I noticed a trend while watching trailers this weekend: there are a lot of classic/popular books being shaped into films this year! Weird and kind of random!
I love when books are made into movies, personally. But we all know this can go one of, uh, two ways. It will either clearly suck or it will somehow manage not to.
So: 2012, the year many books were made into movies. Let's begin on a crash course through what to expect!
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
I loved this book, set around Pittsburgh, about an awkward misfit and his weird journal that helps him get through some....trying things. It's a beautiful book, a great teenage coming-of-age story. And Big Boy's! They mention Big Boy's! Anyway, it stars the gorgeous Emma Watson and Paul Rudd, who is also gorgeous. No official trailer out yet, so it comes out September 21st 2012 and we just have to be patient and wait til then.
will it suck?: I actually feel that because the author directed this film, it won't. Plus, not to be a snot, but movies in the fall and early winter tend to be better, all-around.
On the Road
The pivotal Beat Generation novel! A book that changed my life! If they screw this up, I'm going to be so angry, I might fight some kind of wild animal. But the trailer has generally served this film well, starring Kirsten Dunst and Kristen Stewart (one can act and one can't. Guess! GUESS!) The two guys who play the main characters are really not big names=(Sam Riley and Garret Hedland) but that's a good thing. Also: Amy Adams and Viggo Mortenson in bit roles. Amy Adams? LizRo, you have to go see this now, I know how much you adore her. May 23, 2012.
will it suck?: I don't think it will, but if it does, I won't be surprised. I refuse to believe anything touched by Saint Jack Kerouac (TM) could come out poorly in the end.
The Great Gatsby
So this has been made into a movie before! A lot! Many a time! The greatest of American novels, The Great Gatsby, is getting a 3-D Baz Luhrmann makeover. Which is enough to make you kind of be like, in your chair, "OH GOD." Baz is great, but in certain lights. And when it comes to capturing the essence of the Jazz Age, perhaps he'll nail it, but. But. But. Well, you know what? LEONARDO DICAPRIO. The end. We gotta wait til Christmas for this one.
will it suck?: no. not at all. ever. the only thing? it might be way too campy for some people. I could see that. Boys, we have another Moulin Rouge on our hands!
Anna Karenina
Oh boy another film that comes out at Christmas COOL. This pairs Keira back up with director Joe Wright of Atonement and Pride and Prejudice. Plus this is a great epic novel even if I might never finish it. And Russia! Old school Russia! Jude Law as Count Vronsky! The biggest qualm here is Keira is perhaps too YOUNG for the role of Anna, but hey. I'm not protesting.
will it suck?: based on previous Wright-Knightley combos, and this picture, hale no.
So there you have it: four of the beloved novels that will lose their soul (like the Aborigines) to cinema this year. My questions to you:
- do you care?
- which looks the best?
- sorry I left off the Jennifer Lopez What To Expect film. I know, I know.
later!
I love when books are made into movies, personally. But we all know this can go one of, uh, two ways. It will either clearly suck or it will somehow manage not to.
So: 2012, the year many books were made into movies. Let's begin on a crash course through what to expect!
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
I loved this book, set around Pittsburgh, about an awkward misfit and his weird journal that helps him get through some....trying things. It's a beautiful book, a great teenage coming-of-age story. And Big Boy's! They mention Big Boy's! Anyway, it stars the gorgeous Emma Watson and Paul Rudd, who is also gorgeous. No official trailer out yet, so it comes out September 21st 2012 and we just have to be patient and wait til then.
will it suck?: I actually feel that because the author directed this film, it won't. Plus, not to be a snot, but movies in the fall and early winter tend to be better, all-around.
On the Road
The pivotal Beat Generation novel! A book that changed my life! If they screw this up, I'm going to be so angry, I might fight some kind of wild animal. But the trailer has generally served this film well, starring Kirsten Dunst and Kristen Stewart (one can act and one can't. Guess! GUESS!) The two guys who play the main characters are really not big names=(Sam Riley and Garret Hedland) but that's a good thing. Also: Amy Adams and Viggo Mortenson in bit roles. Amy Adams? LizRo, you have to go see this now, I know how much you adore her. May 23, 2012.
will it suck?: I don't think it will, but if it does, I won't be surprised. I refuse to believe anything touched by Saint Jack Kerouac (TM) could come out poorly in the end.
The Great Gatsby
So this has been made into a movie before! A lot! Many a time! The greatest of American novels, The Great Gatsby, is getting a 3-D Baz Luhrmann makeover. Which is enough to make you kind of be like, in your chair, "OH GOD." Baz is great, but in certain lights. And when it comes to capturing the essence of the Jazz Age, perhaps he'll nail it, but. But. But. Well, you know what? LEONARDO DICAPRIO. The end. We gotta wait til Christmas for this one.
will it suck?: no. not at all. ever. the only thing? it might be way too campy for some people. I could see that. Boys, we have another Moulin Rouge on our hands!
Anna Karenina
Oh boy another film that comes out at Christmas COOL. This pairs Keira back up with director Joe Wright of Atonement and Pride and Prejudice. Plus this is a great epic novel even if I might never finish it. And Russia! Old school Russia! Jude Law as Count Vronsky! The biggest qualm here is Keira is perhaps too YOUNG for the role of Anna, but hey. I'm not protesting.
will it suck?: based on previous Wright-Knightley combos, and this picture, hale no.
So there you have it: four of the beloved novels that will lose their soul (like the Aborigines) to cinema this year. My questions to you:
- do you care?
- which looks the best?
- sorry I left off the Jennifer Lopez What To Expect film. I know, I know.
later!
Allegedly portions of Wallflower were filmed at the church right down the street from my parents' house, also the local polling place, and at the diner where we east breakfast on Sundays. Oh and Emma Watson clandestinely used the dancing studio my sister teaches at to work out after hours.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, I play the lead role in the film.
o rly? also, what diner?
ReplyDeleteKing's Family Restaurant in (I think) Bethel Park PA.
ReplyDeleteI have never been there, but is it the King's chain?
ReplyDelete