Movies vs. Books

[AggieDave 6]

It would seem that literally every movie I've watched based on a book that I've read absolutely SUCKS compared to the book. For instance, I just watched Timeline on one of the free movie channels (well, free for me for another month due to a new DirectTV contract) and I really have to say that the movie really really was pretty crappy. The book was a fun read, especially if you like that author.

Then thinking about all the Clancy books that have become movies, and the Harry Potter movies and even TLOTR movies didn't quite do the books justice (although they did try hard and did a decent job).

Are there actually people out there that think the movies are better then the books?

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[prepheckt 0]

How about Porn?

"Dancing Argentine Tango is like doing calculus with your feet."
-9 toes

[AggieDave 6]

Ah good call. For some reason those cheap books have never interested me. I have known girls that read one of those books a week though.

Well, lets narrow this discussion to real fiction and not really crappy fiction.


With that said, I forgot to mention Kenneth Branagh's "Hamlet." That was one of the best adaptations I've ever seen. Period. Even though he changed the time period and such, it was visually stunning and followed the orginal play nearly word for word. Nearly.

EDIT: Just found out that Branagh's Hamlet will finally be released on DVD 10 years after its initial release...finally. http://www.kenbranagh.com/pic.sass.letter.jpg

This is such a cool movie I'm glad to see it released on DVD and not just on a two tape VHS pack.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[prepheckt 0]

Dude I loved Kenneth Branagh's "Hamlet." It was visually stunning and a credit to what a director with talent can do. I look forward to buying it. It will be well worth the money.

"Dancing Argentine Tango is like doing calculus with your feet."
-9 toes

[swedishcelt 0]

I may be biased because of my profession but I always think the read is ALWAYS better than the movie. To me, it is like comparing an original with a fake. Why bother with one if the other is available.

[prepheckt 0]

I agree, I find the imagination to be far more entertaining then the movie, which is the directors interpetation of what the book is. Although, I thought the first two HP movies were pretty true to the books.

"Dancing Argentine Tango is like doing calculus with your feet."
-9 toes

[Zenister 0]

ok yes it was a good movie, but better than actually reading the play??? no way.. there is simply to much subtext, to much depth and subtleties to any of Shakespeare's works for a single adaptation to cover... an interpretation or performance may focus on particular aspects and ignore others, and this, and the individual performances may make it stand out more than a casual reading would, however an educated reader brings their own experiences to any written work... because of this, a book reveals as much about the reader as it does about the story and does so in manner no movie or performance could ever do...

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[AggieDave 6]

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ok yes it was a good movie, but better than actually reading the play??? no way..

I would definately agree. There's a reason why I've read that play atleast a dozen times (outside of the few times I've been required to read it in high school and college).

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Rookie120 0]

I like to compare the book "Blackhawk Down" and the movie. The movie was very good but compared to the book there is so many details about the mission at hand I think it leaves people who havent read the book at a disadvantage.

If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck!

[AggieDave 6]

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I like to compare the book "Blackhawk Down" and the movie. The movie was very good but compared to the book there is so many details about the mission at hand I think it leaves people who havent read the book at a disadvantage.

Definately! I read that one twice to make sure I got the story and fully remembered the details! Then I passed the book on with the requirement that that person also passes the book along to someone else, etc.


Still haven't seen a "Rogue Warrior" movie...that's probably a good thing.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[prepheckt 0]

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I like to compare the book "Blackhawk Down" and the movie. The movie was very good but compared to the book there is so many details about the mission at hand I think it leaves people who havent read the book at a disadvantage.

Definately! I read that one twice to make sure I got the story and fully remembered the details! Then I passed the book on with the requirement that that person also passes the book along to someone else, etc.


Still haven't seen a "Rogue Warrior" movie...that's probably a good thing.

A full screen Dick Marchinko? I think the movie would get a NC-17 rating, based on some of the things that comes out of his mouth.

"Dancing Argentine Tango is like doing calculus with your feet."
-9 toes

[AggieDave 6]

Ok, joking aside, "Force Recon Diaries, 1969" by Dr. Norton would be a badass movie.

Tricky dick's books into a movie would be like every other over the budget action movie ever made.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[prepheckt 0]

True enough., how about "Marine Sniper". I can't remember who wrote it.

"Dancing Argentine Tango is like doing calculus with your feet."
-9 toes

[AggieDave 6]

Man, there are a lot of non-fiction military books out there such as the Gunny's story, that would be absolutely badass movies (if they did the movie atleast 1/2 as good as the book).

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Rookie120 0]

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how about "Marine Sniper".

I dont think he wrote it, but was that about Carlos Hathcock?

If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck!

[AggieDave 6]

Yes, that book is about "the white feather."

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[prepheckt 0]

It was, but I can't remember who wrote it.

"Dancing Argentine Tango is like doing calculus with your feet."
-9 toes

[happythoughts 0]

Books that were made into excellent movies

Frederick Forsythe

the day of the jackal (the original version)
the dogs of war (Christopher Walken rocks)
the odessa file (so believable that it is scary)
4th protocol

John Le Carre

perfect spy
little drummer girl (even if you don't like Diane Keaton - the story is compelling and makes you think)

[AggieDave 6]

Charles W. Henderson wrote it.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[dixieskydiver 0]

Books are always better, end of story.

Dixie
HISPA #56 Facil Rodriguez
"Scientific research has shown that 60% of the time, it works every time."

[prepheckt 0]

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Charles W. Henderson wrote it.

Thank you! That was going to bother me until I remembered it. So AD, what say you about Robert Ludlum's Bourne trilogy (Identity, Supremacy, and Ultimatum) and subsequent movies. I thought the movies were pretty good, but way off from the books.

"Dancing Argentine Tango is like doing calculus with your feet."
-9 toes

[AggieDave 6]

The books were good, although very typical Ludlum writing. I never did read all of supremacy and never started Ultimatum, they were all too similar.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[happythoughts 0]

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Charles W. Henderson wrote it.

Thank you! That was going to bother me until I remembered it. So AD, what say you about Robert Ludlum's Bourne trilogy (Identity, Supremacy, and Ultimatum) and subsequent movies. I thought the movies were pretty good, but way off from the books.

I read probably most of Robert Ludlums books. After a few, though, they started to seem repetitious. "Spy gets fake papers and sneaks into country with camera..." ...again.

The movie was better in a way because of the action scenes.

[NWFlyer 2]

Usually the book's better than the movie. Occasionally there's one where the movie is just "different" and it works. The one I'm thinking about right now is Trainspotting. The book is so trippy and nonlinear I remember thinking as I was reading this "They're making this into a movie? How the fuck?" But they did it, and managed to make it work, even though it was different.

Usually, though, the movie has to miss a lot of the nuance of the book.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[jtval 0]

hey dave, befor eI go anwewring your question, answer one for me.
WTF is a book?


I've read a few book that were turned into movies and the movies SUCKED ass.

the reason why? b/c when you read, the author paints a picture that YOU see in your mind. when someone else tells the story they tell it how THEY see it. somehow it takes all the personal touches away from a good story

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