Fifty Shades of Grey

Source: NY Times

I know it has been a while since I posted last, which will not be a consistent thing. There is no excuse to be so inactive, especially because my aspiration is to make this a successful review blog. Although life can always seems to get in the way of what you truly want to do, I cannot blame the lack of my posts completely on life and my “daytime” job.

I blame Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L James. My intent was to read the first part of the trilogy and then write a review. However, I simply could not stop reading the entire trilogy, which I read in five days. I have no explanation on why this happened except for that fact it was extremely addicting. By no means was this the best series ever written. It does not even compare to the most recent popular trilogy The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. The writing is subpar and flow isn’t necessarily the best. However, I found myself wrapped up in these characters and their story. I found myself wanting to be a part of the book. This fan fiction novel is creating its own fan fiction craze amd is truly a phenomenon.

The story is a complete fantasy. Is it erotic? Yes. Is it more a love story? Most definitely! This is why I think the book has become so popular, because it truly is an escape from reality; especially the female reality. I also do not believe that this is strictly “mommy porn”.  While in conversation with my friends about this series, we found that it helped each one of us through something different in our love lives. My friend and I were both going through bad break-ups, where we forced ourselves to let go of relationships we had so desperately been clinging to. Although I do know this is a fantasy, I realized that I wanted to be someone’s everything, how Ana was Christian’s everything. These two main characters, Ana and Christian, go through so much together while realizing their love and chemistry is undeniable. Although their lives are so different, the love they share bond’s them to a relationship that most hopeless romantics can only dream of. I am that hopeless romantic. So although the book may not be up to literary standards, I want to say thank you to E.L James for putting her fantasies out there.  They helped me realize my own 🙂

Hunger Games, the movie

Where do I begin? This first movie of the three-part franchise lived up to every hype imaginable, however it did not exceed expectations. Don’t get me wrong; the movie was fantastic, the acting was riveting and I found myself wrapped up in the story just as much as I when I read the book. Jennifer Lawrence’s performance exuded Katniss and everything I imagined the character to be. She truly embodied the character. Each actor played his or her respective character flawlessly.

However, this seemed to be the problem that I could not let myself get over. There were certain tones of the book I did not feel, as an audience member, in the movie. The story between Peeta and Katniss seemed to fall short of what was really happening. Although Josh Hutcherson played an amazing Peeta, I didn’t feel the confusion between the two. Peeta definitely showed how truly in love he was with his strong partner. However, I did not feel or see acts of Katniss trying to please the Capitol audience with their “young lover” portrayal.

The scene from the book that did not make the movie, which I am most upset about, is the start of the reaping where Haymitch, played by Woody Harrelson, falling off the stage. This scene in the book completely sets the tone for how the reader imagines the character to be. In fact, we did not see much of Haymitch’s antics. This is unfortunate because, as a reader I find him to play the pivotal role in Katniss’s life. This characteristic of Haymitch also transcends through out the series of novels.

Do not take me wrong. I truly loved the movie and though it deserves the credit of one of the best adaptations of a novel to ever have been produced. This is just a prime example of the book is ALWAYS better. This is neither Gary Ross’s fault, nor the actors or anyone involved in the movie. It is the fact that readers take such a personal approach to such brilliant novels. Suzanne Collins produced a masterpiece, which no one would be able to top.

I can’t wait until the sequel Catching Firs is released. I might have to read the series again due to the fact of having to wait an entire year and a half for the movie release.

My next review will be of the latest novel trilogy craze Fifty Shades of Grey. Please leave any suggestions in the comment box. I want to hear from you all!

Source: www.thehungergamesmovie.com