Books into Movies

Once (2007) starring Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová.
A modern-day musical featuring a busker and an immigrant girl (neither character is named) and their eventful week as they write, rehearse and record songs that tell their love story.  Though Once is filled with appealing folk-pop music, this isn't a traditional musical but rather a more optimistic take on the classic film "Brief Encounter".  This beautifully shot film, which was a World Audience Award winner at Sundance, serves as a heartfelt ballad about all the underclass Guys and Girls swept aside amidst Ireland's economic miracle.

Stardust (2007) starring Clare Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert Duvall
Based on the fantasy graphic novel by Neil Gaiman, "Stardust".  It's a not-so-simple love story set in 19th century England, and an alternate universe of witches, spells, and stars who turn human and hold the key to eternal life.  This is a brilliant fantasy yarn for adults, full of romance and humor.  If you're a fan of "The Princess Bride", you'll love "Stardust".

Shrek the Third (2007) starring Mike Meyers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Rupert Everett, Justin Timberlake
More hijinks from Shrek and his motley crew, including Donkey, Gingy, and Puss-in-Boots.  This time Shrek is given the task of finding the new king of Far, Far Away when King Harold passes away, and since he doesn't think an ogre should rule the kingdom, Shrek must find the only other heir, a boy named Arthur.  Mishaps and comedy abound, including a spell gone wrong while Fiona and the other princesses find they are anything but helpless damsels in distress.

No Reservations (2007) starring Catherine Zeta Jones and Aaron Echardt
This is an enjoyable if predictable romantic comedy starring the breathtaking Zeta Jones and the quirkily-handsome Eckhart.  Jones plays a chef whose life is her career, until a tragedy forces her to reexamine her life, open herself up to others, and open her kitchen to sous chef Eckhart.  Although there's nothing terribly surprising in the storyline, the actors are all appealing, including Little Miss Sunshine's Abigail Breslin, and you'll have a nice warm feeling at the end of the film.  Based on the 2001 German film "Mostly Martha".

We Own the Night (2007) starring Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes and Robert Duvall Phoenix plays Bobby, a nightclub owner in the 1980's who has turned his back on his blood family, made up primarily of officers of the law, and made a new family for himself among drug runners and criminals.  His father and brother, played by Wahlberg and Duvall, ask him to help with an investigation, and he refuses, until circumstances take a violent and bloody turn.  This is a moody, dark period piece with enough guilt and family resentment to make one's own family seem like the Cleavers.

Hairspray (2007) starring John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Queen Latifah, Nicky Blonsky, Zac Efron
The feel-good movie of the year, this is a more traditional musical,  but retains the thought-provoking issues of racism and prejudice in 1962 Baltimore, Maryland.  Nicky Blonsky as Tracy Turnblad is a dancing, singing dynamo, and the rest of the cast, including John Travolta and Christopher Walken as Tracy's parents, Michelle Pfeiffer as Velma Von Tussle, and especially Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle, are hilarious and inspiring.   Exceptional music from the Broadway show, along with new songs composed by Marc Shaiman for the film, leave the viewer energized and renewed and ready to fight for what you believe in.

Waitress (2007) starring Keri Russell, Andy Griffith, Adrienne Shelley, Cheryl Hines
Jenna is unhappily married, squirreling away money so she can leave her husband, and hoping to win a pie-baking contest.  When she finds herself pregnant, her plans go awry.  She bakes phenomenal pies at Old Joe's diner, listens to Old Joe's wisdom, and falls in love with her obstetrician.  As her pregnancy advances, she comes up with more fanciful and delicious pies to reflect her growing sense of helplessness; her way out of an untenable situation becomes less clear.  Funny in a deadpan way, this film is more humorous than you might think, but with a sadness always lurking just below the surface.  If only life were as easy for Jenna as the pies she concocts.

I Could Never Be Your Woman (2007) starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Paul Rudd and Tracy Ullman
This light, romantic comedy stars Pfeiffer as a scriptwriter for a teenage comedy, who falls for one of the actors in her show.  Since she's in her forties, and he's twenty-nine, she's reluctant to commit to a relationship because she feels they have no future.  With a precocious teenage daughter, a backstabbing assistant, and a pain of a producer, played hilariously by Fred Willard, you'll root for this couple to overcome the obstacles in the path of their true love.

La Vie en Rose (2007) starring Marion Cotillard, Silvie Testud, Gerard Depardieu, Emmanuelle Seigner
A powerful and critically-acclaimed biopic about the legendary singing icon Edith Piaf, the "Little Sparrow". With astonishing performances, the film is a remarkable portrait of the artist, born into poverty who survived using the only gift she had - her voice.  Piaf's tragic life was a constant battle to sing and survive, to live and love, with no regrets, or as one of her most famous songs says "non, je ne regrette rien".