Feature & Follow Friday #1

Feature & Follow Friday is hosted by two awesome book bloggers Parajunkee @ Parajunkee.com and Alison @ Alison Can Read. This is a medium for us blogger to discover new blogs and to get people to know about our own. It makes our circle of friends even bigger. Well, happy Follow Friday!!

Question

What is one book that you would be nervous to see a movie adaptation of because you think the movie could never live up to the book.  

Some good stories from books turn out so really good on big screen like The Time Traveler's Wife and  Water for Elephants. But some failed to do justice to the books; The Hunger Games is a good example for that.Well, to answer the question, instead of one I would like to list two books that I am nervously anticipating and have pretty high expectation on its consecutive movie adaptation of; City of Bones by Cassandra Clare and Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl. Both of them are from the YA realm, yes, same like The Hunger Games, but I really hope that these two won't disappoint me like what The Hunger Games did.

The Movie: Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Title/Year: Diary of Wimpy Kid (2010)
Director: Thor Freudenthal
Writers: Jackie & Jeff Filgo (Screenplay), Jeff Kinney (Book)
Genre: Comedy, Family
Cast: Zachary Gordon (Greg Heffley), Robert Capron (Rowley Jefferson)
CoffeeNCrackers' Meter: 5 cups of Coffee

.: Plot Summary :.

To Greg Heffley, middle school is the dumbest idea ever invented. It's a place rigged with hundreds of social landmines, not the least of which are morons, wedgies, swirlies, bullies, lunchtime banishment to the cafeteria floor - and a festering piece of cheese with nuclear cooties. To survive the never-ending ordeal and attain the recognition and status he feels he so richly deserves, Greg devises an endless series of can't-miss schemes, all of which, of course, go awry. And he's getting it all down on paper, via a diary - "it's NOT a diary, it's a journal!" Greg insists, preferring the less-sissyfied designation - filled with his opinions, thoughts, tales of family trials and tribulations, and (would-be) schoolyard triumphs. "One day when I'm famous," writes Greg, "I'll have better things to do than answer peoples' stupid questions all day." So was born the Wimpy Kid's diary

.: My Comment :. 

Be yourself is the most important thing. Don't try to be someone else just because you want to try to impressed other people. That's what I learn from this movie. Greg cares so much about his image and try to act cool in front of others. He even tries to change his best friend Rowley's image and personality just so he won't get in his way to be a popular student at school. But, this just makes his friends hate him even more. Rowley in the other hand is an honest and genuine person and feel comfortable with his image and personality. He cares so much about Greg, but Greg's selfishness and insensitive feelings upset Rowley so much. So, conflict arises between them. In friendship, I really think that, we have to care about our friends' feelings. We can't put their feelings aside just to satisfy our own feeling. Friendship is all about accepting and to be accepted as your real self and friendship will be lasting forever if we follow this rule. All in all, Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a hilarious, fun, and enjoyable movie to watch. This movie also makes me think of school. It was such a great memory and so much fun!!

Favorite Quote: I'll be famous one day, but for know I'm stuck in middle school with a bunch of morons- Greg Heffley

.: Trailer :.

.: Official Soundtrack :.

What Do You Want From Me

Performed by Forever the Sickest Kids

The Movie: Wishlist #3

Title/Year: About A Boy (2002)
Director: Chris and Paul Weitz
Writers: Nick Hornby (Novel), Peter Hedges, Paul and Chris Weitz (Screenplay)
Genre: Family, Comedy-Drama
Cast: Hugh Grant (Will Freeman), Nicholas Hoult (Marcus Brewer)

Plot

Twelve year old Marcus Brewer lives with his chronically depressed single mother, Fiona Brewer. Both Fiona and Marcus beat to their own respective drummers. Marcus will do whatever he can to make his depressed mother happy, even if it causes himself grief. As such, he realizes that he is perceived as different than most kids, as even the self-professed weird kids don't want to hang out with him as he is the target of bullying. Part of the taunts against him are the fact that he sings and speaks to himself without even realizing that he is doing it. Meanwhile, thirty-eight year old Will Freeman is a slacker who has lived comfortably off the royalties of a song written by his deceased father, and as such has never had to work a day in his life. He is a solitary man who places himself as the first and only priority in life. He comes across the idea that dating single moms meets his selfish carnal needs. It is in this capacity that Will meets Marcus, as one of Will's single mother conquests, Suzie, is friends with the Brewers. Trying to escape his life but wanting Will to date Fiona, Marcus infiltrates Will's life, much to Will's chagrin. Will slowly begins to realize that Marcus is more than just a nuisance, but rather someone who needs some guidance navigating through the trials of adolescence and the trials of dealing with a suicidal mother, and perhaps he can be a small part of providing that direction. Conversely, Marcus may be able to show Will the path to becoming a real adult.

About A Boy Movie Trailer 

Well, I think the story is quiet interesting. It's quite difficult to find a story like this. I mean, in this genre, normally the main character will be a woman. So, having a family based theme of story from a man's perspective is a good thing for me. I got an E-book copy of About A Boy and will read it before I watch the movie. So, what about you? What movie that you want to watch? Share with me OK.

The Movie: The Last Song

Title/Year: The Last Song (2010)

Director: Julie Anne Robinson

Writers: Jeff Van Wie (Screenplay), Nicholas Sparks (Screenplay and Novel)

Genre: Family, Romance

Cast: Miley Cyrus (Ronnie Miller), Greg Kinnear (Steve Miller), Bobby Coleman (Jonah Miller), Liam Hemsworth (Will Blakelee)

CoffeeNCrackers' Meter: 2 cups of Coffee

.: Plot :.

Seventeen-year-old Veronica 'Ronnie' Miller's life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Tybee Island, Georgia. Three years later, she remains angry and alienated from her parents, especially her father ...until her mother decides it would be in everyone's best interest if she spent the summer on Tybee Island with him. Ronnie's father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church. The tale that unfolds is an unforgettable story about love in its myriad forms - first love, the love between parents and children - that demonstrates the many ways that deeply felt relationships can break our hearts ...and heal them.

.: My Comment :.

A typical Nicholas Sparks's. Nothing new and nothing special about this movie. But, I have to admit that it does have some family values to be learn. The scene where Jonah desperately wants to finish up his father's work, while his father is hospitalized due to cancer really touches me. He also have a good relationship with his sister Ronnie and they are very close to each other. He's good. Credit to that boy! As for Miley, I seriously think that she doesn't suit to be Ronnie. lacks of emotion and her acting seems so wrong. Maybe the character is not for Miley as she is more suitable to be a happy go lucky girl! I knew that Miley wants to try a variation of characters (Since she quits Hannah Montana), but this is an honest advice from me to her, "Miley, just stick with your Hannah Montana self, 'cause I love you more with that kind of character.". You got it Ms. Cyrus? Owh...one more thing, did she really knows how to play piano? Another good side, this movie also brings the message from WWF (or so I thought). Lets save our Turtle! =b

.: The Last Song's OST :.

The soundtrack is great. Miley did a really good job, and her singing is fabulous. When I Look at you is one of my favorites right at the moment. Unlike the movie, this song manages to get 4 stars rating from me. Well done!

The Movie: The Kite Runner

Title/Year: The Kite Runner (2007)
Director: Marc Foster
Writers: David Benioff (Screenplay), Khaled Husseini (Novel)
Genre: Drama, Historical Fiction
Cast: Zekeria Ibrahimi (Amir), Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada (Hasan)
CoffeeNCrackers Meter: 5 cups of Coffee

Plot

Based one on of the most acclaimed novels in recent memory, THE KITE RUNNER is a profoundly emotional tale of friendship, family, devastating mistakes and redeeming love. In a divided country on the verge of war, two childhood friends, Amir and Hassan, are about to be torn apart forever.  It’s a glorious afternoon in Kabul and the skies are bursting with the exhilarating joy of a kite-fighting tournament.  But in the aftermath of the day’s victory, one boy’s fearful act of betrayal will mark their lives forever and set in motion an epic quest for redemption. Now, after 20 years of living in America, Amir returns to a perilous Afghanistan under the Taliban’s iron-fisted rule to face the secrets that still haunt him and take one last daring chance to set things right..

Screen Shots

*******

My Comment

Beautiful! The cinematography is just so beautiful. I feel like I want to be there myself and watch the kites fighting in the sky and run myself of the ally ways. Marc Foster knows his job very well and the movie turns out great. I think the boys are awesome in acting, and they're cute too. Each and every characters give impact to me especially Hassan, Amir and his Baba. The friendship and betrayal, and an eternal love of father and son really moved me and even make me cry. LOL. All in all, this is such a great movie and I don't hesitate to give it a 5 stars rating. Highly recommended to all of you out there.

If you love this movie, you will also love the novel, The Kite Runner.

The Movie: Wishlist #2

Title/Year: Tuesdays with Morrie (1999)
Director: Mick Jackson
Writers: Thomas Rickman (screenplay), Mitch Albom (novel)
Genre: Drama, Spirituality, Self-Help
Cast: Jack Lemmon (Morrie Schwartz), Hank Azaria (Mitch Albom)

Plot

Mitch became caught up with his career as a sport commentator and journalist. He ignored his girlfriend and did not make time to do things in life that are of the most value to a human being. Morrie was one of Mitch's professors in college and a famous scholar. One day Mitch was watching television and saw Morrie giving an interview stating that he is dying of Lou Gehrig disease or ALS. Reunite, Mitch and dying Morrie spending their Tuesdays together for the lesson of life and death. 

Tuesdays with Morrie Movie Trailer

I'm reading the book and It's great! Ciao...

The Movie: The Notebook

Title/ Year: The Notebook (2004)
Director: Nick Cassavetes
Writers: Jeremy Leven (Screenplay), Nicholas Sparks (Novel)
Cast: Ryan Gosling ( Young Noah), Rachel McAdams (Young Allie), James Garner (Duke), Gena Rowlands (Old Allie)
Duration: 02:03:48
CoffeeNCrackers Meter: 4 cups of Coffee

Plot Summary

The Notebook begins with a man in a nursing home, reading a story to a woman. The story is about two young lovers, Allie Hamilation and Noah Calhoun, who meet one day at a carnival. Althought the two are falling in love, Allie's parents forbid the relationship and move Allie away.After waiting for any sign (such as letters) from Noah from years, Allie meets Lon and becomes engaged. However, Allie still has feelings for Noah. Despite her commitment for Lon, Allie decides to visit Noah to see how he's doing after seeing his picture in the newspaper in front of a house he said he was going to restore (and did). It soon becomes apparent that they have feeling for each other. Allie now has to choose between Lon, the man she had already scheduled to marry, or Noah, the man who she subconsciously wants.

My Thought

Seriously, I don't know bout that guy who played Noah at all. His acting was not bad and not that great either, but thanks to Rachel McAdams, she made the story a lot better. She's a great actress, yeah, I know. Well, I keep on guessing, you know between Noah and Lon ( is he the Cyclops guy? ) which one of 'em is the old man, Duke who read the story to Allie? But yeah, I guess it right after all. I think it's hard for Duke to keep on waiting for his wife Allie, who's experiencing the "senile dementia" disease, kind of Alzheimer's disease where the  brain cells are degenerated and caused senility to come back to him. To make her remembers him back. I just can't imagine how the world would be if all my memories is taken away from me. And I don't really know what to do, when my beloved persons, my mother, or my granny, or wife, (in future) or my siblings have the same disease (They won't, God will). Just imagine when you come home to see your mother, and when you meet her then she asks you "who are you?". How do you answer that? It's difficult right. But love will never bring us apart. It always keeps us close together no matter what are the circumstances. =b Oh, one thing that I don't understand, why is the title is The Notebook after all? I'll read the book to find it out! Ciao...

The Movie: Wishlist #1

This is the movie adapted from book that I would like to watch:

Title/Year: The Kite Runner (2007)
Director: Marc Foster
Writers: David Benioff (Screenplay), Khaled Husseini (Novel)
Genre: Drama
Cast: Zekeria Ibrahimi (Amir), Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada (Hasan)

Plot

Based one on of the most acclaimed novels in recent memory, THE KITE RUNNER is a profoundly emotional tale of friendship, family, devastating mistakes and redeeming love. In a divided country on the verge of war, two childhood friends, Amir and Hassan, are about to be torn apart forever.  It’s a glorious afternoon in Kabul and the skies are bursting with the exhilarating joy of a kite-fighting tournament.  But in the aftermath of the day’s victory, one boy’s fearful act of betrayal will mark their lives forever and set in motion an epic quest for redemption. Now, after 20 years of living in America, Amir returns to a perilous Afghanistan under the Taliban’s iron-fisted rule to face the secrets that still haunt him and take one last daring chance to set things right..

The Kite Runner Movie Trailer 

What movie adaptations do you want to watch? Share with me here. =) Ciao......

The Movie: Dear John

Title/ Year: Dear John (2010)
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Writers: Jamie Lindon (Screenplay), Nicholas Sparks (Novel)
Starring: Channing Tatum (John Tyree), Amanda Seyfried (Savannah Curtis)
CoffeeNCrackers' Meter: 3 1/2 cups of Coffee

 Plot:[imdb.com]

Special Forces Army Sergeant John Tyree (Channing Tatum) is home on a two-week leave from Germany. He meets Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried) after he dives into the ocean to retrieve Savannah's purse that had fallen off the pier. John is smitten by Savannah and falls in love at first sight. Savannah is a college student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is on spring break and is helping build a house for Habitat for Humanity. John joins in with Savannah to help build the house. Along the way a budding romance occurs, and Savannah falls deeply in love with John. As she is about to go back to college, she promises to write John overseas during the next 12-months until he returns to her after completing his enlistment. Their love is put to the test when John reenlists after the 9/11 attack.

Movie Trailer

My Comment

This is not a bad movie. But it's not a great film either. I didn't think it was going to be one of the best romance movies ever and it definitely wasn't. It is touching, okay acting and definitely a sweet one. I wish that there are more scenes between John and his father Mr. Tyree, 'cause it will make me cry a bucket. Haha! Well, it's a love story Savannah and John after all. For those who love to watch sad romantic story, have a try!

OST: Little House by Amanda Seyfried