Top Ten Book to Movie Adaptations

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at my other blog, The Broke and the Bookish.

I prefer not to think of the adaptations that I didn't like (Eragon, Ella Enchanted, Percy Jackson...) so I decided to focus on the ones that left me smiling and happy. At the same time, this list makes me nervous. So many of these are close to my heart. What if someone hates one of my favorites? That's totally fine, everyone has their likes and dislikes... But someone hating something I love is a bit like someone telling me they don't like my best friend.

Anne of Green Gables- I am Stage Managing the musical adaptation this summer, and it's made me fall in love with Anne and her world all over again. I identify with Anne more than almost any other literary character. Daydreams, books... I'm not an orphan, and I'm still searching for my Gilbert, but Anne and I share a bond. And the movies! Oh those movies! Could they have possibly picked better actors to fill those roles? The books I so adore were so lovingly adapted. Beautiful Prince Edward Island, wonderful actors, the best moments from the books... I watch them at least once a year.

I recently found out that some of my fellow Broke and Bookish bloggers have NOT seen the movies OR read the books! How terrible is that??? Do me a favor and go nag them. (Hint: it's Kelly and Jen)

Lord of the Rings/Hobbit- I recently got into an argument with a friend about these movies. He doesn't really like them, I adore them. The argument ended with me telling him he's not allowed to talk about the series around me. Again, BRILLIANT casting. Seriously. There were changes from the original, but none of them bother me. The movies are beautiful. I have watched them numerous times and still love them.

Jurassic Park/Lost World- I was terrified of these movies when the first one came out. Now they are some of my favorites. If you've read the books, you'll know just how much they've changed. A lot. And yet these movies are great. My friends and I went and saw Jurassic Park at the IMAX, in 3D. It was like seeing it for the first time! I think I came close to dumping my popcorn a couple of times when I jumped, or one of my friends did.

Inkheart- I've read the books, and the movie strays a bit... but I love it with all my heart. Can you name a movie more bookish? Elinor and her marvelous love for books... "But I just adore everything Persian"/ "You've been to Persia?"/ "Yes, a hundred times. Along with St. Petersburg, Paris, Middle-Earth, distant planets and Shangri-la. And I never had to leave this room. Books are adventure. They contain murder and mayhem and passion. They love anyone who opens them." The casting isn't perfect but some of them were so wonderful that they make up for the rest. Helen Mirren as Elinor? Paul Bettany as Dustfinger? Wonderful.

Howl's Moving Castle- I saw Miyazaki's movie first, then later went back and read the book. I love them both. (Though, it IS Miyazaki. I don't know how I could hate any of his movies anyway) They are almost identical until about the middle section, then they go separate ways, but I can't say which of them I prefer!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory- I don't mean the one with Johnny Depp (which is pretty good). I'm talking about Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. The music, the whimsy, the charm. My dad read the book to me when I was really little, and I've watched the movie multiple times. I love it. Pure Imagination is one of my favorite songs.

Princess Bride- I'll say it. It's better than the book! One of my all time favorite movies. I mean, really, how can you not like it? I know it's possible. I have an aunt who hates it. She also hates the Goonies, so I don't have a lot of faith in her taste in movies. (Love you still, Aunt Marci!) But the movie is so quotable, the actors took characters that were merely likable, and made us adore them.

The Great Gatsby (2013)- Not everyone liked this. I was enchanted by it. The style, the actors, the elements of the story they focused on.... They captured so much of the book. It kept me thinking for weeks after I saw it. Although, I can't decide if hearing Leonardo DiCaprio say "Old Sport" makes me want to hit something, or laugh.

Stardust- Again, better than the book. I adore this movie. I've watched it... I don't even know how many times. I read the book, and just didn't enjoy it as much. Which is weird, because it's Neil Gaiman and I love just about everything he does.

Perks of Being a Wallflower- I liked the book. I loved the movie. Again with the casting. They were so perfect. They were characters that I liked in the book, but wasn't sure I could love. The movie made me love them.