Book Blogger Hop Friday: Books to Movies Good and Bad

Yay it's Friday and time for another Book Blogger Hop! Hosted by the wonderful Crazy-For-Books.com Today's question is about book to movie adaptations.

  "What book-to-movie adaption have you most liked? 

I have a few book to screen movies that I have loved. I think one of my favorites was Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. It was adapted into the film Fried Green Tomatoes starring Kathy Bates and Jessica Tandy. 

Both book and movie will have you laughing out loud and grinning ear. Evelyn is a mild mannered house wife who visits her husbands aunt in the nursing home. Until she meets Ninny Threadgoode who begins to tell her the story of Idgie Threadgoode's life.  

Evelyn begins to grow into the woman she's always wanted to be with the mighty cry of, "Tawanda!" 

You'll laugh until your in tears with this great story of love, friendship, and being just a little different. 

 Which have you disliked?"

I must say some of the best books/ stories to film I have seen have been adaptations of Steven King's work. On the other hand some of the worst adaptations I've seen have come from there as well. Not by fault of the novel or story, but the screen writer just couldn't get the job done to bring King's vision to life. 

A few of these adaptations have even been redone such as The Shining. It was remade to follow the book more closely. Though I have to admit I do like the original film. Can't go wrong with Jack Nicholson as your leading man... even though he ended up a crazed murder.  REDRUM

My absolute least favorite early adaptation for a King novel was Salem's Lot. I felt like have the movie was missing and it didn't capture the real fear of a vampire being discovered in town. 

Misery missed the mark for me too. There were just too many small changes for me to enjoy that one.

Even if it's not always on the mark (such as Harry Potter) seeing your favorite book coming to life can be an enjoyable night at the movies. As a matter of fact I think tonight I'll pop the corn and watch a couple of my favorites. 

The Secret Window, starring Johnny Depp and adapted from a short story by Steven King , and, The Silver Brumby, starting Russell Crowe and adapted from The Sliver Brumby books written by Elyne Mitchell 

   

Movies About Writers

Writers write stories but they make great characters too. Quite a few movies have been made with writers as the staring character. Here are a few of my favorites. 

Swimming Pool

Mystery Writer Sara Morton needs a change of view. Her publisher offers the use of his French villa for her to write and relax. (yes at this point I’m insanely jealous.)  The beautiful villa has a large swimming pool which becomes a common element between Sara and the young Julie claiming to be the publisher’s daughter shows up out of the blue, bringing chaos and intrigue into Sara’s well ordered world.

I enjoyed watching Sara go from being a strict well ordered woman to finding her self doing things far out side her comfort zone.

  

Secret Window 

Demented John Shooter accuses mystery writer Mort Rainey of stealing his story. Claiming he wrote it first. Shooter demands restitution and for Rainey to tell the world the truth.

Through out the film you’re never quite sure what the truth is. There are hints of it if you really know where to look. Johnny Depp portrays Rainey with is usual witty and entertaining way. With a conclusion with a twist that will tickle any mystery buff.

State of Play

This is the American adaptation of the British series. Of course there is no way to pack all the great stuff from the series into a 2 hour movie but I think we did a pretty good job representing the spirit of it with this version.

Russell Crowe (*sighs dreamily*) plays journalist Cal McCaffery. He’s assigned to a story which involves his old college buddy turned politician, played by Ben Affleck. The more Cal digs into the truth the more dangerous it becomes. For he and his side kick Della.

Of course it doesn’t help that Cal, had an affair back in the day with said buddy’s wife. You’ve got a powerful story of politics, cover ups, romance, and murder. Who done it, who’s still doing it, and who’s going to cover it up.

True Crime

Clint Eastwood plays the hard core, boozing, skirt chasing reporter Steve Everett. Everett is sent to San Quentin to interview a man on death row. The inmate claims to be innocent, the evidence against him was all circumstantial.

Something about the story rings in Everett’s ears. He sets out to find the truth, did the man awaiting execution in a matter of hours murder that woman or was it mistaken identity. Something else that appeals to me, this story is based on a real life event. It’s a thrilling tale not just about the inmate and his truth but the revelations Everett has about his own life.

There you have it four films to sink your writer’s teeth into. So pop some corn and heat up the DVD player for a night of great writing on screen.

**Part of the A to Z Challenge 2011 Letter M**