Thursday, January 28, 2010
Peter Jackson knows how to adapt movies. From his famous take on Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy to the resurrection of the infamous King Kong, the director knows how to translate books and old classics onto the modern silver screen.
The Lovely Bones, based on the 2002 best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, tells the delicate story of a girl whose life was taken prematurely through brutal measures. Soairse Ronan, who you may remember as the precocious younger sister in Joe Wright’s adaptation of Atonement, brings 14-year-old Susie Salmon to life.
Before the first image on the screen filters through your mind, Susie’s voice fills your ears. She narrates her life to you from “the in-between,” which isn’t earth and nor heaven. Think of it as a limbo-esque wilderness sprinkled with young teenage imagination and a hint of psychedelic 1970s fusion. Susie has been murdered, and instead of going towards her path onto heaven, she is stuck watching her family crumble and deal with her death.
Susie’s grandmother, played by Susan Sarandon, brings much-needed comic relief into the film at times. Grandma Lynn moves into the Salmon’s home after both parents fail to truly embrace the death of their oldest daughter.
Jack Salmon (Mark Wahlberg), Susie’s father, becomes obsessed in finding his daughter’s killer when the detective on the case, Len Fenerman (Michael Imperioli), does not live up to Jack’s expectations. Susie, realizing that her father cannot put the pieces together, guides him to their neighbor and her killer, George Harvey (Stanley Tucci).
Tucci gives an Oscar-worthy performance with his subtly creepy character and Rachel Weiss, who plays Susie’s mother, gives a perfect portrait of a grieving mother.
Book review: 'Whistling in the Dark'
Reading. It's not just for textbooks, you know.
Tragedy in transition: When death interrupts college
Three students' college experiences were shattered by the loss of a parent.
Review: My Sister’s Keeper
Film presents an emotional picture of a family’s struggle as their daughter ...
Living the Wright life
Wright left Kansas for the NBA last year. His life outside of ...
Unexpectedly Expecting: Taé's story
Taé, broken-hearted and pregnant at 16, faces pressure from her family and ...
Mommas on the Hill
For moms on campus, Mother’s Day comes more than once a year.
Coy: 3D Redefines Film Medium
3D will be reinvented by the upcoming movie, "The Hobbit." With new ...
Music Review: Charlotte Gainsbourg- 'IRM'
Hollywood hits, indie flicks and everything in between.
Relay for Life hits home for one ...
Jenny and Jack Donham plan to attend the April 15 event to ...
Malicious Intimacy
Four students' experiences with domestic violence.
Movie: Choke
Memory of Jason Wren educates students about ...
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon pledge died of alcohol poisoning in 2009.
Schumaker: Disney trivializes women's struggles
This Summer, Pixar is releasing their latest animated film, “Brave.” Though the ...
‘Millions’ is sweet, not sappy
Students, residents gather to view “The Day ...
Actor, director and producer answer questions about 25-year-old film, “The Day After”.
Meet the Parents
Tragedy in transition: Lindy's story
Lindy Anderson had to deal with the death of her father mostly ...
Moffitt: Life lessons from Woody Allen
Woody Allen's classic films have a lot to tell us about love ...
Former player finds many successes despite rampant ...
Finding family
Adopted students and their choice to search.
Coy: Film "Return" tells trials of returning ...
A new film, now on iTunes shows us the problems a returning ...
Andy Dick's out to 'flip it around' ...
Actor and recovering alcoholic Andy Dick opened up about his past and ...
A staggering tragedy
Friends and family look for answers while struggling to cope with an ...
Schumaker: Summer brings the heat with sizzling ...
This summer's blockbusters are sure to satisfy all types.
Hiding Daddy
I tried to block the person I needed most
Striving for parental acceptance
Gay and lesbian students at the University of Kansas have revealed their ...
Crowning glory
How one beauty queen balances pageant and student life.
Unexpectedly Expecting: Erin's story
After being raped, Erin hides her pregnancy from those she loves, ultimately ...
Lawrence group hopes to revamp train station
Sante Fe Depot represents Midwestern modern architecture and may get a face ...
Winning values
Turner Gill infuses his coaching style with concern for players and staff.
Hello, my name is Mandy Patinkin
Student valued in, out of home
Movie review
The Darjeeling Limited
Summer Movie Preview
Lights, camera, action
Sturgeon’s work will ‘live long and prosper’ ...
Acclaimed science fiction writer's works begin their new life at KU.
Science and art unite in modern dance
Liz Lerman Dance Company’s performance explored issues surrounding genetic research.
‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ moves to big ...
The film adaptation keeps true to the original, while adding something all ...
Sweet escape
Being deaf doesn't stop Emily Cressy from ruling the soccer field.
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID