Film.
- casting – spot on (even though I’m not usually a Kidman fan)
- the ‘groundhog day’ element of the plot played out better on the screen than in print
- the house – kind of creepy; not what I imagined but in a good way
Category Archives: Book vs Film
Book vs. Film – Revolutionary Road
Book.
- For the final breakfast scene. How does Yates capture that devastating, strained tension so perfectly with words?
- For the important insight into the thoughts of some critical characters (notably Shep Campbell and Howard Givings)
- The deceptions… Ask yourself, are you immune?
But the film puts up a jolly good fight.
Book vs. Film – The Book Thief
It seems that I’m making a bit of a habit of not choosing between the book and the film*. But I can’t help it if ‘they’ keep making film versions of my favourite books.
I cried for about two hours as I watched The Book Thief. So obviously, it was very, very good. They got the characters right. The actors didn’t overplay the German accents. The setting was largely how I imagined it. Only two things annoyed me, and they were so minor that I’m obviously being picky (but I bet you still want to know what they were**).
The reason I’m allowing a total cop-out on a critique of the film is simply because I went to a screening that included question-and-answer time with author Markus Zusak. And I think it’s far more interesting to report on his thoughts about the book and the movie than mine. Continue reading
They should make a movie of that…
First book, then movie. I miss lots of new-release movies because I haven’t read the book. In fact, my chief-movie-going-pal often gives me advance warning of movies she wants to see with a simple “Read the book now because the movie is out in a month.” I have lovely, considerate friends.
Even though the book is nearly always better than the movie (nearly), it doesn’t stop me imagining the movie version of books I’ve loved. Some books just scream ‘screenplay please’. This week’s Top Ten topic, hosted by The Broke and Bookish, is Books I Would Love To See As A Movie.
1. Rules of Civility by Amor Towles – the first thing I thought when I finished this glorious book last week was – Film. Stat. Continue reading
Book vs. Film – What Maisie Knew
When I posted a book versus film review of Gatsby I copped out and didn’t pick one over the other. I’m doing that again with the recent movie adaptation of the Henry James classic, What Maisie Knew.
James is without question my favourite classic author. A number of his stories have been made into films over the last forty years, notably The Portrait of a Lady starring Nicole Kidman and The Golden Bowl starring Uma Thurman (I didn’t care for the movie version of Washington Square starring Jennifer Jason Leigh at all, nor The Wings of a Dove starring Helena Bonham Carter).
Film directors generally stick to the period piece when bringing James’s stories to the screen although all that changes with What Maisie Knew directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel. Continue reading
Actually, I saw the film first (and it was quite good)
I read the book before I see the film. Almost always.
This week’s Top Ten Tuesday topic (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish) is about Best/Worst Movie Adaptations. I covered my favourite movie adaptations here and I simply won’t dwell on the worst (it’s the Pollyanna in me). So, with a slight tweak to the topic, my top ten covers great movies I’ve seen before reading the book*.
1. Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick; movie starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence – because Bradley Cooper (see gratuitous pic above if in doubt… and there’s another one at the end because I have no shame). Continue reading
Book vs. Film: The Great Gatsby
I was lucky enough to see an advance screening of The Great Gatsby last night (it opens in Australia tonight). It was perfection down to the very last sequin.
I’m not even going to attempt a book versus film comparison because it’s all bloody brilliant. I love the book. I love Baz Luhmann’s interpretation. Continue reading
Re-reads ahead. Because films on the way.
Given the number of books I haven’t read at all, it sometimes seems a bit mad re-reading particular books. But it is nice to revisit old favourites. And I always like to re-read a book if a movie version is on the way, particularly if the movie is based on a book by one of my favourite authors.
Which is why I’ll have to get my skates on for What Maisie Knew, due for release in the US this month. The movie, starring Julianne Moore, is a modern re-telling of the Henry James classic.
Also on the horizon is Tiger Eyes, based on the book by Judy Blume. Continue reading
Book vs. Film: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Book.
- For the incredible creative writing and equally incredible creative printing.
- Because Tom Hanks. Urgh. It was all downhill after Big. And don’t even mention F. Gump.
- Because Sandra Bullock. Not as much urgh as Tom Hanks but not right here.
- That said, I still bawled my eyes out during the film.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
Book vs. Film: The Hunger Games
Book (by a whisker).
- The language was clever in the book – lost its impact in the movie.
- Surprisingly, I felt more suspense in the book than the movie (unexpected).
- But the cinematic scenes in the book (such as when the tributes were introduced) were brilliant on the screen.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.