Comments on: Books to Film (Booking through Thursday)

By: Superfast Reader

Superfast Reader — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 21:22:13 +0000

I’m not crazy about the Harry Potter movies, but that’s just me.

Hmm…short stories. The first one that comes to mind is The Snows of Kilimanjaro, but I haven’t seen that movie.

By: Sensawunda

Sensawunda — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 21:18:54 +0000

I think the Harry Potter movies have made some significant improvements on the books, even though there were things I wish they didn’t have to leave out.

Some of the better movie adaptations come from short stories rather than novels. They don’t have to leave stuff out. Alas, my brain is drawing a blank on coming up with an example.

By: Superfast Reader

Superfast Reader — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:49:11 +0000

I actually don’t love the Godfather movie, but read the book a couple of times as a good page turner. I can see why the movie is considered a masterpiece, but it doesn’t do anything for me, personally.

By: Ian Stewart

Ian Stewart — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:14:27 +0000

Ooh, the best has to be the Godfather. That book was terrible. The movie was a masterwork.

I can’t actually pick a worst. I rent book adaptations so I can easily talk to my wife about a book without having to make her read it. The worst adaptation meets all my requirements.

By: Superfast Reader

Superfast Reader — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 11:37:19 +0000

Great examples. I’m fascinated by the topic & realized I forgot to add the tag for “film adaptations” at the bottom of the post. Apparently I’ve talked about this many times before.

By: OpenChannel

OpenChannel — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 06:45:12 +0000

As a screenwriter, I understand the necessity of omitting and changing stories to fit movie format. It’s really challenging and impossible to get all the elements of character and story in. You have to accept it on its own.

That said, there are definitely people who have a better grasp of how to do this and make it work.

I agree with the LOTR assessment.

The Sweet Hereafter. Love the book and the film. Read the book afterwards. Told very differently and both effective.

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. Saw the film first and loved it. Didn’t finish the book. I couldn’t sympathize with Gilbert, he was… well, less sympathetic.

Mother Night. Book first, movie second, loved them both. It’s certainly the best Vonnegut book adaptation.

Joy Luck Club. Book First, movie second. A really nicely done adaptation.

I heard such horrible things about the film Divine Sisters of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood that I didn’t want to read the book, but a friend insisted that I do. I adored the book. Then I tried to watch the film. It was the WORST adaptation I’ve ever seen. Never finished watching it.

I could go on… but I won’t. Great topic, though!

By: Fleiger

Fleiger — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 01:02:49 +0000

Heh… nice to see my reviews carry some weight

I just got a comment from somebody on my OotP review that she is waiting for somebody to make a short series on Harry Potter books, because she didn’t like the movies.

By: Callista

Callista — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 03:01:51 +0000

I didn’t know The Devil Wears Prada wa a book. Off to see the rest of your blog.

My answers: http://smsbookreviews.blogspot.....ay_12.html

By: » But what these unobservant birds

» But what these unobservant birds — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:34:10 +0000

[...] the comments to Superfast Reader’s post Books to Film (Booking Through Thursday), I made offhand mention of the parallel I see between Lancelot and Galahad of Arthurian legend and [...]

By: Superfast Reader

Superfast Reader — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 23:14:09 +0000

I haven’t seen either of those… and don’t think I will