If it weren’t for books, movie theaters would be a whole lot less interesting. The most talked-about movies are usually based on books—and every year, adaptations promise more of the same delights for readers and filmgoers. Make sure you’re part of the conversation: a brief read before the book hit the screen.
'His Dark Materials' is an epic trilogy of fantasy novels by Philip Pullman consisting of Northern Lights (1995) (published as The Golden Compass in North America), The Subtle Knife (1997), and The Amber Spyglass (2000). Source: Wikipedia
The three novels have won several awards, most notably the 2001 Whitbread Book of the Year prize, won by The Amber Spyglass. Northern Lights won the Carnegie Medal for children's fiction in the UK in 1995. The trilogy took third place in the BBC's Big Read poll in 2003.
HBO Adaption: 'His Dark Materials' follows Lyra, a brave young woman from another world. Lyra’s quest to find her kidnapped friend leads her to uncover a sinister plot of a secret organization, encounter extraordinary beings and protect dangerous secrets as they wander through a series of parallel universes.
The fantasy elements via the trilogy include witches and armored polar bears, also alludes to ideas from physics, philosophy, and theology. Secrets and dangers lie ahead in His Dark Materials:
A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson Just Mercy is a bestselling book that has been adapted into a feature film.
Just Mercy is a powerful and thought-provoking true story about the Equal Justice Initiative, the people it represents, and the importance of confronting injustice.
Bryan Stevenson monologue via JustMercy.EJI.org:
Bryan Stevenson was a young lawyer when he founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit law office in Montgomery, Alabama, dedicated to defending the poor, the incarcerated, and the wrongly condemned.
The Just Mercy Film 'This is about all of us'
Just Mercy takes us inside America’s broken criminal justice system and compels us to confront inequality and injustice.
Just Mercy - #JustMercy - In Theaters December 25, 2019
Based on the bestselling book, the Just Mercy movie presents the unforgettable story of Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) and the case of Walter McMillian (Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx), who was convicted and sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit.
'An unforgettable true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to end mass incarceration in America — from one of the most inspiring lawyers of our time.'
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Welcome to Derry, Maine. It’s a small city, a place as hauntingly familiar as your own hometown. Only in Derry the haunting is real: an evil without a name. No surprises here:
After the smash success of Part 1 in 2017, which covered the first half of King’s classic chiller, set during the Losers Club’s childhood, we all knew they were going to finish the story of Pennywise. The now-grown Losers realize they didn’t quite destroy Pennywise decades ago, and return to the town of Derry to finish the job or die trying. With a cast that includes Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, and, of course, Bill Skarsgård as everyone’s least favorite clown, this is as close to a sure thing as you’re going to get at the movies in 2019.
IT ENDS: CHAPTER TWO
Evil resurfaces in Derry as director Andy Muschietti reunites the Losers Club in a return to where it all began with “IT Chapter Two,” the conclusion to the highest-grossing horror film of all time. Only in Theaters September 6, 2019.
Twenty-seven years after the Losers Club defeated Pennywise, he has returned to terrorize the town of Derry once more. Now adults, the Losers have long since gone their separate ways. However, people are disappearing again, so Mike, the only one of the group to remain in their hometown, calls the others home. Damaged by the experiences of their past, they must each conquer their deepest fears to destroy Pennywise once and for all...putting them directly in the path of the shape-shifting clown that has become deadlier than ever. #ITMovie Official.
The film is Muschietti’s follow-up to 2017’s critically acclaimed and massive global box office hit “IT,” which grossed more than $700 million worldwide. Both redefining and transcending the genre, “IT” became part of the cultural zeitgeist.
IT Chapter Two. Only in Theaters September 6, 2019.
New Line Cinema presents, a Vertigo Entertainment/Rideback Production, an Andy Muschietti film, “It Chapter Two.” The film is slated for release in theaters and IMAX on September 6, 2019 and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Since the beginning of the modern science fiction genre, authors have built careers on writing short stories, for magazines and anthologies — and more recently — on websites. While those works don’t quite get the same attention as a novel, collections of an author’s short fiction has long been a good way to catch up on their published repertoire. Recently, there’s been more attention on shorter fiction thanks to certain projects: These eight short story collections would make excellent sci-fi anthology shows
Since the beginning of the modern science fiction genre, authors have built careers on writing short stories, publishing in magazines and anthologies - and more recently - on websites. While they don't quite get the same attention as a novel that you'll find in a bookstore, collections of an author's short work has long been a good way to catch up on their published repertoire.
Short Story Collections
While they don't quite get the same attention as a novel that you'll find in a bookstore, collections of an author's short work has long been a good way to catch up on their published repertoire. ATTRIBUTION: Recommendations are by @AndrewLiptak via The Verge
WTSU: Miniseries created by Ava DuVernay for Netflix
Chronicling the true story of a notorious case of five black teenagers who were convicted of a rape they did not commit: 'When They See Us'
Ava DuVernay’s important and riveting new Netflix series When They See Us doesn’t explicitly show us that the Central Park Five case took place in the same year that Do the Right Thing blew a hole through American culture and the film industry, but she nods to it all the same simply by booming Public’s Enemy’s Fight the Power. From that moment on, it’s clear that DuVernay is doing more than just recreating known events. She plans on doing something much, much bigger than that. — Article by Sasha Stone via Awards Daily
#WhenTheySeeUs
An American drama web television miniseries created by Ava DuVernay for Netflix.
DuVernay also serves as a co-writer for the series, and is expected to direct every episode.
The series documents the Central Park jogger case from 1989 in which a 28-year-old female jogger was attacked and raped in Central Park in New York City, leaving her in a coma for 12 days. Five juvenile males – four African-American and one Hispanic – were convicted of the crimes by juries in two separate trials in 1990; their convictions were vacated in 2002 (a legal position in which the parties are treated as though no trial has taken place). Series premiered on May 31, 2019. Attribution: Wikipedia
Five teens from Harlem become trapped in a nightmare when they're falsely accused of a brutal attack in Central Park. Based on the true story. Watch trailers & learn more.
If you haven’t heard of After, cast your mind back to 2013,
when the band One Direction ruled the earth as our benevolent overlords. Anna Todd began writing Harry Styles fan fiction on her phone for fun, and posted the chapters to Wattpad, where it became the most read work on that site by a lot. A lot.
A book deal followed, sequels came, and now there’s a film adaptation of the first book, wherein virginal nice girl Tessa goes off to college and meets ultimate British Bad Boy Harry in a story often described as a toned-down Fifty Shades. Tune in to discover whether and how the film captures the delirious pleasures of the books.
Experience the internet's most talked-about book,
now a major motion picture, from Anna Todd, the writer Cosmopolitan called
“the biggest literary phenomenon of her generation.”
There was the time before Tessa met Hardin, and then there’s everything AFTER... Life will never be the same. #Hessa
Tessa is a good girl with a sweet, reliable boyfriend back home. She’s got direction, ambition, and a mother who’s intent on keeping her that way.
But she’s barely moved into her freshman dorm when she runs into Hardin. With his tousled brown hair, cocky British accent, and tattoos, Hardin is cute and different from what she’s used to.
But he’s also rude—to the point of cruelty, even. For all his attitude, Tessa should hate Hardin. And she does—until she finds herself alone with him in his room. Something about his dark mood grabs her, and when they kiss it ignites within her a passion she’s never known before.
He'll call her beautiful, then insist he isn’t the one for her and disappear again and again. Despite the reckless way he treats her, Tessa is compelled to dig deeper and find the real Hardin beneath all his lies. He pushes her away again and again, yet every time she pushes back, he only pulls her in deeper.
Tessa already has the perfect boyfriend. So why is she trying so hard to overcome her own hurt pride and Hardin's prejudice about nice girls like her?
Unless...could this be love?
#AfterMovie
Based on the best-selling worldwide phenomenon
In theaters April 12, 2019!
Search for screenings / showtimes and book tickets for After. See the release date and trailer. The Official Showtimes Destination brought to you by Aviron Pictures
Nancy Drew was first published in 1930
The Nancy Drew Mystery Stories have sold over 70 million copies and become a cherished part of our cultural landscape. The teenage sleuth has been a noted inspiration for generations of women. Written via Carolyn Keene, a pen name used by a variety of authors for the classic Nancy Drew mystery series. The first author to use the pseudonym was Mildred Wirt Benson, who wrote 23 of the original 30 books. Writers who have adapted the pen name Carolyn Keene.
Over the years, Nancy has undergone a variety of updates to make her older, more modern to conform with today's society. Now as the latest Nancy Drew movie hits theaters, here’s a look at some of the successful women who have cited the girl detective as an influence.
A bit of an outsider struggling to fit into her new surroundings,
Nancy and her pals set out to solve the mystery, make new friends, and establish their place in the community. Sophia Lillis takes on the role of Nancy Drew in this adaptation of the teen mystery book by Carolyn Keene. (Warner Bros. Pictures)
First published in 1930, The Nancy Drew Mystery Stories have sold over 70 million copies and become a cherished part of our cultural landscape. The teenage sleuth has been a noted inspiration for generations...
Justice Sotomayor Favorite book as a child: “Nancy Drew. I can’t say it was one particular book. It was the whole series. I read them all.”
Founded in 2010 by filmmaker Ava DuVernay, ARRAY is a grassroots distribution, arts and advocacy collective focused on films by people of color and women.
