The 5th Wave Movie Review

The 5th Wave Movie

Rick Yancey

Chloe Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, Alex Roe

January 21, 2016

Rating: 8.5/10 stars

Every reader wants nothing more than to see their favorite books come to life whether it be on the big or small screen as a TV series or a movie. They want to see how the actors portray the characters that had only been on the reader's imagination and hearts.

It is inevitable, yes, to compare the book to the movie. Often readers say that the book was better, which in fact is in always true but it's hard to say anything because the movie and the book are completely two different forms of media and should they be compared it isn't really an accurate basis of anything. The movie is only a mere representation of the book and not necessarily the whole book itself. If a book will be turned exactly as it is with the dialogues and all it would take as long as how a reader read the book and movies runs only for about two hours at most. I&m not going to focus on the book but the movie and we'll judge it more as a viewer than as a reader.

It had been 3 years since I've first read the book, sometime on June 2013. Not actually read but listened to the audiobook narrated by Phoebe Strole. It's a science fiction slash dystopian book which I enjoyed reading. It was the kind of book that would make you gasp and hold your breath as you turn the page. As far as I can remember back then, the movie stayed true to the book. As the scenes on the movie played, memories keep on flooding back in my head and I remember what happens next. It's hard holding yourself back to spoil your friends, to be honest. But really the movie was more than good.

As a viewer myself I think the movie would be quite interesting to people of any age because it's the story of a family who was torn apart by nature and the circumstances that the world is ending. Teens would relate to Cassie played by Chloe Grace Moretz, the main character, in what they would do for the people they love if they have the courage and the heart. Every scene is action packed and every turn is full of suspense. Who doesn't want to see a movie who would make their heart pound and their ears ring right? In pursuit of finding her little brother, Cassie outfaces the challenges along the way. She fights for her right of life and she rises against insurmountable odds. Like what are the odds of teenagers against an army of Others? But still she keeps on pushing and even trusts someone who must have been her enemy if he was one of the Others. Risks and sacrifices are made in order to defeat the enemy. It was hard and heartbreaking to watch this movie but overall it would teach us to hold those things that keeps us alive and keeps us human. Why should you watch this movie or try to read the book? The plost twist. I tell you the plot twist was really good and the ending will make or break your heart.

The actors did a great job in making the viewers see what the readers saw through their eyes in reading the book in which most movie adaptations doesn't. Not to mention that some of the cast are just new and unpopular actors that would surprise you of their acting skills. Chloe has played other young adult characters from books like Mia from If I Stay, and as Carrie from a horror movie entitled as is. That makes her one the most sought out teens and girl crushes in Hollywood today.

Not giving up is what makes us who we are. Fear, pain hope and love is what makes us human. Let us never lose them and hold them tight so as not to lose our humanity no matter what happens. Let us have the courage to fight for what we are given and those that we love. Loss and grief shouldn't get the most out of but let those be our guide to push back and give what's left of us so that what we'll gain will be nothing compared to what we have lost.

Movie Review: The Scorch Trials (Maze Runner 2)

Movie Review

Title: The Scorch Trials (Maze Runner 2)

Starring: Dylan O’brien, Ki Hong Lee,

Thomas Sangster, Kaya Scodelario

Director: Wes Ball

Show date: September 9, 2015

Rating: 6/10

It was an impulse motive to go watch Scorch Trials last Saturday, been meaning to watch it but a friend ditched me on uni so I had to wait. I went to the bookstore first, and I met a friend there and we went together to watch. We didn’t make it to the start but we missed a few minutes because we were late.

I’ve read the book about 3 years ago and I must have forgotten so many things because I didn’t re-read it and I might have a few recollection of the things that had happened. All I know is that I don’t hate Teresa and I was never Team Brenda and Aris.

The first thing we’ve seen was the Gladers being chased by Cranks. No, shucks, klunks and slintheads (referring to people who haven’t read the book yet) those aren’t Zombies, they’re called Cranks, where the flare virus had gotten to their system and slowly ate away their brain and humanity. They move impossibly fast huh. I don’t remember that in the book, but anyway they’re real creepy your skin will crawl. Consider yourself warned.

The dessert was there yes, they’ve got to leave friends behind like Winston, Frypan etc. And for the readers that probably hurt. The scene where they met Brenda, and oh by the way, she’s not really good-looking here and I kind of doesn’t like the actress that played her. But I remember Jordan (feel free to correct me) I’m not sure if I got his name right but I’m pretty sure he isn’t Brenda’s father. They probably screwed that up. Yes, I still remember Tom kissing Brenda at the party and saying “You will never be her”. And in case you didn’t know Clary form the TMI TV series, Missandei from Game of Thrones and Petr Baelish are all in this movie. Strange and amusing fandom crossovers.

Teresa didn’t betray them, FYI. She only did what she has to do for WICKD not to explode Thoma’s brain. They got him and he doesn’t know that. He doesn’t even remember his past that it was his idea of the maze, the scorch and the cure. It was his fault in the first place but he doesn’t remember. How could he understand? He doesn’t understand that she loves him so much she has to risk him and herself to protect Thomas and her friends. But still Thomas will turn to Brenda as if what all Teresa did was all wrong. And I kind of hate him for that. Don’t you dare judge Teresa.

Good thing there are Newt and Minho in here or else I wouldn’t watch it. They have always been my babies. It always pains me to think about Newt. It’s just- Oh anyway the movie effects was brilliant. I give them that but it wasn’t enough to portray the book right. While watching I couldn’t put things into place, it’s jumbled and from what I read it just made me more confused. Scorch isn’t an amazing movie for me, it's just good.

Book to Movie Adaptation Review: Descendants

Title: (Disney) Descendants

Starring: Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson,

Booboo Stewart, Cameron Boyce

Director: Kenny Ortega

Show date: July 28, 2015

Rating: 10/10

 

This is my new favorite Disney Movie, I tell you. I’ve read the prequel book by Melissa De La Cruz-The Isle of the Lost, and I loved it and I hope you read my book review here.

I love that the story is new and fresh and it gives chances to the kids of our famous villains. It is a story of discovering yourself and choosing which way to go and what future to choose. Our future is not-should not be pre-determined by our parents. We have the right to choose what we will become.

This movie is somewhat a movie adaptation of The Isle of The Lost so I was very interested to watch it. I adore Dove Cameron so much after I’ve watched the movie. She is just so flawless beyond words. I love girls with white blond hair really-Daenery’s, Dove, etc. She may be a Targaryen at some point but lol we’re getting away from the story here. Evie played by Sofia Carson is brilliant and so pretty in the movie, I approve. Jay played by Booboo Stewart reminds me so much of Kenji from Shatter Me. And Cameron Boyce playing Carlos is such a cutie.

I ship Mal and Ben, Bal is kind of like a weird shipname so no. But *hearty eyes* Mitchell Hope is my new bae. Actually fancasts him as all Princes in all the books I’ve read. You may not, at first, like their costumes but what do you expect of villains?  But it’s not the costume that matters it’s the plot and the story. This is undoubtedly the High School Musical of this generation. Kenny Ortega directed it as well. Oh and let’s not forget about the soundtrack of the movie which topped on the Billboard Charts and Itunes: If Only by Dove Cameron and Rotten to the Core by Sofia Carson.The songs had been actually playing on my tab for 2 weeks now and I have no regrets. So..IF YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED THE MOVIE DROP EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING RIGHT NOW AND GO WATCH IT. It’ll bring back those high-school feels you had and you’ll probably die of cuteness.

I am so ready of DESCENDANTS 2 and the next Descendants book that Melissa is writing for us.

The Fault In Our Stars Movie Review

So Okay. I mean, okay as in TFIOS Okay. I didn't get a chance to watch the movie in the premiere date (which is June 5 here in PH) because of some circumstances on behalf of my companions. I was so frustrated and upset I didn't feel like watching the movie anymore. Honestly I cried about that. I was expecting to watch it at that day, readied all my tfios stuff and feelings but in the last minute we weren't able to go. But now I'm okay. I'm okay because I've watched it on the second day which is yesterday and I'm already writing a review about it!

June 6, 2014: TFIOS DAY

7:00 am – Woke up and got out bed (wasn't so excited just to be safe)

7:45 am – Done eating, took a shower, brushed, changed (that was fast lol)

7:50 am – Left the house (walked to the highway contemplating if I'd cry when I watch the movie)

8:00 am – Got on the bus (listening to tfios soundtrack)

8:15 am – Got off the bus and waited for company (where are they where are they where are they)

8:30 am – A police man talked to me while reading (I didn't know what to address him, I called him Kuya and Sir)

8:45 am – Saw a funeral parade on the street (thought it was Gus's I nearly followed)

9:20 am – Companions arrived (what took them so long???? hahaha)

9:30 am – Got on the bus to the next province just to go to the mall (the wind flying my hair all over the place)

10:00 am – Read House of Secrets: Battle of The Beast (Team Felix!)

11:45 am – Arrived at the mall (yes! Finally! thought we'd be late!!! *runs to the movie house*)

11:55 am – TFIOS ASDFGHJKLQUWRRYEURQW (“aren't we going to eat first?” “tfios now!”)

1:45 pm – Through watching :(((((( (I laughed, I cried, I watched, I tweeted not even hungry just sad)

2:15 pm – Lunch (still tweeting and moping about tfios)

3:25 pm – Time to go home (was tweeting the entire time because literally cannot stop)

5:35 pm – Got home safe and sound (but heart-broken)

6:00 pm – Wrote my movie review (which is what you're reading right now)

I can't even place my emotions right about The Fault in Our Stars Movie. Just. Just beautiful. (Wait I need my thesaurus) I vowed to the book that I wouldn't cry, that I'm cold-hearted, that I don't cry at all on movies. BUT. When the movie started, the feels came crashing to me like waves. And I have drowned and I'm dead and I'm in pain and I was heart-broken, devastated but all these are just an understatement. 

Let's talk about the scenes, when Gus showed up lots of girls squealed! But me, I'm like “shut up duh” But then why not squeal he's looking cute and squishy and cuddly and has an incredible smile. His smile can make you just go “awwwww”. I can't even count how many times I said “awww” while watching. Nat Wolff also did an awesome job being hilarious and I bet he'll do great in paper towns. I The egg-throwing scene! Woodley and Elgort portrayed the young star-crossed and sick lovers and captured their essence. And that moment when Agustus's cancer started coming back the cinema was so silent you could hear everyone's tears falling off their eyes. But me (just ike countless people said) I also lost it on the gasoline station scene.) I was so hard to hold tears back, I was biting on my hanky just to stop myself from sobbing. (I didn't bring tissues and I forgot to buy a cigarette which I will smoke metaphorically) And the pre-funeral scene is so sad, I don't know, I can't even control my tear ducts. 

There are direct quotes in the movie that some fangirls like quoted together with Hazel and Gus. The famous “Okay? Okay” “Pain demands to be felt” “It's a metaphor see” and others. But still some essential quotes are missing as well “I love you, present tense” “My thoughts are stars I can't fathom into constellations” “I do, Augustus. I do” “Without pain how could we know joy?” and others. But at least my favorite quote was included, said my the old guy during the dinner “COME QUICKLY I AM TASTING STARS”. No movie can never be a pure perfection when it is not 6 to 12 hours long. They cannot simply put completely the 300-500 pages of a book into just a 2 hour movie. So yeah, I understand that. It's been ages ago since I've read the book and I don't even remember the entire of it and it didn't make me cry to be honest, but the movie did. Turns out visual really affects me more on the drama stuff.

What do you do if you want to try bathing in your own tears? Watch the Fault in Our Stars Movie! Thanks to John Green and the fantastic casting. For me it was perfect, but it wasn't perfectly perfect, if you get what I mean. I just love this movie and I hop I touched your hearts just as mine in a way.

A one sick love story it is.

Rate: 9/10 stars

Book Adaptation Review #1

Divergent Movie Review

“I am Divergent. And I cannot be controlled.”

Let me start this with how much we'd sacrificed for this movie. So we'd got up early in the morning (me and my initiate friends) just to be ready to go to the next province just to watch the film. We rode a bus for three (antagonizingly long) hours and we'd arrived at the mall by noon already and then we'd waited for another hour. When we we're waiting we kind of went to the movie poster and gaped at it, but then the guard came and shooed us away and I almost (really almost) showed him how I was came to be called Dauntless.

But anyway, let's start with the real thing here. The introduction of the movie where the factions are being explained was a good thing. But soon afterwards I noticed all these (massive) differences and got silent (You know that with a good film I should be squealing and screeching and fangirling) while watching it, contemplating why the book is always better than the movie. I don't understand why a lot of people are saying it's a very very good film when really it's the complete opposite. Let me enumerate the reasons why.

Okay but first, I'm not being oh-so-erudite here (but I'm pretty sure Erudite is my faction because I won't survive the Dauntless Initiation). As a reader it's my responsibility (yeah, I think it's my responsibility really) to examine and inspect the movie if it was really faithful to the book. Unfortunately, Divergent movie has not reached my expectations. And here are the reasons why. First was the incompleteness of the characters, why would they remove a necessary character in the plot? (I can't fathom the reason why). Why did they left out Uriah when his name was in the initiate scoreboard? No, I don't want to hear their reasons. Secondly, they left out again one of the most essential parts of the book-The Dauntless Cake and Erudite Soda. I mean I traveled like hundred miles just to go watch even a single minute scene about the cake but WHERE THE PANSYCAKE WAS IT? Nowhere. The ending was the one that made me specially disappointed. THAT WASN'T THE WAY HOW THE BOOK ENDED. Let me repeat : THE MOVIE DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME ENDING OR CLIMAX OF THE BOOK. (Please reread the book if you don't believe me) Only those that has been very faithful to the book knows what I mean and the ones that has a sharp memory of the scenes of the book even if they haven't reread the book before they went to watch the movie has an idea of what I'm saying. I was just there sitting on my seat in the cinema thinking “that wasn't how it was supposed to be... that wasn't how it was supposed to be “ They changed a lot of scenes, they left out a lot of things, they messed up the characters. As for the actors they we're good enough at least, Shailene did a great job being Tris-if only for her make-up (Abnegation wasn't supposed to be vain). As for Theo James (who they think is oozing manliness blah blah) I don't know, I still think he's too old for the role and a little bit overstated for the role, I imagined Tobias-and oh, I almost forgot I didn't like the Toh-buy-us pronunciation of the name it's a little bit glary to the ears but the Er-you-dite, I always know that I just didn't pay attention to it when Veronica mentioned it so long ago-I imagined Tobias as the hurt, broken, locked away boy not a man who doesn't convey much about the real him.

And here are some links where you can find the differences of the book vs the movie (Someone even found out that there 56 differences, maybe even more if you want to check them out) :

56 Differences between ‘Divergent’ book vs. movie

Divergent book vs movie biggest differences

Divergent book to film differences

My family watched it with me for my second time to watch the movie and I swear I really had a hard time explaining to them that what was on the big screen wasn't what really happened in the book. I explained The Hunger Games back then and I didn't need to explain Catching Fire but Divergent—I don't want to ever do it again, please.

Overall, what I'm basically trying to say here is I'm sorry but I think the movie wasn't faithful enough for me to like and it wasn't really that good. For those who haven't read the book, they might say it's good, but for me, (honestly and really) it's not. The only thing good about this film was watching a favorite book come to life, and that's just it nothing more. So, I'm giving Divergent Movie a rate of 6/10. I think I've answered here if all that we did to go watch the movie was worth it or not. But still.. I'm giving Insurgent Movie a second chance.

“I am selfish. I am brave” (posting this review )