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The topic for this weeks Hi5 was chosen by Anne and I love it - but it was HARD. I brainstormed a short list of faves (ah, slashed it down to 32 choices...)
So here's my top 5 picks for MG/YA books made into movies:
(2007 adaption)
I showed this in class and almost every student cried.
Even the eleven year old boys (which the girls thought was totally sweet)
It's a powerful adaption that brings the book to life.
The scenes of Terabithia are stunning and the acting is convincing in a way that will make you remember the magic of make believe and also make your heart ache.
#4 Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
(Disney 1960 adaption)
Has it all: shipwreck, pirates, wild animals, a girl disguised as a boy and brothers in love with the same girl and the coolest tree house you always wanted to live in, plus how funny is Francis? I like the movie better than the book (it's a very boyish-type book, I think).
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| It also has Fritz... (dude in the middle) |
#3 Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
(1988 US film adaption: The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking)
The books rock hard and the movie rocks even harder.
One of my fave literary characters ever.
I wanted to be her.
Well, who didn't? :)
#2 Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta
(film released in 2000)
Melina wrote the screen play (so, you know, it's beautiful and funny) and Pia Miranda (as Josie) is spirited and generally awesome and Anthony Lapaglia is a fave actor of mine. It's full of energy and emotion and you can't help but root for Josie and her complicated life. Plus, its shot around Sydney in places I have haunted and it feels so Australian that me & my mates just connected with it. It's ten years old now, so it feels a touch dated, but I've chucked up the trailer if you're interested :) Has anyone seen it?
#1 Anne of Green Gables by L M Montgomery
(1985 Television movie and sequel)
No contest for my number one pick.
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| "Carrots!" |
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| Gilbert and Anne FTW |
Some of my Runner-ups:
- I Capture the Castle - I blogged about the book verse the movie earlier Also Henry Cavill is in the movie...
- Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers - the 1960 adaption starring Jodie Foster - just a whole heap of fun (and the screen play was written by the author)
- Nim's Island - so so good (and the book's written by an Australian author)
- Girl, Interrupted - loved this hard when it came out, also love the book (which is a memoir)
- Whip It - it's pretty cool, but I haven't read the book...
- Bend It Like Beckham - actually just thought of this and could probably rearrange things, but cant be bothered. Love the book, love the movie
- The Narnia movies. Love Prince Caspian, but not a fan of how Peter got treated in the movie. He is not like that in the book! Disturbed me a little b/c Pete's a good guy :)
- and yeah, I liked Romeo and Juliet with DiCaprio and Danes when it came out - 1997. Is that uncool? Who cares :)
Also, fairytale retellings: I love Ever After with Drew Barrymore and Amanda Bynes in Sydney White, but they're not really based on a book so I didn't include them in my options.
And I bet there's heaps I haven't thought of, so these are just my picks for now.
And I bet there's heaps I haven't thought of, so these are just my picks for now.
Okay, I'm stopping before I get carried away...
Have you got favourite book to movie adaptions? You can do your own post any time this weekend, link it up using Mister Linky and we'll come and check it out.
Also, so many of my mates haven't watched Anne of Green Gables (!) Tell me you have and that you love the movies hard.
Wow, I've only seen a few of these but I'm too chicken to watch Bridge to Terabithia since I heard someone dies. Great list.
ReplyDeleteI love the Swiss Family Robinson movie! Childhood favorite right there. Wonder if it's on Netflix. . . .
ReplyDeleteI LOOOVED Looking for Alibrandi the book. Need to see the film!
ReplyDeleteFun meme - I haven't see some of these so I'll have to check them out!
ReplyDelete~Alyssa
Teens Read & Write
Nice one, ladies! AOGG is the absolute best. LOVED all the movies, and the second series on avonlea.
ReplyDeleteOh, I just read Bridge to Terabithia. I'll have to get the movie. No, wait. I'll make my son read it first. Haha. I'm so evil. And I loved Romeo + Juliet too - one of my DiCaprio faves.
ReplyDeleteOh I love Anne of Green Gables, I will have to rewatch it sometime soon. Loved Looking for Alibrandi as well. The remake of Freaky Friday with Lindsay Lohen and Jamie Curtis is surprisingly good too (well, I liked it anyway!).
ReplyDeleteI loved the movie Bridge to Terabithia but I never read the book. Haven't seen Anne of Green Gable either...but I promise I'll watch it! Some day :P.
ReplyDelete@ Tracey - you really should watch Bridge to terabithia. It's imaginative and magical :) You'll love it.
ReplyDelete@ Rebecca - I know, how good is it? My kids love it now and I never get sick of watching it
@Amna - I hope you can track it down over there. Such a cool funky little Aussie movie
@Alyssa - I love your picks too :)
@KO I cant even express how much I adore AOGG. So glad you love it too
@Angie : you'll love the movie. And I'm glad you liked Romeo and Juliet. I saw it on the big screen and thought it rocked. xx
@ Kristy: Oh - I like the Lindsay lohan one too. I am a sucker for movies like that. I should re-watch it sometime... I feel nostalgic for Anne now too.
@ Liz: Glad you like terabithia 0 it's fairly similar to the book :) And, AOGG is so worth it, even outdated it still rocks.
After my mom introduced me to Disney's movies and other 'high culture' movies, I grew to love them too.
ReplyDeleteEven though the following aren't novel adaptations, unless they were written later - I feel they deserve a mention and are worth checking out.
Classics movies like:
Dean Jones in 'Monkeys, Go Home!' & 'The Ugly Dachshund' - Don Knotts in 'The Ghost and Mr. Chicken' & 'The Incredible Mr. Limpet' - Tony Randall & Ken Berry in 'Hello Down There'.
Bridge to Terabithia was such a lovely movie!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movies. They always make me feel so good. And Blake Lively is a doll!
And the Narnia movies are total favourites. Even more than the books perhaps. Prince Caspian is one of my all-time faves!
ReplyDeleteOh I did love that Anne of Green Gables TV movie! I usually find that the movie interpretations of books are a let down - like the DaVinci Code for example.
ReplyDeleteThe early Harry Potters made me feel like that until I decided to stop comparing the movie to the book and enjoy it on its own merits.
There is a MOVIE of Looking for Alibrandi!!! I find the best things out on your blog. Plus Bend it Like Beckham and Freaky Friday are books - I know nothing!
ReplyDeleteFun meme this week, sorry mine was so late.
I had never even heard of the LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI movie. And sad, I can't find it on the nextflix in the US. I'll keep looking tho. Great post.
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