The Great Gatsby

Most of us who have heard of "The Great Gatsby," especially us book lovers, will think of the classic novel from 1925 by F. Scott Fitzgerald. With the release of the recent film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire, I feel that we will be visualizing this stunning movie from now on when we hear this title.

Based in the roaring 20's in New York, the story follows Nick Carraway (Maguire), a Yale graduate who has moved to New York from the Midwest to work on Wall Street as a bonds salesman, as he recounts his life as the neighbor, and later confidant, of the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby (DiCaprio). Leonardo DiCaprio's performance is spot on, playing a mysterious and gentlemanly portrait of Gatsby that would most likely please Fitzgerald's imaginings of this character. Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway also does not disappoint as he plays the often passive character with his natural acting ability.

Now, I don't want to give too much away since this is a very recent film that is still in theaters, but I will say that this movie is worth all the hype. With elements such as a complex love triangle, lavish parties, mystery, and a roller coaster ride of emotional and fun moments, how can you go wrong? All of these elements are executed flawlessly. During this 144 minute film, I did not once feel like I had been in the movie theater over 2 hours. It was THAT good.

So, if you were thinking of seeing the 2013 rendition of "The Great Gatsby," then by all means do it. It is a film that will not disappoint most viewers, though more avid readers of Fitzgerald's novel may cringe at the odd mix of hip hop and 20's jazz that plays throughout the movie. All-in-all, it's worth the price of a movie ticket, in this humble blogger's opinion.

American Psycho (Film)

Based on the controversial novel of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis, American psycho is a 2000 satirical psychological thriller starring Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto, Josh Lucas, Samantha Mathis, Chloe Sevigny, Cara Seymour, Justin Theroux, and Reese Witherspoon.

First off, I have to say that I really love this movie, despite its flaws. The film oozes with dark humor as it tells the story of Patrick Bateman, a wealthy investment banker who works on Wall Street at Pierce & Pierce. The movie explores the superficiality of 80's yuppie culture as Patrick goes through his day-to-day routine of scrutinizing what everyone is wearing, making reservations at expensive "hot" restaurants with his inner-circle, partying at clubs where he is typically snorting cocaine, and managing a superficial relationship with his fiance Evelyn. And then, of course, there's the fact that he may be killing people (watch the movie to understand why I say "may").

Throughout the movie, Patrick starts having trouble maintaining his urges to spill blood and ends up killing many people including prostitutes, a colleague that he despises, and a homeless man. His behavior becomes erratic and his facade frequently slips, though none of his friends or Evelyn ever seem to notice. He is also often mistaken for other co-workers, alluding to the similarities between him and his yuppie colleagues.

All-in-all, this movie is great for those who love dark comedy. Next to Easton's other novel-turned-film Rules of Attraction, American Psycho is moderately well-adapted from the book, though some scenes are switched around or changed. It is not a film I'd recommend to everybody, but it has a huge cult following, which I am proud to be a part of.

Interview With The Vampire (The Film)

I think that many Anne Rice fans will agree. The movie adaptation of Anne Rice's classic vampire novel, Interview with the Vampire, was superb in its loyalty to the book. Directed in 1994 by the brilliant director Neil Jordan, this movie is a cinematic masterpiece. From the beginning credits, where the camera pans over the city at night, until the end credits, this film is one of the best vampire movies of all time, in this blogger's opinion. (I may be just a little biased)

Whether you love him or hate him, Tom Cruise plays Lestat as he was meant to be played (though his version of Lestat is missing a french accent, but oh well, it didn't take away from his performance). The Brat Prince, the Antihero of later novels, the cocky, extravagant, and devilishly dramatic Lestat from the groundbreaking novel, is portrayed magnificently by Cruise, something that many people prior to the film's release were unsure of.

Not to be outshined, Brad Pitt does an excellent job of portraying the soft-spoken and most human of the vampires, Louis de Pointe Du Lac, as he tells his tale to the interviewer Daniel Malloy, played by Christian Slater. Though not the youthful looking vampire from the novel, the vampire Armand, played by Antonio Banderas, is also a great addition to the cast, showing off his amazing acting abilities across the silver screen.

I've always loved movies based on creatures of myth and Interview with the Vampire is on the top of my list. Long before the Twilight series became the mainstream, Interview with the Vampire was dazzling audiences with its beautiful cinematography and it's terrific story line. I hope everyone gets to see this movie at least once in their lifetime.

Interview with the Vampire

Interview with the Vampire. This was the novel that changed the way the world viewed vampires. Written in 1976 by the queen of purple prose, Anne Rice, this novel has gone on to be one of the best, most beautifully written novels of all time. Anyone who has ever read the story of Louis, Lestat, and Claudia can attest that it is nearly impossible not to fall in love with these characters. 

Set in the late 1700's and spanning Louis's entire vampire life up until the 1970's, the novel is filled with the many notable struggles, including Louis's struggle against his vampire nature and the struggle against Anne Rice's most popular character, the Brat Prince himself, Lestat. The six-year-old-girl-turned-vampire Claudia is then introduced and comes to the forefront of the story, challenging Louis and Lestat every chance she gets. And who can forget Armand, the then 400-year-old vampire who leads the coven that live under the Théâtre des Vampires.

Interview with the Vampire will always be one of my favorite novels of all time. Between this story and Rice's second novel, The Vampire Lestat, it serves as a perfect introduction to a world that is easy to get lost in. I hope you all get a chance to read this wonderful story of life, struggle, and forgiveness.