Book-Turned-Movie {6} - Belle, Secret Sharer, Devil's Knot, The Fault in Our Stars, Cold in July

There are a series of interesting movies out this month and although some of them may not have a book connection, they still tell really interesting stories.

Fri 13th June sees the release of Belle, the film based on a painting and the real life story of Dido Belle, the illegitimate mixed-race daughter of a navy officer who on his return to England caused a stir when, at the height of the slavery trade, he decided to bring his daughter up as an aristocrat. The painting of her and her cousin Lady Elizabeth Murray, the inspiration for the movie, was one of the first paintings to ever depict a person of colour at the same level as a white aristocrat. You can read more about Dido and said painting here.

Also releasing on Fri 13th June is The Devil's Knot, the movie adaptation of The Devil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three by journalist Mara Leveritt. Leveritt writes biographical documentaries on high profile criminal cases where she believes the evidence isn't as clean cut. The Devil's Knot is about the disappearance and murders of three 8 year-old boys in 1993 and the subsequent trial of three teenage boys. Very gripping indeed. 

The Fault in Our Stars releases on Thu 19th June and it's the movie adaptation of  John Green's book by the same name. This reminds me a little of the movie Restless and the heart breaking A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks. I think I will need a box of tissues for this one... :?

The Secret Sharer is out on Fri 27th June, but only in a few limited cities. It's inspired by Joseph Conrad's short story by the same name and some autobiographical tales from the author's life itself, as he was also a sailor at some point. While Conrad is considered one of the greatest novelists of British Literature by many, his writing is controversial and dramatic. I'm expecting something interesting out of this one. Even more interesting is to realise that although he wrote in English, English was effectively Conrad's third language. You can find out more about the movie here, but as of yet, there were no screenings booked for the North West of England.

Cold in July is also out on Fri 27th June and it's based on the Joe R. Lansdale's novel by the same name. I, for one, found the trailer super interesting. I love suspense thrillers and this looks like it will have me biting all my nails to the quit! The boys might like this one too.