One of my favorite books is My Sister's Keeper. I absolutely related to the characters and loved the storyline to its very last words. But I was disappointed with the movie, yes it's a cute movie but it wasn't what I was expecting and was simplified too much for my taste. For some reason, when I read it, I felt I was in a Sofia Coppola film (Marie Antoinette, Lost in Translation and the Virgin Suicides) with dreamy scenes and details. I love Coppola's movies, yes I admit that Marie Antoinette wasn't for me at all, yet it is still quite beautiful to look at, with such ethereal pastel-colored scenes. And the Virgin Suicides? well all I have to say is that I was completed captivated with this movie. It is also a favorite among many people including me of course. Maybe My Sister's Keeper-Coppola-feeling has to do with the book cover as well- the soft colors, pink undertones and delicate young girls. But also the story is more moody and a little more dark (specially the ending) than what the movie projects which Coppola would have done wonders with in my opinion, I mean that has the moody yet airy delicate feeling of The Virgin Suicides written all over it. Even the author admits in her website that the ending "was hard for her to accept" but that it was out of her hands as soon she sold the rights, when hundreds of fans complained. It is also quite interesting to see that a lot of people who have not read the book love the movie more than those who have actually read the book. Another thing that bothered me was that they changed the girl's ages in the movie and the little fact that the oldest sister Kate was a bit shorter and was mistakenly assumed to be the youngest one which I thought was important. I don't know, I guess it's just me but I love when a movie sticks very closely to details such as in The Virgin Suicides, where it many times felt like you were reading the book when in fact you were watching the movie.
Oh and an interesting little info: Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning were supposedly set to play the parts, for some reason I think they would've fit a little more closely to what I imagined (and yes Elle is four years younger yet much taller than Dakota as well haha yeah I know I did like the movie don't get me wrong but I wouldve prefer it they sticked closer to the book and if the director of the Notebook had also paired up with Coppola for this one, now thats a dream movie to be huh?)
I'll leave you with another beautiful Sofia Copolla's film to come out soon. "Somewhere" starring Elle Fanning, which I can't wait to see and hopefully I'm not disappointed:
"In a few breaths' time will speak some sad words to you. But you must hear them the same way we have agreed to see scars now. Sad words are just another beauty. A sad story means, this storyteller is alive. The next thing you know, something fine will happen to her, something marvelous, and then she will turn around and smile."
I have just finished reading "Little Bee" and I am speechless all I can say, like a little kid who just witnessed something beautiful, is "wow." I seem to have underline about every other page with beautiful quotes. You can surely guarantee I will be looking for other books by Chris Cleave.
And you may ask, "How did I come upon this little treasure?" Well read it here
I am completely mesmerized by this movie- the beautiful costumes, the gorgeous scenery- the timeless visuals are just heart-stopping. The era was captured to perfection, and I felt entirely engrossed in the storyline. Ah if I count the times I heard of this movie being praised and critically acclaimed and never called my attention one bit. Finally gave it the time of day since the mister had gotten us a Netflix account and I wanted to fill it up a little. Have to say this movie has been listed on to my favorite films. I cannot belive that I never paid any attention to this movie since I loved “Sense and Sensibility” which is another film based on Jane Austen’s classics.
Jane Austen’s classics and written masterpieces have been transferred beautifully and successfully into these two stunning films, which made me quickly search for other films based on her books. I just love the era, the grace and elegance, the respect and all the formal traditions and simplicity. I have both books as well, and will now be grabbing a copy of “Emma” at Barnes and Noble to read over the summer at the park on my own little picnic sheet while the sun hits my face ;) Ah the good stuff!
I'm having those weeks where you just can’t wait for summer to arrive, not even spring, don’t get me wrong I love spring as well. But today I crave for those sticky hot summer days where you just want to go to the park lay out at the highest point you can find next to a nice tree shadow to feel the hardly-existant warm breeze run through your legs, all the while reading a good old summer book. Ahhh…the good days.
And then, end the day going home through this gorgeous lane (well my NYC lanes have a little more concrete buildings all around ha but yeah one can always dream…:)
Yes the title says it all. What can I say I may have a little fascination with it. I think or I’m beginning to realize I get these “little obsessions” from time to time. I start loving something so much whether its a video, song, movie or book. I tell people about it, I watch it or read it or play it over and over, until I finally get a bit tired and start with something else, yeah I know what can I say. Anyway, this one of Wonderland started when I was reading this blog (can’t remember) and the blogger mentions her favorite movie being “Alice in Wonderland.” I thought it was a bit odd since she was over 25 years old, and further more it’s not one of those more popular Disney movies say “Cinderella.” I typed it up on goggle and was surprise to see Disney was remaking it as a movie in 2010. The funny thing is that I may be wrong, but I believe that was back at the end of 2008, and I became so fascinated looking up at what the movie would be that I decided to re-watch the cartoon. I wouldn’t say it became my favorite but I saw it from another angle- how fabled it is with so much illusory images and sayings. I’m not sure the right word to describe it is “whimsical,” but I was just fascinated how Lewis Carroll’s mind worked and how she played with logic and came up with all these dream-like storylines. I was fascinated with her mind. So much fiction and irrationality, I just felt that with everything on going in my life I needed that bit of “fantasy,” and some part of me had forgotten what it was to be a child full of fantasy and dreams. I also watched “Big Fish” again (which was another movie I wasnt a fan of- I’m just not into cartoons, Disney movies or any other movies with too much chimera) and I was surprised to see the “charm” in it. Of course, I went on and bought Carroll’s book “Alice in wonderland” and came out with “The Complete works of Lewis Carroll” (image below) instead, but I’m so glad I found this antique version of the book which I’m absolutely in love with.
Yes it is just as big as it looks if not bigger. Its far bigger than the average book, very thick and heavy so it might be a bit hard to take along anywhere, but its more of that read-at-home-books, and it’s just too gorgeous (I’m in love with antique books), one to treasure for years and specially for when I one day have a child to pass it on to :)
By the way, Im in love with this picture from Tim Walkers book, reminds me of Alice in Wonderland as well, see the blue dress? ;)
