Tag: black panther

7 Compelling Book-To-Screen Adaptations That Are Now Available as Audiobooks

September 29, 2023

A person looking at a flying saucer in the night sky

“Which was better, the book or the movie?”

It’s a common argument that has withstood the test of time and has only gotten stronger as more and more hit television shows and movies inspired by novels have been released. And now with audiobooks, you can listen to the original book before watching its screen version to compare, contrast, and settle the argument of which was better once and for all. 

So, whether it’s a coming-of-age tale set over several beautiful summers or a hilarious full-cast romp to stop the apocalypse, here are some of our favorite book-to-screen adaptations available now on Spotify. 

The Summer I Turned Pretty

Written by Jenny Han

Narrated by Lola Tung

Some summers are just destined to be pretty. 

In Jenny Han’s coming-of-age romance novel, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Isabel “Belly” Conklin measures her life in summers. To her, everything good and magical happens between the months of June and August, when her family reunites with friend Susannah and her two sons, Jeremiah and Conrad. The boys have been Belly’s brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one wonderful and terrible summer, the more everything changes, the more it ends up just the way it should have been all along.

Good Omens

Written by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

Narrated by Rebecca Front, Michael Sheen, David Tennant, Adjoa Andoh, Allan Corduner, Arthur Darvill, Chris Nelson, Ferdinand Frisby Williams, Gabrielle Glaister, John Hopkins, Katherine Kingsley, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Lemn Sissay, Lorelei King, Louis Davison, Matt Reeves, Peter Forbes, and Pixie Davies

Dive into this brand-new, full-cast audiobook production of Good Omens from internationally bestselling authors Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.

According to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch), the world will end on a Saturday. Next Saturday, in fact. Just before dinner. So the armies of Good and Evil are amassing, Atlantis is rising, frogs are falling, and tempers are flaring. Everything appears to be going according to the Divine Plan. Except the somewhat fussy angel Aziraphale (played by Michael Sheen) and the fast-living demon Crowley (played by David Tennant)—both of whom have lived among Earth’s mortals since The Beginning and have grown rather fond of the lifestyle—are not actually looking forward to the coming Rapture. 

All that and someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist . . .

Lovecraft Country

Written by Matt Ruff

Narrated by Kevin Kenerly

Also adapted into an HBO® series by J.J. Abrams, Misha Green, and Jordan Peele, Matt Ruff’s novel Lovecraft Country makes visceral the terrors of Jim Crow America, melding historical fiction, pulp noir, and Lovecraftian horror. 

When his father goes missing in 1950s Chicago, 22-year-old Army veteran Atticus Turner embarks on a road trip to New England to find him, accompanied by his uncle George—publisher of The Safe Negro Travel Guide—and his childhood friend Letitia. On their journey to the manor of Mr. Braithwhite (heir to the estate that owned one of Atticus’s ancestors) they encounter both mundane terrors of white America and malevolent spirits that seem straight out of the weird tales George devours. 

A chimerical blend of magic, power, hope, and freedom that stretches across time, touching diverse members of two Black families, Lovecraft Country is a devastating kaleidoscopic portrait of racism—the terrifying specter that continues to haunt us today.

The Good Nurse

Written by Charles Graeber

Narrated by Will Collyer

After his December 2003 arrest, registered nurse Charlie Cullen was quickly dubbed “The Angel of Death” by the media. But Cullen was no mercy killer, nor was he a simple monster. He was a favorite son, husband, beloved father, best friend, and celebrated caregiver. Implicated in the deaths of as many as 300 patients, he was also perhaps the most prolific serial killer in American history. 

Cullen’s murderous career in the world’s most trusted profession spanned 16 years and nine hospitals from New Jersey to Pennsylvania. In The Good Nurse, journalist Charles Graeber presents the whole story, nearly 10 years in the making. 

Based on hundreds of pages of previously unseen police records, interviews, wire-tap recordings, and videotapes, as well as exclusive jailhouse conversations with Cullen himself and the confidential informant who helped bring him down, this true crime audiobook weaves an urgent, terrifying tale of murder, friendship, and betrayal.

Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda

Written by Jesse J. Holland, Linda D. Addison, Maurice Broaddus, Christopher Chambers, Milton J. Davis, Tananarive Due, Nikki Giovanni, Harlan James, Danian Jerry, Kyoko M., L.L. McKinney, Temi Oh, Suyi Davies Okungbowa, Glenn Parris, Alex Simmons, Sheree Renée Thomas, Cadwell Turnbull, and Troy L. Wiggins

Narrated by J. D. Jackson and Joy Sunday

T’Challa faces the gods of his parents. Vampires stalk Shuri and a Dora Milaje in voodoo-laced New Orleans. Erik Killmonger grapples with racism, Russian spies, and his own origins. All these stories and more are here in the anthology Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda.

The first mainstream superhero of African descent, the Black Panther has attracted fans of all races and colors who see in the King of Wakanda reflections of themselves. Storytellers from across the African diaspora—some already literary legends, others rising stars—have created for this collection of original works inspired by the world of the Panther. With guest characters including Storm, Monica Rambeau, Namor, and Jericho Drumm, these are stories of yesterday and today, of science and magic, of faith and love.

The School for Good and Evil

Written by Soman Chainani

Narrated by Polly Lee

Welcome to the School for Good and Evil, where best friends Sophie and Agatha are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. With her glass slippers and devotion to good deeds, Sophie knows she’ll earn top marks at the School for Good and join the ranks of past students like Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Snow White. Meanwhile, Agatha, with her shapeless black frocks and wicked black cat, seems a natural fit for the villains in the School for Evil. 

The two girls soon find their fortunes reversed: Sophie’s dumped into the School for Evil to take Uglification, Death Curses, and Henchmen Training, while Agatha finds herself in the School for Good, thrust among handsome princes and fair maidens for classes in Princess Etiquette and Animal Communication. But what if the mistake is actually the first clue to discovering who Sophie and Agatha really are? Soman Chainani’s The School for Good and Evil is an epic journey into a dazzling new world where the only way out of a fairy tale is to live through one.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

Written by Jenny Han

Narrated by Ali Ahn

What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them . . . all at once? 

In Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. That is, until one day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

Eligible Spotify Premium users in the U.K. and Australia can now look forward to 15 hours of audiobook listening per month on any audiobook marked “Included in Premium.” Learn all about it. 

Oscars Music Director Rickey Minor Reveals His All-Time Favorite Nominated Songs

March 10, 2023

On Sunday night, movie fans around the world will tune in to the 95th Academy Awards—aka the Oscars—to celebrate Hollywood’s exceptional talent. Once the show begins, it’s the musical numbers that help create the magical atmosphere the event is known for. 

This year’s musical director for the show is Rickey Minor, who previously worked on tours for the likes of Whitney Houston, Beyonce, and Ray Charles, and also served as the musical director and bandleader for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Rickey’s job for the Oscars is to plan out the music that will play throughout the show, and then work with the house orchestra to bring it all to life.

Ahead of the big night, we teamed up with Rickey on a special Oscars-themed playlist. From classics like Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” to Encanto’s “The Family Madrigal,” this playlist is not only a collection of Rickey’s favorite Oscar past nominees, but also a look back at the show’s rich musical history.

For the Record recently sat down with Rickey to discuss his work leading up to the Oscars, this year’s nominees, and what excites him most about working on this iconic show. 

What do you work on in the lead up to the Oscars?

There’s a lot of music to prepare. It’s upward of 170 pieces, so my team and I have to get through it all in two days of pre-recordings and rehearsals. And then we get in, perform sound check, and it’s time to go. But it’s all exciting.

Thankfully, this is a show with a rich, 95-year legacy. You don’t have to rewrite the book. You just have to come in and infuse a different perspective. This is my third time doing the show, and so I look at the years before and bring that inspiration to this year’s incredible films. When it comes to the music, I think a lot about ways to be more inclusive—not just with different eras, but also with different countries and genres—because all of us make up this world. So my thought is that if you’re in South America or Europe, how cool would it be to hear a cue that references a movie from your part of the globe?

How is working on the Oscars different from working on a tour, a TV show, or other projects?

The pressure is bigger because there’s a lot riding on it. Generally speaking, for all of us working on the show, we have one chance to get it right. And when an article goes out, or a book goes out, or a record goes out, this is what will be remembered as our best work. It requires a mix of paying attention to detail, but also letting go. If it feels right, it’s right. If it feels wrong, it’s wrong.

There might be times when my team and I debate whether a certain decision might be too on the nose. Like, is it patronizing to introduce someone from another part of the world with music from their country? But I just try to approach it with respect and offer a sense of representation. Because if we don’t support each other and celebrate our differences, they’re not there.  

How does the music featured during the Oscars help to set the tone for the entire show?

Music is life. Life is music. We speak in rhythm, we walk in rhythm, and our hearts beat in rhythm. And so, with the Oscars, the tone of the show really starts with the music. Yes, it’s all about the films, but it’s also all about the great music from these films that takes you back. And so, having these iconic musical moments helps everyone feel the moment—the joy, sadness, and triumph.

Can you tell us about your creative process?

When I start a process like this, I listen with my eyes closed so I can really get a sense of what the music makes me feel and then decide whether or not it’s an emotional moment I want to include.  

The show has to have a lot of different styles and diversity in the music, but it also has to have a flow. So there’ll be a time where I have a very romantic moment, and it’s lush and beautiful, and then I’ll drop into some hip-hop. Then I’ll jump right out of that into classical. I’ll go wherever the flow feels right. 

If you have someone that’s an iconic artist, then you’re going to want something grand and beautiful, and to give them their due and give them time to walk out. There’s no rush to get them there. And I have to keep in mind not only the television audience, but the audience in the building. It’s really a chess game.

When it comes to the music from this year’s Oscar nominees, is there anything that stands out to you?

I was inspired by a lot of it. Just looking at the songs alone, “Naatu Naatu” from RRR was a very exciting and fun number, and it made me feel proud of the inclusion that we have, and that we’re looking at art from a different way. Same thing with Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. I mean, just put her in front of a microphone and I’m good. Then there’s “Applause” from Tell It Like A Woman, which was written by Diane Warren. I’ve known her my entire musical life and it makes me proud to see her receive an honorary Oscar. I also loved “This Is a Life,” from Everything Everywhere All At Once. 

Really, I feel like the winner because I get to do all five of these songs as well. 

Each year, as the show starts, what do you find you’re most excited about?

I have to be honest, every moment is amazing. Once the show starts, there’s a lot that I have to stay on top of and I’m watching so that I don’t lose track. There’s so much going on in the headset in between the director and the shots and the cues coming in. But I really just want to be present for every single moment and not miss a thing. I love seeing all the emotions, like the joy people express during their speeches. And sometimes I have to pull myself out because I have to say I’m on it, but I’m still so in it.

What’s your takeaway for fans? 

I say, get dressed up and get ready to party. Put your dancing shoes on, because we’re giving you all that energy. And make sure you have some tissues, because there are going to be some tears. Tears from the winners—and tears from everyone else.

With ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Captain Marvel,’ Superhero Movie Concept Albums Take Flight

April 23, 2019

Cape or no cape, team player or lone ranger, most superheroes have at least one thing in common: an epic theme song. Often, there’s a movie-length soundtrack to match as well—and, these days, maybe even two.

A new trend in superhero films began in the past year with two of the biggest Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movies, Black Panther and Captain Marvel. These films changed the superhero-soundtrack landscape with the addition of a secondary, companion album or playlist. According to our US data, these new storytelling vehicles are a powerful way to broaden a film’s reach.

Black Panther Concept Album Wins with Fans

Fans embraced these albums fervently—Black Panther’s in particular. The movie broke all types of box office records, and its instrumental original movie soundtrack, composed by Ludwig Goransson, even won Best Original Score at both the Grammys and the Oscars. Yet when it came to streaming, it was the concept album—a rap and hip-hop work of art curated by Kendrick Lamar and featuring SZA, Swae Lee, Khalid, Jorja Smith, and many more—that hit home with listeners. On the day of its release, the album, which builds on the movie’s poignant exploration of “what it means to be African,” hit over 19 million plays on Spotify. Critically, it wasn’t just how many people were listening, but who.

The listeners were close to equal in gender representation, and the bulk of the plays came from 18- to 24-year-olds, followed by 25- to 29-year-olds. By contrast, listeners of the actual soundtracks for both Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War in those age groups lean far more male. In other words, a supplemental soundtrack represents a unique opportunity for the studio to attract new audiences, particularly adult women who don’t traditionally go out of their way to see superhero movies.

Captain Marvel Makes Her Mark through Music

Captain Marvel built on this paradigm with unabashed girl power. It was impossible to walk away from the film, released this past March, without music in mind—either due to Pinar Toprak’s original score or the largely female hit-driven ’90s pop-grunge sounds, like “Only Happy When It Rains” by Shirley Mason-fronted Garbage and Gwen Stefani-led No Doubt’s “Just a Girl” blasting during the final fight scene. These songs, found on Marvel’s Captain Marvel Soundtrack Official Playlist, helped build out the essence of Carol Danvers’ empowered protagonist.

And the first female superhero to get a major motion picture in the MCU struck a resounding chord with female fans: Women ages 18-44 streamed the playlist more than any men within that same age bracket. Toprak’s official soundtrack, which also featured gems of ’90s music inspiration and was the first in the MCU to be conducted by a woman, was streamed most by men ages 18-24 and 34-55, but saw 18- to 24-year-old women ranked close behind—fairly high for the genre.

Though the playlist doesn’t have the streaming volume of the orchestral Captain Marvel soundtrack, nor that of Kendrick Lamar’s Black Panther-inspired album, the trend is clear. The streaming popularity of superhero concept albums points to their power in attracting enthusiasm in a way that traditional instrumental superhero movie soundtracks do not.

Sure, surges in orchestral volume add emotion, suspense, and gravity to a monumental moment in superhero adventure movies. But the addition of lyric-driven, thematically relevant pop or rap songs leaves the audience with a memory of the film that goes far beyond the fight scenes, one that speaks to what it means to be human—or in some cases, superhuman.

Searching for something super? Stream Marvel’s official Marvel Music playlist below.