Last night I watched the movie City of Embers. It is based on a book by Jeanne Duprau. I actually rented it at my local video store down the street. I think the film City of Embers I would rank as one of my favorites.

I can recommend City of Embers

The plot is a futuristic tale about the survivors of a great war on the surface of the planet.  It is a teenage move.  But I usually love movies that a fourteen year old girl would like.  I do not like swearing or drinking or fighting in movies.  Maybe I am pretty innocent but I do not like this type of action.

This is why I liked City of Embers.  The film’s success or failure is based on the plot and somewhat the photography, rather than some big name star or stupid action.

Sci Fi Fantasy films and the city of Embers

As a rule Hollywood films that are sci-fi or fantasy are pretty weak, as they depend on special effects and are hyped to the max.  On a side note, one of my friends will only watch Sci fi or fantasy films.

City of Embers is based on a high quality children’s book not some script from no where.  In the world of children’s book competition is very high.  Evenyone is out to write the next Harry Potter.  However, if a book does make it, usually it is of great quality.  And if they make a movie from it, as long as it is not trying to make a point, like Golden Compass (which is a film with an adjenda).

What City of Embers inspired me to do

I think in the morning I will go to the bookstore and if I can find any books by Jeanne Duprau I will buy the next one.  This does not sound too great, but I will read it in Polish, not my native language.

Fantasy books in your non native language are hard to read as there are many special words and lots of crazy things going on.

Reading in general as I have written before is a great way to improve your language skills.  If you can not live in a country, read.  Read everything you can, do not look up every word, rather just enjoy it.

My conclusion about City of Embers -  What it or read it.  I have kept this post short because I did not want to give away the plot.  But with great acting  and storyline it is well worth renting for a couple of dollars.  The movie is remnant of a London or Dickens like atmosphere.  Something like I image London in the 19th century.

The lady who wrote the book Jeanne Duprau is quite a normal lady.  She was an English teacher and did not intend to be a teacher before writing the children’s stories, it just kind of happened.  I like these authors the best as they are less pretentious and less aimed at pop culture.

Tags: