30 Day Movie Challenge: Day #23

Day 23. Movie That Inspires You

OMG so many movies to choose from in this category! I find that most movies have some sort of inspiration to them so it really just depends on the mood you’re in.

• Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)–The sisters come back to Delores’s show to get her back as Sister Mary Clarence to teach music to a group of students in their parochial school which is doomed for closure. One of the girls, who is the most talented of the bunch, is forbidden to sing by her mother, although the choir has made it to the state championship. A group of stereotypical incompetent monks tries to stop them. Starring Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Najimy, Maggie Smith and Lauryn Hill. It’s a great story that teaches kids to follow their dreams and that it only takes one person to inspire many. I absolutely love this movie!! Especially all the songs. They have wonderful voices!

• Mulan (1998)–To save her father from death in the army, a Chinese maiden secretly goes in his place and becomes one of China’s greatest heroes in the process. Starring the voice of Eddie Murphy as Mushu. Way to go Disney for bringing in the girl power. Mulan finally breaks the barrier for princesses. She doesn’t need a prince in shinning armor to come save her. She’s gonna be doing all the saving herself. LET’S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS.

• Pay It Forward (2000)–A young boy attempts to make the world a better place after his teacher gives him that chance. Starring Kevin Spacey, Haley Joel Osment and Helen Hunt. I have a love/hate relationship with this movie. It’s just too damn sad. But the idea that if you reach out to three people and that chain continues, is an inspiring one. The world really can be a better place.

• Remember the Titans (2000)–The true story of a newly appointed African-American coach and his high school team on their first season as a racially integrated unit. Starring Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris and Ryan Hurst. It’s a great story about young people putting aside their differences and realizing their similarities. It’s moving to know that things like this really did happen and that people do truly stand up for what they believe in.

• Soul Surfer (2011)–A teenage surfer girl summons the courage to go back into the ocean after losing an arm in a shark attack. Starring AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, Lorraine Nicholson, Kevin Sorbo and Carrie Underwood. The real story of Bethany Hamilton is a truly moving one that plays out so well in this movie. I figure if a girl who lost her arm is able to do so much and help so many people, I could do great things too.

What movie inspires you??

30 Day Movie Challenge: Day #16

Day 16. Favorite Book Adaptation

I used to be a big reader but not so much lately. I really only wanted to add movies that I’ve read the books of. The books are usually better than the movies but there can still be good movies to come from books.

• The Perks of Being a Wallflower (1999/2012)–An introvert freshman is taken under the wings of two seniors who welcome him to the real world. The book and the movie were written by Stephen Chbosky. He also directed the movie starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Dylan McDermott, Kate Walsh, Nina Dobrev, Nicholas Braun, Paul Rudd, Mae Whitman, Melanie Lynskey and Joan Cusack. I was lucky enough to see a preview of this movie with a Q&A with Stephen Chbosky afterwards. He informed us that we were actually the first paying audience of the movie! How awesome?! I think this is a great adaptation because you have someone who wrote the book, making the movie. Obviously he wants what’s best for his story.

• The Hunger Games (2008/2012)–Set in a future where the Capitol selects a boy and girl from the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister’s place for the latest match. Suzanne Collins wrote the book and cowrote the screenplay with director Gary Ross. Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson and Donald Sutherland. Having a teen book that is that gruesome is hard to turn into a film without making an R rating. Somehow they were able to keep a low rating and still show the horror that their world has come to. I’m a little skeptical about the sequel changing directors, so we’ll just have to see where it goes.

• Harry Potter Series (1997-2007/2001-2011)–The stories chronicle the adventures of a wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The main story arc concerns Harry’s quest to overcome the Dark wizard, Lord Voldemort. The books are written by J. K. Rowling. The movies star Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Matthew Lewis, Tom Felton, Evanna Lynch, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Bonnie Wright, Gary Oldman, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter and so many more. Even though there are so many things missing from the movies and the books are a million times better, these movies bring a visual telling of the stories. To actually see what this world looks like and watch the action unfold is amazing and with such great special effects.

• Alice in Wonderland (1865/2010)–19-year-old Alice returns to the magical world from her childhood adventure, where she reunites with her old friends and learns of her true destiny: to end the Red Queen’s reign of terror. The book is written by Lewis Carroll. Tim Burton directs. Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Crispin Glover, Michael Sheen, Stephen Fry and Alan Rickman. I love how crazy and trippy the book is and that is exactly what Tim Burton the genius did with this movie!

• Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1958/1961)–A young New York socialite becomes interested in a young man who has moved into her apartment building. Truman Capote wrote the book. The movie stars Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. Another favorite movie of mine. I love the elegance that Audrey Hepburn brings to every role she does!
  

• Out of Africa (1937/1985)–In 20th century colonial Kenya, a Danish baroness/plantation owner has a passionate love affair with a free-spirited big-game hunter. The book was written by Isak Dinesen/Karen Blixen (actually my great great aunt). Sydney Pollack directs. Meryl Streep and Robert Redford star. Ok so I had to add this even though I haven’t read the book or seen the movie. But it was nominated for so many awards and I know so many people who love the book/movie that I figured I would add it. Plus how cool is it that I’m related to her??

What do you think is the best book adaptation??