The Upside of Being Down...

 The upside of lying in bed while recuperating is having the opportunity to read and to catch up on movies via pay-per-view, Netflix and Cable. That’s what I did this past Monday and Tuesday (in between naps!). The book I am working on right now is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. My friend Eileen read this book and recommended it to me quite a while ago but I am only now getting around to reading it. I have to be honest and tell you that I’m trying to finish it before the movie comes out next Friday. As much as I love movies, they rarely do a good book justice. Hopefully, I will finish reading it in time and then I’ll let you know how it compares.

As far as movies are concerned, I did finally watch the most recent remake of Jane Eyre with Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender and Dame Judi Dench. Here is where I issue a disclaimer that Jane Eyre is one of my favorite stories and I was predisposed to love it…I did love it. Mia portrayed Jane’s sad, tragic life so beautifully. It’s been a long time since I read the book, but after seeing the movie, it reminded me how much I admire Jane’s strength through an incredibly difficult life. I marvel at her ability to see through Rochester’s initial meanness with her to the point where she falls in love with him. It’s such a wonderful story and I do believe that this movie version did the book justice. I’m going to read the book again and you should see the movie!

I also caught It’s Kind of a Funny Story on HBO or Showtime. It’s a small movie about a depressed teenager who checks himself into a psych ward when he fears that he might commit suicide. He makes some interesting friends in the process of coming to terms with some difficulties and stresses in his life. There are some really poignant scenes between Craig, the teen boy and his adult friend, Bobby. The writing was very good. Keir Gilchrist plays Craig beautifully and Zach Galifianakis (I am not a big fan of this actor) does a very good job portraying Bobby. I was really touched by this film.

Gonna rest this weekend, read some more of The Help and maybe catch a few more movies that I missed somewhere along the line….