5 great YA movie deals

Yep ~ Psnarks FIVE challenge

5 YA Movie Deals

In order of excitement... countdown style

5. If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Whenever it happens, I think this will make the kind of YA movie I'd really love, even if it differs from the book. Strong on family relationships and big on choices with an emotional hit. Plus, it's a little bit sexy.

4. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E Pearson

I so loved reading this book and all the concepts in it and the vibe in general. It's going to be a fab movie, I'm thinking... (also, the sequel to The Adoration of Jenna Fox is coming out in 2011...)

Here's the official book trailer

3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The book is HUGE, I'm thinking the movie will be pretty HUGER ;)
This fan-made book trailer is actually pretty spectacular and completely convincing, you know, if you haven't read the book already... do yourself a favour and watch it.

2. Beatle Meets Destiny by Gabrielle Williams

How much do I LOVE this book? I have hopes for a rocking cult-classic vibe movie. CANNOT WAIT. It's funky and just a bit sexy and extremely funny in the oh-so-quirky-feel-good-way.

Here's a fan made book trailer :)

1. The Dead of the Night by John Marsden

(#2 in the Tomorrow Series)

WHY, YES, I THOUGHT THE FIRST MOVIE THAT CAME OUT THIS YEAR COMPLETELY ROCKED.

So thrilled that they have announced a second and a third movie. And there's talk of a spin-off TV series...
I re-read the entire Tomorrow Series this year and it's about as nostalgic as I'll ever get about any characters, ever. So looking forward to seeing them again in Hell.

In case you missed it the first time around ~ here's the official trailer for Tomorrow When the War Began, which is now out on dvd in Australia. (Hits the big screen in the UK in April).

So there's mine ~ three Aussie movies and two US...

WAIT! There's more!

TWO movies I am most appropriately psyched about:
Obviously, I'm hanging out for The Hunger Games. Just thought, like, everyone would be choosing that and I like to have my own vibe... 
 
And, why, yes, Melina Marchetta is working on a script for On The Jellicoe Road. That's all I know... 

What YA movie deal has you doing the squee thing?

Tomorrow When the War Began coming to the UK

Because of the huge on-going success of the movie in Australia (11 million +) and New Zealand (1.2 million +)  Paramount Pictures has now acquired distribution rights for:

• the UK
• Scandinavia
• Russia
• Portugal
• South Africa

Whoo Hoo!

Also - it's official: #2 The Dead of the Night and #3 The Third Day the Frost (also published as A Killing Frost) are being made into feature films for the big screen.

Yay! 

There is talk of doing a shoot off TV series after the first three feature films...

click for: More stills from the movie

Last week I re-read books #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5 in the series and loved them just as much as always :)

Here's the trailer below (in case you missed it the first time I posted).

I've seen the movie twice. Once with my man (who thought it rocked) and once with my sister - who hasn't read the book*, she absolutely loved it (and cried!) and took my book with her back to Sydney.

My rambling review of the movie :)

*despite years of my occasional nagging... I think my family tune out to my book ramblings...



Also, for those who have read the book - John has given permission to the screen writers to resurrect one of the main characters who die in the books if they so choose to keep them for further movies. You can probably guess which one...

Have a fab weekend! 

xx

Tomorrow When the War Began - the Movie

On Wednesday I finally went to see it (!!!) I was kinda nervous - for all you non-Aussies (or non-New Zealanders) the Tomorrow series is bigger than The Hunger Games - my generation devoured them - teens and adults. The first book came out in 1993 - so it's been a long wait for it to arrive on the Big Screen. I posted the trailer here.

It's opening night was the third biggest for an Australian film (coming behind Australia (Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackson) and Happy Feet. It debuted at #1 and made $3.86 million during its first weekend in Australia and grossed $358,653 with a #1 debut in New Zealand

First of all: the books are brilliant and I swear, the characters are real - out there...somewhere. Reading them, I felt like I was with Ellie and Homer and the gang and fought alongside them. Each new book that was released caused a Mockingjay-like fever. Especially #7 The Other Side of Dawn.

My mother in law is a high school art teacher at a Private Boys School in Sydney and she said that John Marsden and The Tomorrow Series were responsible for getting a whole generation of boys reading. 

Okay, I can feel an essay coming on, haha, so I'll just move right along to the movie.

The Movie:

I absolutely loved it, hey.

It was faithful to the book (minus the hermit's hut) and as soon as it started I was back there - feeling nostalgic to be with the gang. I was caught up in it and it felt so similar to the movie that happened in my head when I read the books :)

The sound track is seriously rocking too. Can I hear an amen?

I knew what was coming but that didn't stop me from feeling the suspense. And, I cried. Okay, so I don't normally cry in movies (really) but it was like watching my mates (not just characters I was meeting for the first time - but mates from my teen life) and the ending hit me hard. No spoilers but those who've read the book can imagine the scene that just killed me. It was really powerful, hey.

Robyn and Lee in Hell

Ellie and Homer in Hell

The setting: filmed in the Hunter Region and the Blue Mountains (the book is set in Victoria though). It felt like home to me, having grown up in the Blue Mountains. It definitely had an Aussie vibe. Really stunning.

The characters

• Ellie (Caitlin Stasey): Just brilliant. I loved her as Ellie. Ellie is my literary hero and I didnt expect I'd love Caitlin being Ellie as much as I did.
• Homer (Deniz Akdeniz): How awesome was he? Homer is one of my fave YA boys ever and I just loved Deniz acting him. He was funny and tough and so Greek Australian. You know you love him.
• Corrie (Rachel Hurd-Wood): It took me a while to warm up to Corrie, but then I was into her. 
• Kevin (Lincoln Lewis): He had a great character arc and really matched the book. Loved it - loved how he showed the fear and how unashamed he was of his own wuss-like tendencies.
• Lee (Chris Pang): I think he came across better in the book- although his dialogue wasn't the best to showcase his intensity, IMO. He is a bit ambiguous as a character in book one. I loved the snake moment. And him and Ellie on the couch. sigh...
• Fiona (Phoebe Tonkin): I already liked Phoebe from H2O Just Add Water (I like watching Aussie MG shows, okay? :)  At first she bugged me and her lines felt more like a US movie than Aussie - but she came really good. So more love from me. She was pretty beautiful and I never imagined Fi was the hot in the book (?)
• Robyn (Ashleigh Cummings): At first, she felt timid to me. And I wanted her to be more tough. But one of my fave moments was Robyn at the bridge, I teared up then. It really hit me. I was so proud of her and completely conflicted in my pride considering the scenario.
• Chris (Andy Ryan): Okay, how funny was he? In that perfect Aussie stoner way. My husband and I were killing ourselves in his scenes. He was so deadbeat - it was awesome. I dont remember him being that funny in the book? 

Sometimes the girls sounded POME*. I know Caitlin Stasey is a POM so I was wondering what was going on with the others. My husband reminded me (we're original Westies) that some Aussies do talk that way - kinda posh - you know, from the North Shore, etc. And, yeah, I get that :)

* Prisoner Of Mother England. Aussie term for our UK mates :)

Homer and Fi

Kevin and Corrie

Bonus Section. (Haha) 

After the Movie:

I wanted to stop in @ the shops and buy a new copy of the book (some of you may remember my husband left my first edition copy on a plane somewhere in Uganda in July. Hardcover first edition just sold for $756 on ebay (!) but husband hates the shops - so we skipped that.

Figured I'd do it later. But then when I got home, I had an email from Pan MacMillan saying I'd won an exclusive movie edition of the book! Wahoo!

I was kinda pumped after that so I went for a bushwalk (to soak up the Hell/Taylor Stitch vibe) and a huge red belly black snake slithered right across the track in front of me. Which was really cool as I was thinking about the gang in the bush at the time and the story, etc. And there's the whole red belly black scene in the movie. Which, how cool was it? :)

Such a cool ending to the TWTWB day. I'm still kind of buzzing thinking about it and the series and how profound and brilliant and impacting a book can be.

movie tie-in edition
available at book shops

Edition I won from Pan Macmillan

Here's the boys signing John Marsden's Book  - which is kinda weird

(seeing as they are not the author) but also cool by me :)

So who's seen the movie?

Read the books? 

Read the books and seen the movie?

Planning on it?

Hi5 - Favourite MG/YA Books to Movies

A meme hosted by Cara @Chasing Words, Anne @Potter, Percy and I and me...

The topic for this weeks Hi5 was chosen by Anne and I love it - but it was HARD. I brainstormed a short list of faves (ah, slashed it down to 32 choices...)

So here's my top 5 picks for MG/YA books made into movies:

#5 The Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
(2007 adaption)


I showed this in class and almost every student cried.
Even the eleven year old boys (which the girls thought was totally sweet)
It's a powerful adaption that brings the book to life.
The scenes of Terabithia are stunning and the acting is convincing in a way that will make you remember the magic of make believe and also make your heart ache.

#4 Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
(Disney 1960 adaption)


Has it all: shipwreck, pirates, wild animals, a girl disguised as a boy and brothers in love with the same girl and the coolest tree house you always wanted to live in, plus how funny is Francis? I like the movie better than the book (it's a very boyish-type book, I think).

It also has Fritz... (dude in the middle)

#3 Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
(1988 US film adaption: The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking)

The books rock hard and the movie rocks even harder.
One of my fave literary characters ever.
I wanted to be her.
Well, who didn't? :)




#2 Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta
(film released in 2000)

Melina wrote the screen play (so, you know, it's beautiful and funny) and Pia Miranda (as Josie) is spirited and generally awesome and Anthony Lapaglia is a fave actor of mine. It's full of energy and emotion and you can't help but root for Josie and her complicated life. Plus, its shot around Sydney in places I have haunted and it feels so Australian that me & my mates just connected with it. It's ten years old now, so it feels a touch dated, but I've chucked up the trailer if you're interested :) Has anyone seen it?


#1 Anne of Green Gables by L M Montgomery
(1985 Television movie and sequel)
No contest for my number one pick.

"Carrots!"

Gilbert and Anne FTW

I don't even know what to say. First off, Anne is just awesome, literary and day-dreamy and wild and stubborn with such a huge heart. And Gil <3 One of my top literary couples ever soo perfectly cast. Anne is just brilliant and Prince Edward Island is stunning. Perfect rainy day comfort viewing and no matter how many times I watch it, I still swoon :) I want Diana Barry as my BFF and still get teary when you-know-who dies... Plus, it's funny, clever, touching, charming, full of soul and have you heard Gil say: "I'm sorry"? LOL!

Some of my Runner-ups:

• I Capture the Castle - I blogged about the book verse the movie earlier Also Henry Cavill is in the movie...
• Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers - the 1960 adaption starring Jodie Foster - just a whole heap of fun (and the screen play was written by the author)
• Nim's Island - so so good (and the book's written by an Australian author)
• Girl, Interrupted - loved this hard when it came out, also love the book (which is a memoir) 
• Whip It  - it's pretty cool, but I haven't read the book...
• Bend It Like Beckham - actually just thought of this and could probably rearrange things, but cant be bothered. Love the book, love the movie
• The Narnia movies. Love Prince Caspian, but not a fan of how Peter got treated in the movie. He is not like that in the book! Disturbed me a little b/c Pete's a good guy :)
• and yeah, I liked Romeo and Juliet with DiCaprio and Danes when it came out - 1997. Is that uncool? Who cares :)

Also, fairytale retellings: I love Ever After with Drew Barrymore and Amanda Bynes in Sydney White, but they're not really based on a book so I didn't include them in my options.

And I bet there's heaps I haven't thought of, so these are just my picks for now.

Okay, I'm stopping before I get carried away...

Have you got favourite book to movie adaptions? You can do your own post any time this weekend, link it up using Mister Linky and we'll come and check it out.

Also, so many of my mates haven't watched Anne of Green Gables (!) Tell me you have and that you love the movies hard.

Tomorrow When the War Began - Brand new trailer SQUEEEE!!!!! And a tragic discovery...

Here's the newest trailer. And it is so awesome I don't even know what to say (!)

Check out how hot the Aussie accent is ;)



In other news...

Last night I was hunting around the house for my copy of Tomorrow. The Husband (Pete) took it with him to South Africa. In case he needed some extra excitement on his trip, you know. And I may or may not have been forcibly gently recommending he re-read it before the movie hits.

I scavenged for a bit. Couldn't find it. Asked Pete (who had been oh-so-passively watching me search for it)

Pete (eventually): 'I left it in South Africa'
Hahahaha. What a joker.
Me: No. Seriously, where is it?
I try to crack his poker face.
His eyes are so solemn.
He blinks and stares and blinks and stares.
Me: Damn. You did not.

Tragic story short.
It is gone. He *thinks* it was left on a plane, somewhere, maybe... 'but,' he added optimistically, 'I read the first two chapters. It was really good.'
a) I hope the person who found it can read
b) I hope they can read English
c) They better flipping love it because...

I cruised around my book sites, to order another copy. It's been reprinted 16 times (!) and I want a cool cover, you know. Because I'm shallow like that.

I jump on Ebay and, did I mention he took my first edition hardcover? Well, there it sits for *drumroll* $695.

Whoah. Seriously?

I think I'll have to just pick up a regular-like one. Sigh.

Tell me you love the trailer.
Tell me your thoughts are with me.

xx

YA Movie News

Follow this link for the latest in movie news including status updates, links to sites/trailers and release dates for:

Kevin (Lincoln Lewis) and Fi on set @
Tomorrow When the War Began

• Tomorrow When the War Began - John Marsden
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J K Rowling
• Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer
• The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
• If I Stay - Gayle Forman
• Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater
• The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones - Cassandra Clare
• Vampire Academy - Richelle Mead

And these movies are currently in development:

• Wake by Lisa McMann - Miley Cyrus has scored the leading role.
• Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (Warner Bros)
• Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr (Universal Pictures)
• Fallen by Lauren Kate (Disney)
• Wings by Aprilynne Pike - again, Miley has the leading role (Disney)
• The Book Theif by Marcus Zusac (20th Century Fox)

Which of these movies are you most pumped about?

My top four most anticipated:
#1 Tomorrow When the War began (SQUEEE!!!)
#2 The Hunger Games
#3 If I Stay
#4 The Book Thief

And, while not a huge fan of the books, I think Wings and Wicked Lovely will make stunning movies.

I just had to  make this poster large size because of it's general awesomeness.
Sorry if it overwhelms you, haha :)