Author Topic: Movies & Books Into Movies (Read 590595 times)

marjifay · « **Reply #3480 on:** September 06, 2013, 08:55:55 AM »

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?

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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

JeanneP wrote: :I have tried that on YouTube but just get a 2 min trailer. Of a movie"

That's because they don't have the movie yet. You have to look to see if it's a complete movie or just a short trailer.

Marj

salan · « **Reply #3481 on:** September 06, 2013, 10:27:42 AM »

I downloaded The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo sometime back & just got around to watching it. I read the book & thought it was very good, but too gory & graphic for me; so I did not read the other 2 in the trilogy. I wasn't sure that I wanted to watch the movie, but I am glad I did. It was very well done (Swedish version), but the subtitles were sometimes hard to read---light printing on white background (why do they do that?

). It was excellent in spite of graphic details. I also downloaded The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest; but it may be a while before I watch it---need to be in the right frame of mind!
Sally

MaryPage · « **Reply #3482 on:** September 06, 2013, 01:48:18 PM »

I thought all three books were great and I purchased as well all three Swedish movies. When you have the DVD the subtitles are perfect. No problem. The first movie was later redone by us Americans. It was good, but not as good. I note they have not come forth with the next two. Maybe they have dropped their plans to do so?

Dana · « **Reply #3483 on:** September 07, 2013, 11:07:50 AM »

Chacun a son gout!
I watch everything on my laptop, except what my husband and I watch together of-course. But I much prefer my laptop. More intimate somehow. I even bought a thing so that I could watch DVDs on my laptop, if there's something I can't stream.

PatH · « **Reply #3484 on:** September 07, 2013, 08:33:15 PM »

Chacun a son gout. I watch everything on my computer. The screen is almost as big as my TV screen (big computer, small TV). The resolution is probably better. And the chair I sit in is pretty comfortable, almost as good for falling asleep as the one where I watch TV.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #3485 on:** September 07, 2013, 10:22:47 PM »

Our library has a monthly classic movie presentation facilitated by a town resident who has been a minor character in several movies in the late 20th century and has an avocation of knowing behind-the-scenes tidbits of classic movies and owns a huge library of them. He's showing Pride and Prejudice next week. I think i must make an effort to get to that one.

Jean

PatH · « **Reply #3486 on:** September 08, 2013, 12:13:32 AM »

Which Pride and Prejudice is he showing? The best one (BBC production with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth) takes 6 hours. There have been many others, including a 1940 one with Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier, but it's hard to do the book justice in a movie length presentation. Whatever one you see, come here and talk about it and I'll join you in picking it apart.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #3487 on:** September 08, 2013, 10:24:03 AM »

Pat, it's the 1940s version.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #3488 on:** September 08, 2013, 09:54:39 PM »

I just saw The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, have any of you seen it? Can you tell me what your reviews are?

MaryPage · « **Reply #3489 on:** September 09, 2013, 09:56:11 AM »

Oh my goodness gracious me! I, of course, ran, did not walk, to my nearest motion picture theatre to see it the moment it arrived. I mean, it is a JUDI DENCH with Maggie Smith thrown in for extra pizazz!
Since then, and of course I adored it, I have purchased the DVD and watched it two more times!
Did I like it. You bet!

mabel1015j · « **Reply #3490 on:** September 09, 2013, 10:55:20 AM »

Was there a theme, or a point to the story? I thought it was a nice story, but feel like i missed something?

pedln · « **Reply #3491 on:** September 09, 2013, 11:11:08 AM »

Jean, I enjoyed the movie -- what an all-star cast, and the scenes from India were worth watching also. As for theme -- we're always facing a need to change, to adapt, if we want to live. Never say never? ??

Before seeing the movie, I read the book. Horrible, gross, all about senior citizen body fluids. Fortunately, the movie was a delightful surprise.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #3492 on:** September 09, 2013, 01:34:18 PM »

I've seen this film twice and I absolutely loved it. My favourite actors were Bill Nighy (sigh) and Penelope Wilton, but I thought they all did a good job - I love Celia Imrie. I know it was all a bit of a cliche, but it was fun and I enjoyed it.

I don't know that there was a theme, except maybe you're never too old to try something new.

Rosemary

ginny · « **Reply #3493 on:** September 09, 2013, 07:31:58 PM »

I loved it too and in fact have watched it every time it came on TV too. I did not like the book, the movie was much more positive.

I thought that one theme might be don't be so rigid in your own life and feel as if you know it all just because you are of a certain age. I keep being taken by the couple (Penelope Wilton and Bill Nighy). In the book they are both insufferable travellers, off to see each new thing but perhaps for the wrong reasons. In the movie he is open to new things and she is rigid and the relationship between them shows what happens when one person won't adapt and change, maybe. That "I'm turning left" on the plane was pitiful I thought.

Honesty might be a theme. Who is honest with themselves and others, and what happens as a result of that honesty. I can think of several characters that fits.

It seemed to me that all the characters in one way or another showed what happens when you open up to new experiences regardless of age, and when you don't, (which is what Pedln said, much more succinctly).

ginny · « **Reply #3494 on:** September 09, 2013, 07:53:36 PM »

Marcie on the Doc Martin movies, in the first one he was more like the TV character, but the supporting cast was odd and the entire premise seemed strained, to me. His character wasn't particularly likeable or something. In the second one he sort of loosened up and became something of a prankster? I really did not like either of them. I don't see too many returns in the supporting cast to the TV show, either.

Dana · « **Reply #3495 on:** September 09, 2013, 08:30:19 PM »

I saw Page Eight, I think it was called, on Netflix whith Bill Nighy (always thought it was "nighty"--Brit for nightdress...but no....). Didn't like him at all--can't stand these people who never smile....didn't really like the play either...has anyone seen it? It got good reviews....about this spy with a conscience and a penchant for young girls...maybe bits were missed out in the Netflix version, it sure didn't make much sense to me.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #3496 on:** September 10, 2013, 03:49:27 AM »

Dana - I've seen Page Eight and loved it, but maybe that's my penchant for Bill Nighy coming through again - he can't put a foot wrong IMO

He does smile quite a bit in the Marigold Hotel film....

Rosemary

MaryPage · « **Reply #3497 on:** September 10, 2013, 08:53:31 AM »

I fell in love with Bill Nighy in LOVE, ACTUALLY, one of my all time favorite movies. Have adored him in simply loads of things ever since.
I think Marigold is all about change and how giving in to it can be the best thing you ever did.

pedln · « **Reply #3498 on:** September 10, 2013, 09:20:35 AM »

Dana, I missed Page Eight when it was on PBS, but the Netflix reviews seem to think it worth watching, so I'll give it a try. Though you may be right thinking that Netflix messed it up a bit. One of the reviews stated the same, comparing it to the BBC production.

A while back someone here recommended It's A Disaster starring nobody I know. I watched it last night, although "thirty something" angst is not my usual preference, and liked it, not loved it. A little strange, interesting characters, not sure about the ending. Four couples at a monthly brunch are faced with a dilemma. Three Netflix stars.

Dana · « **Reply #3499 on:** September 10, 2013, 12:01:21 PM »

I read that Netflix review about Page 8, otherwise I wouldn't have dreamed that they alter the presentations. But after I watched it I had to agree that the end was a bit abrupt and didn't make much sense. See what you think, Pedln.

I don't really remember Bill N. in the Marigold Hotel, but I saw it on a plane, so wasn't paying full attention I guess.

MaryPage · « **Reply #3500 on:** September 10, 2013, 02:19:04 PM »

He was the one whose wife went back to England (She is Michael's mother in Downton Abbey) and he stayed behind and at the very end of the movie he and Judi Dench are careening around the crowded streets in India on a motorcycle.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #3501 on:** September 10, 2013, 03:31:58 PM »

I agree with MaryPage about "Marigold" being about change, especially in our later years.
Health reasons for Maggie Smith; being widowed by a husband who "took care of everything" but not in ways to safeguard his wife (Judi Dench) when he passed; Bill Nighy (I love 'im too)
being constantly "whipped" if you will, by a wife for whom nothing is good enough (Penelope W) and not open to change of any kind; and the retired barrister, who searches for the boy he loved in his youth. These story lines juxtaposed against the young man who desperately wants to make the Marigold hotel a success. Dev Patel at his best. I didn't read the book, but from what folks have said about it, I think the movie is more to my liking!
It is sad but uplifting, with beautiful cinematography. The cacophany of India would be more than I could stand.

maryz · « **Reply #3502 on:** September 10, 2013, 05:09:43 PM »

Not book-based, but SO good. We re-watched Victor Victoria last night (1982), with Julie Andrews, James Garner, Robert Preston, Lesley Ann Warren, and Alex Karras. After the movie (on DVD), we watched the extra features, and under "Comments", there was a rerun of the movie, with comments as voice-overs by Julie Andrews and Blake Edwards (her husband and the writer/director). Fabulous! We haven't seen all of it, but will finish watching it tonight.

marcie · « **Reply #3503 on:** September 10, 2013, 05:23:36 PM »

Thanks, Ginny, for the additional info about the Doc Martin movies. Maybe I'll find them one day, just to see them, although it sounds like they won't compare favorably with the series.

Maryz, I love Victor Victoria. Julie Andrews, James Garner and Robert Preston are so good in it.

salan · « **Reply #3504 on:** September 10, 2013, 07:01:38 PM »

The Marigold Hotel is one of the few examples where the movie is much better than the book (imo). Loved the move, thought the book was just so-so.
Sally

MaryPage · « **Reply #3505 on:** September 10, 2013, 08:44:22 PM »

Speaking of India, which we were referencing when writing about Marigold, I have just finished reading DAUGHTER OF EMPIRE by Lady Pamela Hicks. She is Louis Mountbatten's daughter and just one month older than I. The book is mind blowing and reads like wonderful fiction. I mean, you could not make this stuff up! Imagine being stranded in a hotel in Hungary for 4 months as a child because your mother could not remember where she left you! If you love to read, and if you love to be on the inside of real history, ya just gotta read this book! Seriously!

pedln · « **Reply #3506 on:** September 11, 2013, 11:16:01 AM »

Well, guess I'll have to read Gone Girl. It's a done deal -- they're filming it here in River City, and they've already come.

Filming Gone Girl

MaryPage · « **Reply #3507 on:** September 11, 2013, 02:15:10 PM »

I really, really hated that book. Will not go to see the movie.

salan · « **Reply #3508 on:** September 11, 2013, 06:11:15 PM »

Same with me MaryPage. I didn't like anyone in the book~Bah!!
Sally

ginny · « **Reply #3509 on:** September 11, 2013, 08:33:20 PM »

"Local people will be hired as extras!"

Go for it, Pedln!!!

JeanneP · « **Reply #3510 on:** September 11, 2013, 09:31:45 PM »

My name is still high on the list for Gone Girl. Lost interest now as so many say they didnt like it. May wait for the movie and see if that well liked

marjifay · « **Reply #3511 on:** September 12, 2013, 11:35:41 AM »

Well I liked Gone Girl! I thought the author, Gillian Flynn, has a terrific imagination. I found it a fascinating read and I intend to read more of her books.

Marj

ginny · « **Reply #3512 on:** September 12, 2013, 07:26:43 PM »

But I can't see it as a movie, can you, Marjifay? Because of the puzzle she creates. The reader does not know. How can they do that in a film where you're WATCHING the characters? Voice over?

I loved it. Maybe I watch too many trials on TV.

Winchesterlady · « **Reply #3513 on:** September 13, 2013, 12:01:43 AM »

I loved it also. Thought it had a unique story line that kept you turning the pages to see what would happen next. Hope the movie is a good one.

Dana · « **Reply #3514 on:** September 19, 2013, 09:54:00 PM »

because of absolutely loving the Swedish tv Wallander series I have just started to watch Annika Bengtzon, Crime Reporter. Not a good as Wallander, but great, lovely views of Stockholm as well. Anyone seen it? Looks like quite a nice long series, too.

pedln · « **Reply #3515 on:** September 22, 2013, 11:24:58 PM »

Dana, where are you watching Annika Bengtzon? On TV or DVD or Streaming? I couldn't find DVDs on Netflix, but think they may be streaming it because the title is in their database. (My account only includes DVDs.) I was happy to see that the films were first novels by Liza Marklund.

Every once in a while a movie or a book comes along that you've never heard of and it turns out to be just terrific. A fabulous sleeper and you wonder "how come I never heard of this before?" That happened to me the other night watching The City of Your Final Destination. It was a wonderful film about a grad student who wants to write a biography about a deceased author and has to go to Uruguay to get authorization from the author's executors. I don't know the leads, but Anthony Hopkins and Laura LInney have major roles. A Merchant-Ivory production, 2009, with wonderful cinematography along with good acting, plot, ect. Someone here may have recommended it -- thanks if you did.

I've since found out it was first a novel of the same title by Peter Cameron, who has written several novels. I've never heard of him. Have you?

Frybabe · « **Reply #3516 on:** September 23, 2013, 06:47:26 AM »

I've never heard of Peter Cameron, but it turns out he also has two other books that were made into movies.

I found his website with bio. http://www.peter-cameron.com/bio.htm

I noticed that he lists Barbara Pym as one of the writers that influenced him.

pedln · « **Reply #3517 on:** September 23, 2013, 11:03:47 AM »

Quote

I noticed that he lists Barbara Pym as one of the writers that influenced him.

That speaks welll for him.

Frybabe · « **Reply #3518 on:** September 23, 2013, 11:29:58 AM »

I am impressed by the number of reviews who say his novels are beautifully crafted, insightful, in a class of writing the like of which we rarely if ever see now-a-days.

My library has three of his books. I've put two on my wish list, the other, Carol Glynn, doesn't appeal to me.

Dana · « **Reply #3519 on:** September 25, 2013, 08:38:17 PM »

Annika Bengtzon is streamed on Netflix. Didn't know there were books---will look out for them.

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Author Topic: Movies & Books Into Movies (Read 590595 times)