We live in a 'I'll-wait-for-film-era, but sometimes, as I often rant about - (over in my personal spot: HenryCruz.com ) - that original book was ruined -- (or parts dramatically cut) -- in adapting the big screen version.
So, when the good folks at Geeks of Doom compiled a book-to-film list, saving us all the trouble of having to ever crack open another book....I jumped for joy - (and felt like sharing it).
I'll offer a condensed snapshot, adding my own three cents...where needed.
here ya go:
- Books to Film 2008: 10 Books You Should Read Before Seeing The Movie
- The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Source Material: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Author: C.S. Lewis
Screenplay: Andrew Adamson, Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
Cast: Ben Barnes, Liam Neeson (voice), Sergio Castellitto
Release date: May 16, 2008
* ('Can't sit for watered down films, but if you got a 5 year old with nothing to-do...and a few hours to waste...'guessing this Praise-Lord-y-Jesus-sludge might fill the void.)
Non-canon tidbit: Susan and Prince Caspian’s ages are slightly advanced in order to creating a budding romance between the two characters.
* (Oh, a budding romance...sounds like something that might actually be worthy, when it hits TiVo, on super speed fast forward...save ya money on this one)
Related Reading: The Chronicles of Narnia Complete Collection with Narnia Timeline by C.S. Lewis — This collection includes all seven Narnia books, as well as a Narnia timeline. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe marks the first appearance of the Pevensie children.
- Sex and the City
Source Material: Sex and the City
Author: Candace Bushnell
Screenplay: Michael Patrick King
Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon
Release date: May 30, 2008
Just about everyone knows the long-running HBO series, which starred Sarah Jessica Parker as relationship columnist Carrie Bradshaw and her trio of close-knit NYC socialite girlfriends. But how many people remember that the cable television series — created by Darren Star — was actually first a best-selling book by Candace Bushnell? Bushnell’s book was a collection of essays the author wrote for the New York Observer about her and her friends’ experiences in the Manhattan social scene.
Non-canon tidbit: In the book, Carrie has a wider range of friends and the three presented as her inner circle on the show — Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha — are minor characters with much different personalities.
* (It's interesting that the best part of the show, borrowed from the Golden Girls, where the four sit and toss the dirt....was missing from the original book; plus the charm of Sarah Jessica Parker is a added bonus in the HBO version)
Related Reading: Sex and the City: The Movie, the official movie companion by Amy Soln and Sex and the City: Kiss and Tell Updated Edition by Amy Soln, the official companion to the television series.
- Twilight
Source Material: Twilight
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Screenplay: Melissa Rosenberg
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson
Release date: December 12, 2008
This first book of the teen vampire series, published in 2005, has been a great hit recently with young teens. In the novel, Bella Swan moves to a new town with her father and into a new high school, where she meets the mysterious Edward Cullen, who at first seems to dislike her. But when Bella is almost hit by a car, Edward saves her and they eventually fall in love. Bella soon realizes that Edward is no ordinary boy, but a vampire, as his supernatural abilities come to light and the lovers are threatened by other vampires.
Non-canon tidbit: The film’s plot follows that of the book, and so far, no diversions from the book have been reported (but, hey, there’s still time!).
Related Reading: The sequels: New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2), Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3), and due out on August 2, 2008 Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4).
* (A young teen Vamp series sounds a little too Buffy-correct for my taste; 'don't ya want your Vamps to actually have some bite....but, I'm interested to see what they do here)
