Six (More) Book-to-Movie Adaptations You Should Watch Now

It’s almost summertime! Or maybe it is summertime, depending on when Kate hits that PUBLISH button. But either way, it’s the perfect time to enjoy some stress-free entertainment. You should remember Kate’s own Six Book-to-Movie Adaptations You Should Watch Now. Well, she invited me to add some of my own choices to her fantastic list, so here’s six (more) book-to-movie adaptations you should watch now:

ENDER’S GAME

Yes, I know the author, Orson Scott Card, is a terrible person. I also know that there were quite a few changes made, but if there’s one thing I’m sure you realized by now it’s that things get lost/changed/ignored entirely in the transition from page to screen. But, even with that in mind, Ender’s Game is still a fascinating story and study in the human condition. Plus, can you ever go wrong with Harrison Ford, Viola Davis, Asa Butterfield and Ben Kingsly!? I think not.

THE CLIENT

Again, the original author is a less than stellar fellow but Susan Sarandon, Tommy Lee Jones and Brad Renfro are fantastic in this film from 1994 about a boy who sees something he might live to regret. In fact, I’d recommend any film based on a John Grisham novel; they make awesome popcorn-eatin’ fun.

DUNE

I’ll be honest; I think Frank Herbert’s a terrible writer but he’s got an imagination that’d make Jim Henson jealous. The epic tale of the planet Arrakus, that starts out so simply, explodes to impact the entire universe. The 1984 version is laughably bad but in a good way while the SyFy (SciFi Channel back when) remake (and sequel starring X-Men Apocalypse’s own Professor Xavier) is a much more serious matter. Watch one, watch all. Just watch.

THE MAZE RUNNER

How can you not love this mix of The Hunger Games and Lord of the Flies? There’s a reason this series (the sequel is equally awesome) is a hit and the final one is craved. Dylan O’Brien (Stiles Stilinski, Teen Wolf) leads a talented cast of young actors (including Game of Throne’s Thomas Brodie-Sangster) in an exciting life and death struggle against “nature” itself.

ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NOT GOOD, VERY BAD DAY

With this comedy gem, Disney again proved that no one else comes close when it comes to family-friendly entertainment. Starring Ed Oxenbould as the eternally miserable Alexander, this film follows his family through the worst day in their normally happy lives. It is way different from the book (which I haven’t read) but don’t let that chase you away. Much like Dreamwork’s How to Train Your Dragon (another one to add to your must-see list), the changes only make it way better (so I’ve been told).

JURASSIC PARK

What can I possibly say? Jurassic Park is an experience not to be missed and until Jurassic World (which I still love) was the ultimate dino flick. It does contain some big changes from the book but who cares! It’s the pinnacle of 90’s filmmaking and it showed us that the T-Rex deserves her name. As a happy bonus, it’s been remastered in 3D and looks AMAZING. So even if you’ve seen it before, see it again. And while we’re on the subject of Michael Crichton and his brilliant works, check out Disclosure starring Michael Douglas and Demi Moore; the role reversal portrayed was shocking for the time and even now resonates, maybe more so.

BONUS!

INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE

This film, based on Ann Rice’s first novel, is not only a cinematic joy but it also stayed true to the source material, possibly because Ms. Rice herself wrote the script. Yes, minor changes pop up but it in no way harms the tragic tale of vampiric love and loss. The eventual sequel, of sorts, Queen of the Damned, is an enjoyable flick but not if you expect any resemblance to what I believe is Ann Rice’s best work. If you venture there, try to keep an open mind. Or cuss out the people responsible for that abomination. Your choice.

So, have you seen these? Do you have any you think we should all experience? Let me know below. And, of course, HAPPY SUMMER!