[4] The Upcoming Adult Presents: 18 Favourite Picturizations

Every year, one of the most discussed topics in the filmosphere is whether this or that movie lived up to this or that novel - or more rarely, short story or play. Most of the time, the general opinions tends to declaring the original "thing" to be the best. And I often agree. But that doesn't mean the movie is bad, and I know a lot of movies that brought something new to its source. A different medium can give a story a whole new perspective, and to know and accept that, I think, is a sign maturity.
So here are my 18 favorite picturizations (of books I've read) in no particular order:
 1: The Little Mermaid - The animated Disney adaption of this beautiful and tragic Hans Christian Andersen fairytale is off course much more children-friendly than the original story. It's also less poetic and less profound. Nevertheless, it is just something very else - and one of Disney's best ever.
2: About a Boy - Staying very close to the book, yet concentrating more on one character - Will - instead of Marcus and Will, this adaption of Nick Hornby's sweet and funny novel is a real gem. I mean, a light and entertaining gem. Also, I don't think Hugh Grant was ever better than here.
3: The Namesake - I just recently found Jhumpa Lahiri's extraordinary little novel in one of London's awesome thrift bookstores and read the whole thing on my way back home. While the movie has left fewer traces in my memory, I do know that I liked it a lot and that it was almost as beautiful as the book.
4: Never Let Me Go - About a month after I read Kazuo Ishiguro's novel, I heard that it had just been adapted for the screen - and was thrilled. Being one of the best books I ever read, the movie had a lot to live up to - and didn't disappoint me with a simpler story that however captured the spirit of the book wonderfully.
5: The Lord of the Rings trilogy - I don't think I need to explain myself here. Read the books after the movies and had nothing at all to complain about. Revisiting the books at the moment, by the way.
6: Norwegian Wood - Had a little Haruki Murakami obsession at the end of 2012, mainly because of this movie. It's really sweet and quiet, and as I read that the book was so much better, I read three of Murakami's novels in one row. And yes: they are so much better. Which doesn't make this adaption any less great.
7: The Pillars of the Earth - This is by far one of the most impressive books I ever read. And although a lot of things had to be left out in the TV mini series, and although the series were much more commercial and simple, I loved them to bits. Not only for giving us Eddie Redmayne.
8: Sense and Sensibility - When I was in my early teenage years, I had a slight obsession with Jane Austen and other vintage stuff. This was one of the last books I read of hers... and actually I don't remember much of neither it nor the movie. Nevertheless, a very positive feeling surrounds they're respective memories. 
9: Shopaholic series - I don't think I ever had as much fun reading a book, as when I read the Shopaholic series. I mean, they're basically the essence of "chick lit" and there's really nothing special about them - except somehow, there is. The same goes for the movie, based on the first book yet set in New York instead of London. (Not that I'm complaining).
10: Pride and Prejudice - The book with the most beautiful declaration of love ever (ever, ever), and the movie that created the images in my head once I did read the book.
11: Atonement - Can I just say that I am so crazy about this movie and this book? Actually a little more about the movie. The book is great too though. Well, I don't think I have anything more intelligent to say about this.
12: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Wow. That was my first thought when I had read the original short story. Wow, because wow, this is what you can make out of an already wonderful short story - which seems like a stupid draft when you've seen the movie!
13: Memoirs of a Geisha - I mocked on this movie a little when I wrote my post on Harry Potter for the snubathon, because it kind of stole some of its nominations. This being said, I think it's a great movie based on a great novel. Both making me cry. Which is quite an achievement.
14: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - American version. I've decided that it's the most inventive version, by which I don't mean to say that the Swedish version is the less good. They're both really cool in their own way - and better than the book, in my opinion - it had a lot of dull parts.
15: Harry Potter series - Interestingly, Harry Potter has been in each of the four lists until now. Well, once a Potterhead, always a Potterhead.
16: The Hunger Games - So, I know that a lot of important parts were left out. And the camera work at the beginning was annoying. But I don't care because this is one of the best "teenage franchises" started recently and I hope the next two parts will be just as awesome.
17: Jurassic Park -  I read this to improve my French (apparently you're supposed to read books that were translated into the language you're learning) and never expected such a highly suspensive read. I must say I don't remember the movie that much, but... I guess it qualifies.
18: Lolita - One of the most beautifully written books ever. I mean, just read these first few lines. So disgusting. And so intriguing. Oh, and we're talking about the Kubrick adaption here. As perfect as the book (almost).