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The Academy Awards attract diehard movie fans who most certainly will have their faces glued to the television set for hours on Sunday night, as well as more casual moviegoers. Oscar night this year will be lower-keyed than usual with no red-carpet walk and a more subdued atmosphere, but this is still Hollywood's special night.
In honor of the big event, Bookreporter's own Andrew Musicus and Ron Kaplan each discuss books they have recently read that focus on the behind-the-scenes aspects of the film industry. We have also assembled the movies being recognized by the Academy this year that are based on critically-acclaimed and bestselling books --- along with the categories in which they have been nominated.
THE 75TH ANNUAL ACADEMY
AWARDS NOMINEE LIST:
Adaptation
Best Leading Actor: Nicolas Cage
Best Supporting Actor: Chris Cooper
Best Supporting Actress: Meryl Streep
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Adaptation is the story of an orchid collector (Chris Cooper), a journalist (Meryl Streep as author Susan Orlean), and the screenwriter (Charlie Kaufman, played by Nicolas Cage) who, in adapting Orlean's book THE ORCHID THIEF, writes himself and a twin brother (also played by Cage) into the movie. In the Newmarket Shooting Script, Orlean reveals her own struggle to tell the story of the orchid, and her delight that "strangely, marvelously, hilariously, the screenplay has ended up not being a literal adaptation of my book, but a spiritual one." If you have not read THE ORCHID THIEF, this might be a good time to explore it.
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Catch Me If You Can
Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Walken
Music (Score)
When CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, the autobiography of con artist Frank Abagnale Jr., was first published in 1980, it made the New York Times bestseller list within weeks. It has since been republished to coincide with the release of DreamWorks' movie version, which is currently in theaters. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Abagnale who, between the ages of 16 and 21, used a number of aliases and took on the identities of an airline pilot, doctor, professor and assistant attorney general. Tom Hanks plays the FBI agent who is determined to capture him, though Frank is always one step ahead of him. If the reviews are any indication, audiences will certainly be entertained by this unusually light-hearted fare from director Steven Spielberg.
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Frida
Best Leading Actress: Salma Hayek
Art Direction
Costume Design
Makeup
Music (Score)
Music (Song)
In FRIDA: A Biography of Frida Kahlo, art historian Hayden Herrera details the tumultuous life of the famed Mexican painter. Miramax's movie version of this engrossing and highly vivid biography is currently playing in theaters nationwide. It focuses on Frida's often rocky relationship with husband Diego Rivera (played by Alfred Molina) and their place in Mexican society. Salma Hayek has a monumental task ahead of her, as she portrays the strength, talent, humor, pain and endurance of this intriguing woman.
If you are interested in learning more about the life of this 20th century icon, take a look at the following titles: IN THE CASA AZUL by Meaghan Delahunt, FRIDA: Bringing Frida Kahlo's Life and Art to Film, THE DIARY OF FRIDA KAHLO: An Intimate Self-Portrait and FRIDA by Jonah Winter, a beautifully written and illustrated book for younger readers.
• ReadingGroup Guide
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The Gangs of New York
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Leading Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis
Art Direction
Cinematography
Costume Design
Film Editing
Music (Song)
Sound
Writing (Original Screenplay)
THE GANGS OF NEW YORK, written by journalist Herbert Ashbury, was first published in 1928 and was reprinted in 2001. Miramax's long awaited (and long delayed) movie version of the book is finally in theaters. It features a star-studded cast that includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel-Day Lewis and Cameron Diaz. Set in the turbulent streets of Lower Manhattan, director Martin Scorsese depicts the politically corrupt and volatile social climate of New York during the early years of the Civil War. This intense and visually stunning portrait of a world missing from the history books is sure to intrigue viewers.
If you would like to learn more about the history of this film, take a look at GANGS OF NEW YORK: MAKING THE MOVIE, which includes interviews, a complete shooting script and behind-the-scenes photographs.
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The Hours
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Leading Actress: Nicole Kidman
Best Supporting Actor: Ed Harris
Best Supporting Actress: Julianne Moore
Costume Design
Film Editing
Music (Score)
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Michael Cunningham's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, THE HOURS, has now been adapted into a feature film, appearing in New York and California December 27th and nationwide January 17. This ensemble drama tells three stories simultaneously of women in different times, all drawn upon the life and writings of author Virginia Woolf. First, there's the author herself in 1923, who is struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide while writing MRS. DALLOWAY. Then there is the story of Laura Brown, a pregnant Los Angeles housewife who is planning a birthday party for her husband in 1923. Meanwhile, Clarissa Vaughn is throwing a party in modern-day New York for her friend and former lover, an acclaimed author who is dying of AIDS. The lives of Laura and Clarissa converge with Virginia Woolf's in an unexpected and heartbreaking way.
• Read a Review
• ReadingGroup Guide
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The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Best Picture
Art Direction
Film Editing
Sound
Sound Editing
Visual Effects
J.R.R. Tolkien's bestseller THE LORD OF THE RINGS: The Two Towers was the second novel in this magnificent trilogy. New Line Cinema's movie version is now in theaters starring Elijah Wood as adventure-seeking Frodo Baggins and Ian McKellan as the good-humored and extremely powerful wizard Gandalf. Frodo and his fellow Hobbits resume their quest to defeat the evil Sauron and destroy his ring of power. This sequel to The Fellowship of the Ring is full of sumptuous sets, gorgeous scenery and eye-popping special effects sure to fascinate readers of this series and newcomers alike.
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