Half a year’s gone already. How’s your reading and watching coming along? Here are some movie adaptations I anticipate for the latter half of the year.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Finally, the movie adaptation is completed. More than seven years on the NYT Bestseller list, Jeannette Walls’ 2005 memoir of resilience and delight – yes, the two can co-exist – is high on my TBW list. After receiving her Academy Best Actress Award in another book-to-screen adaptation, Room (2015), Larson is back with her Short Term 12 director Destin Cretton. Interesting cast for the parents, Woody Harrelson as dreamer dad Rex Walls and Naomi Watts as uncouth artist mom Rose Mary. Coming out in August. Should be a good summer movie.
Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach
Moggach’s best known book is probably The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, among her many titles. Tulip Fever is the author’s first historical fiction set in 17th century Holland, evoking the paintings of Vermeer’s. The story begins with a rich merchant in Amsterdam commissioning a painter to paint his young bride. The rest is up to the further imagining of Moggach’s creative mind. From book to screen adaptation written by Tom Stoppard, directed by Justin Chadwick, who helmed the adaptation of Philippa Gregory’s The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and the excellent TV mini series of Dickens’ Bleak House. Cast includes Alicia Vikander, Judi Dench, Christoph Waltz. Coming out in August. Should be another good summer pick.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Another one high on my TBW list. This is one YA novel that appeals to both young and old, for the theme of acceptance and empathy is so much needed in our time. A look at the trailer shows the film is well cast. Room’s breakout young star Jacob Tremblay as disfigured fifth grader, entering school for the first time in his life; Julia Roberts plays mom and Owen Wilson is dad. Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower, 2012) directs. To be released November, 2017.
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Dame Agatha Christie’s famous work has gone through many renditions on the big screen, small screen and even a video game. But the classic has to be the Sidney Lumet directed 1974 production with Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, John Gielgud, and a young Sean Connery, just to name a few. This 2017 version is directed by Kenneth Branagh who will, of course, takes up the role of Hercule Poirot. Cast include Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Penélope Cruz, Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Willem Dafoe, a modern classic in the making? Coming out November, 2017.
EXTRA, EXTRA: Ordeal by Innocence by Agatha Christie
Talking about Dame Agatha, the latest, yes just hours ago, it has been announced that the prolific writer – whose books have sold only less than The Bible and Shakespeare according to The Hollywood Reporter – will ring in yet another adaptation by BBC in time for the Christmas season. BBC touts a mighty cast with Bill Nighy, Catherine Keener, Matthew Goode, Eleanor Tomlinson among many talents. A jolly good Christmas for the Brits indeed. We’ll have to wait for Masterpiece to act.
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Related Ripple Effects Posts:
Wonder by R. J. Palacio: Required Reading for All
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
The Second, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Ripple Effects 
The trailer for the new Orient Express movie looks fab. I do love Kenneth Branagh.
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I highly anticipate that one. Time for a remake.
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Is it really? Time for a remake I mean! I have seen the trailer, and love the cast, and will probably see it BUT really, do we NEED another remake? I’m not sure.
However, I am looking forward to Tulip Fever.
BTW Sorry about the very late response. I was in the USA in July and had no time for checking blogs, and since I’ve been back I’ve been to Melbourne, been sick, and been flat chat. Finally, I’m trying to catch up on what I missed!
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WG, unfortunately Tulip Fever has very bad reviews. Even named worst film of the year. I haven’t seen it but now likely won’t.
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Oh, that’s a shame. Chances are l won’t see it either then, but it depends sometimes on my viewing companions.
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WG, it only gets 10% on the Rotten Tomatoes review site. I’ve not seen a movie with that low a score for a while now. I don’t know what’s wrong with it and maybe no need to find out. U can watch the trailer online.
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I adore Ken Branagh, so will be making a beeline for MotOE. I enjoyed Tulip Fever, and imagine it’ll be a great movie, esp with Stoppard scripting. What’s not to want to see about Wonder too – that was such a great book.
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Annabel,
I’ve not read Tulip Fever, will check it out. 17th C. Dutch backdrop sounds very interesting, with the Girl with a Pearl Earring kind of setting. Picturesque. And yes, The trailer for Wonder looks as its title says. Let’s hope so. 🙂
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I’d heard a lot of raving about The Glass Castle but have yet to approach it. Your lists always pique my interest, Arti 😉
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I’ve still not read The Glass Castle, even though I bought the book. Sigh. Now I have a reason to get after it. That, along with Tulip Fever and Murder On The Orient Express both appeal. Summer movie-going always appeals more than winter. It’s a great way to get out of the heat!
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Ha for us here I’ve never thought about going to the theatre to get out of the heat. Not until now. We’re under a heat warning, temperatures to 90F this week. As for The Glass Castle, do go for it. It’s breezy summer reading and enjoyable. I’ve put a hold on the audiobook of Murder. Looking forward to it.
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Murder on the Orient Express…Judi Dench…yes please! Also looking forward to Wonder (it’s a very good book — I’m hopeful about the movie). I need to read Glass Castle before seeing the movie; it’s been on my shelf for ages. Tulip Fever also appeals, mostly because I loved Marigold Hotel (I haven’t actually read her work, though…must remedy that!).
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Wonder is indeed a wonderful book. I think it’s a required reading for all and not just for YA readers. (Link to my review at bottom of post). So’s The Glass Castle. That’s a must read, I’d say. 🙂
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Agatha Christie — twice? I’m SO in for that one! And Tulip Fever sounds wonderful. I haven’t read that but think I must before the movie comes out. They do look good — but those three, those casts? Oh, yes!
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Jeanie,
Actually there are two more Agatha Christie. I didn’t mention “Crooked House”, with Gillian Anderson and Glenn Close, but no North American release dates. So I suppose that’s only in the UK. Another one is a full length movie of “Witness for the Prosecution” (2019) to be directed by Ben Affleck. No kidding.
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Thanks for this… Can’t wait to see them!
Di
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I understand all this love for Kenneth Branagh, but him as Hercule Poirot? That got to be the biggest joke in the history of film-making. Have the production forgot what the book paint Poirot to be? This is ridiculous.
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Umm… don’t know what you mean.
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Have you ever read Agatha Christie books and her description of Poirot?
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Yes, but a long while ago. Refresh my memory pls. And, are these actors made a more appropriate Poirot than Branagh: David Suchet, Peter Ustinov, Albert Finney, Alfred Molina?
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Of course they made a more appropriate Poirot than Branagh! Anyone, but Branagh would. There is just no question about it. I can give you a million reasons why Branagh was badly – disastrously – cast. I do not know what they were thinking. Of course, since Branagh is a Director here – he also wanted to be the lead. Look, Poirot is Belgian, plump!, a bit clumsy in his physique, with tidy, he has little black moustache – french style – he often plays with them – black hair is not necessity – but it would have been nice. Branagh not only does not look like Poirot, his whole demeanour and personality is wrong. He looks Scandinavian, if anything, he should be cast as Sherlock Holmes!
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Well, you make me want to see this more. Now I’m really curious.
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I’m so excited about Wonder becoming a movie. I read to book a couple months ago and absolutely loved it. I really hope they don’t screw it up. I also want to see The Glass Castle although I haven’t read the book yet. I’d like to read the book first though. I haven’t read the other books on this list either but they sound good. Do you mind checking out my blog? https://taysinfinitethoughts.wordpress.com
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