The Martian – February’s Book and Movie Review
Quick Book/Movie Summary:
Novel – 2011 – by Andy Weir (Summary From Amazon): Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive.
Movie – 2015- Directed by Ridley Scott – Screenplay by Drew Goddard (Summary from IMDB):. During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.
Book/Movie Club Set Up:
Our group (women ages 23-47) pick a book that has been made into a movie. We read the
book and then get together for thematic food, to discuss the book, and then to watch the movie.
On the menu:
Each of us are to bring either a drink, dessert and/or appetizer and it is fun to use the story for inspiration. This month, we changed it up a bit by doing a sleepover theme – we wore our jammies and had pizza & beer. Below is the spread.
Appetizers: Chips & dip, Popcorn, Pizza
Drinks: Bud light, Coke, Corona
Dessert: Blueberry French Toast Bake, S’mores Dip, Twinkies, Candy-candy-candy, Astronaut freeze dried ice cream sandwich
Thoughts about the Book:
The group’s opinions about the book went from “I would not have read past the 6th chapter if it wasn’t for the book club,” to “I liked it okay,” to “Five stars!”
I was in the first category, which thought the book was too technical and could have used more relationships of any sort.
The women who really enjoyed the book thought it was full of tension and suspense and were actually intrigued by the trouble-shooting process and Watney’s survivial skills.
We all agreed Weir has a great sense of humor and thought his character Mark Watney was dynamic. (I’ll be the first in line if this author ever decides to write a ROMCOM.)
Thoughts about the Movie:
I actually liked it better than the book, which is super rare. But overall, everyone, even the people who loved the book, thought the movie was average. It stayed pretty true to the book, which is nice, but left out a few things that we really thought should have been left in there.
I didn’t actually finish the book – I just couldn’t pick it up again – and as I watched the ending of the movie I was like, “I didn’t read the best part of the book!” Although, apparently it wasn’t exactly the same as the book’s ending.
The scenery was really cool, looked like Mars to me.
I think Matt Damon was a perfect pick for this role. You have to be a pretty darn good actor to play most of the scenes by yourself and still be entertaining.
Interesting Discoveries:
The Martian was 2016 Winner of The Golden Globes Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, & Matt Damon won for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy This is just weird … Yes, it had funny parts, but don’t read/watch expecting a comedy.
Astronaut ice cream sandwiches are pretty good.
The Girly Discussions:
Matt Damon: Hot or Not? (By the end of the movie, everyone agreed he didn’t look hot anymore – “Shave that beard!”) That conversation lead to, “Well, if you don’t think he’s cute, who do you think is cute?” which lead to: “Which Hemsworth brother is hotter?” (BTW – I picked Chris, of course.)
We liked that the commander was a woman.
We liked how they added scenes to the end of the movie that wasn’t in the book, wrapping everything up.
The Group’s Average Ratings:
Book: 4 bottles of beer out of 5
Movie: 3 bottles of beer out of 5
The Bottom Line:
This one is tough. It just depends on the genre of books you like to read. If you like Sci-Fi, step by step survival guides, and/or you’re a space nerd, read the book. And I think the movie is worth watching because of Matt Damon’s performance, the scenery, and the humor.
Next Month’s Book and Movie:
How to be Single by Liz Tuccillo
Love and Laughter,
Dorlana
Here are some of our past movie/book reviews
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Free Ghostly RomCom Valentine’s Day
Ghosts, Mystery, and Fashion
Supernatural Mystery, Romantic Comedy
FREE on Valentine’s Day!
Can this diva solve her own murder, or will she be stuck in limbo forever?
After recovering from the shock of seeing her own dead body, (still dressed to kill from last night’s party) fashion model, Jaclyn Jade, discovers she’s a ghost with a choice. She can either immediately go back to Hell, do nothing and stay in limbo, or find the reason she fell short of grace and advance to Heaven.
Because she was murdered, Jaclyn hopes that finding her killer will unravel this mystery. With the help of a timid closet-psychic who can speak to the dead, and a handsome, yet arrogant, ghost of a man from the roaring 20s, her search for answers initiates a quirky journey of self-discovery. Personalities, eras, and worlds collide as this mismatched trio race against time to solve the mystery of Jaclyn’s Ghost.
Read Chapter 1 – Another One Bites the Dust
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East of Eden book Winner
Congratulations FUONLYKNEW!– you are the winner of my copy of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden – Just send me an email (dorlanasfairytales at gmail dot com) with your name and mailing address by the end of this week, and I’ll send it your way.
Read the Book/Movie Review here
Love and Laughter,
Dorlana
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Dorlana’s Writing Diary (9th entry)
The Trouble with Scarecrows (Book 2 Trouble with Men) – I have my cover and my official summary/blurb , and a few days ago, I received my final galleys. But every time I get my edits back, I find tons of things to change – from commas to entire paragraphs. It’s not as much as the last one, but it seems never ending. So this is what I’m focusing on right now. After I’m finish with this round, I will send it back to my editor, and then I think the next thing I’ll receive is a PDF copy, and that one should be the actual final time to read through and edit little things (too late for anything else) before it goes on presale. So it’s getting to the exciting part of my – and the book’s – journey. (*clears throat* BTW, Book 1 – The Trouble with Snowmen is available now on Amazon. 🙂
Young Adult Fairy Tale Inspired Novel: Right now, I’m rewriting and expanding the last quarter of the book. On the last update, I had 39,000 words. As of today, I have 43,400, which is good considering I already have the rough draft. My goal is 50,000 – so I still have a long ways to go. And, like any other story, doubts are swarming in my head: I’m never going to finish this one. (I began it like 5 years ago.) Is the concept strong enough? Are my character’s well developed? Should I be working on something else instead? (I already know the answer to that one though – I can’t. I must finish this one!! I just have to.)
Love and Laugher,
Dorlana
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East of Eden – January’s Book and Movie Review (And Giveaway!)
Quick Book/Movie Summary:
Novel – 1952 – by John Steinbeck (Summary From Amazon): Set in the rich farmland of California’s Salinas Valley, this sprawling and often brutal novel follows the intertwined destinies of two families—the Trasks and the Hamiltons—whose generations helplessly reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel.
Movie – 1955– Directed by Elia Kazan – Screenplay by Paul Osborn (Summary from IMDB): In the Salinas Valley, in and around World War I, Cal Trask feels he must compete against overwhelming odds with his brother Aron for the love of their father Adam.
Book/Movie Club Set Up:
Our group (women ages 23-47) pick a book that has been made into a movie. We read the book and then get together for thematic food, to discuss the book, and then to watch the movie.
On the menu:
Each of us are to bring either a drink, dessert and/or appetizer and it is fun to use the story
for inspiration. This month, we changed it up a bit by doing a wine & cheese theme. Below is the spread.
Appetizers: We ended up with ten different cheeses including, Gouda, Asiago, goat cheese, Fromayer D’Affinois. Plus prosciutto, salami, sesame crackers, pita chips, crostini, fruit, and more.
Drinks: assortment of red and white wines
Dessert: French twist, brownies, cookies
Thoughts about the Book:
At 600 pages I was a little afraid of this book. But as it turns out, after the first chapter, it swept me away – however, it did take me up to the day before we met to finish reading it. And furthermore, only one other person in our group made it through the entire thing. A couple of people made it half way through, one made it to 100 pages, and one person couldn’t get very far at all because she kept falling asleep –
The two of us who did finish the book, loved it. Steinbeck is a master story teller. He created very vibrant characters on both ends of the good/bad spectrum. The story of Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel were woven throughout the book and came full circle in the end. I was pleasantly surprised by this novel and highly recommend it.
Thoughts about the Movie:
The movie was only inspired by the last part of East of Eden – One main important character, Lee, was removed and his inspirational speeches were given to other characters. The beauty and monstrousness of Steinbeck dynamic character Cathy/Kate was watered down. I was disappointed because I was really looking forward to the movie.
The highlight of the movie was, of course, James Dean. Although we all respected his acting because it was so James Dean (And the character he played in this movie was compared to the one in Rebel without a Cause), we also made fun of his overacting – his erratic movements and teenage angst were a bit amusing. So, you know, there was a lot of laughing during this drama.
Interesting Discoveries:
It was the only film (major roll) that was released during James Dean’s lifetime. And he was nominated for best actor, academy awards 1956.
Other’s considered for the role of Cal (James Dean’s character) were Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift, and Paul Newman.
There may be a new movie in the works and it will star Jennifer Lawrence as Cathy/Kate – There is word that it will be two movies so that it will have both generations – so excited to hear this! I will be waiting on this movie – I’m wondering who will play Cal – What big shoes to fill …
The Girly Discussions:
James Dean, James Dean, James Dean …
We didn’t care for Abra’s bangs – (I didn’t care for Julie Harris as Abra at all.)
The actors who played the Trasks Twins (James Dean and Richard Davalos ) looked more like brothers than they were portrayed in the book. In the novel, they were complete opposites.
Some thought Aron was pretty handsome himself.
Was James Dean’s hair grey in this movie? It looked grey in several scenes.
The Group’s Average ratings:
Book: 4 glasses of wine out of 5
Movie: 2 glasses of wine out of 5
The bottom line:
Read the book, and, if you love it and decide to watch the movie, just be aware that it is not the same story, but I think it is still worth watching – the cinematic classic of the 50s won a lot of awards and James Dean’s performance is what made him a star.
Next month’s Book and Movie:
Extra:
I have decided to giveaway (US only) my copy of East of Eden (The middle book in the pic above) so someone else can experience this classic tale. If you would like to read it, comment on this post on my blog, and I’ll draw a name from all who commented on January 31, 2016 – I will post the winner on Feb 1st.
Love and Laughter,
Dorlana
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TBT – Fairy Tale Inspired Poems
I think it was 2008 when I experimented with mixing different types of poetry with fairy tales. It was an interesting challenge to try and follow the rules and rhyme schemes of the different forms. I didn’t write down which poem was what style, of course, so I have no idea about some of them – others are pretty easy to figure out. Here a four out of the thirteen I wrote during that time.
Destiny by Dorlana Vann
A bequeathed curse placed upon a kingdom.
A century of thorns and valiant deaths.
A beautiful rose dreams of love’s freedom.
Without a mere glimpse he pursues his quest.
Fate leads the way and parts the tangled briar.
Gently he walks through a city at rest.
Destiny sleeps deep in a dark tower.
One second to see, one second to yearn.
Love’s sweet ache impels a kiss of power.
When their lips touch the intense passion burns.
The clouds move away to reveal the sun.
Happily ever after, soon they’d learn.
After a hundred years, all has undone.
A bequeathed curse lifted from a kingdom
Dear Mom by Dorlana Vann
Cinders on your face and hands, so you said.
Instead of supper you were sent to bed.
No one to play with—No huge castle walls.
Dined on the cold floor like one of the dogs.
Everyday I must hear your sad stories.
Really mother, they are getting boring.
Ella, you start, you are so very blessed.
Living the sweet life of a spoiled princess.
Let me live it and make my own mistakes.
And you’ll see wealth is not an evil trait.
Ugly by Dorlana Vann
Mask of various natures I have worn.
It’s different than the day I was born.
A senseless mistake was made on my part.
Now I exist in shadows and the dark.
My castle walls hide my grief and despair.
Servants, my companions, also prepare.
I find beauty in all except me.
Oh, life so cruel and as deep as the sea.
Wisdom is not always for those who sought.
Nor can virtue or selflessness bought.
I would give my wealth for bliss and song.
Freedom and affection I truly long.
Please stare at me as if I were classic
See beneath the hideous and ugly façade.
Love me for who I am, not what you see.
Then maybe my beauty will set you free.
Rebellious Child By Dorlana Vann
What shall I do with this rebellious child?
She came home filthy and late for dinner.
And oh the tall tale, the wild lies she piled.
Bears, chairs and beds, what a little sinner.
I’ll tell you, her punishment won’t be mild.
She’ll be locked in this house till next winter.
I’ll give her porridge if that’s what she craves.
Porridge till she ends her defiant ways.
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What Book 2 “The Trouble with Scarecrows” is About
In the Trouble with Men series, there will be returning characters who make minor appearances and minor characters who become our heroes and heroines. However, each book is a stand-alone read where new couples get their own stories. Characters move in and out of a downtown Houston multiplex – a 1920s house (some say it’s haunted) that has been renovated into four separate apartments. And my favorite trope “opposites attract” is the theme that also ties these books together. Below is the blurb for book 2: The Trouble with Scarecrows which will be released in April 2016.
The Trouble with Scarecrows
by Dorlana Vann
A scarecrow is the opposite of a wingman, a dating decoy used to scare away any “crows” who are giving unwanted attention, making it difficult for the right man to have a clear shot.
Thirty-year-old Brenda Fisher believes the best way to get over her ex is to face her past and find a new guy. She knows the type of man she needs in her life … and the type of man she does not, which includes alpha males like Neal Parker.
Neal Parker’s friend and former boss, Larry White, had been gracious enough to let him stay at his old apartment rent free while Neal pursues his culinary degree. But now the owner of the multiplex–Larry’s high-strung ex-girlfriend, Brenda Fisher–is threatening to sell it out from underneath him. Brenda is possibly the sexiest woman Neal has ever met. Nevertheless, he’s aware of her past destructive relationship with Larry and knows it’s best to stay clear.
When Neal finds out Brenda might be in need of some help in the romance department, he tries to trick her into an exchange: scarecrow services for the apartment. Brenda does not appreciate being manipulated. She ups the stakes, and if Neal wants the future he’d planned, he’ll have to play by her rules.
Love and Laughter,
Dorlana
Dorlana Vann - Author 