Book to Big Screen: Part I

Part I: Been There, Done That

So I've been mentioning lately that I wanted to do a post about upcoming and current books that are being turned into movies, or already are, which started out as a little idea, and evolved into a three part series, that might even become a regular feature. So enjoy, and let me know what you think!

Part I is dedicated to recently released movies that are based on books. Some of them I have seen, some of them I am highly anticipating, and most some of them I haven't seen simply because I haven't read the book yet.

I Am Number Four - February 18, 2011

DVD release: May 24, 2011

Based on I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

This movie was so hyped up, and when I found out that it was a book, I was so pumped! (Also the trailer was absolutely mesmerizing and featured my fav tune Rollin' in the Deep). I read the book straight away, and loved it! The movie was a little bit different, and of course I liked the book better, but overall, I just loved the new take on aliens and the epic romance that was present. Can't wait for the sequel! Read my book review here. Starring: Alex Pettyfer, Diana Agron, Timothy Olyphant, Teresa Palmer

Beastly - March 4, 2011

DVD release: June 28, 2011

Based on Beastly by Alex Flinn

Ever since I heard about this book being made into a movie, about 3 years ago, I have been waiting to see it. I read the book right away, but the release date has been pushed back so many times! Cait and I finally saw it (the day it was released) and loved it! Although it wasn't critically acclaimed (and also although I hate Vanessa Hudgens), the movie was so genuine, funny, and cute. The premise is a modern re-telling of Beauty and the Beast, and it was really well done, in book and film. P.S. Neil Patrick Harris was legen-waitforit-dary in this movie! Starring: Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Hudgens, Neil Patrick Harris, Mary-Kate Olsen

Red Riding Hood - March 11, 2011

DVD release: June 14, 2011

Based on Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright

Good movie and good book, that were pretty much identical since the book was actually based from the movie. They are obviously based on the original Red Riding Hood fable, but with a little bit of a suspenseful twist. The movie was super creepy, but was really well cast. Read my review for the book here. Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Billy Burke, Shiloh Fernandez, Maz Irons

Water For Elephants - April 22, 2011

Based on Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen

I have not yet read the book (ergo, not watched the movie either) based on the sole fact that I have yet to get my hands on the cover that I want. I refuse to buy movie-tie-ins, and I really cannot find the original cover anywhere! I am determined, and I will find it soon. This is supposedly an amazing read, and I have read an excerpt, and loved it! What's not to love about an epic love-story based on such a magical setting? Count me in! Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Christopher Waltz

Something Borrowed - May 6, 2011

Based on Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

I have loved this book for years, and was absolutely-freakin'-ecstatic to learn that it was being brought to life with such an amazing cast. The book is amazing, obviously, and the movie was the perfect summer flick: it had romance, lots of humour, and of course some Hamptons! Although morally questionable, this movie was so light and airy, and it comes highly recommended from me. (Although the book was better!) Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, John Krasinski, Colin Egglesfield

Stay tuned for Part II: Up 'N' Comers, which is coming to a blog near you! (Pssst, this one!)

Star-Struck--Cheers & Enjoy♥

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Nine of us came here.  We look like you.  We talk like you.  We live among you.  But we are not you.  We can do things you dream of doing.  We have powers you dream of having.  We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen.  We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books-but we are real.

Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them.  But they found us and started hunting us first.  Now all of us are running.  Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in.  We have lived among you without you knowing.
But they know.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They Killed them all.

I am Number Four.  I am Next.                                                 -Chapters Canada


This book was pretty amazing.  I did see it a lot before I decided to read it, the movie tie-in version that is (which I loathe for any book!), as I passed by chapters, and a little bit on the Internet.  There were some factors that made me want to read it, though, as with any book.
 
First of all, I realized that it is a movie as well.  Both I had been aware of, but hadn't really put together that they were one and the same until about two weeks before the movie release.  I instantly knew I had to read it, because of course any book-to-movie fandango needs to be book then movie, in that order, and that order only.  Also, the fact that Alex Pettyfer plays the lead in the movie was pretty persuasive, as I can see that he is gonna be like THE hit new face around Hollywood for at least the next little while (you really do not even want me to elaborate on my prediction).  Thirdly, the author(s), whom are cleverly anonymiscized by the pseudonym Pittacus Lore, is made up in part by James Frey.  This intrigues me immensely, as I have of course read A Million Little Pieces (and only part of My Friend Leonard, probably the only book EVER that I have not finished) and am terribly familiar with the Oprah controversy that surrounds Frey.  I also have a certain fondness for Diana Agron (she plays the love interest in the movie) due to her being one of the stars of Glee.. and come one, I would die for Glee..

Anyway, so now you know some of the background.
Having said that, this book was marvelous, had me hooked from the beginning.  It is sci-fi, but in a very humanistic and subtle way, I found.  Kinda of dystopian as well, which made me reminiscent of The Uglies trilogy/saga by Scott Westerfeld, in the way that they mention Earth in a very allegorical way, that serves to warn us ready, subtly, of the harm we cause our planet every day, and the possible consequences.  Love that.

I also want to mention, before I get into detail, that the romantic aspect was delicious, and I hope to see it carried through the series :)


Spoiler Alert: Don't read after this point if you don't want to know specific book details!


The book starts out very intriguingly, introducing us into the novel ideas that surround John and Henri, and their planet, Lorien.  We learn quite fast that they are in danger.  John especially, since he is Number Four in line, the first three already killed.  When John gets the third tattoo on his leg, he knows that Number Three is dead.  This means that they need move again, which is all that they really know since arriving on Earth, when their planet and race were absolutely obliterated by Mogadorians.  There are many other important details that I'm not going to get into now, but I find them all interesting and new, and that is pretty important to me, as, since I've read so many books, I rarely run into book concepts that don't remind me of another book and are completely unique in themselves.

After moving to Paradise, Ohio, it doesn't take John long to fall for fair Sarah Hart.  This is really quite obvious, but still in a very obvious way.  So John is continually told by Henri (his guardian from Lorien) to keep a low profile, so that they won't be tracked by the Mogadorians, but John's Legacies (powers) are just now emerging, and he of course cannot help but to use them at various times to save Sarah.

Of course this leads to the Mogadorians arriving, right after John is forced to tell Sarah the truth about himself.  The books ends shortly after this, after an almost too good to be true fight (almost was too easy, but I guess I can let it go, just this once).  Number Six shows up, and Henri dies, which I still don't quite want to believe is the truth :(  .  The book is a series, and now I guess that John and Six are gonna meet up with the remaining four numbers, to battle it out with the Mogadorians, so they can save the Earth and return to their planet.

I just hope John comes back for Sarah.
And does not fall for Six, which was subtly foreshadowed in the novel.
Although, I may have to come back and remind myself of what I am thinking now, because we all know how easily swayed I am by a little romance :D


Wanting to continue--Cheers & Enjoy♥