.  

On the scorch...

                 Overall though again I really enjoyed the movie as a whole individually.  I just sat back and enjoyed the ride.  Still as an adaptation it was rather low on my scale.  I honestly think people who enjoyed the first movie but didn't read the series may enjoy it more than die hard fans of the books.  If you read the book and liked it, I would still say give it a shot but keep an open mind and don't expect things to stay the same.  Bright side is having read the book doesn't mean you know what will happen next.  That's all I have to share at the moment.  Remember comments feed the bloggers soul so tell me what you think below.  Have you seen the movie yet?  Read the series?  What did you think of the changes? 

               

                Until next time.

Paper Towns Book and Movie

                Happy Friday everyone!  Last weekend the latest John Green book to movie adaptation came out, Paper Towns.  I had not read the book but wanted to do so before seeing the movie.  I finished the book the day before I saw the movie so to say it was fresh in my mind when I watched the movie version is an understatement.  That being said I decided to do a joint review.  I'll talk about my thoughts and feels on the book first then move onto the movie. 

Book Rating: 4 Stars

                I should say that Paper Towns is my second John Green book, I read The Fault in Our Stars before that movie as well.  I didn't snot cry like I did in that one so I call that a win.  This was practically a happy book in comparison.  The book is about Quentin 'Q' who lives next door to the adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman and had a crush on her since childhood from afar.  Until one night when she comes to his window and him to accompany her on an ingenious plot of revenge and adventure.  He joins in and for the first time he breaks his pattern and some rules and comes alive and feels promise for the next day.  That is until he arrives at school the next day and Margo isn't there.  Or the next day or the one after that.  She has disappeared again the enigma she has always been.  This time her clues seem left for him and he believes he is meant to find her. 

                I really liked Q.  He was pretty great.  His relationship with his best friends Ben and Radar was just spot on and much fun.  The way they bicker back and forth and randomly just slack off on what whatever tangent they were on always made me laugh.  The friendship there was real and made me want to be friends with them.  Whereas with Margo I didn't care for her much.  She was interesting in the beginning but after she takes off I cared for her about as much as I did for Sloan in Since You've Been Gone.  It started out slowly though and I grew to like her less as the story went on but at the same time I was falling more in love with Q and the others so it was a trade –off I was okay with.  I just felt she was a bit self centered and juvenile.  I liked some of her ideas and that she helped to break Q out of his shell and made him see life differently for a change but that's about it. 

                Anywho my dislike of Margo aside the story was rather good and compelling.  I spent most of my life in North Florida going to Orlando on a regular basis so to read about the place as just a normal town and to have the characters visit places I've been to or could have been to while I was there as a wee lass is fun.  The clues and the mystery was interesting and it took some thought to leave them and to discover them.  And I mentioned it previously the way Q grows into himself really made the story.  It wasn't just a mystery to solve but to see him step outside himself and deal with everything. 

                That's all I can really say about the book without giving much away.  Plus I really want to discuss the movie and how they differ.

Movie Rating: 5 Stars

                The movie is for me rated higher than the book.  Strange I know.  The book still had many things that were better story wise but as a whole I feel I enjoyed the movie a bit better because I didn't dislike Margo as much and I felt like I got better answers.  There will be spoilers for the movie and book comparison below so just be warned.

                Paper Towns the book had more detail as any book does over their movie counter-part.  There was more clues more adventures and such but they could drag a tad bit so cutting them and streamlining was a smart call.  I also found out after they cut one due to the controversy surrounding Sea World and not wanting to take part in it.  Okay.  But one of the biggest downsides for me was they cut the complexity of the search.  Q wonders with all her messages and signs that she might be waiting for him to save her or find her body.  He is really unsure if she is leading him to her or to her body.  That was a deep part of the search and the movie made it seem more like a boy with a crush going after the girl he's loved from afar to 'get the girl' as it were.  One other thing that does bother me in any movie, there was a scene clearly cut from the movie that they filmed because it was in the trailer which makes no sense but I hope to see it on the DVD.

                Why I enjoyed the movie better?  I mentioned I liked Margo better, she had more depth.  While I still found her somewhat self-centered her logic while flawed did seem to make sense in a way.  It didn't seem as cruel.  I also liked changing the timeline of the story.  The gang racing to NY and trying to get back in time for prom was much more believable than all of them ditching graduation.  They kept the best parts of the book, the fun and excitement but they also enhanced things like Ben's romance.  In the book it just happened almost by accident but in the movie it seemed more natural and progressed.  I also LOVED the idea of including Angela in the road trip.  It kind of balanced things out but also and more importantly it let us get to see more of her character and by extension more of who Radar is.  Also can I point out my theatre was having some technically issues and I lost picture for a minute or two around the gas station scene and just after.   I did manage to see the little cameo!  But I did miss the visual reaction to the T-shirt but I will be re-watching it again, hopefully without issues.

                Overall I think fans of the book will enjoy the movie and people who have yet to read the book will still be able to go in and enjoy the movie.  The best of both worlds.  So there are my thoughts and feels.  Leave a comment below and share your thoughts with me.  Have you read the book and seen the movie?  What did you like/dislike about them?  Also I still have a giveaway open until 8/2 at 12:00am EST for a signed copy of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas here so check it out.  Until next time!

Insurgent- book to movie

                Welcome back!  As you know Insurgent the movie came out last weekend.  I saw it with my friends opening night and wanted to share my thoughts with you.  Now let me say first things first this review will have spoilers, they are unavoidable as it's a sequel and to discuss the book to movie changes.  So if you haven't seen Insurgent yet there is a small non-spoilery section you can read without fear but then go see it then come back and share your thoughts!  I also find that many people have mixed reviews about the movie which makes this review even more fun to write.  Strap in and enjoy the ride.

                I read these books the first time a couple years ago.  When the first real trailer was released I admit to being a bit confused.  I was unsure if the trailer seemed so different because it was different or if I just didn't remember the book that well.  So to prepare for the movie, I re-read Insurgent the day before I saw it, technically I finished that afternoon before we did see it, so to say it was fresh in my mind is an understatement.  There were a lot of changes made to the movie.  You expect changes in book to movie adaptations, it’s a way of life, and they can make or break a story.  I was okay with most of the changes in the movie.  Let me explain, Insurgent had a LOT happening in it.  There was a ton of exposition and information to absorb in the book and to try and get all of that in there with all the different subplots in just 2 hours of movie and not have it be rushed through at super speed it needed to be condensed.  My honest opinion would be that they should have split Insurgent into two movies, since it had so much meat to it, and then only done the last one as one.  Come on that would have been a huge change, splitting something other than the last book.  Given we didn't get that I was happy with the movie.  I LIKED IT!  I didn't LOVE it as much as some others but I wasn't disappointed in it.  It kept true to at least most of the book and the story, unlike some adaptations. 

                The acting was pretty much as we remember.  There were some intense stares and oh some comedic relief when it wasn't expected.  Never expected to laugh so much at Peter when I hated him so much in the books.  For me there was a bit too much CGI.  The snake things that go into the divergent to try and open the box that levitate them….not necessary.  Why did you need to make it complicated instead of just going with it and having them on the chair like the last one.  Keep some things familiar.  The directors changed and you expected changes in the style but a bit more consistency would have been nice. 

                So that's all I really have that doesn't have spoilers.  Now I want to discuss some of the changes and my thoughts on them.  First let me say these are in no particular order, just how they come to me as I'm writing my review.

                Tris and her emotional state.  Her PTSD is played down somewhat in the movie.  She was struggling with what she did to her friend.  She didn't want to hold a gun, much less use one, in the books but she didn't seem to struggle with weapons in the movie as much, one small flinch at holding a gun does not give the depth the book had through the entire story.  In the book she also became reckless, stupid Dauntless adrenaline junkie reckless, which  put a strain on her and Four.  Speaking of Tris and Four's relationship issues, I think they were better in the movie.  They seemed to be on more solid ground and not have as many bickering moments like in the book because one wasn't being truthful, they just kinda had these looks that seemed to say they understood.  I was conflicted at first because I wasn't sure if that would detract from their relationship as a whole but after seeing it, for me it made their connection that much more real and solid for me where it wavered for me in the book some.  Their relationship is still new and fresh and to be constantly fighting each other with everything else going on would not show them as a strong unit.  However, because they cut out most of their conflict it did cut out some of their growth as characters.

                One of the things I'm most upset about them cutting was in Amity.  Where Tris and Peter fight and she is injected with the peace serum.  Basically Tris on some serious happy drugs.  Why didn't we get this scene where she was drugged out of her mind and so hilarious?  Her conversation with Four during it in the book were great.  It would have given the audience a chance to see insecurities about them and explain about the serums and being divergent.  Four has a theory that she is immune from all the serums but succumbed to this one because she wanted to feel happy. 

See how happy she could have been!

               Which leads me to the Candor truth scene.  The movie never showed that she could have withheld the truth if she wanted.  That in the end even though she could lie, she chose to be honest and get it out there that she killed her friend, Will.  That she told the truth even knowing it would hurt people and herself.  It was a very powerful scene in the book and came a bit short of emotional depth in the movie, showing more awkward than anything.  This also continues with Christina and Tris! They cut out all the stuff between them.  Where she hates her but then after the simulation suicides, which she wasn't involved in, but I liked her seeing it first hand, she understands what Tris meant about Will being unable to hear her and forgives her, which helps Tris start to forgive herself.  Big emotional part.  I think this cut some real depth and emotion from the story and was saddened by it.  Also taking back Dauntless headquarters was a big thing to take back their home.  Plus paintball guns, always fun.

                Some other things, Marcus wasn't in it nearly as much.  He doesn't leave Amity with the others.  Come to think of it the Amity scenes overall were cut much shorter.  I don't really have an opinion on this one way or the other.  I feel it worked for the movie as a whole and with the editing of things cut out it made sense to cut out his part.  Also going back to Candor.  The leader  Jack isn't as much of a pansy as in the book.  In the book after the attack he meets with Erudite to make peace and basically is told he's going to hand over all the divergent, the fugitives, and anyone who wasn't marked with a disk, oh and Eric.  He basically agrees tail between his legs without a fight.  Nope they skip some of that and he is on their side seeing what Erudite is about, I liked that.  Plus I adore the actor!

                Speaking of the attack, one of my other favorite parts was cut.  Tris didn't get to shank Eric.  WHY?  It showed she might still be struggling with her PTSD and not want to shoot people but when her life was on the line or that of an innocent she was willing to act to save them.  Plus Eric was such a douche.  Also they never chose new Dauntless leaders, which wasn't as big of a thing since people could easily see who everyone was looking to.  Tris and Four did flip flops as to his mother/factionless.  Tris was anti it in the book and Four was willing to take a chance, but in the movie it was the opposite, which was only slightly confusing to me.  Also the factionless have a huge headquarters type thing going on instead of small safe houses all over, constantly moving. I totally get it for the movie, it makes more sense to show the numbers and the overall visual feel of them in one space.

                Now one of the biggest changes.  The flipping BOX.  The magical divergent box.  There was no box in the book.  Janine didn't want anyone to know about the message because it would ruin her faction system.  But I can see it.  The box was something for non-book readers to grab onto.  It gave the movie a more sustainable objective.  It also made Janine seem more purpose driven to the point being blind to the clear logical issues which is what she was supposed to be, instead of domination.  They made it all about Tris, again for the purpose of the movie.  Also the wands to find out your faction?  WTF?  Not sure how that was necessary.  Plus it giving the percentage divergent you are?  Not cool with that but…yeah okay I went with it.    

                They cut the rescue scene and the invasion together, for the movie I thought this made a lot of sense.  It flowed better and given some of the subplots and things that were cut out to this point it was the only thing that made sense.  Though again would have loved to see Tris and Christina work together again having made up with one another, a good bonding experience.  Again there was a lot happening in the book and only two hours of movie. The rescue and such leads to the biggest issue I had with the movie changes, and that was the ending.  The end of the movie is with them showing the message to everyone.  Great that happened in the book and it ended there.  Allegiant picks up with a small group of people, Tris/Fours group leaving, not the entire city leaving for the gates so now I'm confused about the next movie.  But more than that, it seems like the factionless were good people.  NO!  In the book after the invasion they start to take arms from the Dauntless quietly and then turn them on them showing they are the new bosses in town.  They don't want to work together but to rule their way.  It ends when the video is played. 

                 There were several other small subplots that added to the dimension of the book that didn't make the movie.  We always knew they wouldn't when the start of them was cut from the first movie and again time restraints.  Come on any book lover would LOVE to see a true everything added and just so movie from their favorite books but that isn't practical.  YET!  Who knows what the future will hold.    Overall though, it may not seem like it by all the things I pointed out that were different or wrong with it from the book, I liked the movie.  I wouldn't give it five stars but I still felt it was a good movie and followed along close enough to the book and its ideals that I'm intrigued to see what happens next and how they will finish the series on the screen.  Plus if they are making changes there is always one change they could make at the end that I'd be totally okay with. 

                I'm sorry if this is a bit of a spastic review.  I just wanted to get my thoughts out there and make note of some things that changed be it good or bad.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on the book and movie versions.  Share what you think about the overall movie, the changes, are you planning to see Allegiant.  I need to discuss this further.     

Rating: 4 Stars