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Game of Thrones (2011)
Fans of the book rejoice!! A winner in all categories!
I had heard nothing but good things about Game of Thrones when my boyfriend and I picked up the first season; as such, I had high expectations. I was not disappointed—if anything, my expectations were not high enough. Starting in the evening, we intended to watch "just a couple of episodes." Hours later, as the sun was coming up, we were still glued to the TV. We watched the entire series in just two days. This is easily one of the best acted and best written shows that I have ever watched!
Imagine my further enthusiasm upon discovering that it was based on a book series. Being an avid reader,I picked up the first book in the series A Song of Fire and Ice (which shares the name of the show) at my earliest opportunity. As much as I loved the show, I absolutely expected it to be much different from the book; as an avid reader, I am also aware of how badly most movies and TV shows manage to foul up when making the transition from the written page.
I could not have been more wrong. This show follows the book so closely that there are even whole sentences of dialogue that must have been copied directly from the book into the show's script. The few differences are so minute as to not really matter; most of them actually add to the show, rather than being detrimental. In addition, the casting is fantastic. Having seen the show first, I worried that the appearance of the actors might color the way I viewed in the characters in the book; this was not the case. Although I did, in fact, picture the actors in most cases, it was only because their resemblance to their fictional counterparts had been so closely adhered to in the television adaptation. With so many characters involved in the book's story, one might assume that some of them would have been left on the cutting room floor when the series went to wrap . . . but, as I mentioned, the amazing adaptation included every plot point, no matter how small of a part a character may have. This is good news, as I have seen far too many movies and shows that ignore a supporting character in early episodes only to have the character become a major player later on, leaving a plot hole in the early episodes and people wondering, "Hm, where did this guy come in?"
I have not had a chance to begin the second book yet, although after finishing the first one, I immediately went out and bought the rest of the series. As excited as I am about reading the next book, it is with even greater anticipation that I wait for the return of this amazing series. I would recommend this show to anyone who is a fan of the fantasy genre. Truly,I would recommend this show to anyone!! If you are looking for something to watch that is visually and intellectually captivating,incredibly acted and well written, and fun to boot-- or just an entertaining bit of TV to get you through a rainy day-- then you have found it in Game of Thrones!!
Falling Skies (2011)
Entertaining and Worth Watching; If you make it past the first few episodes, it really sucks you in!!
After reading many of the other user reviews which were (unfairly) negative, I'm compelled to add my own two cents in defense of this entertaining new sci-fi endeavor. Like many, I found the first episode of Falling Skies a bit underwhelming. TNT's excessive promotion made it almost impossible to live up to the hype. This is a common problem today; being familiar with the phenomenon, my boyfriend and I decided to watch a few episodes before passing final judgment. I'm glad we did. After the premiere, Falling Skies began to blossom, developing a group of compelling characters and an intriguing story line that leaves the watcher craving more at each episode's end.
A major factor in many of the negative reviews was the "been there, done that" feeling of the premise. One difference I liked about Falling Skies is that it begins not with the alien's arrival (a lá Independence Day), or during the attack, but after the invaders have already won, leaving the human race defeated and on the run. This slightly different perspective is an interesting spin on your average space invasion plot.
The show centers around Tom Mason, a former history professor turned second in command of the Second Massachusetts, one of several resistance units from the state. Noah Wyle portrays Tom with intelligence, grit, and heart. Wyle is a fine actor who deserves more credit than he gets. Tom and the rest of the Second Mass. are trying to survive in the takeover's aftermath, simultaneously planning revolution against the nasty group of six-legged creepy-crawlies they call "Skitters." Though Skitters have killed many, their practice of capturing teens and children and "harnessing" them—a process which brainwashes and enslaves the afflicted—is what truly terrifies the survivors. Tom is driven by devotion to his three boys (their mother died in an early attack): idealistic youngest son Matt (played adorably by Maxim Knight!); middle child Ben, who was captured and harnessed (early episodes involve staging his rescue); and oldest son, Hal, who has transitioned from a popular high school jock to an enthusiastic and effective fighter.
Characters are the heart of this show. Although some might fit into cookie-cutter stereotypes, they are all drawn with enough depth to keep them interesting. Tom is an excellent lead, a man so pure of heart and spirit that he probably couldn't exist in the real world. He inspires both civilians and his fellow fighters, all the while raising his boys and occasionally infuriating Captain Weaver, the commander of the Second Mass (played with just the right amount of neurotic military attitude by the excellent Will Patton). Little Matt adds sunshine to episodes that can get heavy. Tom watches Hal grow to manhood before his eyes as the war unfolds. Ben struggles to return to normalcy after his time in the harness. And, still reeling from the loss of his wife, Tom also finds himself beginning to fall for the exotically beautiful doctor Anne Glass. She and Tom lean on each other for support when things start to become overwhelming—after all, what would a TV show be without a love interest? ;-) In the role of a semi-bad guy is John Pope, who led a small band of ex-cons and miscreants against the Skitters (they called them "Cooties"). Circumstance soon finds him a prisoner of the Second Mass. Prior to the invasion, Pope was a prison chef, and he makes a deal to cook for them to stay out of lockup. Unsurprisingly, the self-serving man bolts the first chance he gets, but continues to pop up in later episodes. Another reviewer's complaint involved Pope; the complaint being that Pope switched sides too easily, from shooting at the Second Mass to cooking for them in the space of an episode. It's pretty clear, though, that Pope only offered to cook as an alternative to imprisonment; furthermore, every time he has popped up since, his help has been a means to an end. Therefore, the allegation about the character's wishy-washiness is entirely untrue. John Pope looks out for number one; sometimes, as it turns out, what is best for number one is also best for the Second Mass. Will he develop a conscience? Does he have a kinder side? I look forward to seeing his evolution, if there is any.
There are a couple comments from other reviews that I want to address. One that really irritated me mentioned a "plot hole" regarding the fact that the six-legged Skitters, who look something like really ugly, overgrown spiders, use fighting robots called "Mechs" that incongruously have two legs and a more humanoid appearance. Obviously this critic either didn't watch beyond the first episode, or else didn't pay very close attention, as this question was addressed in an early episode, when it's mentioned that one of the children asked about the conflicting appearances of during "school" that day. As the season wore on, it became apparent that, far from being a "plot hole" this is a question central to the plot and to pin-pointing the Skitters' intentions.
Another comment that I saw stated that the plot held no mystery or excitement, the point being merely to "survive." Once again, not true. Survival is certainly important, but plenty of mystery is involved, and now the season has ended, proposing some even greater mysteries and leaving us wondering if the Skitters are even the ones calling the shots.
If you enjoy Sci-fi this is worth a watch. It may not be the most original show, but it is a lot of fun and has an interesting twist towards the end of the season that left me eager to find out what comes next for the Second Mass. I'm sure that the character development and the plot will continue to evolve as Falling Skies moves into its second season.
Rose Hill (1997)
Read the Book, don't bother with this TERRIBLE MOVIE
For the Roses, the book upon which this movie was based, is one of my favorite books of all time. That said, Rose Hill is probably the worst book adaptation I have ever seen. The only thing that it shares in common with the book upon which it purports to be based is the names of the characters.
I honestly wish that I could erase the memory of this film from my mind, so that it would not tarnish the image of the book I enjoyed so thoroughly. I can't believe that Julie Garwood, who penned this excellent book (and it's sequels, which are about the four brothers-- none of whom die in the book!), allowed this terrible movie to be made.
As far as what is the most awful thing about it, I don't even know where to begin. Perhaps it is the portrayal of Mary Rose, a girl who is supposed to be sweet and well adjusted, caring and altruistic. In the movie, she comes across as a spoiled brat who doesn't appreciate anything that her brothers have done for her. And Harrison is supposed to be her handsome Highland love interest, not the wimpy loser the movie makes him out to be.
I won't even get into all of the things that are wrong with the way the rest of the family is written, except to mention Mama Rose. One of the central parts of the book is the letters the Mary Rose and the boys send to Adam's mother, Mama Rose (who becomes a surrogate mother to the entire clan), throughout their lives. Each chapter began with one of these heartfelt letters illustrating the growth of each individual into a man (or woman). I realize that they could not have put the correspondence into the movie, but they could have in some way alluded to the closeness they have all developed with the woman who raised them in spirit, not being present in the flesh.
Anyone who is thinking about watching this movie-- don't. Even as a stand alone movie, it is pretty bad. If you have read the book, then really DON'T WATCH THIS. It will only serve to make you angry and disappointed. I was so excited when I heard that they were making a movie out of this book, but they should have just left it alone. If you are still interested in the movie, just go buy the book, For the Roses by Julie Garwood. I promise you, it will be a must better investment of your time!