Books - Book or Movie Better?

Kimberly · 10-17-2004, 10:50 PM

Normally I like books better then the movies they make later. What about you guys?? Do you normally like the book or movie better? Any exceptions to your rule? For example I don't like the book to Jaws at all but I loved the movie.

~Kim

**angelface211** · 10-18-2004, 12:04 AM

I've always liked the book better than the movie and the only exception to that was A Walk to Remember. I hated the book, but the movie was really good.

supergirlhero · 10-18-2004, 05:06 AM

Usually I like the book better, but there are some movies which clarify the book for me, or are even good in their own way, such as the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Soz · 10-18-2004, 07:31 AM

I almost always like the book better. One of my few exceptions is Foxfire by Joyce Carol Oates because I liked the updated aspect of the movie and it wasn't quite so depressing as the book (I find I just can't read Oates anymore because she depresses the heck out me). I also liked the end of the Fight Club movie better than the book, but then the author did too. I know there's another movie I liked better than the book, but I can't remember what it was. I haven't read A Walk to Remember, but I did sort of skim it and from what I read, I like the movie better too. Then there are Clive Barker's movies, which I like equally to his books, but then he directed most of the movies.

Profaine Angel · 10-18-2004, 08:50 AM

Apart from LOTR and Double Indemnity, I don't think I've ever liked a book less than the film

not that I can think of anyway!

22 Umbrellas · 10-20-2004, 02:12 AM

If it's "based on a true story" I almost always like the movie better because it dramaticizes the story and leaves out boring details. Otherwise, I almost always prefer the book, provided I like the writing style. If the movie has extraordinarily good acting/music/writing, I may reconsider.

**AliasUnknown** · 10-20-2004, 01:48 PM

The book that the Christopher Reeve movie Somewhere in Time was based on, pales in comparison to the movie. As does the book Shining Through which was made into a movie of the same name starring Michael Douglas and Melanie Griffith, but other than that, I usually prefer the book.

**LilMouse** · 10-20-2004, 06:07 PM

It depends. With the book She's Come Undone, I know if a movie were to be made it wouldn't be as good. I read A Time For Dancing and the movie doesn't compare to it. I saw the movie Trainspotting before reading the book. I love the movie & book the same & can't decide which one I like better. Both bring different aspects to the story. I read Big Fish before seeing the movie. I like both, but I'm glad changes were made to the movie.

Crossbow · 10-20-2004, 08:26 PM

Are we only talking about movies based on books? Because books based on movies are always terrible, with one exception: The Abyss, by Orson Scott Card, which is a special case because the book was written along with the movie, as it was developing.

Generally I like the books better. Some notable exceptions:

Emma by Jane Austen. Too fluffy to hold my attention as a book, but good as a movie, when you only have to devote two hours to it.

A Room with a View by E.M. Forster. GOD that was a boring book - Ill never know why they thought it would make a good movie, but I'm glad they did.

Anything to do with King Arthur, because the books are all "blah-blah-brave, blah-blah-pure, blah-blah-honor."

The Naked Lunch, by William S. Burroughs, which may not count since the movie was about the writing of the book.

Bladerunner because the book (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K Dick) was preachy. And the author was, y'know, insane.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? because seriously, does anyone ever really LIKE reading the Odessy?

Kimberly · 10-21-2004, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Crossbow
Are we only talking about movies based on books? Because books based on movies are always terrible, with one exception: The Abyss, by Orson Scott Card, which is a special case because the book was written along with the movie, as it was developing.

When I posted this I was thinking movies based on books. But that is a good point 99.9% of those are horrid!! When I worked in a bookstore I couldn't believe that people would actually read them

Crossbow · 10-21-2004, 07:49 PM

I did when I was younger. Or, I tried to. I think I read the "Star Wars" trilogy books (ack! gag!) and the first Indiana Jones book before I learnt my lesson.

Oh, the book of "The Phantom Menace" was good - it had some character development that had been sadly lacking in the movie. It was written by Terry Brooks, who's also done some other good things. Sometimes if they get a good author, AND if the author also was really into the movie, it can turn out well.

**Maddy** · 10-21-2004, 09:04 PM

I think it depends actually. I think that generely the book is much better than the movie, let us all remember the Harry Potter fiasco...

But there are some exceptions like Lord of The Rings, I read the three LoTR books, and I like the movies better. Oh, and Interview With the Vampire. The movie? Much better tha the book.

Kimberly · 10-22-2004, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by **Maddy**
I think it depends actually. I think that generely the book is much better than the movie, let us all remember the Harry Potter fiasco...

I agree that it really depends a lot. I think the more complex a books plot and character development is the harder it is to match or better. It takes an amazing screen writer to do that. That is why I was so impressed by LOTR. There is so much information in those books and I think they did an amazing job of portraying the mood and plot of the book. Of course they also weren't afraid to make longer movies.

However, some of the worst adaptations I have ever seen are the books of John Grisham. It got so bad that he stopped giving rights to his books for years.

**AliasUnknown** · 10-22-2004, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Crossbow

O Brother, Where Art Thou? because seriously, does anyone ever really LIKE reading the Odessy?

I loved The Odyssey, but I loved O Brother, Where Art Thou? more.

wixn · 10-24-2004, 09:40 AM

i like books because it is more detailed and more interesting than movie although im fond of watching movie too