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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated 500 Days of Summer (2009) in Movies

Aug 9, 2019

500 Days of Summer (2009)

2009 | Comedy, Drama, Romance

7.4

(12 Ratings)

Movie Rating

The ever-quirky Zooey Deschanel stars alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt reemerging from “10 Things I Hate About You” in the odd tale “(500) Days of Summer”.

This is the story of Tom an unhappy greeting card writer (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who falls for his boss’s personal assistant, Summer (Zooey Deschanel). As the two become friends Summer reveals to the infatuated Tom that she does not believe in love. Dispute her disbelief the two begin spending time together and eventually friendship blossoms into an intimate relationship. This must be love, right?
Summer and Tom begin an on again off again romance, that centers around Tom’s constant optimism that she is indeed the one for him. But Summer’s inconsistent reactions and lack of desire for commitment leave the audience wondering how the scenario is going to work out.

The film uses a five hundred day counter to expose the story in a non-linear fashion, which would have been interesting if it had anything to do with the plot. There was no mystery unearthed or even character traits exposed through the wacky timeline, it simply kept viewers constantly aware of Tom’s unfortunate situation.

Among the film’s highlights are a choreographed dance sequence, interesting split screen photography, and sensational employment of color. Additionally simple yet strong costume choices, artistic use of architecture, fun music and witty interpersonal banter carry this otherwise depressing film.

Creating an overall disenchantment with relationships and a seething dislike for Summer make this film is far from jovial, but it does offer a darker perspective into the realistic nature of relationships.

Both leads deliver strong performances but the film was unexpectedly melancholy. “(500) Days of Summer” is simply trying too hard and making viewers feel bad in the process.

Kudos

Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Raised by Wolves (Raised by Wolves, #1) in Books

Nov 18, 2019

I'll be honest. Out of all the paranormal creatures out there, shape shifters are not high on my list of favourites. I find them hard to connect to but I obviously like something about some of them as I have two werewolf series in paperback--Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs and Shifters by Rachel Vincent.

This one took a little getting into. It had a very slow start, taking 50+ pages for Bryn to meet Chase, the boy who got bit by the rabid, and then another 50 or so for them to meet again under supervision this time and not without going through a lot of training to make sure she can outwit/fight Chase if things go south. Strangely, though, Bryn and Chase have a connection - a bond - something that keeps them coming together and they somehow mark each other, causing chaos in the Pack. There's also the little issue that the rabid that bit Chase is also the one that killed Bryn's parents when she was four. And that is what the rest of the book is about. Finding and killing the rabid werewolf.

It didn't really hold my attention. It was quite a lot of book for hardly anything happening. The final showdown with the rabid shifter took all of about 25 pages and seemed over far too easily.

I liked some of the secondary characters, for instance Devon. He's great; witty, protective and good in any situation. Lake was fun, if a little crazy with her guns. Chase, I haven't decided about yet. And then there's Callum. I liked him, he always had a plan.

That being said, I don't think I'll be continuing the series.