See a Movie, Read a Book!

They're positively star-struck at Pasadena Central Library.

For some time they have offered "See A Movie, Read A Book" every Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium.

The free film series features well-known movies based on literary works.

Most movies based on literature leave out big chunks of the stories in the interest of time. One of my favorite examples is "Gone with the Wind." If you've only seen the Academy Award-winning movie but never read the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, you've missed the true development of Margaret Mitchell's characters, the bigger picture of the American Civil War -- told from the perspective of the women left behind -- and her beautiful and brilliant writing.

So see the movies, then put the novels on your to-do list to check out from the library or purchase from Vromans. That way you won't miss a thing!

JANUARY 14
"I am David" (2003) starring Jim Caviezel, Joan Plowright and Ben Tibber chronicles the struggles of a boy who manages to flee a communist concentration camp through sheer will and determination with only a loaf of bread, a letter to deliver to someone in Denmark and a compass to get him there. Based on the novel by Anne Holm.

JANUARY 21
"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" (2005) starring America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn and Bradley Whitford centers on a mysterious pair of pants that perfectly fits four different-sized best friends who each take a turn with the pants during special adventures. Based on the novel by Ann Brashares.

JANUARY 28

"The Education of Little Tree"(1997) starring Graham Greene, James Cromwell and Joseph Ashton in the heartwarming tale of a Cherokee boy in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee in the 1930s who is sent to live with his mountain-dwelling grandparents after the loss of his mother and father. Based on the novel by Forrest Carter.

The series will be on hiatus in February for Contemporary Black Images in Film in commemoration of Black History Month, also Wednesdays at 1 p.m.

February 4:
"Akeelah and the Bee" (2006) starring Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett and Keke Palmer

February 11:
"Lilies of the Field" (1963) starring Sidney Poitier and Lilia Skala

February 18: "Pride" (2007) starring Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac and Kimberly Elise

February 25: "Dreamgirls" (2006) starring Jamie Foxx, Danny Glover, Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé Knowles and Eddie Murphy