Read any good books or watched any good movies lately? I have, and in this instance they are one in the same. This past summer I saw on the table next to my mom's chair, a copy of the book "Marley & Me" by John Grogan. She said, "You should read it, it's really good." I don't think she could have been more right.
This isn't going to be a spoilers review, simply a recommendation, so feel free to read on.
In brief it's the story of a big, goofy yellow Labrador retriever and how through all his spastic behavior, finds a very special place in the hearts of the family that raises him. While I believe the book will appeal to a wide range of people, I have to say, if you currently do or ever have owned a dog, this is a must read!
A couple of months after I read the book it was announced that they were going to make it into a movie. Upon hearing this I was both excited and apprehensive. Excited because I enjoyed reading the book so much, I was really looking forward to seeing it played out on the big screen. Apprehensive because if was afraid Hollywood might butcher the novel like they seem so accustomed at doing.
Well, yesterday was the day to find out how they did. I honestly think they hit a home run this time around! Although there were some omissions and embellishments, I think they did a fantastic job of portraying Grogan's novel.
If you decide to go see the movie, and I hope you will, I must encourage you to bring some tissue and be prepared to use it! Don't worry though, there are plenty of laughs to be had as well.
Wishing you all a safe and happy new year!
43 comments:
Ahhh it looks like just another shaggy dog story....
/giggle
My son just got done reading the intermediate kids version and loved it. I think we'll be seeing it soon; we miss our Labrador.
Jeff,just stopped by to wish you and yous a Happy New Year.
I can't wait to see the movie bc I have a yellow lab. hahaha
Thanks for the good review, Jeff.
Hey, Jeff!
Thanks SO MUCH for this great review of the book and movie!
It's funny, because I've seen the book in Borders several times and never read it, but for some reason was alway very drawn to it.
Now...I KNOW I've got to see/read it!
It definately sounds like something I'd really enjoy! I love a good tear-jerker too!
HAPPY NEW YEAR, buddy!
It's been an absolute pleasure getting to know you this past year, and I look forward to many more years of sharing!
Later gator!
P.S. and here's my New Year's Eve at midnight gift to you....
Ready?
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!wait a minute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!wait a minute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!2009!!!!!
Kay- Kind of like the shaggy dog meets ole' yeller.
Songbird- It will be a good tear duct cleansing for you all.
Mike- Thanks buddy.
Pam- A must see then.
Ron- Ya big fuzzy eyebrowed goof!
Thanks for the !!!!'s they'll come in handy this year.
On the movie: I read the book, knew what was coming and it still got me. I rate it a three hankie movie.
True nice movie I have seen it. After seen the movie I feel lot about the pets we have. Sure If I have a pet like Marley it will do lot for me. Better to any one who have to forget past to get close to pet like this. I definitely buy a pet tomorrow. Saw it on http://www.80millionmoviesfree.com wonderful movie more than any I enjoy
Yeah, yeah, that's sweet. Happy New Year Jeff!! Cheers!!
Hi Jeff!
My sister saw this movie and just loved it. :-)
Wishes for a Very Blessed And Happy New Year!
Hugs,
Kimmie
My son recommended this book to me ages ago, I really must get round to reading it. :)
I hope 2009 brings you good health and happiness Jeff. :)
Old Yeller got rabies... What bastard wrote that movie for us little kids?
Good to hear that the movie is as good as the book. I read it last year. The who is the much quoted animal psychic gave it to me as a gift. Now I will add the movie to my list for sure.
I heard about the book and movie but I'm not sure about either because I get so emotional over happy/sad animal stories.
To you and your family ~ Have a peaceful, prosperous, wonderful New Year!
Risthina- Thanks for dropping by.
Matt- and a Happy New Year to you too.
Kimmie- Now it's your turn.
Akelamalu- Do take the time to read it, It's quite good.
Buffalo- The good news. . . no rabies in this one. The bad news. . . well, you'll have to watch it to know that.
Raven- I wish you could get out to go see it instead of having to wait for the DVD.
Nitebyrd- My advice, proceed with caution. It definitely tugs at the heart strings.
Lucky me! I got the book for Christmas. I think I'll wait for DVD. I don't usually cry in movies about humans, but I know I will get the ugly cry going in this one! Happy New Year!
thx jeff, will give it a look
happy new year to you and yours :D
Have a terrific day and a very Happy New Year. :)
Jeff, thanks for sharing that great review of Marley and Me!
Happy New Year to you and your family!
My sister Dawn read the book ans saw the movie and agrees with you.
It's so rare to be satisfied with a film after reading the book. That's fantastic!
BJ- Probably a good call. There were plenty of sniffles in the theater when I watched it.
Laughingwolf- I appreciate the visit. Hope to see you again.
Sandee- and to you as well.
Mary- Your quite welcome. Happy new Year.
Dr John- Ahhh, she has good taste.
Cherie- So true. It was refreshing to see them (Hollywood) get one right.
My daughter (Mandy) and I read the book early last summer. We passed it on to my son and also, got a copy of it for my older grandson (Alex -age 11). All of us totally loved the book! Mandy and I are trying to figure out a way that we can escape and go see the movie. Gonna take some fancy wrangling to do that cause we sure can't take the two little ones with us -too much for them to sit through for sure! Being a dog lover from way back, as are all my kids and my older grandson too, we all really loved the book! I got another book by John Grogan -"The Longest Trip Home" too for Christmas from daughter, Mandy, so now I'm looking forward to reading it as well!
Happy New Year Jeff -to you and yours -and give your Mom a special greeting from me too, while you're at it! (Love reading her comments on your blog and at Gene's place.)
Thank you for the warning about the tissues. I cry way eaasy so I will just take a box!
Happy New Year Jeff! Hope '09 is wonderful for you and your family.
I just realized that my comment made no sense since I was merging Marley and Me into another dog book I read. Sigh. What a way to end my year - with incoherent comments!
Loved the book. The movie is gonna be hard as I will have to weigh my total adoration for all things Owen against my complete dislike of all things Maniston.
Or I could just go see Twilight again:P
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Jeff. I don't usually watch animal movies because they can be such tearjerkers. I may check it out though.
This was one of my mom's favorite reads last year too.
I call yellow labs Buddy dogs, because the folks had a yellow lab/golden retriever mix called Buddy for nearly 15 years. He was a great dog too. They lost him in late 2006.
Happy 2009!
I too thought they did a great job making the movie from the book. The Teamster thought they should have included a part about getting a new puppy....smile...
Blessed New Year to you and your family Jeff !!
Bitchy saw the movie and LOVED it. It made her cry. And THAT is VERY HARD to do. She's a cold hearted bitch.
But I LOVE her.
Excellent review ... looks like I'm going to have to pick up the book ... and see the movie ... and grab an extra box of tissues!
Happy New Year!
Oh ... and next time ... get your indoor heli at Coyote Hobby ... $29.99 and still running after somewhere between 1-2 years in our household! :-)
judging by the box office, it looks like Jennifer Aniston is giving Brad Pitt a run for his money...
Thanks for the recommendation Jeff, will keep an eye out for both book and movie.
Hope you had a great Christmas and send you best wishes for 2009.
A
Jennifer- You're gonna need those tissues. Of course, you probably burned through a fair amount of them yesterday watching the Sugarbowl. Bummer your Tide didn't make a better showing of it.
Raven- No worries, I caught the flavor of it anyway.
Starrlight- You may be pleasantly surprised. She actually does a grate job in her roll I think.
Lu- It certainly qualifies as such, but the story is too good to pass up.
Travis- Our family had a black lab named Buddy too. He was a big moose of a dog.
Katherine- I was happy with the way they ended it myself. It was a good "thinking moment" ending.
Vodka- Even beneath that hard shell lies a softie.
Kelly- I feel like a V-8 commercial. You're right, we should have bypassed the mall store all together.
Coffee Buzz- Some battles keep raging on don't they? Welcome to the blog.
Anne- It's well worth looking for. Thanks for the well wishes too.
Will look out for the book and the film! (Though I don't have a dog!)
Oh my...yes...I loved the book and can't wait for the movie...so I won't be a spoiler either...I love reading about animals, which is why I love Seamus's blog so! Thanks for checking on me Jeff...I'm back...with a vengence!
hugs
Sandi
Looks like a fun family movie...thanks for the review..
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Thanks for the recommendations, Jeff--for both the book and the movie. Yes, I'm a dog owner. And my husband even considers our Trudy a kind of alter ego. He's always talking back to her. (And she didn't say anything in the first place.)
I loved the book and I was worried about the movie. I'm so glad you liked it.
Hey Jeff, I have a little something for you at my blog! Hope you are excited! So come by and pick it up.
I am reading Marley and Me finally.
Maggie May- Dogs not required, just a nice side benefit.
Sandi- Glad you're back in action.
Bond- I highly recommend either or both.
San- don't ya just love it when the dog looks at you like they understand everything you're saying?
Marilyn- I was really glad they didn't botch it.
Pam- Thanks in advance. Let me know what you think after reading it.
It is a movie we keep talking about wanting to see but haven't gotten to it yet. I better put a reserve on Netflix so we can get it when it comes out.
we used to have a yellow lab that seemd to create mayhem just like the commercials portray so we have been laughing at the thoughs.
i read the book before the movie and loved it. so of course i KNEW it would be sad but i didn't bring tissues! i wish i did...
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