The Fault in our Stars (Film)

It is no secret that I love John Green and his books. His last novel, The Fault In Our Stars is one of the best YA books I have read. I usually recommend the book to every reader I know. I love the book so much to the point that every time someone I know asked me what to read I will shoved to them my signed copy of the book to read. In fact, that copy is still with a friend, who I asked to read the book before seeing the film.

To be honest, I’m not sure what to expect for the movie adaptation. Yes, I am excited for the film, but at the same time unsure how will it goes. Movie adaptation is mostly miss than hit for me, especially for books I love dearly which makes me skeptical sometimes. But no matter what, I still make sure to see the films. So last night, I went with my sister to watch the movie during its first day of screening here in the Philippines.

The film is extremely faithful to the book which I really appreciate. It follows Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters, two teenagers who meet in a cancer support group. Hazel has thyroid cancer. Her “lungs suck at being lungs” so she wear a nasal tubes in her nose and drag around an oxygen tank everywhere she went. Augustus aka “Gus” is a survivor of osteosarcoma. He lost his leg during his battle but apparently he is in remission. He is determined to live — not just a life but an extraordinary one. He is full of life for a cancer patient and he wants to share that with Hazel.

Shailene Woodley as Hazel Grace Lancaster is so fitting for the role. I admire how she can easily captures a very conflicting character like Hazel Grace. She carry her strength and weakness every time she is on screen, making Hazel’s character so alive. As a cancer patient Hazel has this wit, and hope in her even after all the pain she went through, and Shailene shows all that and more. The way she deliver her lines has pain and strength which makes John Green’s complex lines from the novel convincingly powerful. If you have read the book like me, for sure you understand how big and powerful those lines are. They aren’t easy to deliver especially from a mouth of a teenager, but Shailene managed to deliver them with ease that I’m surprise that I’m not rolling my eyes or rising my eyebrows.

As for Ansel Elgort, well he got me with his grin right the moment he first show himself on big screen. Honestly, when I first heard that he was cast for the role of Augustus, I don’t believe he can own the role. He is too sweet for my liking, and Augustus in my mind isn’t like that. Augustus is cocky, confident and even idealistic but also pretentious. He is a human metaphor himself, masking his vulnerability with his self-confident. It’s his way of living his sick life or more specifically his fighting mechanism. But after seeing the film last night, I’m convinced that Ansel is the perfect Gus. He successfully deliver a good portrayal for Augustus. It isn’t what I initially want but seeing Gus character in action is still utterly enjoying. Ansel not only own the role for Gus but also makes Gus’ character incredibly sweet by pulling his charms.

To those who are worried about Shailene and Ansel’s team-up after being siblings from the film Divergent, rest assured that they made a great love team in this film. They are very convincing as a couple. Their chemistry is undeniable and surprisingly believable. They easily own the sweet young romance that evolved in the most unexpected time of two teenagers.

The film didn’t make me weep unlike when I read the book a couple of times, but it still makes me feel all the emotions I undergo through while reading. I still ache for Gus and Hazel. I smile and laugh with them along with all the movie goers at the cinema last night. I swoon and feel their love for each other and for their family and friends. I hope even I know long ago how their story will end.

The Fault In Our Stars easily the best contemporary book adaptation I’ve seen. With all the quotable lines from John Green’s novel, it is a thought-provoking story that will make you question everything you think you know about life, love and sickness. I will definitely watch again this film soon.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (Film)

When I found out that I’m getting two tickets for the Philippine premier of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn 2, I get excited to see the film. But since there were only two tickets, it is difficult to choose who will I bring with me to watch, knowing that a lot of friends wants to go. I almost decided to ditch it and just giveaway the tickets to two of my blog followers. But since I still have to personally claim the tickets an hour before the showing, it will be a hassle for me to organized the giveaway in a little amount of time. So I end up going to the event and invite the most Twilight fanatic friend I know, Chai. We went to Greenbelt, Makati last Wednesday night with the other movie goers who are all excited to see the movie a night before the regular showing. There are some raffles and giveaways too before the film showing but I can feel that the crowd is more interested for the movie to start than the giveaways.

Breaking Dawn Part 2 picks up directly where the first part of Breaking Dawn Part 1 left off. Bella wakes up with her ruby eyes as a newborn vampire and adjust pretty fast to her newly acquired strength. As a vampire her senses become much stronger. She sees everything in remarkable details, she hear even the slightest sounds, smell even the farthest blood and move awkwardly fast. Her strength is not to be challenged, if you have doubt just ask Emmett. As as newborn basically Bella is what everyone around her expects her to be, except for one thing. She is so comfortable in her new self to the point of being too controlled which isn’t normal for a newborn. Part of her new life is being a vampire wife to Edward and a mother to their fast growing newborn daughter, Reneesme. Reneesme is a half-human and half-vampire who poses an unknown threat to vampire existence which makes her the target of the most powerful clan of vampires, the Volturi. But the Cullen coven is determine to keep Reneesme alive, thus begins the final adventure of this final installment to Stephanie Meyer’s vampire mythology.

If you’ve seen the first four films of this series, you may agree with me that the adaptation didn’t start great. The first installment (Twilight) isn’t much a great movie compare to other movies that was released that year. But this final installment erased all the bad memories of the previous films. It definitely salvaged the whole franchise adaptation by leaving a satisfying and entertaining ending.

Everything that happens on the first part of the film were pretty much the same with the book. The difference comes mostly on the last part where all the actions scenes is happening. Personally I like the changes they made from book to the film. It give so much room for surprises that even the hardcore Twilight fans will get shock and caught off guard. I give applause to the director and screenwriter for delivering a simple storytelling trick with cunning skills. I honestly didn’t see that twist coming which makes the changes effective and satisfying.

My emotions were high and my mind was boggling during the intense fighting scenes. If the emotional moment holds more time I might even end up releasing all those feelings into tears. But with the fast-pacing scenes all I can do is absorbed what is happening while questioning most of it. For someone who read the book before seeing the film adaptation, I can’t help but compare what I’m seeing on screen and what I’ve read few years ago. And seeing the differences just keeps me busy that I haven’t realized ahead of time the possible ending.

As much as I want to give more details and explain why this movie is the best of all Twilight Saga films I don’t want to give any spoilers. Because this movie won’t be as effective as it is if you watch it with spoilers. And for those who haven’t seen the previous installments, I think it is better if you watch the first four films before this one. The story wont make sense if you start this saga with this final installment. And some scenes may not be as powerful as it is if you are not invested to the characters like most fans of this series.

The movie also wrap the whole series in a classy note by showing every actor of twilight saga films a little screen time during the credits. Even those who aren’t part of the this final installment were there. It leaves me memories and flashbacks of the other previous films of this phenomenal series of Stephanie Meyer.

Again kudos to the film makers for finishing this movie adaptation with a heart and dignity. And thank you for leaving us a memorable movie experience.

Eat Pray Love (Film)

Liz Gilbert had everything a modern woman is supposed to dream of having — a husband, a house, a successful career — yet like so many others, she found herself lost, confused, and searching for what she really wanted in life. Newly divorced and at a crossroads, Gilbert steps out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life, embarking on a journey around the world that becomes a quest for self—discovery. In her travels, she discovers the true pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy; the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of true love in Bali. Based upon the bestselling memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love proves that there really is more than one way to let yourself go and see the world.

I don’t feel commenting much on the film technicalities right now since there’s nothing much really new or nice to comment. I’ll just try to explore more on what I think I appreciate from this film, which mostly came from Liz first travel adventure – Italy. In Italy Liz learn to experience life again. She instantly fall in love with the people, the place, and the language. She learned the joy of living life fully. Living with joy and living in the moment. She discovered the concept of la dolce vita or the sweet life. Which simply means living and enjoying every moment. It is enjoying a picnic by yourself on the floor while wearing a negligee. It is eating Thanksgiving turkey for breakfast with friends. It is loving yourself with all the gray hair, stretch marks and extra flab. She experience again how to eat without feeling guilty or worrying about gaining weight.

Watching the scenery of Italy gives me again the desire to travel. I love to travel, I enjoy seeing new places, exploring different cultures and traditions. And this film give me a part of that experience. It makes me want to see those wonderful places in the movie, especially Italy. I want to have my first hand experience with the historical beauty of Rome, taste those lavishing food and learn the language. I wish I also have an entire year for myself, to travel with unlimited funds and experience a part of that life. A year to experience different culture and traditions. A year to see the world in a different view. A year to discover myself and some of life lessons.

Charlie St. Cloud (Film)

Last Monday night, I went to the red carpet premier of Charlie St. Cloud at SM Megamall with my best friend. The film is based on Ben Sherwood’s best-selling novel The Death and Life Of Charlie St. Cloud which I already read before seeing the movie adaptation.

The movie plot is strong because it’s based off the book. But in-spite of a good plot the movie doesn’t carry the same depth and darkness of the book. Charlie has near death experience, lost his dearly brother Sam, graced with an extraordinary gift talking and seeing spirits, limited communication to his mother, no real friends, barely trust no one and can play catch with his dead brother. It has limitless opportunity for motivations, soul-searching, and well-written emotional drama which the movie failed to present. There are more to explore, issues about life and death, grief, moving on, restoring faith, life after death and living a full life. But the movie focus on the love story angle forcing Charlie to go down the misguided teenager role.

 Zac Efron does a decent job portraying Charlie St. Cloud. I can now completely detached him from his singing and dancing role in High School Musical. But still I want to see more of his talent. I think he has something more to offer, but the script and the director limits him to show what he really got. There are some scenes where he is ready to full out those emotional moments then all of a sudden it diverted to another scene. Like when the tragedy strikes, the film has the chance to gear the affecting power but it jumps to another scene cutting the moment before it culminate. Obviously poor pacing is the problem. Efron gives a good effort and the film failures are hardly his fault. Charlie Tahan as Sam is sweet and endearing. He’s a good little actor that should be watch out for. I didn’t see much of Sam’s funny and naughty side from the book but Tahan is credibly good as Sam St. Cloud.

I fell in love with the two characters (Charlie and Sam) from the book and I still love them from the film. They manage to deliver a believable chemistry as brothers. The relationship between them is really strong on-screen. It looks more real by not being too sweet. Nothing too fancy or sugar coated sweet bonding like those cheesy lines from the book. In here they fought once in a while and still manage to show the care they have for each other. A simple look and some little gestures is all they did and still you can feel the intense care and love from both of them.

I want to like this movie as much as I like the book but no matter how much I ignore the differences I still felt that the movie lost some magic that the book has. It’s not a bad film but the story and characters deserves more. Everything is too safe, it needs more edge and darkness. Probably a better script and direction will make the difference.