Good movie, book STILL better!

The Time Traveler's Wife is another movie adapted from a best-selling novel and I was prepared to tear it apart and scoff at how terrible it was compared to the book. Actually, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a pretty good movie. Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams do a wonderful job of portraying the characters they are playing as well as their emotions. Plus, the script is a decent adaptation of the novel it's based on even with a few minor omitted sequences that are important and or relevant to the story, in my humble opinion. All in all, I think the movie does not disappoint.

This is not to say I think you shouldn't read the book. Au contaire, mon frère! Reading the book before the movie is like reading the assigned chapter in a History class before the professor gives the lecture. This method is designed to fill in any of the gaps in the professor's lecture since he or she only has a limited time in which to talk about the material being presented. The same goes for the movie based on a book. Especially in a movie based on a book with such a complex time travel storyline as in that of Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife. I saw the movie with three people who hadn't read the book and they all had various questions regarding the story. "Is the emotion just as potent while reading the book?" "I don't get the whole sequence of the time travel!" "I didn't understand why he..." and on and on. The three of us who HAD read the book came out really excited and only talked about things like, "I can't believe they left out the part when..." or "Wow, the part where ... was JUST like in the book!"

Ultimately, I think if you don't read the book before going to see the movie, you are cheating yourself out of a richer movie experience. Although, reading the book before seeing the movie can sometimes leave a very bitter taste in your mouth if the movie differs greatly from the original story. In the end, it can be a double edged sword kind of situation but I'll always take the side of the sword where you can form an informed opinion on the question: "Was it as good as the book?".

Rose

I'm back baby!!!

So I had big (too big I guess) plans to report live from Comic Con this year. Well for one reason or another that didn't happen (obviously since the convention has now been over for 3 weeks). By now you have probably heard what was big news at the convention and who was there and what they had to say, well here I am to give you my thoughts and opinions on the con along with some photos and maybe a video clip or 2 for ya.

One of the big movies that was teased at Comic Con was District 9. Going into the panel I had only cursory knowledge of the movie and I was surprised at the footage they showed to us. It was amazing. The special effects on the aliens and the weapons footage they showed were all really impressive but what actually surprised me the most was that the story seemed good. This little sci fi film had an actual story and a good story at that. I actually just saw the movie on saturday and it more than lived up to what we were shown at Comic Con. The movie was actually mostly story and the few action scenes (which was really just one long extended action scene) were there as a bonus really. While watching the movie though I never really worried about when the action would kick in even though I knew that the action I would see was going to be fantastic after sitting through the panel in San Diego. The story was that good. My one complaint with the movie was that I wished it was a little bit longer and at over 2 hours that is saying a lot. I wanted to know more about what happened to these characters after the movie ended and they certainly set it up that they can (and hopefully will) make a sequel. If you are looking for a smart science fiction film and don't mind 1) aliens, 2) south african political allegories, 3) and people exploding, then this just might be the movie for you.

So this year marked the first year that Comic Con presented panels and previews in 3D. They showed a preview for Toy Story 3 in 3D and a 3D enhanced scene from Toy Story 2. Some scenes from The Final Destination (gory but standard 3D sticks in the face stuff) were shown and then we saw some footage from A Christmas Carol starring Jim Carrey, Jim Carrey, Jim Carrey, Jim Carrey and then some more Jim Carrey. It's directed by Robert Zemeckis and he said that he plans on making more of these motion capture movies and doesn't plan on working in live action for the foreseeable future which is sad because these mo cap movies (Beowulf, The Polar Express, etc.) bore me and i would love to see a Back to the Future Robert Zemeckis making movies again.

There were a few other movie clips that were shown in 3D but to be honest I don't really remember them and they didn't make much of an impression on me.

The thing with 3D is that I have never really been able to enjoy it and it always seems to actually pull me out of the movie when it is designed to make you feel like part of the action. The colors seem muted and dark and the picture is fuzzy and I find myself taking my glasses off frequently to adjust and rub my eyes. All this brings me to my next point. The highlight of the 3D panel without a doubt was when James Cameron came on stage and anounced he was about to show us 25 minutes of his new movie Avatar! WOW! I have never, NEVER, seen 3D as fluid and immersive as what I was shown during this panel. Not once did I have to adjust my glasses, rub my eyes oh hell, even blink. I was having a discussion with a friend about James Cameron and he feels that after Titanic he rested on his laurels and "sold out". Well if that is what it takes for James Cameron to improve movie technology then I whole heartedly encourage him to take 10 more years off. The 3D used in this movie actually does what 3D is supposed to do. . . enhance your movie viewing experience and make you feel like you are there. I will say this now that there is no movie this year that I am looking forward to more than this. I am going to find the best 3D screen near me and see it opening day. I have not seen a more beautiful movie than this visually probably ever. Yes there is a lot of CG but believe me it WORKS. The trailer for the movie was just released today on the internet and of course there are the haters out there talking shit on the movie already based solely on what the teaser trailer showed. Listen to me now. . . . FUCK THOSE PEOPLE! They have no idea what they are talking about and will be there right along with me and you on opening day to see this movie. You won't see a more visually stunning movie all year and as for the story based on what was shown it should be very interesting (it came across to me as a cross between Aliens - The best James Cameron movie - and the Abyss - not well received but I love it).

Anyway I have typed enough for now. Be back tomorrow with pictures and favorite moments from the con.

Comic Con - Day One

If you have ever been to Comic Con before then chances are you have been to or at least heard about preview night which takes place the Wednesday before the show begins. Well I attended my first one last night. It will probably also be my last. It was unbelievably hot and crowded and as usual mismanaged completely by the people running it. There are more people here this year than in any other Comic Con to date and it showed last night. If you managed to not feel like a piece of cattle as you were getting pushed around the show floor then well I applaud you. All that being said I still love Comic Con and it is still my favorite 4 days of the year. This year started out on less than 2 hours of sleep and I'm still going strong although I almost fell out earlier (I'll get to that in a minute). The day started off with the usual wait in the usual mishandled lines but we finally made it into the covention hall H to begin our day. We are fortunate enough to be the first group to see 3D presentations at Comic Con. They were alright, nothing that really grabbed my attention: A Christmas Carol, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Astro Boy, Alice in Wonderland, and The Final Destination. All of these were okay but like I said nothing that really stuck with me.

Then came the worst part of Comic Con this year. . . . Twilight. As moderator Patton Oswalt so succinctly put it the panel was for girls and "sensitive men" and oh man was he right. They filled out most of the hall and made their presence known with their squeals of delight . . . the girls were pretty excited as well. :)

Well I was able to tune most of that out with my headphones and PSP and waited for the nightmare of Twilight to end.

It was well worth it to sit through that though because what came after was worth the price of admission for Comic Con all by itself. James Cameron came out to preview about 25 minutes of his new movie Avatar in 3D. The movie is beautiful and I have never seen anything in 3D that looks better than this. When it comes out December 18th you owe it to yourself if you care anything at all about movies to go see this. There will be screenings of 15 minutes from the film at select IMAX theaters on August 21st. Go check this out.

I will have pictures up later and more to come tomorrow.

COMIC-CON 2009 BABY!!!!!

It's that time of year again. Time for a world of cargo shorts, body odor, costumed freaks and now thousands of teen and pre-teen girls (not to mention a few of their mothers) wearing Team Edward or Team Jacob shirts.

That's right folks it is time for Geek Christmas otherwise known as Comic-Con to begin.

Check back here starting Wednesday night for pictures and then beginning Thursday there will be updates (hopefully up to the minute. Come on free Wi-Fi!).

See you soon!

Now where can I get a Team Wooden Stake and Team Silver Bullet t-shirt. Hmmmmm.

Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott

Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Given my love of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, I'm really surprised it took me this long to read this book. I'm also sorry I didn't read it sooner since it's a book I would have absolutely LOVED at twelve or thirteen years old. Eight Cousins is about a girl, Rose, who is orphaned at the tender age of fourteen and must go to live with her aunts and uncles at "Aunt-Hill" (so called since there are about six aunts who live in the area). Rose meets her seven male cousins called, The Boys, who gladly take her into their tight-knit group as well as, Uncle Alec, who is to adopt Rose and become her guardian. It's a wonderful story and I truly enjoyed it. No matter my age, I was still more than a little envious and in awe of the wonderful room, Uncle Alec bestows on Rose, filled with many exotic and wonderful little treasures he has acquired while sailing to different parts of the world! Look for the sequel, Rose In Bloom, to learn of Rose's adventures as a young woman and in romance!

Rose


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A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs

A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I read this book on a recommendation from a used bookstore owner. She also recommended Tarzan of The Apes from the same author. I have to say I did enjoy this book although, I kept thinking how much more a guy would enjoy it. It's a science fiction story set in Mars with many descriptions of the different Martian species on the planet and many fight scenes, as well. There is a bit of romance but only enough to provide the main character, John Carter, with motive and inspiration to be the hero and save the damsel in distress. I heartily recommend this book to men and boys alike!

Rose


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The Proposal - I don't!

So, being a girl, I'm not ashamed to say I'm a sucker for romance and all things romantic. Romantic comedies are so much fun. French Kiss anyone? Plus, I love me some Sandra Bullock in a romantic comedy! Two Weeks Notice is one of my favorites which is why I was so excited about seeing The Proposal. I'd also read a few interviews with SB and Ryan Reynolds and since they are such good friends off-screen and are much reported to have awesome on-screen chemistry, I figured I was in for a treat. Unfortunately, this was not the case. I do have to admit that given the lack of great romantic comedies in the past few years (He's Just Not That Into You = Bleh), it's going to take a lot to get my approval. That being said, I just didn't think the premise of this movie was at all believable. We are supposed to believe these people fell for each other over a weekend? I mean I know we've been asked to believe that much in the past (Romeo and Juliet only knew each other for a total of 3 days before they killed themselves over true love) but Ryan Reynold's character, Andrew, HATED his ball-busting boss for a very long time before falling in love with her over a two day period. Plus, we are lead to believe he has suffered greatly at the hands of this woman who goes from being a heartless, super bitch to a sensitive, insecure, and ultimately lonely woman who falls in love with her assistant. I can't even imagine the dynamics in that relationship in the long run. Also, when exactly does Andrew fall in love with Magaret? When Margaret opens up to Andrew and tell him what her tattoo means to her and a few other little personal tidbits? Yeah, I don't think so.
Romantic comedies aren't always believable, I get that. But they make us WANT to believe this romance is possible and attainable. The Proposal never once makes you feel that. And that is a damn shame since I truly love Sandra Bullock in most everything she does. All in all, another disappointment in the romantic comedy genre!

Rose