Today, the folks at The Broke & The Bookish have given us the theme of “Movie Freebie” for our Top Ten Tuesday posts. I must confess that when I saw the theme at first I felt like this Snoopy sticker:
I mean… c’mon. I’m a book blog. Not a general entertainment blog. Wouldn’t doing a post about my all-time favorite movies or my top ten romcoms or my top ten tearjerkers sorta be a distraction from the bookish niche I stay in? Others do a wonderful job of incorporating books and film and music on their blogs but I’ve chosen to stay bookish … so… I was momentarily stumped.
And then, I realized I could do a post on my Favorite Bookish Movies. Ta-da!
So I ate a cookie.
Let’s start with a few of my favorite movies that are just generally bookish, not based on books necessarily.
The Philadelphia Story (1940): Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart. Do I really need to say more?
Sabrina (1995): Like The Philadelphia Story, this movie is sort-of a who’s who of 1995 cinema – Julia Ormond, Harrison Ford, Greg Kinnear, Nancy Marchand, John Wood, Lauren Holly. Not only does Julia Ormond open and close the movie with narration that makes it feel like you’ve joined a book reading but Sabrina’s father is also a book collector/avid reader.
You’ve Got Mail (1998): No bookish movie list would be complete without You’ve Got Mail but… you wanna feel old with me? It’s been out for almost TWENTY YEARS!!! Eesh. Also… in case you don’t know what that squealing/screeching noise is that pops up periodically during the movie…. it’s called a modem. It’s what we used to use to access the internet, kids.
The Decoy Bride (2011): This quirky little movie is funny and romantic and one that my husband and I watch often. Plus… David Tennant. So there you go.
And now for some of my fave movies that ARE based on books! (besides Harry Potter because that’s a given)
Sense and Sensibility (1995): This is by far my favorite Jane Austen adaptation – across all of her novels and especially of this particular novel. It’s funny and gorgeous and romantic and engages all of the emotions. Not to mention Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, Hugh Laurie … and on and on. Basically nearly every British actor that shows up in Harry Potter shows up in this movie too 😉 THE BOOK
Austenland (2013): This isn’t my favorite on this list… and i like the book far better. BUT the movie adaptation is worth watching for Jennifer Coolidge alone. And the ending. *swoon* THE BOOK
The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003): Even though The Hobbit is my favorite Tolkien book, the adaptations of The LOTR books are my favorite movies. Just exquisitely done. THE BOOKS
The Notebook (2004): I don’t like the book at all. And the movie tore. me. up. Even just looking at that picture up there makes me teary-eyed. I watched it with a friend at the theater… and then took my husband to see it. Ugly cried out loud through both showings. And have never been able to bring myself to watch it again. But – oh – what a beautiful picture of selfless love. THE BOOK
Mary Poppins (1964): This. Is. My. Movie. Y’all I adore this movie. I have loved it from the moment I first saw it as a child. I still love it as an adult. I can sing all the songs. I can quote most of the lines. For many years, people argued that I WAS Mary Poppins due to my rosy cheeks and my tendency to be followed around public places by children who were previously unknown to me. THE BOOKS
The Princess Bride (1987): I don’t even know if this movie counts but it’s my blog post so I’m counting it. If you ever need a good one-liner – for any conceivable (or inconceivable!) occasion – this movie has your back. From “Have fun storming the castle!” to “Mawwiage is what bwings us togewwer today” to “Hello… my name is Inigo Montoya…” The Princess Bride gave us some of the most recognizable lines in filmdom. It’s also where my “KissingBooks” phrase originated. THE BOOK
What about you? What are some of your favorite bookish movies?
I LOVE The Princess Bride. And you can totally count it–I give you my permission. It’s so hysterical. I really must watch it again soon!
“When I was your age, television was called books.” “It just so happens that your friend here is only MOSTLY dead. There’s a big difference between mostly dead and all dead.” LOL
love love love!! I also love that so far everyone who has commented on The Princess Bride has quoted from it hahaha. It’s such a great movie 😀
I have to confess that I don’t watch many movies and have a shorter memory of them than I have for books. Your list is pretty neat though. Had me reminiscing about those old movies. My kids and I have watched Mary Poppins and read the book; this is one movie that I appreciated more than the book, which happens like never.
As for Princess Bride, I made my kids watch it and they didn’t understand the movie (too young, I suppose) but can recite the quotable lines from the movie now….”as…..you…..wish…..”
i agree about Mary Poppins!!! And you’ll notice I have no current movies on this list hahaha – no more time for movies with this blog 😉
Great save Carrie! May I suggest Beauty and The Beast for the best bookworm character and Saving Mr. Banks, based on the making of Mary Poppins the movie?
I drew a blank this week. With a fuzzy wedding and travel-filled brain, I am useless! 😉
I have yet to see Saving Mr. Banks but I absolutely need to! And yes – of course – Beauty & The Beast!!! I cannot wait for the new one 😀
I found The Decoy Bride by mistake and thought, okay, I’ll watch it. I loved it!
Glad to see it on your list!
Midnight in Paris is a quirky little gem that I fell in love with. Not so much bookish as writerly.
ooo I’ll have to check that one out!! And yeah, that’s how we stumbled on The Decoy Bride too haha!
So I’ve seen this topic a couple of times today, but you’re the first person who chose The Notebook. That surprises me! It’s such a classic, beautiful book/movie! Everyone loves it and I think they all forgot about it. Kudos to you for putting it on here! Great choices today!
My TTT.
oh how interesting! Like you, I’m surprised it hasn’t made it on more lists!
Great list! I love every single movie you have mentioned! Have you ever seen The Shop Around the Corner? You’ve Got Mail is based on that film and James Stewart stars in it as well!
i have NOT but I keep meaning to!!
Great List! I’ve only seen two movies on your list, Lord of the Rings and The Notebook. I need to check out the others.
Tina @ As Told By Tina
i highly recommend them all 🙂
I adore The Princess Bride, both as a book and as a movie – both are hilarious!!
totally agree 🙂
You’ve Got Mail is one of my all-time favorite movies. Romance. Books. Love by email. Sigh.
mine too!!
Excellent! But, you must watch the original Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn. I love both versions, but you really must! Austenland was a hoot. Philadelphia Story (or the Grace Kelly version, High Society) is a fave, too. Have you seen Desk Set?
oh i love the Audrey Hepburn version – yes!! I have not seen High Society or Desk Set … i must correct this 🙂
Not necessarily a book movie, but a Meg Ryan movie I love is Kate and Leopold. I always enjoy a sweet love story.
Oh I love that one too!!
You can’t go wrong with The Philadelphia Story! 🙂
Lauren @ Always Me
Truth.
So many lovely choices. It’s been a long time since I saw “The Philidelphia Story,” but at one time it was one of my favorite classics. I’ve not seen “The Decoy Bride,” but it might be one I’d enjoy, and “Austenland” is a MUST for me. It’s 100% adorable. 🙂
everyone should watch The Decoy Bride – at least once 😉
Great list this week Carrie! Of course The Princess Bride is a must on this list. Such a great movie. I’ve always been a film/TV person (along with books) so I enjoyed the topic this week. I like how you tied it in with books!
thanks, Kristi!
I love You’ve Got Mail so much. On a rainy day, I think it’s just the perfect movie to curl up with. And Austenland was so funny, I need to make time to read the book. Great list!
Me too!! And yes – you must read the book! It’s so much better!
You’ve Got Mail being 20 years old, oh my goodness- I need some Tums lol. That’s crazy! I definitely consider that a bookish movie- so many book settings with both of them working in the industry. Plus they both spent a lot of time online, just like us : )
Haha!! Yes!
OMG I LOVE THE PRINCESS BRIDE SO MUCH. ? Literally best movie in existence hehe. I still haven’t read the book yet though.??
i haven’t either… i don’t think we need to since Grandpa read it to us in the movie, right?