Help Arrives |

Aug

2011

Help Arrives

by Lori Carson

I read Kathryn Stockett’s The Help over a year ago and have been anticipating its release on the big screen ever since. Today is the day I—and probably millions of others—have been waiting for.

I have been preparing for this event for the last month. Whenever I hear that a film based on a book that I like is coming out, I do four things.

Re-read the book. I usually wait until about a month or two before I plan to see the film to start reading the book again . Sometimes several years may pass in between the time I originally read the book and the time the film arrives in theaters. In this case, it’s only been a year, but I want it to be as fresh in my mind as possible.
Check the local movie theater’s schedule and choose a time to go. Buy tickets ahead of time if necessary.
Invite friends along.
Plan an after movie discussion group. I love watching films and reading books. I enjoy talking about them almost as much. So, what could be better than reading a great book, watching the film, then discussing both with friends? Answer: Discussing the film and book with friends over coffee or tea! Snacks are good, too, especially chocolate ones.

Here are some other movies based on books I have read that I am really looking forward to:

One For the Money (January 27, 2012 release date) It should be highly entertaining to see the adventures of Stephanie Plum, Morelli, Ranger, Lula and Grandma Mazur on the big screen. I can’t tell from the cast list who is going to play Rex the hamster, though.

Before I Go To Sleep (Release date TBD) If you like psychological thrillers, read this book. Then go see the movie when it comes out.

The Hunger Games (March 23, 2012) The books are amazing and the movie is going to be huge. I am talking about the kind of huge in which people camp out for tickets to the premiere. I won’t be bringing a sleeping bag myself, but I AM going to see it—perhaps just not as soon as the campers.