Ten Must See Book-to-Movie Adaptations in 2014
I am always curious to see book-to-movie adaptations. So many have been disappointments but there have been a few gems here and there so I have never really given up on viewing them even though nine times out of ten I prefer the book – but there is always the exception to the rule.
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
I have read the whole series and it is one of my all-time favourites. It is not out in the UK as yet but myself and one of my friends (who I introduced the series to a few years ago and has become even more hooked than I am!) plan to go and see it (then absolutely dissect it to pieces afterwards!). Reviews so far haven’t been too great but I am hoping I still enjoy it as it would be a disappointment to never get to see Adrian Ivashkov on the big screen (he isn’t introduced until the second book Frostbite).
Divergent by Veronica Roth
I haven’t read this series yet (it’s on my to-do list!) but I have heard a lot of good things about the books and I love dystopian settings. The trailer for the movie looks really good as well. Shailene Woodley seems to be the go-to girl for YA book-to-movie adaptations this year.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
This movie looks like a real tearjerker (starring Shailene Woodley again!) and the book has so many positive reviews that I just had to buy it! I have not read it as yet but it is in my TBR pile and I hope to get to it before the movie comes out. If it lives up to the hype I expect I will be a sobbing mess by the time I get to the end.
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
This is another series of books I need to get round to ASAP. Honestly I call myself a reader! This series looks interesting (another dystopian – yay!). The books get somewhat mixed reviews but the film has a very promising cast: Dylan O’Brien (of Teen Wolf fame) , Kaya Scodelario (Skins), and Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Love Actually, Game of Thrones). I have enjoyed all these actors in other projects so I am hoping that this film will be good.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
This came out in the USA in 2013 but the UK release date isn’t until 26th February so I am totally counting it as a 2014 release! I have the book and I intend to read it soon. I may not get the chance before the film is out but ideally I would prefer to read it first. This looks like a really heart-breaking story and I love historical dramas so it is definitely right up my street. I am preparing myself mentally for this one.
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
Another book I am desperate to read and film I really want to see! I think this has the potential to be a really amazing thriller so I am looking forward to seeing the film in the Autumn when it is released. It also has a pretty nifty cast (I really like Nicholas Hoult!).
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Hobbit: There and Back Again is the third part in Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy. Although I might disagree with splitting the material over three films, I am still excited to see the final part – being a complete Tolkien nerd! I also really enjoy the cast. Martin Freeman is perfect as Bilbo and Richard Armitage is a dashing Thorin (though not at all what I pictured from reading the book!). The first suffered a little from being a little over-long but I thought the second film really picked up the pace. Hopefully There and Back Again will be a fitting conclusion to the series.
Serena by Ron Rash
The movie (starring Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper) looks really interesting. It has also inspired me to seek out the book which I actually hadn’t heard of prior to hearing about the film. I like Jennifer Lawrence a lot so it will be interesting to see her take on the role of Serena. She has really good chemistry with Bradley Cooper so I am hoping that it will work for this film.
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Well, the first part is out this year anyway. I love this series. I have read all the books and seen the first film umpteen times. I have also seen Catching Fire twice (and cannot wait for it to come out on DVD so I can watch it again!). Mockingjay was actually my favourite book (I am strange that way!) so I am really looking forward to this. I think it might be the film I am most looking forward to seeing this year.
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Anothe dystopian the book the film is based on is considered a YA classic. To my shame, I have never read it (though I intend to rectify this oversight soon!). It looks really interesting and has a fantastic cast, Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep, and is directed by David Yates. I am looking forward to both seeing the film and reading the book.
I am really looking forward to these 2014 movie releases (and the books if I haven’t already read them!). I intend to write reviews for the books but I also hope to do a comparison piece for each film listed above detailing differences between the book to film, what I felt worked, what I felt didn’t work etc.
What book-to-movie adaptations are you looking forward to this year?
I am looking forward to seeing so many of these movies. The Divergent series is amazing, and you will really like it if you enjoy the Dystopian settings. The Fault in Our Stars is incredible, though! I was definitely sobbing through most of the end, and I cannot wait for the movies!
-Tiffany
http://beneaththejacketreviews.blogspot.com/
I think I will enjoy The Divergent series – it definitely looks like something I would like!
The Fault in Our Stars looks good too – both the movie and the book. 🙂