Friday, Oct. 16, 2009

Turning books into movies | Reader response

In our quest to find stories Hollywood has yet to tackle, we asked The Sun News' Facebook friends to sound off on which of their favorite books they would like to see on the big screen. Here's what they had to say:

"I would like to see 'Hatchet' by Gary Paulsen, turned into a movie!"

Devin Michael Shirkey

"'The Descent' by Jeff Long. It's got a world-changing apocalypse, monsters, and mountain climbing. Who wouldn't love that?"

David Powers

"Would love to see a movie of the character Amelia Bedelia. I loved her books when I was young!"

Erica Costa

"My favorite childhood book and the one I read to all my children is 'Love You Forever.' I would love to see this story on the big screen. The moral values in this story are what people need to get back to. Caring for your family is the most important thing you can do in life. I would choose Reese Witherspoon to play the part of the mother. I believe that this movie would make you laugh and cry at the same time, and that is what a good movie is supposed to do. It will also make you think about choices made or going to make in your lifetime."

Lynn Eason Hammond

"'Fudge' by Judy Blume.Wouldn't that be hilarious?!"

Lauren Hubert Wilkins

"'Making Money' by Terry Pratchett.

Kati Bishop Cox

"'Guess How Much I Love You' by Sam McBratney. The famous quote in my family, 'I love you right up to the moon' hailed from this story. I'm 28, so it's held its sense of importance all this time.

Such a profound story of a child (in this case a bunny) trying to express how much he loves his father while being overwhelmed with excitement and frustration all at once. Comes up with some quotes that only a child could conjure. And therein lies the magic.

For some odd reason, in my mind, I have always envisioned each character in this book speaking with an accent. No idea why, just adds to the storyline for me.

Father (bunny) should be brought to life with the voice of Liam Neeson for this very reason. Tender words, yet strength & comfort in each sentence. There is no question that the son (little bunny) should be played by Jack Scanlon, a British child actor who recently played in 'The Boy In The Striped Pajamas,' a film about the view of The Holocaust through the eyes of a child.

I just think it would work and I for one, would 'love it up to the moon.'"

Mia Nicole Williamson

"A movie based on the series of poems 'Where the Sidewalk Ends' by Shel Silverstein."

Angie Ashurst

"'Aaron's Shirt' by Deborah Gould. It's about a little boy that goes to the store with his mom to buy clothes for his first days of school.

He picks out a red and white shirt, which becomes his favorite. He wears the shirt for that year and then has to pack it up until the spring. Next spring, he gets it out to wear and he has grown! The shirt still fits but it is shorter and smaller!

Once again, he packs the shirt up till the next spring!

When Spring comes, he tries to try it on but it is too small! He is so upset because his mom says he should give to another little boy to wear!

Finally, the little boy and his mom have an idea to put the shirt on his teddy bear! Now the little boy gets to see the shirt all year-long!

This is a heartwarming story about childhood, growing up, change and feelings! It is a favorite story with children who have had a favorite piece of clothing, as Aaron's lucky shirt!"

JennyLyon Worley

"'Sun Dog' by Stephen King!"

Brice Torgersen

"I think 'The Magic School Bus' Children Book Series would be a fantastic book to movie project. Endless possibilities on story line and visual effects are pretty much an open book."

Michael Walden

"My favorite book is 'Heart-shaped Book' by Joe Hill. Judas Coyne is a collector of macabre items till he became the owner of a dead man's suit that came in a black heart-shaped box. Judas and his girlfriend set off on a journey to find the owner of the suit. It is a blood-chilling roller coaster ride.

I think Bruce Wills should play Judas and Sam Elliot should play the ghost.

Two hot older men, what else could a girl ask for in a scary movie?"

Diana Schmader

"The rest of the 'Wizard of Oz' books."

Kelly Windnagle

"'Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret' could be an awesome movie! My friends and I loved that book many moons ago when we were younger. Maybe Abigail Breslin or Dakota Fanning could play the lead."

Stacie Kennedy Ridgely

"Carl Hiaasen's 'Flush.' I love his children's books! It is a great story for kids. A young boy thinks a casino ship is dumping raw sewage into the waters. ... Very apropos story at this time; environmental awareness. And justice served!"

Mary Max Neely

"'Summer of the Swans' by Betsy Byers, one of the best books ever!"

Heather Lilly Jordan

"How about 'Steal This Book' by Abbie Hoffman ? We wouldn't need the free movie passes. We'd just "steal" our way in the theater through the back doors."

Vincent Lehotsky

"'The Dirt' by Motley Crue. Every time i read it my hair just spontaneously catches on fire."

David Matthews

"How about 'The Witch of Blackbird Pond.' I don't think its been made into a movie yet."

Amy Gore Cox

"How about 'I'll Love You Forever.' Another children's book. It would be a great family movie. I don't know a single mom who can get through it without crying."

Kim Graham Brown