Author Topic: Movies & Books Into Movies (Read 592096 times)

Frybabe · « **Reply #3320 on:** May 11, 2013, 10:25:02 PM »

How many of you have read a book,
then watched a movie that was based on that same book?

Were you disappointed?
Or elated that they hadn't made any significant changes?
Or even surprised to discover the movie was even better than the book?

_______________________________

Books Into Movies Now on DVD
Recent Movies Based on Books
Books in a Series by Their Authors
Movies Based on the Book

Join us in an ongoing discussion of this very popular subject right now.
Pull up a chair, take off your shoes, pour yourself a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, and join in!

Your Discussion Leader: pedln

I've been watching the Empire series lately. Great programs. Just finished the one about Greece, which was Season 7.

In my cue is Tell No One. I had no idea that Harlan Coben's book had been made into a movie. When I read it, I couldn't put it down.

pedln · « **Reply #3321 on:** May 12, 2013, 06:31:51 PM »

Frybabe, I saw Tell No One in New York a few years back, but have yet to read the book. It's actually a French film with English subtitles. A good one. I'll watch it again someday.

Mom's in the middle and the kids are on both coasts, so I'm just vegetating today, watching The Impossible, about a family caught in the 2004 Asian tsumami. Naomi Watts -- nominated for best actress by both Golden Globe and Academy awards, Ewan McGregor, and Tom Holland, who plays the 12-year-old son and should have been nominated for all kinds of things. He is fantastic. THe whole show is, also very emotional. It's been a while since I've seen a film that brings so many tears down my face. Kind of draining. Interestingly, it's an English language Spanish film, directed by Juan Bayona, a noted Spanish film maker. Five netflix stars.

MaryPage · « **Reply #3322 on:** May 14, 2013, 06:02:26 PM »

Pedln, I hope you are right, but so far I have seen no signs HERE of the young beginning to cover it up.
And god's truth, I did not see one single prom girl who did not wear strapless. I know, I know. Strapless was already popular when I was in High School. But the naked look on top has bothered me ever since I first saw it way back more than 70 years ago.
Anyway, forget strapless; they do not appear to be covering up in any manner here. Just more and more UNcovering. Nothing left to the imagination.

pedln · « **Reply #3323 on:** May 27, 2013, 06:18:27 PM »

What's everyone watching these days? I watched Spielberg's Lincoln the other night, but I have to spend more time with that one. It demands a lot of attention.

For the past few weeks I've been caught up in Herman Wouk's Winds of War and now his War and Remembrance. Thank you Netflix for having all of those discs about the Henry family and WWII, both the European front and the Pacific. Wonderful cast. Robert Mitchum is Naval officer Pug Henry. I forget who plays his wife. Ralph Bellamy, John Gielgud, Topol, Jane Seymour. Now I want to reread the books.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #3324 on:** May 29, 2013, 11:24:20 AM »

Looks like no one here went to the movies over the long holiday weekend. Hubby and I passed by two of the multiplex theatres on Monday, and their parking lots were full! Someone must have decided to see some of the drivel showing there. It has truly gotten to where only the art houses (so called) are showing anything with merit.

I am so tired of vampires, werewolves, zombies and "blow up the world" movies. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy a well-written "action film", but the current list of them does not even tempt me. My DVR is getting fuller and fuller, and I have been trying to watch at least one show during the daytime hours, and now that all the series on network TV are ended, we watch a couple at night time, too.

maryz · « **Reply #3325 on:** May 29, 2013, 04:39:58 PM »

I checked out the listings at our nearby movie house. There was nothing on we'd to go see if it were free, with free popcorn (and ear plugs).

pedln · « **Reply #3326 on:** May 30, 2013, 10:02:29 AM »

, MaryZ

Sounds like things are tough all over. I don't go to movie theatres because I don't hear at them that well, but at bridge club the other day everyone was complaining about there being nothing they wanted to see, even at the multi-complexes.

MaryPage · « **Reply #3327 on:** May 30, 2013, 05:32:10 PM »

There is sure nothing out there that I want to see. And I am much happier, if and when something comes along, to purchase the DVD and enjoy from my own easy chair in front of my own television. Then I can watch as many times as I wish and loan it out to family members and no end of good things.

pedln · « **Reply #3328 on:** May 31, 2013, 08:59:46 AM »

I hear you, MaryPage. My DVDs are mostly from Netflix, but I watch the ones I own more than once and always pick up something new.

Came across this in my morning Twittering -- maybe it will give you an idea of what's worth watching -- or not. From the Chicago Trib.

71 Movies and Reviews

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #3329 on:** June 10, 2013, 07:13:17 AM »

Hey Folks: Did you see the newest movie of The GREAT GATSBY, read the book- again? Do you know of F. Scott Fitzgerald's tragic life, his wife, Zelda, an author also, ending her life in a mental institution.

Our short story this week is one of Fitzgerald's, somewhat autobiographical.

Come read and discuss it with us here:

http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=3830.msg193405#msg193405

pedln · « **Reply #3330 on:** June 10, 2013, 10:14:43 PM »

Ella, I'm not a real fan of Fitzgerald, and have been thinking that I didn't want to see the Gatsby movie. But I"m looking forward to the "Babylon Revisited" discussion, and may just have to change my mind.

pedln · « **Reply #3331 on:** June 13, 2013, 02:45:43 PM »

Did anyone else see that blurb on the news today, about future outings to the movies costing $50 to $100? Also a bit about more people wanting movies in the living room, with instant demand.

I watched Promised Land with Matt Damon the other night, about a dueling big oil company and an environmentalist trying to win over a small town that is slowly going under. Didn't do much for me. Only OK.

ginny · « **Reply #3332 on:** June 15, 2013, 09:00:25 AM »

I came in to say I finally got my hands on the new (redone) Thorsen book by Liberace's partner about their life with an afterword. I missed the HBO movie tho it's coming out in theaters in Europe now so the book has been reprinted but I hear it was sad, a sad and surprising life. I read the unauthorized bio of Liberace and was quite surprised at his talent, the fact he was a twin like Elvis, the other one died in utero (Liberace was 13 pounds), and that it was a strange life. Yesterday at B&N the bookseller told me she had watched the HBO movie and was struck by what a sad life Thorsen (is that right) had? She wanted to form our own book club to discuss it. hahahaa

The book seems very readable so I'm looking forward to it but missed the Michael Douglas movie so hope to catch it in reruns, I saw the last 5 minutes of it on TV the other night.

He's still on Youtube and I can see why people liked him, so I'm interested to see what he really was.

Has anybody seen it? I'm sure the subject matter is a turn off.

MaryPage, I absolutely loved the movie SkyFall, absolutely loved it. I am with the camp it was the best Bond movie ever. I just watched it again coming back from London, I bought it and I bet I've seen it 5 times. Love it. I, however, have never read a "Bond" book, I dislike spy novels (go figure) so it's the movie I like best. I mean the performances!!!

Talking about nothing anybody wants to see at the movies, tho, this time on that long flight there weren't a million movies to choose from, either. Lincoln was offered, and SkyFall. I watched Identity Theft and it was cute. I like Melissa McCarthy if that's her name (the heavy girl in Bridesmaids) she is marvelous and I thought Jason Bateman if I've got that right was also quite good. It was a cute, funny movie. But that was about it, movie wise. I had hoped Quartet might be on.

I hear the new Gatsby DiCaprio movie is already out on DVD and has a poor rating. I don't see how anybody could make a movie of Gatsby, which I finally read on the trip and it blew me away. It's not anything at all like I thought it would be, nothing. Leaves you with lots of questions. I can't imagine making a movie of it and so many have been made. I don't think I would want to see a film version of it. There's so much about "Zelda" when talking about Fitsgerald that I spent half the book puzzled, waiting for her to appear. hahahaaa Obviously I was out of it. It does raise interesting questions on if a work can stand alone irrespective of the author's life.

pedln · « **Reply #3333 on:** June 16, 2013, 11:57:48 AM »

Ginny, welcome back. It’s great to see you here and to get your take on some of the films now being shown. It seems like good ones are moving slowly these days. I’m glad you liked Skyfall. I’ve never read a "Bond" novel either, nor seen a movie. There may be a first time, maybe. I can’t get enthusiastic about Liberace, though according to Amazon the HBO DVD will be out in September. I’ll give The Great Gatsby a pass too, although someone did say that the settings, the scenery were interesting to see.

I have Hyde Park on the Hudson here from Netflix, yet unseen, and also Woody Allen’s To Rome with Love – mixed reviews, looks like either feast or famine. I'm really more into volume 2 of Herman Wouk's War and Remembrance (6 discs), but they're not always available when I'm ready for them.

Has anyone seen Admission with Tina Fey? Or the environmental documentary Chasing Ice?

maryz · « **Reply #3334 on:** June 22, 2013, 06:53:22 PM »

I can't remember anything. What's the name of the relatively recent movie about the singers who are in a retirement home? I thought it was Quartet or something like that, but can't find anything like that on IMDb.

CallieOK · « **Reply #3335 on:** June 22, 2013, 07:11:03 PM »

Mary. The movie you're thinking of is "Quartet" and has just been released on DVD. Here's a link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfilms/film/quartet

and the one for IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1441951/

I loved it!!!!

maryz · « **Reply #3336 on:** June 22, 2013, 10:44:53 PM »

Thanks, Callie!

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #3337 on:** June 23, 2013, 07:19:32 AM »

I'll second that - loved 'Quartet' - a real 'feelgood' film and no supermodels in sight. Would like to see it again.

Rosemary

JeanneP · « **Reply #3338 on:** June 23, 2013, 05:00:07 PM »

I am now down to no. 39 on the waiting list. Looking forward.

JeanneP · « **Reply #3339 on:** July 03, 2013, 06:45:18 PM »

I just watched a very good movie. Lots of people will complain on what it did show Sex wise. Not offencive at all. The name is "the sessions". Both did a good job. Not many actresses would have done it. Helen Hunt perfect.

MaryPage · « **Reply #3340 on:** July 04, 2013, 08:50:47 AM »

Have a Glorious Celebration of this grand day for us all!

pedln · « **Reply #3341 on:** July 04, 2013, 09:38:13 AM »

I'm glad to hear so many good comments about Quartet -- just received it from Netflix yesterday, so am looking forward to watching it. They got it out of "very long wait" pretty quickly.

JeanneP, I'm glad to hear your comments about The Sessions. It's been on my queue for quite some time. After reading your comments I'm going to move it closer to the top.

MaryPage · « **Reply #3342 on:** July 05, 2013, 08:25:32 AM »

Has anyone been to the theatre to see The Heat? I am thinking of asking son Chip to take me this week, and would like to hear from anyone who has seen it.

The Heat is a 2013 comedy film that stars Sandra Bullock and Mellissa McCarthy who play two women that work for the police department and have to take down a Russian Mobster.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #3343 on:** July 05, 2013, 08:29:17 AM »

Marypage, knowing your sensibilities, I don't think "The Heat" is a movie you would enjoy. I have not seen it, my daughter has (she liked it...she can stand "the raunch" of most films). It might be hilarious, but I am sure it is full of bad language, rudeness, etc. The critics here were not kind to it.

pedln · « **Reply #3344 on:** July 05, 2013, 10:20:35 AM »

Oh gosh, dumb me. I thought The Heat was about a basketball team.

Has anyone seen Tina Fey in Admissions? It sounds light, romantic, enjoyable. The DVD is to be released this month.

My friends and I loved Quartet.

Lately I've been enjoying the HBO TV production of Newsroom -- the first season. I don't know when this was first shown on TV, but it's interesting the way they pick actual big-time news events from our recent history. Example -- the show opened with the BP Oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The show is fiction, but it's interesting to see how they weave the true events with the backdrop of the Newsroom.

salan · « **Reply #3345 on:** July 05, 2013, 03:31:26 PM »

I thought The Newsroom was good & am looking forward to season 2. I watched & thoroughly enjoyed Salmon Fishing on the Yemen.
Sally

MaryPage · « **Reply #3346 on:** July 05, 2013, 07:58:14 PM »

Thank you, Tomereader. I think you may be right. Pity, since they are both such great comedians and should be wonderful together.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #3347 on:** July 06, 2013, 06:10:29 PM »

We are watching the DVD of 'Woodstock' - I requested it from LoveFilm as Madeleine has been studying 1960s history at school, and as the teacher is American, there was a lot about the US. So far M is finding the hippy-ness and the hair quite entertaining, whilst I am being amazed at how young Joan Baez looks and how the Who have aged better than many other rock bands. What a fiasco the whole thing was - the safety and security was practically non-existent compared to modern music festivals. Madeleine has just said 'everyone says this was a pivotal event, but it seems to me that nothing much happened, it was the reaction to it that was pivotal.'

Rosemary

maryz · « **Reply #3348 on:** July 06, 2013, 08:40:50 PM »

Rosemary, your Madeleine is a very perceptive young lady!

Frybabe · « **Reply #3349 on:** July 09, 2013, 06:34:04 AM »

I watched "Tell No One" the other night. It is a European film with English subtitles. Unfortunately, it did not come up to my expectations. When I read the book, I couldn't put it down. The movie was bland compared to the book.

ginny · « **Reply #3350 on:** July 09, 2013, 08:04:52 AM »

I watched Evil Under the Sun last night with Peter Ustinov as Poirot. I have never liked his Poirot, (who else can be Piorot than David Suchet?) but I had caught a bit of it on TV and wanted to see the whole thing from Netflix. The cast is out of this world, Maggie Smith, James Mason, Diana Rigg, Roddy McDowell, and I do think Ustinov did a good job, so I think I'll look up another of his. It has a luxurious period feel with that cast and the setting and costumes. To be honest, the credits at the beginning with the gorgeous water colors and the lovely gentle old music reminds me of something they used to do here 46 years ago (because I went when I was expecting my first child) and that was a Ladie's Matinee. It was free, at about 11 am, it was at the theater, old movies like this one and nice refreshments, all free.

They need to do that again.

But anyway I enjoyed it and now will see what else Netflix has of Ustinov's Poirot character.

Frybabe · « **Reply #3351 on:** July 09, 2013, 10:54:20 AM »

The only Ustinov Poirot is ever say was Death on the Nile. I don't even think I remember him doing any others.

JoanK · « **Reply #3352 on:** July 10, 2013, 03:58:52 PM »

Ustinov was certainly not Poirot, but he was fun enough to be worth watching anyway.

Frybabe · « **Reply #3353 on:** July 10, 2013, 06:18:00 PM »

Quote

is ever say

Good heavens, and I wasn't even drinking. "I ever saw". I have been a little less then careful with my typing lately.

ginny · « **Reply #3354 on:** July 10, 2013, 08:03:34 PM »

These appear to be the Ustinov Poirot movies:

I just watched Evil Under the Sun and got Death on the Nile in the mail from Netflix. Now to put the others on the queue. What FUN it all is!!

Death on the Nile (1978)
Evil Under the Sun (1982)
Thirteen at Dinner (1985)
Dead Man's Folly (1986)
Murder in Three Acts (1986)
Appointment with Death (1988)

JoanK · « **Reply #3355 on:** July 12, 2013, 05:19:44 PM »

I didn't realize he'd done all those. I've seen three of them.

ginny · « **Reply #3356 on:** July 14, 2013, 11:00:50 AM »

I watched Death on the Nile last night with Peter Ustinov, and didn't care for it. The cast was outrageously amazing, with David Niven!! Bette Davis!! Angela Lansbury!! Mia Farrow, and now I see what the shouting was about concerning her, she was good, Peter Ustinov, George Kennedy, Sam Wanamaker (he of the Globe fame) and on and on. Angela Lansbury stole the show, I had forgotten she had such huge eyes, talk about Bette Davis eyes (she had them too) but the thing for some reason did not appeal.

I'll try the next one, I'm still one of the odd codgers using DVD's on Neftlix instead of instant streaming or whatever.

pedln · « **Reply #3357 on:** July 14, 2013, 11:50:04 AM »

Ginny, we're in the same old codger club. Those DVDs from Netflix, the library, and the ones I buy from Amazon all work for me. Not only am I assured of captions or subtitles, but I can take them to my friends' houses who are better setup for a larger group viewing.

I'm appreciating your "Agatha" comments and plan to add them to the 200+ titles on my queue. Will leave off "Death on the Nile," although the combination of David Niven, Angela Lansbury and Bette Davis sounds really good.

Another good oldie came up over in the Blanko game -- Marjorie KInnan Rawlings' The Yearling with Jane Wyman and Gregory Peck. I forget who plays the boy, but it's now added to my list.

PatH · « **Reply #3358 on:** July 14, 2013, 12:09:27 PM »

According to IMDB, the boy was played by Claude Jarman Jr. It was his first part, and afterward his career didn't go much of anywhere.

salan · « **Reply #3359 on:** July 14, 2013, 12:16:23 PM »

Sometimes I watch the old movies, just to see some of my old favorite actors. Even if the movie doesn't hold up to today's standards, I enjoy seeing my old friends! In my teens & early 20's I enjoyed and read all the Agatha Christie novels I could get my hands on.
Sally

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Author Topic: Movies & Books Into Movies (Read 592096 times)