Lately I feel like there has been a huge push by movie makers to turn successful books into movies. Sometimes I love this, but most of the time it isn't so great. BUT, the upside is that I end up reading books that I may not have heard about. And it's kinda fun to see/debate who gets cast for main character roles. (I like to read books before I see the movie to preserve the integrity of the book and so I can envision the characters myself before Hollywood casts that person for me.)
It's really hard for me to narrow this list down to 3, so I've also included a list of book/movie combos that I enjoyed.
Read book. Haven't seen movie...but am seeing an early preview next week!
This is the ultimate girl book to me. She even had a follow-up novel (Something Blue) that was just as good. It's your typical story of 2 girl friends, one is the good girl and the other is the wild friend who always gets the guy. And of course the good girl sleeps with the wild friend's fiance. Hijinks ensue. Perfect beach book.
Rank: B+
And of course they cast the movie perfectly with Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin.
Seen movie. Haven't read book yet.
Initially I thought this was some expose film on the cigarette industry, but I was waaaay off. This man, Steven Russell, was the ultimate con. After embezzling from a number of companies and being charged with a multitude of felonies, Russell was sent to jail. There he met his lover, Philip Morris, and they built a relationship. Between meeting Morris and being in jail, Russell manages to escape from jail 4 TIMES IN 5 YEARS!!! And the ways he manages to escape are really odd (this is no Shawshank Redemption escape). He used everything from green magic markers, women's stretch pants, a pay phone, and a walkie talkie. But of course, he's getting out of jail and his lover is not...so he's habitually trying to free him. And of course he keeps getting caught and put back in jail all the while. So ultimately love is what keeps doing him in because he can't stay away from his boyfriend in jail.
Movie: I watched the movie the other night and really enjoyed it. It's hard to find a movie these days that isn't a firmly planted in one genre and I thought this movie did a great job of being part comedy, drama, and pure entertainment. It's hard for me to imagine Jim Carrey in any role except Ace Ventura, but he did a good job as a gay con-man. And Ewan McGregor as his naive partner was pretty great.
Book: I didn't even know there was a book until I saw the movie. After seeing the movie and enjoying it so much, I'm not sure that I want to read the book. It wasn't so complex a movie that I feel like I would gain a lot by reading the book. But maybe I'm wrong...
Read book. Movie releasing soon.
As soon as I heard about this book, I found out they were making a movie out of it - so I rushed to read it before the movie spoiled the story. And I'm so glad I did. It's a British story about 2 friends (boy/girl) and we read the evolution of their relationship over 2 decades on the same day every year. Of course they're the typical romance novel characters...he's the rich, lazy boy - she's the overachieving, unassuming girl. There's a few other chick-lit cliches, but the story itself is so original that it's easy to forgive the author for it. Without divulging too many details, their relationship goes through a series of ups and downs and throughout the story we see how the 2 characters really grow into themselves and with each other. The only downer...the ending was a touch predictable. But the writing and the banter between the two characters makes it worth reading.
Rank: B
Movie: Anne Hathaway is in it!! (I think they did perfecto casting for the female lead. She's a good mix of awkward, smart, and funny.)
It's really hard for me to not go on and on about how much I loved these books and movies. But, I won't bore you. See below for more recommendations on good book/movie combos.
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
Book: Columbine-esque novel about a sociopathic boy who goes on a shooting spree in his high school The story is told by his mother's POV and her analyzing how she could have prevented this.
Movie: Tilda Swinton is in it! Coming soon!
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Book: The ultimate romance novel. Read it now.
Movie: Coming soon!
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
(you'd have to be living under a rock to not see the recent movie trailers)
World War Z by Max Brooks
Zombie book with Brad Pitt as the lead actor in the movie (no clue when the movie is coming out)
White Oleander by Janet Fitch
LOVED the book. LOVED the movie. Have read/watched both multiple times.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
I cried and cried at the movie. Sadly have not read the book. But it's now on my wish list!
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