Books That Inspired Oscar Nominated Movies

Two goats are rumbling through the trash at the back of the MGM lot in Hollywood.
One of them, eating a reel of film, looks up and says: “This movie is good”.
The other one, eating paper, replies: “You should try the book”.

The movie industry has always looked for literature for inspirations, non-fiction, novels and comic books have all helped Hollywood make quality features and bring the stories to the masses. This year is no exception, many movies are from well known best sellers. Unforgettably I haven’t gotten to see any, but if you liked the movie, give the book a try.

• Life of Pi (paper | electronic)

Director Ang Lee adapted Yann Martel’s Life of Pi even though the movie was was known as “unfilmable”.  The movie was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay), Best Cinematography, Best Music (Original Score), and Best Music (Original Song).

• Les Misérables (paper | electronic)

Victor Hugo’s classic is nominated in six categories (among them Best Picture and Best Actress). The book shows Paris in its grittiness during the tryng times of the French Revolution.

• Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln (paper | electronic)

Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book inspired Steven Spielberg to direct Lincoln. Even though the movie is only a small part of the book, it shows Lincoln’s way of shaping his significant run as President.

• Anna Karenina (paper | electronic)

This is probably one of the most interesting movie adaptions of Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina (Nominated for Best Costume Design and Production Design). The story of the doomed affair between rebellious Anna and a handsome army officer, Count Vronsky, takes place mostly in a theater.

• Argo (paper | electronic)

One of those non-fiction books I love. The movie tells the story of a CIA plot to rescue hostages in Iran in the guise of filming a Hollywood movie. The picture is nominated for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score.

• The Silver Linings Playbook (paper | electronic)

 

Pat Peoples is down on his luck, just released from a mental institution is trying to rebuild his life. David O. Russell’s adaptation is nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (paper | electronic)

The adaptation by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson is nominated for Best Makeup. This is a prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy and tells of Bilbo Baggins who enjoys a comfortable and happy life until being taken away on an adventure.

Zohar – Man of la Book