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Many people may think that the books that are read in school are only used to teach things like themes, allegories and symbolism. But they forget that they also have an entertainment use, especially when they are made into movies. The following is a look at a few books read in high schools and the film adaptations born from them.
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
The novel Catch-22 is one of the best ever written. It is somewhat long and trying to fully summarize the plot, which would take up to much space. The setting is an island in the Mediterranean on an American base during World War II. The book is both thought-provoking and hilarious. The characters are richly developed and the story is well told and leads to an immensely satisfying conclusion Catch-22 (1970): The film version of Catch-22 is a good attempt but ultimately it fails to live up to the potential provided by the source material. Too much of the plot is cut but the actors do perform well even with the stripped down versions of their characters. The film is still enjoyable though even if much of the dialogue is impossible to hear over the roar of jet engines.
The Odysse by Hom y er
A&E
April 27,24,2010 November 2009
Art s & Ent ert ainment
1984 b y Geo Orwe ll’s
A book & show review: by
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Hamlet by William Shakespeare One of William Shakespeare’s most widely read plays is also one of his longest. The story concerns Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, and his struggles over how to avenge his father’s death which may have been committed by his uncle. The story is good though the tone is somewhat uneven, going from comedy to melodrama almost instantaneously. The one scene that really works is set in a cemetery. The tone is darkly comical and eerily atmospheric and is a truly great scene that should not be missed. The Lion King (1994): Disney’s The Lion King is another loose adaptation of a classic work. Although the basic plot slightly resembles Hamlet, the story plays much more like a typical Disney animated feature. It is one of the best of its kind with great animation, good voice work, and catchy songs.
Wicked
Gregor y Maguire
A beautifully written hybrid of religious strife, political questions, personal acceptance and passionate love. Gregory Maguire’s Wicked will capture the hearts and captivate the minds of readers from the very first page. Elphaba, more commonly known as the Wicked Witch of the West, is wonderfully wicked from the start, as the reader is taken through the whirlwind that is her childhood. As a young girl Elphaba is essentially happy, if not accepted, but as she enters school she is introduced to the horrific politics that have been crushing the Land of Oz for many years. It is also at school that Elphaba encounters Galinda for the first time and the unexpected relationship that grows between the two girls only strengthens the plot of the novel, giving it another layer of depth. As the story continues, Elphaba grows into a young lady and her sister, the religious extremist Nessarose, is introduced. As Nessarose becomes more prominent in the plot of the novel, it shifts gears to become dire and increasingly focused on the rights of the Animals. Although the novel differs greatly from the Broadway play version of Wicked, they both mix witty sarcasm and bright characters with solemn themes. The musical version of Wicked, which hit the Stranahan Theater from March 30 through April 18, is a light and bright musical about one girl’s self-esteem and acceptance. Though it mixes Elphaba’s own interests with the interest in the rights of the Animals of Oz, the overall lookout of the musical is a positive one. With beautiful song arrangements and amazing special effects, the musical Wicked is enthralling and inspirational to the audience. Mixing the desire to be accepted with the more serious topics of good and evil, by the end of this masterful novel the only question about Oz left is: What is the true nature of being wicked? -Mamie Silver