If I Stay

Okay, so I know what you’re thinking. “Really Melissa, this book and movie have been out for a while.” What can I say? That’s how I roll. I’m not sure why I just said “roll” in air quotes. Anyway, per usual I will try not to put too many spoilers in case you have not read/seen If I Stay, these are just my thoughts after reading the book, and seeing the movie.

Normally I’ve already read the book way, way before the movie comes out. Then I have a habit of after the movie saying “in the book…” And I don’t say that in an “in episode 12 you pressed this button to launch the drones, but in the schematics that button is the tractor beam” way. Well at least I try not to. *she says hopefully, as she crosses her fingers.*

Mostly I just say in the book while my husbands is in the room because I do not want talk to myself. Not that there is anything wrong with talking to yourself. I do it all the time, although I often get worried if I laugh too much at my own amusements like saying quotes from movies I find funny. That’s not crazy right? *She asks herself.*

So back to If I Stay. Hopefully jumping around from the book to the movie does not confuse things. And by things I mean does not confuse myself. Without reading the book first way before the movie this time, I can say the movie does what it is supposed to for those who have not read the book it stands on its own.

If you’ve read the book, then you know that everything goes back and forth from present (the hospital) to past events (memories of Mia’s life). Gayle Forman does a great job of mastering this subtle art. Because I have read some books where the author goes back and forth whether past and present, or two different points of view and it rarely happens but sometimes it does not work. I know, I know I just said that about a book, blasphemy!

When I read the book and I first read the part where they introduce Mia’s parents I was like yep they got the right actors to play her parents for the movie. Mireilli Enos and Joshua Leonard capture the essence of the characters from the book. Although a small part of me wishes they would have developed the depth of the characters like Forman does in the book. I know you can’t have the entire book in a movie because it would be a long movie or a two part movie.

When I was reading the book I was like, “hey in the movie Adam says that when this happens.” Then I had to stop doing that because I felt like the book was judging me. Like the book was staring at me saying “oh, sure of course you find the movie prettier and attractive. Then it’s this whole thing with Jean.” *SNL? Anyone?*

After watching and reading If I Stay I’m glad they cast Jamie Blackley and Chloë Grace Mortez for Adam and Mia. They are believable as a young couple in love. There are some that would say, “why would you write a story about two high school kids being in love, all they do is “fight”?” Well I thought about this too, and I’ve come to the conclusion to be fair their relationship dealt with a lot of stress. One person being away, the other having to stay behind to finish school. I know fictional characters but it’s true that would cause a lot of discussions for a couple.

In watching the special features for the movie. I learned that Jamie Blackley did actually sing. To which I also said, “And he’s British!” I guess my tweet came true. When my husband and I first saw the trailer of Adam walking down the hall, we were like “hey Catalano!”

I also learned in the behind the scenes that R.J. Cutler gave the actors an iPod with the music the characters would have listened to. There are some good special features on the Blu-ray. If I may quote Travis Birkenstock, “Two very enthusiastic thumbs up. Fine holiday fun.”

I like when movies and shows have the music be another character in the story. I think in this case it adds to who the characters are, and how they develop in the story.

If you want to see a movie, or read a book, or both that has good music, memorable characters and true love you should read/watch If I Stay. Now I have to find out Where She Went. Sorry that was a bad pun on the sequel to If I Stay, I could not help myself.

It’s about vampires, ostensibly

 “It’s about vampires, ostensibly ...” Yep, this is the title I am sticking with.

Well it’s about social media, but not really. It started off that way but did not end that way.

So I think a while back I attempted to write about social media, Twitter in particular. But I was as the kids say a newb. Or, is it noob? I am attempting to write about it again because it’s been on my mind. I’ve been wanting to write about it for a while, but have been afraid of coming across as “complaining,” or it just won’t come across right. In thinking about it, it has lead me to other thoughts that are a bit more serious. I think it will make sense. It will. I hope. Stick with me on this one.

How do you make a lighthearted observation without coming across as hating the something you are making an observation about anyway? I guess it’s a subtle art, like making a mix tape. As Rob Gordon would say, “The making of a great compilation tape, like breaking up, is hard to do and takes ages longer than it might seem. You gotta kick off with a killer, to grab attention. Then you got to take it up a notch, but you don’t wanna blow your wad, so then you got to cool it off a notch. There are a lot of rules.”

I’m not sure how I’ll do but hopefully this comes across that way. Social media sometimes reminds me of a high school setting. “You see us as you want to see us ... in the simplest of terms and the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain … and an athlete … and a basket case … a princess … and a criminal.”

Sorry that felt like a John Hughes moment. I guess my point is there are days when you feel like you don’t belong. You’re not exactly in any category. And sometimes it’s not just a once in a while thing, it’s like your whole life thing. I wanted to bring this is up because words matter, and most of all people matter.

Whenever I find myself in that kind of a mood. You know the mood where you think you don’t fit. There is one thing that has recently come to make me feel better. I thought I would share it. Most of you might know it …

“Every inch of me shall perish. Every inch, but one. An inch, it is small and it is fragile, but it is the only thing in the world worth having. We must never lose it or give it away. We must never let them take it from us. I hope that whoever you are, you escape from this place. I hope that the world turns and things get better. But what I hope most of all is that you understand what I mean when I tell you that even though I don’t know you, and even though I may never meet you, laugh with you, cry with you, or kiss you. I love you. With all my heart, I love you.”

I know what you’re thinking Melissa, why would you pick a sad scene from a movie to make you feel better? It’s like I said words matter. And one of the greatest things about words are even though they are the same in spelling, they always have a different meaning to everyone. And that’s why people matter because without the differences how would we come to understanding and forgiveness.

As the Doctor would say “900 years of time and space and I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t important.”

Where have you been? And other VERY random thoughts

Or should I say where have I been? I was looking at my last post and I should have said to myself I hope you are sitting down for this, because my last post was November 18^th! November 18^th! Aca-Scuse me? Aca-believe it.

The last thing I blogged about was my love for Begin Again, don’t worry that love is still there. But then Thanksgiving came, then it was back to work again and then I was like huh? Then I just got lazy. There I said it. What don’t look at me like that. No you. I just realize I am mostly talking to myself here. Anyway…

To be honest, I have not felt very motivated to write a blog. When I write, I have to write for myself and I have to feel it. I can’t write just to write. Which is another reason my writing is not very structured. Not that structure is a bad thing. For me, I like to write as if I am having a discussion. Well, more like a conversation. Well, more like my brain is just rambling.

Well … well. Thank you to the 10^th Doctor for that one. Saying well a lot. Speaking of the Doctor, I have been watching the series again starting from number 9. Who was/is the Doctor’s brother? There’s a scene where Martha Jones ask the Doctor is he has a brother. He says No, not any more. What? And where is the Doctor’s daughter? Going way back, what happened to his granddaughter? My husband brought up a good point, she is a Time Lord, so wouldn’t she have regenerated a couple of times since leaving the TARDIS. I will stop now because, too many unanswered questions.

Where was … oh feeling motivated to write. I can honestly say now I know where that conversation comes from. You know the one where someone ask, what are you writing? And you say nothing. That’s me. Well, sort of. Well, not today!

It’s kind of like when I was about to write about the Hunger Games. Hunger Games! I just got stuck on the third paragraph. That movie was dark. Don’t get me wrong I love the Hunger Games book series. When I first read Catching Fire I was like it this is getting dark. When I got to Mockingjay, all I could say was it just got real people.

So confession, I cried for like the first 30 minutes of the movie. I know fictional characters, but there is something about oppression and war, that is too real. One of the other things that pulled at my heart strings is the first scene where Philip Seymour Hoffman appears.

There were other moments that did not make me feel sad. Like when Katniss kisses Gale and he says the only way he can get her attention is by being in pain. I was like there’s no time for false drama we got bigger issues up in here.

I truly think the movie does need to be in two parts. What we just saw just scratched the surface. There is so much that happens in the book, one movie would not cover it all and would feel rushed. But at the end of the movie, I said to myself, I guess they are waiting to show how crazy Coin is in the second part.

To sum up my feelings for Mockingjay Part I, I’d like to quote Rob Gordon from High Fidelity.

“Nobody worries about kids listening to thousands, literally thousands of songs about heartbreak, rejection, pain, misery and loss. Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?”

In this case replace music with books.

Speaking of films, I finally saw Edge of Tomorrow. And it was pretty good. Yes, Tom Cruise is in it. Yes, I know how some people feel about it. But the movie was not too Tom Cruisey and Emily Blunt is excellent in this movie. Her character, Rita, does not have to rely on Cage (Cruise) to come and rescue her.

In regards to writing, I think sometime it’s good to take a break, or in my case be a little lazy and enjoy good movies and spend time with loved ones because it can help clear the mind. For me it’s my zen thing. Because hey, look, I actually write something today. To sum it up, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

I’m in love … with Begin Again

I will try to describe my love for this movie. Have you ever read a book, seen a movie or heard a song that found the right place in your heart? This is what this movie has been for me. I saw this movie recently on Blu-ray. I know what you might be asking, Melissa if this movie is so wonderful why are you just seeing it? Well most movies like this only play at one theater where I live for a limited time. And if you happen to be working the release weekend it will be a bit too late because it will have only shown once. Sorry for the side rant, where was I …

Begin Again is written and directed by James Carney, and stars Mark Ruffalo, Keira Knightley, James Corden, Hailee Steinfeld, Adam Levine, Catherine Keener and CeeLo Green. When I first saw the preview I wanted to see it because I think Mark Ruffalo is a wonderful, authentic actor. And I also love James Corden who is a brilliant and funny actor. In all honesty, the entire cast is amazing. I could not see any one else playing these characters. Keira Knightley plays Gretta James a singer song writer who is discovered by Dan Mullihan (Mark Ruffalo).

PS: Knightley does her own signing in the movie. Speaking of singing, there is a song in the movie that I am in love with, Lost Stars written by Gregg Alexander, Daniel Brisebois, Nick Lashley and Nick Southwood. I love the Knightly and Levine version of this song. So I feel in love twice once with the movie and the second with this song. The lyrics are amazing. It’s like a poem. Just the beginning of the song fills a space in my heart, the space I was talking about earlier.

“Please, don’t see

Just a girl caught up in dream

And fantasies

Please, see me

Reaching out for someone

I can’t see”

Dan (Ruffalo) has sold most of his shares of his record label. So he has been forced out by his partner (Mos Def). So even though Dan is not able to sign anyone, Gretta decides she wants him to produce her album. One of the things I love about their decision is to record it all over New York. So no matter what happens, background noise mainly they will keep recording.

If you think the movie is going to have a cliché like Dan and Gretta ending up together, you are wrong. While they are making this album together they are helping each other. She helps him build a stronger relationship with his daughter (Steinfeld) which essentially helps him reunite with estranged wife (Catherine Keener).

So there is one small cliché (tiny, minor thing that does not ruin the movie at all) in the movie where Dave Kohl (Levine) who plays Gretta’s boyfriend meets someone else. She discovers this when he plays a song for her he write while in LA. Gretta knows him that well, that as soon as she hears the lyrics she knows he is singing about someone else. Dave tries to get Gretta back after she leaves a song for him on his voice mail. 

Yes, this movie is about how music can save you. But also about how two people can save each other and it does not have to be in a romantic setting. There are no words to describe how beautiful, wonderful, lovely this movie is. Okay those were some words but it truly is like one of books you read, or movies you see that you want to keep to yourself because it has filled you with so much joy you want to keep it to yourself and share it at the same time.