The Book Stacks

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

Cover to Cover will be a bit late this week. I hope to have it up by the end of the day. Sorry. Things got a little bit insane. Never fear, however. I am leaving you with something to keep you entertained. Once upon a time there was a tv show called At Last the 1948 Show. This show came before Monty Python’s Flying Circus, and had some of the same cast members/writers. One of their sketches is called “Thief in a Library.” It’s hilarious. Enjoy!

Cover to Cover, At Last the 1948 Show, Monty Python’s Flying Circus

Hello again. Today I’d like to acquaint you with some of the things that are happening on some of the blogs here in 451 Press.

I will begin with The Book Stacks because…well, I can. I am still accepting submissions of Favorite Reading Spots. Do you have a spot where you love to curl up and read? Why not tell me about it? Also, you have until 11:59pm tonight to participate in my “A Book By Any Other Name” Game. Will you manage to make me post my forfeit this week?

JM over at Fiction Scribe is interested in your Creative Spaces. Where do you do you writing? What about that space inspires you? She is also holding a discussion of Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. This week, the discussion began with Chapter one. Stop by and join the discussion.

Kelly over at Tiny Treasury has been debating censorship this week. Why not stop by and weigh in on this controversial topic?

The theme this week on Write Anyway is gratitude. Write Anyway is a great place to go when you need a little something to jump start your writing.

And finally, I offer you a Monty Python skit featuring a Gorilla Librarian. It was too silly to resist. Have a great weekend!

The Book Stacks, Fiction Scribe, Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott, Tiny Treasury, Write Anyway, Monty Python, Gorilla Librarian

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

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

Well, as many of you know, the first book of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series: The Golden Compass is due to appear on the big screen on 7 December 2007. Here it is July already, and the teaser trailer is now available. Obviously, I had to share it with you. Enjoy!

Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials

Have you ever heard of Harry and the Potters? No? Well, they are a band made up of two brothers which plays Harry Potter-related songs. (Yeah, the name was a dead giveaway wasn’t it?) With the movie and the new book coming soon, I thought that you might like to see a bit of this band in concert. Enjoy!

Harry and the Potters

As most of you have noticed by now, Wednesday is Book Adaptation Discussion Day here at The Book Stacks. (This may have something to do with the fact that I am slightly obsessed with books beings made into films.) Since J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is due to arrive in theaters on 11 July, I thought that you all might enjoy watching the international version of the film trailer. Judging by the trailer (which I’ve included here) it looks like I will get to see the scene that I was most hoping would make it into the film, and it looks very exciting. Probably too exciting for my mother, in fact. (Don’t worry Mom, I’ll tell you all about it.) Not much longer now.

J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

If you think about it, moving from the scroll to the book must have been a bit difficult. I imagine that tech support for that sort of upgrade might have been something like this. This video comes with English subtitles. Enjoy…Tech Support in the Middle Ages.

Tech Support in the Middle Ages

Chris, a frequent commenter on this site, pointed me towards this amusing video yesterday. In the style of “March of the Penguins,” it’s the “March of the Librarians.” This video features footage filmed during ALA Midwinter in Seattle, and a documentary-style narration on the habits of the observed librarians. It looks sort of like the PLA (Public Library Association conference) I went to one year in Phoenix, AZ. Trust me, it is quite a sight to see so many librarians in one place. Just think of the amassed brain power! Okay, I’ll shut up about my profession now. Enjoy the video.

March of the Librarians

They’re reading on a dream…

Library Musical, YouTube