Birdsong (1993)

Author: Sebastian Faulks

They say that good things can leave you speechless. Well... this is one of them. How to write about a book that is so good that you can't even find appropriate words to describe it's greatness?  Of course, as you know, nothing in this world is perfect; however, some is quite close to perfection.

Prior to reading this book, I've never heard about Sebastian Faulks before, and that's why I was so intrigued to find out what this noted author is all about. Frankly speaking, I was very happy to make this acquaintance, as I'm now very much looking forward to reading another work by Mr. Faulks. But now let's get back to business and talk about "Birdsong". I guess, you may not call it a typical novel, and I wasn't in love with it at first, but in the course of time, I've grown to like it a lot. The story could be divided into 3 parts where the actions take place - before the World War I, during the war and in the late 70s. These three periods are completely different in their atmosphere and the emotional experiences of the characters. 

Admission (2013)

 

Director: Paul Weitz

I remember being all stressed out a year ago when I applied to university, and they joy I felt when I was accepted... Oh that's indescribable. Now, I'm a student, and I will never have to go through this again, unless I decide to take up master studies.

But let's return to the film. Frankly speaking, I'd never imagined that it's so difficult to get in a university in the USA and that the admission process is so complicated and time-consuming. It's not just about your grades; everything counts - your hobbies, achievements, participation in school activities. Take this into account you, future applicants, in order to secure a place.

Great Expectations (1861)

 

Author: Charles Dickens
 

I must say Charles Dickens is one smart man. At first, he send the reader to sleep, but then suddenly boom boom pow, and everything starts to happen - someone dies, someone finds his/her real parents, someone falls in love. And this happens every time I read one of Charles Dickens novels (same in "The Bleak House"). Every single time. I don't say it's bad because at one point, I really couldn't take my eyes off of it, but overall, I don't think it's a good idea to play tricks on your readers. Honestly, at the beginning, I thought, 'What have I done, I don't want to read this book, it's boring.' But after a while, I became more and more interested in going on reading "Great Expectations".

What you should understand is that this is not a love story, it's not even a story about love. Alright, it is, but about unilateral love. Estella is a fool, but Pip is even a bigger blockhead. How can you not understand what are the real values in your life for so long? How can you be so ungrateful and as tough as old boots? Frankly speaking, I wanted to punch Pip several times and ask 'What the hell are you doing? Are you blind?' Yes, so emotional and nerve-wracking this story is.

Persuasion (1816)

Author: Jane Austen

Those of you who follow my blog and read everything (or at least part of everything) I write might have noticed that I'm a Jane Austen's book lover. It's hard to explain where this love comes from, but maybe it's because every story of hers has a happy ending and they're all about love, and I like romance. Yet until now there has been only one book I've read from cover to cover, and it's "Pride and Prejudice". Others like "Emma" and "Sense and sensibility" I've seen on TV, and their time will come some day.

So what is this book about, why it is so special? The main thing that this novel teaches you is the generally known truth that money can't buy you happiness. The protagonist Anne is the middle sister in her family, though often ignored, especially when it comes to her feelings. Once she lost her love due to the pressure of her family and closest friends, now Anne is ready to come back and fight for her happiness. This is story about forgiveness and a warm heart which is accompanied by strong determination. If you are good to other people, good things will eventually happen to you as well, just remember that money can't be the most important thing in your life.

Rust and Bone (2012)

Director: Jacques Audiard

Before I get down to reviewing this film, I would really like to say something. Probably I would have never gone to the cinema if I didn't learn French and love everything about France, oh and if there wasn't Marion Cotillard  in the main role, which I wouldn't have known if I had not watched Anna Karenina and saw the trailer. These things just made a good reason why I should go and see this film on the big screen.

I don't want to ruin your desire to watch "Rust and Bone", but if I'm writing a review, I have to be honest. First of all, this film is not as romantic as it may seem in the trailer (that's why I give 3 stars, though the actors are very, very good). There's a lot of pain and misunderstandings. It's not like Stephanie and Alain fell in love from the first time they saw each other. No. But one thing I know for sure - there wasn't any other person whom they could trust as much as they trusted on each other in the whole world. It took some time to understand that there's no other person they could ever love as well.

Les Miserables (2012)

Director: Tom Hooper

It's been a long time since I last wrote an article, but I guess was worth waiting if the film I'm going to talk about is as "big" as Les Miz. First of all, from the moment I found out that there is going to be a film partly based on the novel by Victor Hugo and on the 1980s musical, I knew that there is no chance I'm going to see it anywhere else but on the big screen. Even though I had to wait additional 1,5 months until Les Miserables arrived to my country, it did pay off. Splendid clothing, beautiful music, amazing dramatics and emotions - who doesn't love that, but everything by turns.

I've never been keen on musicals because I preferred talking to singing. However, I've always loved Grease (1978) and, though singing was an integral part here as well, I somehow could handle that because the main characters spoke quite a lot at the same time. This time it was different. If I remember correctly, the cases of speaking can be counted on the fingers of one hand, yet I didn't need more. Everything was clear and even more emotional than it could be if the characters spoke more than sung. Even later I couldn't stop listening to some of the songs. They definitely live their own lives now, without any motion behind. So it's 1:0 for Tom because Hugo's novel filmed as any typical historical film wouldn't be such a success. That would be too boring and would last for more than 3 hours. It is good as it is.

The incredible journey of Mary Bryant (2005)

Director: Peter Andrikidis

I know that my blog is dedicated to the books I have read and the films I have seen but for the past few days (I had a lot of free time) I had been watching some tv mini-series and thought to myself - these tv mini-series are just like films, only longer therefore divided into parts/episodes, why should not I write about them as well? (Mini-series are not worse than films after all, are they?) Of course, as you may have guessed, I decided to try. And now, with the greatest pleasure, I can begin the first ever tv mini-series review (from now on there is also a label/keyword 'tv mini-series') and with no other than "The incredible journey of Mary Bryant" - one of my favourite up to now and one of the first mini-series I have ever seen.

The story is quite simple but rather harsh and sad. Mary Bryant is a poor young woman who is caught stealing food, in such a way landing her a place along with other convicts on the long voyage to the New South Wales. On her way there Mary soon finds some friends and the future husband Will with whom after 3 years of starvation in the new colony she decides to escape for the sake of her children.

Sensing the smell of freedom, Mary risks not realizing what she will have to overcome and what decisions she will have to make in order to survive.

Of course like in almost any other film which is based on historical events, some things are true and some not, so do not believe everything you see (you will find some of them clearly impossible). As a lover of historical stories, overall, I must say that I really enjoyed watching this 2-part film. It is always good to find out something more about the past. But... what I loved the most about "The incredible journey of Mary Bryant" was the romance - pure love between Mary and Will, and determination and the great willpower the young girl had - that is how the most desired goals are reached. Talking about the actors, well I must say they were chosen very wisely. I believed every expression, pain and misery in their eyes and gestures. I honestly had compassion on those unfortunate people who were strained and fought for such a usual 'thing' at the moment as freedom.

Anna Karenina (2012)

 

Director: Joe Wright

I first met Anna Karenina about two years ago when I watched film by Bernard Rose with Sophie Marceau and Sean Bean in the leading roles. I fell in love with the story from the first sight. It was something romantically daring but, at the same time, sad and sentimental. Since then I have reached for the Leo Tolstoy's book from time to time but have not reached it yet. I do not know what is holding me back but I cannot pull myself together and finally read it. Maybe that is the reason why I was looking forward to the new cinematographic adaptation of Anna Karenina. I had to relive the story once again.

In the course of time, the plot obviously has not changed but the way how it is presented does have. No royal castles, estates but just a stage in an old theatre which  transforms from a ballroom to a skating-rink in less than a minute. All the cream of society plays theatre because it is forbidden to reveal your true emotions. Anna did not obey this rule. She was fulfilled with passion, desire and happiness so much that she could not control herself. Anna finally had found a man who she loved and who loved her (but maybe it was just lust and desire?). Nothing could stop them except for the condemnation of the classies. That ruined everything Anna had ever believed in.

Frankly speaking, at the beginning of the film I was in complete perplexity because I could not understand why everything was happening in one place and therefore I was kinda bored but, as the story went by, I became more and more interested (I finally understood that this Anna Karenina is full of surprises and there were much more of those to come). Apparently, Joe Wright (Director of Pride and Prejudice) wanted us,  spectators, to think outside the box, as there is a lot of subtext to comprehend. 

I have to admit that this film really is a masterpiece - the costumes, make-up and the way how Joe manages to capture sunlight, mist and wind. And he did not forget about the Russian culture as well (songs, words, traditional food). Keira Knightley is fascinating, although I do not like that sometimes when she smiles, her eyes are almost closed but that is the matter of inheritance, not her acting skills. Let's not forget Jude Law as well. His character is not as notable as the one Aaron Taylor-Johnson (still not sure about him) portrays but the manner how Law plays his little scenes is outstanding. He does not do much but how he does... 

Overall, I must say that at first I was not pleasantly surprised and did not think that "Anna Karenina" was something I would watch again and again or the film that deserves Oscars but... As I am thinking over and over again, Joe Wright's adaptation was not as bad as I considered initially. (I just was not well prepared but you are now.) Actually it is pretty sensational ( which else of the nominated films was discussed so much by the critics). Who cares that sometimes there was too much of directness in cases of intimacy. This is one of those films that can be watched on St. Valentine's day. Well maybe not so much for the Anna and Vronsky's lust, as for the pure love of Kitty and Levin.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Director: Peter Jackson

I remember reading "Hobbit: There and back again" by J.R.R. Tolkien when I was not more than 7 years old. Well, frankly speaking, my dad read it before sleep every night and I just listened patiently, with a great interest and enthusiasm. Back then it was one of my favourite books and I could not be more happy when I found out that there would be a cinematographic adaptation, especially because the one who took up the reins was no other but Peter Jackson. The man who brought "The lord of the rings" to life.

As I had seen "LOTR" triology before, I had high expectations for this film as well. And you know what? It did pay off, seeing the high frame rate in motion was fascinating. First of all, I want to mention that Peter Jackson did an amazing job in selecting the actors. Previously I would never imagine even-tempered Dr. Watson aka Martin Freeman running like a teenager and going on dangerous adventures. But now I have changed my mind. Bilbo was actually an audacious hobbit. And what about dwarfs? Make-up artists had done a great job as well. Few days after watching the film I decided to check out how these actors look in the real life and I was pleasently surprised because if I saw at least one of them in a different kind of film I would never recognize him. That is how the oscars are earned.

Talking about the plot itself, I have to admit that LOTR did leave a better impression than the Hobbit. Nonetheless, I would not say that it was boring or uninspiring. It was not. This film was full of sudden events, interesting moments and of course jokes. (J.R.R. Tolkien was a merrymaker, was not he?) One more thing I have to mark out is the special effects. I am amazed how a set of computer programs can create a completely different world that cannot be seen anywhere else. Though, they could work a little bit more on the orc leader. This one seemed too artificial, comparing to others.

Now let's turn to the main reason why I am writing this review. I have been talking about lots of different things but still have not mentioned what is the story about. Well, in short, it is about a friendly hobbit who one day is surprised by an unexpected visit of Gendalf and thirteen dwarfs. They encourage him to set out on an adventure in order to help to reclaim the Lonely Mountain (the once powerful and prosperous kingdom of dwarfs) from Smaug the dragon. At first insecure and faithless, in the course of time both dwarfs and the hobbit become close and reliable friends but there will always be someone who would love to split them. We all know that this journey is not going to be easy but it is going to be worth it. If you love LOTR or any other fantasy adventure film, then you will love "The Hobbit: An unexpected journey" either.

Agnes Grey (1847)

Author: Anne Brontë

Once upon a time I read a book "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte, later I found out that there was another Bronte - Emily and I just could not resist reading her most famous work - "Wuthering heights" (although I did not finish it - not my type). It was at the end of 2012 when I was at the local library looking for another "victim" and I suddenly stumbled upon Anna Bronte's "Agnes Grey". Three years ago I did not know Charlotte had any sister but now she had even two of them. I was surprised and intrigued. I had to read this book maybe because it carried my name on its cover, but mostly because I wanted to compare skills of all three sisters.

All in all, I must say that I was amazed how flowing and rather simple but emotional the language of "Agnes Grey" was. It was nothing superhuman but did bring the right mood. Before reading the book, I had acquainted myself with other reviews and they were saying that this work was far behind the sisters' novels. It did not frighten me away, on the contrary, I was even more interested in reading the up to now undervalued.

The story is told from the eyes of innocent and sensitive Agnes Grey who by seeing her family slowly going bankrupt, decides to face a challenge and becomes a governess. Her job is a hard nut to crack.  Agnes does not know what lies ahead and that eventually she will go through a series of emotional storms just to be happy and to get what Agnes truly deserves.

With that being said, the truth is "Agnes Grey" is not the novel of the lifetime, nor the best work I have ever read or that has ever been written. But... After finishing such a serious and heavy novel as "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo, "Agnes Grey" does seem as a piece of cake and the right work to continue with. Something light, simple, where there is nothing to worry about, just to enjoy the wonderful process of reading.