So, October ended, and I’m 5 days late in announcing the Lit Flicks challenge winner for this month (or last month I suppose).  Here were the rules to get an entry for the drawing:

1.  Signing up for the challenge if you haven’t already (those who have already signed up will receive an entry for this month)
2.  One entry for each review that follows Lit Flicks guidelines posted under Mr. Linky on the challenge page
3.  Two entries for a review of the film Blindness, hitting theaters October 3rd (be sure and list a link to your review on the challenge page to get an entry).

I had a lot of great entries this month, but no one took me up on the Blindness offer.  Oh well, it left theaters pretty quickly anyway, I guess people aren’t looking for more depressing entertainment than CNN.   So, thanks to all you who participated, but the winner for October is: Care, at www.bkclubccare.wordpress.com.  In case you’re curious, the winning entry was Care’s review of All About Eve which can be found here.  Care has won a copy of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road.  Care, email me at blakesfilmreviews@gmail.com so I can get your info.

As for the rules of November, they will stay pretty much the same.  I’ll still give two entries for any review of Blindness (the movie or the book), another entry for any reviews posted, and one for signing up for the challenge (if you’re already signed up, you still get an entry for November).  Remember, if you go over the five films, two books, no worries, keep the reviews coming.  Until next month!

For September, entries for the giveaway could be received by signing up for the challenge here, and another entry was given for each review posted.  I assigned numbers for each entry and randomly generated a number to pick the winner.  This month’s prize goes to Unfinishedperson at justareadingfool.wordpress.com for his book review of The Outsiders.  Unfinishedperson wins a copy of P.T. Anderson’s masterpiece: There Will Be Blood, or a copy of the book it’s loosely based on: Upton Sinclair’s Oil!

For the month of October, there will be an additional giveaway from BitchinFilmReviews.com and a separate giveaway from The Bluestocking Society, so be sure to sign up for both.

Entries to the drawing will be given away for:

1.  Signing up for the challenge if you haven’t already (those who have already signed up will receive an entry for this month)
2.  One entry for each review that follows Lit Flicks guidlines posted under Mr. Linky on the challenge page
3.  Two entries for a review of the film Blindness, hitting theaters October 3rd (be sure and list a link to your review on the challenge page to get an entry).

I choose to read the book Blindness by Jose Saramago (my review can be found here) in preparation for the film.  I’m extremely curious to see what you all think of the film…so let me see some reviews!

Remember: the challenge goes on until the Academy Awards, you’re not required to complete all the challenge terms to participate, we really just want to hear what you have to say.  You’re probably reading books and watching movies anyway, so why not win prizes for doing so.

Thanks again to everyone that participated, keep it up!

To be entered in the drawing for the giveaway this month, there are a couple things you can do, each of which will give you an entry. First you should go to the Lit Flicks Challenge page, and sign up under the first Mr. Linky where you’ll link to the post where you list which films/books you’ll be reviewing (remember this list can change at any time).  Second, you can sign up for the co-challenge at The Bluestockings book review blog.  Third, you can complete the movie and book themed meme at the end of this blog, and post a comment here linking back to your version of it.  Additionally, any posts of a reviewed book or film throughout the month will give you an additional entry (meaning you’re not limited to just 5 reviews).  Remember, you’re probably watching movies and reading books anyway, why not write about them and get prizes?

Since I have yet to post my list, and since I’m doing my own and Jessica’s challenge, here is my list of five books and five movies I’ll be reviewing over the next few months (click on the title to take you to the film’s trailer on YouTube if it exists):

1.  The Road – The novel is written by Cormac McCarthy, and the upcoming film is directed by John Hillcoat

2.  Blindness – Written by Jose Saramago/directed by Fernando Meirelles

3.  Little Children – Written by Tom Perrotta/directed by Todd Field

4.  Choke – Written by Chuck Palahnuik/directed by Clark Gregg

5.  A Mighty Heart – Written by Mariane Pearl/directed by John Orloff

Remember to place a link to your list on the official Lit Flicks Challenge page.

Now to start things off, here’s a great meme you should all fill out:

Are you more likely to see a movie if it’s based on a book?

• If the film is based on a well reviewed book from a well reviewed author (like Cormac McCarthy, or Ian McEwan), then I’m more likely to see the movie.  If the film is based on something written by John Grisham…that’s a different story.

Do you prefer to read the book first or see the movie first?

• I am usually disappointed by a movie if I see it after I’ve read the book (i.e. The Harry Potter oeuvre).

List one movie that was better than the book it’s based on, and one book that is better than the movie.

• Fight Club had a much tighter and more entertaining ending than the ending to Palahniuk’s Novel.  And, while I like to keep the Harry Potter references to a minimum on this blog, the first four movies (yes, those were movies, not films) were a pale, watered-down version of the original stories.

By what factors are you most likely to pick what films you see: the director, cast, writer, critics, trailer?

• Directors are a huge factor in my decision making process, but more important than them even, is the critics.  Without rottentomatoes.com, I wouldn’t know what to do.

What directors/actors/writers/critics influence you the most?

• Rollingstone critic Peter Travers and I rarely disagree on film, I take his word as bond and will pretty much see anything he recommends.  The list of directors whom I deem important is a very long one, so I won’t list it here.

What film do you love so much you just want to rub it all over you?

• Right now, I’m pretty damn excited about Tell No One. I really do want to rub it all over me (see the review below).

Well, that’s it for the kick off of the Lit Flicks Challenge.  Be sure to link to your reviews and participating posts on the Lit Flicks Page!  (And feel free to steal the button for your own blog.)