Wonder and WONDER some more

Lately this is the book that seems to be "talked about" and with good reason. I thought long about my review of Wonder, by R.J. Palacio, but I think the book trailer inspires the read more than I could:

It's a book which needs to be read... by everyone. I think everyone will identify with the characters who build the story as well as enjoy a couple cries here and there. Yes - I wept a few times throughout my read. The ending is a little corny and reminds me very much of the end of the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, but it IS a middle grade book, so it's perfect for the audience and also touching for the adult reader. 5/5 Stars.

And now I want to go to the circus

Erin Morgenstern made a tough book to rate. I finally decided upon a 4-star rating just based on how I felt walking away from the story. Even listening on audio... that's a LOT of detail. My if I couldn't just sit there and resurrect the circus from hand! 

This novel will translate very well into film, as a matter of fact, everylast detail should be designed precisely from the shape of the wine glasses to the weaving of the fabric on any given character's costume. DETAIL! The color pallet was very interesting though: black, white and gray, but through the richness of the detail and layers upon LAYERS of texture, I get a sense of a full spectrum of color. 

I was hesitant about reading The Night Circusjust based upon previous reviews and that seeing it on every shelf at the bookstore, it looked a cookie cutter story. Shear curiosity and the fact that it was available at my public library made me pick it up anyway! I'm glad I did. It IS a LOT of detail. Parts may be dry/overwritten/redundant, but I did like the plot and I did find myself connecting to the characters, contrary to what others have said. 

Audio version criticism specific: I highly recommend the audio version if your as skeptical as I was. Jim Dale makes the story come to life and dance around your bedroom while you macramé a rug or drive into work... or whatever it is that you'll be doing whilst digesting the story. 4/5 Stars

Who DOESN'T want to read about a cyborg Cinderella?

That alone enticed me: cyborg Cinderella story. Cinder's cover art is pretty awesome too... don't need to explain passing by this cover everywhere I went, made it tough to NOT pick it up and peek into the summary flaps. The story is cute and familiar which I like, but it is just that - cute and familiar (predictable).

Other than the time period and the fact that "Cinderella" is a cyborg instead of a peasant, this novel is very similar to the movie Ever After. Instead of "Oh God, I hope the prince never finds out I'm not from a well-to-do family," Cinder's issue is "Oh God, I hope he doesn't realize I'm not human!" Cinder is a tomboy-esque, teenage mechanic who gets along with one of her step-sisters whereas Danielle is a tomboy-esque servant whom eventually gets along with one of her step sisters. Both characters make a scene at the ball.... you get the picture. The story does lead you out with a cliffhanger which is definitely changing things up a bit. In fact, I wish I didn't have to wait until next year for the next book!

I most certainly enjoyed Cinder and I'll be up for the read when the rest of Meyer's Lunar Chronicles hits the book stores. Sorry to down rate the book or make it seem like I hated it - it's adorable and charming and hey... CINDERELLA. I'm a sucker for the Cinderella story, and it's rare to find a NEW one. This one is a refreshing remodel, so I highly recommend it to other fairy tale lovers. As "Cinderellery" as this story is, there are 3 more novels lined up for this series (plus the prequel, which I still need to read,) so I see a lot of room for growing the story beyond just Cinderella. I can't wait to see where the story is going, but 3/5 stars for now.

Seeing Red

I must admit I cheated on reading The Scarlet Letter. By "reading" I should say digested the book, as I listened to the novel on cd's. Yep! My first ever listen to a book on "tape"! I wish I had divulged in this sooner, such as while I was in high school. Audio books have made things so much easier for multi-tasking.

Several months ago, I invested in The Scarlet Letter (paperback) while I was rummaging through a local book store's Dover Thrifts selection. I've always wanted to read it and it was only about $3.00, so I went for it. It wasn't in my queue for actual reading until this summer, but an opportunity to remake the book cover popped up so this story jumped the line. While I struggled through the first 6 chapters, I went to the library and decided to give the book on tape a try. Turns out awesome... but not so much the story.

This was a tough book to score. The writing is bad. B-A-D: bad. By this I mean the story is a classic failed attempt of "show, don't tell". There's a lot of redundancy and it is slow moving. Very happy I wasn't one to have to read this in high school. Though the symbolism and motifs are drawn out (and usually explained) over and over again, it's really hard to get past the jargon of the Puritans. If it's so awful, why is this listed as one of the greatest books of all time? The subject and message.

Hester Prynne is labeled with scarlet "A" to mark her as an adulteress. Essentially, that's most of what's happening in the book - Hester is being mocked and her bastard child is curious about the meaning of the "A". The true father of the child is being mentally tortured with guilt by himself and Hester's former husband. The Scarlet Letter in a nutshell.

What makes this book so awesome is the reflection: How does the meaning of the "A" change for Hester and her daughter? Pearl (Hester's child,) is noted as a mischievous "demon child," where as by today's standards, I thought she was just plain cute! For example, when asked if Pearl knew who her father was/where she's come from, "the child finally announced that she had not been made at all but had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses, that grew by the prison door"(Hawthorne, pg. 76). When Hawthorne went into any details of events at all (I mean actually focused in on a scene,) the most interesting were those of Pearl.

There were several nice moments in this book, which is why I offer it a 3/5 Star rating. It's not an easy read to get through since it is so dry and the verbiage can be quite thick. The messages alone should be the reason for reading: Don't ride your guilt, it can run you to the ground; be yourself or we are who we are. People will eventually see past who they think you are. But also, embrace you who you are; we all grow into our identities.

The Help

This is a tough film to review. I haven't (yet) read the novel, though a copy of The Help (the novel) is currently circulating around our office. Based on book-to-film transitioned movies, my senses tell me the novel will be a lot more graphic and difficult (as in overwhelming) to read. All my co-workers keep telling me it's a great read, but then again, most of these people were really attracted to the Twilight series, so it's hard for me to trust their judgement.

I'm rating this as a 4/5 stars because I enjoyed the film: outcome, flow and drama vs. comedy ratio, but I don't desire to see it again, because I feel the "enlightenment" has come and gone, and is perhaps over done. The film is great, so it comes highly recommended. I feel that since I have seen the movie, I'm less apt to read the novel just because the message is pretty loud and clear: We are all of the same being, and treat every person the same way you want to be treated. We're all HUMAN and we're in this together.

I wouldn't mind seeing this film again, but the theme is universal so I have no desire to re-watch this film again. Otherwise, this movie deserves a 5/5 star rating based on acting, costume and plot interest. I'm rating 4/5 just because there are hundreds of other films out there just like it... It's just not sparking excitement in me... it's missing something.

For the Love of GEARS

I know a lot of people who'd find Hugo fascinating, if not for the plot than at least for the visuals. Occasionally silly but with a wit, steam-punk-esque whimsy, this film is fitting for kids and adults. The film length may be a bit long for children; the mystery keeps building and building, so the plot remains interesting... just a little long. This is definitely a film I wish I could have caught in 3D. 5/5 Stars.

We can always start over

Beginners is a very touching film. I watched this over the weekend with my sister; we both "cooed" and "Aww'ed" throughout. I can see a certain crowd finding this movie pretentious, but I believe these people would be fans of action and over-drama. I think this movie will touch audience members whom are at a crossroad in their personal life. The film is about starting over (romantically,) but the message is clear - whether your pushing 40 or nearly pushing daisies, we can all be charmed into new beginnings. There is sadness and humor in this movie, so I really felt for it all around! 5/5 Stars.

What's YOUR Number?

Predictable. By just watching the preview, one should be able to figure out how the movie will build up, fall apart, "fall in love," break it off, and then re-kindle it's love once again. Sorry for the spoiler if you couldn't tell by the trailer.

I wanted to see this What's Your Number because I thought it looked funny. Thought... wasn't the gut-buster I was expecting. Though I could sense the predictability of the film before actually seeing it, I'm honestly hoping a movie will surprise me with a great not-so-predictable ending someday (soon I hope). 2/5 Stars. 1/5 Stars.

Edit 7/5/12: I down-graded this film. Over time, it has really driven me nuts! I regret watching this movie :-( 

A Very, Very, Very Long.... Film

Exaggerated a bit... just a bit. A Very Long Engagement is a very long movie to sit through, especially if you're not interested in subtitles. French.... Very, very 1920's FRENCH! Could be why I love it so much :-)

Jean-Pierre Jeunet as my all-time favorite director, knows how to play with my imagination. There's constantly something happening and I longed so much for Mathilde to find Manech that I did't even notice the time flying until the film is through. 5/5 Stars.

Re-Illuminated

I should say I've been re-illuminated, but not in the most spectacular way. After reading Foer's novel, I think I had high expectations for the film. Everything Is Illuminated (the movie,) didn't really leaving me with that "enlightened" feeling I got from reading the novel. Though I agree with the cuts made due to film length, the film does end differently which kinda bummed me out. I have go say "kinda" because I really do appreciate the PG-13 standing and keeping the visuals less graphic than the text. The film is very amusing, so I wouldn't mind to re-see it, but my bias to the novel had to drop it down a few pegs: 3/5 Stars. I highly recommend for those who haven't seen this, or read the novel yet.