Review: The Fault in Our Stars Movie

Hey nerdfighter,

If you're reading this, you may have already seen the movie, but you also may have not.  Probably the latter because who looks at reviews after they have already decided to watch it?

Anyway, the movie was great. But, I am a big fan of the book. Josh Boone made sure that it was close to the book's plot.  Of course, some things had to be cut out for the sake of time, but nothing critical was missing. 

Favorite things about the movie: relationship between Hazel and her parents, the scenery in Amsterdam, ANSEL (I was smiling the whole time he and Shai were falling in love.)

Least favorite things about the movie: Isaac's lack of screen time; that the scene from the trailer where Isaac says,"Gus talks about you a lot, you know," and Hazel replies,"We're just friends," isn't in the movie; and that the part where Hazel and Gus make an ad for her swing set isn't in it either.

Even if you haven't read the book, this is a great romance.  It will alter your perceptions, and be prepared to be sad.  Overall, the movie is getting awesome reviews.  As of this moment, 82% of critics like it on Rotten Tomatoes.  If you don't want to see it in theaters because you will be surrounded by crying, young girls, I suggest seeing it in a couple of weeks just before it leaves theaters or rent it on DVD.  However, you don't want to miss this one.  The Fault in Our Stars is the best YA book to film adaptation I've seen.

The Night Before Our Stars

Last night, I saw the much anticipated The Fault in Our Stars film adaptation.  And it was WONDERFUL!

I went to the "special" showing so that I would be one of the first to see the movie.  This included a live streaming with the cast of the movie (a Q and A) and live performances from Birdy and Nat and Alex Wolf.  And the movie was shown before all of this extra stuff.

In my opinion, the "extras" were not worth it.  Oh wait, I did get the opportunity to see John Green's cameo in which he played a middle aged father to a girl that, asks Hazel about the tubes in her nose.  The scene was where Hazel lets the girl try her oxygen tubes on.  Though John Green's performance was stellar, this was a cut scene.  It had no place in the film.  It wouldn't have fit well because it wasn't a necessary, crucial moment.  Okay, I'll also admit that John Green was his usual, awkward self.

But that wasn't the best part about the Night Before Our Stars.

Birdy was amazing live, but when Alex Wolf played his song, the sound wasn't working.  The audience could hear him singing and see him strumming away at his guitar, but the microphone near the guitar was giving the show difficulty.  That Alex's performance turned into acapella though his body indicated the guitar being played for a minute was so funny to me.  Anyone else?

That's pretty much what happened at the Night Before Our Stars, so if you were bummed about not being able to attend, don't be. If I would have known, I would have gone to the movies tonight 6/6.  

As I said, I really liked the movie, so I'll mention a few thoughts on it in another post.

Until next time my imaginary readers,

Carly

#WeNeedDiverseBooks

I don't know if you've heard, but the Book Expo of America has renamed "Power Reader's Day" to "Book Con." I'm super excited for this event because my favorite authors are going to be there!!!

But why all of the controversy about Book Con on Twitter? All 31 of the guests are white. Most are male. Now, that has angered lots of people.

I am an adopted Chinese girl who can speak French in a white male dominated society. But I love John Green, Rick Riordan, Lemony Snicket, and Cassandra Clare. Am I a bigot? No!

The invited guests are talented and hugely successful, so why are we blaming Book Con for bringing people we want to see? The people that chose these authors can't change that these successful authors have white skin. They're just trying to bring in the largest crowd by hosting the most popular authors.

But, there's a reason for why all of these successful authors are white.

Maybe it's because minorities don't have the same opportunities. I'd like to think that if you have the talent to be an author, you will have success, but there are people that don't get recognized for their work when they deserve it. Maybe it's because readers are still biased, and when they pick up a book written by someone with an ethnic name, they put it right back down.  I don't know.

There is neither much diversity in books that I read nor in their authors.

That is the real problem.

The way to fix it is for the audience to demand that the publishers produce what it wants. We have to tell them that we want a "Mexican Katniss", as Matt De la Pena said.  Then we'll see new faces at Book Con, but in the meantime stop blaming Book Con for their chosen guests when you know you love their books too.  Don't discredit authors because they're white. Talent is talent.

LAST DAY

It's the last day to vote on Tumblr for the Demand Our Stars tour! And I just saw that they're only coming to the top 4 states? LAMMMME!! It was supposed to be the top 10. PA is #5, of course.  Let's unite and bring them here!!'

http://lisleslivres.tumblr.com/post/83744486096/enter-your-zip-code-here

Reminder: Demand Our Stars

Keep voting to bring John Green, Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, and Nat Wolf to Pennsylvania, the most important state! Okay, you can vote for other states, but I'd love to see them!!!!!

How do you vote? Like and/or reblog the post (I hope that's the right term) for PA on Tumblr.

VOTE HERE!!!

This Must Happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I MADE A TUMBLR JUST FOR THIS!!!!! HELP ME OUT AND VOTE PA OR NJ! Voting ends on April 25, so step it up PAers!

Want @shailenewoodley, @AnselElgort, @natandalex & @realjohngreen in YOUR state? Here's how:http://t.co/KRtqpDs8Ke pic.twitter.com/KM4YO9ztRE
— The Fault Movie (@TheFaultMovie) April 2, 2014

These guys will be promoting the movie which I'm super excited for!

The Feels

I haven't blogged in a bit, but it was necessary after watching the The Fault in Our Stars trailer.

Okay, now that you have watched it, are you not excited?  I think I just fell in love with a fictional character and the actor portraying him again. I'm anticipating this one because the book went through the full spectrum of emotions.  Happiness, sadness, love, laughter.  I think this is a book and movie that everyone can enjoy.  John Green is amazing.

Thoughts on the book/trailer?

I probably shouldn't be laughing: The Fault in Our Stars Movie

I like the tag line.  It's punny, but I definitely understand that some people don't.  Cancer is a touchy subject of course, but that's the whole point of the novel.  John Green shows that books about cancer don't have to be complete tearjerkers.  It's such a beautiful story.  I'm excited for the movie.  I love the casting!

John Green's reaction to the tagline via Tumblr:

I like the tag line. I found it dark and angry in the same way that Hazel is (at least at times) dark and angry in her humor. I mostly wanted something that said, "This is hopefully not going to be a gauzy, sentimental love story that romanticizes illness and further spreads the lie that the only reason sick people exist is so that healthy people can learn lessons." But that's not a very good tag line. I like the tag line because it says, literally, the sick can also have love stories. Love and joy and romance are not just things reserved for the well.

I have no problem with the tagline. It's cheeky.
— Ansel Elgort (@AnselElgort) December 20, 2013

Shailene Woodley's thoughts:

I had a really strong response to it. It's definitely - it's not a tagline that I probably would have chosen by any means. But I think that there's so many people who are so passionate about this book that there's nothing that will ever satisfy everyone. So I think it was just up to the discretion of the marketing mavens. For me, it was - yeah, not something I would have chosen. But it seems like half the people love it and half the people don't like it.

More TFIOS CASTING: Patrick

Yup, he's been cast!

So excited to announce that one of my all-time favorite comedians/humans, Mike Birbiglia (@birbigs), will play Patrick in the TFiOS movie.
— John Green (@realjohngreen) August 28, 2013

This book by @realjohngreen is incredible. They're making a movie of it and I'm playing Patrick. Literally. pic.twitter.com/7uNqNbmVnd
— Mike Birbiglia (@birbigs) August 29, 2013

I can't wait for when the trailer releases!  Until then, here's the review, book trailer, and other fun videos about TFIOS.

Shailene Woodley Chops it Off and TFIOS Production Starts

Yeah, I know I'm a little late on the former.  I think it is so awesome that Shailene donated her signature locks to someone in need.  I've donated my hair 4 times in 6 years I believe.  Yes, my hair grows pretty fast.  I am currently sporting a pixie and I know how brave you have to be to get rid of it.  it seems silly because it grows back but I know so many people that wouldn't donate it because it takes too long to come back.

BEFORE

AFTER

In other news, production for The Fault in Our Stars started officially!  I'm so excited because this is a wonderful book, but I'm also looking forward to seeing their trip to Amsterdam because I have just visited it.  I like nostalgic stuff like that.

Have you ever donated your hair?  Are you excited for TFIOS?

TFIOS CASTING

Did you hear?  Issac and Hazel's mom were cast!  And who are these two being played by?

ISAAC...

NAT WOLFF

I thought that the last time I had seen him was in Nickelodeon's The Naked Brother's Band, but I literally just went,"That looks like the kid from Admission," which I saw a couple days ago (Just a note, Admission wasn't funny.  Big let down.)  I never thought that Nat Wolff could act, and it's not like Admission was great, but I'm excited to see him play Isaac.  If John Green liked him, that's good enough for me.

HAZEL'S MOMMY...

LAURA DERN

I'm sorry to say that I have no idea who this lady is.  I haven't seen Jurassic Park, but yay she got casted!  That means that seeing it's one step closer to seeing it on the big screen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your thoughts?  Excited to see the movie?