Movie Review: A Dog's Purpose

Please note: I wrote this review over a year ago and it was previously published in my university's newspaper, The ArkaTech. 

I am a cat person through and through. I like dogs well enough, but I never thought I wanted to watch a movie from a dog's perspective. The only reason I agreed to watch Lasse Halstrom's “A Dog's Purpose” (based off of W. Bruce Cameron's book of the same name) is because my canine-loving friend was having a bad day. I didn't want to enjoy the movie and I certainly didn't want to weep throughout seventy-five percent of it, but alas! My wants were irrelevant in that dark theater. Halstrom presents a maelstrom of feelings with this one, and, of course, adorable dogs.

As the title implies, “A Dog's Purpose” is about a dog named Bailey searching for his purpose in a large, confusing world. We get to see several of Bailey's lives—which means we get to see several of his deaths as well—and follow along as he serves loyally as each owner's side, with a delightful voice over to let us know what's going on inside Bailey's head.

It seems like a fairly simple story, and in some ways it is. I won't deny that this film has cliché and predictable moments, but that doesn't mean it is without complexities. For a large portion of the film, Bailey grows up alongside Ethan, a little boy who saves him from dying of dehydration in a hot vehicle. Bailey is Ethan's best friend; the two go everywhere together. As Ethan enters his teen years, his life becomes more complicated—with his family, with girls, and with sports—but Bailey loves him unconditionally. This is one of the most heart-warming friendships I've ever witnessed in film, and I became much more invested in it than I care to admit. When their time together comes to an end, I lost any composure I was maintaining. I couldn't collect myself, either. Each new death Bailey experienced tore me to pieces all over again.

As much as I loved Bailey's life with Ethan, I thoroughly enjoyed his other lives as well. We get to see a nice diverse cast of characters and lifestyles, from police drug dog to lonely girl's comfort animal. It was precious to see the different ways this dog affects the people he loves. Also, the variety of dogs were all just incredibly cute and worthy of many loving sighs.

While it's admittedly strange to go on a journey of self-discovery with a dog, Halstrom manages to make it poignant and insightful. I think it would be quite challenging not to be charmed by this movie—trust me, I tried. If, for whatever reason, you need a good cry, this is probably the film you want to turn to. I experienced a lot of emotions throughout, but I left the theater feeling genuinely joyful and satisfied.

4/5

STARRY EYES BLOG TOUR: Guest Post from author Jenn Bennett

Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett
(standalone)
Published: April 3, 2018 by Simon Pulse
MY REVIEW

Summary from Goodreads:
Ever since last year’s homecoming dance, best friends-turned-best enemies Zorie and Lennon have made an art of avoiding each other. It doesn’t hurt that their families are the modern day, Californian version of the Montagues and Capulets.

But when a group camping trip goes south, Zorie and Lennon find themselves stranded in the wilderness. Alone. Together.

What could go wrong?

With no one but each other for company, Zorie and Lennon have no choice but to hash out their issues via witty jabs and insults as they try to make their way to safety. But fighting each other while also fighting off the forces of nature makes getting out of the woods in one piece less and less likely.

And as the two travel deeper into Northern California’s rugged backcountry, secrets and hidden feelings surface. But can Zorie and Lennon’s rekindled connection survive out in the real world? Or was it just a result of the fresh forest air and the magic of the twinkling stars?

GUEST POST FROM JENN BENNETT

Lefty asked: If Zorie were writing a wilderness survival guide, what kind of stuff would she include in it?

Interesting question, because it’s something that’s touched on in Starry Eyes—only, not for Zorie. In the book, Zorie teases goth-boy Lennon about writing a backpacking book, which she imagines would be called Grim’s Super-Gothy Guide to the Dark Wilderness.

Lennon’s guide would contain:
· Gory facts about all the ways you can die in the wilderness

· Campfire ghost stories

· Stern warnings about how everyone must use bear vaults


Zorie’s guide would contain:
· Fill-in calendars, checklists, and color-coordinated tabs for planning your trip

· Star charts showing the constellations

· Stern warnings about how everyone must use bear vaults

I'm so glad Jenn could stop by the blog today! I literally love this book with all my heart and I hope everyone reads it. And personally, I wish Jenn would release Lennon's wilderness survival guide because I would read the HECK out of that. And y'all are gonna have to read the book if you wanna know why both characters are so adamant on using bear vaults because DRAMA! 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jenn Bennett is an award-winning author of young adult books, including: Alex, Approximately; The Anatomical Shape of a Heart (aka Night Owls in the U.K.); and Starry Eyes. She also writes romance and urban fantasy for adults. Her books have earned multiple starred reviews, won the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® Award, and been included on Publishers Weekly Best Books annual list. She lives near Atlanta with one husband and two dogs. Visit her at www.jennbennett.net.

FOLLOW THE TOUR

Lefty's Lowdown: More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer

More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer
(Letters to the Lost #2)
Published: March 6, 2018 by Bloomsbury Children's
Source: I received an eARC of this novel through Netgalley. All opinions stated in this review are 100% my own.

Summary from Goodreads: 
*While this book exists in the same universe as Letters to the Lost, it is a standalone title.*

Rev Fletcher is battling the demons of his past. But with loving adoptive parents by his side, he’s managed to keep them at bay...until he gets a letter from his abusive father and the trauma of his childhood comes hurtling back.

Emma Blue spends her time perfecting the computer game she built from scratch, rather than facing her parents’ crumbling marriage. She can solve any problem with the right code, but when an online troll’s harassment escalates, she’s truly afraid.

When Rev and Emma meet, they both long to lift the burden of their secrets and bond instantly over their shared turmoil. But when their situations turn dangerous, their trust in each other will be tested in ways they never expected. This must-read story will once again have readers falling for Brigid Kemmerer’s emotional storytelling.

 After finishing Letters to the Lost, I simply could not wait to get my hands on this sequel. Thankfully, I'd been approved for the title on Netgalley, otherwise I have no idea what I would have done. Admittedly, while this novel was absolutely enjoyable, it didn't quite hold up to its predecessor for me.

This story follows Rev, a character I fell in love with in Letters to the Lost, and Emma, a new and intriguing character. I wish I could say I loved Rev in this novel as much as I did in Letters. I think I was just expecting something different. While the Rev in Letters was indeed a bit tortured, he was also unwaveringly sweet and supportive and wonderful. In this novel, though...I get it, he was going through a lot. But I just found him incredibly frustrating. He was keeping this big secret from his best friend and his family and it was poisoning him. Even still, I do not understand why he chose to keep it a secret. I really think that all of his angst and drama would have dissolved if he had just taken the honesty route. More than that, I felt as if he didn't treat people the way they deserved.

On the other hand, I really enjoyed Emma's character. She is this badass gamer girl who coded her very own computer game that hundreds of people played. Once again, I think a lot of her problems would have been solved if she had just told an adult what was going on with her, but I was more sympathetic to her secrecy. She felt like her problem didn't really matter and she was determined not to show weakness.

No matter what, though, I was hooked on these characters' stories. Despite any irritations, I cared about them and I wanted to see their happily ever after. The ending took a turn that wasn't hard to see coming but was kind of unexpected in terms of the tone of the story. A part of me wants to say it was a bit melodramatic, but, without giving spoilers, I have to admit that shit like that actually happens. Kemmerer has presented us with a very real, very scary threat that we might not even be able to see coming in our own lives.

I do love that Kemmerer maintained the theme-of-sorts from the first book, which is beginning each chapter with a letter or message. I also love the glimpses of Declan that we get to see in this novel, and we even get more resolution for his story. And, of course, I will forever and always love the relationship between Rev and Declan. No matter what obstacles arise in their personal lives or in their friendship, they are there for each other no matter what. It's real, unconditional love. I said it in my review of Letters and I will say it again: this relationship can and should serve as an example of a beautiful, healthy male friendship for the rest of fiction history.

This novel deals with subjects such as abuse, cyber bullying, women in male-dominated spheres, divorcing parents, adoption and foster care, and interracial families. Though this isn't a perfect novel, and my rating will reflect that, it is still one that will live in my heart for a very long time. These characters and the world they live in became real to me. I was not ready to say goodbye when the novel concluded, but I was satisfied with where their stories ended.

My rating: 

3.75/5

Top Ten Books That Take Place Outside The U.S.

When I first read the topic for this week, I thought it was going to be a challenge. I didn't think I'd read that many books that take place in other countries, but I was delightfully surprised to find out that's not entirely true. I was also surprised to find out how many books I've read that take place in England! That said, I limited the amount of England-setting books I could include on this list, but believe me, there are several other lovely novels I could have chosen. I also did not include fantasy settings that aren't real places, because that's cheating.

What's crazy to me is that I have actually been to a couple of these countries, and that in a few days, I'll be headed to even more of them!!!

1) Prince in Disguise by Stephanie Kate Strohm | Scotland | This novel is so fluffy and adorable and completely underrated. We get to meet (fictional) Scottish royalty and explore hidden passages in Scottish castles and learn about traditional Scottish celebrations. If you're looking for a quick, delightful little romance to read, this is the book for you.

2) Love and Luck by Jenna Evans Welch | Ireland | Maybe this is cheating because at the time of writing this post, I'm about halfway through this novel, but I don't care. Ireland is the very first country outside of the U.S. that I had the pleasure of visiting. The first scene in this novel takes place at the Cliffs of Moher, which was my favorite place in Ireland. Already this novel makes me want to go back to the Emerald Isle.

3) Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley | Australia | This book isn't about tourists visiting Australia, so the setting doesn't play a HUGE role, but this is one of my all-time favorite contemporary novels and, again, completely underrated.

4) My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows | England | I don't even know that I need to explain this novel, because we all know that this book was an absolute blast to read. It rewrites a little bit of English history, and has fun doing it.

5) Daytripper by Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon | Brazil | This graphic novel actually visits and beautifully illustrates several countries, but it takes place primarily in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This graphic novel is stunning and thought-provoking and completely worth reading whether you enjoy graphic novels or not.

6) Blood Promise by Richelle Mead | Russia | I couldn't not include a book from my favorite series of all-time. It was so refreshing to get away from St. Vlad's in this installment and roam Russia.

7) Me Before You by Jojo Moyes | England | First and foremost, I understand that this novel is considered problematic by some, but I adore it. The setting kind of plays a big role in this novel and at the same time doesn't, but we also get to visit Mauritius for a little while, which is a beautiful country in East Africa.

8) Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins | France | I think this one was a given. This novel is so cute and allows us to explore the romantic city of Paris (which I will be going to next week!!!!!!!!!!!).

9) And I Darken by Kiersten White | Turkey | This novel takes place in the time of the Ottoman Empire, and it is so dark and lush and a truly fascinating read.

10) Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch | Italy | Italy had always been my #1 desired traveling destination, and this novel completely charmed me when I read it, and made me desperately want to try gelato in Italy. Now I have tried gelato in Italy, and I can confidently say it lived up to the hype. I''ll actually be on my way to Florence when you all are reading this, which is crazy! My friends and I are planning to do a gelato crawl, which is like a pub crawl but better.

Ode to the Broken (AKA Spoopy Bridge Story)

I'm studying abroad in Austria this semester, and my university doesn't have a booming creative writing program, to put it mildly. That said, I am currently enrolled in an introductory fiction writing class. It's...odd to be back in an intro course, but so far I adore it.

Anyway, for our first homework assignment, my professor gave us several prompts to choose from. The one I chose was to find a photograph and write a scene inspired by it. It's the first creative thing I've written in a while, and I quite like it, considering it is a first draft.

I'm gonna share it with you now. Keep in mind this is not meant to be a complete short story.

P.S. I found the image on Pinterest.

The lake is perfectly still, as if the fey and the gods and the entire land are holding their breath in anticipation. And perhaps they are, indeed. But I know the tremble in their chests do not mimic mine, for they aren’t weary and fearful like I am.

They are eager.

If the ravenous eyes of the forest and the sky have narrowed their focus to witness this moment, it is because they can sense the peril awaiting the foolish mortal who dared to crash into their havens and demand recompense.

Or maybe they’ve already forgotten about me. What is a mere moment’s irritation in the scope of eternity?

The bridge that leads to Her neglected altar appears instable, but not otherworldly. It is discolored and dilapidated, like a corpse that had never been discovered. It leans left and then right, dips below the water and rises above again. Staggering. Struggling to stay afloat.

I am familiar with the feeling.

“When does it stop being worth it?” Calden asks from behind me. “This vengeance quest of yours.”

I didn’t think there was anything left in me to crumble, but I feel it in the pit of my stomach. The last of my spirit has disintegrated.

“I haven’t assigned a value to our son,” I say. My voice is frigid and empty. I almost don’t recognize myself, but this is who I have become. “We’ve given up everything for him. Why quit now, when there’s a chance we can get him back?”

At fifteen, Father forbid me from seeing Calden, claiming I could never marry an executioner’s son. At sixteen, my stomach swelled. Mother wailed while Father tried to thrash the baby out of me. I escaped off adrenaline alone and Calden spent weeks nursing me back to health in an abandoned cottage in the woods.

We’d learned to catch our own food and hide whenever footsteps approached.

We lived in constant terror: that my father would find us, that the water would make us ill, that our baby would never see life. We didn’t know what we should have really been fearing.

Calden takes a step forward and reaches for my hand. How can he possibly feel so warm? I allow myself to bask in it for a single moment, knowing it might be the last warmth I’ll ever feel.

“He was a child,” I whisper. “He was pure and lovely, and he did not deserve to die at the mercy of a frivolous war. The fey and the gods—they were careless, and they will undo the ruin they have caused.”

He shudders—I see it in his face and feel it in the grip on my hand. “This will not work. You cannot trifle with She who even the gods fear and expect to survive.” His next words are so flimsy, so ephemeral, they already sound like a memory. “I cannot lose you, too.”

A gust of wind leeches any warmth from my bones but it does not ruffle the water before us. I turn away from Calden’s pinched face.

“Can’t you see? You already have.”

As I take my first step onto the precarious bridge, the wind intensifies. It envelops me like an enormous hand enfolding me in its grasp. Whether that hand is pushing or pulling me, I cannot yet tell.

             A howl rises on the wind, and with each step I take, it becomes more musical, a dissonant melody beckoning me toward Her altar.

Movie Review: It (2017)

Please note: This review was written months ago and previously published in my university's newspaper, The ArkaTech.


Oftentimes, the most exciting part of a movie is the hype surrounding it. Believe me, the anticipation I felt for Andy Muschietti’s adaptation of “It” (based off of Stephen King’s book of the same name) was delicious, but it paled in comparison to the reality of the film. “It” is equal parts thrilling, hilarious, and emotional. I would not mind seeing it a few more times, despite my college kid budget.

“It” follows a motley crew of pre-pubescent boys and one feisty girl (they’ve dubbed themselves the Losers Club) as they puzzle out the mysterious disappearances happening in their town. The closer they get to discovering the truth, the weirder things get. When one of the members of the Losers get captured by Pennywise the chilling clown, the rest of the team ventures down into the sewers on a rescue mission, confronting all their fears along the way.

The group dynamic between these kids is what makes this movie. Even if Pennywise were completely removed from the film, this would still be a solid flick because of these characters. There is never a shortage of ruthless one-liners, mustered courage, or camaraderie. Admittedly, some characters are more developed than others, but they each have their own distinct personalities and struggles. I was emotionally invested in each and every one of them. I wanted to hug them all and promise that nothing bad would ever happen to them again, and I’m so proud of how much they grow by the end of the movie.

While “It” is being marketed as a horror film, I wouldn’t describe it as particularly scary. There were a few moments that had me jumping in my seat, and, of course, Pennywise is a thing of nightmares. However, the true horror, in my opinion, lies in these kids’ personal lives—in humanity. “It” isn’t so much scary as it is absolutely riveting. I was eager to solve this puzzle alongside the Losers, and I was never able to predict what life had in store for them next. “It” did not lose my attention for a single second while I was watching and even long after the credits were done rolling.

I applaud any movie that can make me go from cackling to tearing up in a single scene, and “It” accomplished that feat many times in a mere 135 minutes. I will be talking about this movie for a long time, and I can hardly wait to see what kind of magic the sequel will bestow upon us.

5/5

Lefty's Lowdown: Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer

Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer
(Letters to the Lost #1)
Published: April 4, 2017 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Source: I won an ARC of this novel in a giveaway. All opinions stated in this review are 100% my own.

Summary from Goodreads: 
Juliet Young always writes letters to her mother, a world-traveling photojournalist. Even after her mother's death, she leaves letters at her grave. It's the only way Juliet can cope.

Declan Murphy isn't the sort of guy you want to cross. In the midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he's trying to escape the demons of his past.

When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can't resist writing back. Soon, he's opening up to a perfect stranger, and their connection is immediate. But neither Declan nor Juliet knows that they're not actually strangers. When life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, sparks will fly as Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart.

I'm so mad at myself for putting this novel off for so long. I really enjoyed one of Kemmerer's previous books, so this book hit my "highly anticipating" list the moment I heard about it, but it took me seven billion years to make the (incredibly) smart decision and start in on this gem. And, what do you know, the moment I started reading, I couldn't stop. I guess good things really do come to those of us who wait.

Letters to the Lost is a book about grief and guilt, but it's also about healing and connecting to those who are still here. As a self-proclaimed piece of macabre garbagio, I'm always enraptured with YA books that explore death, and Letters to the Lost does so in a way that is gutting and honest. There are some truly thought-provoking discussions throughout this novel and some very sharp observations about grief.

It was fascinating to watch the two protagonists, Juliet and Declan, develop a relationship through these anonymous letters, and every time they interacted face-to-face without knowing who the other person is, my heart began to thump quite erratically in my chest. It was the best kind of anticipation and anxiety. I really connected with both of these characters. While I found their decisions and attitudes to be quite frustrating at times, it was hard to stay mad at them. They had depth and complexity and horrible revelations and tremendous growth. I also really admire the way they help each other heal, but not in a way that's unhealthy. Not in a "Someone loves me so I can love myself" kinda way. These two characters understand each other and they push each other.

But even better than the romance is the BROMANCE in this book. Declan and his best friend Rev have one of my favorite bromances (and, really, friendships in general) in the history of YA. Their love for each other is so pure and selfless and unconditional. It's obvious from the very beginning that they would do literally anything for each other at any time. And there are never any cracks about them being gay for each other, which is important. While I don't think homosexuality is ever offensive, I think it is crucial to portray a beautiful male friendship as exactly what it is without gender expectations muddling things. I NEED MORE AUTHORS TO TAKE NOTES.

My singular complaint for this novel is that I wish we got to see a little bit more of Juliet and Declan being all happy and kissy together, but that's just a personal complaint because I like to read romance.

With this novel, Kemmerer has gifted the world a poignant and engaging story. The moment I finished this, I could not wait to pick up the sequel so I could get more of these characters.

My rating: 

4/5