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Book vs. Movie

Smrtbibliophile April 21st, 2023

Hi All!

Piggy backing off @sirenAngel post about what do you like to read I am wondering what movie based on a book did you find that was equal to or better than the book? Or, on the flip side what movie as a book lover do you really feel they messed up?

For me, I think the Notebook movie was better than the book. I also think Netflix has done a pretty decent job with some YA adaptations (Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen comes to mind). I've seen a lot of disappointing movies but what really let me down was Memoirs of a Geisha. One of my favorite books and the movie while beautiful didn't do the story justice imo.

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disappearedCompletely April 21st, 2023

Hmm, I guess it's a lot easier for me to think of terrible adaptions than good ones.

But the obvious choice for me is Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is not BETTER than the books, but I think it measures up as an equal. I would even say I like some things better in the movie than the books, like how they handled Saruman's end.

As much as I get how the Scouring of the Shire is supposed to show that evil remains even with Sauron gone, it still feels a bit out of place in the book. Saruman being flung from his tower and impaled is a lot more dramatic and fits the pace of the story. Maybe that's a controversial opinion of mine lol

4 replies
Smrtbibliophile OP April 21st, 2023

@disappearedCompletely

I wish I could agree or disagree (for a healthy debate) with this but I've never read the books or seen the movies šŸ˜. I tried to read the book and didn't get very far. It was one of my Mom's favorites so now I want to try again.

However I do understand the whole the change made the flow better. I think some changes in Harry Potter are better, but still prefer the books.

What is the worst book to movie adaptation do you think?

3 replies
disappearedCompletely April 21st, 2023

@Smrtbibliophile Eragon comes to mind. As a kid I remember loving the book but hating the movie. I can't even remember the plot of the book anymore. It was like a defense mechanism, the movie was so bad I lost all memory of the book

2 replies
Smrtbibliophile OP April 21st, 2023

@disappearedCompletely

I haven't seen/read that either but I just looked it up.

Did you ever read The Princess Bride? Even though the book was good I think the movie was better.

1 reply
disappearedCompletely April 21st, 2023

@SmrtbibliophileN Not read the book but I love that movie. It's a classic.

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Smrtbibliophile OP April 21st, 2023

I just remembered one of the worst I've seen - My Sisters Keeper. They completely changed the ending!! šŸ˜”

MakunaHatata April 21st, 2023

Nicholas Sparks is legendary for romance. The one Miley Cyrus was in, The Last Song. I read the book first and felt the book was so much better. There were certain scenes that the movie just couldnā€™t touch. The writing allowed my mind to think up a fantasy. Thatā€™s what books are for after all. To make your mind wonder. There were a few things the movie added that I liked as well. The movie allowed us to hear the music and music touches a part of the brain that opens some kind of door or something but it ties it together. The movie was okay, but that book was a really good read.

Iā€™m curious to see what other movies will be made from his books because he really will go down as legendary in my opinion.

3 replies
Smrtbibliophile OP April 21st, 2023

@Parker64

The last song was a great read! I'm with you though, the movie had its good points but the book was better.

Have you seen the other movies based on his books?

2 replies
MakunaHatata April 21st, 2023

I promised my gf i would watch them with her. Iā€™ve only seen the notebook, walk to remember (favorite!!) last song and one more I think. Did you read A Bend in the Road? Or At First Sight? I was a teenager when I read them but I blubbered like a baby!

1 reply
Smrtbibliophile OP April 21st, 2023

@Parker64

He has another one I think called Dear John and then I also think Safe Haven is based on a book he wrote but not 100 percent. I did read A Walk and did think the movie was better than the book (same with The Notebook, but I also have a thing for Ryan Gosling - especially after watching his response to the 'Ryan Gosling won't his cereal' videos.)

I have not read those but am a sucker for books that make me cry so I will have to look into those! I love a good YA book because I can usually get through it quickly and it makes me feel like a genius lol.

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