Category Archives: based on a book

Love Story

“Love Story” 50th Anniversary Restored 4K Film

based on a book, classic, legend, re-release, romance,

Some call it a classic LOVE STORY as it celebrates its 50th anniversary with a brand-new Blu-ray, newly restored from a 4K film transfer.

Based on Erich Segal’s best-selling novel, LOVE STORY received seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and became a cultural phenomenon, earning over $100 million at the domestic box office. In 2002, the AFI named it #9 among the 100 greatest love stories ever.

The Blu-ray includes the newly restored film, a new Filmmaker Focus with film historian Leonard Maltin, plus previously released content, including a commentary by director Arthur Hiller, an introduction by film critic Ben Mankiewicz, Love Story: A Classic Remembered, and the theatrical trailer, plus access to a Digital copy of the film. The disc is a collectible packaging with a foldout image of the film’s theatrical poster and an interior spread with key movie moments.  

Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw both received Oscar nominations for their starring roles as Harvard students Oliver, played by O’Neal, and Jenny, played by MacGraw, from opposite backgrounds. Still, they share a chemistry they cannot deny—and a love they can’t ignore. Despite Oliver’s wealthy father threatening to disown him, the young couple marries and builds their new life together. But fate has other plans, and soon Oliver and Jenny face a crisis only the strongest of loves can endure. And we hear the most poignant and misunderstood phrase — “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.”

Old

Thriller “Old” Timely Focus Unconditional Lifetime

based on a book, horror, thriller, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Produced, directed and written by M. Night Shyamalan from the graphic novel Sandcastle by Pierre Oscar Levy and Frederik Peeters, Old follows a family on a tropical vacation.

They come across a secluded beach to spend a few hours relaxing. Chilling, mysterious phenomena occur where somehow they age rapidly — reducing their entire lives into a single day.

The international cast includes Golden Globe winner Gael García Bernal, Vicky Krieps, Rufus Sewell, Ken Leung, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Abbey Lee, Aaron Pierre, Alex Wolff, Embeth Davidtz, Eliza Scanlen, Emun Elliott, Kathleen Chalfant, and Thomasin McKenzie.

The Mauritanian

“The Mauritanian” Trailers, Featurettes and Clips

based on a book, drama, true stories, , , , ,

Directed by Kevin Macdonald and based on the N.Y. Times best-selling memoir “Guantánamo Diary” by Mohamedou Ould Slahi, The Mauritanian inspired the true story of Slahi’s fight for freedom after being detained and imprisoned without charge by the U.S. Government for years.

Alone and afraid, Slahi, played by Tahar Rahim, finds allies in defense attorney Nancy Hollander, played by Jodie Foster, and her associate Teri Duncan, played by Shailene Woodley, who battles the U.S. government in a fight for justice.

The movie is now on Amazon, or you can get the Blu-ray for your library. The cast is strong, and the story is heart-wrenchingly true.

It’s the test of their commitment to the law and their client at every turn. Their controversial advocacy and evidence uncovered by a formidable military prosecutor, Lt. Colonel Stuart Couch, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, uncover shocking truths and ultimately prove that no one can lock up the human spirit.

The rest of the cast includes Zachary Levi and Saamer Usmani.

“Flora and Ulysses” Amazing Adventures Will Delight Kids

adventure, based on a book, children movies, comedy, family movies, kid movies, , ,

Directed by Lena Khan, Flora and Ulysses follow a young girl’s adventures, played by Matilda Lawler, and a squirrel with superpowers.

Written for the screen by Brad Copeland and based on the book by Kate DiCamillo, the rest of the cast includes Alyson Hannigan, Ben Schwartz, and Danny Pudi.

The Empty Man

Horror Obsession Fulfilled with “The Empty Man”

based on a book, horror

Directed by David Prior, The Empty Man is a supernatural horror film that centers on shocking events originating in a small Midwestern town.

It follows the mysterious disappearance of a group of teenagers. James Lasombra, played by James Badge Dale, a troubled retired cop who thrusts into action to investigate. Following leads that may tie a secretive occult-minded group to a terrifying local legend, he soon realizes that his life — and those close to him — are in terrible danger. The screen story and screenplay are by David Prior.

In The Empty Man comics, it’s been one year since the first reported case of the titular disease, and no drug has slowed its progress. The cause is unknown, and the symptoms include fits of rage, hideous hallucinations, and suicidal dementia, followed by death or a near lifeless, “empty” state of catatonia.

As a group of followers rises nationwide, the FBI and CDC enter a joint investigation of the Empty Man, racing against the clock to piece together clues to stop them from following and uncover a cure. 

Chaos Walking

“Chaos Walking” Ridley and Holland Star, Trust and Relationships

adventure, based on a book, science fiction, space opera, , , , , , ,
Chaos Walking

Directed by Doug Liman from the best-selling young adult novel The Knife of Never Letting Go, Chaos Walking starts in the distant future. Todd Hewitt, played by Tom Holland, befriends Viola, played by Daisy Ridley. She is a mysterious girl who crash-landed on his planet, where all the women have disappeared and are afflicted with “the Noise,” which forces men to display their thoughts.

In this dangerous landscape threatened by her life, Todd vows to protect Viola. He will have to discover his inner power and unlock the planet’s dark secrets. 

I am not sure which book of the trilogy the movie follows. Some say it’s a combination of two of the books. Another exciting aspect when comparing the book and the film is that Viola and Todd are 12 years old in the first book, while the film has them as adults.

The film is streaming on Amazon so that you can watch it. These two actors are talented, but the storyline, I’m sorry to say, didn’t capture the audience.

Liman also directed suspense thrillers The Bourne Identity and Edge of Tomorrow. The movie also stars Mads Mikkelsen, Demián Bichir, Cynthia Erivo, Nick Jonas, Kurt Sutter, and David Oyelowo.

News of the World

“News of the World” Tremendous Story, Unconditional Friendship

adventure, based on a book, drama,
News of the World

Directed by Paul Greengrass, News of the World follows Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, played by Tom Hanks. It’s five years after the end of the Civil War, and he is a veteran of three wars, now moves from town to town as a non-fiction storyteller, sharing the news of presidents and queens, glorious feuds, devastating catastrophes, and gripping adventures from the far reaches of the globe.

In the plains of Texas, he crosses paths with Johanna, played by Helena Zengel, a 10-year-old taken in by the Kiowa people six years earlier and raised as one of their own. Johanna, hostile to a world she’s never experienced, is being returned to her biological aunt and uncle against her will.

Kidd agrees to deliver the child where the law says she belongs. As they travel hundreds of miles into the unforgiving wilderness, the two will face tremendous challenges of human and natural forces as they search for a place they can call home.

Greengrass co-wrote the screenplay with Luke Davies based on the National Book Award finalist and best-selling novel by Paulette Jiles. The film’s music is by eight-time Academy Award® nominee James Newton Howard.

Rebecca

Astonishing “Rebecca” Strong Cast of Promising Movie

based on a book, classic, remakes,
Rebecca

Directed by Ben Wheatley, Daphne du Maurier’s 1938 gothic novel Rebecca comes alive as the mesmerizing and gorgeously rendered psychological thriller. But, this time, the classic story streams on Netflix.

After a whirlwind romance in Monte Carlo with handsome widower Maxim de Winter, played by Armie Hammer, a newly married young woman, played by Lily Jame, arrives at Manderley.

Her new husband’s imposing family estate on a windswept English coast. Naive and inexperienced, she begins to settle into the trappings of her new life but finds herself battling the shadow of Maxim’s first wife, the elegant and urbane Rebecca, whose haunting legacy is kept alive by Manderley’s sinister housekeeper Mrs. Danvers, played by Kristin Scott Thomas.

The mesmerizing and gorgeously rendered psychological thriller based on Daphne du Maurier’s beloved 1938 gothic novel.

The War With Grandpa

“The War With Grandpa” Holds a Wealth of Laughs

based on a book, children movies, comedy, family movies, kid movies, , , ,

Directed by Tim Hill, The War With Granpa follows Peter, played by Oakes Fegely, who is thrilled that Grandpa is coming to live with his family. 

That is, until Grandpa, played by Robert De Niro, moves into Peter’s room, forcing him upstairs into the creepy attic. 

And though he loves his grandpa, he wants his room back – so he has no choice but to declare war. 

With the help of his friends, Peter devises outrageous plans to make Grandpa surrender the room. But Grandpa is tougher than he looks. Rather than give in, Grandpa plans to get even.

Based on a book by Robert Kimmell Smith, the film looks like a lot of fun with a stellar cast that includes Uma Thurman, Christopher Walken, Jane Seymour, Cheech Martin, and Robert Riggle.  

Enjoy these movie clips because they are a lot of fun and good laughs. There is some great talent in this film. Walken looks like he is in his element with skateboarding and falling from the sky as Santa Claus.

Let Him Go

Monumental “Let Him Go” Looks Promising

based on a book, thriller,

Written and directed by Thomas Bezucha, Let Him Go is based on a bestselling novel by Larry Watson. The story follows a retired sheriff, played by Kevin Costner and his wife, played by Diane Lane. They grieve over the death of their son and set out to find their only grandson.

It appears their daughter-in-law’s second husband is an abusive man from an abusive family. The sheriff and his wife have to figure out how to get their grandson away from the deadly family.

The movie streams now on Amazon, and it’s worth watching for the sake of these two talented actors.