Apr 28, 2015

Books to Movies: Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks


Title: Safe Haven
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Year Published: 2010
Format: Paperback (352 pages)
Goodreads rating: 4.19

Description:

Love hurts. There is nothing as painful as heartbreak. But in order to learn to love again, you must learn to trust again.

When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.

But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo’s empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

Nicholas Sparks is one of my favorite authors, so I was eager to read this book as soon as it was available. He creates such good pictures in reader’s eyes. Sparks really knows how to get under your skin and touch your soul. He never fails to deliver and Safe Haven is no exception. 

Safe Haven is a little more scary than his usual and kind of a "can't put it down" book. This book is packed with suspense, tragedy, hope and romance. Sparks switches points of view between three characters that are written with such depth. Once you are involved with them, you will not want to stop until you get to the end. Safe Haven tells about a young woman (Katie) who manages to escape from her abusive husband (Kevin) and start a new life in North Carolina, a small quite town. She meets a widower (Alex), falls in love with him and his two children. Everything seems to be perfect for Katie until Kevin comes looking for her. Not to mention her friendship with Jo.

This book is both thrilling and heart warming all in the same chapter that will keep you interested until the end. The ending is a surprise in a very good way—no details because you'll just have to read it for yourself. Safe Haven definitely is at the top of my list as one of my favorites by Sparks. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read, especially for adults (or you may get disturbed by the graphic sexual descriptions in it). Such an easy read and a real page turner.


Title: Safe Haven
Release date: 2013
Running time: 1h 55m
Genre: Drama, Romance, Thriller
Movie rating: PG-13
IMDB rating: 6.7

Here's the trailer:



The movie is good and well done, but doesn't do the book justice. In the book, the characters are richly developed, in the movie they don't even capture your attention. I like Josh Duhamel, I'm a big fan of him, but that's about it. I think Julianne Hough is not a good fit for this movie. She doesn't deliver in her role, but she is nice to look at. I don't see the sparks or chemistry between the two. Moreover, a lot of things are changed and other things added that don't even happen in the book. The book's story line is much more in depth and makes so much more sense. However, the movie has some beautiful scenic shots of North Carolina; really picturesque. Love it.

We know it's impossible to fit all the details of the book into a 2 hour movie. Well.. lower your expectations if you've read the book. I still recommend this movie though as it shows you about finding true love and getting a second chance at life.
Favorite Quotes
Everyone has a past, but that’s just it — it’s in the past. You can learn from it, but you can’t change it. - Alex Wheatley,  Chapter 16, p. 118
Love doesn't mean anything if you're not willing to make a commitment, and you have to think not only about what you want, but about what he wants. Not just now, but in the future. - Jo, Chapter 23, p. 192
I'm not sure anyone's life turns out exactly the way they imagine. All we can do is to try to make the best of it. Even when it seems impossible. - Alex Wheatley, Chapter 25, p. 208
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Apr 17, 2015

K-pop Corner: EXO - Call Me Baby

Okay guys. First, put all the drama of last year behind us and let's enjoy EXO again.

Which of the favours of your Lord would you deny?

Yeaayyy!! After the long wait, EXO finally made their comeback with their second album 'EXODUS' featuring Call Me Baby as the title track. Yup, their first record since Kris and Luhan's departures. 10 members, 10 teasers, 10 posters, 10 different album covers each for Korean & Chinese version, and new logo. Amazing, isn't it?

My feels exactly

- Korean version


- Chinese version


We already knew that this group had something special and unique musically. Call Me Baby is an upbeat, super catchy song that really gets you going and far more complex every time you hear it. I don't want to compare it to their past singles, the past is in the past. This song delivers a dynamic instrumental and arrangement that really showcases the group's talent. Their voices harmonize very well together throughout the song, those falsettos are seriously no joke.

Now I have Call Me Baby stuck in my head. Help me.

The MV is just another one-take in a box music video from SM that have absolutely nothing to do with those epic teasers. Please understand that those mysterious and beautiful teasers are not for the title track but the whole album, that telling us their new stories and new concept, also introducing us to the new EXO. The reborn of EXO. Back to the MV, I was kinda hoping for something more than a box set, but surprisingly it was done in a cool way where they weren't just dancing in a room. Also the camera movements are just fab. Unlike their previous MVs, this one give me a happier vibe and they successfully bring back that late 90's to early 00's feel. The dance, for some people may look boring and quite messy compared to their previous songs such as Growl, Overdose and MAMA. Sorry, I kinda disagree. The choreography is really sharp and intense, the detail is crazy and the pace is so damn fast. No wonder they said that this is one of their hardest choreo. Their dancing is good as usual. For me, the dance is mad fun. I love its messiness.  

Imo, SM keep the MV simple to show off how insanely talented these guys are at dancing. It also showcases EXO's individuality that they are different in so many ways. Some improved greatly and some just killed it. It looks like no one is overshadowing another now. Everyone gets noticed and has enough screen time. However, I don't agree with some of the styling and I have so many issues with the hair. Some of them looked like they didn't shower, with all those unwashed greasy and dirty looking hair. Ew. And Kai, the middle part has got to stop ugh. But, but... but they're still handsome as ever. Not gonna lie, I enjoy every single second of the MV. They're all dope, okay.

Omg that bumpy moves
HAHAHAHA Kyungsoo's swag dance I'm loving this part
but this one is my favorite lol
Now let me cry for a minute
ChanHun rap part is totally killing me
Satanhun please have mercy on my poor soul
 
This awkward move, something that not everyone can pull off
Not sure if I'm still breathing or not

To be honest, I was more excited about the album itself than the MV. The whole album is straight up R&B, every song in it is pure perfection. There's no bad songs to be found anywhere. The two versions of this album really showcase everyone's vocal talent. They sound like they have improved and evolved. You can feel the hard work behind it. Pretty solid and perfect in every way. This album is amazing. I had high expectations and EXODUS exceeded all of them. EXODUS slays me so hard. EXODUS IS LIFE. BYE.


SM, let Kai & Sehun have more singing lines please. And God I miss Luhan. His voice is everything.

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