Book to Movie Monday #3: The 5th Wave

Book to Movie #3                                  

Title: The 5th Wave 

Author: Rick Yancey

Publication Date: May 7th 2013

Summary from Goodreads:

Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie's only hope for rescuing her brother-or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

Book to Movie Monday is where I write about books that are being, have been or I would like to see adapted. 

The 5th Wave is probably my all-time favorite trilogy (even though I haven't read the third one yet.) A lot of people loved the first book and then didn't really like the second one. Well, it's the other way around for me... I loved the action in the first book and loved even more the second one. While some found it boring, I though it was really interesting because it was a book to think. What I enjoyed most, was the fact that after reading the second book, I still had no clue of what was going on! I haven't read the third one yet, so I still don't know.

The movie                                                                             

Just like with the books, there are a lot of mixed reviews for the movie. And while it brings some good memories, because I saw it with friends on my birthday, I did have some problems with it. 

I though the casting was fine, no complaints. I mean, sure, there are better actors out there, but these ones weren't bad. I especially liked Maika Monroe, who played Ringer. If you look at a picture of her in real life you'd think it's a totally different person. She did a great job with her character. 

Exactly

Like in any teen movie, we have an eye candy: Alex Roe. He plays Evan Walker, and he did a fine job. I may be biased though... his face does things to me.

My ovaries were non-existent by then

They did a pretty good job of sticking to the book, but somehow it still ended up looking cheesy. The movie version lost some of the seriousness that the scenes had in the books. In the book you get to see (or read) the thoughts behind every decision the characters take. It was fascinating to see the characters mature (in a rushed way) due to the situation. I couldn't really see this in the movie, which I think is a pity.

On the bright side, I though the special effects were pretty good! So props to all the people involved.

To sum up                                                                             

I believe that I would have loved the movie had I not read the book. That's what happened with a lot of people. My friends and I, who did read the book, didn't enjoy it as much. I still watch it whenever it is on tv. And I definitely would watch a sequel if they ever decided to make one. Just throwing it out there.

This is me signing out! Bye.

Did you enjoy the books as much as I did? Does Alex's face affect your brain too? Let me know!

Book Review: Weirdos by Kat Kruger

Weirdos by Kat Kruger                         

Release date: March 28th 2017

Publisher: Joe Books Inc.

Pages: 240

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary                                               

From Goodreads:

It s the summer of 1976, and Kit is fed up of his small town life in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, where he lives with his Dad and grandmother. Dreaming of a more exciting life in the big city, Kit enlists the help of his girlfriend Alice, and they hitchhike towards a new home with his glamorous, artistic mother Laura. As Kit and Alice reach their final destination, their relationship is tested, and Kit faces a difficult realization that will change his life forever.

Kat Kruger's novel adaptation of the film Weirdos retells this tender story of a young man s journey to self-discovery.

Review                                                                                     

Whether it is a book based on a movie or a movie based on a book, they usually don't work out. Movies have a certain pace, usually a faster one than a book, which can make a written story feel rushed if not done correctly. I'm highlighting this in particular because Weirdos is an example of a perfectly achieved adaptation.

This novel is based off the 2016 movie of the same name, but it doesn't feel like it. I know writers can't deviate much from the original story, so I'm thinking that the movie is the same plot-wise, but Kat Kruger has such a way with words that makes the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words" sound silly. 

The author managed to get inside the minds of two believable fifteen-year-old teens and still make this a mature and heart-warming coming of age story. 

This novel made me judge the characters from the very beginning and then made me regret it. Character development was wonderfully achieved. I was pleasantly surprised with Alice; I begun the story feeling like she was just a selfish girl who feared being left alone, but she proved me wrong in the end, just like many other characters did. 

I loved the weird yet deep conversations Kit and "Andy Warhol" had. I loved the development of the "lucky/unlucky" meaning throughout the novel. I loved the third eye. I loved many things of this story.

It's a beautiful narration of self-discovery, but more importantly, it's a story of acceptance.

Rating                                                                                      

4 out of 5 stars*

Rating System

*I'm rating this story no higher than 4 stars because, although I loved it and moved me, it still is an adaptation. 

I got an early review copy from Edelweiss.

Book to Movie Monday #1: Before I Fall

Book to Movie Monday #1                        

Title: Before I Fall

Author: Lauren Oliver

Publication Date: October 25th 2010

Review from Goodreads: 

With this stunning debut novel, New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver emerged as one of today's foremost authors of young adult fiction. Before I Fall raises thought-provoking questions about love, death, and how one person's life can affect so many others.

For popular high school senior Samantha Kingston, February 12—"Cupid Day"—should be one big party, a day of valentines and roses and the privileges that come with being at the top of the social pyramid. And it is…until she dies in a terrible accident that night.

However, she still wakes up the next morning. In fact, Sam lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she ever imagined.

Book to Movie Monday is where I write about books that are being, have been or I would like to see adapted. 

As this is the first time I do this, I want to start with one of the most talked about 2017 adaptations.

I can't seem to avoid advertisement for this movie, maybe it's because I follow the main actress on instagram... hmm.

I haven't read this book yet, but all the buzz surrounding the movie makes me kinda want to check it out. The author is the one that really makes me doubt since I've had some troubles with the Delirium trilogy.

The movie                                                                                

This movie was released quite recently, on March 3rd to be precise, and it has a 68% on Rotten Tomatoes. Not that bad, right?

Zoey Deutch embodies the main role. We've seen her in Vampire Academy too, and even though the movie didn't do so well (I, personally, liked it), I think she nailed her acting. Let's hope she does as good on this one.

Among Zoey's co-stars we have Halston Sage, Logan Miller and, Youtube star, Kian Lawley. 

The trailer looks great, I'll leave the link here for you to judge.

Guess I'll have to wait till it's released in Argentina (ugh, third world problems).

Fun fact                                                                                   

Did you know that Before I Fall is not the first adapted book by Lauren Oliver? 
In fact, Delirium was going to become a TV show, they even filmed the pilot and everything (I got to see it when it was still available online, it wasn't THAT bad). Apparently something went wrong because it never got picked up. You can still find some clips online.

Have you seen the movie already? Let me know what you thought in the comments!

Bye bye! ✌