The Book Stacks

As this will be my last Book to Film post for this site, I’ve decided to go out with a proper update. So, here is the October update on the current status of the film projects that have been mentioned here up to this point (and weren’t already out on DVD as of the last update.) I hope that the list continues to be useful for you. Also, if you have any news about an upcoming film adaptation, please comment and let us know.

Alatriste: Appeared in US theaters 22 December 2006. No Region 1 DVD yet.
Artemis Fowl: Not on the IMDB, but the rumours persist.
Atlas Shrugged: Announced. Now listed as: “Back in development with Vadim Perelman.” Release 2008?
Atonement: Due in US Theaters 7 December 2007 (limited release).
Beowulf: In post-production. Due in US theaters on 16 November 2007.
Blood Ties: Currently playing on Fridays on the Lifetime Channel in the US.
The Boggart: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2009.
Born to Rock: Announced with a release date sometime in 2007…no update yet.
The Bourne Ultimatum: Appeared in US Theaters 3 August 2007. No DVD yet.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian: Currently filming. US release date - 16 May 2008.
The City of Ember: Currently Filming. Due in US theaters 10 October 2008.
The Cry of the Icemark: In development. Release date sometime in 2008.
The Seeker: The Dark is Rising: Currently in US theaters.
Deal Breaker: Announced with a release date sometime in 2008.
The Doubtful Guest: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2009.
The Dresden Files: Season one is on DVD.
The Giver: In pre-production with 2009 release date.
The Golden Compass: In post-production. Current US release date - 7 December 2007
Gossip Girl: Currently on television.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Appeared in theaters 11 July 2007. No DVD yet.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Currently filming with a US release date of 21 November 2008.
Inkheart: In post-production. Due in US Theaters on 19 September 2008.
The Jane Austen Book Club: Currently in US theaters.
The Lightning Thief: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2009.
The Kite Runner: Due in US theaters on 14 December 2007 (limited release).
The Lovely Bones: In pre-production with a 2008 release date.
The Martian Child: Due in US theaters on 2 November 2007.
Monster Blood Tattoo: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2010.
Nancy Drew: Not yet out on DVD.
The Nanny Diaries: Appeared in theaters 24 August 2007. No DVD yet.
Nim’s Island: Currently filming. Due in US theaters on 4 April 2008.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2:In Post-production. Due in US Theaters on 8 August 2008
A Spell for Chameleon: Still listed as “announced” with a theoretical release date of 2008.
The Spiderwick Chronicles: In post-production. Due in US theaters on 15 February 2008.
Stardust: Appeared in theaters 10 August 2007. No DVD yet.
The Tale of Despereaux: In post-production. Due in US Theaters on 19 December 2008.
Teen Idol: Announced with a release date sometime in 2008.
Tintin: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2009.
True Blood (Sookie Stackhouse books): Appearing on HBO sometime in the Fall of 2007.
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep: Due in US theaters on 25 December 2007.

Alatriste, Artemis Fowl, Atlas Shrugged, Atonement, Beowulf, Blood Ties, The Boggart, Born to Rock, The Bourne Ultimatum, The Chronicles of Narnia, The City of Ember, The Cry of the Icemark, The Seeker: The Dark is Rising, Deal Breaker, The Doubtful Guest, The Dresden Files, The Giver, The Golden Compass, Gossip Girl, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Inkheart, The Jane Austen Book Club, The Lightning Thief, The Kite Runner, The Lovely Bones, The Martian Child, Monster Blood Tattoo, Nancy Drew, The Nanny Diaries, Nim’s Island, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, A Spell for Chameleon, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Stardust, The Tale of Despereaux, Teen Idol, Tintin, True Blood, Sookie Stackhouse, The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

The film adaptation of Atonement by Ian McEwan has already arrived on the big screen in the UK, but it will also be arriving in the US (in limited release) on 7 December 2007. It is a story of tragic love, misunderstandings, and war. The trailer pretty much tells you everything else. Oh, and the film is rated R. Enjoy!

Atonement, Ian McEwan

Hello, all. Here is September’s update on the subject of books to film. I’ve been told that these are useful, so I’ll keep doing them. Well, that and by now you know that I like to make lists. In any case, here is the current status of the film projects that have been mentioned here up to this point (and weren’t already out on DVD as of the last update.)

Alatriste: Appeared in US theaters 22 December 2006. No DVD yet.
Artemis Fowl: Not on the IMDB, but the rumours persist.
Atlas Shrugged: Announced. Now listed as: “Back in development with Vadim Perelman.” Release 2008?
Beowulf: In post-production. Due in US theaters on 16 November 2007.
Blood Ties: Will return in the fall to the Lifetime Channel in the US.
The Boggart: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2009.
Born to Rock: Announced with a release date sometime in 2007…no update yet.
The Bourne Ultimatum: Appeared in US Theaters 3 August 2007. No DVD yet.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian: Currently filming. US release date - 16 May 2008.
The City of Ember: Currently Filming. Due in US theaters 10 October 2008.
The Cry of the Icemark: In development. Release date sometime in 2008.
The Seeker: The Dark is Rising: In post-production. US release date - 5 October 2007.
Deal Breaker: Announced with a release date sometime in 2008.
The Doubtful Guest: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2009.
The Dresden Files: Season one is over, not available on DVD.
The Giver: In pre-production with 2009 release date.
The Golden Compass: In post-production. Current US release date - 7 December 2007
Gossip Girl: Coming to tv this fall.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Appeared in theaters 11 July 2007. No DVD yet.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Currently filming with a US release date of 21 November 2008.
Inkheart: In post-production. Due in US Theaters on 19 March 2008.
The Jane Austen Book Club: Due in US theaters (limited release) 21 September 2007.
The Lightning Thief: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2009.
The Kite Runner: Due in US theaters on 22 November 2007.
The Lovely Bones: In pre-production with a 2008 release date.
The Martian Child: Due in US theaters on 2 November 2007.
Monster Blood Tattoo: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2010.
Nancy Drew: Not yet out on DVD.
The Nanny Diaries: Appeared in theaters 24 August 2007. No DVD yet.
Nim’s Island: Currently filming. Due in US theaters on 4 April 2008.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2:In Post-production. Due in US Theaters on 8 August 2008
A Spell for Chameleon: Still listed as “announced” with a theoretical release date of 2008.
The Spiderwick Chronicles: In post-production. Due in US theaters on 15 February 2008.
Stardust: Appeared in theaters 10 August 2007. No DVD yet.
The Tale of Despereaux: In post-production. Due in US Theaters on 19 December 2008.
Teen Idol: Announced with a release date sometime in 2008.
Tintin: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2009.
True Blood (Sookie Stackhouse books): Appearing on HBO sometime in the Fall of 2007.
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep: Due in US theaters on 25 December 2007.

books to film, Alatriste, Artemis Fowl, Atlas Shrugged, Beowulf, Blood Ties, The Boggart, Born to Rock, The Bourne Ultimatum, The Chronicles of Narnia, The City of Ember, The Cry of the Icemark, The Seeker: The Dark is Rising, Deal Breaker, The Doubtful Guest, The Dresden Files, The Giver, The Golden Compass, Gossip Girl, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Inkheart, The Jane Austen Book Club, The Lightning Thief, The Kite Runner, The Lovely Bones, The Martian Child, Monster Blood Tattoo, Nancy Drew, The Nanny Diaries, Nim’s Island, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, A Spell for Chameleon, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Stardust, The Tale of Despereaux, Teen Idol, Tintin, True Blood, Sookie Stackhouse, The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

Even before Meg Cabot’s book The Princess Diaries was available to read, Disney had purchased the rights to make a film adaptation out of it. I’m guessing that they saw something they liked. The book and the filmed version have many similarities, but many differences too. In the book, Mia lives in New York, her father (The Prince of Genovia) is alive, her mother is an artist who ends up dating her Algebra teacher, and her grandmother (the Dowager Princess of Genovia) is a selfish, mean sort of person. In the film, Mia lives in San Francisco, her father (the King of Genovia) is dead, her mother is an artist who ends up dating her speech and debate teacher, and her grandmother (The Queen of Genovia) is the lovely, thoughtful Julie Andrews. In both cases, Mia had no idea that she was royal until she was told. Really, it ends up feeling like the book and the film are two versions of a similar story. I liked both. The second film, The Princess Diaries 2, is more of a continuation of the first film than an adaptation of a further book. I enjoyed that one too. Maybe it’s just my whole princess fixation. Who knows?

Here is the trailer for The Princess Diaries to give you an idea what I’m talking about.

Have you read the book and/or seen the film? What did you think?

Meg Cabot, The Princess Diaries, Disney

First, there was Beowulf, the single major surviving work of Anglo-Saxon heroic poetry. It was much beloved of J.R.R. Tolkien, who lectured on the text and even translated it himself at one point. There were a couple of different adaptations of the book, throughout the years. Then, in 2005, came the live action Beowulf and Grendel which seems to have strayed from the text somewhat. It was filmed on location in Iceland, so at least the scenery looks right.

Beowulf and Grendel (2005) Trailer

Now there is a star-studded, animated version called Beowulf (due in November 2007). Judging by the trailer, it doesn’t seem to follow the story quite as I remember it either. Also, is it just me, or is the animation just close enough to live action to be a bit creepy? (Warning: there is a bit of animated nudity in the trailer.)

Beowulf (2007) Trailer

Well, there you are. Two vastly different adaptations of the same epic poem (one of which is coming soon to a theater near you.) Personally, I’m curious to see what the next adaptation will be like, whenever that happens. It seems that people are still interested in this story, and will likely remain so…”until the dragon comes.” (Tolkien)

Beowulf

Well, the news is that Charlaine Harris’s Southern Vampire series is being made into an HBO series. When it appears on the small screen, the series will be known as True Blood. Is it just me, or are we getting a bunch of vampire-related television shows lately? Hmmm… (Please note: I am not at all complaining about this.)

The lead female character in Harris’s books is Sookie Stackhouse, a Louisiana “waitress who can read people’s minds.” (She’s not the vampire…that would be her boyfriend.) Anna Paquin has been cast as Sookie. I’m still trying to see this in my head. I’ve read the first book of the series, you see, and somehow I can’t quite picture it. Too bad that there isn’t a sneak peek out yet. Come to think of it, there isn’t even an official air date yet (although I gather that they are aiming for a Fall-ish premiere.) Stephen Moyer (another British actor crossing the pond…much like Sophia Myles who will be in CBS’s Moonlight) has been cast as Bill Compton, Sookie’s vampiric beloved. I’ll be keeping my eye out for this one. Have any of you all read the books? What do you think about the casting? (A Hat Tip to Jeri for telling be about this upcoming show.)

Oh. And I do like Anna Paquin. I’m just having trouble envisioning her as Sookie. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see.

Charlaine Harris, Southern Vampire, True Blood, Sookie Stackhouse, Anna Paquin

Last week I offered you 13 Filmed Children’s Books, so for this week’s Thursday Thirteen I’m following up with 13 Filmed Non-Children’s Books. Yes, I love lists, why do you ask? Has your favorite Book been made into a film or tv series? Did you like the adaptation? Let me know.

13 Non-Children’s Books That Have Been Filmed:

1. Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey (I need to get around to seeing this.)
2. Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons (The film is better than the mini-series…and the book.)
3. Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott (This has been filmed several times, actually.)
4. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien (I love this film.)
5. Emma by Jane Austen (Filmed at least 13 times…perfect for Thursday 13.)
6. Catch 22 by Joseph Heller (Interesting film.)
7. Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare (Yes, it’s a play, but I have it in book form…so there.)
8. Firestarter by Stephen King (It didn’t stray that far from the book.)
9. Sweet Danger by Margery Allingham (Several of her “Campion” books have appeared on “Mystery!”)
10. The Sheik by E. M. Hull (I love Rudolph Valentino. A very scandalous book when it came out…and I can see why.)
11. Casino Royale by Ian Fleming (Filmed twice. One spoof, and one not. The only James Bond book I have read.)
12. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick (Became Blade Runner, home of my favorite movie quote.)
13. The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum (Filmed twice. The original version was closer to the book. I liked the recent film a bit better.)

Thursday Thirteen, Riders of the Purple Sage, Zane Grey, Cold Comfort Farm, Stella Gibbons, Ivanhoe, Sir Walter Scott, The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien, Emma, Jane Austen, Catch 22, Joseph Heller, Much Ado About Nothing, William Shakespeare, Firestarter, Stephen King, Sweet Danger, Margery Allingham, The Sheik, E. M. Hull, Casino Royale, Ian Fleming, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K. Dick, Blade Runner, The Bourne Identity, Robert Ludlum

Hello, all. Here is August’s update on the subject of books to film. I’ve been told that these are useful, so I’ll keep doing them. Well, that and by now you know that I like to make lists. In any case, here is the current status of the film projects that have been mentioned up to this point (and weren’t already out on DVD as of the last update.)

Alatriste: Appeared in US theaters 22 December 2006. No DVD yet.
Artemis Fowl: Not on the IMDB, but the rumours persist.
Atlas Shrugged: Now listed as: “This project is indefintely delayed ”
Blood Ties: Will return in the fall to the Lifetime Channel in the US.
The Boggart: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2009.
Born to Rock: Announced with a release date sometime in 2007…no update yet.
The Bourne Ultimatum: Currently in US theaters.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian: Currently filming. US release date - 16 May 2008.
The City of Ember: Currently Filming. Due in US theaters 10 October 2008.
The Cry of the Icemark: Rumoured and not on the IMDB.
The Seeker: The Dark is Rising: In post-production. US release date - 5 October 2007.
Deal Breaker: Announced with a release date sometime in 2008.
The Doubtful Guest: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2009.
The Dresden Files: Season one is over, not available on DVD.
The Giver: In pre-production with 2009 release date.
The Golden Compass: In post-production. Current US release date - 7 December 2007
Gossip Girl: Coming to tv this fall.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Currently in Theaters.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: In pre-production with a current US release date of 21 November 2008.
Inkheart: In post-production. Due in US Theaters on 19 March 2008.
The Jane Austen Book Club: Due in US theaters (limited release) 21 September 2007.
The Lightning Thief: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2009.
The Kite Runner: Due in US theaters on 2 November 2007.
The Lovely Bones: In pre-production with a 2008 release date.
The Martian Child: Due in US theaters on 26 October 2007.
Monster Blood Tattoo: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2010.
Nancy Drew: Not yet out on DVD.
The Nanny Diaries: Due in US theaters on 7 September 2007.
Nim’s Island: Currently filming. Due in US theaters on 4 April 2008.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2:Filming. Due in US Theaters on 8 August 2008
A Spell for Chameleon: Still listed as “announced” with a theoretical release date of 2008.
The Spiderwick Chronicles: In post-production. Due in US theaters on 15 February 2008.
Stardust: Currently in US theaters.
The Tale of Despereaux: Filming. Due in US Theaters on 19 December 2008.
Teen Idol: Announced with a release date sometime in 2008.
Tintin: In Development. US Theatrical release sometime in 2009.
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep: Due in US theaters on 25 December 2007.

books to film, Alatriste, Artemis Fowl, Atlas Shrugged, Blood Ties, The Boggart, Born to Rock, The Bourne Ultimatum, The Chronicles of Narnia, The City of Ember, The Cry of the Icemark, The Seeker: The Dark is Rising, Deal Breaker, The Doubtful Guest, The Dresden Files, The Giver, The Golden Compass, Gossip Girl, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Inkheart, The Jane Austen Book Club, The Lightning Thief, The Kite Runner, The Lovely Bones, The Martian Child, Monster Blood Tattoo, Nancy Drew, The Nanny Diaries, Nim’s Island, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, A Spell for Chameleon, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Stardust, The Tale of Despereaux, Teen Idol, Tintin, The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

Those of you who read this blog regularly may have noticed that I have a slight obsession with filmed books. Okay, major obsession. So, I thought that you all might enjoy a list of filmed books for this week’s Thursday Thirteen. There are so many films out there that originated as books. This time around I will concentrate on Children’s Books. I love children’s books, and some of the most entertaining films have come from that age-range.

13 Children’s Books That Have Been Filmed:

1. Escape to Witch Mountain by Alexander Key - (Ignore the second version of the film. Ew.)
2. Return From Witch Mountain by Alexander Key - (One of the closest adaptations I’ve seen.)
3. The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot - (Different from the book, but fun all the same.)
4. Mio, My Son by Astrid Lindgren - (Filmed as “Mio in the Land of Faraway.”)
5. Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White - (One live action and one animated adaptation.)
6. From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg - (Also filmed as “The Hideaways.”)
7. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans - (The live action version is quite well done.)
8. Lisa and Lottie by Erich Kästner - (That would be “The Parent Trap.” Yes, it’s been done at least twice.)
9. The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander - (It has the name of the 2nd book of the series, but contains some of the the first 2.)
10. The Borrowers by Mary Norton - (This seems to have been filmed 4 times.)
11. Chocky by John Wyndham - (I saw this one on Nickelodeon ages back.)
12. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett - (Filmed several times.)
13. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine - (I still need to read that book…)

Has your favorite Children’s Book been made into a film or tv series? Did you like the adaptation? Let me know.

Thursday Thirteen, Escape to Witch Mountain, Alexander Key, Return From Witch Mountain, Alexander Key, The Princess Diaries, Meg Cabot, Mio, My Son, Astrid Lindgren, Charlotte’s Web, E. B. White, From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, E.L. Konigsburg, Madeline, Ludwig Bemelmans, Lisa and Lottie, Erich Kästner, The Black Cauldron, Lloyd Alexander, The Borrowers, Mary Norton, Chocky, John Wyndham, A Little Princess, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Ella Enchanted, Gail Carson Levine

The Jane Austen Book Club is a book by Karen Joy Fowler. As the title would suggest, the story revolves around a group of friends who gather on a regular basis to discuss the works of Jane Austen. As they read their way through Jane’s books, they find their lives taking on a rather Austen-esque aspect. At least that much of the plot seems to have made it into the filmed version. The film will arrive in some US theaters on 21 September 2007 (it’s a limited release.) This is yet another book that I’m told I must add to my reading list. I’m thinking that I should read something by Jane Austen first. The film looks like it might be interesting, though. Check out the trailer and see what you think.

The Jane Austen Book Club, Karen Joy Fowler, Jane Austen

Stardust by Neil Gaiman has been made into a film. I haven’t had a chance to read the book, but the film looks like it’s going to be an adventure. To call this film star-studded would be something of an understatement. It has Robert De Niro, Ian McKellen, Sienna Miller, Peter O’Toole, Michelle Pfeiffer, Claire Danes…the list goes on. It opens in the US this Friday. Since I seem to be on a movie watching streak, hopefully I’ll make it out to see this one too. I’ll be sure to let you know what I think. Enjoy the trailer!

Stardust, Neil Gaiman

Those of you who have been reading this blog for a while may have noticed that I tend to enjoy fantasy books. Lately books of that genre have become hot properties in the film industry. Harry Potter, Eragon, The Dark is Rising…the list goes on. Once such film is The Spiderwick Chronicles based on the series by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi. It’s due to appear in US theaters on 15 February 2008, and it stars Freddie Highmore as twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace.

Amazon says this about the first book in the series: “The first book in a beautifully produced series of five, The Field Guide sets up the story of the Grace children–13-year-old Mallory and 9-year-old twins Jared and Simon–who with their mother move into the dilapidated Spiderwick Estate only to quickly find themselves sucked into a dark and fascinating world of faeries.”

I’m not sure how much of the series that the film will cover, but I’m intrigued now. I’ve been meaning to read this series for ages. Enjoy the trailer!

The Spiderwick Chronicles, Holly Black, Tony DiTerlizzi, Freddie Highmore

Don’t forget that The Bourne Ultimatum (loosely? based on the book by Robert Ludlum) will appear in US theaters on 3 August 2007. Yes, I’m planning on seeing this one, even though its resemblance to the book seems to be cursory at best. A certain rather large departure from the previous book that occurred in the last film was my first tip off that this one would stray even farther from the original text. Oh, well. As long as they aren’t going for that shaky hand-held camera look this time I should be fine. (Yes, I *do* like Matt Damon. Why do you ask?)

Anyway, here is the trailer for the film to get you ready for the release date. Enjoy!

The Bourne Ultimatum, Robert Ludlum, Matt Damon

Behold! The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill is lucky enough to have a cover containing art by K. Y. Craft. I have yet to read this book, and I know that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but this cover really makes me want to read the book. Heck, there is already some talk of making it into a movie.

Well, I suppose that the book description also has something to do with my interest. Amazon.com lists the description thusly: “After the death of her beloved father, headstrong princess Thirrin Freer Strong-In-The-Arm becomes warrior queen of her homeland, Icemark, defending it from a formidable invader. Despite Thirrin’s bravery and the support of Oskan, the Witch’s son, the task proves more difficult than Thirrin ever dreamed. She must assemble a force to rival her opponent. And, in the chill winter of Icemark, she only has until spring to unite the strange beasts and frightening creatures who live just outside her country. Ultimately, it is Thirrin’s vision and determination that will see her through to victory.”

Have any of you read this book? What did you think? Is it as good as its cover would suggest?

The Cry of the Icemark, Stuart Hill, K. Y. Craft

I promised that I would post this as soon as I found it, so here you go. It’s the trailer for Susan Cooper’s The Dark is Rising. There are actually a couple of different versions out there, but in this one you can actually hear The Dark Rider talk. (Did you hear a really loud Squee earlier? That was me. Sorry. I didn’t mean to make anyone deaf.) Now, it’s been a while since I read this series, but based upon the evidence as provided by the trailer I’m thinking that this film bears very little resemblance to the book that I love. That being said, or better yet, in the words of my husband who has also been waiting for this film to come out: “That doesn’t mean that the film isn’t any good.” True enough. The film does look like it’ll be a lot of fun. I’m seeing it either way. (Oh, and The Dark Rider has long hair. Is it wrong of me to contemplate rooting for the bad guy? I mean, it’s Christoper Eccleston, for goodness sake.) Enjoy the long awaited trailer.

Susan Cooper, The Dark is Rising, Christoper Eccleston