Book to Movie: The Giver (Movie Trailer)

Before I got lost with Suzzane Collins’ The Hunger Games series and Veronica Roth’s Divergent series I am already enamoured by Dystopian fiction because of Lois Lowry’s The Giver. But I am not aware of Dystopian as a genre at that time. So I classified the book as fiction no more no less. Now, thinking about it, The Giver is one of the first few dystopian novel I have read and definitely one of the best too. It is thought provoking and simply amazing. If anything else the book makes me appreciate my freedom and memories more. So when I found out that the book is adapted for movie I can’t help but get excited to see the story in big screen.

For those who are not aware about the book, the story follows Jonas, who lives in a Utopian society where there is no disease, poverty, money or divorce. Everyone has a role in this society, and everything is controlled, even their emotions. It’s a life of conformity and contentment for Jonas until he’s given the role of The Giver. As The Giver he is the receiver of memory — every information, histories and secrets of the society will be transferred to him. He will be the repository of all information. And as the secrets unfold in Jonas eyes he starts to discover the dark secrets of his world.

The movie adaptation will star Jeff Bridges as The Giver and Brenton Thwaites as Jonas with other great actors like Meryl Streep, and Katie Holmes. The film is coming to theaters in August 15 but before that watch the trailer below.

Have you read the book? What do you think of the trailer? If you haven’t read the book, I urge you to do so. It’s one of the best dystopian novel out there.

Upcoming Book-to-Movie Adaptations

There are couple of movie adaptation of popular books that are set to release this year. Some of them are already out in cinema. And here are the three upcoming movie that will be available in cinema soon. This doesn’t include those that will be released after March 2011. Such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, The Hobbit, Water for Elephants, Breaking Dawn, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and a lot more.

I Am Number Four

Based based on the novel I Am Number Four, written by Jobie Hughes and James Frey. This is one of the film I anticipated for 2011 after seeing the trailer last year. I haven’t read the book yet and I have no intention of reading it. The last time I read James Frey’s book I never finished it. But the film looks pretty good.

Jane Eyre

Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre is one of the few classics I’ve read when I was in college. I can’t remember much if I did enjoy the book back then or not. I’m thinking of rereading the book now but not a chance for me. With so much in my to-read-list I don’t have much time for rereading. I’m just glad to discover that there will be an upcoming movie due to released this March 11, 2011. I just watched the trailer and I can’t help but be excited to see the movie soon.

Beastly

Based on Alex Flinn’s 2007 supernatural romance novel of the same name. It was expected to be released on July this year but moved to March 18, 2011. It is a retelling of the fairytale Beauty and the Beast set in modern-day New York City. And since I love the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast, I can’t let this one pass.

Large number of books are also in development for movie adaptation for 2012 and 2013. Such as Fallen by Lauren Kate, The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins, Incarceron by Catherine Fisher, Matched by Ally Condie and The Mortal Instruments City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare. So much movie releases to watch out.

Step Up 3D

I know this review is way due already, I started writing this the night I watched the film which almost a month ago but I did not finished  it, so it end up as a draft post in my dashboard. I don’t intend to post it this late but still I want to share my thoughts about the film which I did enjoy watching. As of I know the film is still showing in cinemas so maybe it’s not too late after-all.

I’ve watched the first two Step-Up films, so basically I know what to expect from this movie. Just to refresh some of the characters relation from the previous movies, Moose (Adam Sevani) is in “Step Up 2: The Streets” he is part of the group that helped Andie compete in the dance competition. Camille (Alyson Stoner), Moose partner in this movie is in “Step Up” film. She played Tyler Cage’s (male lead in the first film) younger sister. Now they are back in “Step Up 3D”, though I’m not sure if they got the main role or not. The movie poster shows Luke (Rick Malambri) and Natalie (Sharni Vinson) which obviously means that they are the lead characters. But the film tells the story of two couples (Luke-Natalie & Moose-Camille) other than the dance battle premise. I enjoy more the Moose and Camille story compare to Luke and Natalie. The latter is the photogenic couple while the other is more a down-to-earth and easy to relate with couple. It’s much easier to sympathize with Moose and Camille, since they aren’t as formula-familiar as Luke and Natalie.

The plot as expected is simple and predictable. But since I already expect the worst before seeing the film, I don’t care much about the plot. Yes, there are clichéd moments, melodramatic and cheesy lines, under develop characters and lots of not so nice details but who cares? I went to see this film not for the story but because of the crazy dance moves which they managed to execute well. There is street dance, jazz, lock, pop, robot rock, tango, and a little bit of ballet. I’m not really amaze with the robot thing dance but there are three dance scenes that I really enjoy. The finale dance competition, the Moose and Camille street scene and the dance scenes in the battle of gwai. The finale with all the lights or leds costumes from head to toe is visually stunning. The dance moves are well choreographed and well delivered. The Moose and Camille’s one shot sequence with the old song “I wont dance” which may look like out of place in the movie is the most engaging dance scene for me. It’s totally different, fun and enjoyable. The couple put up an impromptu show using dustbin lids, couch, paintings and others. And the battle of gwai where Moose with the pirates dance in the watery stage. Somehow it remind me of Micheal Jackson’s moves.

For the casting, Adam Sevani as Moose is one of the best thing about this movie. He deliver his role well giving the character so much life. No doubt he can dance and act at the same time. And he did not only do hip hop, his dance sequence with Camille proves it. He is defenitely fun to watch. Alyson Stoner as Camille finally get more screening compare to other movies I’ve seen her. She also got the talent. Sharni Vinson as Natalie has the moves but her acting didn’t match the level of her dance moves. Rick Malambri as Luke is just ok. Actually, I don’t feel him much in the film, as if he is just one of the supporting cast.

Overall, the story was cliché but the film is visually stunning, the dance moves are amazing and extraordinary which make this movie entertaining as a whole.

Salt

Christopher Nolan‘s Inception is a tough film to follow, any movie who made screening along with this film will had a hard time coping. Unfortunately Salt falls behind Nolan’s masterpiece. Before watching Salt I am prepared to get just another Mission Impossible movie with a female character on the lead. I am aware that the original script was written with a male character on the lead role which was offered to Tom Cruise. But Cruise was unable to commit because the character is too close to his Mission Impossible character Ethan Hunt. Then the script landed to Angelina Jolie who likes it, which lead to character change in the script. A female in a lead role for an action film and the script alteration makes me interested to see this movie.

The story will fall under the common action films that offers spy stories. Nothing much new with the plot but the twist and turns of the movie are pretty intense. Somehow it provide the mystery and thrill to the film. The lead character Evelyn Salt forces you to question her motives as well as her allegiance with each action she makes. It placed you in the dark along the high-speed ride and makes you ceaselessly question her sides – whether if she’s really a spy or not?

The action sequences are done very well, it’s not flashy and not overly executed. Somehow impossible for a girl but with Angelina Jolie everything looks great and believable for a CIA agent and a Russian Spy character. Each moves are past-faced and thrilling. Full of fast fights, unending chases, explosions, car crunching actions and death defying stunt. Plus the special effects that provides an ongoing supply of excitement.

Angelina Jolie as Evelyn Salt is good. I think she is the best part of this film. Other than Uma Thurman of Kill Bill, Angelina Jolie is one of a kind girl that can actually do action films more spicy. She does it all and she does it well. In this movie she definitely own every frame of the scenes. Liev Schreiber as Ted Winter doesn’t work for me. Weird but I still think of him as Sabretooth of X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

The actions are so fast that there’s no time to question anything. But after all the chases and stunts I wonder if the motive is really worth. The ending was too open ended which lead a potential sequel in few years down the line. Overall, this movie offers actions and thrills but it won’t take you on the intellectual journey like Inception did.