Monday, September 9, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Would Love To See As A Movie/TV Show (set in a perfect world...in which movies don't butcher the books we love.)

Guess what time it is?  It's time for Top Ten Tuesday!  The Broke and The Bookish host a weekly blog with the theme and I love it.

This week's theme: Top Ten Books I Would Love To See As A Movie/TV Show (set in a perfect world...in which movies don't butcher the books we love.)

I'm so glad they added the stipulation in that this is set in a perfect world. Being a book lover, if I have read the book first, I usually hate the movie. Directors tend to ruin them!  I hate that. Occasionally they will get it right, but that is rare.

So here we go:


1. The Dinner: While this was definitely not my favorite book ever, I found the topic and theme intriguing and think that the medium of film might actually do it justice. As far as the casting, I would suggest perhaps Tom Hiddleston as the main character. He needs to be someone with a dark side but you understand why he has a dark side and feel pity for him, almost cheering for his evil.  We all know Mr. Hiddleston's got that down pat!

2. Boy21: I loved this book. It was all about a young man who is trying to find his way in the world and is suddenly given the responsibility of watching over someone else. That someone else is a troubled young basketball star who recently lost his parents and now believes himself to be an alien. This tale really goes into what some teenagers are forced to deal with and coping with tragedy. As far as casting, I have no idea.


3. Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald: We hear and read a lot about F. Scott Fitzgerald. There are countless movies about the man.  But what about  from Zelda's perspective?  They were a young couple newly married thrown into fame and somewhat fortune. Scott had his issues with wanting to write the great American novel and alcoholism.  Zelda struggled with loneliness and eventually schizophrenia. In a time when mental illness was treated with electricity, she tried to rise about it all, only to be dragged down. I think a good Zelda Fitzgerald would be Emma Stone


4. Calico Joe: Baseball always makes me happy and this tale of the rising star who was humble and sweet is brilliant. I would go with a young Robert Redford for this one (we are in a perfect world, remember?)


5. The Screwtape Letters: Ok, so I am not exactly sure how this one would work, but I love it none the less. I was thinking maybe as a miniseries or TV show.


6. The Count of Monte Cristo: I know what you are thinking. "There are a ton of movies based on this book."  And you are correct. HOWEVER, none of these movies actually follow the book!  Again, this one may not be good for a movie.  A mini-series would be better since there is so much to cover.  But I don't want to see Edmund Dantes happy and smiling at the end!  Did no one read the book?! And as the lead character, hmmmm, that's a tough one. You need someone who can pull off innocence, ruggedness, desperation, and evil. Maybe Jude Law?  What do you think?


7. The Shadow of the Wind: I ADORE this book. I have a mad crush on Julian.  Who could play him?  Hmmm.... I haven't a clue!


8. I've Got Your Number: This one was my guilty pleasure. This would be a stereotypical chick flick.


9. Angels and Demons: Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon?  NO!!!!!!  Let's redo this with someone who is ACTUALLY like the character in the book. I am sorry Tom Hanks, but that's not you.  I am looking for a Daniel Craig, or a Michael Fassbender.


Ok, that was all I could come up with!  Agh!

25 comments:

  1. Agree, The Dinner would make a top movie, as well as Shadow of the Wind.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I would LOVE to see The Shadow of the Wind the most, but worry they'd ruin it. :/

      Delete
  2. Have you seen the screwtape letters play it's really really cool (a monologue though not great for a movie) but a movie would be interesting

    My Top Ten

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A play about the Screwtape Letters? That would be awesome! I need to find this. Thanks!

      Delete
  3. I really want to check out The Dinner now! And guh, how could I have forgotten The Shadow of the Wind (probably because I love it so much, I actually wouldn't want anyone to try and adapt it. But if they did, I'd be curious to know who's be cast for Fermin, lol).

    The Count of Monte Cristo would make an excellent miniseries. BBC has The Three Musketeers coming out this autumn or winter; if it does well, maybe they might consider TCoMC? One can hope! :)

    Fantastic list! :) My TTT

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love Fermin! I mean, how can you not? He's hilarious but has heart. He'd be tough to cast correctly.

      And I didn't know about the Three Musketeers miniseries, but I tend to trust BBC, so I am very interested now!

      Delete
  4. Dinner and The Shadow of the Wind made my list too. Also Z would make for an interesting biopic

    ReplyDelete
  5. Just because you mentioned Emma Stone I'm all in for a movie like that. Can't help loving this woman!

    My TTT

    ReplyDelete
  6. I actually haven't read any of these books yet, so I have some serious catching up to do! :)
    Top Ten Tuesday
    GIVEAWAYS: American Girl on Saturn and Heist

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I highly recommend starting with The Shadow of the Wind.

      Delete
  7. I hadn't thought about it before, but Screwtape Letters actually COULD make an awesome mini-series. Perhaps. In a perfect world!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It would definitely have to be in a perfect world.

      Delete
  8. This looks awesome! I don't think I read any of them though

    http://spicedlatte.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  9. I loved I've Got Your Number. That would make a really cute movie!!

    Here is my TTT: http://jacquesbooknook.blogspot.com/2013/09/top-ten-tuesday-books-i-would-love-to.html

    ReplyDelete
  10. I like the idea of I've Got Your Number as a movie. I feel like there are no really great chick flicks any more. Great list!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Shadow of the Wind would make a great movie! All those cinematic Barcelona shots... It would be GORGEOUS!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would want to help create the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. So much fun!

      Delete
  12. If the world is ready for a sad Les Miserables (as opposed to that awful Liam Neeson version where everybody lived in the end), then the world is ready for a true-to-the-book Count of Monte Cristo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Doesn't the Liam Neeson version also exclude Ephonine completely? I had not idea every one lived at the end of that movie. Talk about creative liberties! But seriously, the entire point of the book is that revenge didn't solve anything. He got his revenge knowing full well it would destroy who he was as a person. The movies make it seem like he got his cake and ate it too. Nope, not even a little.

      Delete
  13. What is with the crazy movie versions of The Count of Monte Cristo? I mean, I know it's a long book, but it's a seriously awesome plot just the way it is. Especially the end, which is what the movies skimp on. I would be all for another movie that does the book justice. Or at least comes close.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yes, I'd love to see a version of The Count of Monte Cristo that actually followed the plot! I almost put it on my list, put then decided not to. I really liked the anime based on the story, Gankutsuou, but it was definitely altered as well, what with the fantasy/science fiction elements and more focus on the younger generation. I watched it before I had read the book, though, so I'd have to see if I still like it now.

    I'm also really looking forward to the BBC's The Musketeers TV series next year, I hope it is a good Three Musketeers adaptation! I could really use one of those, please!

    ReplyDelete