It's Kind of a Funny Story Review--Book Vs. Movie

Author: Ned Vizzini
Release date: April 2, 2006
Pages: 444
Publisher: Miramax
How I got it: Library 

Like many smart, ambitious New York City teenagers, Craig Gilner seeks entry into Manhattans most prestigious school, Executive Pre-Professional High School. With single-minded determination, he works night and day to ace the entrance exam and gets in. Thats when everything starts to unravel. Once Craig starts his new school, he realizes hes just one of many brilliant kids, and he isn't even brilliant, hes average. As Craig starts getting so-so grades, he sees his once-perfect future crumbling away. He begins to have trouble eating, sleeping, and thinkingthats when he tells his parents hes depressed. He goes on medication and talks to therapists, but things keep getting worse, until one night Craig feels so low that he seriously considers suicide. 

But instead, Craig calls a hotline. The counselor tells him to get to the nearest hospital, and before he knows it, hes signed, sealed, and delivered into one of Brooklyns finest psychiatric units.Craigs new roommate is an Egyptian schoolteacher who refuses to get out of bed. His neighbors include a transsexual sex addict, and a girl who has scarred her own face with scissors.But somehow in this motley crew, Craig finds real friends and kindred spirits who give him strength. This is a remarkably moving and authentic picture of the physicality, the despair, and even the hilarity, of depression.

It's Kind of a Funny Story took a bit of wading through, but in the end I ended up really liking this one and what I was able to take away from it.

I expected IKoaFS to start out at the hospital, but instead it starts out with the main character, Craig, explaining how he got to be so depressed. Part of me appreciates the back-story, but most of me thought it dragged a bit. Not enough for me to consider putting it down, but enough for me to grumble, "move along already," under my breath.

Of course about 150 pages in it started to pick up, and by then I was hooked on Craig's voice and trying to figure out how and/or if he got "better". Plus there were quite a few other things to keep me reading, too. Like the quirky, hilarious, and sometimes deranged side characters. Bobby, Ebony, Armelio, Jimmy, and more all kept me smiling 'til the end.

Then of course there was the relationship between Noelle and Craig, which I absolutely loved. It felt really easy and natural without feeling too instantaneous. Noelle was amazingly smart, quirky (quirky books rock), and another character that kept me entertained.

While it may have had a slow start, It's Kind of a Funny Story proved to be a winner. Its underlying themes will, I think resonate with anyone who's ever been less than happy. Definitely one of the better books I've read this year.

Plot: FINALLY a good book with a cast of mentally ill people. YAY.

Characters: Craig was cool in that classic guy-narrator way, and I loved the side characters, especially Noelle.

Writing: Really good.

Ending: Also really good.

Mature content: Mentions of sex, swearing, drug use.

Overall:

I'd groan if anyone tried to talk to strike up a conversation with me while I read this.

It's Kind of a Funny Story proved to be a really unique and touching book that I'd definitely recommend. I'll be interested to read Vizzini's other books. Also in seeing the movie.
Other reviews:
Adventures in YA Fiction
A Little Shelf of Heaven
Crunchings and Musings

Movie review:

The movie adaption of It's Kind of a Funny Story really surprised me, and I mean that in a good way. Where I think lots of the book's meaning and messages could've gotten lost and overshadowed, they kept them in tact, and I think the basic vibe from the book was there as well.

You know how I thought the beginning of the book was slow? Well the movie definitely isn't. Instead of starting from the beginning of Craig's journey the movie starts when Craig admits himself into the hospital and backtracks to information when you need to know it.

Zach Galifinakis--an actor I'd only seen in comedic roles--really rocked the role of Bobby, a character that got totally changed from the book and became a much larger role. I felt like instead of getting to know a group of interesting side characters, the movie focused mainly on Bobby. Sometimes this was okay, but I definitely wished that some other characters I'd enjoyed in the book got more screen time. Especially Noelle. Emma Roberts did a pretty good job playing the role, but we barely got to know her or why she was in the ward, and I thought her scars weren't visible enough. Keir Gilchrist (worst name EVER) did a good job with the character of Craig, though sometimes I felt like he made him a little too awkward.

The movie manages to keep things light but serious in the way of the book, and I definitely think Vizzini's novel was done justice with this adaption, though overall I do prefer the novel. I'd definitely recommend to see the movie, then read the book.

DISCUSS AND FANGIRL WITH ME.

Yep, that is The Hunger Games trailer.

My thoughts: It is so so so wonderful and oh my crap and oooooooh. I cried. And I never cried. I cannot tell if they were tears of happiness or if it was because Prim was picked or what. I am still hesitant about Peeta though. And Lionsgate purposefully only put out scenes from the first half of the book but I WANT TO SEE MOOOORE.

MarchMarchMarchMarch

I am freaking out.

My tumblr is nothing but Hunger Games this morning.

Anyways I've decided to drop what I'm reading and re-read the books now. Partially so I can take notes and see what they did wrong but mostly 'cause I MUST.

What do you guys think?

Hunger Games Movie Update

It's been forever since I've ranted posted about casting for The Hunger Games. It's just been coming too fast! But I figured we could play catch up real quick.

Elizabeth Banks is playing Effie.

I haven't seen her in much, but I think she's got the look down well enough. So...we'll see.

Willow Shields will play Katniss's sister, Prim.

OH GOD THE UNI-BROW. I noticed it once, and now when I look at her it's all I see. Please tell me that's being taken care of? Other than that, though, I like her. (But seriously. The brow needs to go.)

Woody Harrelson is playing Haymitch.

OH HEY THERE TALLAHASSEE. Yes, that's the only role I've seen him in. I hadn't thought of him to play Haymitch until he was announced, but now looking back on it, I definitely see flecks of Haymitch. I think he'll do the role justice!

Wes Bentley will be playing the Seneca Crane.

He looks good. His beard looks very evil. I approve.

Stanley Tucci will play Caesar, the host of The Hunger Games.

Awesome choice! Again, haven't seen him in much, but Caesar's role shouldn't be too difficult...

Paula Malcomson will play Mrs. Everdeen.

(Did you guys ever catch that Katniss's mom doesn't have a first name? Well, she probably does, but it's never shared with us.) Looks good. As long as she can look depressed easily, she should do fine.

And check it--all of the tributes have been announced! Cato would've been a better looking Peeta than Hutcherson, am I right?

Also, have you guys seen pictures of where The Hunger Games is being filmed, Asheville, North Carolina, USA? It looks exactly how I pictures District 12--very woodsy and low-key.

Hey Look They Did Something Right This Time!

The actors that are going to play Rue and Thresh were announced today!

Amandla Stenberg and Dayo Okeniyi

 

 

 

 

 

 

I LOVE THEM!! Amanda has that perfect sweet-yet-strong look that I always imagined Rue with, and Thresh looks super tough.

But--as always--I wanna hear your opinion on the new casting!

Maybe If We Ignore It, It Will Go Away...

So Peeta's been cast for The Hunger Games movie, and it's Josh Hutcherson.

I'm trying to stay positive about this, but this guy is NOT anywhere near how I pictured Peeta. Not in the face, or in the body. He's just NOT. I'm very disappointed.

Oh, and the part of Gale was taken by Liam Hensworth.

I thought I wouldn't really care who they cast as Gale, but I don't even like him for Gale. He's OK, but definitely not who'd I would've picked.

Anyways, I'm not telling you guys this cause I think you haven't heard. I know you probably have. I'm telling you because I just wanted to shout about Hutcherson some more without my mom yelling back at me, "YOU'RE ALREADY HATIN' ON THE MOVIE AND YOU HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN IT."

Now I'm starting to get worried about the movie. I'm definitely not dying to see it anymore. I think who they cast as Haymitch will be a huge deciding factor for me. (Yeah, I realize I'm being a bit over-dramatic but it's PEETA. PEETA. One of my best boyfriends favorite characters.)

But I can't be the only one, right? What do you guys think about the boys who were cast? Do you hate the new additions to the cast as much as I do?
 

HUGE HUNGER GAMES MOVIE NEWS!

You may or may not have seen this already, but the role of Katniss has finally been given to someone: 20 year old Jennifer Lawrence of Winter's Bone.

My first reaction:

And then, when I saw Jennifer Lawrence:

I freaked out. If THAT'S KATNISS, THEN I'M FREAKING SANTA CLAUS.

Then I saw this:

And was relieved. That's MUCH better. As long as they dye her hair then I think she looks the part well enough. Now we just have to see if she can pull off the acting.

Now it sounds like the casting department is focusing on Peeta, and right now people are saying that Josh Hutcherson, Alex Pettyfer, and Hunter Parrish--my personal favorite--are all contenders for the role.


So, thoughts?

Hunger Games Move News!

Guys, DID YOU SEE THIS? Not only did The Hunger Games move recently get a casting director, but they ALSO have a release date! March 23, 2012. Check out that article here. I'm not usually one to fangirl over book-to-movie adaptions, but with Suzanne Collins herself writing the screenplay, I can't help but be excited and set high expectations.What about you guys? Are you planning to see the movie or boycotting it?

The Twilight Saga: New Moon Review

I highly doubt that I need to post a synopsis, do I? So instead I'll just state my thoughts.

The first time I saw Twilight I thought it was good. They could've done better, but good. The second time, it was worse. The third time it was bad. They changed so much that I had to separate the book from the movie; pretend that they were completely unrelated. But when I did that, all that was left was a lame movie where the romance was too forced, the acting wasn't up to par, and the special effects made the vampires look like sweaty animals or something; but definitely not the amazing vampiric ability that is needed from vampires.

So, please imagine how thrilled I am about honestly being able to say: New Moon was SO much better than Twilight.

The acting was way better. We see less of Edward (Rob Pattinson) and more of Jacob (Taylor Lautner) which is good, because Taylor is noticeably a better actor than Rob. And, guess what? Kristen Stewart (Bella) can act! Instead of stuttering and blinking rapidly when upset, and she seemed less nervous on screen, and (this wasn't really her fault in Twilight, though) she looked better. Dakota Fanning did great in her role as Jane, even though (again, not really her fault) her contacts seemed too big. I loved Bella's dad, Charlie, and the very rare times that the Cullen family were in the movie they were all great.

New Moon actually stuck to the book, too. They didn't cut out very important scenes like Twilight did, luckily. And they didn't add much, either. (Except one scene involving a motorcycle and a guy. My friend and I were literally freaking out and most likely making everyone around give us odd glances.) They stayed very true to the book, though.

Special effects wise: Edward still looks sweaty. Maybe a little more sparkly, but still not what's described throughout the series. I was too relieved that they didn't make the weird sparkly sound to care too much though. The wolves were so cool! I loved the human-like expressions they would have, and the close-ups they did of the wolves eye.

It's weird, because in the books I love both guys, but I know that Bella should be with Edward. But, in the movies, she looks like she should be with Jacob. They showed their relationship progress so much better than Bella and Edward's did in Twilight, and they have better screen chemistry.

My friend and I would giggle through the movie while we cracked stupid jokes and watched men take their shirts off for no apparent reasons. ("Bella, you're bleeding! Let me take my shirt off to stop the blood.") Oh, and, here's something that made us roll on the floor laughing in the theater that you need to look out for: Edward's nipples. One seems giant, hairy, and possibly slightly deformed, while the other is very small and dainty. It was just weird and hysterical. Oh, and Jasper's hair. It was like some kind of Weird Al perm.

All in all, my faith in the movie franchise has been restored! Huzzah! Hopefully Eclipse, with its new director and new Victoria (both against my wishes) will live up to its successor. If the second time I watch this, its significantly worse than my first time, I'll re-review it, but I highly doubt that will happen.

Team Edward/Jacob Crowns

So, apparently Burger King is going to be promoting New Moon, the sequel to Twilight. Check this out:




Yep. Team Jacob and Team Edward crowns. I couldn't help but laugh at that. Thanks to GreenBeanTeenQueen for the info and the picture.