Let it first be said that I am not one of those people who always hates it when books are made into movies. I actually love it as a compare and contrast exercise; sort of a mental mind game I like to play. If I find that I am really interested in seeing a movie that was adapted from a book, I will attempt to get my hands on the book first.
When it comes to Shutter Island, I had a very interesting experience. First of all, I had never even heard of the book when I started seeing trailers for the movie months ago. So I got the book on my Kindle in January and read it in a few days; hardly able to contain myself when I got to the plot twist ending. My husband was casting sideways glances at me as I was saying loudly to myself "No way....No f**king way!" as I finished the last few chapters. I couldn't wait for this movie to come out!
Let me now explain one of the big problems that people have when they read a book before seeing the movie version. When you read a book you form your own visuals for the characters, the settings, etc. Then when you see the movie you are always annoyed that the main character is too short for the role, or that they didn't decorate the house properly. What you see and what the director sees are always going to be different; and suspending your own version for theirs can be hard to do. When I read Shutter Island I had already seen the trailers for the movie so I was already using Scorsese's locations and putting DiCaprio into the lead role in my head. This creates a great balance for watching the movie. I am not distracted by the clashing visual representations, so I can concentrate on more important things like comparing and contrasting dialogue and plot line, and enjoying the mastery of the filming style and music. And on that note...
My general opinion of the movie is that it is a damn good movie and you should see it regardless of your book knowledge. Leonardo DiCaprio's acting is really fantastic. I admit that I have had a problem with him as an actor for some years and have given other reviewers a hard time for insisting that I have to love his acting ability. The more I watch him, the more I am coming to agree; he really is highly skilled. He is really great at adding subtle cues that when viewed without knowledge of the plot twist (which, of course, makes the whole movie and book entirely different experiences when you realize things are not what you think they are) seem to make sense, but take on new meaning when you understand what is really going on. I was also particularly struck by the music. This movie is in the film noir genere and the music really reflects the dark mood and high tension of many of the scenes. Obviously if you are in the mood to see a comedy I would chose something else, but if you want a good story with dark and sinister overtones, this is the way to go. I also, and I think this is probably obvious at this point, highly recommend reading the book. It isn't terribly long and is quite a page turner.
Since a book has a much longer time in which to spell out a story, it tends to flow better than the movie. Watching any movie after reading the book may leave you feeling as if you are riding on choppy seas instead of meandering slowly down a quiet river. Moving from one scene to another seems disjointed and artificial. Things are often explained to quickly, or even left out entirely in a movie. Shutter Island did feel a little rushed to me, however, all the elements that Scorsese chose to leave out were, in the end, parts of the book that seemed to be to drawn out and slow the progression of the story. Where it counted the most, he was excellent at pulling dialogue directly from the text. All in all the adaptation from book to movie was about as successful as such an undertaking can be.
Except...
The ending. (Spoiler alert) Dennis Lehane ends the book by letting us know that Andrew has regressed and is likely to receive the orbital lobotomy that we so hope that he will avoid when we learn of his true situation. Scorsese seems to feel that this semi-open ended finish is not dramatic enough for a movie so he takes it a step to far (in my opinion, anyway) by giving us a little hint that he may not have regressed after all when Andrew says "Do you think it is better to live as a monster, or die a happy man?" Is he going to the surgery clueless as to what is happening, or is he happy knowing that he will no longer have to think about and live with what he as done? Then we finish with a shot of the lighthouse, which, by the way, we have just had hammered into our heads is NOT a place where they perform such operations! Seriously mister director and/or screen writer! Did you really feel a need to put your own spin on such a fantastic novel by screwing up the ending? The original was fine with me.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
In Treatment season 1
I am currently working my way through the HBO series "In Treatment" season 1. Let me just say here that I love Netflix, especially for watching TV series that I didn't realize were so great until after they were over! I digress...
I am only halfway through the series but I am so in love with the whole thing. The acting is phenomenal, the characters, while supremely f***ed up still feel very real and solid. The writing is superb.
Honestly, I am a bit perturbed at mother nature right now because it has messed up the postal service so much that I haven't gotten a new episode from Netflix for almost a whole week! I love this show that much.
I plan to give a more detailed description and more in depth criticism when I have finished the entire series. But for now, let me just say that you should give serious consideration to watching this show.
I am only halfway through the series but I am so in love with the whole thing. The acting is phenomenal, the characters, while supremely f***ed up still feel very real and solid. The writing is superb.
Honestly, I am a bit perturbed at mother nature right now because it has messed up the postal service so much that I haven't gotten a new episode from Netflix for almost a whole week! I love this show that much.
I plan to give a more detailed description and more in depth criticism when I have finished the entire series. But for now, let me just say that you should give serious consideration to watching this show.
It's Complicated
I just went to see "It's Complicated". I know that I am a little behind the times because this movie came out quite a few weeks ago. I have wanted to see it before now, but the timing has just never worked out until today.
I must say that it is hard for me to see comedies. I find that a lot of humor is either too childish to get a really great guffaw out of me, or that the situations are such that they make me feel too awkward to watch them. A great example of the awkwardness issue comes to mind when I think of watching Ben Stiller give the prayer in "Meet the Parents".
"It's Complicated" gave me quite a few really great laughs. As a matter of fact I was, at times, to be witnessed stomping my feet and screaming in hysterics. Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin are great comedians, and watching Meryl Streep act stoned was quite amusing as well.
As for character development and believability of plot, I have a hard time coming to a definitive conclusion on this one. I do not have a life situation which would allow me to empathize with the main character's situations. The plot seems pretty well worked, though. The encounters between characters never seemed forced and the turns in story line are not surprising, but also don't seem too predictable. The acting is good. When Meryl Streep is embarrassed by finding Alec Baldwin naked in her bed, I believe she is really embarrassed. And who wouldn't be!
On the nakedness issue: while you never see anything you shouldn't, you may often see more than you would like. I have no desire to see Meryl Streep's exposed bra or Alec Baldwin's rather substantial pot belly. Call me ageist, I can't help it. It seems like everyone was so amused by Diane Keaton's implied nakedness in "Something's Got To Give" that the writers decided to take it farther in this movie. Not necessary in my opinion.
All in all, if you want a few good laughs I think this is a good bet, but don't expect to personally identify with the story unless you are in the 50 + age range. However, given that it is not playing in very many theaters anymore, you may want to wait until it comes to DVD or cable.
I must say that it is hard for me to see comedies. I find that a lot of humor is either too childish to get a really great guffaw out of me, or that the situations are such that they make me feel too awkward to watch them. A great example of the awkwardness issue comes to mind when I think of watching Ben Stiller give the prayer in "Meet the Parents".
"It's Complicated" gave me quite a few really great laughs. As a matter of fact I was, at times, to be witnessed stomping my feet and screaming in hysterics. Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin are great comedians, and watching Meryl Streep act stoned was quite amusing as well.
As for character development and believability of plot, I have a hard time coming to a definitive conclusion on this one. I do not have a life situation which would allow me to empathize with the main character's situations. The plot seems pretty well worked, though. The encounters between characters never seemed forced and the turns in story line are not surprising, but also don't seem too predictable. The acting is good. When Meryl Streep is embarrassed by finding Alec Baldwin naked in her bed, I believe she is really embarrassed. And who wouldn't be!
On the nakedness issue: while you never see anything you shouldn't, you may often see more than you would like. I have no desire to see Meryl Streep's exposed bra or Alec Baldwin's rather substantial pot belly. Call me ageist, I can't help it. It seems like everyone was so amused by Diane Keaton's implied nakedness in "Something's Got To Give" that the writers decided to take it farther in this movie. Not necessary in my opinion.
All in all, if you want a few good laughs I think this is a good bet, but don't expect to personally identify with the story unless you are in the 50 + age range. However, given that it is not playing in very many theaters anymore, you may want to wait until it comes to DVD or cable.
What this blog is all about.
One thing in life is guaranteed: everyone has an opinion about everything.
I am no exception.
This blog will consist of my thoughts on various subjects that I find entertaining. Mainly I will discuss books and movies. I also promise to add the occasional opinion about TV shows, museums, restaurants, wines, cooking styles or recipes, and any other activities that that I use to fill my free time.
While I am no professional critic I do have a few qualifications I feel will distinguish my blog from other blogger's random critical rants. I do have a degree in English which gives me some level of critical expertise in relation to books and movies (I took a few film classes in college, too). I love to read and always have an active book sitting on my bedside table or in my purse. I also love movies. I have worked at a few movie theatres in the past and I see a movie almost every chance I get (in theatre: about one every two weeks, via Netflix: about as often as they can pass through the mail system). As for all the other activities mentioned; well, I just like to tell people about my experiences.
Furthermore, I promise there will be no one sided, podium pounding, close minded reviews in this blog. I will explain what I think and why I think it, thereby letting you come to your own conclusions as to whether or not you want to spend your time the way that I do. For example I would be much more likely to say something like: "I loved the visual effects and grand scale of Avatar but I found the plot line a bit predictable" as opposed to writing something like: "The only people who like Avatar are American hating hippies; watching this movie made me want to punch a tree".
Please feel free to leave your opinions in the comments sections of my posts. I love to hear about how different people interpret the same experiences in different ways. Also, if you have any suggestions for things you think I should read, watch, or otherwise experience, please let me know. I am especially always looking for new writers to read.
I am no exception.
This blog will consist of my thoughts on various subjects that I find entertaining. Mainly I will discuss books and movies. I also promise to add the occasional opinion about TV shows, museums, restaurants, wines, cooking styles or recipes, and any other activities that that I use to fill my free time.
While I am no professional critic I do have a few qualifications I feel will distinguish my blog from other blogger's random critical rants. I do have a degree in English which gives me some level of critical expertise in relation to books and movies (I took a few film classes in college, too). I love to read and always have an active book sitting on my bedside table or in my purse. I also love movies. I have worked at a few movie theatres in the past and I see a movie almost every chance I get (in theatre: about one every two weeks, via Netflix: about as often as they can pass through the mail system). As for all the other activities mentioned; well, I just like to tell people about my experiences.
Furthermore, I promise there will be no one sided, podium pounding, close minded reviews in this blog. I will explain what I think and why I think it, thereby letting you come to your own conclusions as to whether or not you want to spend your time the way that I do. For example I would be much more likely to say something like: "I loved the visual effects and grand scale of Avatar but I found the plot line a bit predictable" as opposed to writing something like: "The only people who like Avatar are American hating hippies; watching this movie made me want to punch a tree".
Please feel free to leave your opinions in the comments sections of my posts. I love to hear about how different people interpret the same experiences in different ways. Also, if you have any suggestions for things you think I should read, watch, or otherwise experience, please let me know. I am especially always looking for new writers to read.
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