(The "call it" scene with Javier Bardem in "No Country for Old Men")
Off the top of my head, I can think of several Stephen King’s books that I’ve enjoyed as movies but have never read including The Shining, IT, The Stand and Storm of the Century. I guess once I saw the movies I was too lazy to go read the books. On the other hand, I saw the first Harry Potter movie and sought out the entire series and got a kick out of reading all of the books.
Current favorite book-to-movie:
“No Country for Old Men” by Cormac McCarthy
Least favorite book-to-movie:
"Phantoms" by Dean Koontz (although, I loved the book.)
(Addendum: I'm adding "Lord of the Rings" to my favorite book to movie list; although, I'm shamed to say I haven't gotten around to reading Tolkien yet; the key word here being yet.)
Quesitons of the day: What are your favorite books to movies adaptions? Have you enjoyed a movie based on a book, but never picked up the book? Least favorite book to movie?
27 comments:
That was a brilliant movie!
Hm. This is a tough one because usually I'm so disappointed by the movie after reading the book. I actually can't think of any right now!
I still need to read No Country. Saw the movie, though, and when I went to buy the book, they were out of stock.
My favorite book-to-movie is The Road. My wife cried at the end, then when we got home, she wanted to pack up our backpacks -- just in case. She had nightmares for a week.
- Eric
Great topic Crimey! I loved No Country but didn't even know there was a book until much later. Shamed to admit I still haven't read it but have read some McCarthy which is amazing writing.
My favorite adaptation of all time is without question the LOTR trilogy. Great film, better book, 'nuff said.
I loved the book The Lovely Bones, and thought the movie was well done. Princess Bride ranks high for me - book and movie are in my top 10 faves. And ok, the kid in me thought Johnny Depp was brilliant in the Alice in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movies - two of my favourite kids books.
My favourite book to movie was The Shawshank Redemption.
"To Kill A Mockingbird" with Gregory Peck. Hands down favorite adaptation.
The worst adaptation I can think of is possibly the awful movie version of A.S. Byatt's "Possession." Truly simply awfully dreadful. Though there have also been some pretty stinko versions of "Three Musketeers." Stephen King's own version of "The Shining" was awful, too. Why would you do that when we have Kubrick's movie?
Ooo! Forgot about Shawshank. One of King's better (and more mature) works, and a great adaptation to the screen. Green Mile was pretty true, too.
- Eric
Oh! Good one on The Green Mile. I LOVED that movie. And only JUST saw it a few days ago...*ducks*
I went back and read Shining years after watching the movie. Way more creepy on paper!
...a most excellent topic!
One that sticks out for me is Grisham's "A Time to Kill." Really enjoyed the book...but truly loved the movie, which somehow managed to cast several talented actors just as their careers were on the cusp of greatness.
I'm almost always so disappointed in movie adaptations that I often avoid films of favourite books.
I did think "The Bone Collector" was well done, but it's funny reading later books and still picturing Denzel Washington, even though the "real" Lincoln Rhyme looks NOTHING like Denzel!
No Country was a good movie--I still haven't read the book. I'm always disappointed by Koontz books into movies.
I loved Revolutionary Road, the book and the movie. I didn't think they'd be able to put it on screen, but it adapted beautifully, mostly because the acting was so good.
I thought Cider House Rules was the best adaptation of a John Irving novel so far.
Interesting topic...
I loved NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN & need to see it again -- & read the book. That scene actually show's the fairness of that Spanish character. [I don't want to ruin it for anyone not familiar w/ either the book or the film].
On the other hand, I loved THE ROAD by this author but the movie didn't do it enough justice. It came close, but I'll probably always prefer the intimacy of the book.
Book to movie -- THE SHINING. Everything about that movie is so chilling. There isn't much gore, especially by today's standards, but the tension & pacing is 1st rate. Then again, a book by Stephen King, a director [Stanley Kubrick] who only did high quality, yet unique, films, & Jack Nicholson. This is some sort of trifecta of filmmaking!
Thanks, DJ Kirkby for reminding me about SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION. Marvelous acting, writing, direction & a pretty good story, too!
Oh, & THE COLLECTOR by John Fowles made into a movie back in the 60s starring Terence Stamp. Book & film are excellent.
P.S. Alicia, thanks for pointing out The Shining, I read the other comments so fast I missed your post.
I thought the book The Shining was scary when I 1st read it & the movie was seen afterwards. I think both movie & book are equally scary. I also didn't see the mini-series they made of this...as to me the 1980 classic will always be the best! :)
It should be noted, with all the mention of The Shining, that Stephen King HATED the Kubrick/Nicholson remake of his book.
With good reason.
In the movie, the main character -- Jack Nicholson -- stayed psychopathic through to the end. His wife had to kill him. He hated his wife and son. In the end, he was a monster.
In the book, though, the main character loved his SON and WIFE so much that he overcame the demons, and sacrificed himself in the boiler blast to save his son. In the end, he was a hero.
Big difference there, especially if you are the offending writer.
There is a more modern remake of The Shining that is far more true to King's vision, and is sanctioned by King himself.
I believe King also retained more control of his subsequent book-to-movie deals because of this.
- Eric
I don't know which is my favorite book-to-movie, but I enjoyed all the Harry Potter movies. Least favorite might be Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, I just thought they changed a lot of things for no apparent reason.
Some really good movies mentioned here; some I'd almost forgotten about.
Eric & Lisa,
Thanks for The Road recommendation. I've been debating on whether or not to see the movie because I enjoyed the book so much and didn't want to ruin the experience for myself. Also, didn't know that the Kubrick/Nicholson remake was completely off the mark. I think King had good reason to be fussy about it.
Matt,
I'm shame that I forgot to mention the LOTR in my original post, so much that I'm going to add an addendum.
Eric,
THE SHINING is made by Stanley Kubrick who has made very few films. In fact, he went for 12 years between FULL METAL JACKET & EYES WIDE SHUT. So, to me, THE SHINING is a stand-alone piece that I happen to love because of the way it was filmed. Those shots from Danny’s POV as he rides around the kitchen & hallways of the Overlook on his Big Wheel are masterpieces. The scene between the boy & the cook, Mr. Halloran, talking about what the title means, Jack explaining to his wife how he doesn’t want to be interrupted when he’s writing…the film is full of great scenes & has departed from the book & I’m fine w/ that.
I can understand Stephen King’s feelings as his work was changed, the theme was changed & I will probably see the mini seriers that he authorized. But it will be an entirely different adaptation. My favorite will probably always be the 1980 version.
Crimey,
Maybe you should watch the trailer for THE ROAD & see if you want to watch the film version. Here's a link to it:
The Road trailer
...with "The Road" being the hot topic of conversation, I literally just finished watching it with my teenage son, and read the book about a year ago.
The movie was okay, but as with many big screen adaptations...left a number of intimate scenes on the cutting room floor. Could've...and should've been better. The effects were believable though, which was a plus.
Lisa,
The trailer looks good. It's on itunes now, so I'm going to rent it from there.
Elliot,
I tend to go into most books-to-movies thinking that it's not going to be as good as the book.
Oh, that reminds me I read DaVinci Code and I saw the movie, and didn't like it so much. I thought if I didn't read the book I wouldn't have gotten the point of the movie.
Two favorite book to movie adaptations I can think of off the top of my head:
The first and second Harry Potter movies
The Accidental Tourist
Shame on me for only being able to think of my unfavorites. I have enjoyed a few Stephen King flicks though. And, I probably enjoyed watching the Wizard of Oz more than I enjoyed reading it.
I enjoyed the movie but didn't care too much for the book. McCarthy's spare way of writing just isn't my style.
Nice blog! :)
I've liked Miss Potter.
In general, I love books more then movies, but this case is an exception, I've loved the movie more.
I've likes Miss Potter.
The book is goos as the movie.
Post a Comment