Thursday 19 March 2015

Thursday Movie Picks: Movies Adapted from a Young Adult Novel


I’ve so got this guys. If you’re not familiar with the Thursday Movie Picks, it’s an amazing thing hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves. Each week brings a new theme, and all you need to do is pick 3 movies that fit the bill to discuss. I now carry a little printout with the upcoming themes so I can make a note every time I get a brainwave, which isn’t often.

This week it’s Movies Adapted from a Young Adult Novel. I’ve read many, although not all when I was actually a young adult! Let’s start with the obvious…


Okay, so this might just be the most un-inspired choice ever. But the Harry Potter books were my whole childhood, and just when I thought I had finished growing up with the books, I got to carry on growing up with the movies. I was just a kid when I saw the first movie in the cinema, and I went on dates to see the last 2, with a guy who I’m getting married to next year!


It was only recently that I learnt Freaky Friday was based on a book, and I know this isn’t the original, but it’s the version I’ve seen! Admittedly, I’ve never read the book, but I think I can get the gist of it. Perhaps Freaky Friday isn’t the best movie in the world, but the idea of it has sparked many a spin-off, including one of my guilty pleasures, The Change-Up.


This may be pushing it a little, Bridge to Terabithia is actually based on a children’s book, but the nature of the story is quite dark and I certainly wouldn’t want to read it to a young child. The movie itself split opinions in my household, I thought it was a masterpiece but my mother and brother declared it dull and depressing. Each to their own I guess!

I thought I would throw my two pennies (cents if your not in the UK) in here, i hope you don't mind Allie :-) Personally my three would have to be:

The Hunger Games (2012 - )
I LOVED these books, like couldn't put them down loved them. I've read them all twice and will happily read them again when the mood strikes. I was worried when I heard they were making the movies but for once I was not disappointed. Jennifer Lawrence is brilliant and the film comes really close to the book less a few creative differences, I can't wait for the next instalment!

The Fault in our Stars (2014)
This book was utterly engrossing, I read the whole thing in a few hours (and cried publicly in an airport!!), the movie really did it justice. I cried....a lot but again it was really close to the book (apart from a few niggly parts but nothing too dramatic). I haven't been able to bring myself to watch or read this again because I know whats going to happen I start crying at the beginning!

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Probably the first film with Emma Watson in where I didn't think 'oooh look Hermione Granger' - I haven't read the book (in fact I didn't even know there was a book until I did a bit of research for this) but I may do now I know it exists. I have to admit this movie is not overly memorable, I can't actually remember the storyline but I do remember really enjoying it and recommending it to people to watch so it must have been good.

30 comments:

  1. Haha. I was expecting to see Harry Potter (and The Perks of being a Wallflower) pop up eventually. I'm at the right age where the books were a massive part of my childhood, I believe I was 5 or 6 when the first novel came out (too young I guess) but I remember my mum reading it to my brother and I a few years later.

    I think I've seen Freaky Friday. I don't know, if I did it must have been yonks ago.

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    1. Harry Potter is just such an amazing choice though, if I may say so myself! I know I've seen Freaky Friday, but its been years, it needs a re-watch soon!
      - Allie

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  2. The Perks of Being A Wallflower is very good, as I can recall! I always love coming of age movie as long as the good guy is not too handsome Lol.

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    1. Haha! I need to watch that again actually, I can't remember much of it :)
      - Allie

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  3. Great picks! I'm a big fan of Freaky Friday and Bridge to Terabithia.

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    1. Thank you! I'm happy to see some love for Bridge to Terabithia :)
      - Allie

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  4. I've seen everything here except...gasp...the Harry Potter movies. I've not seen a single one of them. Keep telling myself I'm going binge watch the whole series. Just haven't done it yet.

    As for the rest, Perks is easily my favorite. It's just a fantastic movie. Great work, ladies.

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    1. AAAAHHHHHHHH DELL! Seriously, man! I'm going to hop on a plane with the DVDs and find you if you don't watch them soon!
      - Allie

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  5. I'm constantly reminded that I really need to see some of these. I remember wanting to see Terabithia when it came out, but never got around to it. I was going to take my brother, but he wound up ditching me for his friends and I couldn't be like "but I want to see it" because, well, I was using him as an excuse.

    I need to see Perks, so badly.

    And no, I've never seen a single Harry Potter movie :-O

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    1. hfpejrjgk5rnkdgfs is the sound I'm making trying to ignore your Harry Potter comment...seriously dude!!
      Go and see Terabithia too, it's brilliant :)
      - Allie

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  6. I squealed when I saw Harry Potter, haha.

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    1. Yay! I try not to go with the obvious choices but Harry Potter just had to be there.
      - Allie

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  7. OMG Terabithia. My friend and I took my niece and her little sister to this movie when it was in theaters and they were both bawling at the end going "why did you take us to this!?" They were so heartbroken. She's 13 now and STILL brings that up. I think I traumatized her.

    Great picks! I didn't realize Freaky Friday was based on a book, but I liked that movie.

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    1. I'm not surprised! I don't think I'll ever recover from seeing it. I felt numb afterwards!
      - Allie

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  8. I haven't seen any of your picks - always intersting to see what others have dug up! I did really like Perks though.

    Your comments won't allow me to post from my Wordpress account where our movie reviews are - www.assholeswatchingmovies.com

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    1. That's what I love about this series! I've discovered so many great movies :)
      Weird about the commenting, although I sometimes have trouble posting from my G+ account on Wordpress blogs. Perhaps we're meant to be sworn enemies? ;)
      - Allie

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  9. I LOVED the Bridge to Terabithia movie. It totally made me well up by the end. Love the book, too (although it's probably more pre-YA but who cares).

    Enjoyed the LiLo version of Freaky Friday a whole lot, but mostly because of Jamie Lee Curtis, who is HILARIOUS in it.

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    1. I'm pretty sure I was ugly crying by that point! That film broke me for sure.
      I need to see Freaky Friday again soon, it's been YEARS!
      - Allie

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  10. I didn't know Freaky Friday was from a book either.
    You're right Bridge of Terabithia is more of a children's book. I'm in the camp that love it. I actually do not like imaginary Terabithia bit...the CGI wasn't great. But the bond between the kids, what comes after and all the emotional bits...that stuff makes this quite a gem.

    Wandering through the Shelves

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    1. I definitely agree about the CGI, it wasn't brilliant!
      - Allie

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  11. I have never seen any of the Harry Potter films, my daughter's a pretty big fan of all of them except for deathly hallows part 2, and has been pestering me to watch them with her but I have zero interest in seeing them. I enjoyed Freaky Friday with Lindsay and Jamie, great flick, I honestly never realized it was based on a book though. I also loved Bridge to Terabithia, I haven't met a single person who also liked it.

    Lastly, The Hunger Games and The Fault in Our Stars are also both great movies, I haven't seen Perks.. yet but currently have it on my to-watch list.

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    1. Aw, I think everyone should experience Harry Potter! But that's just me :)
      - Allie

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  12. I haven't seen Fault, Perks or Bridge to Terabithia but Freaky Friday is a great choice, I liked the original with Jodie Foster better but both are fun movies. I really liked but didn't love the Harry Potter books and the movies are variable, the first is so dull but they definitely improved as they went along and they fit here so well.

    Sorry but I hated Hunger Games, the whole children hunting children thing turned me off completely.

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    1. I haven't seen the original, but I'd definitely like to check it out :)
      The Prisoner of Azkaban will always be my favourite!
      - Allie

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  13. I did not know Freaky Friday was based on a book; I should definitely pay more attention to credits! The Fault in Our Stars also makes my list, liked both book and novel. Unpopular opinion but I wasn't so keen with the movie adaptation of Perks - Emma Watson kind of ruined the movie for me.

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    1. You know, I definitely watched Perks not too long ago, and I'm sure I enjoyed it, but I can't remember a lot about it at all! It needs rewatching for sure.
      - Allie

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  14. HP is an excellent choice. All of the films are so good and they feature so many wonderful actors. They are timeless

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    1. They really are! I'd love to marathon them all soon actually :)
      - Allie

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  15. POTTER!!!!!!! Excellent call, Allie!

    Jenna, your picks are solid as well, especially Perks. I loved that movie! It is maybe the best "teen movie" ever made, honestly. The book is great as well. This would have made my list if I hadn't already used it for another theme.

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    1. It's the ultimate choice right?! Haha!
      - Allie

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