The Book Thief - Film Review

One of the books that I am constantly telling people to read is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I received this book as a gift a number of years ago and I fell in love with the story and the characters. I was happy and worried when I found out that they were working on a movie based on the book. I was happy because more people would be able to experience this story and hopefully go out and read the book, I was worried because I didn't want to lose the magic of the book - mostly the clever use of the narrator. 

The story of The Book Thief is of Liesel Meminger, a girl who is sent to live with Hans and Rosa Hubermann because her parents were communists. With the Hubermanns, Liesel is taught to read and she begins stealing books. At the same time the family repays a debt by hiding a young Jewish man in their basement. The story is a wonderful coming of age story during a time of fear and anger. 

The film makers included the use of a narrator which kept that aspect of the book in tact. It wasn't over used which I think was wise. It was also only used to transition through time jumps and to open and close the movie. 

What the film did really well was bringing the house and streets of Germany to life. It made the world I had imagined when I was reading more real. It brought the world of war time Germany to a different perspective. One that could be experienced and seen through the eyes of a child. 

The greatest strength of the film was the acting. Geoffrey Rush as Hans Hubermann was a brilliant casting choice. He had the warmth of the character and was able to demonstrate the strength of the man who could see what was wrong with the Nazi party and be willing to hide a Jew. The two other fantastic actors were the two children who played Liesel and Rudy. Nico Liersch as Rudy was perfectly cast. He looked identical to what I had pictured in my head. He was the exuberant boy who was in love with his neighbour and he was also able to capture the innocence of a boy who is not entirely aware of what was happening. 

Sophie Nelisse was the perfect choice for Liesel. As a new young actress she came to the role with a great passion. With just the look in her eyes she was able to show fear or joy. I thought that she was able to hold up the whole film. As she is nearly in every scene she never wavers and I think that she has the potential to be an amazing actress as she grows.

Overall the film did not disappoint. It didn't match the book in how good it was, but it was able to tell the story of Liesel Meminger without dropping too much from the book.

3/5 stars.

Ps. Make sure you bring tissues as this is a tearjerker.

Thor: The Dark World Film Review

I have been looking forward to Thor: The Dark World since The Avengers premiered last summer. The Thor story has been the most intriguing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (as owned by Disney, the

 X-Men movies are owned by Fox and the revamped First Class stories are my favourite).

Though the first Thor film wasn't spectacular in terms of great story telling or about to win any major awards it did catapult Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Tom Hiddleston (Loki) into stardom and it is because of these two actors that the story and it's sequels (The Avengers, The Dark World) have weight and create an emotional storyline that fills in the gaps between action sequences.

The Dark World takes place a year after the events of The Avengers and Thor has been travelling through the Nine Realms and dealing with battles that have arisen. Jane (the lacking love interest played by Natalie Portman) has been on Earth researching and waiting for Thor to return and then is sent to a side realm where she ingests the aether, Darcy her comedic relief temp now has her own temp, and Erik Selvig has seemingly lost his mind after being mind controlled by Loki in the Avengers. Loki at this time is locked in the dungeon of Asgard. Placed there by the All-Father, Odin - who is still stoic and even more a lacking as a father. He is played brilliantly by Antony Hopkins. Loki is visited by no one but the magically generated image of his mother - Frigga, played wonderfully by Rene Russo.

This time the villains are the Dark Elves from Svartalfheim, lead by Malekith. They attack Asgard searching for the aether which resides in Jane who has been brought to Asgard under Thor's protection. With this new threat Thor must release Loki to have him help save the girl and the Nine Realms from the darkness.

With such an intriguing story the acting and the directing has a large job of bringing the story to life. Which was done, but there were moments where the story lost focus and dragged on too long. The story also could have done without the whole "love interest" story line. As the lack of connection and chemistry between Portman and Hemsworth slows the pace and is unnecessary.

Alan Taylor, known for his direction of Game of Thrones, does a great job of creating the fantasy world of Asgard. He has made the film darker and grittier than its predecessor, which I think makes it more in line with the mythic idea of Thor. He also does a wonderful job of guiding the actors within this universe.

The acting in this outing is of a higher calibre than the original Thor. Christopher Eccleston is frightening as Malekith. Even with a lack of speaking English he brings a different, more ancient foe. He plays the role as a being that is older than Odin and desires his one goal of bringing the darkness to the realms.

The supporting actors play their characters without much change from the first film. The notable ones are those of Thor's warrior friends and his family. Seeing the characters of Sif, Volstagg and Fandral playing a larger part and working with Thor is great in cementing Thor's life outside of being a member of the Avengers. It also shows the warrior nature of Asgard and the idea that these beings have been fighting far longer than we know. Rene Russo this time has much more to do than last time. We see her bond with both her sons and then fight as a true shield maiden of Asgard.

As mentioned before though the true heart of the film comes from the chemistry and bond between Hiddleston and Hemsworth. Hemsworth is back a a more mature and thinking man, playing Thor as a warrior who has seen too much battle and when he returns home to a family torn apart. After a great performance in Rush - proving that the young Australian is more than just Thor - he uses his quietness to show both patience and pain. Hiddleston is once again the scene stealer. He plays the emotional parts with the skill of theatre trained actor but it is the moments of his scheming and mischief that the joy of playing Loki comes out and proves that he should be billed as the other star of the film alongside Hemsworth. On their own the two actors are wonderful in their roles, but it is when they are together that the film and their acting truly shines.

Overall the film was entertaining, funny and a great way to spend an evening. The story could have been a little more focused but with all comic book movies this can be forgiven.

4/5 stars.

12 Years a Slave - Film Review

From the opening moments of the film you are drawn into the tragic story of Solomon Northup. Told in a somewhat non-linear fashion showing Northup's life as a free man contrasted with the horrors of his slavery. From a happy life as a family man to the terrible time under the reign of the evil, drunk Edwin Epps Solomon's story engages the audience.

Steve McQueen has masterfully crafted a film that is beautiful and brutal. He forces the audience to be present in the film, at no point does he give us a moment to separate from the movie. In a style that was used in his two previous films Shame and Hunger McQueen hangs on moments far longer than we are used to, unsettling you as the images on the screen are not that of scenery or happy moments. With 12 Years a Slave McQueen has cemented himself a spot with mainstream audiences.

The gripping story is bolstered by an amazing cast. The lead performance by Chiwetel Ejiofor is amazing. He captures the heartbreak, the rage and the trauma without ever being melodramatic. With a few looks and the physicality of curling into himself Ejiofor impresses. He conveys much of the story of his inner struggle with his eyes. The awards buzz surrounding him his quite warranted. Lupita Nyong’o as Patsy suffers much under the hands of Epps and his wife; she plays the enslaved woman with such care and honesty that it is effective in bringing the brutality to life.

My love of Michael Fassbender is nothing new, but in this he has the ability to make you hate him. As with all of his previous films he brings an intensity to the role. He is cruel to the point of being sadistic. Fassbender with the barest shift of his face plays the conflicted nature of desiring someone he doesn't want to desire, while being mocked by his wife and his own conscience for this want; yet at no point do you feel sympathy for him.

The technical aspects of the film are excellent. In terms of visuals McQueen knows how to stage a shot and the cinematography creates a visual experience. From the low hanging moss and leaves on the trees to the contrasting white of the cotton on blue horizon the visual story is as important as the acting. The sounds of the cracking whips or the buzzing of insects, the call and responses of the slaves to the mocking songs and the preaching of the slave owners adds to this visual and makes an impact in a stronger way than the instrumental soundtrack.

The film doesn't shy away from brutality and with the subject matter it shouldn't have to. It is honest and compelling. It is most likely the best slavery movie that I have ever seen

5/5

August 7th, 2013: Nagasaki

 The port city of Nagasaki, found on the coast of the island of Kyushu, was a wonderful stop on our tour of Japan.

This is my second visit to the city. I had been 4 years ago and I remember the city being quite beautiful and unique in the influence from foreign countries. A lot of this has to do with the fact that Nagasaki was where the main trading port was for Portuguese and Dutch traders and when Japan was closed to foreigners for 200 years there was a small island built that allowed foreigners to live and trade.

Our day started with a visit to the Nagasaki Peace Park and Museum. The park is built on the grounds that once held a prison. Now it is an open park area with a statue that is meant to symbolize peace.

When we arrived they were having a rehearsal for the August 9^th Memorial, this year being 68 years since the bombs were dropped on Japan.

After the park we walked through the Hypocentre. Here we ran into a group of students travelling from Korea. Dad ended up striking up a conversation with the leader of the group and we followed them to the museum. Through this he said that the students offered to take us on their bus to lunch and then to the Memorial for the 26 Martyrs.

The Nagasaki Peace Museum is different from the Hiroshima one. It offers different information, a lot more on the aftermath and the after affects on the radiation.

After our lunch we visited the Site of the 26 Martyrs. The site memorializes the 26 Catholics who were crucified in 1567, It was during this time that Catholicism was outlawed in Japan. Of the 26 martyred, 6 were foreigners the remaining 20 were Japanese. The men were canonized in the 1862 and are considered the 26 Saints of Japan.

After our visit of the memorial we caught the streetcar and made our way to Dejima.

Dejima is a small, artificial island; that was built to be a trading post between Japan and the foreign world when Japan was going through its 200 years of isolation. The man made island was constructed by digging a canal through the small peninsula. The island is 9000 square meters and built in the shape of a fan. Initially built to house Portuguese traders, it was used more by the Dutch. The island is now considered a historic site and is no longer surrounded by water, but by the city of Nagasaki as it expanded and reclaimed land from the sea.

Model of the island

The island is an interesting to see because the buildings are a mix of Western and Japanese, with sliding walls and tatami floors, but western furniture.

After strolling though Dejima we made our way to Glover Garden. I had visited the garden 4 years ago and thought it was beautiful. Though there weren’t any hydrangeas to see the green of the garden was beautiful and the view from the balcony of the Mitsubishi house was breathtaking.

Nagasaki was another great city to see again.

August 6th, 2013: Beppu – Takasakiyama Monkey Habitat

An early start in Matsuyama was needed for us to make it to Yawatahama to catch a ferry to Beppu.

Beppu is a city in the Oita prefecture well known for its many onsen. We however weren’t there to spend time in the hot baths, we made a quick stop there to see the monkey habitat on Takasakiyama.

As we aren’t stopping in Nagano during this trip, I thought this would be an excellent place to see the Macaques that live in the Japanese mountains. The monkeys here don’t have a hot spring to sit in, but they do have a nice roped off area with a jungle gym and water to spend time in. They also get seeds and sweet potatoes when they come down from their mountain homes.

On the tram ride up to the main park area we met a volunteer tour guide who spoke English. She was very helpful in answering questions about the monkeys that frequent the park.

The park is home to two troops and each will arrive at the park at different times. The morning troop has over 700 monkeys and the afternoon troop, which we saw, has over 600 monkeys. In total the mountain is home to over 1300 monkeys and the two groups don’t mix at the park.

We made our visit at what is the most adorable time to see the monkeys. This is because the baby monkeys were born not to long ago. The mother monkeys would either carry the babies on their backs or hanging from their fronts. It was also cute to see them swinging and climbing or just playing with rocks.

It was a fun way to spend an afternoon before making the long drive to Nagasaki.

Goodbye Niihama!

The last two weeks of my time in Niihama were spent teaching. The last of July and beginning of August is Summer School for PKC. It’s an intense period of working and teaching and having fun.

Prior to the start of Summer School there was a few days at Kamogawa, where I got to enjoy the cool water and stay out of the heat.

With Summer School started I realized that I would be saying goodbye to the kids that I worked with for over a year. I was especially sad to leave one school. This school had all my favourite students and the ones that I know really want to learn and enjoy learning English. A few of the Junior students I had said goodbye to earlier because they were leaving for a homestay in Vancouver.

Saying goodbye at this school as Summer School finished was a great way to end my time in Niihama.

When Mom and Dad arrived on the 3^rd of August it was a whirlwind of packing and saying goodbye to the people that I spent the most time with and am really going to miss now that I will be back in Toronto.

On the Saturday after getting to Niihama I planned a dinner with Bret and Angelina at Wakamusha in Saijo. Before heading to dinner Angelina took us to the last night market of the summer. I was able to show Mom and Dad a little of Saijo and a great summer tradition. We also got to sample some delicious Nihon-shu (sake). For dinner I took them to the bar where I had spent many nights out. It was a great dinner and Dad really enjoyed himself.

Sunday morning was an early start to get everything packed. I bought a lot of clothing and shoes while here and it all had to be vacuumed sealed. By noon though we were getting antsy and hungry and it was decided that we would meet Bret and Angelina at Love Crepe, a delicious creperie in Saijo.

With lunch finished we were taken on adventure by Bret and Angelina. Dad wanted to see a little of Niihama so they lead us to Choshi-no-Taki Falls in Niihama. It was a heart pounding  drive up the mountain along a narrow road that at points had no railing protecting you from dropping into the river valley.

A Two Way Road

The falls were a 20 minute walk up the mountain from where we parked the cars and then we reached the 30m waterfall. The view was spectacular. The water was frigid. Dad and Bret were the only two that actually climbed the rocks and took a swim in the swimming hole beneath the falls.

After their swim it was saying goodbye to Bret and Angelina. I am so thankful that I got to know them and spend time with them. It made me year in Japan very fun and they were a great help to me. I’ll miss them, but with their return to the USA I hope that we can meet up.

With our adventure finished it was time to meet with my JTs Yuko and Aki for dinner. We had a delicious meal of yaki niku that was filled with great conversation. It was nice for Mom to meet two of my fellow teachers and two of the people who have been invaluable in terms of helping me in Japan. I was sad to leave them, but I will keep in contact with them when I get home.

It wasn’t sad to leave Niihama, but I will miss that city. And now for the next twelve days it will taking Mom and Dad around Japan and getting to say goodbye to this wonderful country.

Kanazawa Adevnture Day 4: July 10, 2013

My last full day in Kanazawa was a little bit of a late start, after getting back to the hotel late. However I was still able to fit in all that I didn’t do the previous day.

After a quick Starbucks breakfast (I had Starbucks every day as it was easily accessible in the city) I caught the loop bus to the Kanazawa Castle.

A main road separates the Castle Park and Kenroku-en Garden; though it still creates a giant park area in the centre of the city.

I decided to see the Castle grounds first as it would be a shorter visit as the Castle is currently under construction to replicated what it once was. Kanazawa Castle was the residence of the Maeda lord of Kaga and then later used as an army base and the campus of Kanazawa University.

Because the castle is under construction only a portion can be viewed, but the park that it is in is quite beautiful and I enjoyed wandering around.

After the castle I crossed the road to Kenrokuen Garden. The garden was initially started in 1676 and was completed in 1822 when it was named. The name means “the 6 perfect attributes” – they are spaciousness, seclusion, antiquity, artifice, panoramas and waterways – this garden encompasses all of that. The Garden is ranked in the top 3 most beautiful gardens in Japan thanks to its depth and beauty.

Two of the most well known images of Kanazawa can be found within the garden. The first are the Karasakinomatsu Pine. The single tree was planted by the 13^th lord and is quite vast in its current size. In the winter the ropes that form cones around the branches to protect from snow are a winter site characteristic of Kanazawa.

The other image is the Kotojitoro Lantern. It is said to have gotten its name from the fact it is shaped like the bridges that support the strings on a koto. This image of the latern can be found replicated across the city.

Me in front of the lantern

After spending a few hours wandering through the garden I hopped back on the loop bus to take me to the Nishi Chaya District. Another of the historical tea house streets, as well as an area filled with temples.

On the street I ventured into a tea house now formed into a museum. I took a look around to see how the upper rooms of this particular house were decorated.

I also took a break to have a delicious snack of kaki gori or shaved ice, this time it was macha (green tea) flavoured and served with iced green tea.

From there I headed to my last destination. The Oyama Shrine. The shrine is well known for its unusual gate. A Dutch architect, using elements from Asia and Europe, designed it. The lower portion of the gate is has a Japanese influence, the upper portion is modelled after a lighthouse and features a Dutch stained glass window. It is a very unique piece of architecture and not one seen at Shinto Shrines.

After a wander around the shrine grounds I headed back to the hotel to pack up and eat dinner.

Overall I had a wonderful time in Kanazawa. It was a great city to see and I am glad that I got to spend my last “vacation” visiting a friend and seeing this unique city. If you ever get the chance to tour Japan this is an excellent stop!