It seems that these days most of the movies you see in the theaters are originally based on a currently popular novel or book series. I'm an avid reader, and am quite often disappointed when a Hollywood ruins one of my favorite stories. Yet, there are some surprises sometimes when a film can actually be better than the book-form.
Since books are typically better than their movie counter-parts, I always make it a point to read a book before seeing the film version. Typically it's worth it, but not always. Here are a few suggestions that should help direct you towards either the book store, or the video store.
My Sister's Keeper
The Verdict: The book.
Recommended for: Ages 15+
Plot Summary: A thirteen year old girl, genetically created to be a life-saving donor for her older sister with Leukemia, sues her parents for the rights to her own body. This rips the family apart and puts her sister's life at risk.
Why? I have never been more outraged by changes made to a book for the big screen than I have for this movie. I was actually fuming and cringing in my theater seat while watching the film version of this Jodi Picoult novel. The changes made in the storyline actually ruined the heart and soul of what made the book shine.
The Last Song
The Verdict: The movie.
Recommended for: Ages 13+
Plot Summary: Troubled teen Ronnie is forced to spend the summer at the beach with her estranged father.
Why? This is a typical Nicholas Spark story. if you've read any of his books or seen any of their film counteparts, the plot will be very predictable. Both the book and the movie are entertaining and emotional, however the book doesn't offer anything additional that the movie can't provide. Actually, rent the film "Life As A House" for a nearly-identical story that is told with ten times the emotion and passion than this bit of Sparks fluff.
Bridge To Terabithia
The Verdict: Both!
Recommended for: Ages 10+
Plot Summary: The very sullen Jesse Aarons makes friends with the new girl in town, Leslie Burke. Leslie opens his eyes to a world of imagination he never thought possible.
Why? The book does a great job at sparking the imagination of the reader. The movie does a brilliant job at portraying the growth of Jesse's imagination. The book and film complement each other very well.
Tuck Everlasting
The verdict: The movie
Recommended for: Ages 10+
Plot Summary: Long before Bella Swan longed for the immortal life of a vampire to spend eternity with the love of her life, Winnie Foster was in the same predicament. Bored with her life, Winnie befriends a family of immortals in the woods behind her house. She falls in love with their son Jesse Tuck, and is forced to make a life-changing decision.
Why? The book is cute, but the movie injects a lot more emotion and depth to this sweet story. You're taken on a journey with young Winnie and learn a lot of life lessions from the Tuck Family. Featuring an all-star cast and a haunting soundtrack, this Disney film will most definitely touch your heart.
The Secret Life Of Bees
The Verdict: The book
Recommended for: Ages 13+
Plot Summary: Lily Owens struggles to learn the truth of her Mother's death. She runs away from home with her African-American nanny, and faces the harsh realities of inequality in the South in the 1950s. The two of them are taken in by an eclectic family of beekeeping sisters who teach and inspire them.
Why? Author Sue Monk Kidd has a magical way with words that make this book impossible to put down. I was sucked in from the first paragraph, and was taken on an emotional journey with Lily and Rosaleen. While the movie is great at re-telling the story, and still highly recommended, some of the enchanting spark is lost from the richness of the text.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
The Verdict: For kids? The book. For adults? The movie.
Recommended for: Everyone. See above.
The Plot: Sixth grader Greg documents the trials and tribulations of sixth grade in his comic-book style journal.
Why? These books are written in such a fun and non-intimidating manner, even the most reluctant pre-teen reader will enjoy reading them. Adults could easily dismiss the movie as a "dumb kids flick" but will most likely be drawn in as well. The movie had me cracking up for two hours straight, and I was pleasantly surprised.
What's next?
I just finished reading Sara Gruen's Water For Elephants in preparation for this weekend's movie release. I was enchanted by this circus love-story and hope the film does the book some justice. I'm not typically a Robert Pattinson fan, so I hope to be convinced otherwise. On the other hand, Reese Witherspoon rarely disappoints.
Also, I eagerly await next year's release of the film version of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games. News on the casting is being released at a quick pace right now, so it's fascinating to see whom is hired for these delicate roles. I'm thrilled that Bridge To Terabithia's Josh Hutcherson has been chosen to play the bread-making Peeta. The Last Song's Liam Helmsworth seems like an odd choice for Gale, but I'm willing to be open-minded and have some faith in the casting directors. I still have my fingers crossed that we'll see Kristin Chenoweth as the exuberant Effie Trinket!
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