Book to Movie Review: This Is Where I Leave You

Summary: The death of Judd Foxman's father marks the first time that the entire Foxman clan has congregated in years. There is, however, one conspicuous absence: Judd's wife, Jen, whose affair with his radio- shock-jock boss has recently become painfully public. Simultaneously mourning the demise of his father and his marriage, Judd joins his dysfunctional family as they reluctantly sit shiva-and spend seven days and nights under the same roof. The week quickly spins out of control as longstanding grudges resurface, secrets are revealed and old passions are reawakened. ~amazon.com

Book to Movie Review: Earlier this week you saw my book review of This Is Where I Leave You and today I bring you my movie review. Usually I don't like to read a book so close to seeing the movie, but this time it couldn't be helped. I loved that Jason Bateman was the face and voice of Judd. The way he is always understated in his expressions lends itself well. Plus I've kind of been a sucker for him since The Hogan Family days. The rest of the casting was brilliant too. I mean Jane Fonda is the perfect Hilary. She really had a lot of the laugh out loud moment. I loved the relationship between Judd and Wendy. In the book you could tell they were close but in the movie you truly felt their love for each other. They seemed to understand each other the best.

The entire cast was pretty perfect. I think it helped the Mr. Tropper wrote the screenplay as well, which kept it pretty close to the novel. While there were definite changes and some plot points left out; it didn't change the tone of the story. In fact, I found myself laughing more and crying more through different parts of the movie. Somethings work better in a novel and wouldn't translate well to the big screen. For example, most of the book we are in Judd's head and while it still is Judd's point of view, we aren't privvy to his every thought.

This is definitely dark humor but with lots of heart. There are some very funny moments and for those of us who read the book, the big twist/reveal is still there. Which made me happy to see. I felt it was essential to the book and to the family. This might be a movie that I have my husband watch with me when it comes to DVD; I think he might enjoy it.

Book To Movie: 4.5/5


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Book to Movie Review: Silver Linings Playbook

Review: I have watched this movie several times.  Each time I watch it, I fall in love with it more. From the casting to the realistic handling of such a serious subject to the romance…this movie has it all.

For starters, the casting is wonderful.  Bradley Cooper is the perfect Pat Peoples.  Perfect.  He nailed it.  After reading the book, the lovely Jennifer Lawrence would not be my first choice for Tiffany.  I would have gone with someone older and grittier, probably my go-to Sandra Bullock because she’s always ah-mazing.  However, the Tiffany in the book is very different from the Tiffany in the movie.  I loved the movie version.  In fact, I think Jennifer Lawrence made Tiffany more likable.  She encompassed everything book Tiffany had, but better.  (I guess this is the downfall of reading the book and watching the movie, you can’t help but compare the two.)  Jackie Weaver and Robert Di Nero were wonderful as well.  As Pat Peoples Sr., Di Nero added charm and depth that book Pat Sr. lacked.

The script is great.  It’s dramatic and fascinating.  The characters are really developed.   With a name like “Silver Linings Playbook” you kind of knew the movie would have a happy ending.  And if it didn’t, then it totally should.  What I wasn’t expecting was all the comedy, mainly in the form of the always entertaining Chris Tucker.  Although I admit, I am one of those people who laughs at totally inappropriate times anyway and there is one scene in the movie that makes me laugh whenever I watch it.  I try not to, but I can’t help it.  It’s probably because the scene cuts a little too close to home.   And it’s those moments, the ones that makes you feel like you are spying on someone’s real life, that make this movie so great to watch.

I know it is difficult to adapt a movie from the book, there is only so much a screenwriter can do in two hours.  The book and movie are very different with similarities being in characters and basic plot.  Everything else is different.  I think I enjoyed the movie slightly more than the novel because of my great like (bordering on obsession) for Jennifer Lawrence.  I heart her, she’s wonderful and a fabulous actress.  Silver Linings Playbook is totally worth watching just to see why she won an Oscar for this role and why that one won’t be her last.

This is a great date night movie as well as the story appeals to both men and women.  I’m sure the eye candy doesn’t hurt either.  Now if you haven’t seen it, grab some popcorn, tissues and get to it.

 Final Take: 5/5
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Book to Movie: Catching Fire

Movie Review: Let me be clear that I saw the first Hunger Games movie before reading the book. I am happy to say that I read Catching Fire before seeing the movie this time. Let me say this there was not nearly enough Cinna in this movie. Cinna was instrumental in keeping Katniss grounded throughout the first part of the novel. Plus, let's be honest any minute Lenny Kravitz is on the screen is a heavenly one.

Katinss is in a tough spot and she's vulnerable and yes love torn. She is so young that she doesn't know how to handle have feelings for two young men at a time. Both Gale and Peeta are good for Katniss but in very different ways. She knows that Peeta is the "better" of the two of them and makes a pact with Haymitch to save Peeta no matter what. Of course, what do you think Peeta did?

I will admit that Peeta didn't drive me as bonkers in Catching Fire as he did in The Hunger Games. He's less whiny and less "whatever you say, Katniss". He's grown some backbone here. It's good because if Katniss is going to have a partner to get her through the Quell and beyond, she needs someone to challenge her. That is something that Gale excels at with her.

I love the costumes and set designs in this movie. After reading the series, I do say that they have captured Panem and the districts perfectly.  I loved the wedding dress that sprouted wings and turned Katniss into the true Mockingjay. Although it isn't until the next book/movie that she embodies being the Mockingjay.

I can't wait to see the movie again but it probably won't be until it's out on DVD. A movie can never fully capture every thing that is in the book but this one came close.

Book to Movie: 4.75/5



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Book to Movie: Mortal Instruments City of Bones

Having seen the movie twice now, I finally feel ready to write my feelings down. I don't mind saying that I expected quite a lot from this movie, perhaps too much. This is my favorite series right now, so perhaps I'm a harsh critic.

The casting wasn't what I expected aside from Clary and Simon. When I pictured the breathtakingly handsome Jace, I don't picture Jamie Campbell Bower.  Considering, I think he pulls it off pretty well. Luke is not what I pictured either.  The Luke that Cassandra Clare wrote was burly and warm and funny and that just wasn't the vibe I got from Aidan Turner.   Hodge was not as I pictured either... a little more put together and not nearly as reclusive as he is in the book, but here we're starting to get into the way the script is written. 

Alec's love for Jace wasn't evident for me at all and had it not been brought up in the dialogue, I think it would have been missed completely.  Jonathon Rhys Meyers makes an awesome villain, but he was written more like a psychopath than an evil genius on a power trip. He is supposed to be intimidating and suave and instead he came off as manic. My biggest disappointment, though, was Magnus Bane. At first I thought it was just because there was too little of him, but after my second viewing I realized it was more than that.  Godfrey Gao definitely looks the part, but he isn't remotely charismatic and he talks way too fast for someone who is an 800 year old warlock. Again it may be the writing as his character has been reduced to plot exposition.  

I know it sounds like I hated it, but I didn't.  I can appreciate the cuts and changes made to the storyline to fit the time constraints.  I think some of them even make things more visually dramatic (Simon's trip to Hotel Dumort, for example).  I liked that they chose to let the audience in on the fact that Clary and Jace are not related, though I wasn't fond of the way it came about (Hodge?!?).  The witty repartee from Jace is severely cut down, especially the barbs between he and Simon, but there is enough to make him Jace.  I loved the Institute - it was a perfect recreation... with some additions.  The runes were as I imagined them, as were the steles and seraphs.  However, what makes Cassandra Clare's novels so magical are the worlds she creates and the personal interactions and I felt like much of that was lost due to time constraints.  The only relationship that remains intact in the film is the Simon-Clary-Jace love triangle.   And that is the film's saving grace. Robert Sheehan is a wonderful unrequited Simon.  And Lilly Collin and Jamie Campbell Bower are lovely together --the scene in the greenhouse,  the scene in front of Clary's bedroom door, rescuing Simon, the motorcycle ride-- I will watch it again and again for those moments. I adore them. 

In the end, no movie could ever live up to the sensational worlds Cassandra Clare created.  I think they did a good job though of making it stand on it's own.  (I took my husband with me for my second viewing and he seemed to enjoy it enough without having read the books... with a few questions.)  I hope they complete the second film.  I will be interested to see where the story goes, since they changed a significant plot point. The books get better and better and I'm hoping the movies will too.

Final Take:  3.75/5

Movie Review: One Day

Summary: It’s 1988 and Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley have only just met. But after only one day together, they cannot stop thinking about one another. Over twenty years, snapshots of that relationship are revealed on the same day—July 15th—of each year. Dex and Em face squabbles and fights, hopes and missed opportunities, laughter and tears. And as the true meaning of this one crucial day is revealed, they must come to grips with the nature of love and life itself. ~amazon.com

Review: One Day is a decent movie but I have lukewarm feelings for it, just like I did the book. The bright spot in this movie is that it does follow the book fairly closely and well it has Anne Hathaway in it. Did I mention she does a British accent?! She is the perfect Emma. She encompasses the girl who comes out of her shell, slowly and develops into a confident young woman.

Jim Sturgess is great as Dex. Dex is every bit as self-absorbed as he is in the book. He's a spoiled rich kid who never found his way in life. People just enabled him in his adult life. As we take this journey with Emma and Dex, one thing is still apparent, Emma is and always will be too good for Dex.

I have to say that I'm happy I didn't see this in the theatre and it's why it's probably sat on my DVR for months.

Book to Movie Final Take: 3/5

Movie Review: One for the Money

Summary:  Katherine Heigl stars as Stephanie Plum in this broad comedy, based on the best-selling novel from Janet Evanovich. Stephanie Plum (Katherine Heigl) is a bright, attractive, confident woman whose entire life has just taken a sudden turn — in the wrong direction. Newly divorced and recently laid off, the only work she can scrape up is a dead-end job at her sleazy cousin's bail bond office. But when her first big assignment involves tracking down an on-the-lam ex-flame (Jason O'Mara), this tough-as-nails lady bounty hunter will be redefining the meaning of hot pursuit in this thrill-packed action comedy. ~amazon.com


Review:  I was a huge fan of the Stephanie Plum series up until book 12, then I was done. I felt like it was just going in circles. So when we heard they were going to do a movie based on One for the Money , we here at GJR were skeptical. I mean for me it would be a better tv show. We were even more shocked when they cast Katherine Heigl as Stephanie. Definitely not our choice.

Now given that statement, Ms. Heigel didn't do a bad job as Stephanie. I would have been more happy if they would have made Steph just a bit more chunky. She always complaining about needing to lose the last 10-20 lbs. Jason O'Mara did a great job as Joe Morelli but I wasn't sold on Daniel Sunjata as Ranger. I still think that Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock, would have been perfect for this role. It's ok because given that Í'm a "cupcake" it's probably better that it wasn't Dwayne or I might be a "babe" convert.

Since I read the book many years ago, I think it is pretty close to the plot. I think that those in supporting roles were perfect, even Sherri Shepard as Lula was clever casting. Debbie Reynolds was a hoot as Grandma Mazar.

Overall it was an entertaining movie and if you haven't read the book you'd probably enjoy it slightly more than I did. I don't think it made enough money to do any of the other books, which again is why it would have been better to do on cable.

Final Take: 3.25/5

Book to Movie: Water for Elephants

Summary: ACADEMY AWARD® Winners Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz join Robert Pattinson (The Twilight Saga) for this epic tale of forbidden love based on Sara Gruen’s acclaimed best seller. Against all odds, a veterinary student (Pattinson) and a beautiful circus performer from a bygone era (Witherspoon), meet and fall in love through their shared compassion for a special elephant. But their secret romance incurs the wrath of her dangerously volatile husband (Waltz). ~amazon.com

Review: I will admit that the only movie I've seen Robert Pattinson in is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and while he was good as Cedric, I wasn't sure if he could pull the weight of Jacob in Water for Elephants. You see I loved this book (Review) and really didn't want anything ruining it for me. I had a vision of what I wanted their characters to be and well Pattinson wasn't it. I decided to let go of my doubts and just watch the movie.

Nothing will ever be as good as the novel but the movie wasn't the worst adaptation I've seen. Plus,  Mr. Pattinson surprised me. Reese Witherspoon was a vision as Marlena and even if he's always a jerk in the movies I see him in Christoph Waltz was perfect as August. I think it also helps that I read the book years ago so it isn't as fresh in my mind.

I do believe they caught the time period well and the hardship of the depression and belonging to a traveling circus that is always on the brink of failing. August is a cruel man to both his animals and his wife and while the movie captured that, I think that the book detailed it a bit better. The ending is just as dramatic as I remember, even if I can recall the last few pages. It also made me cry, just as the book did.

I don't feel like I wasted 2 hours of my time watching the movie and it has heightened my need to read the book again. If you haven't read the book then I think the movie is a perfect way to want you to read the novel.

Book to Movie Final Take: 3.75/5

Movie Review: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Summary: Stieg Larsson's #1 bestselling mystery featuring Lisbeth Salander is now a major motion picture directed by David Fincher, starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, from Columbia Pictures/Sony. In theaters December 2011. The first volume in the Millennium Trilogy, and an international publishing sensation, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo combines murder mystery, family saga, love story, and financial intrigue into one satisfyingly complex and entertainingly atmospheric novel. ~amazon.com  

Book to Movie Review: In one word; Superb. Granted I haven't seen the Swedish versions but I really loved this one. It was pretty much everything that I hoped for when I heard they were making it with David Fincher. I wanted to see the movie alone but my husband decided he wanted to see it. So, I decided that I wouldn't clue him in on the plot to see what he thought of it going in blind.

I love the fact that Rooney Mara, a relative unknown, was cast as Lisbeth Salander. In my opinion, she was simply fantastic. She embodied Lisbeth to her core. I loved watching her on the screen. I've said in my reviews that Lisbeth is one of the most interesting literary characters I've read and watching her on the screen was rewarding. Daniel Craig was perfect as Mikael Bloomkvist. I didn't even know that Robin Wright was playing Erika Berger, so while she wouldn't have been my first choice; she did an excellent job. If Lisbeth's creepy guardian bothered you in the book, then they cast it perfectly for the movie. While I don't feel that Fincher shied away from that, I thought that it was done as best it could without being completely hideous. Now, don't get me wrong it wasn't easy to watch but knowing what comes next for that scumbag made it a tad easier to observe.

Did they change some things from the book for the movie? Yes they did. Were they major changes? Not in my opinion.

I haven't heard if all the same players in line for movies of The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets nest, but I'm praying that they will. You can't start something and not finish it. I would love to see Rooney Mara grow as Lisbeth grows in the trilogy.

If you loved the book or even if you haven't read the book, I think that you will enjoy the movie. My husband who isn't a movie guy said he thought it was excellent. His typical response to movies we see together "It was ok".  

Final Take: 4.75/5

Book to Movie: Breaking Dawn, Part I

Yes, this series is a guilty pleasure, not because I'm a Twi-hard, but because I'm a Cullen-ite.  I can tolerate the Bella of the books (I'm not a fan of Kristen Stewart), but I completely understand her desire to move in with the Cullens.  I think they are some of the most fascinating vampires I've ever read about; I'd want to take up with them too.

The movie sticks very closely to the book, as well it should for breaking the book into two films.  I think it might not be as interesting to those who haven't read the series, because there isn't a lot of action or plot progression.  This film is essentially plot exposition for the next film.  It's also a love letter to the fans who would have gone ballistic if any of the romance was cut in an attempt to squeeze Breaking Dawn into a single movie.  The only thing missing for me was some of the interactions between Jacob and Rosalie... and I would have liked to have seen more of the Cullens in general, but of course, I can never get enough of them.

I loved that they musically quoted the previous films.  I don't know how obvious it is to those who aren't as fanatic about music as I am but I thought it was an elegant way of referencing other plot points without beating us over the head with flashback scenes.

The ending was ...disjointed.  In a style reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino, strange block letter credits rolled before the final scene and more than half of the people at the showing I attended missed the last scene because they thought the movie was over.  Without spoiling anyone, let's just say if the last image you saw in the film was someone opening their eyes, you missed the final scene.

I'm a little dismayed that the release of Breaking Dawn Part II isn't until the fall of next year.  I think the franchise is dragging things out a little, but it is a far more complicated plot, so perhaps extra time is needed.  This next part is where finally get to see a strong Bella, my favorite part of the books, so I think I will enjoy the last note of this series.

Jenn's Movie Review: The Muppets

I know.  This isn't remotely book related but the four of us at Girls Just Reading adore the Muppets, me perhaps a little more so than the others.  We love the Muppets in our house; our wedding song was The Rainbow Connection and our cake topper was Kermit and Piggy.  Needless to say, when they announced Jason Segel was doing an all new Muppet movie (not just another remake of a classic tale), I was pretty excited.  When the article came out where some of the original puppeteers expressed their concerns over the content of the film, I was apprehensive, but I held out hope.

There was no need.  It was fantastic.  The opening number, though some young teen on the way out of the theatre credited it to How I Met Your Mother, was a straight up homage of the opening musical number of The Great Muppet Caper.  There are  also  multiple occurrences of "breaking the fourth wall", awesome guest cameos, road trips (with Sweetums trailing the car), wholesome cheesiness, and plenty of other references to the original Muppet films.

I read someone's review (and I apologize for not giving credit, but I've read so many reviews since the film came out, I just can't remember which one) that said kids seem to connect more with the character of Walter than with the original Muppets.  This is not quite the case in our house -we raised our daughter on The Muppet Show DVDs (please, oh, please, oh, please release more seasons!) and the original Muppet movies- but, I can see how Walter's quest to fit in would be the most accessible to most kids.  As a matter of fact, that's yet another classic Muppetism, a story that appeals to all ages on many levels.

Was the humor updated?  Sure. One just has to see that Jack Black is in it to know there is going to be a different kind of humor.  I understand some of the things the old guard might have found fault with ...there were a couple of scenes that wouldn't have happened forty years ago, but let's remember that the Muppets were on the cutting edge for their time.  (For example, the original 'Manah Manah' song was from an Italian soft porn film... and let's not forget the Muppets were on the first season of Saturday Night Live.)  Plus Jason Segel's generation, my generation, is as much a generation of Looney Tunes as we are Muppets, so some of the humor is mixed.  Besides, the world is a different  place than it was four decades ago.  While the Muppets retain their whimsy, some of the innocence has fallen away with maturity, and quite frankly, it felt very right.

Some of the things stated in the article that the older franchise members were uncomfortable with in the script are taken completely out of context.  For example, there is an objection to Fozzie strapping whoopee cushions to his feet (the comment was, 'we wouldn't have gone there') which is true, however in the next few lines, Kermit tells Fozzie that.  I also read a nifty article on how the Muppets have been misused and miss-branded since Jim Henson's death, and I think this, along with a few other scenes, is a nod to that.  An objection was also raised about Kermit living in a mansion... but he just might if Piggy built it and then took off, which is exactly what happens.  And I don't think the Muppets are jealous of Kermit's success, as is suggested in the article, I think they just grew up and drifted apart.  Yes, there was a scene here and there I could have done without, but on the whole, it was pretty wonderful.

The music is also marvelous, original, covered, spoofed, borrowed, and otherwise.  I came home and immediately bought and downloaded the soundtrack and the entire family has been humming it for a week.  (My almost four year old daughter even decided we had to 'play' Muppet varitey show this weekend.)  Amy Adams is magnificent as was Jason Segel (though, I won't pretend that I didn't have a good chuckle over all the dance numbers being choreographed around him as a non-dancer.) I won't spoil this for anyone, but I just have to say -barbershop quartet  -a whole new level of awesome.

I laughed, I cried, it was everything a Muppet movie is supposed to be -everything they used to be.   I loved it.  It was an excellent tribute to the past and (I hope) a wonderful new beginning for a fabulous franchise.

Book to Movie: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Having finally read some of the Percy Jackson series, I was anxious to go back and re-watch the movie and see if my opinion changed any.  I was less than impressed with the movie prior to reading the books and now I know why...


The plot was completely oversimplified. All sorts of major characters were removed and the motives blurred and misleading.  The ending was modified to the point where the villain was absolutely obvious as soon as the character appeared on the screen on my first watching.  My first time through, I had to wonder what the attraction to the series was, and though I would never judge a book by it's movie, the cliche script did not encourage me to pick up the series any sooner.  Now that I've read the book, I find myself wondering how the movie industry can plan on doing a sequel when so much was cut from the first film.

That being said, there were some great things about seeing it on screen.  I thought the casting was excellent.  I love Kevin McKidd and Pierce Brosnan in just about anything and Uma Thurman is an amazing Medusa.  However the movie writers took the whole story and moved it from middle school into high school, which is how I envision Percy when I read it, but I have to wonder if that's because I saw the movie first or because of how it's written?  One of the things that bothers me with that though is it moves Annabeth's and Percy's relationship towards romantic, and, though that may be where Mr. Riordan is headed with them, I am enjoying seeing their prejudiced rivalry turn into friendship in the books, but that's what comes of aging the characters.

I liked the added scene between the gods at the beginning.  It gives a little necessary plot exposition, though it does intimate a closer amount of familial relations between the gods and their children than is portrayed in the book.  Although in the book we only see things form Percy's point of view, so that's an advantage of a movie, I guess.

All the while I was re-watching the film, I was wondering what the author's thoughts were on it.  Apparently prior to it's release, he didn't plan on seeing the film because he didn't want it to skew his view of his characters.  I have to wonder if it had been a blockbuster hit, if he could have stuck to that.  What bothered me most about the plot changes were the sneaking off on the quest instead of having it assigned -it changes the tone of the movie- and the grand omission of the conspiracy part of the plot.   All in all, I'm not sorry to have watched the movie (twice), even though it doesn't quite do the book justice.

Final Take:  3/5

Book to Movie: Salem Falls

Summary: Based on the best-selling Jodi Picoult book, former teacher Jack McBradden moves to Salem Falls after a student's crush led to false accusations and a wrongful conviction for sexual assault. He finds a job and settles into a new routine, but everything turns when a trio of teenage girls with dark secrets (lead by manipulative Gillian Duncan) maliciously target Jack with accusations of assaulting Gillian in the woods. Now at the center of a modern day witch-hunt, Jack must once again proclaim his innocence to a town searching for answers and the woman who has come to love him. ~mylifetimemovies.com

Review: Salem Falls is one of my favorite books by Jodi Picoult. I read it before I began blogging or I'd link you to my review. I think why I liked it so much is that the characters were so believable and genuine. Do I remember the details of the book, not really but I remember enough to say that the movie is pretty close to it. I think that's because Ms. Picoult is a Executive Producer on this one. I wouldn't say I'm a huge fan of James Van Der Beek but I don't dislike him either. He was definitely convincing as Jack and gave an understated performance. Sarah Carter was also excellent as Addie.

I definitely remember disliking Gillian and that doesn't change here either. For me, there was nothing redeeming about her until the end when the big reveal happened. Although even knowing that revelation, I still didn't have much sympathy watching the movie.

The movie is slow-paced and it doesn't really leave a lot of time to develop the relationship between Addie and Jack. You pretty much have to buy into it within 30 minutes. Perhaps this is because most of the viewers will have read the book and it's assumed you know all the background.

I was happy that Lifetime didn't shy away for the taboo subject matters that Salem Falls deals with because they could have easily swept it away.

All in all I enjoyed the movie, but if you haven't read the book, go pick it up. You won't regret it.


Final Take: 3.75/5

Book to Movie: The End of the Affair

Summary: In post-WWII England, an American writer hires a private detective to learn why his mistress ended their adulterous affair so abruptly. ~amazon.com

Review: You know how some books translate well to movies and maybe tell the story a bit better than the book, well for me that was The End of the Affair. A fast
-paced movie this is not but a solid, historical romance it is. Plus you can't really go wrong with Julianne Moore as Sarah and Ralph Fiennes as Bendrix and it's set in the 1940s. The setting is gray and gloomy as is the love story but the clothing is superb.

The movie adaptation seemed to follow the book closely until the end. I really don't recall Henry and Bendrix taking care of Sarah towards the end. As in the book, none of the characters are likable and yet you want to know what their fate will be. Will Sarah chose Bendrix over Henry? Will she leave them both? As in the book, I got the same feeling that Bendrix was a tad bit more in love with Sarah than she was with him. Also, in the book the relationship with Sarah and the Priest is a bit more romantic than it seems in the movie.

I'm glad that I watched the movie because it did make the switching between the present and the past a bit easier to understand. Ralph and Julianne are excellent as elicit lovers who are trying to define each other and what they feel as each other.

There is also a more classical version of The End of the Affair with Deborah Kerr for those of you who are into the classics.

Final Take: 3.5/5

Book to Movie: The Lincoln Laywer

Summary: In the gripping thriller “The Lincoln Lawyer,” Matthew McConaughey stars as Michael “Mick” Haller, a slick, charismatic Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who operates out of the back of his Lincoln Continental sedan. Having spent most of his career defending petty, gutter- variety criminals, Mick unexpectedly lands the case of a lifetime: defending a rich Beverly Hills playboy (Ryan Phillippe) who is accused of attempted murder. However, what initially appears to be a straightforward case with a big money pay-off swiftly develops into a deadly match between two masters of manipulation and a crisis of conscience for Haller. ~amazon.com

Review: It's a distant memory I have of reading The Lincoln Lawyer, but I definitely remember not liking Mickey Haller. So, when I heard Matthew McConaughey was playing him I thought it was solid cast since for me he has a bit of a slime ball aspect to him. I don't remember the details of the story from the book but I thought there were some changes to the plot. For instance, I don't recall Mick and Maggie getting along so well; in fact I think it was pretty much the opposite. They only thing they agreed about was their daughter and even then they fought. I definitely remember the biker gang and was happy that they kept that in the movie.

Ryan Phillippe is perfectly cast as Louis and plays the part extremely well. Marisa Tomei is a great casting job as Maggie McPhearson and I enjoyed William H. Macy as Frank Levine.

Perhaps it is because I've gone deeper into the Lincoln Lawyer books but now I can see past Mick's facade and I know there's more to him than just getting his clients off whether or not he believes in their innocence or not. I'm guessing that's what makes a great defense lawyer, the ability to get a client off regardless of the case stacked against them.

It wasn't until mid-way through the movie that I thought it picked up but before that I thought it was a bit slow going.

I am wondering if this will be the first of Mickey Haller movies since there are more books. I'd love to see them add Harry Bosch to the cast!

Final Take: 3/5

Movie Review: The American

Summary: Academy Award® winner George Clooney is The American in this sexy suspense thriller from director Anton Corbijn. After a job ends more violently than expected, Jack (Clooney) retreats to the Italian countryside and accepts one last assignment to construct a deadly weapon for a mysterious contact. But when he pursues a relationship with a beautiful local woman, he may be tempting fate by stepping out of the shadows. Jack soon finds himself in an escalating battle to escape from his secretive past, in the film critics are calling “4 Stars! Riveting and irresistible!” ~amazon.com


Review: I knew that The American was based on a book before we even watched it but I wasn't sure what book until the end credits rolled. It wouldn't have mattered because well George Clooney was in it. I'll pretty much watch anything he's in. Heck he could do a You Tube video of nothing and I'd probably watch. The other part that interested me was that it was a spy movie. Although I knew going in, that it wasn't going to be like my favorite spy movies, Bourne Trilogy, I don't think anything tops those in our house.

Was The American an action packed movie? No, but was it suspenseful and thrilling? Yes. Was it fast-paced? No, but it held my attention for the whole 109 minutes. I wanted to know what would happen to Jack. Would he get to finish the job? Would this be his last job? What mistakes is he making? What, in the end will be his undoing?

I also loved figure it out along the way. My husband thought I was nuts but turns out I was spot on. I think we were supposed to figure it out as viewers but then wonder how long it would take Jack.

Let's talk about George for a minute. He's a fine actor and I don't think he gets enough credit. He proved it to me in Up in the Air and even more now in The American. He gives a fantastic, nuanced performance as Jack. You never pity him but you are always rooting for him, even if he was an assassin. The cast of surrounding characters is great as well. I loved how they made you see things through Jack's eyes and yet at times, I felt I could see more than him.

Am I sorry I didn't see this in the theater, nope but I am glad that I saw it. After having a couple of days to reflect back and I'm still thinking about the plot and the story, then it was a solid movie. Will you come away thinking it was an adrenaline rush, probably not but I think you will be satisfied.

Final Take: 3.50/5

The novel the movie is based on A Very Private Gentleman: A Novel by Martin Booth. Will I read it? Probably not but I haven't read the Bourne books either.

Book to Movie: The Help

Book to Movie Review: YAY! I finally got to go and see The Helpon Sunday with my sister. I've been wanting to see it since it's release but life got in the way. I will simply say this and then add more...I LOVED it. I laughed when I was supposed to laugh, I cried when I was supposed to cry (ok, maybe a few more than actually necessary) and I thought that overall the director did an excellent job of retaining the spirit of the book.

For those us who've read the book, it an excellent adapatation. For those who didn't read the book, the movie captures all the essentials of the book. If you haven't read the book, go and get it now because there are nuances in the novel that aren't in the movie.

I love Emma Stone so I knew that I would simply adore her as Skeeter and I did. Viola Davis was marvelous as Abileen; Octavia Spencer had all the gumption that Minny needed to shine on the screen and Jessica Chastain (Who IS she?) knocked me off my seat as Ceclia Foote. For me, she stole the movie. Her performance was understated and golden as the outsider in Jackson. She wants so desperately to fit in and tries so hard. It takes a friendship with Minny for her to realize that she doesn't need those stuck up snobs to be happy.

Let's talk about Bryce Dallas Howard's portrayal of Hilly Hollbrook. I loathed her in the book and often wondered how someone didn't slap her but in the movie Ms. Howard made her dreadful. There was nothing, absolutely nothing redeemable about her character. She is a hateful woman. She is miserable with her life and therefore makes everyone around her miserable. She is fearful of change and of progress. For me she always embodied the thoughts of that time period and the shortsightedness of some people.

Does the movie or the book address all the problems of that era? Of course not, nothing can encaputulate all things. What it does is give a voice to people who didn't have one before.

The one thing that struck me with the book and then again with the movie is how black women were allowed to raise white children, which is a pretty important task, cook and clean but were not given the respect in other areas of the home. This has always seemed a bit of an oxymoron to me and I suppose it always will.

I could go on and on about the performances from Sissy Spacek, Allison Janney, Cicely Tyson but I really think they speak for themselves. I was worried about the casting in the movie but they did a pitch perfect job in the end and I wouldn't change it at all.

Book to Movie Final Take: 4.75/5