I know, that makes me a weirdo right!? Or someone who doesn’t read many books or see many movies. The first might be true but the others aren’t. I love to watch movies made from books. I think I might be one of the only ones. Most people hate the book to movie genre. Lament the plot skips or deconstruction or something. Not me. I love it.
It’s like getting to see inside the head of someone else’s version of the movie. Sure I might have imagined Harry Potter taller or Katniss meaner looking but I don’t mind one bit that for the movie people it didn’t look that way. I think one of my favourite parts is reading a book and then listening to other people give their interpretation or experience of it. Movies are just awesome versions of that.
Anyway, I was just putting together the post for tomorrow while watching a Potter movie. Then I had this thought. So what’s a blog for if you don’t share random thoughts with the world right? Also, I can’t wait for the next Hunger Games movie. I’m like a tweenie-bopper I’m so excited. It’s sad really.
Anyway, movies made from books are awesome. I love them. Give me more!
That’s what I think. What about you?
Hi! I’m Melissa Walker Horn. Around here, they call me Suger. I’m the Chief Blogger and doer of all the things here at Suger Coat It. Blogging since 1901; I love a casual ootd, taking photos, and writing about things that irk or inspire me. I love wine and cheese, long days at the beach and spending time with my family. I make stuff for the internet over at Chalkboard Digital. You know, living the sweet life.
I’ve loved some and hated others. Example- World War Z. My husband and I adored the book, and we’ve both read it twice. Full of really engaging and interesting social commentary. The movie featuring Brad Pitt came out, and we both approached it with trepidation. Yep, as expected, they edited it so much that there is barely any similarities between the book and the movie- you’d be forgiven for thinking they were unrelated. That was a huge disappointment.
That being said, years ago I remember reading and watching ‘Looking for Alibrandi’. The movie was AWESOME, even better than the book. So sometimes, they get it right 🙂
I haven’t read World War Z, but plan to AFTER the movie. To avoid such things. Especially now you’ve said that. And you know WHAT, I absolutely agree with you re: Looking for Alibrandi.
I generally don’t mind movies from books as long as they don’t completely mess it up. TV shows may be another thing though. I was a big fan of the Dexter books, read them all. Watched the first episode of the TV and spend the whole time going no, no, NO! You’ve got it all WRONG! And Dexter is so wrong. I hated it and couldn’t watch another minute of it haha Such a snob 😛
Baahaha. I didn’t even think of television! Because while we’re on it, that Hannibal series is crapola.
I love them too. I sometimes wonder why they change certain things, but like you said it’s their interpretation of the book. And I love that they do it. Most of the time I love the book more, but I still like the movies. Just as a different version of themselves.
Same same. I watched the first Hunger Games movie then read all three books because it peeked my interest. It’s like the movie’s are a trailer for the books or something. Haha.
Only if they do the book right. I have seen many movies that leave out huge parts of the book. That gets on my nerves big time.
Haha. That’s a common take on things. 😉
Hmm, I can go either way on this one.
I HATED the first Harry Potter film after reading the first book and so I haven’t read a single Harry Potter book since and I have loved the movies. Hated the Twilight films, but I really have a feeling that has to do with the acting. Loved the Tomorrow When The War Began film and I’ve read that series at least a dozen times. AS for the Hunger Games books/movies, well, I saw the first movie before reading any of the books and so I have committed to seeing the movie before reading the book with those. So I enjoyed the movie and the book that way surprisingly.
I think it just comes down to the movie being done really well. I understand that a two hour movie can’t hold all the detail of a book and that the beauty of books is it is up to the readers imagination to interprate the words whichever way they like. I think also for some there are details that feel of utter importance that seem irrelevant to others etc.
So for me it will depend on the book and movie. For now if I haven’t read the book I will try the movie first because then I can enjoy that and use the book to further my understanding and imagination, but either way one loses a little of that BANG because you already know the outcome.
I love this! I actually agree with the Twilight movies. I thought the Bella of the books had way more guts and personality then the movie version. Maybe that was in the acting or the movie script writing, or my perception of the books but whatever it was, Bella only showed any guts at all in the dream sequence in the final movie. Still, I enjoy the movies. I just don’t compare them to the books. EVER. 😉
I’ve seen To Kill A Mockingbird and loved it as much as the book, but I also saw Firestarter and was terribly disappointed. The book was so much better, but after seeing the movie I found I could no longer read the book because I kept seeing movie images in my mind. I enjoyed reading all the Jack Reacher stories by Lee Child and when I heard a movie was being made I got a bit excited, then heard that Tom Cruise was cast in the Jack Reacher role. I wasn’t sure that would work well because in the books Jack is over six feet tall and we all know that Tom Cruise isn’t, so I was imagining Jack as being more like Liam Neeson. but I’ve seen the movie now and it’s quite a lot better than I expected. Really rather good. And Tom is wearing a gorgeous brown leather jacket…
So, all up, I’d say it depends on how well the storyline is followed and who is cast in the main character roles. One For The Money, with Debbie Reynolds as Grandma Mazur didn’t work for me, they needed someone more feisty in that role.
I LOVE this. Haha. Love the commentary on Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher. I’ll be sure to check it out. I completely agree with you about To Kill A Mockingbird.
I actually enjoy the book-to-film genre, but I can’t say I’ve liked all the book-to-films I’ve seen. Worst would by far be ‘Dreamcatcher ‘ by Stephen King….great book, crap house film. Best? Most definitely ‘To Kill A Mockingbird ‘ by Harper Lee…
YES! To Kill A Mockingbird was really good. REALLY REALLY GOOD.
And now you will never picture Atticus Finch as anyone other than Gregory Peck….right?!
Absolutely. And yet, he was nothing really like my teen self imaged Atticus Finch to be. That reminds me, I must pull out my old copy and reread it.
I love reading the book of a movie I’ve seen but haven’t read, but rarely the other way around. Although, unlike many it seems, I adored Baz’s The Great Gatsby (though, let’s face it, it’s Catherine that makes Baz Baz) and that’s one of my all-time fave books so… maybe… x
Yes! I prefer it that way too mostly and cannot WAIT to see The Great Gatsby! That Catherine is AMAZING. I totally agree.
I love reading a book when the movie has been cast but hasn’t been released. Then if the movie version is disapointing I have at least had the same actors/characters play out the correct story whil i read the book.
Ooooo, good plan! Love this.
I’m one of those people that hate books adapted to movies but I live in hope that it will all change with the Fifty Shades movie lol
My most hated book turned movies are My Sisters Keeper and PS I Love You, they were sooooo disappointing
Actually, My Sisters Keeper was a stretch, even for me. Haha.