The magic of film adaptations
I don’t know about you, but I love to see my favorite books turned into movies.
Yes, it might be that I get to be disappointed more often than not (as great as a movie can be – with the sound, the clear image and the beautiful visual effects – it can hardly compete with the written version or with your own imagination), but when you love a story as much as I do sometimes, you simply can’t let it go. You want to see a different side of it, no matter if it is what you’ve hoped for or not even close.
In the following months there are a few movies that I’m holding my breath for:
Now is Good (November 2012)
I am so not sure if this movie is already out or not (some time between August and December 2012).
Based on the novel “Before I Die” by Jenny Downham, this is an emotional story about making your last dreams come true. Even though I found the main character to be a bit childish I can’t wait to see how this story is portrayed and how much it will affect me compared with the book.
IMDB Storyline:
A girl dying of leukemia compiles a list of things she’d like to do before passing away.
Featuring:
Dakota Fanning, Jeremy Irvine…
Watch the trailer:
The Hobbit (December 2012)
I have a confession to make: I didn’t read the book, but I liked the movies, so here I am, waiting for this prequel.
IMDB Storyline:
The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Sorcerers. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever…Gollum. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of ingenuity and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities… A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.
Featuring:
Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Ian Holm, Andy Serkis…
Watch the trailer:
Beautiful Creatures (february 2013)
I’ve read this book a while back and sometimes I regret not reviewing it. It was filled with mystery and magic and I remember liking it quite a lot. Well, maybe not enough to read the whole series, but the movie might make me want to.. we’ll just see.
IMDB Storyline:
Ethan longs to escape his small Southern town. He meets a mysterious new girl, Lena. Together, they uncover dark secrets about their respective families, their history and their town.
Featuring:
Alice Englert, Alden Ehrenreich…
Watch the trailer:
The host (March 2013)
I am so scared of this movie – partly because I loved the book so much and I don’t want to be disappointed. I’ve noticed how the actors don’t match the descriptions from the book, but I’ve waited to see them performing. I am not sure if they’ve convinced me or not just yet, but I hope so much to enjoy this movie (please, please, please!)
IMDB Storyline:
A parasitic alien soul is injected into the body of Melanie Stryder. Instead of carrying out her race’s mission of taking over the Earth, “Wanda” (as she comes to be called) forms a bond with her host and sets out to aid other free humans.
Featuring:
Saoirse Ronan, Jake Abel, Max Irons, William Hurt…
Watch the trailer:
Teaser from the Illustrated Guide:
The Mortal Instruments (August 2013)
If you’ve followed me you might know that I wasn’t impressed with the casting and I’ve even complained a bit (ok, quite a lot).. which now feels like a good thing, because my expectations weren’t that high and seeing the trailer made me really happy. Really, this might be the first movie that I’ll love more than the book – see, that’s what I call excitement.
IMDB Storyline:
Clary Fray tumbles into the supernatural world when she visits a club called Pandemonium, and witnesses a murder. Following this tragic event Clary’s mother, Jocelyn, is kidnapped by a man called Valentine. She then calls on those who she saw at the club, and asks them to help her. In the search for the Mortal Cup, Clary makes decisions harder than any she has ever made. She falls in love, struggles with her best friend, and becomes the person her mother feared she would become.
Featuring:
Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Robert Sheehan…
Watch the trailer:
Also I’ve heard that Universal Pictures has acquired the rights for the film adaptation of “Daughter of Smoke and Bone” (I can’t tell you how much I want to see that series on the big screen, as I love it to pieces).
What about you?
What book would you like to see turned into a movie? And what film adaptation did you like so far?
I love seeing my favourite books turned into movies too, but only if it is done well, I try not to read the book just before the release as I’m one of those people who will constantly keep comparing it back to the book. But there are some great releases to look forward to, I can’t wait for The Hobbit or The Host! I think I’m more excited about The Host though as like you I absolutely loved the book! 🙂
Same here, I know that people like to read the book again before seeing the movie, but I don’t do that because I prefer to have them separated in my mind:
– the book is.. well, the book: full of details and scenes that only work on paper, filled with beautiful descriptions of places, peoples and feelings;
– the movie is something entirely different – I like it to be close to the book in terms of storyline, but I understand that some things might not work on the big screen (so I judge it based on the performance of the actors, the sound, the visual effects and other things that I can’t get from reading a book).
I loved The Host too and I’ve been waiting for this movie since forever. I really hope to enjoy it at least half than I did with the book.
And watching the trailer for TMI I am starting to get excited about it too ;))