Category Archives: Books to Screen

Books to Screen: Summer Comes to an End

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So how has everyone been fairing in during Heatwave 2011? Here in OKC, the temps have been brutal…I mean “I think my face is melting off” kind of brutal. Naturally, as a film publicist, I spend a lot of time in a movie theater. I mean I’ve literally gone into labor, TWICE, in a movie theater. Yet I think we’ve spent more time there this summer than ever before. Luckily, most of the summer movie fare we have seen turned out to be much better than I expected. I have watched several films more than once, which I have to tell you, very rarely ever happens for me. For most films, one viewing is all I can do.

Here are the summer flicks that I’ve enjoyed as much the second (and for a few, even a third time). Granted, not all of these films are based on books, but all are worth a viewing before they are gone in theaters.

RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

Based on the 1963 novel, “Monkey Planet” by Pierre Boulle (who also wrote the book “The Bridge Over the River Kwai”), the Planet of the Apes franchise has had an enduring (albeit at times highly, highly cheesy) legacy in American pop culture. Not a big fan of the damn dirty ape franchise of the 60′s and 70′s? Don’t let that stop you. Are you a fan of the original series? Cool!  See how many references to past “Planet of the Apes” movies you spot.  Starring James Franco (“127 Hours”), Frieda Pinto (“Slumdog Millionaire”) and John Lithgow, this film was a surprise to me, and much better than I expected. I absolutely love it when there is an audible, authentic reaction from a crowd of moviegoers. I’ll tell you this, in all my years of sitting in a packed movie theater to gauge and report back to studios on audience reaction, I have never heard the audience gasp so loudly in unison as I did during one pivotal scene in this film. Serioulsy, go see it.  Oh, and if you have an original copy of Boulle’s “Monkey Planet,” send it my way?  Seems to be going for a steep price of about $400 online.  Or, you can just grab a reissued copy HERE.

 

 

SUPER 8

This may very well be my favorite film of the summer.  I’ve not seen it once, not even twice…THREE times.  Egads, can you say, “Nerd!”  The pairing of JJ Abrams as writer/director of the film, and Steven Spielberg producing, along with a talented young cast  including Elle Fanning (Dakota’s sister), Joel Courtney, Riley Griffiths and Ryan Lee, makes for a movie that is I would describe as “Stand by Me”  with aliens (and not the cute “E.T.” kind of aliens).  Do yourself a favor and get out there and see this one.

 

 

CAPTAIN AMERICA

Being a nerdy girl at heart, I will go to the theater for just about any superhero, comic book based film, only to often times find myself extremely disappointed in the outcome.  However, Marvel has really been on a high with the success of bringing their characters from page to screen (for the most part).  I have truly enjoyed both “Iron Man” films, “The Incredible Hulk” with Edward Norton, and am looking forward to the upcoming “Avengers” movie.  While there was another Marvel character on the big screen this summer, “Captain America” was the one that knocked my socks off.  From set design, to make-up to costuming, this film is visually stunning to look at, and then there is Hugo Weaving playing the villain, Johann Schmidt (aka “The Red Skull”).  Hello!!!!  Hugo Weaving and gorgeous 1940′s styling.  Need I say more?  And if you feel like brushing up on some backstory, the “Captain America” omnibus should do the trick!

 

 

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2

Oh good grief, I cried like a little girl once the opening credits started rolling.  I don’t even need to tell you what the rest of the film was like for me.  If I were to have another child, I think I’d have to find a way to work in the name Severus.  I really can’t say anything else about this one because I just don’t have a box of tissue handy.  Read the books for crying out loud.  They are fantastic.  And it goes without saying that the movies are really, quite amazing.

 

 

Books to Screen: Random Thoughts on My Latest Book Obsessions

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It is no secret that I’m a little Bohemian in nature, a little obsessive when it comes to the things I like…so why should books be any different. I have been burning up my Twitter and Facebook feeds lately with my current obsession, Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games.  Book one, Hunger Games, done, in one night.  Book two, Catching Fire, finished over this past Saturday/Sunday.  Book 3, Mockingjay, yeah, knocked out 1/2 of it into the wee hours this morning.  I am reading it at stoplights, in the bathroom, even taking little quick breaks from my desk to walk around the hallway and take a five minute computer break and read it on my cell phone!  (Told you, obsessive…)

I know, I know, I’m late to the Hunger Games party.  But that is only because at the time Mockingjay came out, I was neck deep in another literary obsession, Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy.  So, what made me finally pick up Hunger Games?  Recent casting announcements for the first of four films!  And what a cast it is…

Jennifer Lawrence ("Winter's Bone," "X-Men: First Class") as Katniss Everdeen

Liam Hemsworth ("The Last Song") as Gale Hawthorne

Josh Hutcherson ("The Kids Are All Right") as Peeta Mellark

Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy

Lenny Kravitz as Cinna

Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket

Wes Bentley as Seneca Crane

Stanely Tucci as Caesar Flickerman

Donald Sutherland as the evil President Snow




Okay, so what do you think about the casting choices? I would LOVE to hear your thoughts! For more information on others cast in the upcoming film, click HERE!

Have you read the books? If not, get on it, NOW, because you are going to love them! Just don’t get too angry with me when you find yourself up reading in the middle of the night when you probably should be sleeping! Now….keep scrolling, because I’m leaving you with a video that you are definitely going to want to see….



Remember that other literary obsession I was so wrapped up in when “Mockingjay” was published. Yeah, about that book…“The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.” New trailer just came out last week for the film starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara. Lisbeth Salander is coming to theaters this December, and boy, does she look pissed! Check it out below!

Books to Screen: Build Your Own Books to Screen Library

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So how was your Mother’s Day? I have to admit, mine was the best one in years. Yes, my boys did nice things for me and bought me some nice presents, but really, that isn’t what made it so special. With a son living at home while he finishes up college, who is also in the middle of finals and upcoming board licensing tests, and a 13 year-old in the throes of puberty, sometimes it feels like they aren’t really paying attention to who their parents are as real people. You ever get that feeling too? So when I opened a very carefully wrapped package from my sons, I was a little shocked to discover that they actually have been paying attention….they actually knowtheir mom!
On a recent shopping trip, I was coveting a series of absolutelygorgeous books, but moms, you know how it is, there is always something else that takes financial precedence.  Yet the books were just stunning, and while I’ve hesitantly joined the e-reader community, I still love a printed book.  I love the smell, the feel, the weight, the look of the font on the page….I still love holding a book!

So imagine my surprise when I opened this:

Heaven!  A leather bound edition of one of favorite books, and movies of all time, Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Along with the book?  A “mom coupon” to have my own book club with my boys, good for reading the book and then discussing together.  So see, they really do know their old mom pretty well after all!

Now, if they’ll also pick-up a few of the other titles in this gorgeous set.  Just take a look, because like me, you may find yourself drooling over these books!  Perfect for building your own personal “Book to Screen” library! And I’ve added some trailers below. Film trailers have changed a lot over the years, so I’m betting you’ll get a kick out of watching these! Enjoy!





















Books to Screen: Who is your Laotong, your sworn sister for life?

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Book End Babes, who is your laotong? Who is that friend that you feel like you have known forever? Who is that that one friend that you can’t imagine not being a part of your life? Well girlfriend, pick up the phone and call her.

This summer, you are going to want to make a date with her to see the film SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN. The film, opening in theatres on July 15, is inspired by the the bestselling novel by Lisa See, and is a timeless portrait of female friendship.

Directed by Wayne Wang (The Joy Luck Club, Smoke, Maid in Manhattan), and starring Bingbing Li (The Forbidden Kingdom), Gianna Jun (Blood: The Last Vampire), Vivian Wu (The Last Emperor), Hugh Jackman (X-Men, The Prestige) and Archie Kao (CSI, The One), the film is set in 19th-century China, and tells the story of two seven year old girls, Snow Flower and Lily, who are matched as laotong – or “old sames” – bound together for eternity. Isolated by their families, they furtively communicate by taking turns writing in a secret language, nu shu, between the folds of a white silk fan.

In a parallel story in present day Shanghai, the laotong’s descendants, Nina and Sophia, struggle to maintain the intimacy of their own childhood friendship in the face of demanding careers, complicated love lives, and a relentlessly evolving Shanghai. Drawing on the lessons of the past, the two modern women must understand the story of their ancestral connection, hidden from them in the folds of the antique white silk fan, or risk losing one another forever.

What unfolds are two stories, generations apart, but everlasting in their universal notion of love, hope and friendship.

I am already in love with this film, even though I have not read the book.  I’m leaving you with some gorgeous images from the film, along with the trailer.  But I have a request, and some advice.

I’d love for you to leave a comment, and tell me about one of your “sworn sisters for life.” Tell us a little bit about one of your friends! Then call her, and make that date to see this movie!

Now, check out these beautiful photos from the film, and watch the trailer.  My advice, if you are anything like me, you might want to think about grabbing a Kleenex box and have it handy!  Enjoy!

Books to Screen: Was Shakespeare a Fraud?

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We all know William Shakespeare, the most famous author of all time. Writer of 37 plays, 154 sonnets, several epic poems…but what if someone told you, Shakespeare never wrote a single word?  Here lies the premise for the upcoming film “Anonymous,” in theaters this Fall.

So, have we all been had?  Is the identity of the author of some of the most enduring literary works of all time perhaps one of the biggest hoaxes ever perpetrated?

In 2005,  “The Truth Will Out” was published.  Authors Brenda James and William Rubenstein make a cast that the author of some of the most important English literary work was not William Shakespeare. They make a case that the real author is a little known 17th century English diplomat named Sir Henry Neville.

“Shakespeare of Stratford, if you take his life and mesh it up against the chronology of his plays, you get nothing,” Rubenstein says.

James and Rubenstein admit that their evidence is circumstantial, but make for a compelling argument.  For example, Shakespeare never went to Venice, making it very difficult to have written such vivid details in “The Merchant of Venice.”
“In 1579, Neville went on an historic European tour in which he visited all of the places named in Shakespeare, and got to know the personalities there, whose names find themselves encapsulated in the plays later on,” James says.
James and Rubenstein claim that another clue lies within the tone of the written work, specifically the switch from comedies to dark tragedies.  Why the sudden switch?  If one believes the Neville supporters, then there is an event in Neville’s personal timeline that perhaps makes sense.
“Something happened in 1601 to wipe the smile off his face,” Rubenstein says.  And that something might be the fact that Henry Neville was locked up in 1601 in the Tower of London for his part in a plot to overthrow the monarchy.  Further punishment also meant that his written works would never be published under his name.

Shakespeare supporters claim this is little more than class and intellectual “snobbery.”  Jonathan Bate, a professor of literary studies at Warwick University and author of “The Genius of Shakespeare,” said, “There’s not a shred of evidence in support of the argument; it’s full of errors. There’s no reason to doubt that Shakespeare wrote Shakespeare. People began to say, ‘How could a middle-class grammar school boy from the provinces write these plays?”‘

Watch the trailer for the upcoming film “Anonymous,” then leave me a comment!  I would love to hear your thoughts!