Book to Movie Review: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them
Screenplay by JK Rowling
Directed by David Yates

I am unable to find a satisfactory description that I can copy, so allow me to tell you about it myself.

Fantastic Beasts follows the story of the writer of the book by the same name that Harry studies in school in Care of Magical Creatures. Newt Scamander's studies bring him to America 1926, where the magical community is governed by MACUSA. There is a no-maj anti-wizard group active, a NY senator's brother slowly discovering the community, and a dark wizard trying to hunt down a magical force.

It is great fun.

Basically I declare this movie of the year. It was everything you hoped for as a Harry Potter fan but so different and new that you can start the magical world here, too. You can tell it's going to tie in but it's beautifully indirect- Fantastic Beasts is its own story.

First of all, Newt is just a pleasure to watch. Smart and passionate, kind and lovely, geeky and British. He is also extremely talented and powerful!! I love him, and I am so excited to dive deeper into his world- his years at Hogwarts and his friendship/love for the Lestrange girl, his passion for animals and his research and travels, his family, his expulsion... tell me everything!! I didn't know going in that the franchise will be five films, but boy, was elated to find out. Also, a Hufflepuff!! Soooo refreshing.

Tina and Queenie are fascinating ladies. Two very different and very talented New Yorkers who can also do magic. Their sisterly bond was wonderful to watch, but I wondered at it. They seemed to old to be living together, definitely in the 1920s, no? I wonder if in the next films we'll explore their history a bit more. While I certainly found them interesting, it took me a while to get to like them- Tina seemed a bit desperate to me all the time, not happy ever. While in real-life that doesn't make her any less great a person, she didn't draw me in. Queenie did- though I couldn't really wrap my head around how quick she fell for Jacob, or how quickly both sisters trusted Newt and Jacob enough to let them into their home. I mean, for all Tina knew Newt was a criminal she was trying to arrest!

The music and graphics of this film were truly astounding. It was familiar and nostalgic but new and unique at the same time. The setting is gorgeous- NY in 1920 isn't something I'm used to seeing or reading about, and the creators of FB make it something really magical, no pun intended.

The wizarding system raises many questions- if he was expelled, how can Newt have his wand? Is it just pure muggle prejudice that fuels the restriction on marrying no-majs? However, loved that the president is a woman! So unexpected!

Before watching the movie I honestly didn't think I'd like the plot- I was never previously interested in magical creatures, and I didn't know what else was supposed to happen in the movie. I'm DELIGHTED to say that the beasts were FANTASTIC. I loved them all so much, it was amazing how the movie really allowed us to see them as Newt does. And the other stuff- the obscurials are a totally new concept that took me a while to accept (at first I was suspicious- if this existed, why haven't we heard of it before? Hmph. They just made it up to sell us a new movie) but then after thinking about it it made perfect sense, and raised thoughts about Ariana Dumbledore.

Could I go on and on? Definitely. But I'll leave it here. Happy Holidays everyone!!

Book to Movie Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
book by Ransom Riggs
Directed by Tim Burton

When Jacob discovers clues to a mystery that stretches across time, he finds Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. But the danger deepens after he gets to know the residents and learns about their special powers.

So. Moment of truth. Despite having reread Miss Peregrine in the last year looking forward to this movie, I totally forgot lots of it. Also, I came in late to the movie and was a bit distracted. THEREFORE, I will just tell you in short what I liked and didn't like.

The good: 

LOVED the character of Miss P. SUPERB acting. There was emotion, spunk, badassness, ladylike and queenlike and momlike. AWESOME.

The kids were cute, wished I could have seen more of them- more interactions, playing, anything really.

The scenery - views of Cairnholm were breathtaking, as was the home.

The end- awwwwwww. I doubt they'll make a second movie and truthfully this conclusion made little sense, but it warmed my heart.

The less good:

The character of Barren- I have so far NEVER liked Samuel L. Jackson's acting. Sorry.

The whole scene at the amusement park- like what??? Was that in the book???

 Emma's character and the whole Emma-Abe-Jacob mess of feelings. It wasn't really there, and I wanted it. It's important. On the whole, a story is beautiful to me if it's about people and their feelings and complexities (i.e. why I still read Cassandra Clare) and a lot of those were omitted from the big screen (like Victor and Bronwyn) , albeit understandably.

On Jacob's character I was pretty neutral. I also feel like there was too much buildup for the scene of the reset. I wasn't as wowed as other reviewers. Overall?

Book to Movie Review: Mockingjay pt. 2

The Hunger Games - Mockingjay part 2

Book by Suzanne Collins

As the war of Panem escalates to the destruction of other districts by the Capitol, Katniss Everdeen, the reluctant leader of the rebellion, must bring together an army against President Snow, while all she holds dear hangs in the balance.

I just. How can it be over?? Remember when we all anticipated the first movie? No one knew who Jennifer Lawrence was, we heard Rue's eerie whistle for the first time. It's been a great four years. You can read my reviews of the previous movies here.

Like the book, the Mockingjay movies are not as colorful and crazy as the first two. They're more serious, and are much closer to real life. That's also the reason I like them (book and movies) so much, though Catching Fire remains my favorite. 

SPOILERS AHEAD..

First item of praise, is that the makers of THG movies know all the Hollywood cliches and they use them against you. There's that scene in the tunnels before the mutts attack when the silence and the cameras just let you KNOW that something is about to happen and you brace yourself for a heart attack that doesn't come. But then it does and you fall off your chair. 

And the general problem of knowing what's going to happen just makes this more painful- waiting for Finnick to die, and Prim. And even the ones I had forgotten about wrenched my heart strings deeply- Boggs, the Leeg sisters. 

The actors continue to delight, with all the new people really bringing some great stuff to the table. I just wish we had more Josh Hutcherson - Peeta had a much stronger presence in the book than he did here, though granted that was in Katniss's thoughts. 

Overall, this installment and the series in general were very faithful to the source material, a fact for which I am eternally greatful and wouldn't have been able to forgive if it hadn't been true. The only little piece I wanted but didn't get was the cake at Finnick and Annie's wedding that tips Katniss (and us) off that Peeta is getting better. (ETA: also the memorial book K&P make in the end)

The scenes were truly glorious: 

Haymitch reading Plutarch's letter to Katniss
Katniss screaming at Buttercup the cat
HAYMITCH KISSING EFFIE
Effie saying goodbye to Katniss - finding the life of a victor
YOU LOVE ME REAL OR NOT REAL
my name is Katniss Everdeen
it's primrose
the scene of the symbolic Hunger Games
shooting Coin
my dear Katniss we agreed never to lie to each other
ADORABLE CHILD JUMPING ON DADDY PEETA
the Avox and his brother

And so many scenes that packed subtle punches- in the end, when Haymitch, Katniss and Peeta are eating back in District 12 and watching Paylor become President with Plutarch looking on, and Haymitch says " And they say no one ever wins the games". I loved that - it continues the implications that the whole war on the Capitol was also a game in a way (a game of thrones?), and Plutarch remained a gamemaker all throughout- somehow always on the winning side, and always influencing. It also shows how tyranny repeats itself, as do all human mistakes (This much is said explicitly in Plutarch's letter). 

The only thing I'm truly upset about: the distortion of Gale's character. They made him just SO DAMN ANNOYING. Everytime Peeta did or said anything relating to Katniss Gale had some stupid jealous comment about it. It was so irrelevant and unimportant, and book Gale was better than that. Also, the thing I ultimately respected most about Gale and in general about The Hunger Games is that Katniss didn't get to choose her beau in the end. GALE PICKED UP AND LEFT. He gave her an arrow, told her to shoot straight, kissed her forhead and scedaddled off to live his life. It was amazing, and cemented my love for him despite me being firmly Team Peeta. And while the double bomb was his idea, and as much as the book tried to make it seem otherwise, PRIM'S DEATH WAS NOT GALE'S FAULT. "Goodbye Gale" is not how Katniss and Gale should have ended, after all they'd been through. 

If you read up until here, with all my disregard for grammar and thousands of run-on sentences, YOU ARE AWESOME AND I LOVE YOU. Rating:

Book to Movie Review: The Scorch Trials

The Maze Runner #2: The Scorch Trials
Directed by Wes Ball
Book by James Dashner

You can read my review of The Maze Runner movie here. 

While I wrote in my review that I loved it, I actually didn't remember it that way when I went to go see The Scorch Trials. I remembered The Maze Runner as good but mediocre. However, you can be assured that this installment WILL UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES BE FORGOTTEN, because ya, it was just that amazing.

Literally- I watched it a week ago, and I have been endlessly stalking the cast and have been completely inspired to finish reading the book series. The shots were absolutely GORGEOUS. The action was non stop- I got so into it!! And that never happens in action movies! Usually I spot something I deem unrealistic and then am rolling my eyes. Here, I was jumping up and down and yelling and punching the air - well, as much as I could without pissing off everybody else in the theater.

Character wise, Thomas really shines. He is super smart and daring and sassy and fun and overall a total badass. Oh, and smoking hot. Not that that colored my judgement. At all.

Minho gets a lot more screen time, and Newt is as adorable as always. Theresa continued to be pointless until the part where she became a downright obstacle. Sigh. At least now we all have a legitimate reason to want her gone. 

Brenda and Horhe were difinitely captivating additions to the story. 

Overall, there was so much new and exciting information to process in The Scorch Trials movie - new memories, people and places that just kept the pace of the plot running along. Basically? Go to the theaters and go have fun. 

Rating:


Happy movie watching and Dylan O'Brian lusting!
Love, 
Esty 

Book to Movie Review: Paper Towns

Paper Towns
Book by John Green 
Directed by Jake Schreier

1. Young and shy Quentin (Nat Wolff) is in for the night of his life when Margo (Cara Delevingne), the most popular student in high school, recruits him to help her play mischievous pranks on the friends who betrayed her. The next day, however, the mysterious Margo is nowhere to be found. With help from a few buddies and some cryptic clues that she left behind, Quentin embarks on an obsessive mission to find the girl who stole his heart and made him feel truly alive.

Hey all! Back from camp finally with plenty of time to read and review! I had watched Paper Towns on release night, but it was hectic after that and I only now can share my thoughts:

I tried soooooo hard not to come to Paper Towns with expectations, but the whole production of the thing made it nearly impossible. I mean, all the creators of TFioS, the beautiful trailer, Nat Wolff, John Green being executive, John sharing videos with the cast and talking about it for months now... I couldn't help it. I was excited.

Luckily, the film didn't disappoint too much. What I didn't like:

The screenplay was disjointed... the tone of the first half (Margo's revenge night) was nothing like the middle bit (Margo missing), which felt nothing like the road trip that was the second half. For some reason, the movie just didn't flow smoothly at all!

What I did like: 

The girls! It was so refreshing to see Angela, Margo, and Lacy all so totally different but each so strong and smart and amazing in her own way. The loyalty and sisterhood awed me too and struck a chord with me, reminding me of my own friends.

The true and oh-so-relatable dread of graduation- I am going into 12th this year with my best friends. I know that feeling. I couldn't stop the tears when this topic came up.

The point- if there is only one thing you need to be true to when adapting a book for the big screen, it's the point. The message. Whatever you want to call it. I will never forgive the creators of My Sister's Keeper and If I Stay for screwing up those respective endings and therefore canceling out the meaning of the original stories. So of course, I loved loved loved how Paper Towns ended - the idea that Margo is not a legend, but a girl. Loving her not because she is a mystery, but for who she is. Q realizing that if Margo doesn't know who she is, he certainly doesn't (know who she is). 

Best scene: The timed gas station sequence and the surprise guest in the middle of it. Even if I had hated the movie, the price of the ticket would have been worth it for all my laughing when that person from that other JG movie shows up in the middle of Paper Towns and offers you a bag. Nope, still not over that. Literally typing in giggles. 

Overall: Music and shots were gorgeous, touching and relatable, a tad cheesy at times but forgivable. Rating: 4.5 stars - half gone for the weird disjointed feeling. 


Will be around for the rest of the month and hopefully blogging a lot! Let me hear your thoughts!
Love,
Esty

Book to Movie Review: Insurgent

Insurgent
Book by Veronica Roth
Directed by Robert Schwentke
Dystopia

Beatrice Prior must confront her inner demons and continue her fight against a powerful alliance which threatens to tear her society apart with the help from others on her side.

You can read my review of Divergent (movie) here.

Well. The trailers for this movie were pretty stupid in my opinion. I remember seeing lots of action and CGI, and overall being like whaaaaaat. 

And it turns out that feeling was pretty accurate regarding the entire film.

I did NOT come with expectations- one reason being the weird trailers, another being that I never was that invested in the trilogy originally, and lastly because I more or less forgot what happened in the books. 

All these would have served me well if the movie had been a bad adaptation, but enjoyable on its own. However, it was truly bizarre even just as a film. At any given moment something that did not make sense was happening. ENTIRE ILLOGICAL ELEMENTS WERE ADDED- just HOW exactly is a device supposed to say what faction you're in or how divergent you are?? WHY would Four wait until the factionless nearly killed them three times over to play his my-mommy-is-your-boss card? And there is NO WAY Four could have really made that jump in front of the train and survived. The plot stayed nonsensical all throughout. 

Cinematically, it was not a smooth watch. So many pieces were dream scenes or simulations that I was always second-guessing whether what I was watching actually happened. Also, I can't believe I'm saying this but... it was too dramatic. All the flying-burning-building shtick really took away from the characters and their stories- and they are not lacking. I think the movie would have been better had they given more time to Four's relationship with his parents, Caleb's betrayal, Christina forgiving Tris... I could go on. Potentially, Insurgent could have really tugged on the heartstrings. 

The good thing that I will say is that the actors shone more (than in the first). Miles Teller stole every bit he was in. Ansel Elgort was FUNNY (granted, that might be more due to bad acting than good... of maybe he will just always be Ansel in my mind) Shailene was amazing as usual. The biggest difference goes to Theo- I liked his character so much more in Insurgent. In Divergent, he was just a pretty face (and back). Now I felt and saw all his feelings more, and it was a real pleasure to watch him act and relate. 

Rating: 3.5 stars

Love, 
Esty

Book to Movie Review: If I Stay

If I Stay
Book by Gayle Forman
Director: R.J. Cutler
Screenplay: Shauna Cross

Life changes in an instant for young Mia Hall after a car accident puts her in a coma. During an out-of-body experience, she must decide whether to wake up and live a life far different than she had imagined. The choice is hers if she can go on.

You can read my review of If I Stay (the book) here.  You can read my review of Where She Went here. 

Finally got around to watching this. I was soooo excited- I loved the book with all my heart, and the movie got a lot of pre-release hype. Ugh, the fatal mistake. NEVER go to a book-to-movie adaptation with expectations.

The first half was SO CHEESY. I was miming vomit the whole time. Those first conversations between Mia and Adam were so stupid and cringe-worthy. There was insta-love and insta-kissing and all in all a huge cliche. The only redeeming factor of the beginning of the film were the scenes with her parents- they are by far the best characters and actors in If I Stay the movie.

Speaking of actors, I was not impressed with Chloe or with Jamie (the leads). My first impression of them was that they didn't look the part, but then, that was my first impression of Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss. Therefore, I expected them to surprise me for the better. They did not. I kept seeing them as actors reciting lines and going through motions - I was not feeling the characters at all. In the book I love them as a couple, here I failed to see why they like each other. Likewise regarding Liana Liberato, the actress who played Kim.

The whole film was oddly colorless. True, the story takes place in a hospital, but much of it is flashbacks of her life and even those were nothing special.

Everything started to pick up in the second half. It's hard to put my finger on what exactly made it better - I think I just started to get into it more, because none of the above flaws were rectified as far as I remember. It may also have been the music though.

The music - unquestionably the movie's strong point. As soon as I finished watching I started to download the soundtrack. The lyrics, the melodies, the playing,  the singing. I'm not much of a music critic, but I will say the songs were beautiful.

Adaptation- what WERE they thinking? I see no reason not to call the band Shooting Star like in the book (though I understand that Williamette Stone is the real name of the real band). Also, what was the whole making-Adam-prematurely-tortured for? In the movie one of his parents walked out on him or something like that and therefore he overreacts about Mia considering Julliard. It just made him more pitiful than he needed to be and nothing like the strong character in the book. (By that I mean he has reason enough to be upset and there was no need for this added detail)

And they pulled out the whole part where Adam brings a famous singer to cause a diversion so he can get in! That was the best part of the book!!

And the ending? COME ON. Clearly, someone failed to understand the point of the story. Adam giving up his career to follow Mia to NY takes away the thorn of the book's tearjerker ending and won't satisfy people who parted with loved ones for college. It avoided an important conflict of their story.

(It also basically cancelled out Where She Went which of course enraged me because I love the companion more)

Altogether? I actually managed to enjoy myself watching it, but don't go expecting a good adaptation or the next TFiOs. Rating:

Book-to-Movie Review: Mockingjay Part 1

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1

book by Suzanne Collins

When Katniss destroys the games, she goes to District 13 after District 12 is destroyed. She meets President Coin who convinces her to be the symbol of rebellion, while trying to save Peeta from the Capitol.

IMDb, you continue to fail with these synopses. 

My review of the Catching Fire movie. 

As you can see in the above review, Catching Fire was pretty much unbeatable on every front. Lucky for me, I wasn't holding out for better than the second movie, but rather a REALLY GOOD ADAPTATION of what Mockingjay as an individual book and the series as a whole was all about. I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED.

However if you didn't like the book you won't like this movie (I'm basing this on friends). I thought Mockingjay was truly a perfect conclusion to the trilogy- full circle (Prim's death, Coin's suggestion of a new Hunger Games). Therefore, I found the film to be a real success.

Just like in the first two movies, this one stays close to the book not only in dialogue and events, but in TONE AND FEEL. You experience everything Katniss feels right along with her. You can especially see this in the scene with the rescue mission for Peeta (a welcome addition that wasn't in the novel)- you're worried sick for BOTH Gale and Peeta, and at the same time listening to Finnick tell his story and absolutely destroying your heart. You're jumpy just like she is- the cat makes a little noise and the whole crowd got a heart attack. 

I missed Cinna and loved Prim. 

Effie and Haymitch. I actually applauded when they FINALLY got on screen. (quietly. Relax, I remembered I was in a theater) If nothing else, they are the reason I watch these films. 

The acting was SUPERB. I was peering through my fingers from fear in the scene where Peeta attacks. And Jennifer Lawrence gave me chills with her lines REPEATEDLY.

Mockingjay Part 1 was not a feast for the eyes the way Catching Fire was (in regards to the gorgeous shots) but it touched my soul in the way the book did and the previous movies didn't- the sirens, the bombings, the wounded, the bodies, the chilling shots of massacres and singing of The Hanging Tree (dear god that one is going to play in people's nightmares for a long time). Everything was so real and realistic. 

Amazing work, people. Now please hurry along Part 2. A year is too long a wait for me. 

Rating: 

Happy weekend!

Love,

Esty

Book- to-Movie Review: The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner 
Directed by Wes Ball
Book by James Dashner
post-apocalyptic

Thomas is deposited in a community of boys after his memory is erased, soon learning they're all trapped in a maze that will require him to join forces with fellow "runners" for a shot at escape. (IMDb)

So many movie adaptations of our favorite books recently!! Unfortunately, neither The Giver nor If I Stay has reached my local theaters. But I'm OVERJOYED that The Maze Runner did. Talk about an excellent film and adaptation!

The setting- done beyond beautifully. The Glade fully came to life, as did the Gladers' whole predicament. 

The action: fast- paced and breathtaking, while all the long staying realistic and true to the book. 

The acting: Dylan. O'. Brien.  Enough said.
Just kidding. 
These guys were just perfect!
Newt, Gally, Alby, Minho, Chuck and all the rest just came alive on the screen. It was an incredible thing to watch. Theresa not as much, but her role was a more subdued one so she didn't really get the opportunity. (Maybe in The Scorch Trials? *hopes*)

What was remarkble about this film was that it was, regardless of the book, a really great movie on its own. Sometimes adaptations are liked only by the fans of the novel, or on the flip side liked only by the people who haven't read it. I've noticed more lately that filmmakers are succeeding on that front more and more- giving us our favorite stories on the big screen without taking away from the book or the movie. Kudos!

Rating:

Book to Movie Review: THE FAULT IN OUR STARS

The Fault in Our Stars
book by John Green 
directed by Josh Boone

Hazel and Gus 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 met and fell in love at a cancer support group.

You can read my review of the book here.

I doubt I could have come to this movie without expectations even if I tried. As you all know, the hype was INSANE. And even if there had been less hype, after that book who wouldn't hope for the movie to live up to it? So yes, I had expectations. And for the first time since Catching Fire, they were met!!

The screen writing: This, I think, is what makes or breaks an adaptation. THANK GOD ALMIGHTY, the screenwriters stuck to the book, and used direct quotes everywhere, catching all the best ones. There were a few more that didn't make it, like 'My thoughts are stars I can't fathom into constellations' and one that I think wasn't done justice - 'I don't mind Hazel Grace. It would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you' was put in in the middle of a heated conversation so It didn't have the poignant moment like at the end of a chapter in the book.  (Just FYI, the above quotes were done by memory. They're everywhere!)

The Casting and Acting: B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L. No complaints there. They had Hazel and Gus. In everything they did. I even liked Hazel more in the movie. And Ansel- needless to say, my friends and I have found our new celebrity husband. AND HE TAP DANCES. As if he didn't have enough going for him.

Music and Effects: Wonderful. Great choices, cinametography was perfect. I loved how they actually filmed in Amsterdam and the Anne Frank house. Though I wasn't sure how I felt about the Anne Frank quotes being used during the kissing scene. I could see how they were relevant but... I dunno. Holocuast and cancer aren't the same thing. Other than that, the rest of the voiceovers were well done. I especially liked how they did the texting! 

What's that you asked? OF COURSE I CRIED. In fact, I was the one who had the forsight to bring tissues and was passing them to the row behind. The sobbing in the theater was deafening. I couldn't tell what was Shailene and what was the teenage girls until Shailene stopped but the crying continued. 
Well done, Hollywood!! Rating:

In other news, I've started watching the vlogbrothers. Oh.My.God. They are brilliant. Recommended. I learned more in 3 minutes than I do in a year at school. #Nerdfighter.
Love,
Esty

Book-to-Movie Review: Divergent

Divergent
Book by Veronica Roth
YA dystopia

In a world divided by factions based on virtues, Tris learns she's Divergent and won't fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysterious Four must find out what makes Divergents dangerous before it's too late.

GOD IT TOOK THIS MOVIE FOREVER TO COME OUT. NO, PEOPLE, YOU CAN'T MAKE ME WAIT TWO MORE WEEKS THAN THE STATES. NO, YOU CAN'T.

Guess they could.

Anyhoo, every reader knows the secret to enjoying the movie adaptation of a great book is to come at it with low expectations. Honestly, I'm so used to doing that that it's automatic at this point (well, except for The Hunger Games. And they never disappoint). So nah, I didn't expect much. I knew Shailene from The Spectacular Now and she was great there, but that was just one movie and a totally different role. As for Theo, I have never seen his work, same as Ansel (if there was one person I was praying would be great it was Ansel. Dude is playing Gus. I must be dead on the floor for this to work). And believe it or not, I managed to forget Miles Teller was in this movie. I know. I do. I have been shaming myself ever since. I HEART YOU MILES. I'M SO SO SORRY. 

So yeah, didn't think about it too much. I am pleased to announce that I don't think my expectations made a difference= DIVERGENT MOVIE WAS QUITE WONDERFUL ON IT'S OWN.

YES!! I actually liked everything so much more when it was on screen- the dauntless jumping off the trains, climbing the ferris wheel, the fear landscapes. It was all so vivid and exhilarating and had THE BEST SCORE EVER. I can't put my finger on what it was exactly about the music of this film but I can tell you it worked.

BEST SCENES:

FOUR'S TATOOS. IT WAS SO AWESOME I COULD CRY. (DON'T WORRY, I DIDN'T. I JUST SQUEEZED MY FRIENDS' HANDS TIGHTLY AND TRIED TO KEEP THE OMYGODDING TO A MINIMUM. *SIGH* . NO WONDER NO ONE LIKES BEING IN THE SAME THEATER AS ME.)

PETER: YOU WON'T SHOOT ME
TRIS: WHY DOES EVERYONE KEEP SAYING THAT??
*SHOOTS HIM*
TRIS: YOU'RE SERIOUSLY OVERESTIMATING MY CHARACTER HERE.

No, I didn't get stuck on capslock.

What can I say? I was thoroughly satisfied by the adaptation. Good fun, lots of laughs. Oh and Theo. Yes Theo. Hello there, sexy.

Rating? 


What did you think?

Book to Movie Review: Vampire Academy

Vampire Academy
Book by Rachelle Mead
Fantasy 

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.

As usual, horrible description, IMDb. Whatever. Great series of books, very recommended. 

I came into the theatre with VERY low expectations. Critics always say movies like these have a built-in fanbase, but that's not true. They have a built-in turnout to the opening weekend, but we book lovers tend to come out kvetching about why didn't they show this scene?? And reassuring our non-book lover friends that don't worry, in the book it didn't end like that. Or UGH THATS SO STUPID IN THE BOOK IT WAS LIKE THIS. (*cue coughing fit* Percy Jackson) 

The trailer looked like a big joke to me. Naturally, I came to the movie with much trepidition. And was greeted with much hilarity.

Thankfully, the people working on this film realized that if they took themselves too seriously, they would become a Twilight knock-off and the subject to much eye-rolling. So they decided to do just the opposite.

Picture Mean Girls. Now add in magical vampires and action scenes. Congratulations, you now have an idea of what Vampire Academy looked like. It was freaking BRILLIANT. My friends and I were laughing the whole time- and as soon as we got home, began quoting the whole thing on Facebook. For the life of me I can't understand why all the official places gave the movie bad reviews- I loved it and I was book-lover biased!! As for the actors:

*Dmitri comes on*
Friends and I: "What? He's too old."
*Progressively gets hotter*
*some point mid-movie*
"DIBS!!!!" 

So unfortunately, one friend called dibs on Christian, the other on Dmitri.
But not to worry.
I called Adrian.
#PerksOfHavingReadTheBooks
#TheyDon'tEvenKnowWhoHeIsYet
#TheyWillRegretThisWhenWeGetToFrostbite

Everyone played their parts really well, and I liked the CGI too. Only nitpicks I have are Lissa's monologue in the end ("Blood is family. Blood is sustenance. Only if we stand together can we overcome. HUH) and the part when she's compelling everyone to make her popular again. It's didn't really fit in with everything going on before and after. Whatevs. 

Whether or not we get a movie adaptation of Frostbite depends on how well this movie does. So I implore you, GO WATCH THIS MOVIE. YOU WILL THANK ME. 
Rating: