Begin Again Movie Review + A YA Book Pairing

Movies about music are some of my favourite types of movies. It's not even strictly musicals, just movies about music in general. And one of my favourite movies that has a strong focus on music is Once (which yes, is also a musical). I probably watched it for the first time about two years ago with my mum and immediately fell in love with the story and the music. It was just such a sweet movie with great music.

Being such a fan of Once, I was automatically interested in seeing Begin Again, written and directed by the very same John Carney who wrote and directed Once. Plus it stars Keira Knightley (ultimate cutie for life), Mark Ruffalo and Adam Levine! Pretty hard to say no to that...

Begin Again is similar to Once in some ways: it's written and directed by the same person, both have a strong focus on music and deal with a musical collaboration between two people to create a record. But that's where I would say the similarities end. It's clear that Begin Again has a bigger budget and with well known actors (Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld) and a well known musician (Adam Levine), a LOT more star power. And furthermore, Begin Again seems to place a much greater importance on developing the story and each of the characters than Once does (I feel bad for comparing the two but I feel like it is inevitable). That's not to say that Once had a shit story and characters but I just feel the focus lies in different things in the two movies. In Once, the songs were written first and then the story was created around those songs which makes sense. The music takes up a lot of the movie and it's made abundantly clear that it's the true focus of the film. In Begin Again, I would say there isn't as great of a focus on the music. And I'm unsure whether or not the songs were written first but it definitely feels to me like a movie where the story came first and the music later on. Which is okay, I liked it all the same. The two films have totally different feels in my opinion and seek out to achieve two totally different things. If I'm in the mood for a more music-leaning movie, I would go with Once. But if I'm in the mood for something that's a little more spread out in terms of priorities (like I was on Saturday when I watched this film), I would go with Begin Again. 

OK maybe I should talk a little more about what Begin Again is actually about. Okay so it deals with two primary characters, Gretta (Keira Knightley) and Dan (Mark Ruffalo), as they work together to create a record. Gretta is an aspiring musician (whose boyfriend, Dave Kohl as played by Adam Levine, is quickly climbing up in stardom) who sings an original song at a bar one night and immediately catches the attention of a very drunk Dan, who's a record executive in a bit of a rough stretch. The two end up working together to create Gretta's record and then things happen and it's all so wonderful.

I never knew Keira Knightley could sing but her voice suited all the songs very well. Having said that though, I'M SORRY I LOVE YOU KEIRA but I wasn't the biggest fan of her voice. I know that sounds contradictory but while I could see she was a good pick to play Gretta because of everything from her composure to her voice, I just didn't really like her voice at all. But anyway I enjoyed the songs nonetheless and I actually wish they had created a Gretta record for the movie. Like in the film, Gretta and Dan record all of her songs all over New York LIVE with no additional editing and a ragtag bunch of super fricking cool musicians and I'm like THAT SOUNDS SO COOL UM EXCUSE ME CAN I PLEASE GET THIS ALBUM. 

Also Mark Ruffalo was great (like fricking amazing) and Hailee Steinfeld was fabulous and JAMES CORDEN I WANT TO HUG HIM. WHY ARE YOU SO ADORABLE. OH MY GOD.

And finally... Adam Levine as Dave Kohl. It was very amusing seeing him in this film. I don't think he did a bad job at all but I just couldn't picture Adam Levine as his character at all. Even with his glasses at the beginning and then his dumb mustache and then his dumber beard, I was like wow hey it's Adam Levine looking funny, not Dave Kohl. But maybe for people who aren't as in love with Adam Levine could do a better job than me picturing Adam Levine as Dave Kohl. Plus I also liked Adam's rendition of Lost Stars a lot more than Keira's. Also I really enjoyed all the songs that Adam sings. It kinda brought me back to his early Songs About Jane stuff which I adored.

Anyway, I thought Begin Again overall was a very great movie and one I know I will be rewatching very soon and probably most likely even getting a copy of it on DVD because that's how much I enjoyed it. It was truly such a sweet and uplifting movie. Highly recommended!

And now you might be wondering, what about the YA book pairing you mentioned in the title? Well, just you wait a second. 

I wasn't initially planning on including a YA book to go with this post. It was going to solely be a Begin Again movie review / gush but then after watching the movie, I was struck by the most perfect YA book to go with this film and instead of making another post for it, I decided to squish the two together even though I'm going to end up with a super long post but YOLO because all my posts are super long anyway so what's another few inches?

So what is the clever YA book equivalent I thought of for this movie?

everything leads to you by nina lacour.

I read this book last month and although the cover and the rave reviews it got made it seem very promising and one I was sure to like, I actually wasn't too crazy about it (for reference, it got 2.5 stars from me). But it's one of the cases where I acknowledge that the book probably is very good, it just wasn't suited for me because I can see all the qualities in Everything Leads to You that would have a lot of people fawning over it. It's only that for some reason, it didn't click with me. 

But anyway, even though I didn't like this book all that much, I also do realize that it is quite a good pairing for Begin Again (not to toot my own horn too much though). Where Begin Again deals with a ragtag group of musicians teaming up together to make a record, Everything Leads to You is all about a ragtag group of film industry professionals teaming up to create a film. And in the same way Begin Again explores the wonders of New York City, Everything Leads to You explores Los Angeles. Although there isn't quite the same "mystery" element in Begin Again as there is in Everything Leads to You, I think you'll find the overall tone to be quite similar. Both deal with themes of heartbreak and love and family and friendship and being really passionate about something and bringing that to life.

Now tell me: have you seen Begin Again or read Everything Leads to You? What were your thoughts? And if you've both read the book and seen the movie, do you think they pair well together? What other book do you think might go well with Begin Again? And conversely what other movie do you think might go well with Everything Leads to You? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Movies & Miniseries & Oh My!

I'm taking another break from books today to talk about some movies and TV shows I've watched lately. I don't usually watch many movies and I haven't been watching a lot of TV either but as I was off this past week for March break, I had a lot of time to just do nothing and it just so happened I was able to sneak in a few films and one miniseries in there! So with that said, let's get this show on the road, shall we?

The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst
Directed by Andrew Jarecki
HBO
If you know me, you know I am a sucker for anything true crime. Dateline? 48 Hours? Serial? I'll eat it all up. So when I saw my Twitter feed blowing up about a Robert Durst one day and then learned about The Jinx, I knew I had to watch it. And you know what? I ended up really liking it.

I've heard The Jinx being compared to the Serial podcast many times and here I will say, The Jinx was probably more riveting than Serial in my opinion. Although I did love Serial a lot, there were episodes that felt a little unnecessary, where the story wasn't as tight as maybe I would have liked it. The pacing was a problem as well especially when we got to the last episode and everything was basically exactly where we started off the podcast with. Now I definitely think the journey is more important than the destination and the journey Serial took me on was incredible but I expect a proper destination when I'm being promised one and that didn't happen. But with The Jinx, boy did I ever get an ending. It was absolutely fascinating even though I had already read about how it was going to end.

The production was fantastic. The cinematography was amazing and the narration was really great too. I loved how the producers revealed each part of the puzzle one bit by one bit and it just wrapped up really really nicely. I suppose it helps when you have as interesting a story as the one Robert Durst has to tell (who is by the way a very eccentric character) but still so well done. I highly recommend The Jinx for anyone looking for something quick. There are only six 45 minute to 60 minute episodes and even if that seems like too much time to commit to a show (which it isn't, trust me, as I have commitment issues with TV as well), the story is so interesting that you won't even notice all the time has gone.

 Cinderella
Directed by Kenneth Branagh
Starring Lily James, Richard Madden and Cate Blanchett
Cinderella wasn't a film I wanted to see at all when it arrived in theatres. Which confuses me now, having seen it, because I was OBSESSED with Cinderella when I was younger. I had a copy of the original Disney movie on VCR and I'd force my parents to play it every weekend. In comparison to the other princesses we have now, I don't know if I'd still put Cinderella at the top of my list like she was when I was younger but for nostalgia's sake, she's still pretty high up there.

So all this rambling is basically to say, my disinterest made absolutely no sense and I am so grateful to my grandmother for dragging me to go see it because it was wonderful.

I loved seeing everything come to life; it really brought me back to my childhood. I loved the cinematography and the costumes and all the minor tweaks they made were so fitting. So magical.

And the acting was amazing as well. I thought Lily James made for a really charming Cinderella and Cate Blanchett nailed her role as Evil Stepmother. Richard Madden, who played the Prince, was a) GORGEOUS and b) so likeable. Even the secondary characters of the stepsisters and the fairy godmother and the king were so well acted.

So overall, I really really enjoyed this movie. I think this is a great choice if you're looking for something light and positive but still really well done.


The DUFF
Directed by Ari Sandel
Starring Mae Whitman, Robbie Amell and Bella Thorne
Having read the DUFF, I was really excited to see this movie even though I knew it wasn't going to be the same storyline. The trailer looked hilarious and going into it, all I was expecting was to just have a great time at the theatre, laughing my butt off. And I hate to say it but I'm actually really disappointed. Coming out of the theatre I don't think I regretted seeing it nearly as much as I do now.

I guess the first thing that took me by surprise was that it was truly a very teen movie. Like I almost feel like this entire movie could have been written by teens. There was swearing and a LOT of sex jokes and I don't necessarily have trouble with that; I was just very taken aback. Because usually even if it is a movie for teens, you don't always have such crude jokes. Which again, isn't something I typically have problems with. I am a teenager after all but seeing some of the jokes on screen was just so cringe worthy. A particular scene between Bianca and Wes at the mall in the food court stands out to me. I was laughing but completely out of how awkward and ridiculous it was.

I guess I just feel like this movie was trying too hard to be funny in places so the other areas just fell sorta flat for me. But I did like Mae Whitman as Bianca (secretly she was also my pick for Hazel in The Fault In Our Stars) and Robbie Amell was good too. But yeah, I still can't help but feel a little let down and wishing that I had just waited for it to come out on DVD.

22 Jump Street
Directed by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
Starring Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill and Ice Cube
This was a movie I actually really enjoyed a lot. I haven't seen 21 Jump Street but I was in the mood for a funny, kinda kooky comedy so when I saw this on the Movie Network, I was like score!

And I did really like it a lot. Both Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill were incredibly endearing characters. I liked how this movie didn't take itself too seriously and there were parts where I legitimately could not stop laughing.

I don't know if it's necessarily a movie I'd see again but it offered me everything that I went into it expecting. I had such a fun time watching it and it provided the break that I was seeking so desperately after working on my project for five hours straight.

I think I might have to watch 21 Jump Street now though. (Also is it possible that I am finding Channing Tatum more attractive??)

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There you go, some movies (and one mini-series) I've seen lately. What movies have you seen and what did you think of them? Tell me in the comments! I'll be looking forward to what you guys have to say.

4 Reasons to Go See The F Word/What If

By the time you're reading this, The F Word/What If most likely isn't in theatres any more because this post is way overdue. I went to go see this movie in theatres right when school started back at the very beginning of September and planned to write this post but by then, I just didn't have energy to blog so this post got pushed back and now... here we are. I would have just scrapped this post altogether but The F Word/What If was just SUCH a good movie, I had to tell you guys about it.

So first I guess I should mention that this film actually goes under two names: The F Word and What If. For Canadian release, the film used its original name (I think?) of The F Word but for everywhere-else-release, it went under What If. I'm probably just going to end up using The F Word to refer to film when I get tired of typing out The F Word/What If because that's the name that's familiar to me.

And just to sum it up very, very briefly, The F Word is a romantic comedy about a girl and a guy who meet at a party and end up getting stuck in the friendzone (hence, the F Word) and it's really hilarious and wonderful and I think that's all you really need to know but if that summary kinda sucked, then visit the IMDB page for more information.

4 Reasons to Go See The F Word.

It's filmed in my favourite city ever, TORONTO!

Maybe this won't be a selling point for you but for me, it definitely was! A lot of films actually get filmed in Toronto (hence why it gets called "Hollywood North" a lot) but it's not often that a film that gets filmed in Toronto is actually meant to be set in Toronto so with The F Word, you actually got to see all the cool Toronto landmarks that probably wouldn't make it into other films filmed in Toronto because it would contradict the setting the movie is supposed to take place in. 

The screenwriter, Elan Mastai talks about this (kinda) and I thought it was interesting so I'll share it with you:

"My personal, emotional life was bound up in the iconography of the city," Mastai said. “I was thrilled we got to shoot it in Toronto. I feel like Toronto is often treated very coldly in the movies when it’s being treated at all... I always prefer to have the movie set where we shoot it, so that you’re not hiding anything or trying to pawn it off as some kind of Anytown, U.S.A. If you make a movie more specific, it actually makes it more universal… Whether you’re setting your movie in Manhattan, or Los Angeles, or Paris, or Kuala Lumpur, or Toronto, it’s always going to make the movie better, more textured, and more rounded because it’s a real place."

And I've lived here my entire life that sometimes Toronto starts to lose its magic for me but after watching this film, it was like "yeah.. I really do live in a cool city!" My friends and I were joking afterwards that the filmmakers made Toronto seem so much more hip and cool than it really is but okay guys, Toronto is actually pretty awesome even if I don't think it all the time.

Liz Braun wrote a review for the Toronto Sun about this film that sums up my thoughts totally:

"Toronto audiences get the extra bonus of seeing their city through the eyes of love, a point of view that makes every inch of the waterfront, every park and every streetcar hugely desirable. If you didn't know better you'd almost want to live there." 

Yes, that is exactly how I feel.

And even though Daniel Radcliffe was here for TIFF, it didn't really hit me that he was in MY CITY and has been to MY CITY before for this film until I saw the film and saw him WALKING ON THE SAME FREAKING STREETS I WALK ON LIKE EVERY FREAKING DAY. Holy shit.

Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan were ADORABLE.

They were actually soooo cute. I can't even explain. I can't even. I'm unable to even. Like what the heck?? Is it even possible to be that cute? So many feels. So many great, great, great cute moments. And their banter was fabulous. So hilarious and ADORABLE. Like obviously, in real life unless you ARE Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan, the banter sucks. It's awkward, it's not funny, it's not cute. Or maybe that's just me? Why do movies and shows and books make banter seem so easy? It's not. All I can manage ever is a chuckle and maybe a really bad joke and then I'll end up stuttering and it's horrible. But anyway. Wallace and Chantry (Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan's characters) were A+. Really adorable but also fantastic characters. In all honesty though, all the characters were great so I guess that's another reason why you should go see this movie: fantastic characters!

Cute, cute outfits.

Zoe Kazan's character, Chantry had the CUTEST outfits. I don't know why I pick up on these things but literally every single outfit she wore, I was like OMG CAN THAT BE MINE PLEASE? They were all so cute (sorry, I lost my thesaurus) in that Taylor Swift-esque way kinda? 

It's just such a sweet and cute movie in general.

I've used cute and adorable in this post way too many times already but man, this film is just so SWEET and ADORABLE. It's such a feel good movie, I can almost guarantee you walking away from this movie smiling.

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So obviously I'm not a film expert and have no clue about the technicalities but I know what I enjoy and The F Word was definitely very enjoyable so I highly recommend you go see it and then tell me what you think! If you've already seen The F Word/What If, tell me what your thoughts were. Do you agree with me? 

10 of My Go-To, Comfort Films

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and Bookish.

I can't deal with this week's topic which is your Top Ten Favourite Films and/or TV Shows. I have way too many of both for this post to be anything other than 100 000 words long. So I thought I would narrow it down and instead, do ten films that I watch whenever I need a pick-me-up or just whenever I want something comfortable and familiar. Think of your favourite comfort food except with films! Even this was really hard but I think I managed to pick a good top ten! So without further ado, here are 10 of my go-to, comfort films!

1. Friends With Benefits (2011)

Directed by Will Gluck

Starring Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis, Woody Harrelson

Oh gosh, I don't even know how many times I've seen this film. I could seriously recite to you every single line in this film right now (I couldn't but a few more watches and I'll be there). I first watched this back in 2011 and I've seen it so many times since, I've lost count. I just love this movie so much. Maybe it's the allure of New York City? Or maybe it's because the opening scene is one of my favourites. This is just seriously one of my favourite go-to movies and I can't even tell you exactly why I love it so much, just that I do!

2. 13 Going On 30 (2004)

Directed by Gary Winick

Starring Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer

Another one of my favourites! 13 Going On 30 has such a fun and awesome storyline. I haven't seen it nearly as many times as I have Friends With Benefits but it's still a good old favourite! Though the striptease scene still makes me cringe to this day. Oyy.

3. Pitch Perfect (2012)

Directed by Jason Moore

Starring Anna Kendrick, Skylar Astin, Rebel Wilson

Girl power! Singing! Acapella groups! A cute boy! And hilarious lines! I don't think you could go wrong. EXCEPT for the vomit scene. Ick ick ick ick ick. But other than that, this is a really fun film! Can't wait for the sequel!

4. Singin' In The Rain (1952)

Directed by Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly

Starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds

While we're talking on the topic of singing in movies, here's a classic musical! This is just such a great movie and ahh, it's just so good. There are times when it drags on (especially that part towards the end where they're just dancing for like twenty minutes) but really, just such a delight! Watch this if you haven't and watch it again if you have!

5. High School Musical (2006)

Directed by Kenny Ortega

Starring Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale

This was MY LIFE when I was six. I was so obsessed, I went out and bought all the High School Musical books there were. I have the Unofficial Story, the All Access book, and the one about all the stars. Those books were my BABIES. And while I'm not obsessed with it any more, I do still really love this. I feel like High School Musical will always have a place in my heart. I've watched this like at least 30 times to date and this movie, I can DEFINITELY recite to you.

6. Something Borrowed (2011)

Directed by Luke Greenfield

Starring Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, Colin Egglesfield

I've seen this movie so many times as well. It's always playing on W and when I don't have anything else to watch, I'll just stay and rewatch this. It's another one I don't seem to get tired of. I remember I cried at the end when I first watched this. Oh, the memories. I never really liked Dexter because of the cheating. I was Ethan all the way! Mostly because it was John Krasinski but well.

7. Ponyo  (2008)

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Starring Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Liam Neeson

Oh, MAN. It was so hard choosing just one Hayao Miyazaki because that guy is KING and all his Studio Ghibli work was just so good. Ponyo was the first of his I'd ever seen though and it was what sparked my love for Hayao Miyazaki. Whenever I need cheering up, I always watch one of his films. They're just all so good!

8. Mean Girls (2004)

Directed by Mark Waters

Starring Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Jonathan Bennett

I can't have a list of my go-to, comfort movies without Mean Girls! It's hilarious and I've watched it so many times but it's fabulous. I love screaming out the lines with the characters and Rachel McAdams and Lindsay Lohan are so ON POINT in this film.

9. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Directed by David Frankel

Starring Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt

Another movie I cannot NOT have on a list of go-to films! This is an all-time favourite, mostly because Meryl Streep is kick-ass in this film. She totally nails the role.

10. The Proposal  (2009)

Directed by

Starring Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds

This movie makes me laugh so hard every single time. And I love it. 

So that concludes my list of 10 of my favourite go-to films! As you can see, I'm big on romantic comedies. There are seriously so many more films I wish I could have included (The Parent Trap, Despicable Me, etc) but I didn't want this list to climb up to 100! Tell me in the comments if you love any of these movies to and share your go-to movies down below!

Be Still, My Beating Heart! (A Sorta Film Review For TFIOS)

Today I'm going to be talking about The Fault in Our Stars movie and why, if you liked the book, you should definitely not miss out on this movie!

As I've been on an unofficial break of sorts from blogging, this post is very late. Initially I was going to have it up on the sixth of June, right after I watched it, but things just didn't work out. I have to admit, I've tried writing this post a bajillion times already and it seems the words aren't coming to me. Here goes another try as I'm making my jump back into my blogging.

So, where to start?

Well, first, let me rewind back to a few years ago when I read the book. It wasn't too long ago but it was well before The Fault in Our Stars blew up to the level it is at today. I liked it but I wasn't in love and it didn't make me cry. I definitely did not consider it a favourite so when word of the movie first leaked, I was rather indifferent to it all. 

But then, the trailer. Oh, the trailer. I talked a little bit more about it in this post which I think you should really read because I totally hit the nail on the head without even knowing it. I totally just predicted exactly how I would react to the movie. God, am I psychic or something? But seriously, after watching the trailer, my little heart just kinda seized up with a rediscovered love for the book. Even after I had grown increasingly less fond of the book over time. I don't know what it was but something about the movie just looked so RIGHT. Like it would be everything I liked about the book and not anything I didn't like about the book.

And true to my word, I was at the theatre the very day it premièred! I actually had an exam that day but it worked out rather well as my exam was early in the morning and I was able to just head to the theatre straight after (well, not before getting some lunch) to watch it.

I don't think I was ever more nervous to see a movie. Like seriously. I was shaking going into the theatre. And I walked out shaking. But don't worry, it was in the best way possible. Because the movie was great, and this is why:


1. They stuck to the book...
The Fault in Our Stars is such a PHENOMENON by itself that I think the producers made a smart decision by choosing not to deviate from the general storyline. I read The Fault in Our Stars a few years ago and seeing it on screen made my heart fill up with joy. Like, WOW IT'S ALL SO REAL. I think I must have squealed non-stop during the entire film, especially when Shailene and Ansel started speaking the lines from the book. It was so flipping perfect and didn't sound at all pretentious like I felt it did in the book.

2. ...But cut out unnecessary bits
Honestly, I didn't even notice anything was missing (like the Caroline bit) until I Wikipedia'd the book and I think, on screen at least, it was better the way they did it without the parts that didn't really add anything to the general storyline. For me - someone who wasn't totally in love with all of the book - it was like an airbrushed version of the book that worked really well for me. I don't think maybe that the story they stuck to for the film would have worked so well as a novel but I think I prefer the film version anyway.

3. Ansel Elgort as Gus was fantastic.
When the casting for Gus was announced, I think my jaw dropped. Totally did not think Ansel was the right guy for Gus because he didn't look anything like the Gus I had in my mind. I don't know why I had such a hard time getting over Ansel not looking like my Gus but I did. Even watching the movie at the beginning, I felt he was so wrong. BUT then. He grew on me. With each smirk, I felt myself more assured that Ansel was Gus and Gus was Ansel. I can still see where I didn't think he looked much like Gus but now, they're kinda becoming one and the same for me. Ansel might not have had the look of Gus that I felt like he had to have but he captured Gus' demeanour straight on and his acting was great. Like that gas station scene? My heart!

4. JUST SO BEAUTIFUL. 
The movie just did everything really well. It all came together in such a fabulous way and it was just great. Like I don't know what else to say even after a few weeks since watching this film other than it was great. It delivered all the emotional punches to the gut that the book didn't manage and while I didn't sob, I did tear up a bit. Not that my cry-o-meter is such an accurate way of measuring emotion because I seriously cry at the most random things. Like during a Jennifer Aniston comedy.


I know I rambled on a lot but basically what I want you to take from this is that if you are a fan of the book, you SHOULD go watch the movie, if you haven't already. It definitely does not disappoint and I think even if you haven't read a book or are indifferent to it, The Fault in Our Stars stands well alone as a film and though it is directed mainly to teens, I think everyone can find something to appreciate and relate to about this movie.

Let's Just Talk About The Fault In Our Stars Trailer, Kay?

Yeah, I know I'm a little late to the party here but CAN YOU JUST STOP AND LET ME TALK ABOUT THE FAULT IN OUR STARS FOR A SECOND?

Because I just re-watched the trailer and I don't know, but something changed and now I'm actually really excited for the film. Like, really really really really really REALLY excited.

And excuse me if I sound a little shocked because I kind of am! While I did enjoy the novel, I don't remember ever being so ecstatic about the film adaptation. Sure I was interested to see how it would turn out but it wasn't consuming my every thought like it is now. I JUST REALLY CAN'T HOLD IT IN ANYMORE. CAN THE MOVIE COME ANY SLOWER??

It's been a while since I finished The Fault In Our Stars and in that while, quite a bit has happened. I've read two more books by John Green and one short story and let's just say that I wasn't too impressed by them. And as much as I don't want it to affect my view of The Fault In Our Stars, it has. Because HOW can I like The Fault In Our Stars when I absolutely detested all his other books? What makes it so special? I'm not going to say that I know or attempt to find out because it isn't important. But it explains why I wasn't initially too excited for the movie and why, now after seeing the trailer twice, I really am excited!

Through the trailer, all the things that I didn't like about John Green's novels - the sappy quotes (god, those metaphors!) and the ludicrousity (yes, I made up a new word) - just came together really nicely. And it helps that Shailene Woodley is Hazel because I think she's going to be fantastic! I'm still on the fence about Ansel Elgort because he doesn't shout Gus to me but I'm sure he's going to kick butt in his role. So when the film comes out on the sixth of June, I'm most definitely going to be the first person at the theatre to watch it. And I know I'll cry during the movie like I never did with the books and I know I'm going to be shouting and jumping with feels but it's going to be okay because I know that the film will be terrific and be way better for me than the book was.

Also for those of you who haven't watched the trailer yet, I'm attaching it below so I can force you to talk to me about it.

Your Turn: HAVE YOU SEEN THE TRAILER FOR THE FAULT IN OUR STARS YET? ARE YOU FREAKING OUT LIKE I AM OR ARE YOU JUST MEH ABOUT THE WHOLE THING? OMG DID IT GIVE YOU FEELS LIKE IT GAVE ME? AND WHO'S COMING WITH ME TO THE THEATRE ON JUNE SIX?

Crying Over The Book Thief (A Kind-Of Film Review)

If you love The Book Thief and want to cry with someone about it, here's your chance.

I read The Book Thief in sixth grade and I still remember the knowing looks I received while I was reading it, telling me that I'd love it and I'd cry my eyes out. If you've read this book, you know that obviously they were right.

To this day, The Book Thief remains one of my favourite books. And of course you can tell by the way it looks. The cover is creased, the pages are dog-eared and there are some places where the glue of the binding is even visible. ALL SIGNS OF A BOOK DEARLY LOVED.

So it's not a surprise that I went to go see the movie this weekend. And totally not a surprise that I LOVED IT TOO.

The first thing I noticed about the movie was the cinematography. It was absolutely gorgeous and fit the language of the book very well. Markus Zusak writes very descriptively in The Book Thief and I felt the cinematography conveyed the beauty and the expressiveness of Zusak's language perfectly.

I also loved the unique bits the writers included. There were some things in this movie that weren't in the book but I wished were. For example, that last scene with Rudy and Liesel, the writers decided to have him say I love you but he never gets to finish it before he dies. And that absolutely BROKE ME. It was so sad and I swear, if that had been in the book, I would have cried like a baby too.

Also, the entire cast was amazing. Like if you need an example of well-casted characters, just take a look at this film. The filmmakers nailed every character, even Rudy's little brothers! Everyone on screen was exactly how I imagined them in my head while reading, especially Liesel who was pretty great. I can't think of anyone better to play her! And by the way, if you haven't seen Sophie Nelisse in Monsieur Lazhar, I think you need to do that right now. It's another spectacular movie!

The only thing I have to say is that the film lacked the depth of the book and it really felt rushed at times. Which is understandable because The Book Thief is such a daunting book to turn to film and I don't even get why this happened because who in their right mind would want to take on such a challenge but I'm not complaining because this movie made me love the book even more.

Seeing the characters I've loved for so long on screen and totally perfect made me realize how much The Book Thief means to me. I literally do not think I have crossed paths with a more perfect book ever in my life and I'm so happy I read this book. And I really cannot express my love in words. There are just no words that equate to my feeling towards this book. All I can really say is that it's amazing and if you haven't read it, you should RIGHT NOW because this is not a book to be missed.

And now my dear friends, let us hold hands and weep over our beloved characters. To Hans who is the quintessential father: loving, caring, funny and simply amazing in all ways. To Rosa who has a steel mouth but a warm heart, who inspires me to stay strong and persevere through tough times. To Max who taught me the importance of words. To Rudy who is the greatest friend in the entire world, who makes me tear up at the very thought of him, and who I love so very very very much. And to Liesel who is such a strong character and one that inspires me to inquisitive, caring and kind in my life.

Finally, much thanks to Markus Zusak for writing this wonderful story and for making me feel all kinds of FEELS over the span of 550 pages. You are such a great writer and I admire you so much.