April's Watchlist
From Page to Film
This section is strictly for my recommendations of TV & movie film adaptations. For an adaptation to make it to this page, I need to have read the book and seen the movie or show and liked both. If I have done a blog post specifically for that book or movie, I will have a link to it somewhere in my blurb. I love movies as much as books, so I wanted to create a space for them on my site. I am so excited to share my watchlist with you, please leave me any recs for adaptations you love! Happy Watching!
Carrie
Written by Stephen King, there are two movie adaptations of this book that I'd like to discuss: the original 1976 version starring Sissy Spacek and the 2013 remake starring Chloë Grace Moretz. Although both films have differences from the original written material, they both effectively showcase the different forms of evil that Carrie experiences and becomes. The story is about a girl with telekinetic abilities who is pushed too far on prom night after being bullied at both school and home.
The Ruins
Written by Scott Smith, "The Ruins" is a story I recommend. A group of friends vacation in Mexico and meet a new friend who is to meet up with a family member at a remote archeological dig in the Mexican jungle. When trapped they encounter a malevolent and ancient force and we delve into themes of survival, human nature, and the unknown, as the group faces unimaginable horrors.
Knock at the Cabin
Originally "The Cabin at the End of the World" and written by Paul Tremblay, This is a book and movie you must read/see!
But I do have to say the book is better, especially for the ending. I saw the movie first and LOVED it, but then when I read the book, I was like, "WHY M. Night?!"
The movie is great and I do recommend it, but what I'm disappointed with is M. Night Shyamalan needing to do his signature twist ending. The ending of the book is left open-ended, left to your interpretation, and I feel that's the perfect ending for the tone of this book. I feel M. Night's ending gave the audience closure, whereas the ending of the book was tragic and unknown. Other than the choice to change the ending, this movie was perfectly done, I especially loved the cast, they all did a great job at portraying their characters!
My Best Friend's Excorism
By Grady Hendrix, we have a story of friendship, this adaptation captures the 80s vibe perfectly! Gretchen is possessed and her best friend Abby must save her - there's horror, comedy, and gore. I highly recommend both the book and movie for your Halloween watchlist!
The Mist
The Mist is based on a novella by Stephen King. The story of a group of people trapped in a grocery store after a storm, terrifying creatures lurking in the mist! A classic horror film depicting the behaviors humans take in a disaster! Click here to view my blog post about this book/movie.
The Hunger Games Trilogy
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is set in a dystopian world, where the rich 1% have the lower class districts pick one teenage girl & boy by lottery, to send into the "Hunger Games" to fight to the death. We follow Katniss as she volunteers to go to the games in place of her younger sister. There's action, a love triangle, politics, and more. The books & movies are sure to entertain!
The Shining
The Shining, another classic by Stephen King is set at The Overlook Hotel in Colorado. Jack gets a job working as an undertaker for the hotel off-season, which is the perfect time to work on his play & have a fresh start. The Overlook soon takes an interest in his son Danny who has special abilities, it wants him and will use any means, including his father to get him.
There are two different adaptations, the Kubrick film and a mini-series. Stephen King didn't like Kubricks adaptation with lots of changes from the source material. The mini-series was created by King himself and stays much truer to the book, I do recommend watching both versions!
The Help
By Kathryn Stockett, Set in 1960s Mississippi, Miss Skeeter returns from college wanting to be a writer. She notices the injustice and divide between the black and white community and wants to write about it with the help of a few local maids. We hear all kinds of stories from happy to tragic, and I highly recommend both book & movie! I felt the movie did an amazing job depicting the book, I loved the characters especially who they cast as Minnie & Mrs. Celia!
Harry Potter Series
There is no way you don't already know the story of "the boy who lived"! By J. K. Rowling, set in a wizarding world, the chosen one Harry will find out he is a wizard and will find friendship, love, family, trauma, danger, and pain. I first saw the movies as they were released, the same age as Harry; I grew up with him and this world. I finally read the book series and WOW! There is so much in the books that the movies don't cover, more action, comedy, and storylines! I highly recommend the movies and especially the books!
The Hobbit
J. R. R. Tolkien, the master himself. His story of Middle Earth is one you have to dive into. I saw the movie adaptation first before reading the book, and I loved both. The music, scenery, action, and my favorite characters Gandalf & Legolas returning! The adaptation has some changes from the book, some added drama between the dwarfs and the white orc, but I think it was a necessary addition, The Hobbit isn't as high stakes action-packed as The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I recommend both, a perfect cozy read for the Fall & Winter time.
World War Z
A zombie apocalypse story written by Max Brooks. The book and movie are drastically different but I still recommend both. In the movie, we follow Brad Pitt's character, a former United Nations Investigator, who travels to find a cure. The book on the other hand is set after the apocalypse while rebuilding the world. The book is comprised of a collection of stories from all types of people from different countries, where they were and their experiences during the apocalypse. We hear from soldiers as who fought, ocean divers trying to clean the water from zombies (terrifying), and even soldiers with trained dogs doing reconnaissance, running through tunnels and pipes (omg that section made me bawl my eyes out, still does)! I highly recommend you read this book!!!
And Then There Were None
A classic murder mystery by Agatha Christie! The book itself was so easy to read and kept me guessing, it also helped get me out of a book slump. A story of a group of strangers who are invited by a supposed friend or new employer to an island home for a summer vacation. Dropping like flies one by one they try to solve the mystery of which one of them is the murderer and why were they brought here? The show adaptatiion did a wonderful job of capturing the dark vibe, there were some changes from the source material and a LITTLE romance thrown in, but I do feel they were necessary changes.
The Princess Bride
By William Goldman, this story is a humorous fantastical fairy-tale story. I grew up watching the movie and of course, I loved it, Cary Elwes as Wesley is chef's kiss, and Inigo Montoya & Fezzik were cast perfectly. "You killed my father, prepare to die" There are so many quotable moments and will always be referenced. I read the story for the first time in Nov. 2022, and wow! So many more character details and backstories that made me fall more for the characters, (except Buttercup lol not much a fan of her in the movie and especially the book) also more adventure and trials! Oh yeah, this story is about a farm boy who leaves on a boat to make money to start a future wiith a farm girl he loves. Presumed dead, she becomes engaged to a prince. When kidnapped her one true love returns to save her!
Rosemary's Baby
Another classic horror, written by Ire Levine. The movie adaptation did a great job at staying true to the book and capturing the ominous vibe of the story. Mia Farrow plays Rosemary beautifully, the suspicion, fear, the dying from the inside feeling! We follow Rosemary, a young new wife moving into a New York apartment with her husband, a struggling actor. She meets a strange older married couple that becomes very interested in her after she is pregnant. A terrible truth will be discovered after she gives birth!
Misery
By Stephen King, Misery is a MUST read & watch!!! Paul Sheldon, a famous romance author of the Misery series has been in a car accident in a snowstorm. He is discovered by his #1 fan Annie Wilkens, injured and immovable, he is being nursed back to health by Annie. She soon finds out he has murdered her favorite character Misery in the newest and final book release. Tasked with writing a new novel, he must give her the happy ending she wants, and Annie will go to any lengths to get it.
Psycho
A book written by Robert Bloch and the film by the popular Hitchcock, this is a classic you must see and watch. Norman Bates is a motel caretaker with a domineering mom and a big secret. A psychological horror that you should not miss!
Firestarter
Again another story by Stephen King, I'm sorry but I love King! Charlie is a little girl with pyrokinetic abilities that she inherited from her parent after they were involved in an experiment in college. She and her father run from an organization called "The Shop" which wants to use her as a weapon. I recommend the 1984 version with Drew Barrymore, it's not a perfect adaptation as I felt Drew Barrymore didn't capture Charlie and her behaviors to a T and some changes were made, but I do have a nostalgic love for this film and it still told the book's story well. I tried the 2022 version but didn't get far in, already from just the beginning they made a good amount of changes, like the backstory of her parents and how they got their abilities being one. The charcaters weren't portrayed right, the story was different, and the vibe of the movie wasn't right, so I just shut it off. IDK, if you liked it that's great, it just wasn't for me.
The perks of being a wallflower
Written by Stephen Chbosky, is a coming-of-age novel that delves into the complexities of adolescence. Through the eyes of Charlie, a shy high school freshman, the story explores themes of friendship, mental health, and the journey toward self-acceptance. Set in the early 1990s, the novel captures teenage life while addressing serious issues like trauma and identity.
The Stand
Bringing the list back to another Stephen King, The Stand is such a nostalgic film for me. There are 2 versions, a 1994 mini-series, and a 2020 mini-series. Both versions have made changes from the book, and there are things I like and don't like from both. I love the cast of the 1994 version best, they better represent the characters from the book. But I do love the dark evil scenes in the 2020 version, such as the deterioration and changes Nadine Cross goes through in the end. They both have their pros and cons, but I do recommend both. And of course, you must read the book, it is one of my all-time favorite books and there is still so much that wasn't shown in both mini-series.
IT
Stephen King.. not sorry lol
Again there are 2 versions, a 1990 mini series and a 2 part movie in both 2017 and 2019. I love both versions, but this one is tough. I love the actors in the 2017 & 2019 versions better EXCEPT the child actor who plays Billy, that crown goes to Jonathan Brandis from the 1990 version. I felt the bond and friendships were better represented in the 1990 version, the camaraderie and admiration for their leader Billy did not hit right in the newer version!! NOT IT!! There were things in the newer version I didn't enjoy such as the relationship Mike has with his "uncle", in the book he has an amazing relationship with his dad, it's sad they took that away, but they decided to kill off his parents I guess. But the horror aspects of the newer version were awesome! I loved both Curry's and Skarsgård's depictions of Pennywise, they equaled both sides of the coin. In the book, Pennywise is both incredibly eerie and terrifying but also at the same time comedic in a hateful dark way. Much like how Skarsgård mocks them with dancing or Curry yells out fat jokes or religious slurs. All in all, both versions are worth the watch!
A Little Princess
By Frances Hodgson Burnett, this is such a beautiful story, I highly recommend a watch and read. There are some changes from the book of course, but both the book and movie are beautiful with happy endings!
The Girl on a Train
By Paula Hawkins, this is a must-read and watch. Emily Blunt is perfect for this role, and the film did an amazing job of telling the story and capturing the vibe. Secrets, mysteries, and psychological abuse; a perfect thriller for movie night!
Interview with the Vampire
By Anne Rice, this book is one of my all-time favorites. I know Anne Rice wasn't much of a fan of this adaptation, and I can understand why, much was left out and things were changed, and although I loved Tom Cruis's performance he wasn't what I pictured when I envisioned Lestat based off the books description (especially Armand!). But wow, the cast did a great job with their roles and the aesthetic and vibes of this film are perfect. I haven't seen the newer show and dont intend to, I've seen scenes and spoilers, and that ended up going off the book and became its thing. Which is fine, I hear it's really good, but I am so tired of my beloved books being drastically changed to where it's unrecognizable.
Memoirs of a Geisha
By Arthur Golden, this story was an experience to read and had such a great adaptation. As with every adaptation, there will be changes and things left out, such as with this one. A story of abandonment, trauma, and forbidden love, this is a must-watch. And oh my goodness, Michelle Yeoh and Gong Li are MVPs in this movie, they played their characters beautifully!
Flowers in the Attic
Written by V. C. Andrews.
There are 2 versions, a 1987 and 2014, and I do recommend both. Now, I do get the ick (iykyk) with a huge plot point of the story, but listen, the author is a great writer, AND OMG THE DRAMA!!! This family has so much drama that keeps me glued to the book; forbidden love, trauma, abuse, jealousy, vengefulness, betrayal, guilt, religious rightousness, and judgment. I also recommend the Petals on the Wind 2014 sequel.
Alice in Wonderland
By Lewis Carroll, a whimsical story of a girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit hole into an odd adventure. There have been many movie and TV show adaptations, and I've seen a few. So to make it easier and less wordy, I will make a list of what I've seen and tell you if it is worth it.
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Once Upon A Time in Wonderland - Yes a must-watch! (It's a spin-off of the show Once Upon A Time, it's like an Alice in Wonderland and Aladdin mash-up.
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Disney's Alice in Wonderland (animation 1951) - Yes a must-watch!
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Alice in Wonderland (1999) - Maybe. I personally enjoy it, but it's also nostalgic for me as I've seen it as a kid. It also stays true to the book.
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Adventures in Wonderland (TV series 1992-1995) - It's definitely fun for kids with silly and quirky mini-adventures.
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Alice in Wonderland (Tim Burton 2010) - I loved this dark version! The second one I don't remember loving so much.
The Dressmaker
By Rosalie Ham, this is a great story. A woman returns home to her childhood small town to care for her sick mother, a town she was banished from. A story of love, trauma, and revenge! I highly recommend both the book and film.
Into the Wild
Written by Jon Krakaue, a gripping true story that chronicles the journey of Christopher McCandless, a young man who, after graduating from college, abandons his possessions and savings to venture into the Alaskan wilderness. Through research and interviews with those who knew McCandless, Krakauer paints a vivid and haunting portrait of a young man’s quest for meaning and self-discovery.
Doctor Sleep
Written by Stephen King, this is the sequel to "The Shining". I love the cast they picked for the movie, it was well done. I do believe that the book is better, lol what else is new? There is of course so much more to the characters, back story, details, and changes in the book! Reading the book is worth it, but the movie is also recommended.