Ah well, what can I say? Its not like I haven’t been writing – my journal has been my best friend over the past week. Anyway, I know I’m behind with Top Ten Tuesday – I’ve got two weeks to catch up on. So here is the first attempt to catch up – from Tuesday 12th April. It was Top Ten Books You Want to See Made into Movies! In no particular order (this also includes books that have been made into movies which have ruined the books/story/characters…):
1. Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere. There is an older series but it doesn’t necessarily do it justice in terms of the special effects and characterisation. It would be a fantastic modern update, because it would work in any era.
2. Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series – made into a series of films. Fantastic steampunk supernatural fun!
3. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. It would make an epic drama/suspense film. Its the kind of book I can imagine as a film.
4. Eragon by Christopher Paolini. The film was drastic and butchered the novel. It needs remedying, with better CGI/animatronics and much better casting and acting decisions. Please?
5. The Vampire Lestat…all of Anne Rice’s Vampire books! Queen of the Damned was a poor version of the book and I loved Interview with the Vampire (which did do justice to the book, even if it didn’t stick to everything). They do make great films if done well.
6. Empress Orchid by Anchee Min. This is a brilliant book – although I disliked it to start with (my own personal hang ups), I loved it as it went on and also love the concluding sequel The Last Empress. They would both make brilliant films – it deserves a good go by a Chinese director rather than a British or American director.
7. The Lollipop Shoes by Joanne Harris. The sequel to Chocolat. The problem with this is that the ending of the film version of Chocolat doesn’t leave any gaps open for Vianne and her daughter Anouk moving to Paris, without Roux. Vianne has forsaken magic (to Anouk’s consternation) and they are now living in Montmartre. Its one of the better sequels I’ve read and if it wasn’t for the messing up of the ending of Chocolat (I do love the film but the book is stronger).
8. Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments series – which has already been put into production or is beginning to be set up/casted etc. I’m looking forward to it but a little apprehensive too!
9. Italian Fever by Valerie Martin – would make a great suspense drama with lots of twists and turns. I can’t imagine it being a big budget flick, just a well made drama with good acting.
10. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. Its been made into a musical (which I’m not keen on, but will probably end up seeing), but I would love to see it as a gothic and dark film.
Cats and Chocolate 