Movie Box Review

Back in October I took up the Lit Flicks Challenge and it's Companion Challenge, the (combined) goal was to read 5 books that were turned into films, watch the films and write about them between September 1, 2008 and February 28, 2009. Starting a month into the challenges I thought this would be no sweat - 4 months for 5 books and 5 films? Sure thing, sign me up! My original post including book and film choices is here.

Oh my goodness, did I fail miserably! I did start of strong reading and seeing Memoirs of a Geisha. Loved the book. Loved it. In fact, if nothing else I am happy I took the challenge just to have read the book. I enjoyed but didn't love the film, which retrospectively I can see as the reasoning why I didn't review it. Especially as it is full of actors I love like Michelle Yeoh, Gong Li, Ken Watanabe and Kôji Yakusho. The next book I tackled for the challenge was "Eragon", which I thought would be a fast read but nope it wasn't. I still haven't finished it, in part because I didn't love the writing style but also found the main character a little whiny and not that likeable. I still would like to finish it at some point.

There was one barrier I didn't anticipate for the timing of this challenge. Almost all the reading I do is while I'm waiting for or on the bus, streetcar or subway. Let's look at that timing again - October through February.... in Toronto. Let me fill in the blanks for you:





Yeah, so - it like snows a lot and is cold here. My hands were often tucked away in my pockets and not holding a book to read. I'm not a read at home type so this totally dampened my progress. And once I felt like I wouldn't cross the finish line with flying colours I left the goals to the wayside.

Oddly, I did manage to make it through some other books including "New Moon", "Eclipse" and "Breaking Dawn" from the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyers. Enjoyed "New Moon" the most by fair. I've heard rumours that there is a fifth book in the works as well which was surprizing. I also read those at lightning fast pace, I haven't done that since I was a kid.

I also read "Dead Until Dark" by Charlaine Harris, the book the tv series 'True Blood' is based on. Fun book although it pretty much is the same arch as first season of the show. Keeping with the book to film theme I just finished "City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPlau and loved it - it's a kids book and another really quick read, finished it in a week on transit.

The last book I'll mention has no screen adaptation as far as I know but it's a fantastic book: "Beggars in Spain" by Nancy Kress. It's Sci-Fi but very accessible (i.e. not tech heavy) but brillant. I haven't read a book with that kind of wide eye curiosity of what would happen next since "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card. Huge recommendation from me to you on that one.

So, here we are on February 28, 2009 and I only got though about 25% complete on the challenge. But, I am thrilled that I did end up reading a lot of great books and learning it's cold in the winter (duh). On the film side, although I didn't get to the 5 I thought I would I did manage to watch 114 during the time period. So, I'm good with that.

Last but not least, a big shout out to The Bluestocking Society and Bitchin' Film Reviews for hosting the challenges - they certainly challenged me!

Back in early October I decided to take the Lit Flicks Challenge from over at The Bluestocking Society and companion challenge over at Bitchin' Film Reviews, and I thought it would be a breeze. Putting the two challenges together the goal was to read 5 books and see 5 films (based on books that I've seen for me) before the end of Feb 2009. Here we are mid January and I've read 1 books and seen 1 of the films and am really slowing making my way through the second book which is "Eragon" my 'light' pick that really ain't so light. I thought I would be a lot further along at this point, I'm not sure I'll met the goals set.

This brings us to The Bluestocking Society's Lit Flicks Challenge January meme which is all about resolutions:

"Do you set reading/watching goals for yourself? Do you have any book/movie adaptations that you are particularly excited about this year? How did you do on last year’s goals?"

Do I make goals? You bet I do! See 'Film Challenges' on the sidebar for ones in progress as well as completed challenges. I've already set out my 9 in 2009 but looking at them, they are all film related. Last year I did set out Film Homework but for the whole year that it was only 2 books and I accomplished that. I haven't set any book goals for 2009 but at the back of my mind I keep thinking about re-visiting the Harry Potter series in anticipation for the release of The Half Blood Prince in the summer. I think it's a little overly optimistic which is why I haven't committed to it yet. I think I'm a bit of a book commit-a-phobe, which is a smarty pants way of saying I don't want to set a goal I think I may not achieve! I do want to track the books I read this year, I will commit to that!

What about you? Book or film goals for the year? Anticipated adaptations? Mine are definitely Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and The Time Traveller's Wife if it ever gets a confirmed release date!

Almost a month has passed since I joined up the Lit Flicks Challenge from over at The Bluestocking Society and the companion challenge over at Bitchin' Film Reviews but it has taken that long to make it through one of my five books which is:

Memoirs of a Geisha
by Arthur Golden

I was a little intimidated at first that the book looked really long and had rather small print, but after I began reading it I was hooked. There were moments where I was walking and reading at the same time, that kind of hooked. Not for the whole thing but certainly for specific sections. I was captivated by the world, the characters, and particularly the thoughts and dialogue that used metaphors either for discretion or beauty.

I will admit that about halfway through the book I noticed the back cover said Fiction/Literature and only then did I realize it was written by a man. How could I not have realized this? I really thought I was in biography/autobiography territory. This even made me stop reading if for a bit and then I realized how silly that was because I was enjoying it so much and just because it wasn't about an one specific person that doesn't mean it should be left to collect dust. So back I went to keep reading and I'm so glad. It's truly one of the best books I've read in a long time, with lovely and sensitive character development and provides a look into such a fascinating world.

As a huge bonus it turns out that there was a lot of care that went into the historical accuracy, so I was fretting for nothing! Silly me.

I'm hoping to watch the film this weekend, which has been quite the wait considering it's been on my list for over two years. I had a sneak peak at the casting at IMDb and a lot of the choices are awesome. I can't wait to see Gong Li as Hatsumomo, Michelle Yeoh as Mameha, Ken Watanabe as The Chairmen and after seeing Zoe Weizenbaum in Twelve and Holding I'm sure she will be fantastic as Young Pumpkin, or in any role she chooses to play.

Next up for reading I'm straying from my original 5 to read "New Moon" by Stephenie Meyer in anticipation for the release of Twilight on November 21, 2008. I've heard rumours that there might be content from the 2nd book in the series in the film so I want to be prepared. I'm sure "New Moon" will be a quick read so I'll be back at my original list very soon.