Treasure Island

I have already blogged on the Muppet version and the prequel Black Sails. It is rumored that a re-make is in development. We will have to wait and see.

I will have to admit here that I have only read sections of this book. I have never been interested in reading it in its entirety. Amazon writes, "Treasure Island is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a tale of "buccaneers and buried gold". First published as a book on 23 May 1883, it was originally serialized in the children's magazine Young Folks between 1881 and 1882 under the title Treasure Island or, the mutiny of the Hispaniola with Stevenson adopting the pseudonym Captain George North. Traditionally considered a coming-of-age story, Treasure Island is a tale noted for its atmosphere, characters and action, and also as a wry commentary on the ambiguity of morality – as seen in Long John Silver – unusual for children's literature. It is one of the most frequently dramatized of all novels. The influence of Treasure Island on popular perceptions of pirates is enormous, including such elements as treasure maps marked with an "X", schooners, the Black Spot, tropical islands, and one-legged seamen bearing parrots on their shoulders". All in all, I say: SKIP IT and watch the movies unless you love pirates.

A tv series in 2012 with Wood (Oliver Twist) and Izzard (The Riches), and dream boat Penry-Jones (White Chapel). All in all, I say: SEE IT - how could you not.

A 90s version I have never heard of. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

This is a 90s gem of a film with Bale (Batman) and Heston (10 Commandments). I have bad news though - I didn't really like it. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

A horrible modern version made in the 80s. NO NO NO NO - made in France - should I write it again? NO

Filmed in the 70s and more on the scary side. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

This gem came out in the 50s by Disney. All in all, I say: SEE IT Disney has a way to get kids hooked on stuff - they did a decent job with this.

This 30s version was in black and white - a talkie though. This one is a true Hollywood classic. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Series of Unfortunate Events

Lemony Snicket - not the author's real name - wrote 13 book about three extraordinary orphans and their adventures to find happiness and stability, as well as, family. Reading these books for the first time will thrill you. They are clever, fun, and just really well written. It was sad when the last book was closed.

The first three books were made into a motion picture that wasn't as successful as the book perhaps because the fan base was hard core serious about that series being true to the books. Carrey (Grinch), Law (Sherlock Holmes), and Streep (Sophie's Choice) starred. All in all, I say: SEE IT - just because there's nothing more to do after you read the books, and you might be in withdraw.

The good news - in 2017 a tv series based on the series is supposed to be released in the US. We are all holding our breath and waiting.

The Secret Garden

I loved, loved this book when I read it. I think I've loved looking around houses and gardens ever since in hopes of finding a secret place. Amazon writes, "When Mary Lennox was sent to Misselthwaite Manor to live with her uncle, everybody said she was the most disagreeable-looking child ever seen…So begins the famous opening of one of the world’s best-loved children’s stories. First published in 1911, this is the poignant tale of a lonely little girl, orphaned and sent to a Yorkshire mansion at the edge of a vast lonely moor. At first, she is frightened by this gloomy place, but with the help of the local boy Dickon, who earns the trust of the moor’s wild animals with his honesty and love, the invalid Colin, a spoiled, unhappy boy terrified of life, and a mysterious, abandoned garden, Mary is eventually overcome by the mystery of life itself—its birth and renewal, its love and joy. ". All in all, I say; READ IT - it's a classic.

In 1975, UK made a tv series of the classic. I have never seen this version.

In 1949, US made the movie. I have never seen this version. So I don't think I can rate it.

In 1987, before Firth was a big thing in the US he appeared at the end of this Hallmark tv version of the book. The young actress' voice annoyed my, but I watch this version more than once I will admit. All in all, I say: SEE IT

In 1993, Smith (Downton Abbey) and Lynch (Secret of Roan Inish) starred in this movie version and it was so beautifully done. I own the soundtrack - it was simply perfect. All in all, I say: SEE IT

In 2001, UK made a sequel called "Back to the Secret Garden" based on the characters. I have never seen it.

There is a movie studio that claims to be making a re-make. It is not confirmed so we will have to wait and see.

The Scarlet Letter

Hawthorne - if you've never read anything by him this is a warning - some of the descriptions can be a lot and sometimes unnecessary. Also, it's not exactly what I would call a happy ending or a happy life being depicted. All in all, I say: READ IT because it's a classic that has made its way into our culture, history, and iconography. It's the tale of a strong woman who loves a lost man and coward.
We begin our movie trip in 1911, 1913, 1917, and 1926 in the US with a few silent, black and white versions.

I saw a piece of one of these in a film class. All in all, I say: SEE IT the last one (1926) if you like silent film otherwise maybe wait for technology to improve.
In 1934, we get a talkie. With this gem - again I have only seen clips.

All in all, I say: SKIP IT
In 1973 Germany made their own film. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - poster below.

In 1979, a tv series on the book was made in the US - I never saw it. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - below

In 1995, Hollywood made the movie with Moore (Charlie's Angels) and Oldman (Beethoven), and Duvall (Open Range). At the time, this movie was awesome. Looking back now I think it has lost it luster. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

In IMDb database there is one listed for 2015 I have never seen or heard of, so I say: SKIP IT

The Odyssey

This is the version you should read if you ever decide to read Homer. Amazon writes, "Robert Fagles, winner of the PEN/Ralph Manheim Medal for Translation and a 1996 Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, presents us with Homer's best-loved and most accessible poem in a stunning modern-verse translation". I myself have never read this in its entirety. Amazon adds, "Homer was probably born around 725BC on the Coast of Asia Minor, now the coast of Turkey, but then really a part of Greece. Homer was the first Greek writer whose work survives. He was one of a long line of bards, or poets, who worked in the oral tradition. Homer and other bards of the time could recite, or chant, long epic poems. Both works attributed to Homer – the Iliadand the Odyssey – are over ten thousand lines long in the original. Homer must have had an amazing memory but was helped by the formulaic poetry style of the time.

In the Iliad Homer sang of death and glory, of a few days in the struggle between the Greeks and the Trojans. Mortal men played out their fate under the gaze of the gods. The Odyssey is the original collection of tall traveller’s tales. Odysseus, on his way home from the Trojan War, encounters all kinds of marvels from one-eyed giants to witches and beautiful temptresses. His adventures are many and memorable before he gets back to Ithaca and his faithful wife Penelope. We can never be certain that both these stories belonged to Homer. In fact ‘Homer’ may not be a real name but a kind of nickname meaning perhaps ‘the hostage’ or ‘the blind one’. Whatever the truth of their origin, the two stories, developed around three thousand years ago, may well still be read in three thousand years’ time.". All in all, I say: READ in moderation. It's a lot to take in my opinion.

Oliver Twist

Written by Dickens as a serial. Amazon describes the plot as, "Oliver Twist, or The Parish Boy's Progress, is the second novel by Charles Dickens, and was first published as a serial 1837–9. The story is of the orphan Oliver Twist, who starts his life in a workhouse and is then apprenticed with an undertaker. He escapes from there and travels to London where he meets the Artful Dodger, a member of a gang of juvenile pickpockets, which is led by the elderly criminal Fagin. Oliver Twist is notable for Dickens's unromantic portrayal of criminals and their sordid lives, as well as exposing the cruel treatment of the many orphans in London in the mid–nineteenth century.". It is at the point I will admit I have only read certain chapters and sections for a literary analysis paper. I have never read faithfully in its entirety. All in all, I say: READ IT - it's a classic and it's Dickens.

**No picture of the playbill, but I saw this as a play and it has been done as a play many times and many more times than it has been made into a movie. All in all, I say: SEE IT as a play - you won't regret it**

In 1922, the classic book was made into a movie. It was made into a play first. This version was scary at least to me when I saw it as a kid. Coogan (Uncle Fester in The Adams Family) was Oliver. All in all, I say: SEE IT. I should mention this version is an American made version,

Also, an American made version. This one is not as good as the earlier one. This one is 1933 and was in black in white until Ted Turner got his hands on it. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Below you see the poster for the musical - Oliver! which was done in 1968. It is a UK production, and my grandparents owned it on VHS and I must have watched it at least a dozen times. This one has a place in my heart. All in all, I say: SEE THIS ONE if you are only going to watch one.

By 1948 England finally put a horse in the race. No this is what I'm talking about. This is a good one. Guinness (Star Wars) is Fagan. All in all, I say: SEE IT

In 1974 we get a non-Disney animated version. All in all, I say: NO

Then we get a tv movie in 1982 with Scott (Patton) and Curry (Family Affair). All in all, I say: SEE IT - shown below

1985 & 1999 - we see two more made for tv movie version that are not memorable. All in all, I say: SKIP THEM both

Below you see the poster for the Disney animated and musical version called Oliver & Company.

This one had Cheech Maron, Billy Joel, and more. The songs are very catchy - this one is a classic. All in all, I say: SEE IT

In 1997, another American production is done for tv. This one has Wood (Sin City) and Dreyfuss (Mr. Holland's Opus). This one is a Disney version not animated. All in all, I say: SEE IT - below

In 2005, the Cezch Republic made a tv version. I have never seen, but I'm going to say, All in all, I say: SKIP IT

In 2007, UK remakes a tv version with Tom Hardy (Mad Max). I didn't see this, but it's on my list. All in all, I say; SEE IT

War of the Worlds

Wells, who I claim as my favorite science fiction writer, wrote this amazing metaphoric novel which has been made into radio programs and movies many times over. Aliens come to Earth for we believe our resources. Spoiler: our air, bacteria, kill them even when our military was so easily defeated. This book has inspired such feats as Independence Day. All in all, I say: READ IT

Orson Wells is responsible for the now world famous radio program version of the novel. People tuning in late to the radio program truely believed aliens had landed. If you have never ha da chance to listen to the program you really must experience it at least once the way your grandparents or great grandparents would have. All in all, I say: LISTEN

This 1953 was a decent 50s version of the book - not literal, but not bad considering the time period. This may shock you, but I saw this before I read the book - shame on me I know. But seeing this old movie made me want to read the book. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Int he 80s this series was released. The premise, what if in the 50s we didn't really eliminate the aliens. They rise up again. It went for about 2 seasons - I can only remember bits and pieces, so I'm not sure if I really watched it or over the years if I've just seen clips. All in all, I say: SEE IT

2005, Spielberg (not sure why) released his Fanning (Twilight) and Cruise (MI) updated version of War. It deviates a lot from the book and original movie. I would even go as far to say it probably should have had a different name altogether. Still - All in all, I say: SEE IT.