Okay...first and foremost...how can I NOT choose this book as the most amazing thing ever put on the movie screen? Yep...you guessed it...it's a no-brainer...wait for it...Gone With the Wind. What, you couldn't predict that? It's a masterpiece. The book was amazing. A phenomenal snapshot of our American culture and life at a very tumultuous time in our nation's history. The characters are 3D, identifiable, brave, couragous, and real.
First time I read the book was in seventh grade. We had to do a Civil War book report (yeah, in the south, we studied the Civil War every year), and I asked if I could read GWTW. My teacher, Mrs. Jordan, (pronounced Gerrrdun) said it was "too grown up" for me. But I insisted and told her I'd do a great job. I couldn't believe how different the book was from the movie, which I had seen a few years earlier with my parents when it was re-released. In the book, Scarlett has two children before Bonnie Blue. There's also a lot more indepth information about the culture and what happened to people following the war, but still, there's the amazing chemistry and relationship between Rhett and Scarlett. (I got an A+ on the report, by the way.)
Who better to play these star-crossed lovers than Vivian Leigh (clearly, the most gorgeous human ever to exist) and Clark Gable (ditto on the gorgeousness):
My second favorite would have to be, without a doubt... Bridget Jones's Diary This book had me at "hello." Amazingly funny, realistic, identifiable...just perfect. I've read the book three times and I still cry-laughing over it. Helen Fielding did a perfect job capturing the singleton life. And, I have to admit, Renee Zellweger did a fantastic job bringing Bridget to the screen. I was skeptical when it was announced, but she pulled it off. Charming, funny, and relatable.
Let's face it, though...the reason we flocked to the theatre was because of one thing: Mark Darcy. More importantly: Colin Firth.
Even in the ridiculous reindeer jumper...
How could Bridget even CONSIDER Daniel Cleaver?
Okay...so I have a thing for Colin Firth. So sue me. LOL!
As for teen books, there are so many classic books that have been made into teen movies. Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew was immortalized in 10 Things I Hate About You and Hilary Duff did a very charming version of Cinderella in A Cinderella Story. And what about Alicia Silverstone as Cher in Clueless which is a modernized version of Jane Austen's classic, Emma.
What's your favorite teen book to a movie? What makes you love it?
Marley = )
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6 comments:
Yes, Marley, GWTW & BJD are 2 of my favorites, as well. (I'll reveal my top fave tomorrow).
As far as teen books into movies, another good book-to-movie was Alice Hoffman's AQUAMARINE.
And thanks for reading PROM DRESS...hope you like it!
i read that clark gable had nasty bad breath
Fabulous picks to start off the week, Marley. Bridget Jones is one of those movies I can watch over, and over, and over again. Of course it has nothing to do with Colin Firth. Really. I swear.
Anon--with looks like that, Clark Gable could afford bad breath =) All a girl has to do is innocently offer up a mint.
Hugs,
TLC
LOVE BJD! I haven't read or seen Gone with the Wind (I know, imagine me with a big L on my forehead)! I agree about Vivien Leigh being the most beautiful human ever. why were people so much better looking back then? Do you think it was because the movie was in black & white. Should I start taking all photographs of myself in B/W??? ha!
My favorite TEEN book to movie is Queen Bees & Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman which Tina Fey made into the screenplay, MEAN GIRLS. I absolutely love this movie. I could watch it every single day. I'm not even a big LL fan but I just never get tired of it.
xo,
Steph
Steph -- I've never read GWTW, but I've seen the movie. And (hanging my romance-writing head in shame) I'm not really a fan.
MEAN GIRLS = one of the best EVER!
This is gonna sound bad, but I've never read GWTW -- have to pick it up! I have seen most (?) of the movie. It's really long.
Totally with you on Bridget. I love that movie even more than the book, which I love. And mmmm.. Colin Firth...
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