30 Day Movie Challenge: Day #22

Day 22. Movie You Wish You Could Live In

This category was hard because I’ve already used a lot of movies that I would want to live in in other categories. Here are a few others that I would find interesting to live in.

• The Wizard of Oz (1939)–Dorothy Gale is swept away to a magical land in a tornado and embarks on a quest to see the Wizard who can help her return home. Starring Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr and Jack Haley. With all the magic and wonderful characters who wouldn’t want to live in the Land of Oz?? Plus I want to live in a world where randomly breaking out into song is a normal occurrence!

• Accepted (2006)–A high school slacker who’s rejected by every school he applies to opts to create his own institution of higher learning, the South Harmon Institute of Technology, on a rundown piece os property near his hometown. Starring Justin Long, Jonah Hill and Blake Lively. This just seems like the most fun college ever!

• Monte Carlo (2011)–Three young women vacationing in Paris find themselves whisked away to Monte Carlo after one of the girls is mistaken for a British heiress. Starring Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester, Katie Cassidy and Cory Monteith. Who wouldn’t want to be mistaken for a princess and get to play dress up in some fabulous clothes…and shoes!!

• Star Trek (2009)–The brash James T. Kirk tries to live up to his father’s legacy with Mr. Spock keeping him in check as a vengeful, time-traveling Romulan creates black holes to destroy the Federation one planet at a time. Directed by J.J. Abrams. Starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Leonard Nimoy, Eric Bana, Karl Urban and Zoe Saldana. I want to hang out in space with these two beautiful guys.

• National Treasure (2004)–A treasure hunter is in hot pursuit of a mythical treasure that has been passed down for centuries, while his employer turned enemy is onto the same path that he’s on. Starring Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha and Jon Voight. I love scavenger hunts! Living a real one could be really awesome!!

What movie do you wish you could live in??

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??