James Bond Movie Month(s)

#12 on my Day Zero Project is to watch all of the James Bond movies. I haven't seen that many of the old ones. Thankfully, we own all of them. I insisted that we watch them chronologically with regard to release date. Originally this was going to take place during the month of January. As you can see, that just didn't happen. And so James Bond Movie January became James Bond Movie Months. Instead of full reviews of each movie, I'm just going to list, comment, and rate them. All in all, it was an enjoyable time watching Bond through the years.

Dr. No (1962) -- Set in Jamaica. A great introduction to Bond and Mr. Connery. Of course there are cheesy lines and improbably circumstances. But I love all of it. Extra points for Dr. No's unbelievably amazing island lair. And that Ursula Andress, too perfect to look at. 5/5
From Russia with Love (1963) -- Set in Istanbul. This one was more political and full of intrigue than the big action sequences. There are action sequences, just not as many as Dr. No. I really liked the slower pace and more twists and turns of this one. 5/5
Goldfinger (1964) -- Ohhhh... definitely a fun movie. Great lines. A great villan. Even a great Bond girl. Definitely one of my favorites. 5/5
Thunderball (1965) -- Not my favorite Bond movie. Two bright spots: Bond villan Fiona and the big underwater fight scene at the end. It's a bit ridiculous and not really practical, but crazy enough to fit into a Bond film. Love it! 4/5
You Only Live Twice (1967) -- Set in Japan. Volcano lair! Awesome! And we get Blofeld. My only complaint is the women. They try to not be eye candy, but it ends badly. 4/5
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) -- So incredibly cheesy. Definitely not my favorite. I doubt this is even going in the top 10. 3/5
Diamonds are Forever (1971) -- Loving this one... Something about the plot or maybe the characters that I really enjoyed. 5/5
Live and Let Die (1973) -- The first Roger Moore Bond movie. I love how he plays Bond, much suaver than Connery. And yes, this really is the best theme song. 5/5
The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) -- Really loving the Roger Moore Bond. He has a way of saying the cheesiest, creepiest lines and somehow they come off sexy. Love it! This one was great mostly because of Christopher Lee as the villain. I could have done without Goodnight. 5/5
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) -- Definitely not my favorite... there's just something about it (maybe too cheesy) that didn't sit right with me. The only redeeming parts were Jaws and the giant aquarium set. 3/5
Moonraker (1979) -- Loved it!!! So cheesy, but in a very good way. And that space battle at the end was to die for. And we get Jaws and the villan is uber evil. 5/5
For Your Eyes Only (1981) -- This one just didn't do anything for me. No giant villain lair. No great one liners. A pretty boring Bond girl. The only bright spot in this one was Topol. Even Bond was looking a little old and tired. It was 81, so we get some horrendous fashions. The nail in the coffin: the horrible Sheena Easton theme song; definitely one of the worst. 2/5
Octopussy (1983) -- Bond's looking a bit old, but overall I like this movie. The mystery woman is intriguing for a little while, but then she just feels flat. And the chase through the Indian marketplace is too amusing. 3/5
A View to a Kill (1985) -- A fitting end for Roger Moore as Bond. I loved the Duran Duran theme song. Christopher Walken and Grace Jones as the villans were perfect. And the final showdown on top of the Golden Gate bridge was full of suspense. Extra bonus points for the "Bond drives an odd vehicle for the chase" scene was in a fire engine. 5/5
The Living Daylights (1987) -- Our first Timothy Dalton. And I must agree with J on this one: I like the dialogue but the stunts are way too cheesy. Dalton plays Bond a lot harsher than Moore, more like Connery. 4/5
License to Kill (1989) -- Uber cheesy Timothy Dalton. I just couldn't take this one at all. Glad we've moved on to something better. 2/5
GoldenEye (1995) -- Ohhh Pierce.. Good but not quite as good as some of the others. Although I really do enjoy this one. And Sean Bean dies, who would have guessed? Although I must agree with J that 006 would never have been a double agent. 5/5
Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) -- Not as awesome as GoldenEye, but a respectable showing for Bond. I love Christopher Price as a villain. He has the right mix of crazy and evil genius. And Teri Hatcher isn't bad as a Bond girl (probably because she gets killed fairly quickly in the movie). But the best part of the movie is the soundtrack. I love it! 5/5
The World is Not Enough (1999) -- The opening action sequence is just great fun, but then the movie starts to go downhill. Once I started to suspect Elektra King, I just lost complete interest in the movie. And then we get the introduction of Christmas Jones. Ugh! 3/5
Die Another Day (2002) -- Once again, the opening action in North Korea is just beautiful. The pacing is great. The character are fun. And more than anything, it's believable. The sword fight with Gustav (Toby Stephens -- forever my Mr. Rochester) is a lot of fun. Unfortunately the rest of the storyline is just blah. I couldn't really get into it. An invisible car! Just kill me now, please. One upside: the use of The Clash's "London Calling" was just a great bit of fun. 4/5
Casino Royale (2006) -- Goodness I so love this one. Craig has the best mix of sauve and rugged sides. I usually don't like the Bond girls, but Vesper is a different sort of character. Overall the movie has great pacing and action sequences. The addition of Felix is a nice reminder of the old movies. And the opening credits are just amazing. But the best part is the black and white opening sequence. 5/5
Quantum of Solace (2008) -- At first I didn't think I would like the "starting right where the last one left off" timeline, but this made sense with who Craig's Bond is. I loved seeing Matthas and Felix yet again. Fields is just annoying, but she serves her purpose and dies. I do love the idea of an out of control Bond. Very nice. 5/5
Skyfall (2012) -- Looking forward to this one...

My Bond rankings:

Sean Connery
Daniel Craig
Roger Moore
Pierce Brosnen
Timothy Dalton
George Lazenby

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

Title: Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

Author: Seth Grahame-Smith

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing 2011

Genre: Paranormal; Alternative history?

Pages: 336

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampire; Support Your Library loan; Book2Movie

How I Got It: Library Loan

While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.
Using the journal as his guide and writing in the grand biographical style of Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough, Seth has reconstructed the true life story of our greatest president for the first time-all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War and uncovering the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation.

I love these mixes of history and fantasy. I think I've found my second favorite genre (after zombies, of course). This book reads like a historical biography. Except in this case, Smith added the elements of vampires throughout the history of Lincoln's life. If I didn't know any better, I would think this was nonfiction. Every addition feels unnatural. I loved the pacing, breaking his life into "boy, vampire hunter, and president." Through it we get a sense of Lincoln (even if half of it is make believe). I've never been a huge fan of Lincoln's; I prefer the Roosevelts and Jefferson. But this book made me a fan. I heartedly recommend!

Movie Review:

I finally got around to seeing the movie. A was pretty disappointed. While the book has a gravity, the movie makes it too cheesy, too modern. That ridiculous fight scene among the horses was almost too much to watch. But I will admit that I loved the scene in the plantation. It was a very modern fight scene done well. The character of Will was a great role. I loved the inclusion. I was very upset that the movie excluded so much from the book. We only got to see Abraham's struggle at the end, after the Civil War started. Random note: How amazing was Alan Tudyk as Stephen Douglas! An uncredited role, but so great.

Kick-Ass by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.

Title: Kick-Ass

Author: Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.

Publisher: Marvel 2011

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 192

Rating: 5/5 stars Movie: /5

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; Support Your Local Library; Books2Movie

How I Got It: Library Loan

Dave Lizewski is just an ordinary American teenager. Then an idea hits him: why not become a real life super hero.

J had me see the movie when it came out, but I had never gotten around to reading the graphic novel. Amazingly, my local library had it just sitting there on the shelf begging for me to take it home. And home it came. I read it in one little sitting last night. It's über violent. It's über gorey. But at the heart, it's a great little story about a nobody that starts a crime fighting revolution and sorta finds his way. Plus, I was excited to actually get the references to other comic book characters and series. I think I'm turning into a comic book reader. Anyway, I really enjoyed Kick-Ass. It's not light and fluffy. It's gritty and nasty, but in an awesome comic book way. And I read that Volume 2 is due to be released this June 2012. I must keep that on my radar.

Movie:

I'll admit that when J proposed watching this, I was hesitant. I bloody, gorey action film about a comic book geek that want's to be a super hero. I was worried that it was going to be cheesy. But then I found out that Nicholas Cage was in the movie. I'll see anything he's in, even the absolutely horrible stuff. He's my movie kryptonite. So we watched, and I'm glad we did. I love seeing the interplay between Dave's regular life and his after hours fantasies. It was an interesting take on the genre. And Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Red Mist was perfect casting. Hands down the best performance of the movie was Chloe Grace Moretz. Her Hit Girl had all the vulnerability of a child but the strength of a superhero. I loved seeing the interactions between her and her dad. Best scene of the movie: where Big Daddy shoots Hit Girl to teach her to anticipate it in the future. Disturbing but amazing.

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

Title: Something Borrowed (Darcy #1)

Author: Emily Giffin

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin 2005

Genre: Romance

Pages: 322

Rating: 2/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Semi-Charmed Challenge -- Bad Review; Mixing It Up -- Modern Fiction; Mount TBR; Book2Movie

How I Got It: I own it!

Rachel White is the consummate good girl. A hard-working attorney at a large Manhattan law firm and a diligent maid of honor to her charmed best friend Darcy, Rachel has always played by all the rules. Since grade school, she has watched Darcy shine, quietly accepting the sidekick role in their lopsided friendship.But that suddenly changes the night of her thirtieth birthday when Rachel finally confesses her feelings to Darcy's fiance, and is both horrified and thrilled to discover that he feels the same way. As the wedding date draws near, events spiral out of control, and Rachel knows she must make a choice between her heart and conscience. In so doing, she discovers that the lines between right and wrong can be blurry, endings aren't always neat, and sometimes you have to risk everything to be true to yourself.

I picked this book up for $1. It had been on my list for a while, but I had read a few bad reviews for it... So I was unsure of whether or not read it. Then some friends and I saw the movie version. Now I had to read the book. The reviews were right. The entire time reading this book, I couldn't decided if I liked any of the main characters. At the end I came away with the idea that cheating is okay if you do it with your "soulmate" or if the other woman is a narcissist. I just didn't see it as an truthful exploration of relationships. To me, it was a gimmick. Plus, I didn't find Dex attractive at all. He's just the lying, toying scumbag. I thought every relationship in the book was unhealthy. In the end, I read this as a cautionary tale. Don't be friends with people like Darcy, Rachel, or Dex.

Movie

Hmmmm.... This wasn't horrible, but it wasn't good either. The addition of John Krasinski's Ethan was an improvement. But adding in the love quadrangle didn't work at all. I've decided that I don't like Kate Hudson in anything except for Almost Famous. Overall I came out of it feeling very blah and wanting some action or zombie fun to cleanse my palate. Definitely not a movie that I need to see again.

Something (DNFed series)

#1 Something Borrowed
#2 Something Blue
#3 Baby Proof
#4 Love the One You're With
#5 Heart of the Matter
#6 Where We Belong
#7 The One and Only

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Author: J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Pages: 734

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: HP

How I Got It: Own it!

This one is a reread for me. It's been awhile since I read the series. I remember reading the first couple of books out loud to the boys when they were infants. SO that's what eight years ago? I read the last few books as they came out, but overall it's been awhile.

Instead of doing a traditional review, I thought I would just give you some of my reread thoughts. Things I noticed, things I loved, quotes I like, etc. And then I will have a mini review of movie vs. book.

Book fun:

Favorite scene:

Ron and Hermione's row at the Yuletide Ball. I love that we get to see their love blossoming this early in the series. They're so cute.
Harry-Hermione-Krum love triangle nonsense. The hate mail in the lunch room was beautiful. Hee hee.
Amazing Dumbledore speech at the end of the movie. So moving!

Favorite character(s):

Definitely Fred and George. I just adore those two. They pop up from time to time and always say the right thing. I love their' backstage antics and wild dreams. I really wish we could have gotten more from them. As a side note, I also really enjoyed Bill and Charlie in this novel.
And as little as she's actually in it, Rita Skeeter makes an excellent villainous figure. I love that Hermione traps her as a beetle at the end. Hee hee!

Favorite expressions: Loads of Ron's "blimeys"

Other odds and ends:

Forgot how much time we spend with the Dursleys at the end of the summer. They are so icky.
And how much we get to see of the Quidditch World Cup. I really love those scenes.
The explanation of the Dark Mark's appearance at the World Cup makes much more sense than in the movie.
I felt like we already knew Hagrid was half-giant, but guess I was wrong...

Favorite quotes:

"Why do they have to move in packs?" -- Harry in reference to having to ask a girl to the Yuletide Ball. Love the uncomfortable match making. (pg. 388)
"Aren't you two ever going to read Hogwarts, A History?" (Hermione) "What's the point?" said Ron, "You know it by heart, we can just ask you." -- Hee hee. I love Ron's little comebacks.

Movie fun

My favorite scenes:

All three tasks, especially the lake task. I love the visuals on all three tasks. They really put me on the edge of my seat every time I watch.
Final showdown with Lord Voldemort. It was amazing to see Voldemort in the flesh.
All the scenes with David Tennant as Barty Crouch Jr. I just love David Tennant.

Things I wished to see, but didn't:

Nifflers, blast-ended skrewts, unicorns, and all the crazy magical creatures Hagrid takes a fancy to. They're so real in the book, I really wanted to see them in the movie.
Sirius. He has a couple of great scenes in the book that just don't make it into the movie. Boo!
The stunning of Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle on the return tain. Man, I really wish I could have seen that.

Other odds and ends:

They really cleaned up Krum and Karkaroff for the movie. I liked them much more in movie than the book. Hmm. Interesting...
While slightly interesting, I am glad they didn't include the House Elf Liberation Front in the movie. It gets a bit tedious towards the end of the book.
Miranda Richardson is delightfully evil as Rita Skeeter
Trivia from IMDB: In the first draft of the script, a subplot featuring the Weasley twins and Ludo Bagman, the head of the Ministry's sports department, was featured prominently. In fact, it was reported that Martin Landham was cast as Bagman. In the subsequent drafts, the subplot was dropped, and the character of Ludo Bagman makes no credited appearance in the movie. -- wish they had kept it

Harry Potter:

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Title: The Picture of Dorian Gray

Author: Oscar Wilde

Genre: Classic Horror

Pages: 248

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Classics - Horror; Movies; Mount TBR

Oscar Wilde brings his enormous gifts for astute social observation and sparkling prose to The Picture of Dorian Gray, his dreamlike story of a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty. This dandy, who remains forever unchanged—petulant, hedonistic, vain, and amoral—while a painting of him ages and grows increasingly hideous with the years, has been horrifying, enchanting, obsessing, even corrupting readers for more than a hundred years.

Dorian Gray... so full of promise, so wasted in the end. I have forgotten how truly terrifying this novel is. To watch a man degrade himself to be nothing more than a hideous reflection of his former self is true horror. Wilde shows the psychological horror well. In the novel, we are served a cautionary tale. And yet I wonder if Wilde saw himself as Gray or Lord Henry. Was he the tempter or the tempted? These questions intrigue me more after reading about Wilde's own life and subsequent court cases. I am leaning toward the idea that Wilde is Gray who finally had to face his own portrait in the end.

On the writing of the book, I have one big issue... Chapter 11 just kills me. The first half of the book follows Gray's introduction to Lord Henry and the pleasures of the world. We view his tragic relationship with Sibyl Vane. We note his continual detachment from morality. The second half of the book chronicles his downfall. Yet in the middle we are "treated" to one ridiculously long list of the things he collected in the in between years. If I had to read one more paragraph about embroidery, I was going to throw the book down in disgust. The transition just isn't there. And it blemishes an otherwise amazing horror novel.

Movie Version -- 2009 Starring Ben Barnes and Colin Firth

I watched this movie a few months back and my initial reaction was: that was really bad. I wanted to try and rewatch it to pinpoint exactly why I felt it was horrid. So I attempted a rewatch.

I think my main problem with this movie is that it tries to sensationalize the story. It turns a psychological thriller in the view of Poe into a supernatural thriller complete with romance. I just don't agree. The story itself is a much more interesting psychological descent into corruption and madness. I could have done without all the sex scenes. I'm no prude, but those just seemed so out of place. And the romance with Harry's daughter just felt forced. Overall, I just couldn't connect with the movie at all.

Side Note: I love Alan Moore's version of Dorian Gray in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. I feel that if Dorian hadn't of faced his portrait when he did but continue to live, he would have become the Dorian of Moore's universe. And the movie version: just bad. Anyone who has read LXG would agree that the movie could have been great, but it should have been rated R. Only way for it be good.

Side Side Note: I did love Stuart Townsend as Dorian Gray in the movie. Delicious!

Beastly by Alex Flinn

Title: Beastly

Author: Alex Flin

Publisher: HarperTeen 2007

Genre: YA Fairy Tales

Pages: 304

Rating: 4 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Telling Tales; Book2Movie; Read Your Name - F

How I Got It: Library Loan

I am a beast. A beast! Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright. I am a monster.You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll,stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell.
Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.

If I was 15, I would have loved this book. As I am 30, I liked it. Overall a cute read, but nothing I will gush over. I liked Lindy, Will, Magda, and Kendra. All were great characters. Kyle/Adrian was so-so. I get that he was supposed to be the villain in the beginning and find redemption in the end, but I never found him charming, at any point in the book. This maybe my 30-year-old self not being attracted to 15-year-old boys. But I also think part of it lies with his personality. The change seemed rather abrupt and disgenuine. I just didn't believe him. Oh and the chat room transcripts... seemed really hooky and silly.

Movie

I have to confess that I saw the movie before reading the book. After watching the movie, I would have rated it 3 stars. But after reading the book, I now give the movie 4 stars. Raising the age of the main characters made the true love romance feel real. I just can't believe in 15-year-olds finding their one love. While I am not a fan of Vanessa Hudgens in general, she did a decent job as Lindy. I loved Alex Pettyfer as our Beast. He had the right amount of vanity in the beginning, but we also really get to see his gradual change. I could have done without Olsen twin (which one?) as Kendra. She's supposed to be ugly at the beginning. She was just too glamorous to be believed. Neil Patrick Harris' Will was great. And the change in makeup really did it. He was still a Beast, just an interesting looking Beast.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Author: J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Pages: 435

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: HP

How I Got It: Own it!

This one is a reread for me. It's been awhile since I read the series. I remember reading the first couple of books out loud to the boys when they were infants. SO that's what eight years ago? I read the last few books as they came out, but overall it's been awhile.

Instead of doing a traditional review, I thought I would just give you some of my reread thoughts. Things I noticed, things I loved, quotes I like, etc. And then I will have a mini review of movie vs. book.

Book fun:

Favorite scene: For this book there were a few great scenes. 1) The Knight Bus. Although I loved what they did in the movie, I did enjoy this little episode in the book. 2) Harry's argument with Snape about James. We see the tension build between these two characters. And even though Harry doesn't know the whole story, I love how he stands up for his father. 3) Hermione standing up to Malfoy. Gold!
Favorite character: I could decided between Professor Trelawney, Crookshanks, or Lupin. All had great qualities.
Favorite expressions: "Mischeif managed" -- words to wipe the Marauder's Map. "Flibbertigibbet" -- password for the dormitory. "Collywobbles" -- what thinking about the dementors gives to Ernie, driver of The Knight Bus
I forgot that we get to meet Cedric Diggory and Cho Chang in this book. Obviously they become more important next book.
Professor Lupin teaches the students about grindylows and kapps which reside in the lake. They also play a part in the next book. He also teaches them about Red Caps. Those guys show up in all kinds of fantasy books. Love it!

Favorite quotes:

only one from this book

"You think the dead we lvoed ever truly leave us? You think that we don't recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble? Your father is alive in you, Harry, and shows himself most plainly when you have need of him." -- Dumbledore Pg. 427

Movie fun:

My favorite scenes:

Loved The Knight Bus scene. It plays so beautifully and gives some comedic releif to the much darker turn later on.
Time-turner scene. I loved to see the replay of events from a slightly different perspective

Things I wished to see, but didn't:

More Crookshanks. Love that cat.
The fight with Malfoy by the Shrieking Shack. In the book, it was a mud fight. They changed it to a snowball fight. I would have like to see it as a mid fight.
More Professor Trelawney. Emma Thompson is just too wonderful. I wanted more and more of her.

Harry Potter:

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Author: J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic 1999

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Pages: 352

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: HP; My Years

How I Got It: Own it!

This one is a reread for me. It's been awhile since I read the series. I remember reading the first couple of books out loud to the boys when they were infants. SO that's what eight years ago? I read the last few books as they came out, but overall it's been awhile.

Instead of doing a traditional review, I thought I would just give you some of my reread thoughts. Things I noticed, things I loved, quotes I like, etc. And then I will have a mini review of movie vs. book.

Book fun:

Favorite scene: From this book I have a few favorite scenes. First, the introduction of Gilderoy Lockheart in Flourish and Blotts is too cringe-worthy. I want to get away from him just like Harry. But the way Rowling writes it, I see everything play out in my mind. Second, I love Harry and Ron's arrival to Hogwarts (car and whomping willow), but especially the scolding they get from Snape. He's so scary. I love it. Finally, I love the Deathday Party for Nearly Headless Nick. I can almost smell the rotten food.
Favorite character: I'm going to have to god with Tom Riddle for this book. Even though we don't meet him until Chapter 13, it's just an amazing reveal. We're as much in the dark as Harry until the final showdown in the Chamber. He is such a memorable character!
Favorite expressions: "Definitely dodgy" (Ron) {I really think we Americans need to start using the word dodgy, Love it!], "load of dung" (Fred), "great sizzling dragon bogies" (Filch)
I forgot how slow this book seems to be. The basilisk doesn't petrify it's first victim until page 146. And then everything just seems to happen at once.
Rowling spends a lot of time in the beginning of the book discussing the wizarding world and points from the first book. I guess given the that this is book two and it was targeted at elementary students, it would make sense. But for me, I skimmed through parts of a few chapters to get to the new information. If I'm remembering correctly, this decreases as the books go on.
Tom Riddle was a prefect and won a trophy for "closing" the Chamber. I completely forgot how accomplished he was while at Hogwarts. It puts a whole new spin on the sociopath angle.

Favorite quotes:

"Because that's what Hermione does," said Ron shrugging. "When in doubt, go to the library" (255)
"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." (Dumbledore) (333)

Movie fun:

Overall I really like this movie adaptation. It follows the book fairly completely. The story retains the suspense and disbelief without all of the repetition of the backstory. The Hogwart's world is beautiful and moody. And of course, Alan Rickman's Snape is one of my favorite characters to see on the big screen. It's great to see the kids starting to grow up and come into their own.

My favorite scenes: The dueling club. I absolutely love the grandeur. Plus, Lockheart versus Snape is just the height of movie drama. And don't you just love Lockheart's dueling outfit. Hee hee

Things I wished to see, but didn't: The Deathday Party. I love the house ghosts and wish they could have worked in more scenes with them, especially Nearly Headless Nick. I know it would have added too many minutes to the movie, but still it would have been nice.

Harry Potter:

A Midsummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare

Title: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Author: William Shakespeare

Genre: Classic Plays

Pages: 128

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Shakespeare; Book2Movie

Play

I think this is my favorite of Shakespeare's play. I've always loved the comedy of errors... especially Puck. He's always my favorite character. So many of Shakespeare's line and words have become commonplace in English. We hardly recognize that it's Shakespeare. Reading the play again reminded me of all those wonderful words. And even though I felt a little weird, I had to read the play out loud to get the true feeling. Love it! Side note: I saw this performed in Stratford, Canada back on high school trip. It was beautifully simple, focusing on the words and characters.

Movie Adaptation 2003

I love this adaptation. Overall my favorite character is Bottom. Kevin Kline is just perfect, especially his introduction of hiding from his wife. Helena is especially annoying, but such is her character. The others all play great supporting roles. My only problem is the creepy longing looks of Oberon. A bit much maybe, but overall lots of fun.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

I'm reposting this review as it still holds true. I reread the first Harry Potter and loved it just as much as the first time.

Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Author: J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic 1997

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Pages: 309

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: HP; Read My Name - R

How I Got It: Own it!

This one is a reread for me. It's been awhile since I read the series. I remember reading the first couple of books out loud to the boys when they were infants. SO that's what eight years ago? I read the last few books as they came out, but overall it's been awhile.

Instead of doing a traditional review, I thought I would just give you some of my reread thoughts. Things I noticed, things I loved, quotes I like, etc. And then I will have a mini review of movie vs. book.

Book fun:

Favorite scene: Diagon Alley, you can just see the wondrous shops and Harry enchantment. I love that moment!
Favorite character: Hagrid. He's just such a character in this book. And I loved seeing him on the movie screen.
Favorite expressions: "Gulpin' gargoyles" (Hagrid), "Load of old tosh" (Uncle Vernon), "Codswallop" (Hagrid), "All right, keep your hair on" (Fred), "Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak" (Dumbledore)
Didn't notice (or didn't pay attention) to the fact that Hagrid borrowed the motorcycle at the beginning from Sirius Black! I probably thought it was just another name when I read the first time.
I feet sorry for Petunia Dursley. As nasty as she is, I can't help that think that everything she's done has been because she's jealous of Lily. Maybe if she had more love, or acceptance, or a talent than she wouldn't have turned out so urgh!
How much foreshadowing is there when we meet Professor Quirrell? Good graciousness! And that story that he met a vampire... yeah he met a vampire, named Voldemort!
The password for the Gryffindor tower was "pig snout." Awesome!!!
I almost feel sorry for Professor Quirrell at the end. Almost, but not quite...

Favorite quotes:

"Couldn't make us a cup o' tea, could yeh? It's not been an easy journey..." -- Hagrid's entrance (pg. 47)
"I think we must expect great things from you, Mr. Potter.... After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things--terrible, yes, but great." -- Mr. Ollivander (pg. 85)
"Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowling" -- back of chocolate frog card (pg. 103)
"Troll--in the dungeons--thought you out to know." -- Professor Quirrell (pg. 172)
"You haven't got a letter on yours," George observed. "I suppose she thinks you don't forget your name. But we're not stupid--we know we're called Gred and Forge." (pg. 202)
"The truth." Dumbledore sighed. "It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution." (pg. 298)

Movie fun:

Overall, I just adore this movie. It's the closest movie to book transition. It brings the world to life. Much lighter than the later movies, but the first book is much lighter anyway. The set pieces are just amazing. I couldn't have pictured Hogwarts better in my mind. And the icing on the cake: the final lines of the movie about Harry not going home, not really. So much better than the ending of the book. Kudos to the film makers.

My favorite scenes:

Diagon Alley -- All the shops! All the things! The introduction of all the wizards in the background. Such detail!
Sorting ceremony -- All those kids! All those nervous, excited kids! And the way that the sorting hat talks to Harry is priceless!
Christmas at Hogwarts -- It's just too pretty.

Things I wished to see, but didn't:

More scenes with the ghosts. They severely underused the genius that is John Cleese in the movie! The ghosts are great; the little intrigues and mysteries are so much fun. And Peeves should have at least made an extended appearance.
Charlie and the escape of Norbert the dragon.
Snape's logic puzzle after the chess match -- really showed Hermione's intellect

Harry Potter:

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Title: Inkheart (Inkheart Trilogy #1)

Author: Cornelia Funke

Publisher: Scholastic 2003

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 535

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 2011 - Bablefish

How I Got It: I own it!

Meggie's father Mo has an interesting talent: when he reads aloud, things, and sometimes people, come out of their stories and into the real world! But now the evil Capricorn wants to use Mo's talents to bring himself great wealth and power. Then Meggie discovers that maybe Mo isn't the only one who can read things to life. This is an enchanting story full of adventure, suspense, and magic. The characters are vivid and delightful. Unlike many books for younger readers there is a distinct emphasis on the importance of family as seen in the close relationship between Meggie and her father. Unfortunately the author does include several instances of mild profanity which seems totally unnecessary in a children's book and is perhaps the biggest detractor from the story. Lightly magical, humorous, and fun, Inkheart will appeal to those who like adventure and fantasy, and to anyone who ever wished a story could come to life.

I wanted to like this book so much... I really did. But somehow I never became completely immersed in the book. I liked the main characters. I loved the villan, Capricorn. I felt for the characters. I wanted Meggie and Mo to succeed and even for Dustfinger to find his happy ending. But I wasn't willing ot put these characters' stories above other activities. I've decided that that is a mark of a favorite story. If I basically stop eating, sleeping, and everything else, I loved the book. That just didn't happen here. I liked it, but that was all. The story is well written. I especially loved the quotes from other stories at the beginning of the chapters. They always seemed very appropriate and often foreshadowed the chapter to come. Again, I liked the book, I just didn't adore it.

By the way, the movie was crap. Just saying...

Inkheart (DNFed series)

#1 Inkheart
#2 Inspell
#3 Inkdeath

Page to Screen Challenge Finished!

With finishing The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, I completed the Page to Screen challenge. I only signed up for 10 this year and I think that was appropriate. I definitely want to do this next year, but am thinking about increasing the number. As you can see, there's a few books/movies on my list that I didn't get to yet. I'm sure there'll be more to add as the months progress.

This year's list:

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (10/24/11)
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (7/18/11)
The Children of Men by P.D. James
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by Alan Moore (1/28/11)
The Prestige by Christopher Priest (6/14/11)
V for Vendetta by Alan Moore and David Lloyd (4/23/11)
Watchmen by Alan Moore (4/30/11)
Water for Elephants by Anne Gruen
HP and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling (8/11/11)
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (8/21/11)
The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler (9/20/11)
Contact by Carl Sagan
Heat Wave by Richard Castle (10/13/11)

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Title: TheHitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Author: Douglas Adams

Publisher: Del Ray 2002

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 143

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Science Fiction; Page to Screen; A to Z Author: A

How I Got It: I own It!

It's safe to say that The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is one of the funniest science fiction novels ever written. Adams spoofs many core science fiction tropes: space travel, aliens, interstellar war--stripping away all sense of wonder and repainting them as commonplace, even silly. This omnibus edition begins with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, in which Arthur Dent is introduced to the galaxy at large when he is rescued by an alien friend seconds before Earth's destruction.

Book

A wonderful reread. I just love the wackiness of Adams' universe. From the ship Heart of Gold to Marvin the Robot, this book gets me every time. I read this today during the down times are work. And I'm sure some of my coworkers think I'm that crazy giggling girl. I can't help but laugh out loud at the passages. I decided to just reread the first book in the series. I just wanted to remember how this crazy train started. My favorite parts are still the excerpts from the Guide. But this time I really stuck on the introduction of Zaphod from the Guide. All of Adams' characters are fun and slightly quirky, but Zaphod takes the cake.

Beeblebrox, the man who invented the Pan Galatic Gargle Blaster, ex-confidence trickster, once described by Eccentrica Gallumbits as the Best Bang since the Big One, and recently voted the Worst Dressed Sentient Being in the Known Universe for the seventh time... -- Pg. 67

The best introduction note in all of literature.

Movie

Now what to say about the movie... I really have mixed feelings abotu this one. I love some of the actors and scenes. And then I'm just dissapointed with some of the other aspects.

The Good -- I just adore Martin Freeman, Sam Rockwell, and Zooey Deschanel. They are perfect (but I'm going with Sam's Zaphod as my favorite). They embody the characters well. And I can't forget about Bill Nighy as Slartibartfast. He plays the best "is he daffy or increibly wise" character. Love him! I did like the interludes of the Guide entries. The one about the Vogons is especially fun.

The Not-So-Good -- I feel like the movie mostly missed the tone of the book. They made it this romance between Arthur and Trillian. They wrapped the story up at the end. The book doesn't have those things. I felt like the movie tried to be too much of a "normal" story; something the book just isn't.

The book is amazing; a must read. The movie: not so much.

A to Z Movies: Zoolander

Title: Zoolander

Year Released/Rating: 2001 R

Starring: Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell, Owen Wilson

Directed By: Ben Stiller

Written By: Drake Sather, Ben Stiller, John Hamburg

Star Rating: 5 /5 stars

Trivia: Ben Stiller wrote David Bowie's scene as judge of the walk-off into the script without knowing for sure whether he would agree to it.

This movie is so silly and idiotic it is most amazing! I love the little one liners here and there. The looks of the actors get me every time. The best part is all the cameos here and there. Jon Voight--genius and gruff. Vince Vaughn--love the looks. Billy Zane--so ridiculous he's amazing. David Bowie--makes any movie better. I am especially fond of Katinka. But my absolute favorite is David Duchovny. He is the best little side character ever. This role is one of the best things he ever did.

Best Bits:

Mugatu: They're break-dance fighting.

~~

Billy Zane: It's a walk-off!

~~

Derek Zoolander: But why male models?

J.P. Prewitt: Are you serious? I just told you that a moment ago.

~~

Derek Zoolander: I'm not an ambi-turner.

~~

Derek Zoolander: Or are you here to tell me what a bad eugoogoolizer I am?

Matilda: A what?

Derek Zoolander: A eugoogoolizer... one who speaks at funerals.

[Matilda looks at Derek confused]

Derek Zoolander: Or did you think I was too stupid to know what a eugoogooly was?

~~

[a judge is needed for the "walk-off"]

David Bowie: If nobody has any objections, I believe I might be of service.

~~

[after he pokes a girl with a pin]

Mugatu: Oh, I'm sorry, did my pin get in the way of your ass? Do me a favor and lose five pounds immediately or get out of my building like now!

~~

Mugatu: It's that damn Hansel! He's so hot right now!

~~

Mugatu: Obey my dog!

~~

Derek Zoolander: How can we be expected to teach children to learn how to read if they can't even fit inside the building?

A to Z Movies: xXx

Title: xXx

Year Released/Rating: 2002 PG-13

Starring: Vin Diesel, Samuel L. Jackson, Asia Argento

Directed By: Rob Cohen

Written By: Rich Wilkes

Star Rating: 4/5 stars

Trivia: Stunt player Harry O'Connor was killed when he hit a pillar of the Palacky Bridge in Prague, para-sailing during one of the actions scenes. The accident occurred while filming the second take of the stunt; O'Connor's first attempt was completed without incident and can be seen in the completed film.

Cheesy action fun. If we actually start to pick apart the movie, there are so many odd little mistakes and issues, but overall this film makes me smile. I love the crazy action fun. And Vin Diesel is too fun as an action hero. So enjoy.

Best Bits:

Milan Sova: First you set me up in the bar. Then you shoot me in the back.

Xander Cage: My boss does it to me. I did it to you. It's a vicious circle.

~~

[after a police SWAT team crashes in on his party]

Xander Cage: Okay, I'll turn down the music.

~~

Toby Lee Shavers: [showing Xander the darts to the revolver] Datura knockout darts. POW! Guy goes down for 12 hours, wakes up, doesn't know who the hell he is, and his head's splitting like a cord of firewood.

[starts laughing]

Xander Cage: I was shot twice with those.

~~

Xander Cage: See that guy there? In the suit made out of motel drapes? That's a cop.

~~

[last lines]

Gibbons: Oh by the way, you passed the test. The Gibbons Test.

Xander Cage: You gotta be kidding me.

A to Z Movies: Waiting

Title: Waiting

Year Released/Rating: 2005 R

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Justin Long, Anna Faris,

Directed By: Rob McKittrick

Written By: Rob McKittrick

Star Rating: 5 /5 stars

Trivia: The "foreign" guests at the bar speak German with Austrian accent and the guy says, "Did you see the blonde girl? That's unbelievable, her breasts are incredible!"

We've continued our Justin Long and Ryan Reynolds movie-a-thon. Somehow we are totally fixated on the dry wit and sarcasm. I absolutely love it. Too beautiful! And all the side characters are absolutely amazing. My favorite: Chi McBride as Bishop. The resident philosophic dishwasher is genius. I can't get enough of this movie. (Just don't watch the sequel... not very funny.) We're thinking of wrapping up the letters with Zoolander. Another crazy quirky comedy to add to the collection.

Best Bits:

Floyd: [to Mitch] Welcome to Thunderdome, Bitch.

~~

Monty: That's Naomi. And she's been working here WAY too long. But she's actually a pretty sweet girl... when she's drunk.

~~

Floyd: We almost had to move it up to the 10 second rule!

~~

Bishop: You need to invent your own penis-showin' game.

~~

Mitch: All Right. Fuck this, I Quit

Mitch: [looks around the room, sees Floyd] You. You are the biggest piece of shit at this entire restaurant. I hope you burn in hell.

Floyd: Me? What the fuck did I ever do to you? I mean seriously.

~~

Calvin: You really are an asshole

Monty: Shenaniganz

~~

Dean: Hey Floyd, no bacon on that salad.

Floyd: [Looks at Dean and speaks with a southern twang] Yes massa, ain't gon' be no bacon on the salad

[Cook starts whipping Floyd with a towel while Floyd starts singing devotional-style]

Floyd: Oh lord, no bacon... No bacon the salad...

A to Z Movies: Van Wilder

Title: Van Wilder

Year Released/Rating: 2002 R

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Kal Penn, Tara Reid

Directed By: Walt Becker

Written By: Brent Goldberg, David Wagner

Star Rating: 4/5 stars

Trivia: Michael Olowokandi, Darius Miles, Quentin Richardson, and Lamar Odom, who were all players on Coolidge's basketball team, were real life teammates at the time in the NBA on the Los Angeles Clippers.

How can someone not love Ryan Reynolds? He is just awesomity awesome awesome. I love im best when he's slightly snarky and sarcastic. It's his best trait. So back to the movie. It's the usual crazy slightly ridiculous National Lampoon movie, but Ryan Reynolds makes it. I can deal with the ridiculousness if I can watch him be him.

Best Bits:

Van Wilder: Are you stalking me? Because that would be super. .

~~

Van Wilder: Richard, you rascal, you never told me you were a DIK!

[under his breath]

Van Wilder: Not that you had to.

~~

Van Wilder: Wow, If he's here, who's running hell?

~~

Van Wilder: Well just take a look at this... ya... doodles... I attended class today just about stayed the whole time too!

Gwen: I'm glad you went to all your classes today.

Van Wilder: And a few that weren't mine, I stepped in the wrong room, liked what I heard... stayed.

~~

Van Wilder: We'll be accepting donations in the form of cash, visa, and full frontal nudity.

~~

Van Wilder: Those circus midgets can NOT hold their booze!

~~

Van Wilder: I'm all out of love. I'm so lost without you. I know you were right. Believing for so long.

Sally: Dope song. What's it called?

Van Wilder: Gwen Used Me For Her Story, Then Married an Ass Wipe... and Ran Over My Heart With a Big Metaphorical Truck. Originally performed by Air Supply.

A to Z Movies: Underworld

Title: Underworld

Year Released/Rating: 2003 R

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen

Directed By: Len Wiseman

Written By: Len Wiseman, Kevin Grevioux, Danny McBride

Star Rating: 4 /5 stars

Trivia: The name of the city where the film took place is never mentioned. However Michael's address that we can see on Selene's computer is an apparently misspelled Hungarian address (it should be "Lakatos József u. 39." while it is spelled as "Laktos Joszef 39 ut." instead). You can also read "Eötvös utca", a street in the historical downtown of Budapest, many times while driving by to the secret interrogation place and there is an ad in the subway station where the shooting takes place in the beginning of the movie referring to Szentendre which is a small town near Budapest (obviously left there as non-Hungarian viewers don't understand the text anyway).

Some cheesy action fun for the the night. I love cheesy action films. There's always a place for cheese. Kate Beckinsale holds her serious death dealer vampire role well. But really it's Bill Nighy that steals the show. I just love him in anything. Too funny! In a cheesy fun kind of way.

Best Bits:

[Adam is trying to verify Michael's story of what happened to him]

Dr. Adam Lockwood: A full-grown man bit you?

[Michael shows him the wound]

Dr. Adam Lockwood: Sure it wasn't a dog?

Michael Corvin: [angrily] I said it was a man.

~~

Viktor: Your incompetence is becoming most... *taxing*.

~~

Kahn: [Selene shoots, rather aggressively, at a statue head, when Kahn walks in] I sure hope you never get p.o.'d at me.

~~

Lucian: The vampires didn't realise you were following a human, did they, Raze?

Raze: No.

[He groans as Singe yanks another shuriken out of his chest]

Raze: I mean... I don't think so.

Lucian: You don't think or you don't know?

Raze: I'm not sure.

~~

Viktor: What's... this... *ruckus*?

~~

Selene: We have a serious problem.

A to Z Movies: Tropic Thunder

Title: Tropic Thunder

Year Released/Rating: 2008 R

Starring: Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black and so many many others

Directed By: Ben Stiller

Written By: Justin Theroux, Ben Stiller, and Etan Cohen

Star Rating: 5/5 stars

Trivia: Like his character, Kirk Lazarus, Robert Downey Jr. is a method actor and stayed in character as Sgt. Osiris/Lazarus even while cameras weren't rolling. Robert Downey Jr. was very reluctant to take the role because he felt wearing the make-up to look African-American was offensive. But Downey later accepted the role because he liked the script and wanted to work with Ben Stiller and Jack Black.

Extra Trivia: The water buffalo that Jack Black's character rides was discovered to have been pregnant when the cast and crew came back to the set one morning and found her nursing a newborn calf.

This movie has so many awesome people in it. How could it not be amazing? I just love this movie so much. It has all the awkward moments, outrageous comedy, and Steve Coogan! The plot is utterly ridiculous. Yet somehow it works so well. So far, Ben Stiller started writing this movie over 10 years ago. I just love the interaction between all the characters.

Best Bits:

Kirk Lazarus: I don't read the script. The script reads me.

~~

[Tugg has just killed a panda]

Tugg Speedman: I killed one, Rick... the thing I love most in the world. Rick Peck: A hooker. Oh Jesus, you killed a hooker!

~~

Kirk Lazarus: Same thing happened to me when I played Neil Armstrong in Moonshot. They found me in an alley in Burbank trying to re-enter the earth's atmosphere in an old refrigerator box.

~~

Alpa Chino: That's the theme song for the Jeffersons!

Kirk Lazarus: Man, just cause it's a theme song don't make it not true.

~~

Tugg Speedman: The dudes are emerging...

Kirk Lazarus: [in black voice] He's right, you know? I'm NOT Sergeant Lincoln Osiris...

[rips off fake hair to reveal blonde hair]

Kirk Lazarus: [in Irish accent while taking fake sideburns off] ... nor am I Father O'Mallie...

Kirk Lazarus: [in low growl voice, while removing fake beard] ... or Neil Armstrong...

[Removes contact lenses to reveal blue eyes underneath]

Kirk Lazarus: [in natural Australian accent] I... I think I might be nobody.

Kevin Sandusky: Wow! The insecurity level with you guys is ridiculous! ~~

Kevin Sandusky: Don't drink that water! That water's like a petri dish! Alpa, do you have any Booty Sweat?