Why Couldn't these Have been Books before Movies?? Part 1

Happy Monday Everyone! In this case I can't even say "Just another Manic Monday" because technically today nothing is open due to Memorial Day.  So before I keep going, let me just say a HUGE thank you to all veterans, and current soldiers who have served!

So I know most of you already know how much I love books, but what you may not know is that I am a HUGE movie junkie!  In fact, here is a picture of my movie collection:
I do admit I am pretty darn proud of my collection! And yes, on the stand with "Smallville" that is "Lizzie McGuire" you see there! :)

Well anyway, I was watching an episode of Grey's Anatomy yesterday (which by the way, is yet ANOTHER show my mom is possibly getting me hooked on!!!) and Christina Ricci was a guest star on it.  And every time I see Christina I think of one of my all time favorite movies, which she starred in, Penelope, and it made me think about something...is Penelope based on a book?

I checked it out, and the answer is unfortunately no.  However, after the movie was released someone did come out with one of those books "inspired by the movie"; which to be honest I'm not really a fan of...because they are just too similar to the movies, so I might as well watch just the movie.

ANYWAY, that got me thinking...what OTHER movies are there that were NOT inspired by a novel, but would have made AWESOME books, (with possibly a few minor changes), before the movie was released??

Here's my list (and not in any specific order, I just LOVE all of these movies!):
  • Penelope featuring Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, and Reese Witherspoon
Here's the Description from Imdb:
"In this modern day romantic tale, Penelope is about a young girl's inspiring journey, a mysterious family secret and the power of love. With all odds against her, in order for Penelope to break the family curse, she must find true love with "one of her own kind" and realize the most important life lesson, "I like myself the way I am." Penelope Wilhern, born to wealthy socialites, is afflicted by the Wilhern spell that can only be broken when she finds love. Hidden away in her family's estate, the lonely girl meets a string of suitors in her parent's futile attempt to break the curse. Each eligible bachelor is enamored with Penelope and her sizable dowry; until her curse is revealed. Lemon, a mischievous and eager tabloid reporter wants a photograph of the mysterious Penelope and hires Max to pose as a prospective suitor to get the shot. The handsome down-on-his luck gambler finds himself falling for Penelope, but not wanting to disappoint her or to expose his surreptitious ways, he decides to disappear. Fed up by his latest betrayal and determined to live life on her own terms, Penelope breaks free from her family and ventures into the world alone. She finds adventure and Annie, her first friend and becomes the person she was meant to be. Written by Summit Entertainment"

And here's a picture of the beautiful James McAvoy, just because he is absolutely gorgeous in this movie...
 
  •  Because I Said So featuring Mandy Moore, Diane Keaton, Gabriel Macht, Lauren Graham, and Piper Perabo.




 Description from Imdb:
"Daphne Wilder is a mother whose love knows no bounds or boundaries. She is the proud mom of three daughters: stable psychologist Maggie, sexy and irreverent Mae and insecure, adorable Milly - who, when it comes to men, is like psychotic flypaper. In order to prevent her youngest from making the same mistakes she did, Daphne decides to set Milly up with the perfect man. Little does Milly know, however, that her mom placed an ad in the on-line personals to find him. Comic mayhem unfolds as Daphne continues to do the wrong thing for the right reasons...all in the name of love. In a battle of strong wills, the mother-daughter dynamic is tested in all its fierce, wacky complexity. The girls help Daphne finally discover the truths and impossibilities of motherly love, all while trying to answer the questions: where does it begin and where should it end? Written by anonymous  "

And just because I like looking at him too:
Johnny from Because I Said So
  • My Life in Ruins featuring Nia Vardalos and Richard Dreyfuss


Description from Imdb:
"Georgia is an American academic who's lost her teaching job in Athens. She's taken a job as a tour guide, but she hates it and it shows: the tourists, mostly American, are bored with history and facts; they want to shop. Every group has a goofy couple, a frat boy, a sullen teen, a feuding couple, divorcées looking for a mate, and a funny guy. This group is no exception, plus there's no air conditioning and a bearded silent driver. Thanks to an unlikely friendship, plus daisies, an ice-cream cone, the history of syrup, and the Oracle at Delphi, Georgia may have a shot at finding her kefi during this four-day tour."

How can anyone forget "Poupi Kakas"??

  • Never Been Kissed featuring Drew Barrymore
 Description from Imdb:
"Chicago Sun Times copy editor Josie Gellar (25), who was desperate to graduate from perfectionist copy editor to reporter, gets her chance when the goody owner orders the editor to cover the high-school scene by undercover. Josie, who was a frustrated, ridiculed nerd, gets a popular make-over from her drop-out, naturally funny brother Rob Geller. Both siblings find love and joys of youth again. But in Josie's case, it's sensitive bachelor teacher Sam Coulson, who enjoys sophisticated conversation. As the publication deadline approaches, the price of blowing their cover seems ever more daunting, yet inevitable unless she sacrifices her career."

  • She's the Man by Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum





Even though this one is based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night it wouldn't have been the first time someone rewrote a classic story into modern times... :)

Description from Imdb:
"When her brother decides to ditch for a couple weeks in London, Viola heads over to his elite boarding school, disguises herself as him, and proceeds to fall for one of her soccer teammates. Little does she realize she's not the only one with romantic troubles, as she, as he, gets in the middle of a series of intermingled love affairs."

 How can anyone forget this scene??

 And Channing still looks HOT, even with a Tampon up his nose...sigh... ;)

So that's Part 1 of Movies that Would've Made Great Books!
:)

More coming soon!!

The Romance Bookie :)



Comments

  1. Never Been Kissed is one of my all-time FAVORITE movies ... and She's the Man was pretty funny too :) they would both make good books. Channing Tatum was funny in STM too!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well, She's The Man is based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and that was based on a short story called Of Apollonius And Silla, so it sort of was based on a book.:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wrote that with "She's the Man", however, I mentioned it would have made a great modern day version of both. :)

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  3. Enjoyed the post ... found some fun movies to revisit on a rainy day :)

    xx, Lauren

    ReplyDelete
  4. Downton Abbey is not a movie, but I think the storyline would make a great series of books.

    -Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have heard so many great things about this series! Meg Cabot loves it too! :) I'll need to check it out one day! I wish it were available on Netflix! I don't get the channel that plays the show.

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