Film Fest: Book to Film
I watched 4 movies of different genres that are all based on books. They include Practical Magic (1998 fantasy), What to Expect When You’re Expecting (2012 comedy), World War Z (2013 thriller), and Murder on the Orient Express (2017 mystery). Also, I recently listened to the World War Z audio book before re-watching the film, and the other three movies I watched for the first time. Practical Magic was fun watch for the chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, the witch magic, and a touch of danger, (perfect for Halloween or any time of the year). What to Expect When You’re Expecting had funny moments showing the ups and downs of having children from an ensemble cast. World War Z has plenty of creepy moments and lots of CGI on display but sadly does not follow the structure of the book and the CGI is distracting. Murder on the Orient Express boasts an impressive cast and a defined style but did not pull me into the film or get me excited to find out the mystery.
Practical Magic
1998, PG, 1h 44m
Practical Magic is about two sisters/witches, (Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman), who struggle to find long lasting love. It is set in modern day America, it tries to do a lot, partly due to having 3 screenwriters, (none are the author of the novel, Alice Hoffman who released the novel in 1995). It does succeed in having fun depicting multiple witch related cliches like spell making and also appearing in the film are the lead’s two aunts played by Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest. They have fun showing the possibilities of their powers and Aidan Quinn plays an investigator looking into the disappearance of a man. You feel for both of the sisters, struggling with average human problems with the added challenge of being discriminated against for being witches. Director Griffin Dunne previously made Addicted to Love and next made Lisa Picard Is Famous. The two leads were my favorite actresses in the 1990s. Sandra Bullock made this between Hope Floats and Forces of Nature, and will next be seen in Ocean’s 8 (the female cast remake with Cate Blanchett). Nicole Kidman made this between The Peacemaker and Eyes Wide Shut, and was most recently seen in the series Big Little Lies (2017 crime with Reese Witherspoon). The DVD comes with a commentary, production notes, and a game that unlocks 2 behind the scenes documentaries.
What to Expect When You’re Expecting
2012, 14A, 1h 50m
My wife is reading several of these expecting books, knowledgeable resources for those who are expecting children since first being published in 1984. The movie is less a direct translation of the almost textbook reference guide and more an ensemble comedy with numerous versions of what life can be like with little ones. With a strong female cast lead by Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, and Elizabeth Banks, the film succeeds in exploring multiple views and experiences in being a mother, and having some fun along the way. Filmed in Georgia, the movie also provides a male perspective from such actors as Dennis Quaid, Chris Rock (who steals every scene being hilarious), and Joe Manganiello (who steals his share too but for other reasons). The kids were adorable and the movie moved along quite quickly, to be expected with how many characters they wanted to give screen time to. You also don’t get a chance to become too attached to anyone of them so this should be seen more as a comedy, especially with Brooklyn Decker’s character. Director Kirk Jones would next make My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, screenwriters Shauna Cross (also adapted Whip It starring Ellen Page) and Heather Hach (also adapted Legally Blonde for a tv musical). Diaz was previously in Bad Teacher, Lopez was in The Back-up Plan, and Banks was in The Hunger Games.
World War Z
2013, 14A, 1h 56m
I first saw this film at the Starlight Drive-In which is about an hour north of Kelowna in British Columbia. More recently I listened to the audio book and after hearing how vastly different the book is to the film, I needed to rewatch, this time on Blu-ray. Without spoiling either, the biggest difference between the book and film is Brad Pitt whose character was not in the book. World War Z was written by Max Brooks (the novel was released in 2006) and is a study about a zombie outbreak and its devastating effects on every country in the world, told through stories from survivors. While primarily filmed in the United Kingdom, I liked that we got to see other places in the world, and take the heroes on an adventure. The animation of the zombies really took me out of the film, I preferred more of the tension without seeing them. One moment with red flares lighting the scene looked great and I have always loved news reports mixed in throughout the film, either to move the plot along or to recap without making the main characters sound silly. Director Marc Forster previously made Machine Gun Preacher with Gerard Butler and World War Z had as many as 5 folks weighing in on the story or writing the screenplay (including having to rewrite the beginning and the whole third act during production). Brad Pitt made this around the same time as being in Killing Them Softly and 12 Years a Slave, and is currently listed as appearing in the sequel to WWZ (reuniting with Fight Club director David Fincher).
Murder on the Orient Express
2017, PG, 1h 54m
Murder on the Orient Express was originally a novel released in 1934 by author Agatha Christie and has seen numerous versions made throughout the years, this one directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh. Lead by his moustache (seriously distracting, just like cleavage), Branagh plays a famous detective who is asked to help solve a murder on the train he is currently a passenger on. The huge and well known cast sure can fill up the screen but in order to give each their time on screen in under two hours, shortcuts were taken with all of them. We are forced to make assumptions or stereotype in order to keep up with brisk investigation, all the while falling for the rhythmic rocking of the locomotive. What was advertised as a stylish mystery plays more as Branagh testing himself against a range of actors, one on one- and they don’t have a weapon like that moustache! The movie looks great, the production design and costumes really help you immerse in the time period, and the landscape shots of the mountains are breath taking. It was nice to see Daisy Ridley in her first role since being in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and I hope she took notes from Michelle Pfeiffer who delivered a role perfectly suited for this type of film in addition to performing one of the songs on the films soundtrack. Also perfectly suited here was Johnny Depp (I don’t say that much) and a sequel was announced within a month of this film’s release, Death on the Nile. Branagh will return for both duties and previously helmed the live action Cinderella in addition to appearing in Dunkirk. The impressive cast also includes Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, and Josh Gad.