Top Ten Tuesday with The Broke and the Bookish – link up with them every Tuesday. As for me, sorry this is late…but it’s still Tuesday where I’m at!
Top Ten Best Movie Adaptations
in no particular order
I’m one of those people that tends to enjoy any movie adaptation based on a book. I understand that they are different forms of art and not everything that I love about the book will be included in the novel. Therefore, I’m going to try and focus on some books that I love whose movie I also highly enjoyed…you may not agree, but hey, that’s half the fun!
1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: for those that are picky about the movie version of books, I think the first HP film was probably the most accurate in terms of details. At any rate, I loved all the movies so I figured I’d stick with the first instead of filling up my list with eight HP movies.
2. A Walk to Remember: this is the one and only Nicholas Sparks novel I’ve read. I actually finished this the morning before I saw the movie. Great film though; both the book and movie are very emotional.
3. The Hunger Games: I think this was fairly close to the novel…I loved how they really showed the difference in lifestyle between the districts and the Capitol.
4. Of Mice and Men: great book, and I think the movie was very well done. I still see Gary Sinise and think “George!”
5. Bridge to Terabithia: this is one of those childhood classics so I know many probably didn’t enjoy the movie, but I personally loved it. I was a fan of the two main actors (Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb) at the time so that probably helped. Regardless, I still felt the emotion of the story and that’s the main thing.
6. A Streetcar Named Desire: I just read this play and saw the film for the first time this past semester. I highly enjoyed both, but I do think seeing the movie is one of the best ways to “live” the story. I love reading plays, but it’s nothing compared to seeing it…so the next best thing to seeing the play is watching the movie. Marlon Brandon is fantastic—you’ll hate him, but the acting is great!
7. The Lovely Bones: this is a bleak novel, and I think the movie really grasped that. It showed the horrific nature of this man, who preys on young girls. The scene in the bathroom is just terrible, but very well done cinematically.
8. Watchmen: this is actually a graphic novel that seems to read both like a graphic novel and a narrative novel. It’s definitely something that would be difficult to turn into a film, but I love the movie just as much as the book. The ending is changed — which might upset people, but it actually makes a lot of sense in the film and I almost wish it was the real ending.
9. Holes: another book I loved as a child. I was so excited when they made it into a film, and I honestly love it. It’s one of those movies that you can just sit down and watch whenever. I liked the eclectic group of boys in both the novel and film.
10. About a Boy: there is a bit changed, from what I remember, between the book and movie…but most of that is in terms of cutting certain character’s down and focusing on the bigger, more important aspects of the story. I love this movie and have for a long time. I actually saw the movie before I read the book, but now I love the book and want to read it again (it’s been awhile if you can’t tell) and Nick Hornby has become a favorite author.
I seriously have got to watch more movies. I haven't seen most of the ones you listed here, and some, I haven't even heard of until now. Anyway, I absolutely love the HP movies and I do think the first one was the truest to detail, too. Order of the Phoenix is my favorite of the books, though, and I got a bit mad because I found that the fifth movie was by far the weakest -maybe because the novel's so long?
The only film that you've mentioned from your list is Harry Potter and I have to agree that was an incredible adaptation, I think all the Harry Potter films were done really well. I will definitely have to check out the rest of your recommendations! 🙂
HP, Holes, and A Walk to Remember…yesyesyes! Three of my faves {books and movies!}. 🙂
I actually like the Watchmen movie, although a lot of people don't. I think it works well even if it isn't the graphic novel. (Which is better, but whatevs.)
I so need to read ABOUT A BOY. I have to say, the first time I saw it I didn't like it so much. I've rewatched it since and adore it!
That's a great list! Harry Potter would definitely be at the top of mine. About a Boy is such a good movie, too.
Thanks for sharing!
This is a great list! i haven't seen to many people include Holes on their top ten, but it was SO fantastic. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hunger Games seems to be on many lists. It was well done, but I felt if was missing something in feeling that I got in the book. Even some details of the world and economy Katniss came from. But great list.
I haven't seen any of these. I usually like the book better, but some films do a book justice.