Dear Blog Readers,

Well, I thought that I was ready to get back in the swing of things after my 4th of July shenanigans, but apparently I wasn’t.  Some days I’m just too exhausted to form coherent sentences, let alone express my opinions about books…but I’ll get back on track soon.

In the mean time, I wanted to ask you (all three or four of you) what you’re most excited to see in the new Potter flick (or, if you’re like me and you’ve seen it already, what you thought of it).  After seeing it last night in a buzz of excitement and with a few Mike’s Hard Lemonades under my belt, I thought it was fantastically, beautifully done, but also probably a little incomprehensible to someone who hasn’t read the book.  They try treally hard to make the story make sense, but there’s just so much text in the book that a lot had to be cut.  I think it was solid and clear emotionally, but the plot felt so high-speed that it was a little like seeing a really long, in-depth preview rather than the movie itself.  Still, I want to see it again when I’m not buzzed and half asleep to make sure it wasn’t just me.

The cinematography was really lovely, though, and I thought Dumbledore and Draco were both played exceptionally well.  I was also a little shocked by Ron’s impressive biceps and how awkward he manages to look in spite of his physique.  Anyway, that’s enough from me for now–I want to know what you thought of it/are hoping for!  Write back soon! 

Love,

Dear Blog Readers,

I’ve just got to update you on another book-to-movie adaptation.  I went to see Monsters vs. Aliens yesterday (it was awesome, and WOW 3D, I’ve never seen a 3D movie before!), and amidst the many previews, there was one gem that I must point out–a computer animated adaptation of Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi and Ron Barrett!  It’s one of my very favorite books of all time, and I was pretty delighted by the trailer.  The plot’s been expanded (naturally), but so many of the images came straight out of the book’s excellent illustrations that I’m entirely sold on it.  Check out IMDB’s listing to watch the trailer.

On a different note, happy belated Passover!  I spent a pretty fun Seder meal with my dad’s side of the family, and I got to see his very very old haggadah from childhood with his Hebrew name written in it…quite funny!

That’s it for now–I’m off to watch my shiny new Twilight dvd with audio commentary.

Love,

Wanna check out this title for yourself?  Try the Indie Bound or ABC bookstore finders!

Dear Blog Readers,

I just wanted to post a quick update on the movie adaptations front–the trailer for Where the Wild Things Are is out!  I’m even more psyched than I was before.

Love,

Wanna check out this title for yourself?  Try the Indie Bound or ABC bookstore finders!

Dear Blog Readers,

There’s been a rash of children’s books becoming movies lately, with varying degrees of success (I rather liked The City of Ember movie, but still haven’t seen Bridge to Terabithia out of fear that it won’t do justice to one of the formative books of my childhood).  In general, I’m in favor of the adaptation of so many children’s stories; though I have and always will love to read, I’m a visual person by nature, and I’m always deeply pleased if a book is adapted well into a medium I find easier to understand and retain.  The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a great example–I found the books to be dry, confusing, and nearly impossible to finish, but seeing them as movies made it easy to appreciate the genius storytelling.

So, on that note, I wanted to point out some exciting news about upcoming movie adaptations, for all of you other visual people out there.  First, USA Today online has a brief article on the upcoming Where the Wild Things Are movie, with a slideshow of astonishing photos that make me very hopeful and happy about the production.  Second, Cynopsis Kids! reports that Catherine Hardwicke, director of Twilight (which I sincerely enjoyed and thought was a more streamlined version of the plot, but which caught some flack from younger fans) is slated to direct a movie adaptation of If I Stay by Gayle Forman (which I reviewed not long ago).  She’s also in discussion to direct an adaptation of James Patterson’s Maximum Ride series.

Also, I know I’ve posted about this before, but I’m SO EXCITED about Peter Jackson directing The Lovely Bones.  I can’t wait to see it!!

That’s it on the movie front…if you know of an upcoming adaptation that I haven’t mentioned, feel free to comment!

Love,

Wanna check out this title for yourself?  Try the Indie Bound or ABC bookstore finders!