Movie Review :: "Man of Steel"

So Husband and I started this cool tradition last summer where we go see the latest superhero movie at the Imax theater in Salt Lake City (which is conveniently located in the Clark Planetarium, which satisfies my nerdy side).  Last year, we went and saw "The Dark Knight Rises".  I gotta tell you, it's tough to beat seeing the finale of the epic Batman trilogy on such a HUGE screen. 

Anyways, this year's feature was "Man of Steel".  **WARNING: THE REMAINDER OF THIS POST MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.** 
 
My Thoughts: 
It was a good movie; lots of action, well-cast, good storyline.  I also enjoyed all the subtle references to the rest of the Superman franchise.  I saw that the Sears sign had "Smallville, Kansas" on it, and noticed some "Lexcorp" piping during the final battle scene.  I'm sure there were more, but I probably just missed them, or can't remember them at the moment.  I also enjoyed the fact that unlike so many movies these days, there was no blatant sexuality or completely unnecessary swearing.  Actually, it was really clean with regard to both of those subjects. 

However, the camera work was extremely shaky--kind of like "The Hunger Games"; I felt like I couldn't quite focus on anything the whole time (made even more difficult by the gargantuan screen and the 3D glasses).  Also, I thought the characters lacked development and depth.  My favorite characters were Clark's Earth parents; I found them the most believable and engaging characters.  Lois Lane and the rest of them were less rounded. And the whole romance between Clark and Lois could have used a lot more backing.  Even though everyone who knows anything about Superman knows that he and Lois have a thing, I was still a little taken aback when all of a sudden they started holding hands.  To me it felt forced and fake.

Husband's Thoughts:  
"The action and special effects were good."

(Yep.  That's all that he had to say on the matter.)

Our Overall Rating:  *  *  *

 

Book Review :: "Flipped"

Another recommendation from that friend of mine I mentioned earlier.  :)

Flipped, by Wendelin Van Draanen

Synopsis:  Ever since Bryce Loski moved in across the street from Julianna Baker, she has been entranced by him.  His eyes are the bluest blue she has ever seen, and his smile melts her heart the way that sunlight melts butter.  But Bryce doesn't seem to be on the same page...actually, he runs away whenever he sees Juli.  But as time goes on and they are forced to get to know each other better--via classes in school, bus rides, and dinner parties--Juli realizes that maybe she should look beyond Bryce's appearance and decide if she likes the whole package.  But just when she starts to figure out that it's just the eyes and the smile and the shiny dark hair, Bryce realizes that he's been seeing Juli in the wrong light all along as well.  It's eighth grade now--is it too late to prove Juli that there is something more to Bryce?

My Rating:  *  *  *  *

This was such a fun read!  I remember when it first came out and all my friends were reading it; for some reason it never appealed to me much, but I'm glad I gave it a shot.  I was giggling the whole time I was reading.  It's a pretty easy read so it goes by fairly quickly, but it's a fun and light romance.  (Plus it's always fun to read about kids at that age and remember how awkward I was when I was there.)  I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for something light, fluffy and happy-thought-inducing.

Book Review :: "The Weight of Silence"

So a good friend of mine and I have been trading off books this summer.  This one came highly recommended by her and I was very, very impressed by it.

The Weight of Silence, by Heather Gudenkauf

Synopsis:  Calli Clark suffers from selective mutism.  Having witnessed a traumatic event as a toddler that pushed her into silence, she hasn't spoken a word in nearly four years.  Her father is an alcoholic, usually absent, and often angry, but she finds solace in her mother, Antonia; her brother, Ben; and her best friend, kindred spirit and voice, Petra Gregory.  When both of the seven-year-old girls go missing, Antonia begins to fear that the decision to stay in her marriage has cost more than her daughter's voice.  In order to find the girls, the Clark and Gregory families will be forced to confront the skeletons in their closets and dig deep into their families' darkest secrets.

My Rating:  *  *  *  *  *

This was an interesting read for me.  Typically, I stick well within the YA genre of the library.  This book was one of those books that kind of make you rethink a lot of what you thought you knew.  The story was intense and deep, and at times uncomfortable.  I enjoy books that make me think when I have finished them, and this one definitely did that.  I couldn't put this book down; it was a page-turner until the very end.

**SPOILER ALERT**
If you are uncomfortable with the awful things that humans can do to each other, don't read this book.  Also, if you are uncomfortable with a certain four-letter word beginning with "f", you may want to steer clear.  However, where some books and movies will add that word for no apparent reason, in the case of this book, it actually really helped to establish character and setting.