Based on the Book - New Movies, Movie/Book Lists, Reviews

The Black Dahlia

  Elizabeth "Betty" Short (dubbed by the press as "The Black Dahlia") was a young aspiring actress from the East Coast. Her shortlived career took her down some questiona ble paths. In January of 1947 she was found brutally murdered. The LAPD begins their investigation, with Lee Blanchard and Bucky Bleichert on the case - new partners working their first homicide together. Bleichart narrates the tale in the book.Blanchard gets obsessed with the case and neglects his girlfriend, Kay - who Bleichart is in love with too. But then Bleichert becomes attracted to the daughter of one of LA's prominent families. She looks like Betty Short and had a sordid connection to her. Bleichert loses focus as he struggles with his feelings for the two women he loves. In the end, crimes of corruption come to light. The story is a fictional answer to the real-life unsolved murder of Betty Short.

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The Black Dahlia (2006) - Rated R - 2 hrs 1 min

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Hilary Swank, Aaron Eckhart, Mia Kirshner

Directed by: Brian DePalma                                                                                                                       Screenplay by: Josh Friedman

Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime/Gangster

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The Black Dahlia (1987) - 336 pages

Author: James Ellroy

Genre: Fiction, Mystery

Lassie/Lassie Come Home

Joe's loyal dog, Lassie, must be sold to a new owner when Joe's dad loses his job. But Lassie cannot bear to be apart from her young companion. She escapes from her new home hundreds of miles away, facing danger and starvation so she can see her real family again.

(In the book, Lassie goes back to Joe twice before she's shipped off to remote Scotland. Then, for her third and final journey, she must travel the furthest to get home.) __________________________________________________________________________

Lassie (2006) - Rated PG - 1 hr 40 min

Starring: Samantha Morton, Peter Dinklage, Peter O'Toole, Jemma Redgrave, Kelly MacDonald

Directed by: Charles Sturridge                                                                                                                 Screenplay by: Charles Sturridge, Eric Knight

Genre: Action/Adventure, Kids/Family

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Lassie Come Home (1940) - 248 pages

Author: Eric Knight

Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Reading Level: Ages 9-12

How to Eat Fried Worms

Billy makes a bet. He bets that he can eat worms (fifteen in fifteen days in the book, ten in one day in the movie). The worms are selected and prepared by his opponent. Billy doesn't have the best stomach and he's not sure he can handle what he's gotten himself into - especially when extra gross condiments and concoctions are involved. Billy pushes through though and eventually the challenge becomes not if he can keep it down, but if he can get to the last worm in time to finish the bet.

(The movie focuses on Billy proving himself as the new kid in school by showing up the school bully. He learns about making friends and playing fair along the way. The book sets Billy's motivation for the bet as $50 he can put towards a new minibike. The book's funny rhymes and chants don't make it to the movie either.)__________________________________________________________________________

How to Eat Fried Worms (2006) - Rated PG - 1 hr 38 min

Starring: Luke Benward, Adam Hicks, Hallie Kate Eisenberg, Austin Rogers, Kimberly Williams, Tom Cavanagh

Directed by: Bob Dolman                                                                                                                           Screenplay by: Bob Dolman

Genre: Comedy, Kids/Family __________________________________________________________________________

How to Eat Fried Worms (1973) - 128 pages

Author: Thomas Rockwell

Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Humorous, Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Movies Released in September 2006

                

The Last King of Scotland (Ltd Release) - Based on the book by Giles Foden

       

            

               

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (Ltd Release) - Based on the memoir by Dito Montiel

      

            

The Black Dahlia - Based on the book by James Ellroy    

      

                  

         

Lassie (Limited Release) - Based on Lassie Come Home by Eric Knight