Films of books: some to look out for!

Books have always been a great source of inspiration for film makers but it can be a big let-down when the book you've loved reading is released as a really rubbish film. There have however been some great film versions of books, for example, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (John Boyne), Holes (Louis Sachar), Goodnight Mister Tom (Michelle Magorian) and Millions (Frank Cottrell Boyce). If you haven't seen these, watch them. If you've seen the film but not read the book, you don't know what you're missing!

Reactions to film versions of books are as varied as people's opinions of the books themselves but personally I like to read the book first, then watch the film and try to judge the two as completely separate from each other. A good book doesn't always make a good film and I've seen some great film versions of books I wouldn't usually read!

Whichever way you look at it, I think that any film that makes people want to read the book on which it was based is worthwhile. What makes me sad is when I hear people say, "Oh, I've seen the film. I don't need to read the book!".

So, here are some books which are being filmed and are going to be worthwhile watching:

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (filmed by Martin Scorsese as 'Hugo')

                                            


The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (from the first of an excellent trilogy)

                        


Breaking Dawn parts 1 & 2 by Stepenie Meyer (the concluding parts of this internationally famous trilogy which began with Twilight - don't think we need to see this one again!).


The Hobbit by J R R Tolkien (filmed by Peter Jackson who made The Lord of the Rings trilogy).


Tintin by Herge (sorry Mr Herge, I can't do the accent on your surname!)

                       

There are links to YouTube trailers down the side of this blog but you won't be able to access them at school. Don't forget to have a look when you get home!

If you know of a book which is going to be made into a film, please let me know & I'll put it on the blog.