Books adapted to movies have always been huge box-office draws. It may be the familiarity of the story, or the bankability of the formula, but books-to-movies flicks have always worked.
If you can’t wait to see the much talked about movies on the big screen, leaf through the pages of the novels which you could snag at this year’s Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) at SMX Mall of Asia in Pasay City from Sept. 14 to 18.
This year has already seen some big book-to-movie hits, like Me Before You, The Legend of Tarzan, Pride, Prejudice and Zombies, The Jungle Book, How to Be Single, The 5th Wave, Allegiant, The BFG, and Through the Looking Glass.
There are more book-to-movies you should catch before end of the year:
The Queen of Katwe. The biographical drama based on The Queen of Katwe: A Story of Life, Chess, and One Extraordinary Girl’s Dream of Becoming a Grandmaster by Tim Crothers tells the story of Phiona Mutesi, a Ugandan chess prodigy who became a Woman Candidate Master after her stellar performances at the 40th World Chess Olympiads in 2012. The film stars Madina Nalwanga as Mutesi and Oscar best supporting actress Lupita Nyong’o as Mutesi’s mother.
The Girl on the Train. British author Paula Hawkins’ best-selling thriller gets a screen adaptation with Emily Blunt playing lead character Rachel Watson, an alcoholic believed to have information about the disappearance of a woman. The novel, which held more than 20 weeks at the top spot in the bestsellers list in the UK has also sold more than three million copies in the U.S.
A Monster Calls. No less than author Philip Pullman (His Dark Materials gave Patrick Ness’ fantasy novel A Monster Calls commendation, describing it as “compelling, powerful and impressive.” The illustrated children’s book tells the story of a boy who is visited every night seven minutes past midnight by a monster, amid struggles to cope with his mother’s terminal cancer. Actors Felicity Jones, Liam Neeson and Sigourney Weaver are set to star.
Inferno. Author Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code series continues with Robert Langdon’s latest adventure as he tries to stop another international scheme by following clues in Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy. Two-time Oscar best actor Tom Hanks reprises his role as Langdon. Joining him in the movie are Sienna Brooks and Felicity Jones.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. J.K. Rowling revisits the Harry Potter universe in this best-selling novel about Newt Scamander, who “wrote” the textbook that Potter and his classmates would study. Eddie Redmayne stars as Scamander. David Yates who directed the last four Potter movies was attached to the project.
Silence. Set in 17th century, Shusaku Endo’s classic novel follows the story of two Portuguese Jesuit priests who are trying to bring Christianity into Japan. Andrew Garfield (Spiderman) along with Adam Driver and Liam Neeson play priests in this Martin Scorsese-directed film.
Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children. Ransom Riggs’ New York Times’ bestseller’s list is one of the most anticipated book-to-film adaptations with auteur of goth Tim Burton at the helm; it is about a boy who, after his grandfather’s death, takes a journey to a Welsh island where he unravels bizarre details about the old man’s childhood. The movie stars Asa Butterfield and Eva Green.
Doctor Strange. Based on the popular comics franchise, Doctor Strange is a neurosurgeon who discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions following a horrific car accident. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role, this film is the 14th superhero movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Find these books and more at the MIBF, on Sept. 14 to 18 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. Co-located events include the 1st Philippine International Conference on Teacher Education from Sept. 13-15, which tackles the shifting roles and challenges of the 21st century educator; and the Best of Anime 2016, from Sept. 17-18, the ultimate event for anime lovers and enthusiasts.
The MIBF is organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc. in partnership with Asian Catholic Communicators, Inc., the Book Development Association of the Philippines, the Philippine Booksellers Association, Inc., and the Overseas Publishers Representatives Organization of the Philippines. For more details, call (02) 896-0661 or 896-0682, or e-mail bookfair@primetradeasia.com.