Harrison Ford as Colonel Hyrum Graff

Harrison Ford was born on July 13, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois.  Ford first took an interest in acting in only his senior year of high school, and calls himself a "late bloomer".  Although Ford has been in many other films, he will always be known for his performances in both Star Wars and the Indiana Jones film series.  Ford received the top spot in Empire magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" in 1997, and it looks like he is not going anywhere.

Harrison Ford's character in Ender's Game is Colonel Hyrum Graff, who is basically the the recruiter for the Battle School.  In this story, Ender and Colonel Graff have their ups and downs, and they never become "close".  However, at one point, Colonel Graff is the only friend Ender has within the confines of the Battle School and they must work together to reach their main goal: train Ender to save humankind.  When I read the book, I imagined Colonel Graff as a younger man that was a little less hardened and a little more unpredictable.  But, as always, I am interested to see how he takes this one on.  Ford does have that sci-fi, deep, announcer-like voice.  Go out and see him tomorrow!!

1 More Day!

Hailee Steinfeld as Petra Arkanian...and a Little Something Extra

Hailee Steinfeld was born on December 11, 1996, in Tarzana, Los Angeles.  She started off at the age of eight with small roles in various films.  But, Hailee's performance in True Grit as Mattie Ross was the role that got her lots of attention and fame.  Bevause of this stunning performance, she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.  Hailee also portrayed Juliet in the 2013 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.  She was cast for this role when she was only 14, so the script had to be cut down a bit to cater to her young age.  The most recent character that she is slated to play is Petra Arkanian, the close friend of main character, Ender, in Ender's Game.

In the book, Petra is said to be a very tomboyish character that is hardly indistinguishable among the leagues of boys attending the Battle School.  I am curious to see how she takes this on, because she seems like a very feminine young woman.  I am also looking forward to seeing the bond of friendship between her and Ender.  There is really no question on how her acting skills will measure up, so I can't wait to see her performance in this movie!

Today is also National Candy Corn Day, so I picked this picture especially for this occasion.  Doesn't she kind of look like a candy corn?  A pretty one, at least?

2 More Days!

Sir Ben Kingsley as Mazer Rackham

Sir Ben Kingsley, born Krishna Pandit Bhanji, was born on December 31, 1943 in North Yorkshire, England.  He was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2000 and knighted by Queen Elizabeth II on his 58th birthday.  Kingsley has starred in a host of films portraying characters like Mohandas Gandhi and the villain, The Mandarin, in Iron Man 3 (my favorite movie).  

Ben Kingsley is playing Mazer Rackham in Ender's Game, and I must say, he is not who I pictured in the role.  But, I think that he will do a great job.  This character very different from the other one that I have seen him as, The Mandarin.  He will have to be demanding and proud, but still have enough of a soft side to guide Ender on his path to greatness.  I think it's really interesting what they did to his bald head in this movie.  It's like a giant tattoo or something- very futuristic, but unlike anything that I would imagine a celebrated commander to have on his head.  However much his head decoration puzzles me (hehe), I am excited to see him tackle this role.

3 More Days!

Abigail Breslin as Valentine Wiggin

Abigail Kathleen Breslin was born on April 14, 1996 in New York City.  She started her acting career when she was three years old in a Toys 'R Us commercial.  Abigail has gone on to star in Little Miss Sunshine, Nim's Island, and My Sister's Keeper.  Even from a young age, the adults that she worked with on set couldn't believe her level of purpose during filming. Abigail has also voiced a role in Rango and was nominated for a Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Voice-Over Role Young Actress.

Her next big film about to hit the big screen is Ender's Game, in which she plays Valentine Wiggin, the gentle sister of the main character, Andrew "Ender" Wiggin.  Valentine acts mostly as the one thing preventing Ender from completely letting go of his past when he moves on to the Battle School.  She had always been his favorite sibling (compared to Peter, that's not surprising) and they had always cared deeply for each other.  But while Ender is away, Valentine becomes closer to Peter in a way that she never thought possible.

I am curious to see how Abigail Breslin tackles this role.  She has to be sweet and gentle, but firm enough to steer Peter in the other direction when he goes on one of his rants.  I hope she won't go too far in the passive direction, because Valentine is a strong person who has to make some hard decisions.  But, she can't go too far in the other direction either.  She was rejected by the Battle School for being too compassionate. However, there is more to her than what meets the eye.

Make sure to go out and see Abigail Breslin as Valentine Wiggin on November 1!

4 More Days!

The Dictionary Definition of a Dilemma

dilemma- a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, esp. equally undesirable ones

Whew, does America have a hard choice to make.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

America Singer is a Five.  Not a Two, not even a Three, but a Five.  So when she receives an application for the Selection in the mail, everyone in her family is ecstatic.  Except for America.  She has no desire to live in the palace, be the future Queen of Illéa, or marry the stiff prince, Maxon Schreave.  America wants to be with Aspen, who is a caste below her.  When he encourages her to enter the Selection, she does, not knowing that her life will change forever because of it.  In the end she must choose between the new life that she is imagining and the life she has always wanted.

The first thing about this book that caught my attention was the cover.  I mean, how gorgeous is that dress?  Then I decided to get the free sample, because it sounded extremely interesting.  I read the sample and had to show it to my friend, who promptly bought the book on her tablet.  The whole time she was reading it, she couldn't stop gushing about how great it was, so I finally snatched it up as well.  It was a great cross between the vintage beauty of monarchy and the blunt futuristic notion of the castes.  This is definitely what I would call a girly-girl book, but its not all sunshine and rainbows.  America has to deal with friendship problems and relationship problems, all while trying to make sure that her family is cared for in the financial arena.  This is a great book that all teenage girls will love!

Age Group: 13+

Concerns: none

Rating: 9.5

Reminder

I just wanted to remind you that tomorrow starts Ender's Game Countdown Week!

Make sure to come and check out the talented actors and actresses that will make this movie great!

Change of Plans

When I checked out The Alchemyst, by Michael Scott, my original intent was to read through the entire series without breaks.  But, the change of plans happens to be my fault (indirectly).  About a month ago, I showed my friend a sample of this book called The Selection, by Kiera Cass, that I was thinking about reading.  Since she is also a book fanatic, she gobbled it up and decided to start reading it as soon as she finished the Divergent series (another series I got her hooked on).  She finished reading it almost 3 days ago, and ever since then, she has been BEGGING me to read this book.  Last night, I gave in an bought it on my NOOK for $5.  It had been an interesting sample, so I was definitely up to it.

Long story short, it is really good so far, and you should be looking for an official review pretty soon.

I guess The Alchemyst and the series that follows will have to wait! :)