The Christmas Angel

Without a doubt, Nicholas Sparks is one of the most prominent novelists of today. With his stories filled with morals about love and life, he easily wins and breaks hearts of readers and viewers.

His first novel I read was Safe Haven. It was different from what I expected. Different in a good way. What's not to like when you got romance and thriller rolled into one. But for a Sparks classic, here's one.

A Walk to Remember (2004)
by Nicholas Sparks

The novel, set in 1958, tells the story of Landon Carter, and how he falls for the daughter of the town's Minister, Jamie Sullivan, during his senior year in high school at Beaufort, North Carolina.

Jamie is the nicest person in their community, everyone says. She carries around the bible everywhere she goes; does a lot of charity work for the orphanage; and always wears the kindest smile. But she does not have many friends her age. While Landon is her exact opposite. He's rich, and friends with the popular kids in school. Yet, despite their differences, they fall in love.

You have to promise me you won't fall in love with me.

As I read the novel, I keep forgetting that Jamie was young, and no matter how calm she may appear, she is scared to die. There is probably nothing more depressing than knowing you can no longer be with the people you love. And that is Jamie's predicament that she will never escape.

The plot is your typical coming of age love story, with a predictable conclusion. But with moving events, and unforgettable characters, it still leaves a mark. Besides, stories involving deaths of any kind, especially of the protagonist, are always too painful. But I like the idea of how love make two people the best versions of themselves. Because it's supposed to.

Of course, what's the whole point of such novels anyway if it would not make you believe, even for a short period of time, that Landon Carters exist in this world. Let a girl dream.

(c)

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Going Sherlock Holmes

I feel really good whenever I am able to fix my abnormal sleeping routine, even if it doesn't last. Nothing does, anyway. But the good thing is, I get to read this wonderful book the whole day.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2004)
by Mark Haddon

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time tells the story of Christopher Boone, fifteen years (two months and three days) old, and already knows all the countries of the world and their capitals. He likes prime numbers and lives on patterns, rules and diagrams. He doesn't like anyone touching him or going to France. But he faces all his greatest fears when he embarks on a journey to find who murdered Wellington, his neighbor's dog.

Haddon shows us the world in the perspective of a person different from most: Christopher's--someone who has behavioral problems (but it is not mentioned in the novel what was his particular condition). At first, it is a bit perplexing, but as the story progresses, we better understand our hero. In this little detective-like tale, Haddon encapsulates the feelings and struggles of being different. We do not only sympathize, but we empathize as well as learn more about life from Christopher.

But in life you have to take lots of decisions, and if you don't take decisions, you would never do anything because you would spend all your time choosing between things you could do. So it is good to have a reason why you hate some things and you like others.

A remarkable, beautifully written novel with humor and pain. With a hero who never falters despite of his condition, it was truly eye-opening.

(c)

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St. Swithin's Day

A novel adapted into screenplay will always be crucial. There are many risks than doing an original screenplay (of course, there will be much more "critics" because of those who have read the novel). To convey those pages into a two-hour movie or less, and still make the audience feel the true essence of the book will never be an easy job. More often than not, adaptations disappoint the audience. Or simply, people are plain demanding. It is not surprising that most readers will not be satisfied. But when most viewers do, that might have to be the mark of how truly horrible the film was, because even those who haven't read the novel have so many criticisms already about the story (but hey, I believe people are not passive, and are smart enough to know that it is only the movie that failed and not the book; and that books and films are very different medium that should not be compared in the first place). I'd be biased if I didn't say there aren't any successful adaptations. Because there are. There are quite a few. It's just that this one didn't make the cut.

One Day (2011)

Directed by Lone Scherfig

Written by David Nicholls

Emma (Anne Hathaway) and Dexter (Jim Sturgess) spent the night of their college graduation together and agreed to meet on the fifteenth of July every year.

Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess were really beautiful. Acting-wise, these two looked good together on screen, and have given life to their characters in their own unique ways. But I was a little disturbed by Hathaway's English accent. I cringed a little every now and then.

As for the plot, it was very interesting. But I would not deny that I was not as pleased as I thought I would be about it. I was even more disappointed when I found out Nicholls actually wrote the screenplay. I was like, "C'mon, you're prettier than that" (quoting Bale on American Pscyho). Despite its structure, I feel like it lacked depth and emotion. I kept waiting for a more essential sub-plot, but there was nothing enough to suspend my disbelief, even after the plot twist was given. I did have this sudden urge to read the book to answer all these uncertainties in mind (for instance, I needed more stories to sympathize for the protagonists, and I kept asking questions of sorts on how they agreed on such terms). I think Nichols did it on purpose, for us viewers, to buy and read the book (kidding).

Nonetheless, it will still touch your heart. There were some moments to hold onto. Though, I suggest you the read the novel first to avoid disappointment (regarding the flow of the story). But oh, Paris was lovely. Au revoir.

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Can't Help Falling In Love

I found this film through one of the songs from it's official soundtrack, a modern rendition of Can't Help Falling In Love by the very talented, Ingrid Michaelson. Indeed, I cannot help but fall in love.

Like Crazy (2011)
A film by Drake Doremus

Anna (Felicity Jones), an English college student at L.A., falls deeply in love with Jacob (Anton Yelchin). As she balances her time to finish school, she and Jacob also struggle to be together as they face the ups and downs of a long-distance relationship.

Like Crazy, winner of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize, was definitely worth seeing. With the vibe of independent cinema greatly present, it was not surprising that the narrative was simple and natural, but still fresh and entertaining. Doremus has successfully conveyed the pain of parting. Long shots, beautiful music, subjective realism and improvised dialogues. Likewise, Felicity Jones and Anton Yelchin's natural chemistry has further contributed to the film's rawness. It was simply lovely. 

Meantime, here's another lovely song from the movies' original motion picture soundtrack.

(photo not mine; video from youtube)

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In Need of Doctors

I've been wanting a pair of Doctor Martens for like forever. Luckily, with the power of the internet, a pair of air wair shoes could actually be purchased online. But the real good news is, a local franchise of the famous Doctor opened in December last year at The Fort in Taguig City. Now, it  is much easier to acquire these classic boots!

Check out the Manila store at The Plaza!

And meet the people behind this awesomeness (by that, I mean, the people who brought the Doctor in Manila), Borgy Manotoc and Andrew Garcia!

For more details, you can follow them on twitter or like them on Facebook. Better yet, visit the Doctor's official site.

Once again, in a couple of minutes, my want turned into a sudden need. These four pairs are my current obsession.

Photos courtesy of Status Mag Online and Doctor Martens

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