Monday, February 27, 2012

Adaptation Releases: John Carter, The Lorax, Being Flynn, John Carter

Updated: added John Carter


There are a lot of book adaptations being made every year, probably more than we realize. Last year alone there was more than 50 book adaptations, 5 of them were nominated for best picture including Hugo, The Help and The Descendants. As book readers, we like to see how the movie lives up to its book counterpart. However, sometimes we don't realize that these movies were based on book until after their release or after we see them.


I myself like to keep track of the movie adaptations that come out each year. If you are like me, in this new feature I'm going to be spotlighting the book-to-movie adaptations that come out each week every Monday.


This week, we're looking at two movies.



Dr. Seuss' The Lorax 



Based On: The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Directed by: Chris Renaud and Kyle Balda
Screenplay Written by: Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul
Stars: Danny DeVito, Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Ed Helms, Rob Riggle, Betty White and Jenny Slate
Release Date: March 2, 2012
A 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world.

I love Dr. Seuss. His works always give me joy. Unfortunately, no all the adaptations does his work justice. Let's hope this one is one of the good ones. It looks fun if nothing else.

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Being Flynn



Based On: Bullshit Night in Suck City by Nick Flynn
Directed by: Paul Weitz
Screenplay Written by: Paul Weitz
Stars: Robert De Niro, Paul Dano, Olivia Thirlby, Julianne
Release Date: March 2, 2012
Working in a Boston homeless shelter, Nick Flynn re-encounters his father, a con man and self-proclaimed poet. Sensing trouble in his own life, Nick wrestles with the notion of reaching out yet again to his dad.

I'm excited for this movie because it's about a writer, and it's about a father-son relationship. Also, you can't go wrong with Robert De Niro.



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John Carter





Based On: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Directed by: Andrew Stanton
Screenplay Written by: Andrew Stanton, Mark Andrews and Michael Chabon
Stars: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe, Thomas Haden Church
Release Date: March 2, 2012

Transplanted to Mars, a Civil War vet discovers a lush planet inhabited by 12-foot tall barbarians. Finding himself a prisoner of these creatures, he escapes, only to encounter a princess who is in desperate need of a savior.


This could turn out really good or really horrible. John Carter is the second work of Burroughs that Disney attempt to recreated. The first one is Tarzan which was released in 1999.





Have you read the books these movies are based on? If you did, what do you think of them?
Which one of these two movies are you most excited for?


1 comment:

  1. I don't think I've ever read either book (I'm struggling to remember if I've read The Lorax), but I love the title of the Being Flynn book! I think I'll see both movies though!
    - Jessica @ Book Sake

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