Monday, September 29, 2014

Monday Muse: My Favorite Book-to-Movie Adaptations




Hello everyone, and happy Monday! It has been awhile since I last did Monday Muse. I hope you guys are ready for another dose of silly conversation hehe. Today I’ve prepared a list of my favorite book-to-movie adaptations! This list is heavily biased and in no way serves as movie analysis device, but I hope you’ll like it anyway! ;)



1. The Hunger Games

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Oh, heaven knows my obsession over The Hunger Games trilogy. I just can’t get enough of Finnick Peeta. While Katniss might not be the easiest heroine to relate to, I just can’t seem to hate her. That girl is so awkward in letting herself being loved. I think Jennifer Lawrence is perfect for Katniss! Katniss doesn’t say much but the emotion is totally palpable on her face.

The first movie, The Hunger Games, has great portion of action and romance. I think they do great job in the second movie, Catching Fire, as well, adding more action in order to make things more interesting. Fingers crossed they’ll do awesome job in the third movie, Mockingjay, which focuses on Katniss’ unstable emotional state. Raise your hand if you’re going to watch Mockingjay: Part 1 as well in November! ;)


2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

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 EZRA MILLER I LOVE YOU. Ezraaa.

Cough, sorry for the fangirl moment. I just need a little shout out moment for one of my favorite actors ever, Ezra Miller. Ezra plays a really wonderful part as Partrick, one of the main trios in the movie adaptation of this book.

Oh Patrick how much I adore you.

When I read the book, I was like, “Oh Patrick yeah he’s cool”. But when I saw Ezra in the movie I was like, “WHAT PATRICK I LOVE THAT GUY MAN YOU GOT ME AT THAT SMIRK”. So, um, yeah. #fangirlproblem

The Perks of Being a Wallflower has a really good story and stunning casts. I think that the cinematography is very beautiful as well (though I’m in no way expert in that area haha). Thanks to this movie, I ended up listening to songs from bands which I wasn’t accustomed to like The Smiths. And yeah, they’re cool like Ezra’s hair. (LOVE HIS HAIR AAAHHH)

Practically everyone's favorite part.


3. Julie and Julia

I’m a big fan of cooking show. I can’t whip up anything more complicated than brownies or spaghetti, but watching people cook always make me happy. Julie and Julia, with lovely storyline, adorable accent, and delicious-looking dishes, is totally on my favorite list. How I wish I could get into the movie and taste the dishes! (I’ll even try escargot gah)

This is a cute movie I’ll recommend for watching together with your friends! Julie and Julia makes me want to take my apron and get into the kitchen. But for the safety of everyone, let’s just stick to making more brownies(es), Hilda! xD


I want a kitchen like this! (and extra boost of cooking talent would be good too haha)
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4. Howl’s Moving Castle


idea for cutest date ever (hanging out among the clouds)

This animation movie is an adaptation from classic fantasy book by British author, Diana Peterfeund Jones. Some of you know how much I adore animation movie and especially the producer of this amazing work, Ghibli. Howl’s Moving Castle is romantic and appropriate for all ages. It has a quirky heroine, Sophie, who has been magically transformed into a grandma and totally okay with it. There’s also Howl, the hero who is sometimes a coward but still very lovable. I highly recommend watching Howl’s Moving Castle with your children/younger cousins/anyone who enjoy animation movie!

You can check other works from Ghibli if you want to (they’re as amazing!): My Neighbor Totoro, The Borrower’s Arriety, and Princess Mononoke. Ghibli is very popular in Japan and when I met new Japanese friends, we ended up talking about Ghibli movies. Therefore, it’s a great way to branch to other movie genre and meet new friends! ;)



5. The Devil Wears Prada

hang in there, Andy!

I’m sorry but I really like The Devil Wears Prada. #sorrynotsorry It’s a total chick-flick movie, yes, but who am I to resist the temptation of chick-flick? ;) It has great storyline, wonderful casts, and GORGEOUS sets of clothes and shoes. I’m a happy audience, thank you.

The plots in the movie deviate from the book, but I like it so it’s okay. Plus, no one can pull of Chanel like Anne Hathaway can.

I'm fabulous and I know it.

6. Pride and Prejudice

Mr. Darcy! I first watched the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice when I was much younger (about 12 years old...?). Needless to say how confusing the story was for me. Re-watched again when I was few years older and I have to say that people of different eras think of the same thing! Marriage. Sisterly bond. Not fitting in. Lizzie, Jane, and other Bennett sisters are just like reflections of girls in this time (minus the corset). Applause for the cinematography: simply breathtaking.


If you haven’t watched it (gee, I don't know you live under a rock), please watch it. What, you have watched it before? Good. NOW WATCH IT AGAIN.


7. The Fault in Our Stars

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GAHHH THE FEEELLLLSSS. I’m so grateful that I didn’t watch The Fault in Our Stars in cinema because OMG I was such a mess when I was watching this. I cried a river and made incoherent noises and was practically a puddle of mess haha. The movie is ROMANTIC with capitals. I'm glad that some of my guy friends managed to enjoy it though! :)

However,I did miss some of my favorite quotes from the book ("My words are stars I can’t fathom into constellations"), but I’m content with all the staring and unspoken words between Gus and Hazel.

Kinda wish that they had put more highlight into Gus’ breakdown moment in the car because it is the moment we see a crack in tough Augustus Waters. The movie also ignores some symbolisms in the story, like when Gus and Hazel watch movie in the plane and Gus’ movie is few seconds quicker than Hazel so he always laughs/exclaims first. Still, I think it’s a very lovely movie and a definite tear-jerker. You gave us a beautiful love story within the numbered pages, and for that we’re grateful, Mr. John Green.

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And that’s my short list (and looooong explanation) of my favorite book-to-movie adaptations! Do you find any of your favorite in my list? What is your favorite book-to-movie? :)

Happy Monday, and thanks always for reading, everyone! I hope you’re having a wonderful (and inspirational!) Monday! :)

12 comments:

  1. Howl's Moving Castle is, as a film, significantly better than the novel--IMO. I haven't read The Devil Wears Prada though I just LOVE the movie and P&P is a definite favorite of mine as well, right alongside The Hunger Games (though I preferred Catching Fire as a film better than THG as a film), and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Fantastic list, Hilda--you nailed all my favorites! I'd probably add The Princess Bride because the film really is just fantastic but either than that, this list is perfect and oh-so complete. I do need to see Julie & Julia though so I'd better add that to my personal to-be-watched list. ;)

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  2. What Keertana said - while The Hunger Games was an amazing movie, I thought Catching Fire was pretty much perfect. I love that movie to bits. I'm also a really big fan of The Perks of Being a Wallflower as well as The Devil Wears Prada, although I haven't read the books of either.. yet. Sooner or later! I've also yet to read Pride & Prejudice, but that's high on my to-read list right now. The movie was beautiful.

    I have yet to see The Fault In Our Stars. Really curious to see what they've done with it - I've only heard sob stories until now haha.

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    1. I just went to the library and I saw The Devil Wears Prada there. I thought of this post, so I brought it with me :D

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    2. Oh wee! That somehow makes me ridiculously happy haha. Let me know whether you like it or not! The storyline is a bit different from the movie. :)

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    3. I finished it yesterday. While I thought it was entertaining, I think it works better as a movie. I preferred Nigel in the movie (whereas in the book he wears catsuits and TALKS IN CAPITALS) and I didn't like the alcoholic/slutty best friend storyline. But the idea is still quite amazing and it had some good parts!

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  3. I actually thought Catching Fire was a better movie than the first. Somehow it was a far more emotional experience for me. As for The Fault in Our Stars, I have yet to see it, but I have no doubt it's going to be amazing. My favorite adaptation lately has definitely been The Book Thief.

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  4. Oohhh, I LOVEEEEEEE The Devil Wears Prada so much. Though I did never count officially, but I kept watching over and over for that movie, especially when I'm down.

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  5. If I Stay was pretty good for an adaptation and so was Warm Bodies. I like the AMC version of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth better than the one with Keira Knightly. Great post, Hilda! :)

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  6. I liked the movie adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada better than the book! Streep and Hathaway kill it :). And The Fault in Our Stars- oh god. I really need to watch it again! Watching it once just wasn't enough. I was reallly young while watching Pride and Prejudice too. And I remember thinking how beautiful love was, the way Lizzie and Mr. Darcy portrayed it, after the movie. :,)

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  7. The Hunger Games adaptations are AMAZING. I really, really loved Catching fire (which is also my favorite book) The fault in our stars was great (except for the awkward clapping scene in the Anne Frank museum) I want to see Howl. I wasn't blown away by the book, but I was told the movie is better.

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  8. I've just recently watched the latest installment of The Hunger Games series, and I absolutely loved it! I think it truly deserves being number 1 in this list of yours. I've also watched/read most others on this list, aside from Howl's Moving Castle, which is definitely next up on my list. Thank you so much for sharing everything! Wishing you all the best!

    Simon Walker @ The Viewlorium

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