Screw Reading!

[Jeremy Ordan]

So last night I got into bed and started searching for a film to fall asleep to and I stumbled upon one of my all time favorites: Field of Dreams. If you have read any of my posts regarding films and especially baseball films, this is one of my favorites of all time. The thing that really makes this a unique film though is the fact that the movie is at least 10x better than the book it is based on. I've read a lot of books that were later turned into a movie, and I've also read a lot of books after I saw the movie... My normal opinion is that the book is always better than the movie, but here is the question:

What books have you read that were turned into a movie where the movie is better than the book?

Ones that come to mind:
1. The Perfect Storm - The book he doesn't want to assume anything so from page 50 he is saying: "well they might be dead now, but we don't know. If not they are fishing". The book is completely crap, and even though the movie is crap, it is a lot better than the book.

2. Field of Dreams - The movie has this hippy turned farmer trying to bring back his emotionally distant deceased father's hero... The book? Well he knows from page 3 that he wants to bring his father back because they had a good relationship... The point? None, bad book.

That's it for right now but I'm sure I can think of a few others in a bit...

-Jeremy

[Blaine]

What books have you read that were turned into a movie where the movie is better than the book?
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep made into Blade Runner is the one that immediately comes to mind. The original book by Philip K. Dick was very good, but when Hampton Fincher and David Peoples adapted it to the screen, they made some truly inpsired choices, taking the movie to a whole new level of brilliance.

[Hairy Lime]

Simon Birch is a better film than A Prayer for Owen Meany is a book, just don't tell John Irving (one of my favorite novelists) I said so, because he disagrees.

[The Machinist]

Jaws.

The book is terrible.

And the film is well you know...

Ohh and American Psycho.

I dislike Brett Easton Ellis very intensely.

[Brandon Rice]

Lord of the Rings... all of them... the books didn't flow for me (I know I'm about to get hammered)

[The Machinist]

Because it's you i'm going to show some restraint.

Although there are prob some other folks on here who'd agree with you.

[Brandon Rice]

Honestly... I generally enjoy books... I love The Chronicles of Narnia, Pride & Predjudace, The Space Series (CS Lewis) and many other "classic" books.

[J.R. Hudson]

Great choices guys !

Yes, Jeremy. I read The Perfect Storm and most of it is a lesson on the weather and fishing industry; here is a some trivia:

The USCG Captain in the book/film was my Captain on the 378' Cutter Chase I was stationed on. IN the film, they have him all huge and cool looking; in relaity, he was a little weeny arm asshat that everyone hated (He wouldnt even eat with the officers).

-

In the book JAWS, Brody's wife and Hooper's character have a brief affair for those of you that do not know.

My choices (Films better than Books):

I used to junkie on King

Misery
Cujo
Salems Lot (They just got this right)
Carrie
The Dead Zone
The Shining

[Hairy Lime]

The Lord of the Rings was a rambling epic and I never finished the last installment because it seemed like it would never end. The upside of this was that when I watched the last movie in the trilogy, I had no idea how it would end (and it still ended up going on forever).

[J.R. Hudson]

I never read the books, nor was I familiar with the source material (Other than by name and subject matter). I loved the films.

[The Machinist]

In the book JAWS, Brody's wife and Hooper's character have a brief affair for those of you that do not know.

Don't forget the whole stupid backstory with the mayor and the mob. And how they don't stay out at sea but come home every night.

And chief brody was a pathetic small town hick loser. which is why his wife cheats on him.

And benchley totally stole the ending from moby dick.



The Lord of the Rings was a rambling epic and I never finished the last installment because it seemed like it would never end. The upside of this was that when I watched the last movie in the trilogy, I had no idea how it would end (and it still ended up going on forever).

Somehow in my gut i just knew H.L. was gonna agree with Brandon on this one.

The Dead Zone
Misery
The Stand

Three of my favorite King to movie adaptations.

[Jeremy Ordan]

I hated American Psycho the movie and loved the book... then again I'm a big Bret Easton Ellis fan...

Brokeback Mountain was based off a short story... never read it, so I guess I can't say that the movie is better than the book...

Ooooh... Three massive ones:

#1: The Omen - The book sucks donkey schlong, the movie was at least quick moving
#2: Rosemary's Baby - Even though the movie is a joke compared to the book the movie becomes Citizen Kane.

#3 and this is the big one: Hellraiser.

Here me out on this.

I am one of the biggest Clive Barker fans I know... I have read everything he has written and own everything in a first edition (many signed). I think he is one of the best writers of our time, but the book, or technically novella, that Hellraiser is based on is a joke. It just doesn't have the meat of Pinhead. Good book, amazing film.

-Jeremy

[Alex DePew]

How about The Green Mile and Shawshank Redemption. Seems like Stevie K.'s books are made for movie books. As are Clancy's.

And both the book and the movies of LOTR were excellent. But I grew up on them so I am biased.

[Hairy Lime]

Somehow in my gut i just knew H.L. was gonna agree with Brandon on this one.

Not to self: become less predictable.

I enjoyed the series, but just stalled big time in the 3rd book. I still think they represent some of the best fantasy stories ever written. But I preferred The Hobbit. It wasn't epic. It was a big story about a little man and a big ass dragon. That's my kind of fantasy book.

[The Machinist]

But I preferred The Hobbit. It wasn't epic. It was a big story about a little man and a big ass dragon. That's my kind of fantasy book.

Now that's a statement i can agree with.



Shawshank Redemption

I think this is the best example so far.


I hated American Psycho the movie

Wow Jeremy you're killing me. I think American Psycho has some of the greatest performances ever. Yes. EVER. Christian Bale is Bateman. For a film that isn't considered an American classic i can think of few films with a leading performance as solid and believable as this one.

But Barker. Man i would love to see Imajica brought to life. Can't possibly see how it could be done but damn i love that trilogy.

[Filmjunkie677]

Christian Bale's performance was tremendous, but I absolutely hate that film.

Yet, I liked Rules of Attraction, the film.

[The Machinist]

Man i can't let this one go.

I don't get the lack of love for American Psycho.

It's one of my all time favorites. I can find very few if any faults with it.

Did it just rub you guys the wrong way?

[Hairy Lime]

I think the cynicism behind American Psycho is what rubbed me the wrong way. I also watched it as a late night cable movie, knowing nothing about it previously, so didn't know what to expect. Perhaps I should revisit, but if my reaction to Rules of Attraction is any indication I still won't like it.

It's funny. This is one of those situations where my gut might overrule my "on its own terms" judgment process.

[Filmjunkie677]

It was very slow and uninteresting to me.... And the weird, dark, humor that was ingested into it just turned me off. I think it would've (for me anyway) faired much better with a director that didn't take it the humor, dark comedy, route... A director that played it very serious... But I never read the book so I don't know if that's the way the book was.

It's been awhile since I've seen it, I should give it another shot.

[The Machinist]

Rules of Attraction is any indication I still won't like it.

I think it's a completely different kind of film from Rules. Style, tempo, performance.

I dunno i love the cynicism. Having grown up pretty poor in NYC in the 80s. I remember seeing these folks walking the streets of manhattan while waiting outside of the restaurant my grandfather worked in as a dishwasher.

It just appeals to me on a personal level i guess.

But i love the dark comedy.

This is my favorite movie to quote along with my crew of junkies and misfits.

[Hairy Lime]

I'll definitely give it another try. I saw it before I moved to NYC so that could change my POV drastically.

[aryk]

I can't believe how much better I enjoyed the films for LA Confidential and Fight Club than the novels. Both seemed to really develop and execute the main plots much better.

[Steve Strickland]

I'm with you, Machinist. "American Psycho" immediately came to mind when I read Jeremy's first post. It made Christian Bale one of my favorite actors. I liked the book, too, but I LOVED the movie. I really love the way the film emphasizes the satire of the eighties.

[Ogrus]

Ones that come to mind:
1. The Perfect Storm - The book he doesn't want to assume anything so from page 50 he is saying: "well they might be dead now, but we don't know. If not they are fishing". The book is completely crap, and even though the movie is crap, it is a lot better than the book.
-Jeremy

The movie is a lot better than the book?
Did you get past page 2?
The book is an amazing research document on storms, rescue, weather and forensics... Absolutely entertaining!
Of course you need a certain level of scientific curiosity to enjoy it. Maybe if it had some baseball in it you would have felt more at home : P

[The Machinist]

Maybe if it had some baseball in it you would have felt more at home : P

Ohh yea you don't come off as an elitist European snob.

[Blaine]

Ohh yea you don't come off as an elitist European snob.
Touche, my friend, touche.

I found that whole last line of his to be offensive.

[Ogrus]

Ohh yea you don't come off as an elitist European snob.


LOL
Another baseball movie fan!!! haha, Did you enjoy The Waterboy also?
These films are SO popular in the US!
oh man, then he says SAW was bad....
Dude, you're sooo easily offended. Time to take a break from watching movies and get some fresh air!




PS: Im from Florida,

[Jeremy Ordan]

OK Machinist... let me elaborate on American Psycho the movie versus American Psycho the book...

Bret Easton Ellis I think is a great voice of the 80's culture, hypocrisy, and loss of connection with his fellow man. His character in American Psycho is on a path of excess and self destruction, seeking out the thrills of murder in order to feel something. The graphic nature of his crimes as detailed in the book are shocking to the reader and lead you with a sense of being there and experiencing these events yet turning the page to find out what could possibly happen next (the rat & PVC pipe come to mind). Ultimately the book ends with the feeling that this man is still out there, still at large, and still on his nihilistic endeavor to experience life. I think it is a great analogy for the shallowness and self serving that is the 80's NY Yuppie culture (especially with reference to drugs). Finally, also his complete shallowness with complete chapters on Whitney Houston, Genesis, & Huey Lewis and the News..It was the psychosis of the character that you enjoyed. The movie touches on these but never to the depth of the book (obviously) so therefore I think that is just pales in comparison. Regardless of Bales performance, which was remarkable, I just think that he couldn't recreate the magic of the book.

I hope that sort of explains my stance with American Psycho.... I know I typed enough for it to.

Now for the Perfect Storm... Yeah, it is a complete hypothetical account of true events because the author specifically doesn't wish to 'assume' what happens on the boat. Therefore immediately he tells us that they might be dead but if they aren't they could be doing...

Dude, you can say that this is great with science, meteorology, or human struggle, but I just see someone filling 400 pages with hypothetical assumptions that have no affect on anything what so ever. I have the weather channel for that.

Finally, be careful with the baseball comments, no to mention, there was baseball in the Perfect Storm, both the book and the movie... They are in New England, Red Sox nation. That might be why I hate it so... Regardless, research before you throw rocks from your glass house.

-Jeremy

[The Machinist]

LOL
Another baseball movie fan!!! haha, Did you enjoy The Waterboy also?
These films are SO popular in the US!
oh man, then he says SAW was bad....
Dude, you're sooo easily offended. Time to take a break from watching movies and get some fresh air!




PS: Im from Florida,

You know what. I'm not going to waste anymore time on you. Good day sir.



OK Machinist... let me elaborate on American Psycho the movie versus American Psycho the book...

Bret Easton Ellis I think is a great voice of the 80's culture, hypocrisy, and loss of connection with his fellow man. His character in American Psycho is on a path of excess and self destruction, seeking out the thrills of murder in order to feel something. The graphic nature of his crimes as detailed in the book are shocking to the reader and lead you with a sense of being there and experiencing these events yet turning the page to find out what could possibly happen next (the rat & PVC pipe come to mind). Ultimately the book ends with the feeling that this man is still out there, still at large, and still on his nihilistic endeavor to experience life. I think it is a great analogy for the shallowness and self serving that is the 80's NY Yuppie culture (especially with reference to drugs). Finally, also his complete shallowness with complete chapters on Whitney Houston, Genesis, & Huey Lewis and the News..It was the psychosis of the character that you enjoyed. The movie touches on these but never to the depth of the book (obviously) so therefore I think that is just pales in comparison. Regardless of Bales performance, which was remarkable, I just think that he couldn't recreate the magic of the book.

I hope that sort of explains my stance with American Psycho.... I know I typed enough for it to.


Great analysis of the book Jeremy. Maybe i should go back and reread it. I think the voice of the character in the book was really annoying and offensive to me however that's a sign that Ellis succeeded in his mission.

I would argue though (in terms of the differences between the book and movie) that this is just a result of the differences between the two mediums since in a novel its okay to deal in the kind of rambling stream of consciousness that pervades American Psycho and from what i can remember glamorama and rules of attraction.

Whereas if you were to try and replicate that in a film well you'd end up with something that's pretty nonsensical and probably a bit boring to the audience. I mean who would want to listen to a voiceover of Bateman's 4 page Whitney Houston diatribe in a theater?

And you could never show that level of violence in a theater.

I think what i like so much about the movie is it took that confusing mess of greed and excess and made a sensible engaging story out of it.

You're right in that it doesn't go as deep on alot of the themes as the book but if it were to try that then i think the film would have been a failure. When you think about the complexity of the original text the film is a brilliant adaptation since the spirit of greed, excess, and especially paranoia is still there.

[Jeremy Ordan]

I do agree that the movie does succeed in certain areas of conveying the greed, selfish nature, drug culture, and introverted thought offered within the book, and I will aknowledge that there is a strong liklihood that I am completely subjective because I really love this book... at the same time when the movie was announced I was amazed because it was such an extreme topic. I think it is a case of what is there versus what could be there. Now, regarding Witney Houston... it's not four pages but like 21 pages! I agree it would be impossible to implement that into a film, but I wish that they would have tied more elements together. The violence in the book is so extreme to illustrate the point that this man feels nothing and needs these extremes in order to feel an ounce of sensation... The movie doesn't convey that cold nature completely to me, although Bale does come close.

Now I want to read the book again...

-Jeremy

[The Machinist]

Is it 21 pages?

Holy crap i definately need to reread this.

[500lb Productions]

I think the cynicism behind American Psycho is what rubbed me the wrong way.

Yeah, there's a reason Hollywood tries to paste an upbeet veneer and tack a happy ending onto most movies.

Speaking of cynical, what did you think of Fargo?

I personally love a good cynical movie, because once the "team" gets done contributing, most cynical movies have been toned down to where they're just about realistic.



And for the best movie from a book I suppose I'd say Hunt for the Red October.

Most TC books just don't translate credibly, but that one was was so well done that I think it easily eclipsed the book.

[Justin Kuhn]

I didn't read all of Fight Club, though I enjoyed what I read. Reportedly the author thinks the movie is better than the book though.

On the other hand Cheaper by the Dozen is a book both hilarious and warm by turns, and the movies by the same title butchered it.