From novel to nonsense
Books into films, not always a good idea
Aaron Knowles
Issue date: 6/4/09 Section: A & E
Dear Hollywood, please do not ruin any more of the best books ever written by turning them into movies.
In my life there have been many trends running in and out Hollywood, like bulls on Spanish holidays. Few seem to stick, but one continuing trend is the adaptation of favorite children's novels to the big screen.
Some of these adaptations are acceptable. Others are not.
"Harry Potter and The Sorcerers Stone" was released in 2001, and with the success from all of the sequels, the series is guaranteed to see its final book hit theaters and still fill seats. The next installment is dated to release on July 15.
On the other side of the spectrum, there are the movies that fail to meet the same approval as their literary counterpart.
Movies such as "Bridge to Terabithia," which was a complete mess, and "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events," completely failed at the box office, but again, were big sellers as books.
As an avid movie attendee, I continue to hear the same grouping of words over and over during the approach to the ticket booth.
"I read the book, and I hope this movie does not suck" is constantly muttered by movie goers.
Fingers are crossed and hopes are made as the lights dim. Faith in Hollywood can be crushed in a matter of moments if a fan does not feel that justice was given to his favorite work.
Once the credits roll, comments are exchanged and judgments are finalized. The drive home can be filled with silence, praise, or scorn. And even all of this is precluded by months and months of debate whether to risk having a good book ruined.
In the end, I know that I can never stay away from the local theaters because there will always be that possibility that the greatest book may lead into the greatest movie experience.
I will always be in line along with other fans hoping that this long awaited film does not completely crash.
Since this trend has yet to fizzle and lessen the bulk of Hollywood's wallets, there are plenty of movies ready to be criticized and reviewed.
Coming this summer from the pages of favorite children's novels are "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," and even further out is Maurice Sendak's immortal classic "Where the Wild Things Are," which will be released this Oct.
Coming to DVD will be "Coraline" starring Dakota Fanning, and also "Inkheart" starring Brendan Frasier.
For the classics and the favorites yet to be made, there is only hope that writer, director, and producer, can work together
In my life there have been many trends running in and out Hollywood, like bulls on Spanish holidays. Few seem to stick, but one continuing trend is the adaptation of favorite children's novels to the big screen.
Some of these adaptations are acceptable. Others are not.
"Harry Potter and The Sorcerers Stone" was released in 2001, and with the success from all of the sequels, the series is guaranteed to see its final book hit theaters and still fill seats. The next installment is dated to release on July 15.
On the other side of the spectrum, there are the movies that fail to meet the same approval as their literary counterpart.
Movies such as "Bridge to Terabithia," which was a complete mess, and "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events," completely failed at the box office, but again, were big sellers as books.
As an avid movie attendee, I continue to hear the same grouping of words over and over during the approach to the ticket booth.
"I read the book, and I hope this movie does not suck" is constantly muttered by movie goers.
Fingers are crossed and hopes are made as the lights dim. Faith in Hollywood can be crushed in a matter of moments if a fan does not feel that justice was given to his favorite work.
Once the credits roll, comments are exchanged and judgments are finalized. The drive home can be filled with silence, praise, or scorn. And even all of this is precluded by months and months of debate whether to risk having a good book ruined.
In the end, I know that I can never stay away from the local theaters because there will always be that possibility that the greatest book may lead into the greatest movie experience.
I will always be in line along with other fans hoping that this long awaited film does not completely crash.
Since this trend has yet to fizzle and lessen the bulk of Hollywood's wallets, there are plenty of movies ready to be criticized and reviewed.
Coming this summer from the pages of favorite children's novels are "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," and even further out is Maurice Sendak's immortal classic "Where the Wild Things Are," which will be released this Oct.
Coming to DVD will be "Coraline" starring Dakota Fanning, and also "Inkheart" starring Brendan Frasier.
For the classics and the favorites yet to be made, there is only hope that writer, director, and producer, can work together
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