Blood and Chocolate opens today

Blood and Chocolate based on the book by Annette Curtis Klaus opened today to lackluster reviews.

What's Coming Up

There are a number of books to movies in the works that won't be released until after 2007. The list includes:
Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean;
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke;
Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis;
King Dork by Frank Portman;
The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper;
Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi;
Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss;
The Tale of Desperaux by Kate DiCamillo;
Coraline by Neil Gaiman;
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett;
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld;
Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen;
and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

Upcoming movies

A number of book adaptations are scheduled to come out this year in theaters. Here are a few:

Blood and Chocolate based on the book by Annette Curtis Klause on January 26

Bridge to Terabithia based on the book by Katherine Patterson on February 16

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix based on the book by J.K. Rowling on July 13

Stardust based on the book by Neil Gaiman on July 27

The Golden Compass based on the book by Philip Pullman on December 7

The Trouble with Operation Stormbreaker

I always thought the Alex Rider books by Anthony Horowitz would be well-suited to the big screen. But the movie, Operation Stormbreaker, which I finally watched this past weekend on DVD, proved to be a disappointment. The screenplay, written by Mr. Horowitz, included some of the same action sequences as the book. In spite of this, the sense of urgency and peril that kept me on the edge of my seat while reading the book, did not come across in the movie. The cartoonish portrayal of some of the characters undermined the suspense. In particular, I found the characterization of Nadia Vole and Mr. Blunt jarring. Now I like Bill Nighy, but it's not good when the head of Special Operations for MI6 reminds you of the singer Billy Mack from Love Actually -- at least I didn't start humming "Christmas is all around you." While there is some humor in the books, such as the penchant for hokey names which must be a nod to Bond, they have come across to me as being deadly serious (as much as they can be with a 14-year-old repeatedly saving the world). The over-the-top performances, and that really weird fight scene between Jack and Nadia Vole -- what was that about?! -- detracted from movie. The makers might have done better to go the way of the new Casino Royale and grounded the film in gritty reality.

Some of the story changes that were made didn't bother me, such as the introduction of Sabina Pleasure in this book. The change of Sayle's nationality from Egyptian to American may have had something to do with today's international politics. But the story worked with him being an American. I guess crazed psychopaths can come from any culture.

I don't have a point system worked out. The movie was entertaining, but not outstanding. If they make more Alex Rider movies, I think they could do better.