Book-to-Movie: Hugo

It's not very often that I enjoy a movie more or as much as the book, but in the case of Hugo, I think I have found one of those rare gems of a movie.

Hugo stays very true to the book is it based off of, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which I feature in my MMGM: Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday this past week. It truly feels like each of the pages of the book coming alive in front of your eyes. Many of the scenes feel almost exactly the same as the illustrations in the book except it's real life!

I wish wish wish I saw this in the theatre when it was out this past holiday season. The hubby and I don't get out very much with a toddler on our hands nowadays and with movie prices so expensive, we normally just wait until the DVD comes out and Redbox it. However, I am regretful that I didn't take the initiative to see Hugo in 3D because it would have been such a wonderful visually-appealing experience.

The characters were well cast and I think it was interesting to see Sasha Baron Cohen in a non-vulgar kind of role. 

I think it is such a honor that Martin Scorsese directed this movie because he gave this movie such life and character. Plus, I think it's pretty amazing that they got Scorsese to direct a children's movie. It's not every day that you get a legend in the film industry to direct a movie based off a children's book.

Hugo does not disappoint. It takes all the beautiful details that makes The Invention of Hugo Cabret great and takes it to a whole other level that you didn't think was even possible.

Rating:

5 out of 5 stars!

Book to Movie: Breaking Dawn

I don't usually watch movies on opening days. I like to stay away from the long lines and huge crowds. However, my co-workers and I decided to go see the movie altogether and I couldn't pass it down because my poor hubby sat through "New Moon" and I knew he wouldn't take me to see "Breaking Dawn." We kicked off our weekend by going to our local theatre together and other than having our previous students, who are now 6th graders, sit a few rows in front of us... it was a pretty cool experience to go with other people who like the Twilight series.

For those who have NOT seen the movie, please be forewarned that there are SPOILERS ahead. 


Things I liked:

• I loved the wedding scene. It was so much more beautiful and grand than I imagined in my head. It was very much the over-the-top celebration that Alice would have wanted. I loved all the hanging flowers too... so romantic! It was very beautiful. 
• How much do I love the Cullen's home? Did anyone else notice that they had bookshelves all throughout the house? I loved it from the first movie and it just seems to get better and better. 
• Headboard scene. (Need I say more?)
• They spent a lot of time with Edward and Bella on their honeymoon. :) That's all I'll say about that. Remember, we were watching THAT with our former students in front of us. (Can you say AWKWARD?!)
• Any line that came out of Charlie's mouth. He was perfect as Bella's dad throughout the whole movie. Billy Burke's facial expressions were right on point.
• Seth. He's so dang cute!
• I appreciated that they limited the goriness of the birth scene. Blood doesn't always make me queasy, but I was not looking forward to watching that scene. Even though I wouldn't want to watch it again, it was not as bad as it was in the book. Thank you for that.
• They left us hanging. It was a great cliffhanger and I can't remember what happens next, but I'm looking forward to the 2nd part.

Things I didn't like:

• Bella's wedding dress - it didn't flatter her body at all. The back was nice, but what was with all the patches of fabric? It looked awkwardly sewn together and didn't help Kristen Stewart's awkward face walking down the aisle either. I actually liked her dress in her dream better.
• Taylor Lautner's acting. I just can't take his lines seriously, I'm sorry. They had him take off his shirt within the first minute of the movie. I mean, he is nice on the eyes, but really?
• The wolf scene where they're talking to each other telepathically was a little corny. It seemed so cool in the books. They could have done that better.

Things that were awful:

• Kristen Stewart's acting. I wish they casted differently. She's not the Bella I pictured in my mind when I was reading and Bella's character is not so melancholy like she ALWAYS is no matter what expression she's trying to emote. She did play the part where Bella was almost dying surprisingly well though.

What I loved:

• The soundtrack. I was spoiled with the soundtrack even before the movie came out on Spotify and I love whoever chooses the songs for the movies. They did an excellent job.

 

My favorite song (that I have on repeat right now): "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri.  Sad thing is I don't remember hearing it in the movie. Does anyone know when it played? 

"Flightless Bird, American Mouth" by Iron & Wine - How much do I love this song? 

I'm also a sucker for all the reprises of Bella's Song.

Lastly, Edward's look when he finally sees Bella walking down the aisle... *heart melting* I'm a sucker for the first look. It's one of my favorite shots as a wedding photographer. :) 

Overall, I enjoyed the movie and sharing it with other Twilight fans. I wish I had reread the book before watching the movie again because I read it so fast the first go around several years ago and I really had a hard time remembering things, like who people were. From what I do remember though, I think it stayed true to the book and I am looking forward to Part II next year. I recommend going it with low expectations. I don't know why I keep expecting the movies to get better each time, but I think if you go in with lower expectations, then maybe you won't come out of the movie disappointed.

Rating:

3 out of 5 stars

Book to Movie: The Hunger Games Official Trailer

The official trailer was released today. It looks all kind of fabulous! I love that it does not give too much away, but leaves you hanging so that those that haven't finished reading the books yet can still have a chance to read it between now and March 23, 2012. (If that is you, you NEED to read this asap!)

Things I like so far:

• Jennifer Lawrence looks perfectly cast as Katniss - she's bad ass, but also everyone's girl at the same time.
• Lenny Kravitz as Cinna!
• The cinematography looks amazing. Rarely do movies look better than what I imagined, but since I didn't know what to imagine most of the time while reading the book, the clips in the trailer really give a lot of depth to the background of the story.

Things I wasn't expecting:

• I'm "Team Gale" and he doesn't look the way I pictured. He looks so much manlier than I pictured him... I kind of imagined him in a more delicate way... a la Orlando Bloom as Legolas in Lord of the Rings, perhaps?

Can you tell that I'm SUPER excited?! How about you?

To view the trailer in all it's beauty, check it out from iTunes here.

Book-to-Movie :: Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer

"Judy Moody was in a mood. Not a good mood. A bad mood. A mad-faced mood."

Today, Friday June 10th, is the release date of the movie, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer. From the trailer, it looks like a fun, summer, kid-movie. From just the previews, it seems like a lot of fun and very much like the Judy Moody in the books.

Over the years, I've had several students really get into the Judy Moody series. I think it's a little bit more popular with younger kids because it's a pretty easy read for my 5th graders. It's more of a 3rd/4th grade read.

The thing I love the most about the Judy Moody series are the beautiful pictures. I love the illustrations and they seem to really capture the essence of Judy Moody and all her moods so well. They're fun to look at and I love looking at all the little details on each page. They also just re-released the books with brand new covers.

About a month ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Megan McDonald at the LA Times Festival of Books. She was promoting her upcoming movie, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer. My students over the years LOVE reading Judy Moody and I was so excited to see her speak and get her autograph.

Megan McDonald speaking at the Target Children's Stage.


Megan McDonald interviewing the stars of the movie, Jordana Beatty as Judy Moody and Parris Mosteller as Judy Moody's brother, Stink (who also has his own book series).


Autographing books.

It was such a pleasure to meet Megan McDonald and to congratulate her on her upcoming movie.

You can find out more about the movie on it's official movie page, facebook page and/or follow it on twitter @judymoody_movie