Thursday, March 12, 2009

Booking Through Thursday: Movie Potential

This week's BTT topic:
What book do you think should be made into a movie? And do you have any suggestions for the producers?
Or, What book do you think should NEVER be made into a movie?
I almost gave this one a miss this week; it took me quite a while to think of anything to say. I like movies, but it's been a lot of years since I kept very close tabs on the current movie scene. So I suppose some of the books I've read might have had movie versions made that I don't know about.

I don't generally think about movies when I'm reading a book. In fact, if it's a book I like, I'd really rather they didn't make a movie of it. It's always a disappointment. I guess I'd say I think they should NEVER make a movie of any of my favorite books. However, it was Martin Scorsese's film of The Age of Innocence that nudged me into finally reading Edith Wharton's great novel. So I guess film and literature can mix successfully – as long as the director is a genius.

I have read a couple of books within recent memory that I thought would probably make great movies. One was the book I just finished – Douglas Preston's action-adventure-techno-religious-SciFi thriller Blasphemy. Yes, it's really hard to categorize and it would make a terrific action film. I'm sure Tom Hanks or Tom Cruise or Tommy Lee Jones or somebody has already bought the screen rights.

And I believe one of the books I read last year, Brunonia Barry's The Lace Reader would translate to film very nicely. There are some wonderful roles for actresses there, especially "mature" actresses. Frances Sternhagen or Marian Seldes would be perfect for the role of Aunt Eva. And I actually thought of Anjelica Huston as the mother the whole time I was reading the book, although I'm sure the part is probably earmarked for Meryl Streep. Well, they both seem to have a talent for playing strong-but-slightly-nutty mom roles, don't they?

8 comments:

  1. I actually think The Lace Reader would do nicely as well. Great suggestion!

    - Meghan @ Medieval Bookworm

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  2. I had completely forgotten about "The Lace Reader" when I made my comment. It would be a really good movie if they didn't get too "halloween-y" or "slasher" with it -- in the wrong hands I think it could get really botched up but in the right hands -- it could be really, really good. I think "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society" would be a good movie too.

    Speaking of Edith Wharton -- I saw the movie "Ethan Frome" and then read the book although I think we were supposed to read it in high school (opps). The movie was really quite good but then, Liam Neeson could stand on a street corner whistling and I would think it was outstanding so who am I to judge. But, it was good and did lead me to read the book.

    Another case was "A Woman of Substance". Saw the movie first and then read the book -- both were very good -- and very long.

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  3. I do love Meryl Streep. Think about: Gone with the Wind, To Kill A Mockingbird, and Chicago. They were three great books that were made into three great movies. It can be done.

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  4. Movies from books I've read are usually a disapointment to me too. I did like 'The Note Book.' I haven't read 'The Lace Reader' yet. I will put it on my ever growing list :>)

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  5. I haven't read the Lace Reader yet but when I do I'm going to reflect back on your post and hopefully envision those actors....

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  6. My thought was the same as yours...it would be better if they didn't make a movie of my favorite book! The Lace Reader is on my tbr list. My book club is waiting for it to comeout in paperback.
    Happy Thursday!

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  7. I agree about Blasphemy - I listened to it on audiobook, and it would make an awesome film.

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  8. I haven't read any of those books. I love your list of "Tom" actors! :)

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