Books vs. Movies (Booking Through Thursday)

May 22nd, 2008 · 7 Comments

Yay–my question got picked!! If you’re coming here from Booking Through Thursday, please note that my url is superfastreader.com, with no “wordpress.” I’d be ever so grateful if you update this if you are linking to me. And thanks for the link love!

Books and films both tell stories, but what we want [...]

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Manola Dargis Doesn’t Do Her Homework

May 16th, 2008 · No Comments

In her review of Prince Caspian in today’s New York Times, Manola Dargis writes:
The Pevensie children can withdraw to London between episodes, but moviegoers are unlikely, and also perhaps unwilling, to escape from Narnia and the other increasingly numerous, and therefore increasingly mundane, places like it.
A lovely sentiment, were it not for the fact that [...]

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Casting My Vote

January 8th, 2008 · 2 Comments

…for the nominees for the WGA Awards. I was nominated once…
Original Screenplay:
Black Snake Moan
Juno
Ratatouille
The Savages
Waitress
Adapted Screenplay:
3:10 to Yuma
Into the Wild
No Country for Old Men
Rescue Dawn
Zodiac
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Wish This Was Real

December 19th, 2007 · 4 Comments

HT: Grasping for the Wind
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5 Tips for Crafting Effective Criticism

September 12th, 2007 · 22 Comments

As you may be aware, I currently have a part-time job analyzing books and screenplays for a production company. I read the material, provide a detailed synopsis, and then offer my opinion as to whether the material has promise as a feature film. Last night’s work read was an especially challenging one, offering [...]

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Trailer for “The Mist”

September 5th, 2007 · 2 Comments

Because what a reading blog needs is More Video, right? But I’m really, really excited for this stupid movie for all kinds of reasons, and Sheila blogged about it the other day.
Plus I just finished a really boring work read, and the best cure for boredom is You Tube. At least that’s what [...]

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Books to Film (Booking through Thursday)

July 12th, 2007 · 18 Comments

I’m putting this post up in honor of an adaptation project I’m working on right now. From Booking through Thursday:
1. In your opinion, what is the best translation of a book to a movie?
2. The worst?
3. Had you read the book before seeing the movie, and did that make a difference? (Personally, all [...]

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Movie Version of Special Topics in Calamity Physics

May 31st, 2007 · No Comments

I loved Half Nelson, so this news makes me very happy:
Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden, the duo who wrote last year’s Half Nelson, are teaming once again to adapt the Marisha Pessl novel Special Topics in Calamity Physics. According to Variety, Miramax will be funding the project.
The book revolved around a teen who had been [...]

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How to Turn a Book Into a Movie

March 31st, 2007 · 17 Comments

I’m often asked what I look for when I evaluate books for the movie biz.
First and foremost, I look for the elements that are important to my employers–things that they are specifically looking for in terms of genre, execution, etcetera. I read for a couple of different places, and each has a slightly different [...]

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I Don’t Like Jonathan Lethem’s Books But That Doesn’t Make Me Stupid, Stupid

March 18th, 2007 · 5 Comments

Today’s New York Times had a review of Jonathan Lethem’s new book, You Don’t Love Me Yet. I don’t see what the big deal is about Lethem–I thought this book was ably written but lacking vitality, and Motherless Brooklyn made me put it down after about 100 pages because it bored me.
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