Series to screen films adapted from books
Beginning this weekend, cinephiles can see 15 of their favorite movies adapted from literary sources like novels, children's picture books and even comic books − and it doesn't have to cost a thing.
For the price of a library card, which can be obtained for free at any branch, moviegoers are to be admitted to From Book to Film 2024, a special series being presented by Gateway Film Center in partnership with the Columbus Metropolitan Library. A library card grants up to four admissions, with additional tickets costing $5.
The series embraces genres from action to animation to adventure, starting Friday with a special 4K digital restoration screening of “Jurassic Park,” Stephen Spielberg's 1993 blockbuster adapted from Michael Crichton's novel by the same name.
The story begins when wealthy entrepreneur John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) creates an island theme park inhabited by genetically recreated dinosaurs. After sabotage by a rival company cuts the park's power supply, the carnivorous creatures break loose and go on a rampage, with disastrous results.
The award-winning adventure-drama also stars Sam Neill and Laura Dern as scientists Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler, and Jeff Goldblum, as Ian Malcolm, is a mathematician and chaos theoretician who forewarns Hammond that the predator-packed park is an accident waiting to happen.
In addition to Friday, “Jurassic Park” is to be shown on Saturday and Monday.
From Book to Film 2024 switches to a lighter mood with the 2001 animated comedy “Shrek” on May 31 and June 1. Loosely based on the 1990 children's picture book by William Steig, the Dreamworks production won the firstever Academy Award for best animated feature.
Viewers will be spirited away to a world of pure imagination June 7-8, when the series continues with the beloved classic “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.” With a screenplay by Roald Dahl, also author of the 1964 novel “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” the 1971 musical adventure stars Gene Wilder as the famous titular chocolatier.
A dozen more films will round out From Book to Film 2024, including:
● “The Bad Guys” (2022): June 14-15
● “Matilda” (1996): June 21-22
● “Spider-man: Into the Spiderverse” (2018): June 28-29
● “Where the Wild Things Are” (2009): July 5-6
● “The Hunger Games” (2012): July 12-13
● “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”
(2022): July 19-20
● “Paddington 2” (2018): July 26-27
● “The Iron Giant” (1999): Aug. 2-3
● “Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret” (2023): Aug. 9-10
● “How to Train Your Dragon”
(2010): Aug. 16-17
● “Little Women” (2019): Aug. 23-24
● “The Neverending Story” (1984): Aug. 30-31
From Book to Film 2024, which is in its 14th year, is made possible by the generosity of Columbus philanthropists Larry and Donna James.
For more information, including screening times, visit gatewayfilmcenter.org.
bpaschal@dispatch.com