Feature Friday: Vampire Academy

Based on the New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead, the movie version of the first novel hit theaters in the US today.

Unlike many recent young adult novel inspired films, Vampire Academy seems to be looking for both the male and female audience with its mix of humor, fantasy, romance, and action. I love that it's looking to bring more males into the theaters to enjoy this story.

Vampire Academy follows the lives of Rose Hathaway and Lissa Dragomir, two students at the prestigious St. Vladimir's Academy. They're best friends, and they know just about everything about each other. And I mean everything. Because Rose and Lissa aren't normal friends. Lissa is a Moroi, a mortal vampire and a princess to boot, while Rose is her best friend and a Dhampir, a human/vampire hybrid training to be Lissa's guardian. Thanks to an accident, Rose is able to see inside Lissa's mind and emotions and tell when she's in trouble. But when the mysterious Dimitri Belikov steps into their lives, everything begins to change.

I remember the first time I read this book. I did it in a single day because I loved it so much. And I've read it a dozen times since then. It's a great story, least of all because there aren't any brooding vampires--Adrian and Christian notwithstanding. And it's filled with strong and vivid characters who are more than realistic, they're alive.

Although I haven't seen it yet, I fully intend to stop by the nearest theater to see Vampire Academy. 

And I'm going to bet it isn't going to suck.

Waiting on Wednesday: Endless Love

This week's Waiting on Wednesday isn't a book. 

I'm waiting on the new film Endless Love, being released by Universal Pictures on Valentines Day in the US.

It stars Alex Pettyfer, of Magic Mike and Beastly fame, and Gabriella Wilde, of Carrie note, in the lead roles in this remake of the classic 1981 film of the same name.

Pettyfer plays David Axelrod, a poor boy with a sketchy past, who falls head over heels for sheltered and rich Jade Butterfield. As the summary of the film states, it's "the story of a privileged girl and a charismatic boy whose instant desire sparks a love affair made only more reckless by parents trying to keep them apart." (from IMDB)

The film also stars Robert Patrick, Joely Richardson, and Bruce Greenwood. The rating is not yet set. 

I remember watching the original version of the film when I was younger, and I definitely look forward to seeing this version. And it isn't just because Alex Pettyfer is beyond hot. The story is timeless and beautiful. It truly is an endless love.