Friday Night Date Night: The Lucky One

Friday Night Date Night is a feature on my blog that showcases movie reviews (mostly movies that were adapted from books). Hopefully some of these reviews will help you decide what to watch on your date night or a night of relaxing at home.

 

 

 

Again...confession time.  I only read this novel and saw this movie because of how good Zac Efron looked in the advertisements.  He's definitely not in high school anymore and I wanted to see how he turned out as an actor playing a more serious role.

Sadly, I didn't really like this novel so I was hoping the movie would be better.  I was wrong.  Usually I like movies based on Nicholas Sparks novels, but this one didn't do it for me.  The acting felt stiff and forced in places.  Logan's (Zac Efron) character fell flat and while we did get glimpses of a fun loving guy, there was something missing. 

 

With any book to movie adaption there were changes and a lot was left out.  I'm not sure if adding some of these things back would have made the movie stronger or not.   

 

Has anyone else seen this movie?  What were your thoughts?

 

Review of The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

Title: The Lucky One
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Narrator: John Bedford Lloyd
Published by: Hachette Audio
Length: 9 sound discs (ca. 10.5 hr.)
Source: Library
Format: Audio
Rating: 3 stars

Summary from Goodreads: Is there really such thing as a lucky charm? The hero of Nicholas Sparks's new novel believes he's found one in the form of a photograph of a smiling woman he's never met, but who he comes to believe holds the key to his destiny. The chain of events that leads to him possessing the photograph and finding the woman pictured in it is the stuff of love stories only a master such as Sparks can write.

I have a confession.  I read this book only because I wanted to see the movie...umm hello did you see Zac Efron...let's just say someone isn't in high school anymore. 

Anyway I used to read a lot of Nicholas Sparks novels but after awhile they all started sounding the same to me.  I would actually get them confused myself when I would talk to people about them.  So how did The Lucky One hold up?  It was ok, but it still felt formulated and like something I read before.  What a complete and utter jerk.  Throughout the story there was good character development and Logan and Elizabeth seemed to have some chemistry.  Their interactions where a bit awkward at first, but it was the cute kind of awkward of two people who are attracted to each other and are just getting to know one another.  I like that Logan was respectful of others, but still held his own ground and refused to be walked over.  He was also great with Elizabeth's son and let him just be who he was.  I think this is a great quality in a guy that he accepts children for who they are instead of trying to change them.  My favorite character was Zeus who was great.  I only wish I had a dog that well behaved and trained.

The narrator of this novel, John Bedford Lloyd, had a very pleasant voice.  It was deep, a bit rough and slightly southern.  Of course the whole time I listened to this novel I was picturing Zac and to me the voice didn't fit him, but that is my fault for already putting a face to a character. 

While this book had some good elements it wasn't my favorite, though I am still excited to see the movie. 

Friday Night Date Night

Friday Night Date Night is a feature on my blog that showcases movie review (mostly movies that were adapted from books).  Hopefully some of these reviews will help you decide what to watch on your date night or a night of chillin with the girls.

 

This week instead of posting about a movie I just watched, instead I'm going to discuss the movies based on one authors books...Nicholas Sparks.  I must admit that I used to read a lot of Nicholas Sparks's novels.  They were great love stories and completely moving.  My only problem is that after the third or fourth book they all starting sounding the same. 

 

Just because I haven't read a book of his in a long time, doesn't mean that I stay away from the movies based on his book.  In fact, I'm attracted to them like vampire is to blood.  How can you not be with those leading males...Kevin Costner, Shane West, Ryan Gosling, Richard Gere, Channing Tatum, Liam Hemsworth and now Zac Efron.  I'm drooling just thinking about them.  In case you forgot I'll give you a little reminder.  

  

YUM!  I cannot wait to see The Lucky One.  Which Nicholas Sparks movie is your favorite?  I would have to say either The Notebook or A Walk to Remember, but I'm thinking that will change after I see The Lucky One.   

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