September 2014 Movie Prequel Guide: A Checklist
You may have noticed all the Back-to-School ads because, well, it’s about that time. With Labor Day yesterday, it’s officially September and time for yet another Prequel Guide. What is a Prequel Guide you ask? It’s your one-stop shop for all non-original film adaptations for the month. This means you’ll have a list of sequels, prequels, novels, graphic novels, and etc. to get to before checking out the movie.
Again, I’ve scaled the level of importance to include Essential, Useful, and Extra categories.
Here are this month’s prequel materials according to my research:
Useful:
Trailer Park Boys film series – Can you believe this actually the third movie based on the TV show? It’s true, so check out Trailer Park Boys: The Movie and Trailer Park Boys: Countdown to Liquor Day.
Trailer Park Boys TV series – Of course, the Canadian TV show Trailer Park Boys existed long before. There are a total of 55 episodes if you really want the full meal deal.
Essential:
Atlas Shrugged film series – There are two movies preceding Atlas Shrugged: Part III and the third movie simply continues the story. Therefore, I’d catch up with the first two before proceeding.
Useful:
“Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand – Of course, these movies are based on Ayn Rand’s 1957 novel if you’d like to check that out first.
Essential:
Dolphin Tale – Dolphin Tale 2 is a sequel to the feel-good original. I debated whether it was really “essential” to see the first but I’d err on the side of caution.
Useful:
“A Walk Among the Tombstones” by Lawrence Block – The Liam Neeson-starring crime drama is the first in a run of book-to-film adaptations if you’d like to start reading.
Useful:
“Hector and the Search for Happiness” by Francois Lelord – Likewise, the British rom-com Hector and the Search for Happiness is also based on a book.
Useful:
“The Maze Runner” by James Dashner – The Maze Runner adaptation is probably the most popular on the list, so I’d personally start here. I’m in the process of cramming the book in, so you should, too.
Extra:
“The Maze Runner” sequels/prequels – Three more books (two sequels and a prequel) were also written by Dashner. If you really want, you can read these, too.
Useful:
“This Is Where I Leave You” by Jonathan Tropper – Again, there is a lot to read before the September 19th weekend. Shawn Levy’s ensemble comedy-drama is also based on a book you may want to read before seeing.
Useful:
“Here Be Monsters!” by Alan Snow – Laika’s next stop-motion pic is based on Alan Snow’s novel as well. Check it out if you can!
Extra:
Laika’s filmography – I am totally onboard with the animation company Laika. Therefore, I’d suggest watch both Coraline and ParaNorman if you have the chance. However, there won’t be story elements that crossover.
Useful:
The Equalizer TV series – Some may not be excited to see another TV series turned into a movie. However, that’s exactly what is happening with Denzel Washington fronting the action thriller. If you’d like to see the original, there are 88 episodes to binge watch.
Useful:
“Good People” by Marcus Sakey – The James Franco-fronted thriller Good People is also based on a book you could read.
Extra:
Jimi Hendrix’s discography – Sort of like when the James Brown biopic Get On Up hit theaters, I did want to suggest listening to some Jimi Hendrix before seeing the movie. Jimi: All Is By My Side will feature some original songs from Hendrix which seems pretty cool.
Useful:
“The Two Faces of January” by Patricia Highsmith – Last but not least is the source material for The Two Faces of January. You’ve got a little time to read the psychological thriller by Patricia Highsmith.
There you have it! I’d get reading now!
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