February 2015 Movie Prequel Guide: A Checklist
It seems like we just hit the new year but that’s certainly not the case as we have officially made our way through the first month of the year. January and February are generally considered dumping grounds for studio films that don’t deserve an awards push or summer release. Sometimes, however, that can be very unfair.
Below you can find all the movies from the month of February that have some sort of “prequel materials” – meaning everything you may want to catch-up with before a movie comes out.
Like always, it’s broken up into varying categories that range from Essential to Useful to Extra. Enjoy!
Useful:
“Where Rainbows End” by Cecelia Ahern – The movie Love, Rosie is our first release based on a novel. The novel is titled “Where Rainbows End” and it’s authored by Cecelia Ahern if you’re looking for something to read.
Useful:
“The Spooks Apprentice” by Joseph Delaney – The Jeff Bridges-starring film Seventh Son finally releases and it’s based on Joseph Delaney’s novel “The Spook’s Apprentice”
Extra:
The Wardstone Chronicles – “The Spook’s Apprentice” is part of a bigger series that includes 13 novels and 4 spin-offs if you want to get the real deal.
Useful:
SpongeBob Squarepants TV series – Practically everyone has heard of and seen at least part of an episode of SpongeBob Squarepants. Before the latest movie, you could check out all the episodes but there won’t be any plot ramifications.
The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie – Normally, I recommend seeing the original film in a series before seeing the sequel. In the case of The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie, I don’t think it’s completely necessary to watch before Sponge Out of Water.
Extra:
Comic Books – The popular TV series also spawned a number of comic books you could check out…
Video Games – …as well a a few video games.
Useful:
“Fifty Shades of Grey” by E.L. James – The most notable book-to-film adaptation is the upcoming release of the controversial Fifty Shades of Grey.
Extra:
The “Fifty Shades” Trilogy – Two more books came out in a trilogy if you want the full story. But you probably already knew that.
Useful:
“The Last Five Years” by Jason Robert Brown – Jason Robert Brown’s novel “The Last Five Years” is also being made into a movie.
Useful:
“The Secret Service” by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons – This month’s only comic book-inspired film is Matthew Vaughn’s (X-Men: First Class) Kingsman: The Secret Service. You can read the comics before the movie releases.
Useful:
“The DUFF” by Kody Keplinger – Kody Keplinger’s novel “The DUFF” is also being adapted. Of the books this month being made into films, this is the least known.
Essential:
Hot Tub Time Machine – The 2010 movie Hot Tub Time Machine is the only truly necessary thing you need to catch up with. The second movie’s plot may not have the biggest connection to the original but there’s a chance you’ll miss out on some jokes if you don’t get around to watching (or rewatching) Hot Tub Time Machine.
There you have it! Good luck.
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