Read it or Weep

Summer is traditionally when Hollywood releases a load of blockbusters – movies that are big on action and meant to rake in money – not become works of art. Some summer films are little less action packed – some are even inspired by books! Let’s take a look at what’s been released already and what we have to look forward to:

June: 
Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky (June 11), based on the 2002 biographical novel by Chris Greenhalgh, is about their revolutionary approaches to art and their eventual love affair.
Winter’s Bones (June 11) is based on Daniel Woodrell’s 2006 book set in the Ozarks about a young girl who must search for her drug-dealing father in order to keep her family together.  
The Killer Inside Me (June 18 – limited release) is based on the 1952 novel by pulp fiction writer Jim Thompson about a psychotic West Texas deputy sheriff.  
Twilight Saga: Eclipse (June 30) is adapted from the 2007 third novel in Stephanie Meyer’s vampire series and focuses on Bella’s choice between werewolf Jacob and vampire Edward.

July:
The Girl Who Played with Fire (July 9) is based on Steig’s second novel about computer hacker Lisbeth and journalist Mikael as they investigate a sex-trafficking ring.
Ramona and Beezus (July 23) is adapted from Beverly Cleary’s classic 1955 novel about the adventures of young Ramona Quimby and her big sister Beezus.
Charlie St. Cloud (July 30), based on Ben Sherwood’s 2004 novel The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud, is a romantic drama about a young man who must choose between his commitment to his dead brother and his new relationship.
The Extra Man (July 30) is based on the 1998 novel by Jonathan Ames about a man who works escorting wealthy widows in New York’s Upper East Side.

August:
Flipped (Aug. 6) is based on Wendelin Van Draanen’s 2001 young adult novel about two eighth graders who start to have feelings for each other despite being total opposites.
Eat Pray Love (Aug. 13) is an adaptation of the memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert about a woman who decides to travel the world after realizing she needs to change her life.
Tales from Earthsea (Aug. 13) is an animated adaption featuring characters and plots from Ursula LeGuin’s Earthsea fantasy series.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (Aug. 13), based on The comic Scott Pilgrim by Bryan Lee O’Malley is about a young man who must defeat his new girlfriend’s seven evil exes in order to win her heart.
Mao’s Last Dancer (Aug. 20 – limited release) is based on Chinese-Australian ballet dancer Li Cunxin’s 2003 autobiography about his defection after a cultural exchange trip to Texas.
Nanny McPhee Returns (Aug. 20), an adapted sequel based on the Nurse Matilda children’s books by British author Christianna Brand, is about how Nanny helps a young mother trying to run the family farm while her husband is away at war.
The Switch (Aug. 20) is adapted from the short story “Baster” by Jeffrey Eugenides about an unmarried 40-year-old woman who becomes pregnant through artificial insemination and her best friend who, seven years later, finds out that he is the father of her child.

~ Dori