Movie Review
The Soloist the movie is very similar to the novel The Soloist by Steve Lopez. Before I watched the film the idea to the project was to read a novel that was later turned into a movie. Before I was able to read the book many people were telling me that the movie was not good and it was okay so it made me jump to conclusions that the novel would be the same. I was very hesitant about reading the novel because i felt as if i would later regret reading the novel and would want to change the novel to a different one. Even before I knew it my eyes were consumed to the novel. I felt all different types of emotions and feelings as i read the certain words that was imprinted upon the page. The more I read the more i felt as if i must see the movie and see if those were right because already i felt as if they were wrong. After reading the novel I was able to watch the movie and just as i predicted; they were wrong. Often times when you read a novel then you read a book there are times you will come across something different and would point it out. The same thing occurred with me but it was expected to be somewhat different. The thing that really grasped my attention was the fact that most movies are just the summary of the novel and everything wont be said. Also I liked the idea that the narrator was telling the movie like the novel. This was something i liked because I was able to connect with the narrator on how he felt about the situation Nathaniel was in and helped me understand him. Also i was able to get a visualization of who Nathaniel was and looked like in a way and also Mr. Lopez. With the actors and actresses playing the role of the characters it finished the picture i painted in my mind about the description that I created while reading the novel. The movie is more of the visualization of the novel because i believe it imitates the novel.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The Soloist(pg.186-286)
Summary
In the denouement of the novel Mr. Lopez finally opens his eyes to what the true story behind Nathaniel is. Throughout the entire novel Mr.Lopez tried to diagnose Nathaniel because he believed he understood what his problems was. It was true that Nathaniel was a schizophrenic and he allowed that to throw his life away. But the true problem with Nathaniel was he was his own person and he was not trying to have someone else run his life. With Mr. Lopez he put himself in a position almost as a father figure; he wanted to bath him, cloth him, protect him and teach him. Mr.Lopez wanted to do it all but during this process he forgot the main aspect which was being his friend not a father but just a friends someone who looks out for another person but also don't get in the way of how they make their decisions. Mr.Lopez was in the correct state of mind but at the same time he was not listening to what Nathaniel had to say. It seemed as if every month Mr. Lopez would write about how he wanted Nathaniel to do certain things and Nathaniel would refuse such as go to Lamp and receive a good meal, go to Skid Row and get help and live in AN apartment in order to be safe. Mr. Lopez seemed a little demanding in a way because Nathaniel refused to do such things but in some way Nathaniel gave in almost like a son. Even though a child might not want to do something they figure they must and at the same time they are not happy which relates to Nathaniel because he felt guilty almost as if he didn't do it then he would disappoint Mr.Lopez after all he did for him. For Mr. Lopez he soon figures out what the real problem is with Nathaniel ad that is his sense of freedom. Throughout the novel Nathaniel is approached with challenges given by people who just enter his life with no sensibility to who he is. Nathaniel is a person who does appreciate the help he receives but wants to be the person he knows he is. Nathaniel understands that he has problems but he would like to fix him him self without anyone pushing him into something he is not comfortable with.
Quote
"I don't want the concert to ever end" (Lopez 286).
Reaction
This quote amazes me because its almost as if Nathaniel is saying her never wants his life to end so he would be able to listen to the concert play forever. The irony of that is his life will end but he will be able to here it from above. I feel like after reading the novel i was able to see what someone less fortunate goes through and their struggles to over come it all. This novel tough me that no matter who you are never say you can not do something because it is possible and if your willing then it will happen as long as you put in 100 percent you get 100 percent out. This novel is very inspirational to all.
In the denouement of the novel Mr. Lopez finally opens his eyes to what the true story behind Nathaniel is. Throughout the entire novel Mr.Lopez tried to diagnose Nathaniel because he believed he understood what his problems was. It was true that Nathaniel was a schizophrenic and he allowed that to throw his life away. But the true problem with Nathaniel was he was his own person and he was not trying to have someone else run his life. With Mr. Lopez he put himself in a position almost as a father figure; he wanted to bath him, cloth him, protect him and teach him. Mr.Lopez wanted to do it all but during this process he forgot the main aspect which was being his friend not a father but just a friends someone who looks out for another person but also don't get in the way of how they make their decisions. Mr.Lopez was in the correct state of mind but at the same time he was not listening to what Nathaniel had to say. It seemed as if every month Mr. Lopez would write about how he wanted Nathaniel to do certain things and Nathaniel would refuse such as go to Lamp and receive a good meal, go to Skid Row and get help and live in AN apartment in order to be safe. Mr. Lopez seemed a little demanding in a way because Nathaniel refused to do such things but in some way Nathaniel gave in almost like a son. Even though a child might not want to do something they figure they must and at the same time they are not happy which relates to Nathaniel because he felt guilty almost as if he didn't do it then he would disappoint Mr.Lopez after all he did for him. For Mr. Lopez he soon figures out what the real problem is with Nathaniel ad that is his sense of freedom. Throughout the novel Nathaniel is approached with challenges given by people who just enter his life with no sensibility to who he is. Nathaniel is a person who does appreciate the help he receives but wants to be the person he knows he is. Nathaniel understands that he has problems but he would like to fix him him self without anyone pushing him into something he is not comfortable with.
Quote
"I don't want the concert to ever end" (Lopez 286).
Reaction
This quote amazes me because its almost as if Nathaniel is saying her never wants his life to end so he would be able to listen to the concert play forever. The irony of that is his life will end but he will be able to here it from above. I feel like after reading the novel i was able to see what someone less fortunate goes through and their struggles to over come it all. This novel tough me that no matter who you are never say you can not do something because it is possible and if your willing then it will happen as long as you put in 100 percent you get 100 percent out. This novel is very inspirational to all.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The Soloist(pg.79-186)
Summary
It is fairly easy for many to be able to come back out of a tragic accident but in the novel The Soloist; Nathaniel's has difficulty. For Nathaniel things have been hard for him because it has been hard for him to deal with the sickness that he conceals. Since Steve Lopez has entered Nathaniel's life many people have gained the strength to see beyond the rags that he wears but to actually see the true musician. Mr. Lopez constantly explains that he has a family and it is complicated to take care of a man almost his age and actually take care of the family which he has at home. In a way he sees himself as almost loosing his family but at the same time he sees himself as helping someone less in need. For Mr. Lopez he offers to stay numerous nights with Nathaniel upon the streets of L.A on account he has concerns about the safety of a man he would never imagine to be as close to him. For Nathaniel's he does not hold as much confidence as he once held his self at. Now in his eyes he sees himself as a quitter because he had to leave Julliard. Julliard was Nathaniel's only way into happiness but as problems increased he confidence decreases. With the trust in Mr. Lopez's hand; he set Nathaniel up for a couple of performances at a Club where he will play his Cello. At first things did not seem as they were to go as plans but Nathaniel showed up with a surprise from many. At the peek of his performance the music did not flow out the way most did but once he found his comfort zone and things finished off smoothly. Over the next couple of months with Nathaniel, Mr. Lopez was successful enough to have him perform comfortably only when he goes away things get hectic. Mr. Lopez figured out the idea that Nathaniel needs someone who is willing to stick around to keep him company without that he becomes lost. Each day became harder for Mr. Lopez because he seen the reality of the streets; he noticed that Nathaniel could become really hurt if he continued to stay upon the streets. With so many people noticing his great achievements he has been rewarded many offers such as listening to the Disney Hall Orchestra. Nathaniel's gift brought him very far but not far enough. The streets that Nathaniel lives upon is the only thing that keeps him back from being a hard working musician which also gives others their opinions and cause him to try. Mr. Lopez offered to give Nathaniel an apartment but with the high reality of no one hearing his music then he may never keep himself from danger.
Quote
"Pointing to the window of his room, he says: That is my place"(Lopez 186).
Reaction
This short quote has much meaning behind it. The quote stated when Nathaniel and a man gets into a small confrontation about him giving up on life. In Nathaniel's eyes his place is not an actual apartment but its the entire world. Nathaniel expresses himself through the music that he wants to share with the world and not trap inside. In my eyes I understand Nathaniel's point of view because by him staying inside no one will be able to get the enjoyment of him playing and no one will know of the great Nathaniel. I feel like people must go out and take life as if it and not settle for anything less.
It is fairly easy for many to be able to come back out of a tragic accident but in the novel The Soloist; Nathaniel's has difficulty. For Nathaniel things have been hard for him because it has been hard for him to deal with the sickness that he conceals. Since Steve Lopez has entered Nathaniel's life many people have gained the strength to see beyond the rags that he wears but to actually see the true musician. Mr. Lopez constantly explains that he has a family and it is complicated to take care of a man almost his age and actually take care of the family which he has at home. In a way he sees himself as almost loosing his family but at the same time he sees himself as helping someone less in need. For Mr. Lopez he offers to stay numerous nights with Nathaniel upon the streets of L.A on account he has concerns about the safety of a man he would never imagine to be as close to him. For Nathaniel's he does not hold as much confidence as he once held his self at. Now in his eyes he sees himself as a quitter because he had to leave Julliard. Julliard was Nathaniel's only way into happiness but as problems increased he confidence decreases. With the trust in Mr. Lopez's hand; he set Nathaniel up for a couple of performances at a Club where he will play his Cello. At first things did not seem as they were to go as plans but Nathaniel showed up with a surprise from many. At the peek of his performance the music did not flow out the way most did but once he found his comfort zone and things finished off smoothly. Over the next couple of months with Nathaniel, Mr. Lopez was successful enough to have him perform comfortably only when he goes away things get hectic. Mr. Lopez figured out the idea that Nathaniel needs someone who is willing to stick around to keep him company without that he becomes lost. Each day became harder for Mr. Lopez because he seen the reality of the streets; he noticed that Nathaniel could become really hurt if he continued to stay upon the streets. With so many people noticing his great achievements he has been rewarded many offers such as listening to the Disney Hall Orchestra. Nathaniel's gift brought him very far but not far enough. The streets that Nathaniel lives upon is the only thing that keeps him back from being a hard working musician which also gives others their opinions and cause him to try. Mr. Lopez offered to give Nathaniel an apartment but with the high reality of no one hearing his music then he may never keep himself from danger.
Quote
"Pointing to the window of his room, he says: That is my place"(Lopez 186).
Reaction
This short quote has much meaning behind it. The quote stated when Nathaniel and a man gets into a small confrontation about him giving up on life. In Nathaniel's eyes his place is not an actual apartment but its the entire world. Nathaniel expresses himself through the music that he wants to share with the world and not trap inside. In my eyes I understand Nathaniel's point of view because by him staying inside no one will be able to get the enjoyment of him playing and no one will know of the great Nathaniel. I feel like people must go out and take life as if it and not settle for anything less.
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