Major plot differences, character changes, and they added a love story (or twisted one sort of)...and all for the better. It's still a great book, but it's an even better movie.
The Hunger Games. An amazing story but the writing is such drivel that I feared my ability to understand polysyllabic words was in danger by the time I reached the end of the series.
Jan 7, 2023·edited Jan 7, 2023Liked by Vince Guerra
Jaws. The characters are forgettable in the novel, but that is certainly not the case in the movie. The story in the movie is also tighter overall. Some thrillers just work much more effectively in a visual medium.
Though I haven't read the book, I can't imagine The Princess Bride without the lovable actors who delivered completely unforgettable characters that my family quotes almost daily!
Good book. Debatable which is better IMO and only because Fezik's and Inigo's backstories in the book are so well written. But the book has flaws whereas the movie is practically perfect in every way so I guess it wins.
I think a huge part of the success of the film was really the casting and execution of each part. It was paced well, and the delivery of little quips and comments was excellent!
Jan 9, 2023·edited Jan 9, 2023Liked by Vince Guerra
Ooh! Such a great question! Hmm... I know it would be blasphemy for some Tolkien fans to say Jackson's movies, however I really love the movies. Coppola did an amazing job with The Godfather (and the sequel). I agree about Jaws. LA Confidential is an incredible movie. First Blood, Goodfellas, The Princess Bride...
Aaaaaand we have another tie. This time it's between The Last of the Mohicans and The Hunger Games. According to MFC rules Ireland, the member who posted the question will get to choose the winner.
Ok so this was hard because the conclusion I came to is that some movies aren’t necessarily “better”than the book- just different.
Hear me out...
The two choices I struggled with is due to the fact that I loved the movies for entirely different reasons than the books but these reasons weren’t conflicting. For example- I loved the 1995 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility directed by Ang Lee. I’ve watched the movie at least a dozen times. The cast, the period and cinematography all top notch. Recently, I read the book (well... most of it... there may have been some skimming 😬). It’s meaty and intelligent- the dictionary was always close by. It brought a greater depth and understanding to the characters. There was also quite a bit more humor and more depth of feeling and endearing moments. Mostly, one is drawn into the time period not just by the detailed descriptions, but by the actual language of the time and this is an aspect the movie can never quite capture. And yet, I still loved the movie more, but it’s a strange comparison because it’s not like comparing apples to oranges, but more like comparing a Granny Smith apple to a Honey Crisp apple.
Still, a decision must be made and an answer given...
I love that movie. Shannon, might give me the side eye, 😁 but I’m going with Sense and Sensibility. Final answer.
It's good, not my favorite version though. Now as for apples, I agree that Granny Smith and Honey Crisp are on par, and both on a much lower tier than king Fuji.
The 2008 BBC version. We've got a DVD of it and watch it every few years. The ending is far better in my opinion and believe Mrs. Guerra will agree.
Fun fact: Lucy Boynton, the one who played the youngest Dashwood when she was little also played a young Beatrix Potter in Ms. Potter (great movie) and also Freddie Mercury's wife in Bohemian Rhapsody.
I know, right. Shan was looking up her IMDB and saw her listed on Bohemian Rhapsody and told me (Shannon didn't watch it, she loathes most 80's music).
I was like, "What!? She played Freddie Mercury's wife!?"
Well, I suppose some of it IS rather loathable 😂 but then some of it is iconic and the lyrics are poetry and/or actually tell a story in REAL English words! 😁
She likes stories!
Is she including 80’s classic rock in the mix? Tom Petty? Bruce? Fleetwood Mac? It will be hard, but I will try to get over it 🥺😉😂
Just an interesting side bar: When I looked up a list of books that were later turned into movies I was shocked to discover how few of them I’ve actually read before (or even after the movie) and then I was even more shocked to discover the handful of movies I didn’t even know originated from books. 🤦🏻♀️ Maybe I should stop thinking of myself as a “reader” 😬😁 All I can say in my defense- too many good books, too little time. 🤷🏻♀️😁
I have two choices that I’m still chewing on. I’ll be back with my answer in a little bit.
1408 (2007), not because the Stephen King story was bad, but because, in this case, the film dramatically extended the story in a fashion wholly harmonious to the original with John Cusack and Samuel Jackson delivering delicious performances as the unshakable skeptic and the hotel manager who no longer enjoys the luxury of such skepticism.
The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
Major plot differences, character changes, and they added a love story (or twisted one sort of)...and all for the better. It's still a great book, but it's an even better movie.
The Hunger Games. An amazing story but the writing is such drivel that I feared my ability to understand polysyllabic words was in danger by the time I reached the end of the series.
Jaws. The characters are forgettable in the novel, but that is certainly not the case in the movie. The story in the movie is also tighter overall. Some thrillers just work much more effectively in a visual medium.
Though I haven't read the book, I can't imagine The Princess Bride without the lovable actors who delivered completely unforgettable characters that my family quotes almost daily!
The Princess Bride is my final answer!
Good book. Debatable which is better IMO and only because Fezik's and Inigo's backstories in the book are so well written. But the book has flaws whereas the movie is practically perfect in every way so I guess it wins.
I think a huge part of the success of the film was really the casting and execution of each part. It was paced well, and the delivery of little quips and comments was excellent!
But Chris is right...the movie is better...🙃
Except for the backstories of Inigo and Fezzik (which were awesome), I did not generally care for the book. I am, however, a great fan of the sequel 😁
Though you haven't read the book...hey! I call for a challenge! Where do we keep those challenge flags?
The book is amazing. The movie is also amazing. And the sequel, well... :D
The Man in the Iron Mask (1998)
A far superior movie versus the book.
Ooh! Such a great question! Hmm... I know it would be blasphemy for some Tolkien fans to say Jackson's movies, however I really love the movies. Coppola did an amazing job with The Godfather (and the sequel). I agree about Jaws. LA Confidential is an incredible movie. First Blood, Goodfellas, The Princess Bride...
I'm going to have to go with Stand By Me.
Final answer.
And the winner is: The Last of the Mohicans. Good match everyone, see you Saturday.
Aaaaaand we have another tie. This time it's between The Last of the Mohicans and The Hunger Games. According to MFC rules Ireland, the member who posted the question will get to choose the winner.
Shrek
Wait, Shrek was a book?! That’s super interesting…
Ok so this was hard because the conclusion I came to is that some movies aren’t necessarily “better”than the book- just different.
Hear me out...
The two choices I struggled with is due to the fact that I loved the movies for entirely different reasons than the books but these reasons weren’t conflicting. For example- I loved the 1995 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility directed by Ang Lee. I’ve watched the movie at least a dozen times. The cast, the period and cinematography all top notch. Recently, I read the book (well... most of it... there may have been some skimming 😬). It’s meaty and intelligent- the dictionary was always close by. It brought a greater depth and understanding to the characters. There was also quite a bit more humor and more depth of feeling and endearing moments. Mostly, one is drawn into the time period not just by the detailed descriptions, but by the actual language of the time and this is an aspect the movie can never quite capture. And yet, I still loved the movie more, but it’s a strange comparison because it’s not like comparing apples to oranges, but more like comparing a Granny Smith apple to a Honey Crisp apple.
Still, a decision must be made and an answer given...
I love that movie. Shannon, might give me the side eye, 😁 but I’m going with Sense and Sensibility. Final answer.
It's good, not my favorite version though. Now as for apples, I agree that Granny Smith and Honey Crisp are on par, and both on a much lower tier than king Fuji.
Oh, and what IS your favorite version of S&S? I’ve never had the opportunity to watch the others.
The 2008 BBC version. We've got a DVD of it and watch it every few years. The ending is far better in my opinion and believe Mrs. Guerra will agree.
Fun fact: Lucy Boynton, the one who played the youngest Dashwood when she was little also played a young Beatrix Potter in Ms. Potter (great movie) and also Freddie Mercury's wife in Bohemian Rhapsody.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0847150/
Ha! I’ve seen both of those movies and never noticed that before. I love fun facts :)
I know, right. Shan was looking up her IMDB and saw her listed on Bohemian Rhapsody and told me (Shannon didn't watch it, she loathes most 80's music).
I was like, "What!? She played Freddie Mercury's wife!?"
Loathes 80’s music?! 😱Nooooo
Well, I suppose some of it IS rather loathable 😂 but then some of it is iconic and the lyrics are poetry and/or actually tell a story in REAL English words! 😁
She likes stories!
Is she including 80’s classic rock in the mix? Tom Petty? Bruce? Fleetwood Mac? It will be hard, but I will try to get over it 🥺😉😂
No, I like classic rock. And I love old U2. 😁 And some Journey, and The Eagles…I guess the line of classic rock is a little fuzzy.
😁 We tend to favor Gala’s.
Side eye given. ;) I would've agreed with you the first time I read the book, though.
Just an interesting side bar: When I looked up a list of books that were later turned into movies I was shocked to discover how few of them I’ve actually read before (or even after the movie) and then I was even more shocked to discover the handful of movies I didn’t even know originated from books. 🤦🏻♀️ Maybe I should stop thinking of myself as a “reader” 😬😁 All I can say in my defense- too many good books, too little time. 🤷🏻♀️😁
I have two choices that I’m still chewing on. I’ll be back with my answer in a little bit.
1408 (2007), not because the Stephen King story was bad, but because, in this case, the film dramatically extended the story in a fashion wholly harmonious to the original with John Cusack and Samuel Jackson delivering delicious performances as the unshakable skeptic and the hotel manager who no longer enjoys the luxury of such skepticism.
Wow, I did not know Shrek was a book. I was 9 when it came out, nobody mentioned it.