Book vs. Movie - Balance on the Screen

With The Hunger Games movie coming out in less than a week, I got to pondering film adaptations of books.  There is truly a delicate balance filmmakers have to strike when bringing a book to the screen.  Everyone who has read the book will have certain expectations of the film; from how scenes play out, how the setting fits, how characters on the screen become characters from the page.  That is an undertaking everyone involved with a film probably hopes to get right, while still bringing their own vision to the tale.  However, a film must also bring an entirely new element for fans, yes, even the rabid fans hopefully can appreciate some nuance to the story they hadn't taken in before.  People who haven't read the book will be presented this "new" story, "new" characters, etc., but will not share that special and familiar relationship those who have read the book will most likely have with the story or characters, that relationship remains for the readers to hold on to.


Some films have maintained that delicate balance well.  I admit I saw the BBC miniseries Pride & Prejudice before I read the book.  It was seeing what was brought to the screen that made me want to read the book.  Key elements of the story and characters shined, making it a truly lovely film that somehow sill paid reverence to the story while maintaining it's own period piece identity as well.  It was the film/book that gave me my appreciation for Jane Austen.  There was a later film adaptation that was a bit loser with adapting the story, but for me it remains the BBC version that has completely affected me.  A more modern film and recent book, The Help,  was able to keep true to the story of 60s  racial issues in the South.  Some things were left out, but moviegoers were still brought into this affecting story, and readers could appreciate the tale filmmakers told.  Again, the film managed its own identity extremely well, while acknowledging the source material. Jurassic Park was oddly another movie I found that made the most of source material.  It departed from the book, but a truly amazing film was brought to the screen from the book that was a tale of science fiction at its best.  The book and movie were each quite the ride in their own way.


Horrible adaptations have also graced the screen, sad to say.  The Great Gatsby was one of those unmemorable adaptations for me, it just didn't make much of the story for me.  It was beautiful to look at, but the emotion and depth was lacking.  The Scarlet Letter was just utterly horrible and ridiculous, I went to see that after reading it in my high school English class, and it was truly a waste of time.  In those films, readers never got what they deserved, and the audience new to the story didn't really get the chance to see what the story could be.


I am eagerly awaiting The Hunger Games, and hope it will not disappoint.  Hopefully filmmakers and the actors have brought this story to life well.  I am glad filmmakers bring books I love to the screen, and love seeing how their own vision is brought to the story, but I will always keep my own special vision of my favorite books.

Where were you on 09/11/01 . . .

I was heading to the University of Tampa for class and work. Heard about the first plane on sports talk radio that my Dad had on.  No one was fully aware it was an attack at that level yet. Class of course was cancelled, and my mind was reeling as I learned a second plane had hit. In the Honors Program Lounge a group of us watched the TV coverage, I felt like I was watching disaster movie and not real life. Later in the Dean's Office where I worked I just sat there numb and in horrified disbelief, and again witnessed more TV coverage when they brought in a small TV.  I just sat there shuffling papers, really not knowing what to do with myself and unable to focus on much. When I got home my Dad and I continued watching the coverage, it was just something I couldn't shake myself from at that point. My Mom got home later that night and we watched President Bush address the nation.  I went to bed feeling the shock, disbelief, fear, anger, etc.  I am sure the whole nation felt that day.  Essentially, I remember feeling numb and disconnected somewhat that whole day, as if I wasn't watching or a part of this real horrific event, it was too shocking and too unbelievable to think it was actually happening.  And now as I reflect ten years later on 9/11/11, I still recall that numbness, shock, anger, etc. like it was yesterday.  Never forget and God Bless America!!

The Great Hair Debate

As a girl with naturally curly hair I have noticed a certain change in how I am perceived when I straighten my hair.  Typically I let my hair air dry and the curls come as they please, however I do straighten it on occasion, and I get an interesting perspective when I do so.  It appears that with straight hair is somehow a more acceptable look, not that anyone says that, but I feel that way when people seem to comment more on the straight hair.  It might just be my perception, as I have felt marginalized for years seeing straight hair get the glamorous attention and always felt curly hair is the "also ran."   It has always seemed that straight hair is the sophisticated, sexy, superior style; curly hair is the playful, girlie, maybe cute style but not at all attention grabbing.  People even tend to think curly hair is the indestructible helmet of thick and unruly ringlets.  I can offer that that is not true, curly hair needs care and is quite delicate, thank you.   I will continue to play both sides of this debate, but make no mistake I am a curly top, and will always be.  Straight hair is fun, for a time, but I enjoy the ease and comfort of my ringlets, they seem to suit me.  To the other naturally curly tops, I say flaunt it and let the straight heads envy your curves and body, because you know secretly they do ;0)

YA Love

For the last 3 years I have found myself reading vast amounts of Young Adult Novels, in spite of my no longer "young adult" age. It started with Twilight one Thanksgiving Weekend. I freely admit I succumbed to the temptation of sparkly vampires and shape-shifting werewolves. It was a family member, older family member, who suggested I read the series. I was hooked very early on, and never looked back.


Since then I have found other series and books to whet my growing appetite for the genre. For some reason I find myself drawn to stories about coming of age, which is a process that seemingly never ends. Finding oneself in this life is a continually surprising journey, and stories about love, family, life, etc. are always compelling.  In spite of the age of the protagonists, I find it well worth reading.  I still read and enjoy more adult novels, but I can't get enough "teenage angst."  In fact, a co-worker continually suggests books, so I find I am never at a loss for new books. 


I love Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instrument and The Infernal Devices series, as well as Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games series, for all these reasons.   I love the feisty heroins, dashing heroes, discovering of oneself, dealing with life and family, and the plain old fun of following an exciting story.  I suspect as long as I have these novels I may just never really have to grow up.

Nook - A Year Later

Well over a year into my e-reader conversion, I am pleased to say I have no regrets. What drew me to an e-reader all that time ago has yet to disappoint me. The relative ease of finding books to read, purchasing books, carrying a library with me, etc. still satisfies me. Thinking I would end up missing the feel of paper books, I can say after over a year, I really haven't looked back. I am finding I read so much more, and books I never thought I would, because it is right at my fingertips. I still love the satisfaction of finishing a book, and now I can easily begin reading my next book, so I am never at a loss for something new to read because I am usually anxious to begin my next book. Maybe someday I might read a paper book again, they still are lovely, but with a ferocious appetite for books I am finding it easier to feed the monster electronically, so I will continue my love affair with my e-reader :0)

Fiction is Stranger Than Truth

I have recently discussed with a good friend our seemingly opposed reading habits.  Our discussion had me thinking about why I choose to read what I do.  My friend lands clearly on the side of non-fiction, memoirs, or the like; I unabashedly remain a novel reader, going for fiction almost every time.  That realization has made me decide some analysis of such choices would be interesting.  Clearly one would think I must live in a fantasy world, oh contraire, as a stubborn Taurus I am way too grounded set in my ways to live in any fantasy about how things could be.  I suppose it could be for that very fact, that I am so glued to the ground and that "reality" that I enjoy the fiction world for the enjoyment and escape it offers my Earthbound spirit, for I am no dreamer.  Reading on my lunch break offers an amusing escape from the normal routine, the demands of what must get accomplished.  That time I have to get lost in the book I am reading is for my "mental health" as much as a way to pass the time during lunch.  I admit to enjoying the time I get engrossed in what the characters are going through, and fiction it is, but it sure is fun plain and simple.  I know the real world awaits me, it is always there, always looming, so hey, a break for my thoughts to roam along with the feisty heroine, daydream about the amazing hero, or read on to see the villain I sometimes love to hate meet their end, bring it on.  I know a great deal can be learned from the experiences real people write about, it can amuse, teach, etc., but that is not what I am in the mood for when I pick up a book most of the time.  Preachy self-help books annoy me, why should I pay money to read a book of your advice again?  Memoirs, what makes your story interesting enough for me to spend time reading it?  I want the drama, the romance, the fun of it all, and even though I know it didn't really happen, the journey is a hell of a good time.   I guess my friend and I probably will continue to agree to disagree, and that is fine with me, bring on my next novel I am ready to read since fiction will remain stranger than truth :0) 

Spring Ahead

Back in November I talked about Falling Back and how much easier it is to adjust to when we set the clocks back.  Well, Sunday we are at it again, this time setting them ahead.  Okay, this should be fun.  Every year that Daylight Savings Sunday I dread because I really feel the loss of that one hour.  The whole week is thrown off, and it just feels like a constant state of tension because it can't possibly be that late, can it?  Again forced to adjust to time change; this time not in a fun, give me more time way, but in a dreadful, take away time way.  Ugh, stop the insanity I can't take it anymore.  One hour really does a lot of damage to the psyche, and it won't be pretty.  Stay tuned to see how I survive.

Literary Heroes

As I read I am continually struck by how literary heroes I encounter in novels do nothing to make accepting the realities of what (or whom) is actually out there any easier.    Elizabeth Bennett encounters the arrogant and off-putting Darcy, only to come to find him to be really not so bad as the novel concludes, and women to this day seem to swoon over the guy.  This has set up countless women to think they can actually experience a similar lovely metamorphosis in that boorish man-child they just met.  Sadly, it is not to be so. While in kindergarten it was pulling pigtails and telling saying we have cooties, as adults it is the not calling but letting us think you were interested in us because they are not man enough to say at the end of the date, "yeah, let's not do this again, sorry."  I guess despite Darcy, or any other bookish girls fantasy man, the sad fact is, they are a fantasy and not the reality.  There will never be a guarantee of the "meet-cute" in real life, the silly and inane way the two destined-for-life-and-love-and-passion characters meet in a book.  I admit I am particularly guilty of getting wrapped up in the literary fantasy men.  I guess as escapism and for pure fun it is not so bad, but as for being any model for how to conduct a real life relationship, I know it is imperative to look elsewhere or face total annihilation of the heart.  So sadly while Darcy, Gilbert, Captain Wentworth, etc. remain pretty on the page, they are destined to break your heart in reality.

I'm BAAAAAAAACK!!!!!!!

Well, I have been away from blogging for quiet some time now.  Guess I haven't really felt like I have had anything blog-worthy as of late.  Just not feeling like there is much to share or talk about, but I guess I can start looking for things again to write about if I really focus and have anything interesting I will share :0)

Kissing Frogs

That old saying "you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince," is ridiculous, there, I have said it and thrown it out into the universe.  I have to say I find it absurd that in this day and age ANYONE could say that to a single woman with a straight face and be utterly serious.  Let me say this, why does the over and over failure have to be character building exercise when it comes to dating.  I get that you need to find the right man and weed through the wrong ones, but it is said as if it is going to be some fun and jolly good time, which sorry, it isn't, hate to be the barer of an ugly truth.  Last time I checked kissing frogs was not fun, nor did it build character, it is just plain gross and nauseating.  An endless parade of bad dates, wrong men, and yes rejection from the ones you would have not minded seeing again gets really old really fast.  Being single in today's world is like a having a second career going on dates interviews for the position of significant other and just hoping to find someone who will give you the position.  It is arduous having to get enthusiastic for another date when the previous ones have gone oh so very well and leave you feeling like you are just the most beautiful and beguiling woman in the universe.  Again, part of me really gets that that is a part of life, meeting people and seeing how you fit, especially when it comes to attraction and an inexplicable connecting with someone,  it is a difficult thing to quantify, but it really can tread hard on a girl's self-confidence when dating is nothing more than futile activity and leads you down nothing but the road to nowhere fast.  Yeah, there are just enough of us single ladies to make the competition seem daunting and intimidating, but there again is the feeling of "is it them or is it me?"  So yes, I suppose kissing frogs will continue on and ChapStick will runneth plentiful for many ladies, but I am going to take a break and say bring on the prince now.