Lakeland Public Library discussion
Lakeland Public Library
Books mentioned in this topic
Gunslinger (other topics)The Glass Castle (other topics)
Death Note, Vol. 1: Boredom (other topics)
Tulip Fever (other topics)
The Last Tycoon (other topics)
The Dark Tower is coming to theaters this Friday, August 4th.
The last Gunslinger, Roland Deschain (Idris Elba), has been locked in an eternal battle with Walter O'Dim, also known as the Man in Black (Matthew McConaughey), determined to prevent him from toppling the Dark Tower, which holds the universe, and its interconnected worlds, together. With the fate of the worlds at stake, good and evil will collide in the ultimate battle as only Roland can defend the Tower from the Man in Black.
It's hard to imagine how King's 8 book series will be condensed into a single film, but as even hard-core fans know, sometimes King is at his best when pared down to the essentials. And with such a great cast, it seems safe to be excited about this one.
In theaters August 11th.
Based on a memoir, four siblings must learn to take care of themselves as their responsibility-averse, free-spirit parents both inspire and inhibit them. When sober, the children's brilliant and charismatic father captured their imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and how to embrace life fearlessly. But when he drank, he was dishonest and destructive. Meanwhile, their mother abhorred the idea of domesticity and didn't want to take on the work of raising a family.
This unsentimental memoir of family dysfunction was destined for adaptation since it was published in 2005. How will such an unflinching look back at a childhood of wonder and neglect translate to the big screen? It remains to be seen, but you can watch the movie's trailer here.
Streaming on Netflix beginning August 25th.
Death Note tells the story of Light Turner, whose life changes after coming across the Death Note. Dropped by Ryuk, the god of death, the mysterious notebook causes the deaths of the people whose names are listed in its pages. At first, Light uses the Death Note to help the world be rid of evil people. Eventually, however, he is tempted to use it to further his personal motives as he discovers how the notebook gives him the power to decide who should live and who should die.
Based on a popular Japanese manga series, Death Note has already been made into an anime and live-action movie in Japan. Anime and manga fans are rightfully wary of any adaption of their favorite stories (Dragonball Evolution, anyone?), and this new version has already come under fire for Westernizing the characters and story. Still, the original creators have made positive comments, so we'll keep hope alive. And not think about Avatar: The Last Airbender
In theaters August 25th.
In 17th Century Amsterdam, an orphaned girl is forcibly married to a rich and powerful merchant- an unhappy "arrangement" that saves her from poverty. After her husband commissions a portrait, she begins a passionate affair with the painter, a struggling young artist. Seeking to escape the merchant's ever-reaching grasp, the lovers risk everything and enter the frenzied tulip bulb market, with the hope that the right bulb will make a fortune and buy their freedom.
A period costume-drama filled with lust, greed and vanity. What could possibly go wrong? But with stars like Alicia Vikander, Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne, it should be beautiful to watch. Check out the trailer here.
Available now on Amazon Video
This adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's final unfinished novel is set in 1930s Hollywood, an era darkened by the Depression and the growing influence of Hitler. Written and directed by Billy Ray, the series centers on Monroe Stahr (Matt Bomer), a handsome and talented studio executive whose career is on the rise. As Stahr struggles to gain a firm foothold in the movie industry and bring his cinematic visions to life, he must navigate a power struggle with Pat Brady (Kelsey Grammer), his boss and mentor.
More proof that streaming services are creating some great content, this series looks as decadent and stylish as you would expect an from an F. Scott Fitzgerald story.
What adaptions are you most (or least) looking forward to this month?