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June 2015

Books on Screen

June 2015

Hold on to your butts! June is here, and, like the dinosaurs in Jurassic World, movies this month are bigger, faster and full of strange sound effects. As it turns out --- in a plot twist so predictable it could be straight out of Jurassic Park III --- the rest of our books on screen happen to be a more genteel bunch. Cue the classical music, Spielberg!

Fans of “Game of Thrones” surely have been satisfied these past few weeks, what with *spoiler* happening and *spoiler* getting *spoilered* on his *spoiler*. And although the season finale is airing mid-month, Jon Snow fans can soothe their separation pains by checking out Testament of Youth in theaters, starring Kit Harington and Alicia Vikander. Based on nurse Vera Brittain’s wistful WWI memoir, it’s the story of love and loss, set during one of the most brutal wars the world has ever known. Fans of 19th-century French literature won’t want to the miss the latest adaptation of MADAME BOVARY; it may be one of countless movie versions of the classic, but it’s the first one to be helmed by a female director. And just FYI, for all Flaubert’s talk about Mott’s juice, there is not a single instance of apple juice in this film.

YA fans will not be disappointed this month: The prize-winning adaptation of Jesse Andrews’ ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL hits theaters mid-June. Hailed as the anti-THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, the book is a wry meditation on friendship and death that offers no tidy storybook resolutions. We were lucky enough to go to an advance screening of the movie a few weeks ago and were happy to find that it lived up to the hype. One of us --- and I’m not naming names here, but she may also be prone to hyperbole --- cried so hard the collar of her shirt is still soaked with tears.

If you hate crying in public (:|), there’s a ton to see on the small screen! Although we say goodbye to some favorites mid-month --- like the aforementioned “Games of Thrones” and the charming, if a little uneven, “Younger” --- old summer standbys and a crop of bright, new shows are premiering. ABC’s “The Astronaut Wives Club” --- based on the book of the same name about the seven women married to the astronauts of the Mercury Space Program, America’s first human spaceflight initiative --- looks like glossy period fun, and may be the perfect antidote for our “Mad Men” hangover. Another standout is “Zoo,” adapted from the James Patterson book, about a global animal uprising. Considering how sneaky those loose llamas turned out to be, I worry that Patterson’s premise is not too far off.

Check out all of our June books on screen below. Make sure to stay hydrated out there --- and remember, anything at all can and does happen (read: AVOID LLAMAS!!).

 

--- Written and compiled by Emily Hoenig


 

In Theaters: 

Testament of Youth
Cast: Alicia Vikander, Kit Harington, Hayley Atwell, Dominic West, Taron Egerton
Director: James Kent
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classic
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Release Date: June 5th
Based on: TESTAMENT OF YOUTH by Vera Brittain

Testament of Youthis a powerful story of love, war and remembrance, based on the First World War memoir by Vera Brittain, which has become the classic testimony of that war from a woman's point of view. A searing journey from youthful hopes and dreams to the edge of despair and back again, it's a film about young love, the futility of war and how to make sense of the darkest times.

 

Jurassic World
Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins, Nick Robinson, Vincent D'Onofrio
Director: Colin Trevorrow
Distributor: Universal Pictures 
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Release Date: June 12th
Based on: JURASSIC PARK by Michael Crichton

Located off the coast of Costa Rica, the Jurassic World luxury resort provides a habitat for an array of genetically engineered dinosaurs, including the vicious and intelligent Indominus rex. When the massive creature escapes, it sets off a chain reaction that causes the other dinos to run amok. Now, it's up to a former military man and animal expert to use his special skills to save two young brothers and the rest of the tourists from an all-out, prehistoric assault.

 

Madame Bovary
Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Paul Giamatti, Rhys Ifans, Ezra Miller
Director: Sophie Barthes
Distributor: Warner Bros. Entertainment
MPAA Rating: R
Release Date: June 12th
Based on: MADAME BOVARY by Gustave Flaubert

Set in Normandy, France, this is the classic story of Emma Bovary, a young beauty who impulsively marries small-town doctor, Charles Bovary, to leave her father's pig farm far behind. But after being introduced to the glamorous world of high society, she soon becomes bored with her stodgy husband and mundane life, and seeks prestige and excitement outside the bonds of marriage.

 

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Cast: Thomas Mann, RJ Cycler, Olivia Cooke, Nick Offerman, Connie Britton, Molly Shannon, Jon Bernthal
Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Release Date: June 12th
Based On: ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL by Jesse Andrews

Winner of the 2015 Sundance Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is the story of Greg Gaines, an awkward high school senior whose mom forces him to spend time with Rachel --- a girl in his class with whom he hasn't spoken to since kindergarten --- who was just diagnosed with cancer.

 

Big Game
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Jim Broadbent, Felicity Huffman, Victor Garber, Ted Levine
Director: Jalmari Helander
Distributor: Relativity Europa Distribution (RED)
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Release Date: June 26th
Based On: BIG GAME by Daniel Smith

In the rugged countryside of Finland, a young 13-year-old embarks on a traditional quest to prove himself by spending 24 hours alone in the wild, armed with only a bow and arrow. After witnessing a spectacular crash, he discovers the escape pod from Air Force One, containing the President of the United States. When they realize a group of kidnappers is hot on their trail with the intention of taking the president, this unlikely duo must escape their hunters as they search for the American Special Forces team sent out to find them.
 


 

On TV:

“Pretty Little Liars”
Cast: Troian Bellisario, Ashley Benson, Lucy Hale, Shay Mitchell
Network: ABC Family
Air Dates: Premieres June 2nd; Tuesdays 8pm ET
Based On: The Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard

After years of tormenting and numerous shocking revelations, the Liars are united and ready to kick some “A” and uncover the truth! No longer just wanting to sit by and wait for "A’s" latest cruel attack, Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer take matters into their own hands and try to finally put a stop to their tormentor. As relationships are put to the test, new and old secrets are revealed and the stakes are raised higher than ever before as the Liars come closer to the truth. Will all of their sacrifices be worth it in the end?

 

“Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell”
Cast: Eddie Marsan, Bertie Carvel, Alice Englert, Marc Warren, Samuel West and Charlotte Riley
Network: BBC
Air Dates: Premieres Saturday, June 13th at 10pm ET
Based On: JONATHAN STRANGE & MR. NORRELL by Susanna Clarke

Set at the beginning of the 19th-century, England no longer believes in practical magic. The reclusive Mr. Norrell of Hurtfew Abbey stuns the city of York when he causes the statues of York Cathedral to speak and move. With a little persuasion and help from his man of business Childermass, he goes to London to help the government in the war against Napoleon. It is there Norrell summons a fairy to bring Lady Pole back from the dead, opening a whole can of worms…

 

“The Astronaut Wives Club”
Cast: JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Yvonne Strahovski, Dominique McElligott, Odette Annable
Network: ABC
Air Dates: Premieres June 18th; Thursdays at 8pm ET
Based On: THE ASTRONAUT WIVES CLUB by Lily Koppel

A new television drama series based on the book by Lily Koppel, “The Astronaut Wives Club” focuses on seven women who were key players behind some of the biggest events in American history. As America’s astronauts were launched on death-defying missions, the lives of their young wives were transformed, seemingly overnight, from military spouses to American royalty. As their celebrity rose, and tragedy began to touch their lives, they rallied together.

 

“Rizzoli & Isles”
Cast: Angie Harmon, Sasha Alexander, Lorraine Bracco, Bruce McGill
Network: TNT
Air Dates: Premieres June 16th; Tuesdays at 9pm ET
Based On: The Rizzoli & Isles series by Tess Gerritsen

"Rizzoli & Isles" follows Boston detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles, complete opposites and good friends who solve crimes and bust some of Boston's most notorious criminals.

 

"Under the Dome"
Cast: Mike Vogel, Rachelle Lefevre, Dean Norris, Natalie Martinez, Britt Robertson, Alexander Koch, Colin Ford, Nicholas Strong, Jolene Purdy, Aisha Hinds
Network: CBS
Air Dates: Premieres June 25th; Thursdays at 9pm ET
Based On: UNDER THE DOME by Stephen King

“Under The Dome,” based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel, tells the story of a small town that is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an enormous transparent dome. It’s been two weeks since the dome descended upon the sleepy town of Chester’s Mill, whose inhabitants are still struggling to survive with resources running low as their search for answers to what the barrier is and where it came from continues. The post-apocalyptic conditions intensify while the residents must decide who to rally behind as new faces emerge and Big Jim continues to battle for the town’s trust and allegiance. With survival hanging in the balance, can the residents of Chester’s Mill work together to protect their uncertain future?

 

 “Zoo”
Cast: James Wolk, Kristen Connolly, Billy Burke, Nora Arnezeder and Nonso Anozie
Network: CBS
Air Dates: Premieres June 30th; Tuesdays at 9pm ET
Based On: ZOO by James Patterson

“Zoo” is a global thriller about a wave of violent animal attacks against humans sweeping the planet. James Wolk will play Jackson Oz, a young, renegade American zoologist who spends his days running safaris in the wilds of Africa when he begins noticing the strange behavior of the animals. As the assaults become more cunning, coordinated and ferocious, he is thrust into the race to unlock the mystery of the pandemic before there’s no place left for people to hide. 

 

“Wayward Pines”
Cast: Matt Dillon, Carla Gugino, Toby Jones, Shannyn Sossamon, Juliette Lewis, Melissa Leo, Terrence Howard
Network: Fox
Air Dates: Thursdays at 9pm ET (miniseries)
Based On: PINES by Blake Crouch

A Secret Service agent goes to Wayward Pines, Idaho, in search of two federal agents who have gone missing in the bucolic town. He soon learns that he may never get out of Wayward Pines alive.

 

“Turn”
Cast: Jamie Bell, Seth Numrich, Heather Lind, Kevin McNally
Network: AMC
Series Premiere: Mondays at 9pm ET; series finale June 8th
Based On: WASHINGTON'S SPIES: The Story of America's First Spy Ring by Alexander Rose

Based on Alexander Rose’s book WASHINGTON’S SPIES, AMC’s “Turn” tells the untold story of America’s first spy ring. A historical thriller set during the Revolutionary War, “Turn” centers on Abe Woodhull, a farmer living in British-occupied Long Island who bands together with his childhood friends to form the Culper Ring --- an unlikely team of secret agents who not only went on to help George Washington turn the tide of the war but also gave birth to modern spycraft.

 

"Younger"
Cast: Sutton Foster, Miriam Shor, Debi Mazar, Hilary Duff, Nico Tortorella
Network: TV Land
Air Dates: Tuesdays at 10pm ET; series finale June 9th
Based On: YOUNGER by Pamela Redmond Satran

“Younger” follows 40-year-old Liza, a suddenly single mother who tries to get back into the working world, only to find it’s nearly impossible to start at the bottom at her age. When a chance encounter with the sexy Josh, a young tattoo artist, convinces her she looks younger than she is, Liza tries to pass herself off as 26 --- with the help of a makeover, courtesy of her best friend Maggie. Armed with new confidence, she lands a job as an assistant to the temperamental Diana and teams up with her new co-worker and 20something Kelsey to make it in the career of her dreams. Now she just has to make sure no one discovers her secret. 

 

“Bones”
Cast: Emily Deschanel, David Boreanaz, TJ Thyne, Michaela Conlin, Tamara Taylor, John Boyd
Network: Fox
Air Dates: Thursdays at 8pm ET; season finale June 11th
Based On: The Bones series by Kathy Reichs

When the Jeffersonian team discovers remains of a victim, and elements of the crime scene point to a possible protégé of serial killer Christopher Pelant, they must revisit their prior work on Pelant while tracing new clues that will hopefully lead them to the copycat killer. Meanwhile, Angela is skeptical about her and Hodgins' decision to move to Paris and Brennan and Booth contemplate options outside of the Jeffersonian and FBI in the all-new “The Next in the Last” season finale episode of “Bones”.

 

“Game of Thrones”
Cast: Peter Dinklage, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington
Network: HBO
Air Date: Sundays at 9pm ET; series finale June 14th
Based On: A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin

Summers span decades. Winters can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne rages on. It stretches from the south, where the heat breeds plots, lusts and intrigues; to the vast and savage eastern lands; all the way to the frozen north, where an 800-foot wall of ice protects the kingdom from the dark forces that lie beyond. Kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars, lords and honest men…all play the “Game of Thrones.”
 


 

On DVD:

Wish You Well
Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Mackenzie Foy, Josh Lucas
Director: Darnell Martin
Distributor: Entertainment One
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
DVD Release Date: June 2nd
Based On: WISH YOU WELL by David Baldacci

A tragic accident forces 12-year old Louisa Mae and her younger brother Oz to move from New York City to live with their great grandmother on a small farm in Virginia. Once Lou and Oz finally adjust to their new home, their family is threatened to be torn apart again when a coal company tries to steal their land. Now, Lou must team-up with lawyer Cotton Longfellow, to fight for their land, their home and their future.

 

World War Z
Cast: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz
Director: Marc Forster
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
MPAA Rating: PG-13
DVD Release Date: June 9th
Based On: WORLD WAR Z by Max Brooks

Life for former United Nations investigator Gerry Lane and his family seems content. Suddenly, the world is plagued by a mysterious infection turning whole human populations into rampaging mindless zombies. After barely escaping the chaos, Lane is persuaded to go on a mission to investigate this disease. What follows is a perilous trek around the world where Lane must brave horrific dangers and long odds to find answers before human civilization falls.

 

Transformers: Age of Extinction
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor
Director: Michael Bay
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
MPAA Rating: PG-13
DVD Release Date: June 9th
Based on: Characters featured in the Transformers comic book series 

Autobots must escape sight from a bounty hunter who has taken control of the human serendipity: Unexpectedly, Optimus Prime and his remaining gang turn to a mechanic and his daughter for help.

 

Kingsman: The Secret Service
Cast: Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
MPAA Rating: R
DVD Release Date: June 9th
Based On: The Secret Service graphic novel series, especially THE SECRET SERVICE: KINGSMAN by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons

Kingsman: The Secret Servicetells the story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency's ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.

 

The Duff
Cast: Mae Whitman, Bella Thorne, Robbie Amell, Allison Janney
Director: Ari Sandel
Distributor: Lionsgate Entertainment
MPAA Rating: PG-13
DVD Release Date: June 9th
Based On: THE DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) by Kody Keplinger

Frumpy high-school senior Bianca has a rude awakening when she learns that her classmates secretly know her as the DUFF --- designated ugly fat friend --- to her prettier and more popular pals. Desperate to reinvent herself, Bianca enlists the aid of Wesley, a charming jock. In order to save her senior year from becoming a complete disaster, Bianca must find the confidence to overthrow a judgmental student and revolutionize the school's social order.

 

Serena
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Rhys Ifans
Director: Susanne Bier
Distributor: 2929 Productions
MPAA Rating: R
DVD Release Date: June 9th
Based On: SERENA by Ron Rash

In Depression-era North Carolina, the future of George Pemberton's timber empire becomes complicated when he marries Serena.

 

If There be Thorns
Cast: Heather Graham, Jason Lewis, Rachael Carpani, Mason Cook
Director: Nancy Savoca
Distributor: Lifetime Television
MPAA Rating: TV-14
DVD Release Date: June 23rd
Based On: IF THERE BE THORNS by V.C. Andrews

The third installment in V.C. Andrews’ bestselling series that began with Flowers in the Attic, If There Be Thorns follows Christopher and Cathy Dollanganger as they live together as man and wife with Cathy’s two sons who are unaware of the incestuous nature of their parents’ relationship. But when a mysterious woman moves in next door and befriends the younger boy, Bart, he begins a strange transformation and displays accusatory behavior towards Cathy and Christopher. When Christopher discovers their mysterious neighbor is, in fact, his mother Corrine Dollanganger, all of the family’s long-hidden secrets are revealed in a tragic climax.

 

The Dovekeepers
Cast: Maia Laura Attard, Andre Agius, Jonas Armstrong
Director: Yves Simoneau
Distributor: CBS Television Studios
MPAA Rating: TV-14
DVD  Release Date: June 30th
Based On: THE DOVEKEEPERS by Alice Hoffman

Based in Alice Hoffman's historical novel about the Siege of Masada, the miniseries focuses on four extraordinary women whose lives intersect in a fight for survival at the siege of Masada.