To The Movies: Fellowship of the Rings

When a storyline from a book is turned into a movie, the movie becomes its own text. The basic storyline may be the same, but when changes are made in order to fit the movie within a time limit or to highlight an element or theme that the people involved in the movie feels is important—they make the story their own. I will focus these features on movies made based on books I have read—I want to look beyond whether I think the movie is better or worse than the book. I want to appreciate and review the movie as a companion to the book.

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Genre: Action & Adventure, Fantasy
Actors: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, and Orlando Bloom
Director: Peter Jackson
Scriptwriter: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Peter Jackson
Date DVD Released: August 6, 2002
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Movie Info: IMDB
Order Online: Amazon.com
Rating: 4 Stars
Borrowed the movie from the library. 

In A Nutshell:
Even though I loved the entire trilogy--I have found that I appreciated this one so much more after I have read the book.  The details came together so much clearer after having exposure to the richness of the details, the back stories, and the language of the book. 

Review:
I still remember going to the movie theater the week this movie came out.  I sat there staring up at the screen in amazement at the beautiful scenes, the enchanting characters, and the compelling storyline coming to life before my eyes.  And then I saw Orlando Bloom--with blonde hair and elf ears--and I was in for the whole series.

But now that I have read the book, I can definitely see what all the fuss was about when these movies were released.  The book, the back stories, the magic make the effects of the movie stronger and more compelling.  I just wish it was in the theaters now--so I could have appreciate the big screen effects even more.

There are some major elements from the book that are omitted from the movie--the Tom Bombadil storyline jumps out at me in particular.  But since that was the part of the book I really struggled with every time I have tried to read it, I did not find the omission took away from the experience for me.  But I have heard others criticize that this omission was substantial in their eyes.  I also do not remember Arwen playing nearly as large a role in the book, but I get the impression from things I have read that she does play a larger role in the later books.  So I was not as concerned to see her increased role in this movie.

The movie did end in a different place than the book ended, which may have stood out for me more because I have only read The Fellowship of the Ring. But I strongly suspect that this movie's ending overlaps with the beginning of the next book.  And I think I like the choice because I feel like it ties the two movies together very nicely.  Well maybe nicely is not the right word--because what happens is really horrible (but I will not spoil it for all of you who have not read the book or seen the move yet).

Is there anyone who has not read the book or seen the movie yet?  Am I the last person to read this book?

Recommendations:
I cannot wait to read the next book so I can watch the next movie with new eyes:

The Book Addict Reviews: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

Genre: Classic, Fantasy, Audiobook
Order Online: Amazon.com
Author Info: The Tolkien Society |
Rating: 4 stars
Borrowed this book from the library. 

In A Nutshell:
In some ways all the great things I had heard left me with very high expectations of this book--which also scared me a little because I was sure it could not reach my high expectations and I would be disappointed.  But J.R.R. Tolkien surprised me--he exceeded my expectations.  The mythology he created through this world he created was amazing.  The characters he created were charming and enchanting.  I laughed, I cried, I hoped, I grieved, but must of all I loved this book!

Review:
Ever since I went to the theater to see the first movie--I have been wanting to read these books.  I have tried a couple of times but I always seemed to get distracted about the time the party got into the Old Forest and Tom Bombadil led the group.  I could not seem to get past that road block into the rest of the story.

This year I made a pledge to try again--and to not stop until I got past this point that had always been a stumbling block for me before.  I also decided to try the audiobook to see if I had better luck.  I do not know if it that I was more determined, I was older and more ready to focus, or I was utilizing the audiobook which made it easier for me to work through the parts that were blocks for me in the past, but whatever it was I finished it this time.  And I am so glad that I did.

I understand that some people see the time with Tom Bombadil as a very important part of the story--so I do not want to sound like I did not appreciate Tom or that part of the story.  However, I did find myself more drawn into the story as we reached the elves and then as the fellowship traveled together.  I really want to find some of the information written about this book--to see what people have said about this book and this world that J.R.R. Tolkien created

The version I listened to had a foreword (which they put at the end?) written by J.R.R. Tolkien where he talked when he wrote the book and addressed some of the claims that readers had about the message he was trying to deliver through his story.  The foreword convinced me that this book would definitely be one that will benefit from re-reading and benefit from reading companion books about J.R.R. Tolkien, his life, and his writings. 

In general, I admired how J.R.R Tolkien's words created very detailed pictures in my mind.  I cannot wait to revisit the movie and see how it looked to me now that I had finished the book.  I feel like this experience with the book will help me appreciate some of the details of the movie even more. 

Recommendations:
I have been in love with Orlando Bloom as Legelos since the first time I saw the movie--so it is not like I need an excuse to watch the movie--but I think finishing the book does warrant a celebration and I choose:

And I think I may enjoy this guide as I tackle The Two Towers:

TBR Intervention (8)

Overall, I am very happy with the results of my TBR Intervention this week--I am however not as satisfied with my follow through with reviews.  I am so far behind on getting them written and getting them posted.  I have a major paper due tonight--so I am hoping to get caught up on blogging tomorrow!

Last Week

I finished The Fellowship of the Ring this week! I am so proud of myself! I loved it--and I cannot wait to review it for you all!


Lola and the Boy Next Door was awesome!  I think I may even like it more than Anna and the French Kiss
but in many ways I do not even need to pick because Anna and St. Clair were back!  And playing important roles in this one.  I cannot wait for Stephanie Perkins' next book!  This review is also coming.


Okay now for my one failure. I did not even get to Supernaturally because I realized I had a library book coming due that I had to finish. But I will be starting it this week--I promise!


I have not finished this one--but I started it and since finishing The Fellowship of the Ring was such a monumental accomplishment for me--I think at least getting this one started this week is a major accomplishment.  I love it so far!!  If you have not read this one--you should!!

Next Week

First, I am committing myself to finishing the two books that I did not finish last week.  But I am adding the book I am still working on from last week (the library book that has to be finished before the due date!):

Summary (from inside flap):
It's 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives.  They've been best friends almost as long--up until last November, when everything changed.  Things have been awkward ever since, but when Josh's family gets an America Online CD-ROM in the mail, his mom makes him bring it over so Emma can install it on her new computer.  When they sign on, they're automatically logged onto Facebook...but Facebook hasn't been invented yet.  Josh and Emma are looking at their profile fifteen years in the future.  Their spouses, careers, homes, and status updated--it's all there.  But it's not what they expected.  And every time they refresh their pages, their future change.  As they grapple with the ups and downs of what their lives hold, they're forced to confront what they're doing right--and wrong--in the present.

I wanted to read this book because I loved Jay Asher's first book Th1rteen R3asons Why.  So far, this book has not disappointed me--and I think I may like it even better!

So what do you plan to read this week?

TBR Intervention (7)

Last Week

I can say with absolute confidence that I succeeded in the TBR Intervention this week!  I am also super excited about my giveaway from the previous weeks TBR Intervention!

 

I finished Monster by Walter Dean Myers this week.  I am so impressed with this book--and I can definitely understand why he was named The National Ambassador for Young People's Literature.  My review is coming soon!


I finished Looking for Alaska by John Green.  I am pretty sure that I have a new (to-me) author to add to my list of favorite authors.  This book surprised me in so many ways.  My review is coming soon!


I am still working on this one, but I am feeling much more drawn into the book now.  I struggled with the beginning of the book--but now that I am in the last hundred tracks I cannot put it down.  I can see why so many people love it.  As soon as I finish the book, I want to re-watch the movie because I really feel like I will gain so much more insight into the movie after having finished the book!

This Week

Summary (from inside flap):
Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn't believe in fashion...she believes in costumes.  The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better.  But even though Lola's style is outrageous, she's a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future.  And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister's shadow and back into Lola's life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

I loved Anna and the French Kiss and I am so sorry that I have waited so long to read this one!  And then I found out that Anna and St. Clair are back!  That's enough to make me love this one!

Despite my pledge to shrink my TBR pile--I attended YAllapalooza hosted by one of my favorite independent bookstores, Changing Hands!  Of course I had to buy books!  So I must get them read and off my pile!


Summary (from inside flap): 
Evie finally has the normal life she's always longed for.  But she's shocked to discover that being ordinary can be...kind of boring.  Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she's given a chance to work for them again.  Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.

But as one disastorous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice.  And when Evie's faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers there's a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos.  The prize in question?  Evie herself.

So much for normal.

I loved the first book in this series.  I have been putting off the second in the series--and then I saw the author would be at YAllapalooza and I could not resist!

I am determined to finish my audiobook this week--and start my next audiobook this week!

Summary (from Amazon):
The New York Times bestselling author of the Wake trilogy makes her middle-grade dystopian fantasy debut!

When Alex finds out he is Unwanted, he expects to die. That is the way of the people of Quill: Each year all the thirteen-year-olds are labeled as Wanted, Necessary, or Unwanted. Wanteds get more schooling and train to join the Quillitary. Necessaries keep the farms running. Unwanteds are set for elimination.

It’s hard for Alex to leave behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted, but he makes peace with his fate—until he discovers that instead of a “death farm,” what awaits him is a magical place called ArtimÉ. There, Alex and his fellow Unwanteds are encouraged to cultivate their creative abilities and use them magically. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it’s a wondrous transformation.

But it’s a rare, unique occurrence for twins to be divided between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron’s bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of ArtimÉ that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.

What book are you most excited to read this week?

TBR Intervention (6)

I am declaring this week's TBR a success--at least a partial success.

Last Week

I finished Crime Fiction for Beginners--and loved it.  You can find my review today and I will have a guest post by the author tomorrow! 


I finished Under the Never Sky--it may be my favorite book of 2012.  My review will be out on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 and includes a giveaway of my signed hardback copy.  How's that for shrinking my pile?


I am almost to the halfway point with this one--and I am satisfied with that.  I will however be listening to a shorter book next time.  I think I need a little of a break before I tackle The Two Towers.


I am about halfway through this book--so far I love it and I cannot wait to read more of John Green's books.  I am so glad my buddy, Jen, shared this one with me.

Next Week

I will finish Looking for Alaska and continue working on The Fellowship of the Ring, but my new book addition will be:

After I read this article, I decided I had to read a book by the new National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, Walter Dean Myers.

Summary (from inside flap of book cover):
Sometimes I feel like I have walked into the middle of a movie.  Maybe I can make my own movie.  The film will be the story of my life.  No, not my life, but of this experience.  I'll call it what the lady who is the prosecutor called me.

Monster.

FADE IN: INTERIOR COURT.  A guard sits at a desk behind STEVE.  KATHY O'BRIEN, STEVE's lawyer, is all business as she talks to STEVE.

O'BRIEN: Let me make sure you understand what's going on.  Both you and this King character are on trial for felony murder.  Felony murder is as serious as it gets...When you're in court, you sit there and pay attention.  You let the jury know that you think the case is as serious as they do...

STEVE: You think we're going to win?

O'BRIEN (seriously): It probably depends on what you mean by "win." 

My friend and I are planning to read this book together and then talk about it--do a book discussion as a blog post.  So look for that to come out soon. 


What do you plan to read this week?