Dorian Gray (2009)

Dorian Gray

Directed by: Oliver Parker

Starring: Ben Barnes, Colin Firth, Rebecca Hall

Dorian Gray is loosely based on the Novel. The soul of the book is there but it's not a faithful adaptations. While I liked Ben Barnes performance as Dorian, his character lacked the intensity, volatility of Dorian in the book. Colin Firth who played Lord Henry was great as always. I liked the movie well enough to recommend it and will look for the 1945 black & white version.

Verdict:
❤❤❤❤❤❤♡♡♡♡

My Review of the Book

The Picture of Dorian Gray (Book 2)

Title: The Picture of Dorian Gray
Author: Oscar Wilde
First Published: 1890
Genre: Classics, Horror, Fantasy

     When I picked up The Picture of Dorian Gray I had no preconceptions, in fact I knew nothing of the book. My sister and many recommended the book and it was time. Boy was I surprised. It is not your typical Victorian novel. The main character Dorian Gray, is a beautiful young man who have everyone under his spell. Everyone seems to admire his looks, they want to be around him, they want to befriend him. After he was painted by Basil, a well known painter, it suddenly struck him that the charm of his beauty will fade, and while he will grow old and wrinkled, the picture will stand the test of time and will always remind him of what he had. He doesn't look at the painting as a great work of art, he in fact hates it.
     His new friend Lord Henry, an older gentleman has a great deal of effects of young Dorian. Dorian tries to emulate Henry world of views and in the process becomes corrupted, vain, shallow and cruel. The book at times seems like a study of a human soul and personal values. Oscar Wilde was a poet, a highly educated man, studied psychology and was in interested in philosophy. It is very evident in his writings. His phrasings are absolutely stunning. You could simply quote any lines of the book.

When the book came out in the lat 19th century it was not met with high regards. critics called it nauseous, unclean, effeminate and homoerotic. Oscar Wilde had to rewrite many of his chapters, add few more and tone down some elements in his subsequent editions.

The novel was way a head of its time





Verdict:
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

2013 Book to Movie Challenge

Since my blog is primarily about books and movies, then what's better than doing a challenge that combines both.

I found this challenge by accident. You read a book then you watch it's movie. I did that quite a lot in the past, and generally the books were better that their screen adaptations.

There are 4 levels to this challenge:

• Movie Fan - read 3 books and watch their movies
• Movie Devotee - read 6 books and watch their movies
• Movie Lover - read 9 books and watch their movies
• Movie Aficionado - read 12 books and watch their movies

I'll be attempting the Movie Aficionado since I watch a lot of movies. I can't wait to start.

2013 Book to Movie Challenge

1. The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890) My Thoughts on The Book, Dorian Gray (2009) My Thoughts on The Movie.

Django Unchained (2012)

Django Unchained

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leondardo DiCaprio

     Django Unchained is set in 19^th century just two years before the civil war. A German bounty hunter/dentist, Schultz, rescues Django from slavery and then enlists him in the search for the notorious Brittle Brothers. In return, Schultz will grant him his freedom and help him find his wife who was sold years back.

     The film is directed by the immensely talented Quentin Tarantino. It is uniquely his. The movie is gore, violent, has many unexpected turns of events and sometimes funny. Like many of his film the writing takes center stage. The dialogue is amusing, every major characters were given time to develop. The use of music is like no movie you’ve seen. 

During the course of the movie, you’ll hear country music, opera, Spanish songs, Beethoven, and yes RAP music as well.

     The film is not for everyone. Many will deem it too violent, too offensive and I agree. But then again, I love revenge stories. They are the best. Quentin put a movie out every 3-4 years or so. I find myself waiting for them impatiently and I’m never disappointed. 

Verdict:
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤♡

Week 01: Favorite User Review

Week 1 favorite review goes to Create With Joy.

This a link to the review Art As Therapy – Inspiration, Innovation, And Ideas by Diane Fausek-Steinbach. I have to say the I enjoyed what was said about the book, moreover I am intrigued by the subject matter that you could work on your personal issues and struggle using art. I'll definitely check the book out.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Dir: Peter Jackson

I watched The Hobbit last night and I have to say I have mixed emotions about it. Being a huge fan of the Middle-Earth universe and Peter Jackson craft, I had more hope for it to succeed than expectations to dazzle. The movie critics specially the top Critics from www.rottentomatoes.com haven’t been kind to the film giving it 42%. The fans on the other hand seemed to love it.

The film is based on the The Hobbit which is a fairly small book. How they managed to stretch it into three films is beyond me. Considering this, the pace of the movie is not as slow as I was led to believe. Gandalf says “out of the frying pan and into the fire” and it does feel like that in away with the continuous spectacular action scenes.

On other places, like Gollum Cave, it does feel stretched out too much. The dialogue is long, the game they played is a bit idiotic and it slowed down the movie considerably. The sense of urgency is gone. The actors were great. Most of the dwarves are indistinguishable and you don’t connect with most of them actually. Bilbo Baggins played by Martin Freeman is mediocre. It’s the worst thing about the film actually. I enjoyed him a lot in Sherlock but in The Hobbit he seemed out of place, out of pace, and out of sync with everything around him.

The experience is still spectacular. Middle-Earth is still raw, beautiful and beyond reach. I am still going to watch the movie many, many times I’m sure. It’ll end up as one of my holiday movies and I know that I’ll grow to love it more and not mind its flaws.

Verdict:
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤♡♡

52 Books in 52 Weeks

Reading 52 Books in 52 Weeks is a huge undertaking for couple of reason:
1. It's a new year resolution for me and I hardly ever keep my year resolutions.
2. I read 2 books a month at most. Doubling that amount is going to be tough.

But I have faith that I would break the chains of broken promises and actually finish something for a change.
My wife got me Galaxy Note Tab so all my new purchases will be in the form of ebooks. My faith also is strengthen by the fact that I already finished my first book of the year and I'm starting another one tomorrow.

I hope by joining your ranks that I'll stay motivated, committed cause I actually love reading.

52 Books in 52 Weeks