Making a great book into a movie is often the kiss of death. Fans of the book criticize the movie to no end, critics shame the director for fouling such a work of art, etc, etc. Everyone and everything surrounding a book-to-movie production seems very, well, dramatic. And unsuccessful. However, there are a few movies out there that got it all right, enhancing the book and even telling the story even better than the book itself.

And this is coming from a self-proclaimed reading snob.

I’ve created a list of my top 4 books made into movies. Granted, I have not seen every movie ever made that is based on a book, but I think I have a pretty good base to choose from. Let me know if you agree or add your own to the list

#4. Lord of the Rings Trilogy

I know that I’m probably going to get flack for this one from the hard-core fans, but making “The Lord of the Rings” novels into movies was not only one of the best financial decisions ever made (raking in a cool BILLION on ticket sales and rentals alone), but also a smart pop culture move. Before the movies, the books and whole “culture” of LOTR were fairly underground; some people read the books in school, but other than that, they weren’t terribly popular. And I’d like to think I know why.

I tried to read the books. I barely got through the first one and had to give up. I’m not a detail person so I found several pages describing the movement of grass in a valley to be WAY too much. But then I saw the movie – which obviously eliminated all that need for boring description – and it. was. awesome. The story, the drama, the imagination that went into coming up with all those characters and details. Good move with the movie, LOTR people. A good move, indeed. Read More »

Some movies make you laugh till your tummy hurts, while some movies inspire you with their message. There are some that make you terrified to sleep alone after watching, or ones that are so graphic and disgusting that they make you puke in your mouth and consequently scar you for life. And then there are  the ones that make you shed a tear (or in my case, bawl my eyes out till they are puffy and swollen).

Those are my favorites. Sound strange? Then tell me you’ve never had one of those days when you just wanted to have a good cry. It’s ok. Everyone needs a little release (followed by a giant brownie) now and then. If you’re having a day like that, check out on of these: my list of the best tear-jerkers of all time. Read More »

It was a Saturday night. We were out for a girls’ night, just looking to have dinner and loosen up with the sort of movie we can’t drag our boyfriends to. Under the influence of estrogen and bad decisions, we decided to go see what looked like a cute movie, just something to keep us in the spirit of femininity.

Wrong. All wrong. Wrong movie, wrong time, wrong situation. In all fairness, I kinda knew what was coming, having heard about the book well before the movie was even in the works. I didn’t like the idea of it then, but somehow between two weeks ago and last Friday, I decided that I needed to see the movie with the bestie as a girls’ night out scenario. Here’s why I advise that everyone without ironclad self-esteem skip the movie, at least until you can see it in the comfort of your home.

1. If you’re into escapism through upbeat movies, this is not the one for you. After two hours of ‘He Just Not That Into You’, not a single one of the main characters’ plot-lines even resembled positive. I was literally crawling out of my seat trying to salvage the remainder of a happy evening as commitments combusted, relationships crumbled, and ruthless reality checks conspired to sink the Girls’ Night. The only reason I made it through is because I had to see if the writers would actually throw the audience a bone and make a happy ending. Read More »

The College Candy Movie Review showcases three newly released Movies and/or DVDs—one for each of our three classifications: “Best Date Movie”, “If You Must…” “Best Movie Ever! Go Watch/Rent It NOW!”

Best Date Movie (on DVD)

Cloverfield released 01/18/2008

A going away party abruptly ends when a monster launches an attack on New York City. The movie is told from the perspective of character Hudd’s video camera (think Blair Witch Project) as he and his friends try to escape the monster’s wrath.

No doubt you’ve heard of this movie already—it made massive waves when it hit theaters in January—but perhaps you didn’t realize it’s full potential as a date movie. For starters, watching it as a DVD means that most likely it’ll be just you and your date curled up in front of the screen, in which case a bit of suspense and thrill are definitely pluses. Also, Sci-fi flicks always make great icebreakers—there’s something inherently goofy about the plot no matter how freaky it may be.

In case you really get into it, the DVD also boasts several bonus featurettes, four deleted endings, as well as two alternative endings. Read More »

The CollegeCandy Movie Review showcases three newly released Movies and/or DVDs—one for each of our three classifications:

“Best Date Movie”— A great date movie shouldn’t be too much of any one thing. (unless of course you and your date already know of a mutual interest in a certain genre, in which case this classification isn’t really for you). Rest assured that a movie with this classification will not be embarrassingly sexual, overly gory, stupidly juvenile, etc.

“If You Must…”—Most of us have obsessions with something movie-related—movies that we “Must” see. Categories include, marvel comics’, action, eye candy, zombie, horror, chick-flicks, Muppets (my vice), Disney, samurai, Will Farrell, Jack Black, etc.

A movie with an “If You Must…” classification will give you an idea of how much you will suffer (through bad acting, terrible soundtrack, etc) by giving into this “need”.

“Best Movie Ever! Go Watch/Rent It NOW!”— It’s the movie that you want to see over and over, the one you recommend to everyone you know, and can’t wait to get on DVD.

Best Date Movie (predicted)

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (May 16, 2008)

Okay so I know what you’re thinking and before you totally write me off hear me out! Read More »