Film vs. Book

The ‘reality’ of The Hunger Games

2013-05-13T01:37:00.001-07:00

Stanley Tucci and Jennifer Lawrence in The Hunger Games. Credit: Murray Close.

Suzanne Collins, author of 'The Hunger Games' trilogy says she first came up with the idea for the stories when she was channel hopping between the news and reality TV. There was something terrifying in turning the violence and horror we see every day on the news into a reality TV show. Sparked by this idea, the annual hunger games began.

As 'The Hunger Games' begins, viewers see many of district twelve preparing for the reaping ceremony - the ceremony where one boy and girl will be chosen at random from each of the twelve districts to take part in the games. Even though they are sending two of their own to probable death, each citizen must dress up for the occasion, with the girls doing their hair in some special way. If they are not seen to be making an effort, they are likely to be punished.

The entire ceremony is also, of course, televised and broadcast across the nation of Panem. This is not an event you can simply call in sick for. Everyone must attend. Those in charge want the parents, siblings, friends and relatives of those selected to witness not just their selection at the reaping but everything that follows - right up to their death. They want everyone to see their power and what they can make Panem's children do. It is essential to their control.

The violence found in 'The Hunger Games' has, of course, been done before. Children killing children can be found in many stories - from 'Lord of the Flies' to 'Battle Royale'. However, we currently live in a world of reality TV - from Chelsea to the Geordie Shore via Laguna Beach. People film everything on their camera phones nowadays and some even film people being attacked or abused so that others can watch for their 'enjoyment'.

Collins managed to tap into this social phenomenon by incorporating this reality TV element into her stories and it was this focus that made 'The Hunger Games' that much more menacing - and oddly captivating. This is what allows for the film to be both inherently violent and not remotely gratuitous. None of the violence is glamorised. If anything, the focus is more heavily weighed on just how horrific it all is. Viewers of the film watch not just what happens within the games but everything that happens outside them too. As Panem's citizens are forced to watch their loved ones fight, kill or be killed, so is the viewer.

Sumptuous new stills from Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby

2013-04-30T07:44:00.003-07:00

As if I wasn't excited enough about the impending The Great Gatsby adaptation release (which I'll be seeing with some fellow book vs film devotees who are all currently reading the book!)... these images have made me even more excited (click to enlarge the images)!

The Great Gatsby stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton and Isla Fisher and hits cinemas in 3D and 2D on May 16th.

Unable to Write: The Perils of RSI

2013-04-09T03:39:00.000-07:00

About six months ago, my wrist started to hurt. It got so bad that I asked my boss for a new keyboard and mouse mat with better wrist support. For a couple of weeks, it got better. But then, sadly, the pain returned.

I bought a cheap wrist support from Boots which seemed to stop the incessant clicking but as time went on, the pain only seemed to worsen. By the time I went to the doctor about it, she said it was highly likely that I had RSI. She referred me to a physio who discovered that most of the pain in my wrist (and now arm) had begun from the sheer amount of time I spent using my phone – and was certainly not helped by the amount of time I spent typing. I had apparently angered the tendons in my right thumb, by texting and emailing one-handed.

I immediately cut back on all my typing outside of working hours, greatly reduced the amount of time I spent on my phone (and was very aware of whether or not I was using my thumb too much), and started physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment, and acupuncture. I figured if one didn't work, all three surely would.

I'm happy to say that the treatment does seem to be making a difference, albeit a slow-moving one. I still need a wrist support every time I use the computer, I have to take numerous breaks and have an inordinate number of stretches and strengthening exercises to do every day. I also have one of those fancy pens you can use on a touch phone and have discovered the joy of voice recognition software (thanks to some brilliant advice from a certain author!).

Sadly, though, I don't see returning to full writer mode any time soon. It's only improving because I'm allowing my wrist and arm time to rest and working diligently on strengthening the wrist itself. If I were to suddenly start typing for hours at a time (like I used to!), all of the hard work that has been done so far would surely have been for nothing.

The saddest part of all of this, of course, is that writing is what I love to do. It was never an obligation. I looked forward to going home so that I could write a discussion topic for Novelicious, a review for Filmoria, or delve deeper into the book I seem to have been writing for months. I can't really do a lot of what I used to and it's certainly been an adjustment. However, there does seem to be a very small light at the end of this proverbial tunnel. For example, this entire post has been written using said voice recognition software. So I suppose there really is no shutting me up – no matter how much my body may tell me to.

Have you been affected by RSI? Share what's worked (or not!) for you in the comments.

First Book vs Film Club: The Great Gatsby

2013-04-05T04:52:00.001-07:00

I made a new Twitter friend recently - @timothyeraw. This may not seem particularly newsworthy to many of you, were it not for the fact that this Twitter connection sparked an idea. What about a club? A club for those who want to read a great book, see the film adaptation and (most importantly!) discuss it!

But who has the time? So I looked ahead a few weeks and discovered, right there in the middle of May, the new Baz Luhrmann adaptation of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – and with that, the first #bookvsfilmclub was born!

So, with over a month still to go before the film hits cinemas, there is plenty of time to get your copy of the classic American novel. (Try the gorgeous new edition, designed by Tiffany & Co: The Great Gatsby (Vintage Classics)).

When May 16th comes around, join us – either in a London cinema in person or via Twitter using the #bookvsfilmclub hashtag – to discuss what you thought of both book and film.

For more info, find me at @filmvsbook or check out those already taking part at https://twitter.com/filmvsbook/film-vs-book-club/members!

New Interactive Cover Revealed for Stephen King's 'Doctor Sleep': the sequel to The Shining

2013-03-25T04:39:00.003-07:00

Fans of Stephen King's The Shining rejoice! The sequel to the chilling story, Doctor Sleep - which looks at where now middle-aged Danny Torrance's life has ended up - is out this September. Check out the synopsis and interactive new cover below...

King says he wanted to know what happened to Danny Torrance, the boy at the heart of THE SHINING, after his terrible experience in the Overlook Hotel. The instantly riveting, stand-alone novel, DOCTOR SLEEP picks up the story of the now middle-aged Dan.

On highways across America, a tribe of people called The True Knot travel in search of sustenance. They look harmless - mostly old, lots of polyester, and devoted to their comfortable Recreational Vehicles. But they live off the ‘steam’ that children with the ‘shining’ produce when they are slowly tortured to death.

Following a childhood haunted by the time he spent with his parents at the Overlook Hotel, Dan Torrance has been drifting for decades, desperate to shed his father's legacy of despair, alcoholism, and violence. Finally, he settles into a job at a nursing home in rural New Hampshire where his remnant ‘shining’ power provides the crucial final comfort to the dying. Aided by a prescient cat, Dan becomes ‘Doctor Sleep.’

Then Dan meets the evanescent Abra Stone, and it is her spectacular gift, the brightest shining ever seen, that reignites Dan’s own demons and summons him to a battle for Abra’s soul and survival...

Publication of the hardcover, eBook and digital download will be September 24, 2013.

Iron Man 3 posters may be sexiest posters ever made

2013-02-27T12:49:00.003-08:00

Seriously! Even if you haven't got the hots for Robert Downey Jnr. (why not you crazy person!), these posters are just so damn... well, sexy! Roll on 26th April 2013 (3rd May 2013 USA).

Wicked cast ask for your votes for the #Oliviers

2013-02-25T10:55:00.003-08:00

The fun and magical untold story of Wicked is eligible to win the BBC Radio 2 Audience Award at the 2013 Olivier Awards - and it's the only award that gives theatre fans the chance to crown their favourite show.

Wicked is based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, which re-imagined the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’. The show follows the unlikely friendship between Glinda and Elphaba - before they become the now infamous Glinda The Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Wicked has already been seen by over 36 million people around the world and to win over a few more votes, the cast themselves have recorded a special message...

Votes for Wicked can be made via the following link: http://www.olivierawards.com/vote/ and voters will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win tickets to the Olivier Awards themselves.

WICKED is showing at the Apollo Victoria Theatre NOW and is booking into April 2014.

Cloud Atlas: Book vs Film

2013-02-14T13:29:00.000-08:00

Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell's sweeping epic tale of six paths connecting over time and space does not leap off the pages as the easiest book to adapt for the big screen. However, Tom Tykwer and Andy and Lana Wachowski didn't let a little thing like complexity stop them adapting it onto the big screen.

The book was one of the most challenging novels I have ever read but man, was I proud when I reached the end of it. The book spans our past, present and future with six different storylines that are connected in some way as each person's soul continues to move through time. One man writes a diary that is read by another, one composes music that is listened to by another....

What made the book such an impressive piece of literature, though, is not just the complexity of weaving six storylines together as one. What Mitchell has managed to achieve with this book is nothing short of miraculous. He uses different styles for each - letters, diary entries, transcribed interviews - and alters the language to suit the era. His intricate prose is simply stunning to behold. It is all about the language he uses but thanks to his insane skill as a writer, the story becomes so much more than the words on the pages.

To adapt this 2004 Man Booker prize-winning book onto the big screen then, presents no end of problems. How do you cater for the sheer number of characters required? How do you compress all the intricacies of such a complex plot into just one film? How do you convey the subtleties of the customs and linguistics of the book in something as overt as a film?

Well first of all, the stellar cast enlisted for the film each played a different role in each of the six storylines, showing the connection between them all the more overtly. The layout has been altered too. While the book stuck with one story, moved onto the next and then worked its way back, the film jumps between them all continuously. This, once again, serves to reinforce the inate connection between everyone.

What the film manages to capture is sublime. With an incredible cast, perfect direction, six different worlds that are entirely immersive and plenty of action, drama, romance and intrigue, the film manages to remain compelling irrespective of its length.

Somehow, though the beautiful language and prose used in the book isn't exactly conveyed onto the big screen, the book adds as an aid. The pair work well as just that - a pair. Understanding the basic concepts of the book beforehand makes it that much easier to follow how each story is linked in the film. If you went into the film knowing nothing, it would probably be a jarring experience that would leave most viewers baffled. It is hard to enjoy something, after all, that just flies over your head. That said, it isn't essential to read the book before seeing the film. A lot is explained and a little research beforehand will suffice.

When I first read the book a couple of years ago, I only gave it 3/5. Yet now, having seen the film and given more thought to the story and what Mitchell achieved, I can appreciate it for what it is. Both book and film are challenging, require constant focus and attention and are certainly not easy to follow but if you have the time and patience, they are both thought-provoking and stunning to behold.

Book and film - 5/5 FOBLES

Warm Bodies: Book vs Film

2013-02-10T06:18:00.001-08:00

Isaac Marion's Warm Bodies quite consciously does not fit into any neat genre box. It is both dark and fun, romantic and twisted, silly and serious. Yet in Marion's capable hands, the story never feels disjointed and flows just as richly as the blood from those being devoured by the zombies. In so many ways, Marion's tale is filled with brains.

The story follows a chance encounter between zombie 'R' and human Julie. When R goes on a hunger run with some of his fellow zombies, he is instantly drawn to Julie and feels the need to protect, not eat her. What follows is the development of the relationship between the two, as R tries to become more human and Julie realises that the 'dead' are not as dead as she first thought. It pays close attention to the elements of connection and interaction that makes us feel alive.

The book, though often romantic and fun, is set against an immensely dark backdrop where humans have been forced into compounds in order to survive the zombie epidemic that has taken over the world. It raises a lot of questions about the shifting priorities in this dystopian future and the conflict between surviving and really living.

The film adaptation, directed by Jonathan Levine, manages to remain quite faithful to the original text and has two incredible actors playing R (Nicholas Hoult) and Julie (Teresa Palmer). What Hoult manages to capture with such little dialogue is nothing short of miraculous. It is unsurprising then that Palmer's Julie falls for him. Hoult has arguably the most expressive eyes seen on screen for years, conveying so much depth with a shrug or a glance. His inner monologue helps, of course, and keeping his narrative was a genius move on the part of the filmmakers. Palmer, in turn, rises to leading lady with class, bringing the hardened edge to Julie that the role requires as well as the intense vulnerability. She is incredibly brave and daring, as much when facing the zombies as when she faces her terrifyingly rigid father - who just so happens to be the general of her compound.

The combination of peril, action, romance and comedy is there in the film, just as it is in the book. The only real difference to the feel of the story is that it is far more heavily weighted on the romance. This, though, is a forgivable shift as the romance itself is so brilliantly original, it still brings something new to the table.

Another brilliant element to the novel that has found its way into the film is the author's great use of music. In the novel, when R cannot say what he wants to, he uses music to say it for him, often playing Julie records that reveal his true feelings. In the film, this happens to great effect and is mixed with a sublime soundtrack that blends some classic tunes from recent decades which serve to enhance the nostalgic elements of the story.

Overall, the tone of the book has been softened for cinema audiences. A lot of what made the book so devilishly dark has been glossed over or ignored entirely and the ending is all just a little bit 'nice'. However, the heart of the book remains, thanks to the same careful character focus Levine showed in 50/50 and the beautifully emotive leads.

While the book has a real crossover feel to it - because it never feels like a young adult novel despite the youth of the two leads - the film does seem to have more of a teen audience in mind. However, the plot is so clever and witty that it will appeal to anyone looking for something a bit new and different. Twilight, this is NOT.

Book - 4.5/5 FOBLES
Film - 4/5 FOBLES

To be in with a chance of winning your own copy of Marion's book, check out the Film vs Book competition.

Win Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion film tie-in edition

2013-02-08T04:00:00.000-08:00

THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED. THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED.

The film adaptation of Isaac Marion's Warm Bodies arrives in UK cinemas today. To celebrate, here's your chance to win your own copy of the book that started it all...

NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE STARRING NICHOLAS HOULT, TERESA PALMER AND JOHN MALKOVICH. IN CINEMAS 8th FEBRUARY.

‘I never thought I could care so passionately for a zombie. Isaac Marion has created the most unexpected romantic lead I’ve ever encountered.’ STEPHENIE MEYER

‘R is the thinking woman’s zombie – though somewhat grey-skinned and monosyllabic, he could be the perfect boyfriend if he could manage to refrain from eating you. This is a wonderful book, elegantly written, touching and fun, as delightful as a mouthful of fresh brains.’ AUDREY NIFFENEGGER

‘A mesmerising evolution of a classic contemporary myth.’ SIMON PEGG

Warm Bodies Synopsis

R is a zombie, with a great record collection, no memories, no pulse and limited vocabulary. But he has dreams. He is different from his fellow Dead.
Julie is human, warm, fierce and very much alive.
When R makes the decision to rescue her from a zombie attack, a switch is flicked and he suddenly finds meaning to his lifeless existence. This has never happened before. This is against all the rules. R begins to have new thoughts and feelings, and together, he and Julie attempt to bring the whole decaying world back from the dead.

Isaac Marion lives in Seattle. He is not married, did not go to college and has not won any prizes. He has, however, written several short stories and novels which he has published online or in limited editions. Warm Bodies began life as a short story called ‘I Am A Zombie Filled With Love’ which was published on his website and promoted with a video trailer on YouTube. Visit his blog at http://burningbuilding.blogspot.com

To be in with a chance of winning a copy of Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion, all you have to do is email filmvsbook@gmail.com with the name of the actor who plays R in the film adaptation. (If you're not sure, check out my interview with Marion here). Don't forget to put "Warm Bodies competition" as the subject heading and please include the city in which you live in your email.

This competition is open to UK residents only and closes at midday GMT Sunday 3rd March.

Interview with Warm Bodies author Isaac Marion

2013-02-08T03:02:00.000-08:00

The film adaptation for Isaac Marion's Warm Bodies hits UK cinemas today and stars Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer. I got to ask the book's author a few questions about the zombie romance novel and how it felt having his book turned into a film. Here's what he had to say...

How did the idea for Warm Bodies come about?

Are you asking where thoughts come from? Are we the sum of our experiences, or does identity and creativity come from somewhere outside of us? Pretty heavy stuff for a blog, man...

What made you want to bring romance into a zombie-filled dystopia?

I couldn't write a novel about a zombie just wandering around eating people for 250 pages. He needed to change, to rediscover his humanity and learn how to feel again, and what feeling is more essentially human than love? It's the most powerful emotion we're capable of. It seemed like the perfect catalyst to trigger R's transformation.

Though the setting for the book is dark, you've included plenty of humour and satire - and a little romance too. Was it always a conscious effort of yours to include all these elements together in the one story?

Nah, it just happened. The humor flows naturally from the premise, which is inherently ridiculous. The story is sincere and it takes itself seriously, but it also embraces its absurdity, which leads to jokes.

How did you react when you found out the book was being made into a film?

I probably ran around and punched a lot of walls. (In a good way.)

Have you been involved on the adaptation at all? If so, how?

They consulted me at various steps in the process. I had meetings with the director to discuss his ideas and whatnot. I gave extensive notes on the script, many of which were implemented. I wouldn't call it a collaboration, but they were really respectful toward me as the author.

What do you think about the casting? Did you have anyone in mind when you wrote the book? An idea of who they might be like?

I always kind of pictured Ryan Gosling as R when movie plans were first announced, but Nicholas absolutely nailed the role and I can't imagine anyone doing it better.

I hear you're writing a prequel about R, Julie and Nora. What can you tell us about it?

It's written! It’s called The New Hunger and it’s out now!

Have you seen the film? If so, what did you think of it?

I've seen it three times. I like it a lot. It glosses over some of the heavier elements of the book and takes a bit lighter approach, tonally, but that's always the case with film adaptations and I think it works really well as a movie. It's funny and charming and I'm incredibly excited to see it reaching so many people.

What's next once you're finished with these characters? Will you be writing more dystopias or something entirely different?

I definitely won't be writing anything involving zombies or any other pop-culture fixtures after this. Most of the stuff I write is much weirder and harder to categorize, and I'm looking forward to letting my imagination run wild again and watching people struggle to figure out which box to stuff it into. If I've learned anything from publishing Warm Bodies, it's that people can't just let a book be a book. It has to be a YA book or a paranormal-romance or some other reductive, easily dismissed subcategory. I'm excited to write something that can be judged on its own merits instead of the merits of its assigned genre.

WARM BODIES BY ISAAC MARION IS OUT NOW. Check out my review here.

Film Rights Bought for Karen Thompson Walker's THE AGE OF MIRACLES

2013-02-07T13:36:00.000-08:00

One of the most quietly affecting debut novels from last year was that of Karen Thompson Walker. Her novel The Age of Miracles was a refreshingly calm look at a sort-of-apocalyptic future. Through the perceptive voice of a young girl, the story follows the aftermath of the announcement that the Earth's rotation is actually slowing down - meaning that days and nights are getting longer and what effects this phenomenon will have on the planet in both the short and long term are, as yet, unknown.

River Road Entertainment optioned the film rights before the book had even come out but - though I adored the book - I'm not sure how well it will work on the big screen. What makes the book so captivating is the prose used in the text - not what actually happens. It's all very slow and calm but a compelling read nonetheless. There's no asteroid making its way down to our planet or the threat of annihilation - not imminently anyway.

It will be interesting to see if someone can take this on and keep the feel of the original text - without making it like every other apocalyptic/dystopian future set film. The Age of Miracles is a beautifully unique text and it would be such a shame to see it adapted into just another film that has been done so many times before.

Check out my review of The Age of Miracles here.

Source: Word and Film

Film Review: Zero Dark Thirty

2013-02-06T06:06:00.001-08:00

One of the biggest shocks when the Academy Award nominations were announced was the notable absence of Kathryn Bigelow. The former Oscar winner (for The Hurt Locker) was thought to be one of the favourites to win for her most recent effort, Zero Dark Thirty. In fact, the film’s star, Jessica Chastain, has been nominated for Best Actress for her portrayal of Maya and the film itself has been nominated for Best Picture and Best Screenplay. So why was Bigelow herself left off?

Arguably, it is because the film is so controversial and so very current. The film begins with a black screen and a haunting audio of just some of the calls made to emergency services on 9/11. This is quickly followed with scenes of torture as the CIA operatives try to get answers from their prisoners. There are also lots of reenactments, mixed in with real footage of just some of the terror attacks across the world in the years that followed that horrifying day we all remember so vividly. Personally, I found the recordings at the beginning and the London bombing far more upsetting than the torture scenes (though they hardly made for easy viewing) because it is all still so close to home for me and no doubt so many others.

What sceptics may not realise, however, is just how brave and un-biased Bigelow’s latest film is. It all feels very real, making for an unsettling few hours at the cinema. But what it may lack in ‘comfort’ it more than makes up for in simply stunning filmmaking. Bigelow is no idiot. She has clearly done her research here and offers as much truth as she can. However, at no point does she condone the use of torture or force an agenda down her viewers' throats. She explores the reasoning behind the use of torture and the lengths so many were desperate to go to to bring down Al-Qaeda.

With the strong, capable and complex Maya (Chastain) becoming the team’s leader, Zero Dark Thirty becomes more about the people involved behind the scenes than the war itself. With a strong female lead on both sides of the camera, this is no girl-power driven film. It is a film about strong characters, giving their all for the safety of their country.

Maya is to this decade what Jodie Foster’s Clarice Starling was to the 1990s. She is driven, confident, extremely intelligent and not afraid to upset her bosses by telling them off. But underneath it all, she is human and totally relatable. She is an incredible central character and the driving force behind this multi-faceted character-driven story. Though many of the faces of the supporting cast are well-known, there is rarely a moment where you find yourself thinking of them as Joel Edgerton, Jessica Chastain, Kyle Chandler or Chris Pratt. They all embody their characters to such an extent that who they are off camera has no relevance. Even a shockingly small part for Mark Strong soon became just one cog in this flawless machine. The only break from this pattern was when - quite bizarrely - the brilliantly fun Doctor Who star John Barrowman appeared as a straight-laced character who is on screen for mere minutes.

Though Zero Dark Thirty is clearly not the sort of film that will appeal to everyone, it is undoubtedly one of the most impressive pieces of cinema from recent years - bold, unyielding and immensely powerful with an end sequence so tense I'm not sure I remembered to breathe throughout.

Zero Dark Thirty is a very long film - at almost three hours in length - but worth every second of screen time it demands. It is the type of film that lingers. It gets under your skin and stays there for days, even weeks, afterwards.

4.5/5 FOBLES

Book Giveaway: The Host by Stephenie Meyer

2013-02-06T02:08:00.001-08:00

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED AND THE WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!

Next month will mark the release of the film adaptation of The Host, which arrives in UK cinemas on 29th March. It was surely only a matter of time before bestselling author Stephenie Meyer's other book was adapted into a film and the adaptation certainly looks promising, with Saoirse Ronan cast as Melanie Stryder, support from Diane Kruger and William Hurt and writer/director Andrew Niccol at the helm.

To celebrate the film's release, the lovely folks over at Little, Brown UK have got three copies of the film tie-in edition of the book to give away.

To be in with a chance of winning one of these three copies of The Host, all you have to do is email filmvsbook@gmail.com with the name of the other book series that was written by The Host author Stephenie Meyer. Don't forget to put "The Host competition" as the subject heading and please include the city in which you live in your email.

The Host Official Synopsis

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that takes over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed.

Wanderer, the invading 'soul' who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.

This competition is open to UK residents only and closes at midday GMT Sunday 10th March.

Ridley Scott buys film rights to Hugh Howey's WOOL

2013-01-23T01:35:00.002-08:00

A new era has begun in the world of book publishing - that of self-publishing success stories. Gone are the days when self-published authors automatically meant unsuccessful authors. Tremendous sales figures for the Fifty Shades trilogy have proven you don't need a publisher to become a success.

Now, it seems, Hugh Howey is the next self-publishing success story, with the film rights to his book 'Wool' being bought by none other than Ridley Scott (Alien, Gladiator).

WOOL has captivated readers across the globe since Hugh first released it on Amazon, and was one of the most talked about books of 2012. It has drawn comparisons to the likes of The Road, The Passage and The Hunger Games.

Hugh Howey lives in Florida. He wrote and self-published his first young adult novel, Molly Fyde and the Parsona Rescue in 2009.The related series that followed won rave reviews and praise from readers but it was the release of WOOL that has made Hugh Howey a self-published star. Originally a novella, the demand from readers sent him scurrying to write more tales set in the subterranean world. The resulting omnibus has been a number one bestseller in Science Fiction on Amazon and captured the attention of readers and publishers across the globe.

Wool Synopsis

The world outside has grown unkind, the view of it limited, talk of it forbidden. In the ruined and hostile landscape, in a future few have been unlucky enough to survive, a community exists in a giant underground silo. Inside, men and women live an enclosed life full of rules and regulations, of secrets and lies.

To live, you must follow the rules. But some don't. These are the dangerous ones; these are the people who dare to hope and dream, and who infect others with their optimism. Their punishment is simple and deadly. They are given the very thing they profess to want: they are allowed outside.

Jules is one of these people. She may well be the last.

WOOL is out now in hardback: Wool (Wool Trilogy 1)

Dustin Hoffman Q&A at the Phoenix Cinema, East Finchley

2013-01-20T04:45:00.003-08:00

There are many very cool things about living in North London - but one of my favourites is how easily I can get to one of my favourite cinemas - the Phoenix. It's a one-screen cinema that puts on arty films, foreign films, theatre recordings and plays host to film festivals. What the Phoenix knows how to do well, though, is put on a Q&A.

With lots of celebrities from the film world only too happy to support the cinema, they have managed to pull in people in the past from the hilarious cast of League of Gentleman to Olivia Colman and Paddy Considine from Tyrannosaur and Deep Blue Sea director Terence Davies. Last Friday evening, however, the cinema celebrated one of the most distinguished guests throughout their long history - acting legend and first-time director Dustin Hoffman, who was there to talk about Quartet.

I was one of the fortunate ones who managed to get a ticket before the event sold out in record time and was inspired by Hoffman's love of cinema and respect for his cast and all the incredible people he has met and worked with throughout his life. For the man who claims to have got into acting because he failed at everything else, he has certainly proven himself a success. I went expecting to hear some brilliant anecdotes that found fame decades ago with The Graduate but was surprised and moved by his humble and emotional stories of life in showbusiness.

Check out my report from the Q&A at Filmoria and enjoy my pictures below (please link back to this post if you wish to use the images).

Quartet is out now.

Hoffman is moved by his standing ovation.

Quentin Tarantino Q&A at Yahoo! UK (I was there!)

2013-01-17T05:58:00.001-08:00

Back in December, I was fortunate enough to win tickets to a Q&A with writing and directing legend Quentin Tarantino - and ask the man himself a question! He talked about Django Unchained (out this weekend in the UK) and his previous films, confessed to a love of rom-coms (only when on a plane!) and so much more. My question is at 2 minutes. Enjoy!

Source: Yahoo!

Win - Beautiful Creatures: Official Movie Companion

2013-01-17T04:26:00.000-08:00

THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED - THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED.

Based on the book by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, the adaptation of Beautiful Creatures is due out next month. The YA tale follows teenagers Ethan and Lena, as their budding romance brings together the mortal and caster world while an age-old curse seems to doom their relationship before it has even begun.

To coincide with the launch of #penguinchats - which begins at the end of the month with the authors of the Beautiful Creatures novels - the lovely folks over at Puffin and Penguin UK have a gorgeous movie companion book on offer for fans of the book series. Beautiful Creatures: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion by Mark Cotta Vaz has all the inside information from behind the scenes of the film. Click the images below to enlarge a sneak peek.

The film stars Alice Englert, Viola Davis, Jeremy Irons, Alden Ehrenreich, Emmy Rossum and Emma Thompson and is directed and adapted for the big screen by Richard LaGravenese (P.S. I Love You, Freedom Writers).

To be in with a chance of winning, simply email filmvsbook@gmail.com with the names of the authors who will be launching the first #penguinchats on Sunday 27th January. Don't forget to put "Beautiful Creatures competition" in the subject header and include the city you live in.

This competition is open to UK residents only and closes at midday GMT Sunday 27th January.

Beautiful Creatures arrives in cinemas on Wednesday 13th February.

Beautiful Creatures Authors to Launch #Penguinchats

2013-01-15T05:28:00.001-08:00

Is falling in the love the beginning . . . or the end?

In Ethan Wate’s hometown there lies the darkest of secrets . . .

There is a girl.

There is a curse.

In the end, there is a grave.

Ethan never even saw it coming.

Penguin are starting 2013 off with an exciting new project called Penguin Chats. As part of this project, some of Penguin and Puffin's brilliant authors will answer fan questions on Twitter. The chats themselves will be 30 minute Q&As with a Penguin author on Twitter, using the hashtag #PenguinChats and hosted by @PenguinUKBooks.

The first #Penguinchats kicks off on Sunday 27th January at 8pm with the talented writing team behind Beautiful Creatures - Kami Garcia (@kamigarcia) and Margaret Stohl (@mstohl).

The adaptation for Beautiful Creatures - the first of their series of novels about the doomed romance between teenagers Ethan and Lena - has been a project on which both Garcia and Stohl have been working closely. With the film due to hit cinemas next month, now is your chance to catch up with the pair... and Lena, Ethan and their respective families.

The film stars Alice Englert, Viola Davis, Jeremy Irons, Alden Ehrenreich, Emmy Rossum and Emma Thompson and is directed and adapted for the big screen by Richard LaGravenese (P.S. I Love You, Freedom Writers).

“Mortals. I envy you. You think you can change things. Stop the universe. Undo what was done long before you came along. You are such beautiful creatures.”

Beautiful Creatures hits UK cinemas on Wednesday 13th February. The books - Beautiful Creatures, Beautiful Darkness, Beautiful Chaos and Beautiful Redemption - are out now.

Book Review: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

2013-01-11T11:51:00.003-08:00

Every now and then a book comes along that is so delicious it warms you like a heated fruit pie in the middle of winter. It stays with you even when you're not reading it because the characters are so vivid and real and welcoming, they have a lingering effect. The mouthful that is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is one such book.

Written entirely in letter form, the book is set soon after the end of World War Two as one author happens to begin correspondence with a man on the isle of Guernsey and starts to learn about the hilariously named literary society to which he belongs. As their correspondence continues, Julie begins to question her new pen pal about the origins of the club. As her investigations deepen, she begins to learn about all the members and just what happened to them during the war - when they were forced to live under Nazi occupation and cut off from the rest of the country.

To tell you more of the story would not be fair as each new discovery Julie (and, in turn, the reader) makes is what makes the book such a pleasure to read. It is a touching and incredibly beautiful story, with the unique prose of each person's letters adding such an insight into their character that they leap off the pages. Readers will no doubt fall completely in love with each of them, just as Julie does and finish the book wanting to go to one of their society meetings.

5 FOBLES - a gorgeous, touching and entirely immersive delight

A film adaptation is in the works but casting issues have been delaying progress beyond that of Kate Winslet as Julie and Kenneth Branagh directing. Having read the book, I can now see why finding just the right cast for this brilliant ensemble piece is so important. Fingers crossed they do it justice! It certainly is a promising start...

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Book Giveaway: Win Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

2013-01-11T11:25:00.000-08:00

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED.

It's been an exciting week for anyone involved in Silver Linings Playbook - with the film picking up an impressive seven Oscar nominations and something in all the major categories. The film - which follows Pat as he adjusts to everyday life after a stint in a psychiatric hospital - has also been nominated for three BAFTAs and numerous other awards. David O. Russell has received critical and popular acclaim for both his directorial efforts with the film and his adapted screenplay.

Nominations:

Bradley Cooper for BEST ACTOR

Jennifer Lawrence for BEST ACTRESS

Robert DeNiro for ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Jacki Weaver for ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

David O. Russell for BEST DIRECTOR

Jay Cassidy and Crispin Struthers for FILM EDITING

David O. Russell for WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)

Of course, none of this would have happened were it not for the captivating and heartbreaking, yet life-affirming, debut novel from author Matthew Quick.

To celebrate the success of one of 2012's best adaptations, the lovely folks over at Picador have two copies of the film tie-in edition of the book available to give away.

To be in with a chance of winning your own copy of this brilliant book, just email filmvsbook@gmail.com, using "Silver Linings Competition" as the subject line, with the actor who played Pat in the film adaptation.

Check out the Film vs Book review of Silver Linings Playbook here.

This competition closes at midnight GMT Sunday 27th January and is available to UK readers only.

Book Review: Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

2013-01-11T10:45:00.003-08:00

R is a zombie. He hangs out in an abandoned airport with other zombies and, other than the occasional attack on the living so they can feast on their brains, doesn't really do much. he doesn't remember his former life, or even his own name... but he thinks it begins with an R. Along with his fellow zombies, R has no desires, no real passions or feelings - save the compulsion to eat. So when they encounter a bunch of the living and start to devour them, R is taken aback by the need not to eat but to save one of them.

When the zombies eat brains in this dystopian future, they get a glimpse into the mind of that person. It is this 'transference' of sorts that sees R affected by a strong connection with the young man he is devouring. In a flash, he sees the world as Perry saw it and - for the first time in this new zombie 'life' of his - begins to feel, to think, to see. What he sees first and foremost is Julie - Perry's former girlfriend. As soon as he sees her cowering in the corner amongst all the bloodshed, his only compulsion is to protect her and therein begins this captivating zom-rom-com.

Warm Bodies is a darkly comic take on the zombie apocalypse genre with two incredible central leads - both damaged, both looking to the other to improve themselves. R's inner voice - conflicting and collaborating with that of Perry - is intoxicating and for a book that relies heavily on narrative rather than dialogue, this is essential. It is, rather brilliantly, his story not hers. R has the opening and it is with him that the reader first connects. Warm Bodies is about what happens when this zombie meets a girl - not the other way around.

Though the clever wit and humour work superbly here, this is not a laugh riot. Serious questions are raised about the uncertain future of the human race and how something so overpowering as this can affect people's priorities and beliefs. The characters are able or unable to forgive, thanks to the new world they find themselves in. Many simply strive to stay alive, while others question the meaning of their prolonged existence and some give up hope altogether.

On each page, there is something new and exciting to discover just as R finds himself changing the more time he spends with Julie. The brave original twist Marion has taken on this age-old apocalyptic/zombie genre is a revelation. It manages to be serious and thought-provoking but hilarious, romantic and gorgeous - with brain eating for good measure.

4.5/5 FOBLES

The film adaptation of Warm Bodies, which stars Nicholas Hoult, is out in cinemas in February. It is directed by Jonathan Levine (50/50) and also stars Teresa Palmer and John Malkovich.

Nigel Planer and more announced for Sam Mendes' Charlie and Chocolate Factory musical production

2013-01-11T04:06:00.004-08:00

With Douglas Hodge set to play Willy Wonka in Sam Mendes' new stage production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it remained to be seen who would be playing the many other beloved characters from the Roald Dahl story. With the key role of Charlie himself still unannounced, it has been revealed that Nigel Planer will be playing the unstoppable Grandpa Joe.

Other cast includes Clive Carter as Mr Salt, Jasna Ivir as Mrs Gloop, Paul J Medford as Mr Beauregarde, Iris Roberts as Mrs Teavee and Myra Sands as Grandma Georgina alongside Joe Allen, David Birch, Michelle Bishop, Mireia Mambo Bokele, Matthew Clark, Alex Clatworthy, Jennifer Davison, Luke Fetherston, Nia Fisher, Kate Graham, Clare Halse, Mark Iles, Daniel Ioannou, Kieran Jae, Jane McMurtrie, Natalie Moore-Williams, Sherrie Pennington, Damien Poole, Paul Saunders, Jack Shalloo and Jay Webb.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Summary/Plot
When Charlie wins a golden ticket to the weird and wonderful Wonka Chocolate Factory, it’s the chance of a lifetime to feast on the sweets he’s always dreamed of. But beyond the gates astonishment awaits, as down the sugary corridors, and amongst the incredible edible delights, the five lucky winners discover not everything is as sweet as it seems.

Tickets for the production are on sale now. The World Premiere is set to be held in June 2013 with previews from 18 May 2013.

Further information is available from the website: www.CharlieandtheChocolateFactory.com

BAFTA Nominations: The BAFTAs are adapting

2013-01-09T14:26:00.000-08:00

It's no secret by now that I love a great adaptation - and by great, I hasten to add, I do NOT mean a carbon copy. A truly great adaptation must be faithful to the source text and keep the overall feel of it while realising what works or does not work on the big screen.

This year, there have been plenty of adaptations to choose from including classic tales like Anna Karenina and Great Expectations and more modern stories like The Lucky One and Argo. Two highlights from the past twelve months of cinema though have to be Life of Pi and Silver Linings Playbook - both of which have received BAFTA nods today for Best Adapted Screenplay. Many of the best performances and films of the year (according to BAFTA) were also adaptations.

Best Adapted Screenplay nominations:

ARGO Chris Terrio
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD Lucy Alibar, Benh Zeitlin
LIFE OF PI David Magee
LINCOLN Tony Kushner
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK David O. Russell

For the full nominations list, check out Filmoria.

Claire Foy announced as Lady Macbeth opposite James McAvoy in new stage production

2013-01-09T13:19:00.000-08:00

Credit: Johan Persson

With BAFTA winning and Golden Globe nominated James McAvoy (The Last King of Scotland, Atonement, X-Men) cast in the lead role for the new stage production of Macbeth, it only remained to see who would be playing the rest of the cast alongside him - namely that of 'Out, damned spot! Out, I say!' Lady Macbeth.

It has now been announced that Claire Foy (White Heat, Little Dorrit, The Promise) will play the infamous role, opposite McAvoy.

Joining them, to complete the cast, are Jamie Ballard (Macduff), Graeme Dalling (Donalbain), Lisa Gardner (Witch), Kevin Guthrie (Lennox), Richard Hansell (Ross), Forbes Masson (Banquo), Allison McKenzie (Witch), Olivia Morgan (Witch), Catherine Murray (Caithness), Callum O'Neill (Angus), Mark Quartley (Malcolm) and Hugh Ross (Duncan/Doctor).

Jamie Lloyd’s new production will be staged at Trafalgar Studios from 9 February until 27 April. This new adaptation of the dark Shakespeare tale will take Macbeth to a dystopian Scotland brutalised by war. Under a toxic fog, Macbeth begins his tormented struggle for power fuelled by ambition and paranoia.

For more information, check out www.macbethwestend.com