Thus begins the director’s gut-wrenching autobiography, initially published in 1971, but as powerful today as it was then. When Kathryn Bigelow collected her Oscar trophy earlier this year, she did so as only the fourth woman ever nominated in the director category. Interactive by Andrew Kahn, Chris Kirk, and Lisa Larson-Walker. Based on: The book of the same name by J.K. Rowling, the third in her wildly popular Harry Potter series. This will be on the test: The horses in Emerald City were colored with Jell-O crystals. The academy’s failure may have inspired a memorable hashtag, but that failure is deeply linked to the way nearly all movie fans remember cinematic history. Key difference: Though they still author the Amazing Amy books in the film, Amy's parents play a much smaller role in David Fincher's film. The Bearded Trio; Creative Babble; Disney, Indiana Podcast; The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones; The IndyCast Based on: Jane Austen's classic 1811 novel. The 50 Greatest Films by Black Directors ... of The World Only Spins Forward, a history of Angels in America, and is writing a book … Theo (Clive Owen), a cynical former activist, is conscripted by his ex-wife (Julianne Moore) into helping to secretly transport a pregnant refugee (Clare-Hope Ashitey). But even in a year where a woman took home the Academy Award for best director (for the first time), female filmmakers still aren't getting the same recognition or opportunities that male directors do. Books written by movie directors? Key difference: Wedding singer Johnny Fontane, who prompts Vito to make a studio boss a bloody offer he can't refuse, had a much bigger part in the book. R Eric Thomas is a Senior Staff Writer at ELLE.com, home of his daily humor column "Eric Reads the News," which skewers politics, pop culture, celebrity shade, and schadenfreude. Key difference: Though they still author the Amazing Amy books in the film, Amy's parents play a much smaller role in David Fincher's film. This will be on the test: In 2020, Aciman published a sequel to the novel titled Find Me. ReBecca Theodore-Vachon: film critic Back cover blurb: In 2027, the world is suffering from two decades of global infertility and on the brink of collapse. But books remain the most frequently visited well for cinematic inspiration. He's counseled by fellow prisoner Red (Morgan Freeman in an Oscar-nominated performance). To change Hollywood, it’s important not only to look forward but to look back. Back cover blurb: Hobbit Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) finds himself in possession of the One Ring, a powerful force being sought by many, including the villainous wizard Saruman (Christopher Lee). Paula Massood: film scholar But the Academy certainly isn't the only organi… Total number of black-directed films among the 1,000 movies on those lists? Tolkien. ALLIES. These lists are important: They affect the types of movies that self-proclaimed cinephiles and casual viewers alike seek out and watch, and they help define our ideas about whose perspectives matter. Kings of the Bs: Working Within the Hollywood System Edited by Todd McCarthy and Charles Flynn, Dutton, 1975 Guillermo del Toro, Writer: El laberinto del fauno. Scarface is a 1983 American crime drama film directed by Brian De Palma and written by Oliver Stone. Based on: The 2012 thriller by Gillian Flynn. When she suddenly disappears, all eyes are on her shady husband Nick (Ben Affleck). Many of those films are great and integral to understanding black film history—but this list is about the power of black people telling their stories.) He invites his grandchildren and some scientists to tour the facility in advance of its opening. Best case scenario here is you sell your movie idea and make maybe $50K. It ultimately went to Michael Gambon. Of the hundreds of movies based on books, here are the 19 best, in no particular order. Research the differences and similarities between the book and film versions of The Wizard of Oz. Back cover blurb: Kansas farmgirl Dorothy (Judy Garland) is transported by tornado to a magical land where she immediately murders someone and steals her shoes. Consider the many widely regarded lists of the “best films”: the prestigious Sight & Sound once-a-decade critics’ poll, the American Film Institute’s eight different 100 Years … lists, or Richard Corliss’ top 100 for Time. Key difference: Wineman's book is non-fiction and doesn't include any of the narrative elements of the movie. Back cover blurb: After experiencing sudden destitution, Elinor Dashwood (Emma Thompson) and her sister Marianne (Kate Winslet) try to change their fortunes through courtship. Back cover blurb: Dr. John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) creates a theme park in which genetically cloned dinosaurs roam. Kevin Avery: comedian and podcaster (Denzel Washington Is the Greatest Actor of All Time Period) Odie Henderson: film critic Two. Back cover blurb: Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) has a seemingly perfect suburban life and the seemingly perfect childhood—as illustrated in a successful line of books written by her parents. All contents © About Mansoor Khan Mansoor Khan is an alumnus of IIT-Mumbai, Cornell University and MIT, Boston and Bollywood film Director. Dan Kois edits and writes for Slateâs human interest and culture departments. Based on: Rosalind Wineman's 2002 non-fiction self-help book Queen Bees and Wannabes, about high school social dynamics. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, 'Selena: The Series' Season 2 Drops This May, Cardi B Lands Her First Starring Movie Role, The Best TV and Movie Wedding Dresses of All Time, The Third 'To All The Boys' Movie Unveils Trailer, Hear the Sitcom-Style 'WandaVision' Theme Song, 'Sex and the City' Revival Is Officially Happening. Does the COVID-19 Vaccine Affect Facial Fillers? Gina Prince-Bythewood: director (Love & Basketball, Beyond the Lights) Based on: Patricia Highsmith's 1955 thriller, part of a Ripley series. All rights reserved. This will be on the test: Three of the film's stars—Damon, Paltrow, and Law—later appeared in Contagion. Back cover blurb: At the height of the Civil War, the March sisters, including aspiring writer Jo (Saoirse Ronan), come of age, find and lose love, and test the bonds of family. Pushing the industry to allow black filmmakers and actors to tell more substantial stories through high-profile work is a crucial step toward remedying the systematic issues at the heart of this controversy. Genre work, micro-budget indies, underground documentaries, comedies starring rappers—it was eye-opening to see what movies our panel of experts chose. It was really a charmed experience for us, it was very surreal.” The size of the movie clearly plays a big part in the pressures. This will be on the test: Fontane was reportedly based on Frank Sinatra. It’s time to fight the canons that be. Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, The 19 Best Thanksgiving Movies of All Time, 8 Books We Wish Had Never Been Made Into Movies. Whiskey in a Teacup: What Growing Up in the South Taught Me About Life Love and Baking Biscuits [Witherspoon Reese] on Amazon.com. Stephane Dunn: film scholar Read, watch our video supercut, stream an unfamiliar movie or two, argue, and recognize the names on our list for the great filmmakers they are. Director Jason LaMotte was profoundly affected by his neighbourhood library in Houston Texas – and the magical feeling it carried was the inspiration behind his new film The Library Back cover blurb: New student Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) tries to navigate the complicate social strata of a new high school as she is taken under the wing of Regina George (Rachel McAdams), "queen bee" of a trio of mean girls known as The Plastics. This will be on the test: This is the seventh film adaptation of Little Women. Why you should read it: Most filmmakers starting out have no money, and it’s music to the ears to learn you can still make it big if you’re going the indie route. This will be on the test: Cary Elwes and Mandy Patinkin performed all of their own sword fights. Back cover blurb: Westley (Cary Elwes) must rescue his true love Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) from Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). Most notable, however, is the character Meredith Logue (Cate Blanchett) who is pivotal to the film but doesn't appear in the novel. Ed Guerrero: film scholar Research the differences and similarities between the book and film versions of The Wizard of Oz. Steven Boone: film critic The first literary adaptation by cult writer-directors Joel and Ethan Coen, this chilling film follows McCarthy’s bleak novel almost to the letter. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Key difference: The book opens with an expansive prologue that explains the history of the ring and hobbits, which was mostly scrapped for the film. The 50 Greatest Films by Black Directors. Keith Corson: film scholar Wesley Morris: cultural critic Based on: André Aciman's 2007 coming-of-age novel. I Outed My Mom for Joining a Pro-Trump Protest, 30 Black-Owned Handbag Brands We Hold Dear, Harris Reed is Creating a MAC Beauty Line For All. (That restriction excluded many beloved movies about black people, like Carmen Jones, A Raisin in the Sun, The Wiz, and Coming to America. Back cover blurb: Solomon Northrup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man, is kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841. Based on: J.R.R. Based on: L. Frank Baum's 1900 book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The Wizard of Oz is based on a book written by L. Frank Baum by the same title. Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. This will be on the test: This was Whoopi Goldberg's first film and she received her first Oscar nomination for it. That controversy and the immediate responses to it—including the academy’s rule changes—only carry us as far as the Dolby Theatre. But it’s not the only step. I recently read Akira Kurosawa's autobiography and it was really enriching. Todd Boyd: film scholar She then forms a gang and sets off to storm a city with a list of demands for the local wizard. Nick's dad, who also has a big role in the book, is barely seen onscreen. Our goal is to change the way readers think about the history of movies—and to keep the conversation about black storytelling going long after the #OscarsSoWhite fury has dissipated. Whiskey in a Teacup: What Growing Up in the South Taught Me About Life, Love, and Baking Biscuits W. Kamau Bell: comedian and podcaster (Denzel Washington Is the Greatest Actor of All Time Period) (And didn’t choose.) He spends the next 12 years working on plantations and attempting to reunite with his family. Ava DuVernay: director (Middle of Nowhere, Selma) 6. This will be on the test: Thompson wrote the screenplay intending for another actress to play Elinor. If you can keep a level head… It’s like a two-hour advertisement for your book.” She added, “we loved the writer, we loved the director, we loved the producer, we loved the cast. Key difference: Dorothy's iconic ruby red slippers were silver in the book. A remake of the 1932 film of the same name, it tells the story of Cuban refugee Tony Montana (), who arrives penniless in 1980s Miami but would go on to become a powerful drug lord. Based on: Susan Orleans' 1998 non-fiction book The Orchid Thief. Guillermo del Toro was born October 9, 1964 in Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico. Film director switches formats, writes book on grandpa’s WWII heroism Posted on August 3, 2020 by Administrator1 Jon Erwin, a film director who has now written a book titled “Beyond Valor” with William Doyle, is seen in a file photo. This will be on the test: The animatronic T-Rex weighed 12,000 pounds and would sometimes mysteriously turn on when it rained, scaring the crew. Back cover blurb: In this meta-textual mind-bender, screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (Nicholas Cage) is tormented by his twin brother (also Cage) and his inability to adapt The Orchid Thief. Nick & Nora’s was a “small” movie. Key difference: Where to start…actual screenwriter Charlie Kaufman takes huge, hilarious liberties with Orleans' rather straightforward story of the arrest of John LaRoche, inventing a love affair between author and subject and giving himself a twin brother who does not actually exist. To many Godfather fans, film director Francis Ford Coppola significantly improved on the book and took out a lot of material written by Puzo that was not particularly relevant to the main story. Key difference: The book delves even deeper into the inner lives of the women in Celie's life and paints a more complex picture of the relationships they share. Floyd Webb: producer (Daughters of the Dust) and director. Key difference: In the hands of director Anthony Minghella, Damon's Ripley is less calculating than he is in the book. This will be on the test: Director Alfonso Cuarón was lauded for his use of extremely long single-take shots, including a six-minute ambush sequence. Whis… This will be on the test: Michael Fassbender plays an alcoholic so, in a Method flourish, he asked the makeup artist to paint his mustache with alcohol so that it would trigger a response when other actors smelled it. That really isn’t that much money and no one has a career in Hollywood as an “idea” person just making their living coming up with great ideas. Key difference: The movie is very faithful to Northrup's book, though some key figures, including Henry B. Northrup, who was instrumental in Solomon's rescue, are omitted or condensed. Based on: Solomon Northrup's 1853 memoir. Based on: Michael Crichton's 1990 sci-fi novel. 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