It is rated PG-13 and is an adapted screenplay (written by the directors Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland) from the book Still Alice by Lisa Genova. When I read this book I couldn't put it down. Lisa Genova did such a fabulous job of making me feel the way Alice felt. I needed to know what was going to happen to Alice and how her story ended. I even teared up a few times
American Sniper comes out January 16th, 2015 in select theaters, (you might have to look around for a theater that is playing this movie). Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller star in this film and it is directed by the legendary Clint Eastwood. This film is rated R. This movie is based off of an autobiography of the Navy Seal Chris Kyle,
This is the first book in The Maze Runner Series by James Dashner. We did not read this as a book club but many of our members have read this series and we are really excited to see how they brought it to life on the big screen. We are reading one of James Dashner's other books "The Eye of Minds" in January coming up. So you can look forward to that book club in a couple of months.
Screen play for the movie was written by Noah Oppenheim, Grant Pierce Myers, and T.S. Nowlin and is directed by Wes Ball.
Book Synopsis
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He's surrounded by strangers--boys whose memories are also gone.
Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It's the only way out--and no one's ever made it through alive. Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.
Movie Synopsis
Thomas is deposited in a community of boys after his memory is erased, soon learning they're all trapped in a maze that will require him to join forces with fellow "runners" for a shot at escape.
Dylan O'Brien playing "Thomas"
He is known for playing "Stiles" in Teen Wolf. and he plays "Stuart" in The Internship.
There is nothing in the works right now. BUT... there is a rumor that he might play "Sebastian/Jonathan Morgenstern" in The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes now wouldn't that be fabulous. I can totally see him as Sebastian.
She just finished filming two films opening soon. "The Moon and the Sun" & "Tiger House"
She is known for playing "Peshet" in Clash of the Titans, and "Emanuel" in The Truth About Emanuel.
Thomas Brodie-Sangster playing "Newt"
He just finished filming Phantom Halo playing "Samuel Emerson".
He is known for playing the voice of "Ferb" in Phineas and Ferb, playing "Sam" in Love Actually & "Young Tristan" in Tristan + Isolde and the hugely popular Game of Thrones playing Jojen Reed.
Will Poulter playing "Gally"
He just finished filming Kids in Love playing "Jack".
He is known for playing "Kenny Rossmore" in We Are the Millers & "Eustace Scrubb" in The Chronicles of Narnia-The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
Ki Hong Lee playing "Minho"
He is currently working on a new TV Series called Whispers playing "Peter Kim".
He has done many short films and rolls in TV series.
Wes Ball {Director}
He has directed three short films. This is his first full feature film. But he has also worked in the Art Department and Visual Effects for movies and TV shows. I think it is always good to have an artistic director. Can't wait to see what he does with this movie!
I read this book a couple of years ago and it immediately drew me in. I read it so fast, I just couldn't get enough of it. This is one of my favorite books along with the sequel "Where She Went"
Movie Synopsis
Life changes in an instant for young Mia Hall after a car accident puts her in a coma. During an out-of-body experience, she must decide whether to wake up and live a life far different than she had imagined.
Book Synopsis
Just listen, Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel.
I open my eyes wide now. I sit up as much as I can. And I listen.
Stay, he says.
Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones: Stay true to her first love—music—even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?
Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters.
If I Stay is a heartachingly beautiful book about the power of love, the true meaning of family, and the choices we all make
Chloë Grace Moretz - playing "Mia Hall"
Chloe has been in many movies and TV shows. Some of the movies she is most known for is "Kick Ass" playing "Hit-Girl", "Hugo" playing "Isabelle" and the remake of "Carrie" playing "Carrie White". She plays "Diondra" in "Dark Places" a book to movie written by Gillian Flynn coming out September 1st, 2014. And she has another movie coming out September 26th, 2014 where she plays "Teri" in "The Equalizer" starring with Denzel Washington. She has a total of 6 movies coming out this year. She has been very busy. She is currently cast to play "Cassie Sullivan" in "The 5th Wave" coming out in 2016.
"And that's just it, isn't it? That's how we manage to survive the loss. Because love, it never dies, it never goes away, it never fades, so long as you hang on to it." -If I Stay
Here is a hopeful review from someone who has seen an early screening of the movie. This makes me super excited to see it.
August 5, 2014
I was lucky to come across free screening tickets (as usual) from a post from Refinery29 and was able to watch this movie a week ago. I didn’t post any reviews because I thought that, having not seen movies like these (pre-teen, based on books, death centered, tear jerkers) in a while, I would want to see the other similar ones out right now (The Fault in Our Stars) before making any reviews… If I had to pick one out of the two, I would pick If I Stay in a heartbeat.
I went into the movie theatre not very sure of what to expect, I just wanted to see a free movie and watch my girl Chloë Moretz kill it on screen as she usually does, and that was exactly what happened.
Let’s start off with how great the soundtrack was and music references (both classical and rock) and how I wished that all those 13 year old girls at the movie theatre watching the movie could appreciate. I loved the setting in Portland and the idea of music being in the center of everything. The timeline of going back and forth between the present and the past made it refreshing to watch and the pacing of the movie worked great.
In comparison to The Fault in Our Stars, I want to mention about how this movie almost had me completely crying during so much of it while TFIOS did not. What I think did it the most was how well they introduced the family and they allowed you to fall in love with the characters before you see them in the car accident. (I won’t put any spoilers, because I want you to go see) but it could’ve easily been a really forced movie, and it wasn’t.
When I’ve mentioned this movie I always mentioned Nick and Norah’s Infinite playlist, except maybe better. The movies aren’t alike, but the aspect of music is in there. The comedy and the community. I’m happy this movie exists and it was a very wonderful surprise.
This film is adapted from the book "The Giver" written by Lois Lowery in 1993. It is the first book in The Giver Quartet. Followed by #2 "Gathering Blue" (2000), #3 "Messenger" (2004) and #4 "Son" (2012).
Movie poster and original book cover
This movie is packed with A-List Actors such as:
Alexander Skarsgård - playing "Jonas' Father"
You might know him as "Eric Northman" from the HBO Series "True Blood"
and he is currently working on the Movie "Tarzan" playing Tarzan. I can't wait to see him in that.
You might remember her in the role of "Joey Potter" from "Dawson's Creek" and she has been in many movies and TV series. She just finished filming "Mania Days" playing the role of "Carla"
She is an Academy Award winning actress who has been in many films. One of my favorites is "The Devil Wears Prada". Currently she is filming "Into the Woods" playing the role of "The Witch"
You might know him as "Jeffery Lebowski" in the movie "The Big Lebowski" and he just finished production of the "Seventh Son" playing "Master Gregory". He is also working on "The Little Prince" playing the voice of the "Aviator".
Odeya is fairly new to the scene but she is an up and coming young star. She was in "The Odd Life of Timothy Green" playing "Joni Jerome". She was born in Israel but moved to Alabama when she was nine. Her family moved to NY when she was 11 to pursue her acting career.
Cameron has acted in many films and TV shows. He plays "Ian Gallagher" in the TV show "Shameless" and he played "Mason" in the recently release movie, "Vampire Academy" . He just finished working on "Amityville" playing "James" coming out in 2015.
She is young but has already made five movies. She played "Matilda" in "Elysium" and she plays "Lauren Palmer" in the Robert Duvall and Robert Downey Jr. film "The Judge" coming out later this year (which looks really good and I really want to see it.) I think Emma is on a great start to her career as an actor.
We all know Taylor as a super star singer song writer. But she has also done some film. She was the voice of "Audrey" in "The Lorax" and was in "Valentine's Day" as "Felicia".
Video of Taylor Swift on playing Emotionless Girl in The Giver
Brenton and Taylor are they a couple?
There are rumors floating around of their flirtation with each other since meeting while filming "The Giver". Both are really busy but will they get together? Click the photo credit link to read the article about the two of them at the Toronto Film Festival.
Brenton Thwaites - playing "Jonas" the main character
Brenton has three more movies coming out in the next year or so. He plays "JR" in "Son of a Gun". He plays "Angelo" in "Ride" and he is playing "Bek" in "Gods of Egypt" coming out in 2016. He is definitely an up and coming actor to keep your eye on.
In a seemingly perfect community, without war, pain, suffering, differences or choice, a young boy is chosen to learn from an elderly man about the true pain and pleasure of the "real" world.
Jonas' world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.
I am really hoping that that this will be a great movie. I know other book to movie adaptions have not always translated to the big screen but with this line up of big actors, having a talented director and being based off of a modern classic, I think this movie might stand of chance.
We'll see.
P.S. If you would like to read a good article on "Lois Lowry Giving Up on 'The Giver' to Hollywood" by the New York Times click here.
I hope you all enjoy the movie and post your own reviews in the comments. I know I will :)
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