The only thing I love as much as reading books is watching movies.
And movies made from books seem like such a good idea--but I have found that usually I either like one or the other more.
So I'm not sure how I feel about Twilight by Stephenie Meyer being made into a movie.
On one hand, the actors don't really do justice to the ones in my head and I 'm a little peeved that they didn't actually film it in Forks, WA. Because I live an hour from Forks in Port Angeles--remember Port Angeles is where she got attacked in an alley after she got lost? (Though, um...it would be REALLY hard to get lost here. Downtown is six blocks.)
I got to thinking about how people say the movie is never as good as the book--and I realized that I am kind of the opposite.
For instance, my favorite movie of all time is The Princess Bride. The book? Not so much. There was way too much author intrusion. The story should have been the story.
Another? Sex and the City. I haven't seen the movie yet but I own the series. I adore the series. I. Hated.The.Book. Not just a little either. The things that made the show so compelling were conspicuously absent from the pages of the book.
Other movies I enjoyed more than the book were Practical Magic, Jurassic Park, Terms of Endearment, It, and um....any John Grisham movie cuz I just can't get into the books.
But then...there were some stinkers too. For instance, I love the cartoon adaptation of the Grinch....but hate the Jim Carrey one.
And Circle of Friends is a push because I enjoyed both, but the book had so many more layers.
So...what about you? What are your favorite adaptations and which do you wish would be sucked into a black hole?
I should say also that Bridget Jone's Diary is another push. Loved the movie and the book...but for different reasons.
ReplyDeleteFor me, there are a lot of movie I enjoy but don't ever bother to read the books. Harry Potter is one of them. I just can't be bothered to read the books, but I'll go see the movies.
ReplyDeleteK...I confess, I haven't seen nor read Harry Potter.
ReplyDeleteAnd why are you up at 3am?
I was up at 3am because I had a coughing fit that woke me up. I've been having these allergy attacks lately that are just kicking my butt. I'm coughing as I write this.
ReplyDeleteMust medicate.
I agree with Gwen on BJD...I, too, haven't read the Harry Potter books but have seen the movies. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI adore A&E's remake of Pride and Prejudice, so that's another push...
I usually feel cheated after watching a movie based on a book I have already read. I mutter under my breath. My husband has been know to ask if this movie is based on a book before we go.
ReplyDeleteIt is safer that way.
Harry Potter isn't good or bad just different, but I tell you I really wish the twins had gotten to be as bad in the last movie as they were in the book.
I agree that I would rather watch than read a Micheal Creighton or John Grisham story. The same goes for Nicholas Sparks.
But my favorite movie exceeds the book is Bram Stoker's Dracula directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Blogged about it yesterday as a matter of fact.
Most times, when I see the movie first and then read the book, I just find the differences interesting. Jurassic Park the book has a lot of things the movie doesn't. Same with Patriot Games. I like both the movies and the books, but they're different. OTOH, if I read the book first, the movie usually disappoints me. One movie I loved where I didn't like the book so much was Kiss the Girls. I'm almost afraid to read Along Came a Spider for that reason. Another instance was: I read Last of the Mohicans shortly before I watched the movie version (with Daniel Day Lewis) and I was let down by how much the script differed from the book. =o(
ReplyDeleteFeel better, Kristen.
I adore James Patterson's books. LOVE them. The movies? Not so much. Oh sure, I'll watch them (especially KISS THE GIRLS, which I have on DVD, but only because it was filmed partially at my college while I was there and I know some of the kids who ended up as extras) but they're not anywhere near as good as the book.
ReplyDeleteBut his WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB tv series is a push. I love both the books and the show, but for different reasons. Of course, the series just got cancelled. Which sucks.
I also *much* preferred SEX AND THE CITY the TV series to the book. I wouldn't say I hated it, but liked the show a lot more. (I must admit I'm not a huge Candace Bushnell book fan...I absolultey despised FOUR BLONDES.)
SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS is another push. Liked both the books and the movie for different reasons. I think I liked the books better, but the movie was cute. I can't wait to see the sequel this summer!
And I must admit I've never seen nor read Harry Potter. Have absolutely no desire whatsoever. Actually, I did try to read the first book. Put it down 3 pages in because I was bored out of my mind.
LOL, B.E. Sanderson. I'm the exact opposite. ADORED The book of "Kiss The Girls" but the movie was merely OK. I absolutely HATED the movie of "Along Came a Spider." It was terrible. So different from the book, and not in a good way at all.
ReplyDeleteWell, after I commented on Kristen being awake, I got hit the the insomnia stick too.
ReplyDeleteYou all bring up great other movies. And B.E., I think you may be onto something. It kind of does matter which I'd come onto contact with first--interesting.
I'm of the Sex and the City TV fans and not caring for the books fans. I think it's a Candace Bushnell thing too.
ReplyDeleteLoved the Constant Gardner movie but hated the book. Couldn't hardly follow the book - and I knew what was happening! It was just a bizarre read for me.
But usually, the one I like more is whatever one I was introduced to first - whether it was the book or the movie.
Gwen, I'm with you on liking The Princess Bride movie better than the book (I agree about the author intrusions -- he was just trying so hard to be clever!) And ditto on the Grinch!
ReplyDeleteMovie adaptations I liked:
-- The Lion the Witch & the Wardrobe
-- The Outsiders, and Rumble Fish
-- Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) (I saw it before I read the book, which, as B.E. pointed out, helps!)
Those I didn't:
-- The Seeker (the Dark is Rising) (oh, the horror, the horror!!!)
-- the first Princess Diaries movie (liked the second one okay, though it had nothing to do with the books!)
Those I'm mixed about:
-- Howl's Moving Castle
-- the first Escape to Witch Mountain
-- I Robot
-- Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (Depp & Burton)
-- Golden Compass
As for Jane Austen adaptations (which Rhonda brought up), I obsess so much about them that I started a monthly discussion group on my blog just to dissect each one and argue about just how well it works...
Cara (multi-genre geek and proud of it) ;-)
Cara--I'm a lurker of your blog and I love stopping by for just that reason!!! Aaaaaaah, Jane Austen... :D
ReplyDelete(I actually read all the posts, even though I don't normally comment.)
Thanks, Rhonda!
ReplyDeleteCara