Top Ten Tuesday: Books into Movies

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s category is Top Ten Book To Movie Adaptations I’m Looking Forward To or Ten Book To Movie Adaptations I Still Need To Watch,

Let’s face it, we all know the book is almost always better. I think there have been a few exceptions to that rule over the years, but in general the book is always better. However, that doesn’t even stop us from getting really excited when a new movie based on a book we loved is announced. Fortunately, we are occasionally pleasantly surprised by the outcome. The most recent example I can think of being The Martian. That film was a fantastic adaptation of the book, and I was very happy with it.

I ran out of movies near the end, so I’m also including two shows I’m really excited about.

Top Eight Book to Movie Adaptions I’m Looking Forward To…

1. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

I know this is more of a spinoff of the Harry Potter universe than an adaptation of the small book that was released years ago, but I am extremely excited about it. I cannot wait to be back in the wizarding world again. I don’t even care that it will likely be very different from Harry Potter. It has Eddie Redmayne. And wizards. I’m sure I’ll be happy.

2. Ready Player One

I was already excited about this movie, and then they went and announced that Steven Spielberg would be directing. Who better to direct a movie filled with 80s pop culture than the man who’s films practically shaped 80s pop culture? I’m very excited about this movie, though I realize they will likely have to really streamline the plot to fit it into a 2 hour movie.

3. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

I’ve been running hot and cold on this movie. One minute I’m excited, the next I’m a little concerned. Let’s go with cautiously optimistic. I do think if anyone can really get the quirky and peculiar nature of these books right, it’s going to be Tim Burton.

4. The Sandman

There isn’t much info about this one yet (not really even worth linking to the IMDB page) but this is another one that I’m excited about (but also completely nervous at the same time). I love the Sandman comics just as they are, and really don’t want an adaptation to ruin them. At the same time, I think an adaptation done right could be really good. It all hinges on who ends up playing Morpheus, and that makes me nervous. As much as I love Joseph Gordon-Levitt, I can’t see him in the part and I’m really hoping he casts someone else.

5. Mockingjay Pt. 2

I confess I still have not seen Mockingjay Pt. 1. I am getting tired of this new trend of splitting final books into two movies, especially when the final book just isn’t as good as the previous ones, as is the case with Mockingjay. I will probably rent the movie and watch it then go see Mockingjay Pt. 2, because I’m much more excited about the second half than I was the first.

6. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, though I really didn’t think it needed a movie adaptation. I will, however, get excited about anything Matt Smith is in.

7. Victor Frankenstein

I’m sure like the multitude of Frankenstein adaptations that have come before, this one will deviate significantly from the text and tell it’s own story. However, I’m really excited about this cast: James McAvoy, Daniel Radcliffe, and Andrew Scott? Yes, I’m very excited about this movie.

8. In the Heart of the Sea

I have to confess that I actually haven’t read this book yet (I bought a copy over the summer but still haven’t gotten to it) but the cast for this film is terrific, therefore I’m really excited about it. And no, I’m not just saying that because it has Chris Hemsworth in it. The rest of the cast is pretty awesome too.

… And Two Television Shows

9. Jessica Jones

Less than two weeks to go! I am so extremely excited for this, which actually surprises me a little because I’m generally not a big Kristin Ritter fan, but everything I’ve seen from the show looks good so far. After what they did with Daredevil, I am really excited about all the Netflix Marvel projects and can’t wait to see what’s coming next. Though I am a little nervous about seeing David Tennant as Purple Man.

10. Shadowhunters

If City of Bones had not been an adaptation of the novel, I may have enjoyed it more. I really do like everyone who was in that movie, but I just did not like them in those roles. (With the exception of Godric Gao, Lena Headey, and Aidan Turner). The reason I am so excited about this show is nearly everyone in the cast is EXACTLY how I pictured them when I read the books. I don’t even care if they stray from the story in the books (TV gets a lot more latitude in that area), what’s more important to me is that the characters are true, and so far it seems like they will be.