This week A&E is popping it and locking it with a playlist inspired by the Grammys. Songs include nominees from this year along with previous nominated tracks.
Do you love spy novels involving teen spies? Then CHERUB: The Recruitby Robert Muchamore is the book for you. This book is one of the best spy novels I’ve read in a while, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.In CHERUB James is pretty much an orphan, though he does have a little half sister named Lauren. He gets scouted for CHERUB, an elite spy school that sounds more like boot camp. He has to learn everything and go through 100 days of intense training. Even though CHERUB is the name of there school, no one knows what it stands for, not even the headmaster, who even asks students to help them figure it out.This book is full of action at every corner, from their training, to their trip to Malaysia, and even foil a plot to kill hundreds of people. I loved all the action and adventure, this book makes you think what even James Bond went through. Since Muchamore used to be a private investigator his knowledge of the subject really shows in his writing.
This is a great read for anyone looking for a new exciting book filled with action, adventure, romance, and of course teen spies.
The Great Gatsby is the tale of lovers destined to be together, but meant to be apart.
The novel follows Nick Carraway, the honest and tolerant man from the Midwest trying his luck in the bond business in the East. Nick moves to the West Egg, right across the bay from his cousin Daisy and her husband Tom Buchanan.
Nick moves in next to a glorious Gothic mansion belonging to the young millionaire Jay Gatsby. Through whispers and rumors, Nick is soon to find Gatsby’s lavish party lifestyle is not all about sex and alcohol, like most things were in the 1920’s.
Gatsby, as you come to find, is in pursuit of the American dream. A part of that dream is getting the attention of Daisy Buchanan. Why is Daisy so important? She is Gatsby’s one true love. They embarked on a passionate romance before he went to war, and although Daisy is now married, Gatsby cannot let go of the sweet memories he has with her.
From this point in the novel, the real drama begins. With cheating, lying, and deceit spreading more quickly through the novel than the rumors of how Gatsby’s earned his fortune, the reader frantically flips through the pages totally engrossed in the story of young lovers trying to rekindle a flame lit long ago.
I absolutely loved the story and after reading it I understood why this novel has been acclaimed as an American classic. This love story is the first of its nature, and is the inspiration behind some the major romance novels and movies today. Fitzgerald’s novel opened the door for authors today to have the ideas of girls caught between two lovers.
The novel has been interpreted to film several times. Each film just never met the credibility or reputation of the novel that has been set through generations of praise from readers. On Dec. 25, 2012, Baz Luhrmann will be adapting the film to feature talent such as Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, and Leonardo DiCaprio.
The film casting was very competitive and the role for Daisy Buchanan was a hot ticket on the Hollywood audition scene. Blake Lively, Keira Knightly, and Natalie Portman all took a shot for the role before Mulligan stole the show and ultimately landed the part.
I am expecting this star studded film to be the most successful adaptions of the novel. Luhrmann was the director of films such as Australia, Romeo + Juliet, and Moulin Rouge. This film will surely uphold his reputations that the other films established: having a passionate romance story line with drama and suspense intertwining to create a great movie, one that I think could be worthy of awards.
I would suggest all genders of all ages to read The Great Gatsby. I enjoyed the suspense and deep themes running through the novel. American dreams, 1920 parties, and social classes defining integrity all help the reader realize that love can drive people to do unimaginable things.
I expect the movie to exceed the book, because with an all-star cast including America’s heartthrob DiCaprio, the movie should be a sophisticated interpretation of a classic novel. Filming began in September in Australia, but until Dec.25, 2012, we will have to sit back and anxiously await to see DiCaprio as the the mysterious Gatsby in theaters. In the meantime, this is a great time to read the acclaimed novel and fall into the romance of The Great Gatsby.
Since Charlotte Bronte created a heroine out of an orphan girl, Jane Eyre, her classic novel has had readers imagining what the characters would look like and act in our present world. When I was reading the novel, I kept relating the characters to people in my every day life, just so I could try to see what these characters looked like. I love when I read a book and then it becomes a movie because then it allows me to relive the excitement i got when I first experienced the print version.
Its fresh and exciting to see how the actors and actresses compare to the figures your own imagination had created. So naturally, I was enthusiastic when learning Mia Wasikowska was going to take the lead role of Jane Eyre in the 2011 feature film. She was Alice in the Tim Burton adaption of Alice in Wonderland. Unknown to me, Jane Eyre has actually been adapted 18 times to feature versions and 9 telefilm versions.
In 2011 though, a team behind this newest adaption was driven to reach a world wide audience to bring new light to the novel while still honoring its timeless value. The reason this novel continues to gain hype is the continuous influence and inspirations it brings to generations and generations of student readers.
The movie started out exactly how I thought it would. Directly before the climax of the novel. Within 5 minutes, the film transitioned to a flashback to that told the life of Jane and how she came to the destitute place she is now.
The film continued in a flashback until it reached the point that was the opening scene. The movie stayed true to the novel and kept the suspense in balance with the romance throughout the movie.
I thought the movie was very tastefully done and keep me interested from start to finish. I thought the director did a great job shooting and the film’s perspective actually reminded me of a Tim Burton film.
I would suggest to read the novel before seeing the movie in order to take in the emotion of the characters more than just trying to understand the flashback to present day comparison. It would simplify things drastically.
Jane Eyre is a film I would suggest seeing if you enjoy classic films. Pride and Prejudice movie fans will really enjoy the adaptation of Jane Eyre. I hope others enjoy it as much as I did!
By Marah Harbison, Allison Werner, Nathan Hemminger, Chase Gosman, Lauren Holstner, Cody Repine and Alyssa Book
It is time to bust out your shoulder pads and big sneakers. A&E’s playlist of the week is a flashback to the 80s. That means you can jam to these stellar beats on your way to the arcade.
1. “In Between Days” by The Cure
2. “The King of Wishful Thinking” by Go West
3. “Sharp Dressed Man” by ZZ Top
4. “Material Girl” by Madonna
5. “The Promise” by When In Rome
6. “Come On Eileen” by Dexy’s Midnight Runners
7. “Oh Yeah” by Yello
8. “Take On Me” by A-ha
9. “Beat It” by Michael Jackson
10. “Call Me” by Blondie
11. “Don’t You Forget About Me” by Simple Mind
12. “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” by Elton John
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