I’m always a little sad to see summer come to an end. I love the time outdoors, the sunshine, the family getaways, and of course, beach reads and big summer movies! There is a little chill in the morning air right now, the kids are back and school and I find that my reading habits, as well as my movie-going habits are starting to shift. Instead of reading Charlaine Harris’ latest Sookie Stackhouse novel, I’m (again) reading Jared Diamond’s “Guns, Germs and Steal: The Fates of Human Societies.” Instead of watching “Iron Man 2″ in the local cineplex, I’ve been watching fantastic films destined for Oscar nominations, like: “Black Swan,” “127 Hours,” “Get Low,” “Never Let Me Go” and “Conviction.”
Here is a look at some noteworthy upcoming film releases, all based on great books:
Release Date: December 25, 2010
I have to admit, when I first heard that this John Wayne classic film was being remade, I was completely and utterly against the idea. I am one of those film purists that believe some films simply shouldn’t be remade. Then came the next part, the part that changed my mind. The incredibly talented Coen Brothers would helm the remake, and had brought on board Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin. All I can say is that if remake ever stood a chance of being worth a damn, this one solidly has everything it needs on front end to make that happen. Unfortunately, there is no trailer to show you, but here’s a publicity shot from this Christmas release.
IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY
Release Date: October 8, 2010
Based on the young-adult novel by Ned Vizzini, the film stars Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts,
Aasif Mandvi, Lauren Graham, and Viola Davis. What’s a 16-year-old boy doing playing music and table tennis with adult psychiatric patients – on a school day? It’s kind of a funny story… It’s @5:00 A.M. on a Sunday in Brooklyn. Craig Gilner (played by Keir Gilchrist of United States of Tara) is bicycling up to the entrance of a mental health clinic; this bright 16-year-old is stressed out from the demands of being a teenager. Before his parents (Lauren Graham [of Parenthood] and Jim Gaffigan [of Away We Go]) and younger sister are even awake, Craig checks himself into Argenon Hospital and is admitted by a psychiatrist. But the youth ward is temporarily closed – so he finds himself stuck in the adult ward. One of the patients, Bobby (Zach Galifianakis of The Hangover), soon becomes both Craig’s mentor and protégé. Craig is also quickly drawn to another 16-year-old displaced to the adult ward, the sensitive Noelle (Emma Roberts), who just might make him forget his longtime unrequited crush Nia (Zoë Kravitz of the upcoming Mad Max). With a minimum five days’ stay imposed on him by the adult ward’s staff psychiatrist Dr. Eden Minerva (Academy Award nominee Viola Davis), Craig is sustained by friendships on both the inside and the outside as he learns more about life, love, and the pressures of growing up.
LET ME INRelease Date: October 1, 2010
Chloe Moretz (Hit Girl in Kick-Ass) stars as Abby, a mysterious 12-year-old who moves next door to Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Road), a social outcast who is viciously bullied at school. In his loneliness, Owen forms a profound bond with his new neighbor, but he can’t help noticing that Abby is like no one he has ever met before. As a string of grisly murders grips his wintry New Mexico town, Owen has to confront the reality that this seemingly innocent girl is actually a savage vampire. Don’t confuse this book, or the film as a straight out horror story. There are much deeper themes running through both, about innocence, the horrors of childhood and love.
Let Me In is based on the haunting and provocative Swedish book Låt den Rätte Komma In (Let The Right One In) by John Ajvide Lindqvist, and the highly-acclaimed Swedish film of the same name. The film stars Chloe Moretz (Kick-Ass), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Road), Oscar nominee Richard Jenkins (The Visitor), Elias Koteas (Shutter Island) and Cara Buono (“The Sopranos”) and will be released by legendary British horror brand Hammer Films.
I am interested to hear what end of the year films you are most looking forward to seeing. Is it “Harry Potter,” “True Grit,” “or something else? What books are on your must read list for Fall and Winter? Leave me a comment…love to hear your thoughts!