insideKENT Magazine Issue 45 - December 2015 | Page 23

Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling
Perhaps the most famous series of children’s
book ever created (although adults love it too),
are the seven Harry Potter novels. They chart the
life of a young wizard, Harry, and his friends,
Hermione and Ron, as they begin their school
days at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and
Wizardry. It’s not all fun and games, though, as
there is an evil force (Voldemort) who wishes to
destroy everything Harry holds dear. The films
were a huge success. They star Daniel Radcliffe,
Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint in the three
main roles, as well as a stellar cast surrounding
them. The films were hugely anticipated, and did
not disappoint.

Forrest Gump by Winston Groom
Forrest Gump, the 1994 film starring Tom Hanks
and Gary Sinise, is the kind of film that stays with
you. Forrest’s childlike ways are anathema to the
hustle and bustle of the adult world and, for two
hours at least, it is possible to live in a simpler
world. The ending is heartbreaking yet life
affirming, and Forrest’s adventures are both
amusing and fascinating. But did you know this
film was a novel first? It was written in 1986 by
Winston Groom and, just like the film, it charts
the life of a childlike man from America’s deep
south. However, unlike the film, the book sends
Forrest off into outer space, and has him living
with cannibals.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Huge Hollywood blockbusters love a book. They
love to take a book and turn it into something
special. This was the case with The Hunger
Games. Another trilogy, the books are called The
Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay.
It is the near future, and 12 children are called to
take part in The Hunger Games, a TV show in
which there is only one rule: kill or be killed. The
films star Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson,
and have been a huge success. The third film,
Mockingjay was split into two parts, and part two
was just recently released in November 2015.

Jaws by Peter Benchley
Is Jaws the greatest horror movie of all time? It
taps into our primal fear of the water, and of huge
creatures with enormous teeth, so perhaps it is.
Before being made into an award-winning and
groundbreaking film in 1975 (directed by Stephen
Spielberg), it was a book, which had been
released in 1974. Whereas the film focuses almost
entirely on the main story, the book has a number
of subplots that give us more insight into the
characters.

West End House

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Christmas at the Gallery
14th November to 24th December
New work, gift ideas and a
cheeky glass of mulled wine
Gallery open Thursday to Monday, 10am-5pm

West End House, Water Lane, Smarden, TN27 8QB
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