See You at the Movies

It would be a cliché’ to say that it is every author’s dream to see their story on the big screen.  I will just say that getting a book adapted into a movie is a big positive step in a book author’s career.  Not all books are stories that should be made into movies.   However, the book-to-movie adaptation generally works better than any other kind of movie adaptation.

            I think I went about two years without going into a movie theater.  My biggest complaint about the theater experience is the previews, which are mysteriously called “trailers”, are too long.  Nonetheless, I have seen some movies at my local theater this summer, four in fact.   Here is my experience at the movies.

            Are You There, God, It’s Me, Margaret   Based on the preteen classic book by Judy Blume written and set in 1970, this story has delighted generations of young readers (and even some older readers).  Margaret is a eleven year old girl who simultaneously adjusts to her new life in suburban New Jersey, puberty, and the religious rift between her Catholic Christian parents and her Jewish relatives.  Margaret wants to be grown up enough to wear a bra and experience menstruation.  Some parents have argued that this subject matter is inappropriate for children, but here and in Judy Blume’s other books, it is done in very good taste.  As the title suggests, Margaret explores her relationship with God.

            Jesus Revolution Set in the same era as the above movie and based on actual people and events, this is a fascinating and uplifting story of a merger of the hippie counterculture and Christian evangelism.  These two cultures find that they have more in common than they appear to on the surface.  Both reject the prevailing world culture, promote peace and love, and seek truth and spiritual serenity.  Not everything the hippies did was right or wise, but they were right to shun materialism and embrace nonviolence.

             The Little Mermaid This is a faithful adaptation of the animated classic movie.  I went to this movie only because my wife begged me to take her to it and I love my wife.  The title character is in love with a handsome seafaring prince and wishes she could survive on the surface where he is.  What many people do not know is that the Disney cartoon movie is in turn based on a story by Hans Christian Anderson written in the 19^th Century.

            Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny This movie appeals to my 1980’s nostalgia, that on top of me being a huge Indy fan.  Indiana Jones is the anti-Bond.  James Bond always had a smooth relationship with women.  Indiana Jones’ relationship with women, on the other hand, was rocky.  Another contrast between the heroes is that James Bond was always impeccably dressed and Indiana Jones is not afraid to get his clothes wet or torn.  Here is some little known trivia about Indiana Jones.  His real name is Dr. Henry Jones, Jr.  His father said he named the dog “Indiana.”

            I cannot say that I have never thought about the possibility of my latest, not-yet-published book being made into a movie.  I have even decided what songs would be in the soundtrack of the movie.  Best of luck to all my author friends who would like to see movie adaptions of their books.  Maybe I will see you at the movies.