Fangirl | The If I Stay Trailer

Dear Blue,

As usual, I never go looking for book to movie trailers, they always just find me, and Blue, I want to cry. As much as the novel didn't affect me as much as I wanted it too, I was excited at the possibility of a film, and judging from this trailer, I wasn't wrong. This trailer is so beautiful, emotional, lovely, and I really want to bawl now. I loved Adam pasting the ceiling of Julliard to her bedroom ceiling...how wonderful is that? The surgeon whispering in Mia's ear, flashes of her life...perfect.

They seem to have captured the bits I loved about the novel, with all the heart I wish I felt whilst reading. Also, very awesome placement of the song Say Something.

It's the perfect August movie.

Loads of love,

Britta

Book Review | Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

In Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl, Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan, but for Cath, being a fan is her life--and she's really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it's what got them through their mother leaving.
Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath's sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can't let go. She doesn't want to. Now that they're going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn't want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She's got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can't stop worrying about her dad, who's loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?
-Amazon

Dear Blue, 

I can't imagine that when you read Cath, her hesitance to jump into life, her insane passion for stories, and doubtful thoughts about her abilities as a writer, that you don't think you're reading yourself from the time you were in school. Or maybe that unabashedly her person is still you. Either way, I can attest that of characters I've read and thought maybe I could relate to them...Cath takes it. 

There are a few reasons why I think Fangirl is one of the best young adult novels I've read. First is Cath. Cath is awkward and unsure of herself, a bit unsteady as to where she fits. She's everyone of us at various stages of our lives, especially if you're a "bookish fandom dweller". She embraces her dork, is passionate about fanfiction (I have a fave fanfiction fandom for each stage of life: The Mummy (1999) when I was in high school. Twilight whilst in college. And The Hunger Games now.) and she can't help but stumble through falling in love for the first time.

Second are the beautiful relationships throughout the story. Levi is well...perfection (I'm praying for one of my own) . Sunny, organic, lovely...perfect for Cath. I loved their layered growth, and how young and happy reading about them made me feel. Everyone should have a Levi, or arguably better, be the Levi to someone else. I also loved watching Cath blossom through her friendship with Reagan, her no nonsense roommate, and Wren, her twin sister who, at first, seems to be growing away from her. There's nothing better than to be taken on a journey where by the end, you see the main character grow into who you cheered for her to be all along! It made me take a sigh of relief for myself. For the freshman year Britta who dealt with the same issues of feeling like the only human being who was passionate about what she was passionate about, with guys, and finding a place. This novel also has it's serious points with Cath and Wren's parents, and their challenge to move beyond said situations. These moments balanced out the novel so well.

Third is writing. Rainbow Rowell wrote an article about Fangirl being her NanoWrimo darling. The novel she had to push through, that made her have to create the branches as she fell to grab hold of. In the novel, Cath is forced to face herself as a writer, and challenged to move away from the parts of herself that looks to fanfiction as a security blanket. As a writer, I think I'm always looking for that assurance that it's okay to feel a little unstable. Like you're walking on glass that cracks every time you take a step, but it's okay. It's okay. Push through anyway. That's what this novel was to me. A glowing minty reminder to keep going. If I ever taught creative writing, I'd surely make my students read this novel. 

Bare in mind: Fangirl contains profanity, slight sensuality, and  excerpts of non explicit Slash fanfiction.

Fangirl was a refreshing ball of joy. The way Rainbow Rowell explores life in such a snarky, romantic, and overall awesome way is priceless. It perfectly captures the rush of finding a story that sucks you into it's world so much that it becomes a friend, and gateway to an even larger family. 

Let's grab Gingerbread Lattes and have a jam session about this book for a full Saturday Afternoon. We're going in for the long haul.

Hugs and love,

Fangirl | What Did I Just Watch?!-Catching Fire Film Review

Dear Blue,

....

....

Hear that, Blue? That's my awed silence in wake of Catching Fire! After so many horrible YA adaptations, I've learned not to have much of an expectation, but Lionsgate continues to show the whole of the film industry how these films should be made! They've managed to step up their game without over sensationalizing it because of a larger budget. Grab your mom, dad, your friends, siblings, coworkers and go see a spectacular two hours and some odd minutes of awesome! I left the theater in a haze of excitement that could only be remedied by second viewing yesterday! Both of the audiences I sat with irrupted in applause at least three times during the film...that says loads.

It goes without saying that Jennifer, Josh, and Liam did an absolutely fabulous job of capturing the maturation and, in Katniss and Peeta's case, the post traumatic stress of surviving The Hunger Games. Jennifer always thrills me with how true her emotions are during heartwrenching scenes. 

Much of my delight came from the new cast of characters we meet in Catching Fire. Jena Malone is Johanna Mason. She is one of the characters that my cousin, Ash, and I turned to each other raving about how spot on Lionsgate is when casting characters. Jena captures Johanna's fierce and rebellious spirit so so well (Edit: that Elevator scene. Classic)! Lynn Cohen as Mags...absolutely adorable! Of the new characters the one that most surprised me was Sam Claflin's portrayal of our seafaring warrior Finnick (Isn't it awesome that we may have varying opinions of Peeta and Gale, but everyone's on Finnick's team?!). Sam, quite frankly, blew my mind as Finnick. He brought that smooth confidence, sex appeal, and vulnerability that shows through the cracks in his armor. In Love. Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee, genius. It was during his discussions with President Snow that the hair all but raised on my arms. So chilling and deceptive.

Can I say that I would wear every single outfit that Katniss dons during the tour? (I feel a Sartorial Lit post coming on for this). The Wardrobe department blows minds and steals hearts with each scene. Johanna Mason's dresses are so beautiful, and Katniss' wedding dress...that's obvious! I loved Peeta's regal suits. I loved how they were slightly asymmetrical, and imaginative in the sights of the Capitol, and yet slightly downplayed, and debonair, reflective of Peeta's character.

Catching Fire sets were beyond gorgeous. The capitol seems more overwhelming than before, reflective of the higher stakes in this sequel. The arena is beyond what I could've imagined. It holds a startling beauty, that beguiles as much as it threatens. Loved it. And the film score....my gosh it's golden!

I wish that I could say more, but, I'd hate to throw spoilers your way. Oh the Everlark feels, Blue stocks and ties *cries*. Emotions run high in this film, every hurt so fresh and heartbreaking. 

Just, go see it. It's one of the best movies this year.

(Edit: My only problem with this movie: Gale kisses. Really Gale?)

I am, most respectfully, (hugs and points to everyone who can pinpoint where this comes from :-).

Fangirl | Catching Fire Trailer Reactions

Dear Blue:

Happy Hump Day! I hope that you are well, my friend.

You're probably wondering: The Catching Fire trailers released some months ago...where are Britta's rants? Even though I'm years late with my reactions to the three monolithic trailers, don't think I haven't rolled around the floor in sweet agony like you probably have! I think they may have released the trailers backwards,  but each have fully exceeded my expectations. I can barely talk about it without becoming excited and swallowing down tears!  Instead of going over each one, I figured why not smush them together and head to town. 

Let's talk about acting for a second: 

Did we not luck out with this beautiful all star cast? I'm not sure I've ever experienced a cast in a young adult adaptation that are so well suited to their roles. Oh my gosh. Every single emotion that can be gathered from Catching Fire is portrayed in these three trailers by every actor so beautifully that I almost forget Jennifer, Josh, Liam, etc., and only see the story. How many YA films do we get like this, guys? I can't tell you how much I appreciate a YA adaptation that is thoughtful, serious, and not dumbed down by sappy romance (I love a good romance, but too many times producers turn something beautiful into a joke. That bothers me.), merchandise on every street corner, Team arguments. Could a finer actor than Donald Sutherland have played President Snow? I think not. "Her entire species must be eradicated..." gives me chills, and makes me more than a little ticked off. Seeing the emotion in the arena from the final trailer, released last Sunday, had me shaking my head long after I'd finished my tenth viewing of it. The scene with the Jabberjays, and Katniss and Peeta...my gosh. After watching THG, I thought that Josh played Peeta wonderfully, but I wondered if he would be able to pull off the full transformation that Peeta endures over the series. The Jabberjay scene removed any reservation I had. I'll be in tears, and hugging you wherever you are.

On Effects/Settings/Costumes: 

I thought that they did a phenomenal job translating this aspect of the series in the last film, but boy have they upped the ante in Catching Fire. I remember when the photos first released of Effie, Katniss, and Peeta...they looked so beautiful. Cinna's Mockingjay gown...I literally cried during the scene where her wings unfurl (lots of tears in this letter, I know). And Peeta's suit though...his suit!! Freaking, yes! The Capitol seems all the more overwhelming in this film, and seeing as Catching Fire takes us a bit deeper into Capitol politics, it seems very well portrayed in the trailers. I believe it was one of my favorite booktubers Polandbananasbooks who noted that Victor's Village looks a bit like a cemetary...great comparison. Victor's Village is, in someways, paved with the blood of the other tributes-- it's cold, and I'm looking forward to experiencing it on film. Especially the little snippet we have of Peeta and Katniss having to act for the camera's that seem to pop out of the ground in Victor's Village. How creepy is that? They don't even need to pay paparazzi anymore. (*rolls eyes, gesturing to the Capitol*).

On the Soundtrack

This is the only aspect of the film that's disappointing me a little. I was all on board when Coldplay released Atlas. It's a gorgeous song, but it also made me a little worried. A lot of people expressed disdain for THG soundtrack because of its somber undertones, but that's part of the reason I loved it so much. It was quiet, folky, acoustic, and more importantly accomplished capturing the undertones of the book. I'm not sure that Catching Fire's soundtrack does the same, or it's possible that I'm just a sad sack in need of another tearful album. That being said, there are a lot of bands on the soundtrack that I haven't heard of, so I'll have to give it another listen (But, I'm almost sure its not as vinyl worthy as the last film. Yep, I've got that vinyl).

Are you pumped for the movie yet? I am. I've gotten my cousins Mockingjay pins, I've figured out my glamazon Catching Fire themed eyeshadow, and I'm primed to don this uber awesome tee from Hot Topic. I'm set and ready to fly. 

What do you think of the trailers? 

P.S.- Happy early holidays. The red cups are back at Starbucks...run for a Caramel Brulee latte!

Hugs and love,