Best books into movies?
By KATRINKA
@KATRINKA (1624)
United States
March 27, 2007 12:16pm CST
Usually, after I read a book and then watch the movie, I'm usually disappointed. One example that comes to mind is THE HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG. The book was so well-written and such a page-turner. The conflicts kept rising and rising, so that I was in suspense. I also liked the way the author wrote from different points of view. When I saw the movie, I felt some elements and situations in the book that were left out made the movie less suspenseful. However, I liked the camera angles used in the film. I've read some of the Wizard of Oz books and liked them. But I love the movie even more. If only the characters in the books could sing and dance! I've read Gone With the Wind many times, and I also saw the movie. Loved them both. I read PRACTICAL MAGIC by Alice Hoffman, and my reaction was lukewarm. I enjoyed the movie so much more. Then again, with Nicole Kidman, Aidan Quinn, and Sandra Bullock, it couldn't be a bad movie.
What do you feel are the best books that have been made into movies?
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5 responses
@muscare (3068)
• Australia
30 Mar 07
Being a great fan of (whisper) Stephen King, I've been very disappointed with the conversion of book to screen. I think the screenwriters literally butcher the original story, until there is little semblance left. There have been a few exceptions, especially more recently, but on the whole, rather disappointing!
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@muscare (3068)
• Australia
31 Mar 07
Haven't actually seen the series, though I've heard good reviews about it. I don't know if Stephen King has anything to do with series,other than the fact the characters are based on his novel of the same name. Loved the book and the movie, though.
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@KATRINKA (1624)
• United States
1 Apr 07
The series is very different from the book. I enjoyed it when if first came on, but now that there's so much time between seasons, I haven't watched it as much. Anthony Michael Hall does a great job in the series. Nicole DeBoer who plays the girl he was dating when he went into the coma isn't likeable to me. Some of the characters from the book are combined with other characters for the series.
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@peaceful (3294)
• United States
29 Mar 07
"Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil" and "The Postman Always Rings Twice" comes to mind as well as "Jurassic Park"
The power of a good story did make it to the screen in these cases...
Good Discussion, I'm going to come back and see what other people think! :)
Some free entertainment for you:
http://www.tubezoom.com
Have an excellent day! :)
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@CarlHalling (3617)
• United Kingdom
7 May 07
I saw "The House of Sand and Fog" recently. I didn't find it gripping or suspenseful, but Ben Kingsley's performance was outstanding and quite immensely moving, proving once again that he is one of the world's greatest actors, if not the very greatest.
One of the most succesful book-to-movie adaptations of recent years was "The English Patient", which while different to the novel in many respects remained close to the original spirit, as the director Minghella worked closely with the novelist Ondaatje. Despite my own many reservations regarding this movie, I thought that aesthetically, it was a triumph.
@CarlHalling (3617)
• United Kingdom
14 May 07
I'm not sure if the author was in the last scene. It was Ron Eldard who played the police officer. I thought he wasn't too bad. But Kingsley's performance was stunning; what an artist. "The English Patient" is an outstandingly beautiful movie; but be warned: it is terribly sad. Also, some folks had strong reservations about the movie's content, me included. But...superb work of art.
@KATRINKA (1624)
• United States
14 May 07
Ben Kingsley was amazing in "The House of Sand and Fog." I didn't like the actor who played the cop, however. At the end of the movie, wasn't the author in the last scene?
I read and enjoyed "The English Patient," but I have not seen the film.After your review, I'll have to rent it.
@CarlHalling (3617)
• United Kingdom
14 May 07
Another point: Unlike you, I haven't read the book; but the movie differs in many points...just thought I'd warn you...:o)
@iampaperbag (262)
• Philippines
28 Mar 07
I love Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban when it first came out. In fact, it still remains my favorite book in the Harry Potter series. I had misgivings about the movie adaptation given that the first two movie installments weren't that mesmerizing. Guess what? I loved the film version. Kudos to director Alfonso Cuaron for doing it right.
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@sumofalltears (3988)
• United States
28 Mar 07
Sometimes I could wish I saw the movie before reading the book and at other times it is the other way around. The movies made from Steven King books are all way off from the books and some are bad because of that and others are marginal. The Bourne Trilogy was excellent and followed the books pretty close. John Sauls God Project was mangled, but in a good way. Clive Cussler books tranlate well to movies as do Dean Koontz.
@KATRINKA (1624)
• United States
29 Mar 07
In some cases it is harder to translate a book onto the screen. I imagine it's hard to write a screenplay from King's works because his novels are so long. How do you decide which elements to include in the film?
One of my requisites for watching a film based on a novel is that I must read the novel first.
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