Avoiding New Moon? You've got options!
For those who turn up their noses at sparkly vampires and CGI wolves, it may seem like your night at the movies is doomed. Fear not! There are plenty of great movies -- based on books, don't you know -- to choose from in the next couple of months.
"The Road," based on Cormac McCarthy's dystopian book of the same name, stars Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron, Robert Duvall and Guy Pearce. It's McCarthy, of "No Country for Old Men" fame, so it's rough. But it's sure to be powerful. (Released November 25.)
"Precious" is already earning accolades from Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry and critics just about everywhere. Based on Sapphire's novel "Push," the film follows an overweight New York City teen and mother who has been negelcted and abused but hasn't lost her hope. (With Paula Patton, Mo'Nique and introducing Gabourey Sidibe.)
"The Blind Side" is about football, family and making me cry. Sure, you could turn your nose up at ANOTHER Sandra Bullock tearjerker, but as a Ravens fan, I clearly can't miss this flick, based on a book by Michael Lewis that chronicles the history of the left tackle position and Michael Oher's improbable rise to the NFL. It also stars Tim McGraw , Kathy Bates and newcomer Quinton Aaron. (Released November 20.)
Who doesn't know "Sherlock Holmes"? Add in names like Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law (whom I'm not convinced will be a great Watson, but we'll see...) and Rachel McAdams, and I'm clearly spending Christmas Day at the movies. Besides, we haven't heard Downey with a British accent for a while, and I'm really looking forward to it.
I still believe nothing will top my beloved "Muppet Christmas Carol," but I'm willing to give Jim Carrey's "A Christmas Carol" a shot. The special effects look to be amazing, at least, and they've finally figured out how to make people's faces move properly in the performance capture medium. (Released November 4.)
I'm sure there are more. Hollywood loves nothing more than to adapt our favorite books, and hopefully do it well. Are there any others you're looking forward to? And "New Moon" is an acceptable answer, I guess.
While she always preferred The Hardy Boys to Nancy Drew, 
Comments
I am with you. I just can't wait to see Sherlock Holmes!!! I love Robert Downey Jr. He is the only actor alive who could read a phone book and I would still be mesmerized by his performance! He is truly a talented and naturally gifted actor. He is the perfect Holmes!!
Posted by: Anna | November 12, 2009 10:03 AM
I've already got plans to see The Blind Side with a friend. I'd like to see Precious too.
Posted by: Kathy R (Bermudaonion) | November 12, 2009 10:23 AM
The problem with books-into-movies is that the more you love the book, the less likely you are to like the movie. So, as exciting as the casting is for Davis Ebershoff's The Danish Girl (not even started filming yet, but with Nicole Kidman and Gwyneth Paltrow), I love that book so much that no movie is likely to capture my heart as well.
That's my problem with Sherlock Holmes. I hate to pass on a Robert Downey Jr. film, but Holmes the character is all about using your brain to solve problems, not being an action hero. If it had been about a Holmes-like character, I'd have been excited. Since it's supposed to be about Holmes, I'll stick with Jeremy Brett. (And even Brett doesn't work for some people who love the original stories.)
With The Blind Side, I had not read the book nor known much beyond the basic outlines of Michael Oher's life story, so I was able to enjoy the movie as a movie when I saw an advance screening -- sentimental in a good way. (Some people think "sentimental" means "bad," but I'm not one of them.)
Some reviewers who love the Alastair Sim version of A Christmas Carol have still been very impressed with the Jim Carrey version (Michael Sragow definitely not among them), so I'm withholding judgment for now. The amazing thing about A Christmas Carol is that it's such a strong story that most adaptations of it are good. I mean, even Mr, Magoo's Christmas Carol is good. I wish I could find the James Earl Jones/Martin Sheen Bah, Humbug! somewhere.
Posted by: jds | November 12, 2009 11:15 AM
Jude seems like the perfect Watson. Nice that they're going with a Watson that's more true to the stories and not of the Nigel Bruce sort. Also that the action alluded to in the stories is actually acted out. People seem to think it doesn't exist just because it wasn't described in detail in the stories. Good for Ritchie and company. Looking forward to Sherlock.
Posted by: sheryl | November 12, 2009 12:20 PM
To add, Jim Carey's "A Christmas Carol" looks to creepy for me. I want to see Precious, although I expect the subject matter to be pretty intense.
Posted by: sheryl | November 12, 2009 12:24 PM
I'm huge Twilight fan and I've been waiting for this movie for long time. I love and adore those books.
NO WAY AM I GOING TO MISS THAT !
Posted by: Sia | November 12, 2009 3:39 PM
Michael Oher and Ray Rice will be at M&T Bank Stadium on Wednesday, November 18, for the Alliance for American Manufacturing "Keep it Made in America town hall meeting.
http://www.americanmanufacturing.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/baltimoreflyer.pdf
Posted by: Scott Boos | November 12, 2009 5:37 PM
Awesome, thanks for the recommendations, I've definitely heard good things about these flicks so far, so I'll have to check them out. I loved No Country for Old Men, I'm actually watching it again this weekend at Phoenix Art Museum. They are hosting a viewing as part of their Museum Events
Posted by: Jessica | November 12, 2009 7:17 PM