Monday, December 29

Upcoming books to movies!

This past weekend, the box office seemed full of books turned movies. Marley and Me, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Yes Man, Revolutionary Road and The Tale of Despereaux were some of the top movies that were adapted from books or novellas. When I hear about movie coming out that's also a book, I often try to read the book before I see the movie. So many books get new looks (ahem, Twilight and The Clique) with the movie's stars on the cover. Do the new covers add to sales? Hmmm...personally, I often prefer the original cover. (What do you guys think?)

Anyway, adapting a movie from a book must be popular because more are on the way!

Cornelia Funke's Inkheart hits theaters on January 23, 2009 with Brendan Fraser (hot!) and Helen Mirren (super talented!). I started the book a few weeks ago, but didn't finish it. Has anyone read it? Do you think the movie will be good?

















Also in January, Emma Roberts stars in Hotel for Dogs, based on Lois Duncan's book. Haven't read this one, either, but I want to now! The movie looks cute.


















February sounds as if it will be a good book to movie month with Neil Gaiman's Coraline, He's Just Not That Into You and Confessions of a Shopaholic.

All of this info came from Bookreporter.com--a cool site that dedicates an entire section to books turned movies. It has a complete list of books to movies from 2002-2008. Wow.

So, if you're a writer, do you have a cast in mind for your book(s)? If so, share! If not, what's your #1 favorite book to movie? Or, what book to movie did you dislike?

9 comments:

Lauren Baratz-Logsted said...

#1 favorite book to movie (probably): To Kill a Mockingbird. It's great in both mediums.

Who I'd star in my latest book: Pixar, since that would be The Sisters Eight! Of course I also have this dream where they do a film of my adult novel Vertigo an cast the Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd as the nefarious Chance Wood, at the same time casting as the (anti)heroine Emma Smith - who else??? - ME.

Alyson Noel said...

I never have a cast in mind- even though I can see my characters so clearly in my head!

As for books to movies I liked, hmm, off the top of my head I'd say- Bridget Jones, About a Boy, High Fidelity, Devil Wears Prada, Mystic River . . .

Jessica Burkhart said...

Good choice, Lauren! :)

And Alyson, I sooo agree with Prada. Love that movie. And Bridget Jones, too. Why they EVER made a sequel movie...ugh.

Anonymous said...

I have read Inkheart and loved the book. I also met Cornelia Funke at a signing this summer, and she's way excited for the movie. A fun little fact she shared is that she based the main character of the book on Brendan Fraser, so you know the part was meant for him. He also read Funke's Dragon Rider for the audio book, so he totally gets the stories.

My favorite books to movies are Stardust and The Princess Bride--both great books and fabulous movies. I think the key is that the authors also wrote the screen plays.

sweetmelissa818 said...

I also prefer the non movie covers of books! The movie ones are just commercial versions made to draw in people who had never read (or wanted to) the book before they saw the movie. I think it's just to make more money.

Sara Hantz said...

I don't usually have a cast in mind, having said that I've always wanted Rachel Bilson to play Suzy if Second Virginity ever got made into a movie!!!!

As for books to movies... Harry Potter, Devil Wears Prada, Bridget Jones, P & P....

Paradox said...

I've been waiting for the Inkheart movie since late 2007, about September. That's a long time to wait. I sure hope it's good.

Melissa Walker said...

I want all unknowns in my book-to-movie adaptation. I guess that might not be a big box office draw, but that's how I picture it!

Treasures By Brenda said...

Has anyone read Lois Duncan's Hotel for Dogs? I am looking forward to the movie and have created a page dedicated to it at Hotel For Dogs. Please visit to learn more about the movie.

Brenda