Age of Adaline (Movie Review)

Age of Adaline



Starring: Blake Lively, Michiel Huisman, Harrison Ford, and Ellen Burstyn
Director: Lee Toland Krieger
DVD release date: 9.8.15





My Thoughts: When this movie debuted last spring, I remember there was talk about this being Blake Lively's first star vehicle. While she was arguably the biggest draw of the show Gossip Girl (which I didn't watch after the first season), it's true that she is usually part of an ensemble or the love interest, so I was excited when I snagged this from the library the week of its release to see how she handled her first true starring role on film. While the film wasn't my favorite, I have to say that I thought Blake Lively's performance was elegant and spot-on. She is a true movie star.

The Age of Adaline tells the story of Adaline Bowman, a woman born in 1908 who, after a car accident in her late 20s, stops aging completely. After drawing attention of the government when she is supposed to be nearing her 50s (while still looking like Blake Lively), Adaline begins a life of running. Every decade, she changes her identity and appearance (although based on the flashbacks, that is like: "now she has bangs"--at no point does she not look like Blake Lively). This leads to a lonely life where she barely sees her daughter (played through the majority of the film by the incomparable Ellen Burstyn), and doesn't make very many friends.

Her life begins to change when she finds herself being pursued by a handsome man named Ellis. Ellis is well-off, smart, and compassionate, and before she knows it, she is letting someone into her life right at the time when she is about to make her next big escape. Her daughter advises her to just go-for-it. No one is chasing her anymore (they think) and everyone who knew her when she actually was that young is now gone...Or so she thinks, it isn't long before she ends up running into a man who was one of her great loves in life--in the 60s--that throws her whole existence into question.



 

While I honestly didn't love this movie--partly because I read a spoiler about it on Instagram of all places (since when do people spoil shit on IG? So annoying), so I spent the movie waiting for the revelation to occur--it was a perfectly pleasant way to spend a Sunday morning before doing the work I need to do for the rest of the day (after I quit procrastinating by now writing a review-lol).

What I most liked about this film was Blake's performance. She does an outstanding job of portraying a woman in the present-day who was born at the beginning of the century. Adaline is old-fashioned, knowledgeable, and kind. She has a spark of wisdom in her eyes that belies her age. She is convincing as the mother of a woman 40-50 years her senior. I understood her hesitancy of letting others get to close, and felt her heartbreak when a particularly heart-breaking scene occurs. She really makes the movie (as does the rest of the cast--although to a lesser extant).

Another thing I really enjoyed was seeing the different "personas" Adaline takes on. While again, and for real, she always looks like her, I love the clothes and hairstyles of the different eras that we get glimpses into. I really wish we would have been able to see more, because there are really only, like, three in the film. It would have been great to see even just snapshots of her life throughout the years (even though Adaline is obviously camera-shy).



 

What makes me take off a few points is just how melodramatic the movie can be at times. I also cannot help but wonder how a certain dynamic would work in the real life (you will totally understand what I'm talking about if you watch the film). I also wish the use of voice-over would have been a little bit more restrained. Being a reader, I don't really mind voice-over, because I do understand some things just cannot be portrayed on screen, but man was there a lot of voice-over use in this film.

Overall, I did enjoy this film, and would certainly recommend it now that it is out on DVD (or however you get your films--although I personally wouldn't buy this one). Again, it was a pleasant way to spend my Sunday morning. Now somebody write this girl some more starring roles!



Official Trailer 

Read More

Weekly Rewind 9.12.15

Weekly Rewind
The new books on my shelves and my week in a nutshell.


Since I started this blog I've participated in Stacking the Shelves, which is a weekly feature hosted by Tynga's Reviews, and I'm going to continue linking to that meme. Throughout my student teaching semester I was using my weekend post as a way to let people know what's going on in my life, so I've decided to rename my weekend post because this feature is more personal than just what books I've received. The Weekly Rewind will be about what's going on with me and my blog, as well as about the books I've added to my shelves.

My Life and Blog

 

 

Life: Second week of school done! This week was pretty crazy. I got super sick on Wednesday. Like, had to call the house office to get someone into my classroom so I could go puke sick. This happened at the end of the day during my last class, but I had to go back to the school that night for Parent's Night. I ended up staying at home on Thursday (especially with stomach bugs, I think it's crappy when people try to "push through" at work. Just stay home!). I feel much better today, thankfully. I'm having a great time with my students. I'm still getting used to teaching younger kids (6th grade), but every other day, we have reading workshop for 30 minutes where they just read silently--and they LOVE it. I thought I was going to have to try to reign them in, but every single one of my classes stays quiet and just read for that half an hour, which is amazing. I would have loved that too at their age--but I was a huge book nerd even back then.

 

 

I decided not to drive home this weekend. I'm still not 100%, and my husband doesn't get back until Sunday night after I would have had to have left, so it seemed pointless. My cats are doing ok, even though I just have them shut in my room. I have the master bedroom, which is good-sized, with a bathroom and a huge closet, so they aren't suffering by any means. My landlord was kind enough to say that it was fine if they stayed until next weekend. I already have a lot of grading and some planning I need to do, so it will be nice to just get it done this weekend without having to do the eight hour round-trip. I'm definitely ready to see my husband again. We will have gone three weeks by the time we will get to hang out next weekend, but that should be the longest we will have to go all year, so it's fine.

 

 

Blog and reading: This week I posted a WoW about a toxic friendship, which is a topic I've been thinking about a lot lately. I also posted a Why, Publishers, Why?! about a cover change that depresses me. I'm still (yes, STILL) reading Throne of Glass and have started a re-read of Tease. I was explaining the story to a friend the other day, and it made me crave a reread. The story is so real and powerful--and I really have been thinking about toxic friendships lately. I'm still in this awkward slump where it's not that I'm not reading, I just can't seem to FINISH anything. While this is fairly normal for me, it's truly been awhile since anything held my attention enough to just read it. I do have some beautiful titles coming up, though, so hopefully one of them will be the one.

 

 

New books: I really do have some nice titles to share this week. So without further ado, I hope you are all having fabulous weekends!

 

 

For Review
 

   

  

 

Walk on Earth a Stranger  by Rae Carson

I've been looking forward to this one for awhile, and not only because of that beautiful cover. I've always found the era of the Gold Rush so fascinating, so I'm excited to read a YA about that time.

I Crawl Through It by A.S. King

A group of students burnt-out on standardized testing build an invisible helicopter? Which is just, like, huh?! But I'm intrigued.

Blood and Salt by Kim Liggett

Per GR, this is: "Romeo and Juliet meets Children of the Corn in this one-of-a-kind romantic horror." To which I say: Sold!

Juniors by Kaui Hart Hemmings

I quite liked The Descendants, the adult novel by this author that was the basis for the George Clooney film. So I'm really excited to read this novel about a girl in her junior year. Isn't that cover lovely, too?

The Unquiet by Mikaela Everett

A girl has spent her life training to kill her replicate on a parallel Earth. I didn't read it, but isn't that the premise of Dueled?

This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzie Lee

Per GR: "In 1818 Geneva, men built with clockwork parts live hidden away from society, cared for only by illegal mechanics called Shadow Boys." Interesting.
 

What I snagged from the library
 

   

You're Never Weird on the Internet by Felicia Day

I've never heard of Felicia Day, but I've read the first chapter of this, and it's pretty entertaining.

Let Me Tell You by Shirley Jackson

I can still remember reading "The Lottery" in 8th grade...and it has stayed with me all of these years, but I realized that it is literally the only thing I've read by this author. This is a collection of stories and essays.

Return to the Dark House by Laurie Faria Stolarz

So Welcome to the Dark House was pretty stupid, but it was quick, and I do want to know how it ends...kind of.

Movie:

Age of Adaline starring Blake Lively

I'm excited to watch this film about a woman who stops aging after an accident. I definitely plan to watch it this weekend, so hopefully I'll get a review posted for it next week.

 

 

Well that's it for me this week. Feel free to leave a link to whatever weekend post you do (Stacking the Shelves, In My Mailbox, etc). I love to see what books people have recently snagged and especially enjoy hearing about my fellow bloggers' weeks. I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend!





Read More

Why, Publishers, Why?! (Episode 10)

 

My biggest pet peeve is when beautiful HBs turn into lackluster PBs. I completely understand that publishers may choose to change the cover due to various reasons, low sales especially, but the thing for me is: I don't buy new hardcover books. Ever. I can't afford them and I just simply prefer soft covers. Trade PB has always been my preferred format. So when I'm salivating over a HB cover only to have it change before it comes out in PB, it makes me CRAZY. Publishers would probably make MORE money on PB sales if they kept the amazing HB covers!

That's why I call this post:

Why, Publishers, Why?!

 

Today's Pick:

Belzhar by Meg Woltzer

 

  

 

I absolutely adore the black-and-white cover the HB is rocking. I love the symmetry. I love that there is a copy of the book The Bell Jar that this book is a nod to. I love the Joy Division t-shirt next to the headphones. I love that it is black and white. Basically, I love everything about this cover and have been waiting for the PB to come out to call it my own. So imagine my disappointment when I saw this new PB cover. While I do like the font, nothing else about this cover is an any way an improvement. It's a girl lying on the floor with her reflection. Yawn. This cover change just makes me sad. It reminds me of the poster for that Christina Ricci film Prozac Nation...which isn't a good thing.

 

Which one do you prefer? The HB or the PB? Neither? Sound off below!



Read More

Waiting on Wednesday (115) Girls on Fire

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. Click the link to see the original post plus a whole slew of links to other blogs. After you read this one, of course.

Girls on Fire

Author: Robin Wasserman
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: May 5, 2016

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Girls on Fire tells the story of Hannah and Lacey and their obsessive teenage female friendship so passionately violent it bloodies the very sunset its protagonists insist on riding into, together, at any cost. Opening with a suicide whose aftermath brings good girl Hannah together with the town's bad girl, Lacey, the two bring their combined wills to bear on the community in which they live; unconcerned by the mounting discomfort that their lust for chaos and rebellion causes the inhabitants of their parochial small town, they think they are invulnerable.

But Lacey has a secret, about life before her better half, and it's a secret that will change everything...

Why I'm excited:
I've really been thinking about toxic female friendships lately. Part of it is being back in the school environment again, and part of it has to do with an idea I've been working on in my own writing. So when I saw this book, I knew immediately it was something I want to read ASAP. I really like this simplistic cover, too.

What are you waiting for on this Wednesday? Link me up!

Hey lovely GFC and new followers, please follow me by Bloglovin. (I like to follow back, so please let me know if you're a new follower--and leave a link!) Thank you!!!



Read More

Weekly Rewind 9.5.15

Weekly Rewind
The new books on my shelves and my week in a nutshell.


Since I started this blog I've participated in Stacking the Shelves, which is a weekly feature hosted by Tynga's Reviews, and I'm going to continue linking to that meme. Throughout my student teaching semester I was using my weekend post as a way to let people know what's going on in my life, so I've decided to rename my weekend post because this feature is more personal than just what books I've received. The Weekly Rewind will be about what's going on with me and my blog, as well as about the books I've added to my shelves.

My Life and Blog

 Life: I should have done this last night because I just drove the four hours home after a full day of work (after my first week back teaching), so I'm BEAT. The first week went pretty well. Life on the cart isn't as bad as I was first imagining. My little 6th graders are very cute (if more energetic, and just more...squirmy than I'm used to). Overall, I'm enjoying my classes and working at the new school. I'll write more next week.

 

I'm home for the long weekend, but my husband is out of town. I came home to take care of the kitties. It's nice to be home even if he isn't here. Just to be HOME. The apartment is fine, but I feel like a guest there. I totally have to put on a bra to go into the kitchen in case the boyfriend is there. I mean I don't HAVE to, but I'd feel awkward if I didn't. At home I barely make it through the front door before it comes off (honestly, at the apt too. I just hang out in my room all night. Lol).

 

Reading: I'm still reading Throne of Glass (yes, still, but I've made some progress this week). I brought it with me and really, really hope to finish it this weekend. In fact, I'm going to make a point of it. I have a few things I'd like to do around the house, and I have some grading to do, but I really want to just hang out and read on Sunday if I can get the other shit done tomorrow. I also started Stand-Off a couple of days ago (only to realize I really wanted to revisit Winger before I did, so I started a reread last night...it came with me, too).

 

New books: I have a few books I'm excited to share with you. So without further ado, I hope you are all having wonderful (hopefully long) holiday weekends!

 

 

For Review

 

   

  

 

Dumplin' by Julie Murpy

I really enjoyed Side Effects May Vary, and have heard great thing about this novel that focuses on a mother-daughter relationship. I'm excited to dive into this one.

Big Bad Book of Bill Murray by Robert Schnakenberg

My love for Bill Murray knows no bounds.

One by Sarah Crossan

This is a novel about conjoined twins told in free verse--which isn't my favorite style, but I'm willing to give it a try. I love the cover.

Lock and Mori by Heather Petty

A reimagining of Sherlock Holmes that has him and a female Moriarty as modern teens. We'll see.

Ash & Bramble  by Sarah Princeas

This is the week of retellings, I guess. This one is obviously Sleeping Beauty.

Mirrored by Alex Flinn

Despite owning a couple of books by Alex Flinn, I have yet to read anything by this author. This is a retelling of the Snow White tale. It sounds interesting.

 



What I snagged from the library

 

 

 

 

The Accident Season by Moira Fowley-Doyle

I've heard this book about a family that is cursed with, well, an accident season is intriguing. I didn't snag an arc when I had the chance, but decided to give it a try after hearing some positive buzz. I do love that cover.

Gumption by Nick Offerman

By far my favorite audio books are the ones that are read by celebrity authors...especially hilarious celebrity authors.  

 

Well that's it for me this week. Feel free to leave a link to whatever weekend post you do (Stacking the Shelves, In My Mailbox, etc). I love to see what books people have recently snagged and especially enjoy hearing about my fellow bloggers' weeks. I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend!



Read More

Waiting on Wednesday (114) A Tyranny of Petticoats

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. Click the link to see the original post plus a whole slew of links to other blogs. After you read this one, of course.

A Tyranny of Petticoats

Author: Various (edited by Jessica Spotswood)
Publisher:
Release Date: March 29, 2016

Synopsis from Goodreads:

From an impressive sisterhood of YA writers comes an edge-of-your-seat anthology of historical fiction and fantasy featuring a diverse array of daring heroines.

Criss-cross America — on dogsleds and ships, stagecoaches and trains — from pirate ships off the coast of the Carolinas to the peace, love, and protests of 1960s Chicago. Join fifteen of today’s most talented writers of young adult literature on a thrill ride through history with American girls charting their own course. They are monsters and mediums, bodyguards and barkeeps, screenwriters and schoolteachers, heiresses and hobos. They're making their own way in often-hostile lands, using every weapon in their arsenals, facing down murderers and marriage proposals. And they all have a story to tell.

With stories by:
J. Anderson Coats, Andrea Cremer, Y. S. Lee, Katherine Longshore, Marie Lu, Kekla Magoon, Marissa Meyer, Saundra Mitchell, Beth Revis, Caroline Richmond, Lindsay Smith, Jessica Spotswood, Robin Talley
Leslye Walton, Elizabeth Wein

Why I'm excited:
I love anthologies, so of course I'm excited for this one. A bunch of stories about badass girls written by a bunch of badass authors? Yes, please! WANT.

What are you waiting for on this Wednesday? Link me up!

Hey lovely GFC and new followers, please follow me by Bloglovin. (I like to follow back, so please let me know if you're a new follower--and leave a link!) Thank you!!!

Read More

Weekly Rewind 8.29.15

Weekly Rewind
The new books on my shelves and my week in a nutshell.


Since I started this blog I've participated in Stacking the Shelves, which is a weekly feature hosted by Tynga's Reviews, and I'm going to continue linking to that meme. Throughout my student teaching semester I was using my weekend post as a way to let people know what's going on in my life, so I've decided to rename my weekend post because this feature is more personal than just what books I've received. The Weekly Rewind will be about what's going on with me and my blog, as well as about the books I've added to my shelves.

My Life and Blog

Life: School starts on Monday! I'm feeling as ready as I can feel, I think. The other members of the sixth-grade English team have been so helpful with getting everything all set up. This year is going to be very different for me because this district expects all grade-level department teachers to be teaching the same lessons with the same number of assessments that are all scheduled on the same day. There are advantages and disadvantages to this. I won't be able to be quite as creative as I was last year, BUT I'll have a lot more free time because I won't be constantly planning. Frankly, I'll take it. I can still have some areas where I'm creative with my lessons, and I'll always take less stress. I've gotten used to the idea of not having a permanent classroom, although I'm not a huge fan of one of the teachers I have to share a room with. The other two have been very warm and welcoming to me, and two out of three ain't bad (what's that song?). I got a cute banner for my cart and have decided that I'll do seasonal/holiday decorations on it. I think the students will like that--and really it is all about the students at the end of the day.

My husband is coming down this weekend, which is so nice. I'll have to go back to PA the next two weekends because he is going out of town for the week of Labor Day (starting the Friday before through the Sunday after), and I need to go snag our cats for the week. My landlord is being really nice and letting me bring them to my rental home for the week. I'll probably end up going three weekends in a row because I'll want to see my husband after not seeing him for three weeks, so it's so awesome I don't have to do the drive this weekend--especially with school starting on Monday.

Blog and reading: I was so hoping to blog more this summer...but I feel ok about just posting WoWs and Weekly Rewind posts if I'm honest. I do have at least one movie review to post--hopefully next week. I'm STILL reading Throne of Glass, although it's pretty slow-going. This week I started reading, like, 3 new books. I've gotten SO many books lately, and September's arcs are overwhelming me (because they all look so freaking awesome and I want to read them all--all at once). That's not even looking at the awesome books coming out in Sept that I don't have arcs for. Why are September books so awesome? Don't publisher know I have to go back to work? Lol.

New books: I am so beyond excited for the books I have to show you today. I seriously cannot handle it. So without further ado, I hope you are all having fabulous weekends!

For review

   

Stand-Off by Andrew Smith

Ryan Dean is back for his senior year of high school. He is bummed to find out that his roommate is a 12 year-old freshman (placed with him, of course, since he is a 15 year-old senior). I absolutely loved Winger and hope to read this this weekend (probably an unrealistic goal since I'll have my husband here). I read the first couple of chapters last night before my eyes closed, and was immediately drawn back into that world. Love.

The Appearance of Annie Van Sinderen by Katherine Howe

I don't know why, but I've been dying to get my hands on this one. It sounds like an intriguing ghost story and that cover is amazing. So happy I snagged this one--finally!

Dead House by Dawn Kurtagisch

I'm about 60 pages into this, and it is super interesting so far. Based on the cover and title, I was expecting a haunted house, but it is really (at least so far) about two girls who share a body--one who inhabits it during the day and the other at night. They share a diary to communicate because the other is "gone" when one has control. I've read a couple of "I couldn't sleep after reading this" statements. There hasn't been anything scary yet, but I'm hoping it gets scary. Because I love to be scared. Because I'm a weirdo (and unfortunately, it takes a lot to scare me).

Fans of the Impossible Life by Kate Scelsa

As far as I can tell, this is a story about a LGBTQ love triangle.

What I snagged from the library

  

Books:

Slasher Girls & Monster Boys by various

I love short story anthologies and have heard great things about this one.

Books on CD:

Paper Towns by John Green

I was kind of reading this this summer, but decided the audio would probably be the way to go. I haven't started it yet, but definitely want to read (listen to) it before I watch the movie.

Movie:

Insurgent

I have yet to finish reading this series (yes, I know how it ends--which is why have yet to finish it. It really wasn't my favorite series to begin with). That said, I enjoyed the first movie, and am excited to see this one.

Well that's it for me this week. Feel free to leave a link to whatever weekend post you do (Stacking the Shelves, In My Mailbox, etc). I love to see what books people have recently snagged and especially enjoy hearing about my fellow bloggers' weeks. I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend!

Read More