Video Sunday - They Made That Into a Movie?

The problem with knowing that your favorite children and YA books have been turned into movies without your knowledge is that 90% of the time your ignorance was a good thing. Still, I like seeing how people mess up one way or another when they decide to put a popular title up on the silver screen.

First of all, was anyone aware that they'd turned Tom's Midnight Garden into a film? I can see now why no one's done it before. The poor guy playing Tom has to appear in his pajamas for most of the film. Also, Tom's a bit too old here, yes? Looks like he'd rather be kissing Hattie than scampering about with her.



From England to Venice. When I stumbled on the DVD of The Thief Lord in the Scholastic bookstore, I was shocked. Since then, I know of people who've seen this film. This trailer is a bit squished and gives away huge plot elements. It doesn't seem to work. Then again, I didn't really think that the magic parts gelled with the original book either.



And then there's Moomin. The Japanese made him into an animated series. Finland meets Japan and it looks like an ideal match. I was a little amazed. This isn't film per say, but it's pleasant enough to include.



And just to switch gears entirely, remember that recent adaptation of Blood and Chocolate? No? Here's why.



And finally, this is the worst. The worst of the worst of the worst. A perfect way to round out my selections. You say you don't remember the Five Children and It movie? This might be why. Oh. Sweet. Lord. Why, Eddie, why?

Read Only If You Love LOST

LOST has always had lovely tie-ins to children's literature, making it the kidlitiest (not a word) friendly show on television today. Whether Sawyer's reading Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, they're meeting a supposed balloonist named Henry Gale, or a copy of A Wrinkle In Time floats to the surface, the series has more than one finger in the children's literary pie.

One influence we've never thought to tie-in to the storyline, however, is Moomin. Some of you may be familiar with Tove Jansson's adorable comic strip/book series and all that it entails. Have you ever sat down and read Moomin from cover to cover, though? Author Matt Madden did and his revelations are fascinating. The Moomins crash on an island. Mama Moomin kills wild boars for supper. They dig, find metal, discover a hatch, and when they go inside they discover, "an abandoned cave where ancient Moomins used to live, where they were involved in mysterious, sinister activities, as the explorers learn through cryptic signs on the wall of the cave." Check out his blog for more info.

Thanks to the First Second blog for the link.