Tag Archives: fantasy

Movie Review: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5

I thought that I would just start out by saying this: For those of you who complained about “The Hobbit” being too long of a film, I have these three points:

1. Your attention span needs work, and I pity your inability to put down your phone long enough to recognize cinematic wonder.

2. You clearly have not paid attention to Peter Jackson’s body of work, because otherwise you would not be surprised by its length.

3. After waiting nine years to escape into Tolkien’s universe on-screen again, I left that theater wanting so much more. Only three hours of magic after over 78,000 hours of waiting?! If you whined even the teeniest bit, you are not a fan, and I don’t know why you even went.

As Twitter would add, #SorryNotSorry.

Ok, with that rant out of the way, I know that my awesome readers will be glad to hear that “The Hobbit” was well worth the wait! I’ll try not to give too much away if you haven’t seen it yet, but considering that the film has already made approx. $85 million dollars this weekend, breaking the December opening weekend record, chances are you’ve made a trip to your local theater.

The version I saw was the basic 2D, 24fps, but I’ll be checking it out again in 3D, 48fps, over the holidays, so I’ll make sure to provide an update of the visual differences. That being said, even though I didn’t see the film as it was intended to be seen, it’s still great eye candy. The fact that those landscapes actually exist on our planet still boggles my mind–and makes me want to book a flight to New Zealand, stat.

And speaking of eye candy, let me have a fangirl moment for a second. When “The Fellowship” was released, I was 11 years old, but seeing Orlando Bloom as Legolas on screen for the first time probably incited early puberty for many girls like myself. Never will elves be of the Keebler variety in my mind again.

Now I was under the impression that Legolas would make a cameo in “An Unexpected Journey,” but alas, we’ll all have to wait for “There and Back Again.” Although other elves, such as Elrond and Galadriel appear in their immortal glory, I went into the dwarf-centric film thinking that the odds of a character making me melt like before were nil.

That is, until this guy showed up.

Hello there, indeed...

Hello there, indeed…

When Kili barged into Bilbo’s hobbit hole, both the girl sitting next to me and I blurted out, “Hellllloooo,” as if to say, “Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes among a group of prosthetic noses and braided beards?” We promptly sat back, knowing this  movie just tipped into amazeballs territory.

I sincerely did not pay much attention to the casting, nor to any information, since I hate feeling like I’ve seen everything about a film before it’s hit theaters. I recall vaguely my mother mentioning this young Aragorn lookalike, but I’m glad my memory escaped me because it’s nice being pleasantly surprised.

(By the way, Kili’s played by a relatively unknown Irish actor named Aidan Turner. After a quick glance at his IMDb profile, clearly there’s an episode of “The Tudors” I need to rewatch.)

Ok, ok, I’ll stop. Angry rants and fangirl rambling, what has become of Book Club Babe? Apologies, moving right along…

What else can I add? The soundtrack was phenomenal, a wonderful balance between new and familiar. Not to mention, fans will enjoy the dwarf drinking song, which showcases Tolkien’s whimsy. The entire cast’s acting was excellent, from Martin Freeman’s reluctant bravery as Bilbo to Richard Armitage’s thirst for vengeance as Thorin.

And I don’t think an audience has been so excited to see a villain as we were when Gollum slinked in. There’s a reason Andy Serkis (who is part-Armenian, don’t ya know?) is king of motion-capture performance art. He was simply brilliant, and the riddle scene was everything I wanted and more.

I won’t provide a list of differences between the book and movie, but be aware that creative license is taken when emphasizing parts downplayed by Tolkien, such as the prominence of The White Council, the Necromancer, and even Radagast the Brown. Much of these changes I believe are to the viewer’s benefit, since Jackson pieces together information explained in The Silmarillion and the Appendices that otherwise would not be apparent since The Hobbit was told from Bilbo’s perspective.

So re-read the novel if you can, and make your own conclusions about this adaptation. Although nothing compares to the LOTR trilogy, Jackson follows through with another hit. Highly, highly recommended!

Book Review: The Hobbit

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Rating: 4 out of 5

While many die-hard Tolkien fans are currently in line for the midnight premiere of “The Hobbit” here on the West coast, alas most of us can’t afford to watch a three-hour film and still expect to function at work on a few hours of sleep. But given that I’ve waited almost nine whole years to return to Middle-earth, I think that I can wait two more days.

And speaking of time, can you believe it’s been 75 years since The Hobbit was published? I see anniversary editions of the novel everywhere I go now, which is great, because it’s wonderful to see that the Ringer fanbase has grown over generations.

Say what you want about Jackson’s adaptations of The Lord of the Rings, but sometimes even the most hardcore of fans (like me) got a small nudge from the movies. I was 11 years old when “The Fellowship of the Ring” hit theaters, and while I was encouraged by a favorite teacher to pick up the series prior, it was the cinematic magic that fueled the fire.

I then immediately read LOTR, but eventually made my way to The Hobbit. This prequel, as many have pointed out, holds a much different tone than the saga. Compared to the epic battles of Rohan and Minas Tirith, Bilbo Baggins’ adventure with the dwarves seems more light-hearted–hence, why The Hobbit is often marketed as a children’s fantasy tale.

And while I would argue that LOTR also had its fair share of singing and joking (which would have been more apparent had Tom Bombadil made Jackson’s cut), The Hobbit feels more “fun” because any danger that the characters face is relatively minor.

At least that was my impression. It’s been years since I’ve read the book, and as much as I would’ve liked to re-read it, my brother has my only copy and I’m currently preoccupied with finishing my last book of the year, Edith Wharton’s The House of Mirth.

For those who are unfamiliar with the prequel, it follows Frodo’s “uncle” Bilbo, sixty years before The Fellowship takes place. Gandalf convinces him to join a group of 13 dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, into the Lonely Mountain to defeat the dragon Smaug and steal its treasure.

Along the way, they encounter trolls, goblins, and giant spiders. Elrond is one elf who makes an appearance, but as much as I will enjoy seeing Legolas again in the film, I know that his cameo is inaccurate. I’ll also be sure to address other changes of Jackson’s in my movie review this weekend.

Of course, the scene I’ll be looking forward to watching the most would have to be the riddle game between Bilbo and Gollum. I’ve purposely avoided all the footage online because I don’t want to be spoiled, but I caught Andy Serkis on “The Colbert Report.” Talk about my precious! Andy rocks my socks! I’m positively giddy to see this origin story come to life!

And if you were looking for a more critical analysis of the novel, I apologize. Unlike other authors, about whom I have no qualms nit-picking every metaphor, I have a very biased perspective on Tolkien. Knowing how much he despised allegory and psychoanalysis, I read his work with the simplicity and innocence which I believe he intended.

The Hobbit is a wonderful coming-of-age tale about a good-hearted hobbit who’s pushed outside his comfort zone to become a reluctant hero–much like Frodo after him. Tolkien’s world-creation is unmatched, and you fall in love with his rich descriptions of setting. Perhaps the timeliness of its themes and beauty behind its purity are what make The Hobbit an everlasting favorite among readers.

But if you’re still skeptical, I hope that you see the film anyway and it inspires you like Gandalf giving you a nudge out the door. Because reading something this magical is better 75 years late than never.

Favorite Quote: “There are no safe paths in this part of the world. Remember you are over the Edge of the Wild now, and in for all sorts of fun wherever you go.”

You know you're a Ringer when you go Christmas shopping for your family and end up buying this for yourself instead!

You know you’re a Ringer when you go Christmas shopping for your family and end up buying this for yourself instead!

Book Review: Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian

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Image via Goodreads

Rating: 4 out of 5

I feel like it’s the end of an era, because I finally finished the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer. I reviewed the penultimate novel, The Atlantis Complex, last year, and I’m pleased to say that the finale was much better.

If you haven’t heard of Artemis Fowl, let me bring you up to speed. Artemis is a boy genius with unsurpassed intellect, upscale taste in designer suits and classical music, and an obsession with increasing his already massive family fortune. His penchant for illicit scheming makes him many enemies, but he’s always shadowed by his best friend/bodyguard Butler.

The book series covers his life from ages 12-15, starting when he kidnaps an elf military officer named Holly Short to gain access to fairy gold to the present novel in which he puts aside his greed to save humanity. After seven books, Artemis and Holly are close comrades, and together with centaur techie Foaly and conniving dwarf Mulch Diggums, they must once again band together to stop the series’ pixie villain Opal Koboi.

It’s interesting to see an author’s writing style evolve over the course of a saga, and at times I felt Colfer inserted too much politics in regards to climate change or animal species preservation. The Atlantis Complex did not feel true to the series when Artemis became an obnoxious schizophrenic. Reading that novel, I was worried that Colfer had lost his magic.

But it came back full force in The Last Guardian. As Opal used time travel to thwart the LEP, I too felt like my younger self, literally laughing out loud at the many jokes that made the series so fun when I was in middle school. Being entertained by Mulch’s flatulence might seem juvenile, but with Artemis and friends battling an army of possessed crickets and ducks, how could you not chuckle?

Harry Potter fans will most likely draw similarities between the two supernatural stories, especially at the end of The Last Guardian. Artemis must make a sacrifice like Harry, but I won’t give away the details. I’ll just say that you walk away with that sad, yet satisfied feeling of fulfillment.

I only wish there could have been more romance between Artemis and Holly! Is that weird? I know that love blossoming between a teenage human boy and a three-foot-tall, 80-year-old elf would be far-fetched, but readers of the series know just how close they’ve become over the years. And in my opinion, nothing Artemis does can be considered normal or average, so I wouldn’t expect his love life to be either.

Lack of love story aside, reading Artemis Fowl has been a wonderful ride, and I would recommend the tale to anybody. Don’t wait until the movie comes out, because after eight years of conflicts, ranging from financial disputes between Disney and the Weinstein Company to the creative decision between CGI and live-action, the project has been shelved as of last year. The odds of seeing Artemis on-screen soon are slim, but at least you have time to catch up reading!

The Reading Phases of My Life (So Far)

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I’m half-way done with The Last Guardian, the finale of Artemis Fowl, and I’ve been reflecting on my experience with the series as a whole. I started reading Eoin Colfer’s best-selling saga since the first novel was published in 2001. I was about 12-years-old at the time, so eight books later, the Artemis Fowl series has spanned half my life.

Thus, Artemis Fowl has meant almost as much to me as Harry Potter, in terms of how many years I’ve spent reading the books. And what’s funny to me, is that young-adult fantasy has not always been a favorite genre of mine. In fact, I find it interesting to see how my reading habits have evolved over time, so I thought that I would share them in a quasi-timeline, if you will…

Early Childhood (ages 5-8)

When I was a kid, I loved educational stories. I remember two of my favorites were The Magic School Bus and Kratt’s Creatures. Many of my classmates attributed my love for learning to my mother, who’s a 3rd-grade teacher, and although she contributed so much to my intellectual development, I was also very self-motivated. To this day, much of what I can recall about the human body or the ocean, I learned from Mrs. Frizzle. And that’s not a bad thing at all!

Middle Childhood (ages 9-11)

During this time, I dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. I’m a huge animal lover, so I gravitated toward stories about them. I enjoyed Island of the Blue Dolphins, Where the Red Fern Grows, and Because of Winn-Dixie. Toward middle school, I had an obsession with wolves, and Jack London became one of my favorite authors after I read The Call of the Wild and White Fang. I no longer want to be a vet, since I’d rather play with pets than treat their ailments; it’s similar to how I now avoid reading sob-fests like Marley and Me–why is it that I’ll mourn a human character’s death for a day, but when the dog goes, it’s a full-blown depression?

Young Adult (ages 12-17)

Originally, I scoffed at the idea of reading Harry Potter. A book about a school for wizards? Balderdash! I was knee-deep in tales about Alaskan sled-dogs. But after the persistent nagging of a good friend, I became just as hooked as everybody else. It was one of those, “Where have you been all my life?!” moments, and it unlocked the gate to some great literature. I fell in love with His Dark Materials, The Lord of the Rings, A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Lost Years of Merlin, the Bartimaeus trilogy, The Young Wizards series, and–of course, Artemis Fowl. After experiencing fantasy like that, the real world never looked the same again.

The College Years (ages 18-22)

I know that I haven’t addressed required reading for the very fact that it was required. Every high school student was forced to read A Tale of Two Cities, so even though I loved it, the chances of me picking it up myself were slim. However, my tastes matured in college, and I sought out classics because I wanted to. Wuthering Heights, The Age of Innocence, and 1984 were all examples of me reading for reading’s sake. It’s no wonder that some of my favorite novels ever were read during a time when I could truly appreciate them.

That’s not to say all my reading was sophisticated. I had always passed by the romance section in the bookstore, but it wasn’t until a good friend of mine from UC Santa Cruz recommended some, that I actually got the guts to dive in. Because of my friend, I became a big fan of Vicki Lewis Thompson’s Nerd series. Now I balance out the literary with the lusty by swapping between classics and romances. I like switching it up!

The Future

Now I’d say that my reading comfort zone consists of classics, fantasy, sci-fi, chick-lit, romance, historical fiction, and memoir. There’s some genres I wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole, such as horror or spiritual, but my blog has made me more open to recommendations. I’ve realized how much fun audio-books can be, and once I can no longer fit anything on my bookshelves, I’ll have to invest in a tablet. I like jumping on bandwagons, as well as discovering hidden gems. Many book blogs have a niche, but I’m not the type to limit what I read. Life’s too short! Who knows what books we’ll obsess over and where our reading will take us!

Book Review: The Thorn and the Blossom

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Image via TheodoraGoss.com

Rating: 4 out of 5

I had heard about this book from a few magazines, and so far it has been my most unique read this year. The Thorn and the Blossom is a fantasy romance written by Theodora Goss and was published in January.

What makes it special is that it consists of two stories written accordion-style: On one side is the POV of Evelyn Morgan, an American college student visiting Cornwall, and on the other side, you hear from Brendan Thorne, a local tending to his father’s bookstore.

You do not want to drop this! Books aren’t Slinkies!

This hardcover comes in a box, and it takes a delicate touch to cradle the folded pages while you read. You can choose to start from either perspective, and I decided to go with “ladies first.” I’m glad I did, because I felt that Evelyn was more developed as a character, and her ability to see fairies and other supernatural creatures is one of the few elements that actually classifies this story as fantasy.

I thought that the writing was simple yet beautiful, creating an air of intrigue with ease. I believed in the characters’ chemistry, and enjoyed watching the ebbs and flows of their relationship. I enjoyed that Evelyn and Brendan, although in love, were also individuals who pursued their own dreams instead of throwing life’s opportunities away for each other. Many romances get so carried away in ‘togetherness’ that the characters lose all sense of self.

Unfortunately, my review is brief, because the tale itself was so short. At over $15 for only 82 pages total, I did feel ripped off a bit. But I understand that the beauty of the book’s construction warranted a higher price tag. Luckily, the story was good enough to be worth the buy.

My last comment has to do with a funny coincidence during my reading experience. The Thorn and the Blossom revolves around the Arthurian tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. As I was nearing the end of the novella, I visited an English bookstore in Gotanda, Japan, called Good Day Books. One of my purchases was a copy of J.R.R. Tolkien’s translations of a few medieval poems, one of which included Sir Gawain!

I’m not saying the fates aligned or anything, but it will be nice to compare Goss’ novella to the poem she references. Plus, translated by Tolkien? How could I have not bought the book?

I still have one more review to write, and I’m currently reading The Paris Wife by Paula McLain. I just started it, so we’ll see how it goes!

Masterpiece Monday: Howl’s Moving Castle

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Today I’m bending the rules, because it’s the birthday of one of my best friends, Lily. Years ago, I recommended Diana Wynne Jones’ fantasy novel Howl’s Moving Castle to her, and now it’s one of her favorite stories. Although she currently lives in Tokyo and spends her free time reading in Japanese, I thought I would celebrate the book we shared together. I wouldn’t say it qualifies as a “masterpiece,” but it’s certainly an outstanding read.

Jones published her novel in 1986, and it tells the tale of Sophie Hatter, a young hat-maker who is cursed by the Witch of the Waste. After becoming displeased with Sophie’s hats, the witch turns her into an old woman.

Determined to break the curse, Sophie becomes the maid for the wizard Howl, a 28-year-old, self-centered, narcissistic man rumored to eat pretty girls’ hearts. Howl lives in his moving castle with his 15-year-old apprentice Michael and the fire demon Calcifer, who powers the place.

What makes Howl’s castle able to “move” is its magical entry, with a doorknob which has four dabs of paint to represent   its different locations. Howl’s mysterious past and many psuedonyms allow him to travel through this fantastical world relatively unnoticed, that is until he must face his own cowardice and help Sophie destroy the Witch of the Waste.

This is a unique love story as well, given that although Howl is aware of Sophie’s curse, she lives with him as an old woman. Howl even initially courts Sophie’s sister Lettie. Not to mention, it takes a while for Sophie to look past Howl’s vanity and messiness and find the good within. But while I won’t give away the whole plot, don’t worry, there’s a happily ever after!

L-R: Sophie, Howl, and Calcifer

Once you’ve read Howl’s Moving Castle, you should watch Hayao Miyazaki’s 2004 anime feature film of the same name. I’ve mentioned the movie before when I discussed my favorite literary vacation destinations, and it is really worth the watch.

There are vast differences between the book and film, the biggest being Miyazaki’s inclusion of supernatural creatures. The film also added the element of war, with Howl refusing to fight for pacifist reasons. And although Sophie is cursed in the movie, the witch devolves into a humorous, harmless character rather than the powerful sorceress she is in the book.

According to interviews, Miyazaki did not consult Jones, but allowed her a private viewing, after which she called the film “fantastic.” However, do not mistake Jones’ sequel to Howl’s Moving Castle, called Castle in the Air, for another Miyazaki movie called “Castle in the Sky.” The two are entirely unrelated.

So if you’re interested in experiencing a fun, magical tale of love and friendship, I highly recommend Howl’s Moving Castle. It’s a story that brings close friends even closer–so happy birthday, Lily!!!

Happy Mother’s Day!

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For Masterpiece Monday, I discussed the most infamous mom: Medea. But you didn’t think that I was done talking, did you?

As I have only five more days until my graduate commencement, I spent today reflecting on how grateful I am for my own mother’s love and support. Whenever I needed to practice a debate speech or read a rough draft of an essay, she was always there to listen. She’s been my inspiration and motivation, encouraging me to chase my dreams as well as keeping me grounded. I’m so glad that I’ve been able to have such a good relationship with her, and I can’t wait to make her proud when I finally get hooded.

As for moms of the literary sort, I’ll share my thoughts on the one I love and the one I love to hate. Of course, give a shout-out to your own mom and to any literary moms out there, good or evil!

Excuse the profanity, but this is hilarious!

Mom I Love: Molly Weasley (Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling)

Come on, this one was obvious! Molly would be the best book mom. She not only had her hands full with seven children, she also helped save the entire world from Lord Voldemort. Sure, she worries about you constantly and knits you hideous-looking sweaters for Christmas, but she’s fiercely loyal to her loved ones. She adopted Harry like one of her own and was devoted to all her kids’ best interests. I don’t think I’m alone in saying that one of the most anticipated scenes in “Deathly Hallows: Part Two” was when Molly killed Bellatrix in revenge with her beloved line, “NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!” Now, that’s a mom you do not mess with!

Let’s just forget that this movie ever happened, ok?

Mom I Love to Hate: Marisa Coulter (His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman)

Unlike her film portrayal, Mrs. Coulter actually had long, sleek, black hair, but her ice-cold personality was something not easily rivaled. First off, protagonist Lyra didn’t even know Mrs. Coulter was her mother, as she was brought up as an orphan at Oxford University. Marisa and her lover (Lyra’s actual father) Lord Asriel are so obsessed with power that they continually lie and kill to get ahead. At one point, convinced that her daughter was a modern-day Eve, she planned to murder Lyra to prevent another “Fall.” And, of course, let’s not forget her wicked golden monkey daemon!

However, Mrs. Coulter is an intriguing, multidimensional character with redeeming qualities. She saves Lyra from danger multiple times, and seems to experience maternal love every now and then. You don’t trust her as far as you could throw her, but her final action in the trilogy (which I won’t spoil) forces you to rethink your perception of her.

I highly recommend both fantasy series, if you haven’t already read them. Let me know what you think of these bad-ass moms, and be sure to come back tomorrow for the next Masterpiece Monday!!!

Is the Fantasy Bubble Ready to Burst?

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You know, if fantasy’s dying, then Sean Bean is out of a job!

Yesterday E. D. Kain posted on TheAtlantic.com, “Fantasy’s Spell on Pop Culture: When Will It Wear Off?” an article about how the booming success of fantasy books and adaptations in the last decade might soon come to a slow-down, if not an actual end. How will authors and producers top the fame of Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, Twilight, and the recently acclaimed HBO series “Game of Thrones,” based on the novels by George R. R. Martin?

I believe that the answer regarding fantasy’s future is deceivingly simple: Those who only enjoy the movies are more likely to grow tired and bored with similar releases, but true fantasy fans will always be ready to support both the classics and the next big thing. I have not read/seen Game of Thrones, (I hear great things about the series, though!), but I’m familiar with all the others I listed and then some. Everybody goes through phases with their interests, as I progressed from animal novels like White Fang to fantasy sagas like His Dark Materials to chick lit like the novels of Sophie Kinsella.

But fantasy is something that I always return to, eager and enthralled by worlds much different than our own. I admit that I love fantasy more than sci-fi (because I prefer elves, magic, and sword-and-bow warfare over robots and aliens any day), but both genres represent escapism. Kain is right: Fantasy has gone mainstream. Fans are no longer just the mouth-breathing, D&D playing nerds in their moms’ basements. But that stereotype to me is offensive, as if all the “cool” fantasy fans will abandon the genre as soon as it gets too popular, like some sort of literary hipsters.

There are hardcore comic-books fans that will still get giddy over the latest Spiderman and Superman comics, no matter how many movies they remake. The same applies to fantasy: some fads like vampires and werewolves will come and go, but the genre will continue to grow and thrive as long as the true fans keep reading…and writing. The bestsellers of this decade have made fantasy-writing even more of a challenge. We shouldn’t be looking for a Harry Potter replacement, but a story that breathes new life and excitement into the genre. And those stories are out there, just waiting to be discovered…

So what are your thoughts? Has fantasy hit a dead end, or is it just getting started? Which stories prove promising, and which ones are just overrated? And perhaps most importantly–what IS fantasy? Has the genre grown and evolved, or have all the crossovers diluted what constitutes true fantasy? Let me know!

Movie Review: Harry Potter 7.2

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5

I started reading the HP series when I was 11, so in some ways I grew up with Harry and friends. While I’ve always been an avid reader, J.K. Rowling was one of the first authors that instilled my desire to write. She was the perfect rags-to-riches story that inspired me to want to reach millions of people with my words.

Of course, this review is not about me. After waiting five hours in line, the midnight premiere did not disappoint. The film wasted no time explaining what had happened in Part 1, quickly whisking us away to Gringotts. I felt that the tone and emotion of the characters were exact, and I believed every second of the suspense.

My only complaints were that because Part 1 covered so much ground, Part 2 was on the short side. I also felt disconnected from the Order, as most of the screen time was occupied (mostly rightfully so) by Harry. The deaths that were so traumatic in the book felt quite underwhelming. Sometimes the shots were so quick that if I wasn’t a reader of the books, I would not have known who died at all. The epilogue could also have used some clarification in regards to the newest generation of wizards. Just another 30 minutes or so could have improved these weaknesses.

However, overall, I loved it and could only ask for more. I admit I cried a lot, not only over the deaths of my favorite characters (Snape and Lupin, especially), but also because as the credits rolled, I felt like my childhood had officially ended. It’s been a magical ten years, and whether Rowling gives us more Potter or not, this movie was an excellent finale.