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Books to movies – I’m forever in a quandary as to whether I want to see an ‘adaptation’ of a book. Personally, I enjoy the images my mind creates while reading, so I’m not usually eager to see the film version. I’ve been disappointed before. For example, Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez is a beautifully written book and love story. The movie didn’t come close to capturing it. The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende is fabulous, telling the story of four generations, incorporating magic with such a unique style you won’t want to put it down. However, the movie was dreadful. In fact, if you saw the movie first you probably wouldn’t want to read the book, and that is a damn shame. Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel. You might not think a book written about prehistoric times would immediately catch your interest, but this book is a panoramic view of a culture with a narrative that keeps you turning the pages. On the other hand, the movie was unwatchable. And these are just a few of the book to movies that just didn’t do it for me.

However, there are a few that peaked my interest –

The Time Traveler’s Wife
Based on: THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE by Audrey Niffenegger

The Time Traveler’s Wife is a romantic drama about a Chicago librarian with a gene that causes him to involuntarily time travel, and the complications it creates for his marriage.

Based on my love of time travel books, I had to pick this one up – however, I was disappointed. I felt no empathy for the protagonist or his situation. You’ll have to judge for yourself. Will I see the film. Most definitely yes.

Julie & Julia

Based on: JULIE & JULIA: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell

Based on two true stories, Julie & Julia intertwines the lives of two women who, though separated by time and space, are both at loose ends until they discover that with the right combination of passion, fearlessness and butter, anything is possible.

I can remember years ago, before the Food Network, there were only two people you could watch cook on television – Julia Child and The Galloping Gourmet. They weren’t called “Chefs” back then but they were delightfully entertaining. They cooked with tons of lard and they prepared dishes only a stay at home wife with an army of servants could prepare. It was great ‘theater’. Will I see it on the big screen- absolutely. Why? Because it stars Meryl Streep – I’d go see her reading the phone book.

You Tube Video

Taking Woodstock
Based on: TAKING WOODSTOCK by Elliott Tiber

A man working at his parents’ motel in the Catskills inadvertently sets in motion the generation-defining concert in the summer of 1969.

Ang Lee directs this one, and I love his work. I’ll most certainly be buyng a ticket to this one. I lived the era and I’m curious to see yet another angle – Woodstock never gets old.

I Love You, Beth Cooper
Based on: I LOVE YOU, BETH COOPER by Larry Doyle

I Love You, Beth Cooper chronicles the story of a nerdy valedictorian who proclaims his love for the hottest and most popular girl in school, Beth Cooper, during his graduation speech. Much to his surprise, Beth shows up at his door that very night and decides to show him the best night of his life.

For me, this one is a rental – and that’s only a maybe.

What’s on your summer movie list?