Book or Film????

sunnyporty · Post by **sunnyporty** » 20 May 2006, 14:28

Has anyone ever seen a film that is BETTER than the book?
Was going to see The Davinci Code as we read it on here but its getting some slating,has anyone seen it yet

Green Onions · Post by **Green Onions** » 20 May 2006, 14:59

Bridges of Madison County. Book - about 3 pages long, sub Mills & Boon rubbish.

Clint Eastwood film, however, was pretty good I thought. Who wouldn't have a tear in their eye at the scene near the end at the crossroads. Get out of the car and run for your life Meryl!

Cleopas · Post by **Cleopas** » 20 May 2006, 16:34

Do you include books written after the film in that question?

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 20 May 2006, 19:35

Mr E has decided he's not going to see the Da Vinci Code because it's bound to be rubbish (his opinion). Same reason he didn't go to see The Green Mile, because he enjoyed the book so much he didn't want it spoiled by the film

. Personally I'll go and watch almost anything at the pictures!

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 20 May 2006, 20:03

Green Onions I thought the book was fab

and very emotional and the film disappointing

Don't generally think films about books live up to the greatness of the book.

gilo · Post by **gilo** » 20 May 2006, 22:10

I thought 'About A boy" book was pretty rubbish, but the film was quite funny. It was good to see Hugh Grant doing something other than good-looking stammering posh bloke with floppy hair.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 20 May 2006, 23:29

Gilo wrote:I thought 'About A boy" book was pretty rubbish, but the film was quite funny. It was good to see Hugh Grant doing something other than good-looking stammering posh bloke with floppy hair.

Loved "about a boy" film and soundtrack is great

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 20 May 2006, 23:37

would like to see "Memoirs of a Geisha" but didn't get round to it when it was at the pictures. Book is fabby, has anyone seen the film?

Book that is great but hasn't been made into a film is Perfume - the story of a murderer by Patrick Suskind, really thought provoking book.

Loved Angela's ashes book but film so-so. Books don't generally fare well being turned into films..... though quite like Pelican Brief - John Grisham as book was a bit too technical...........

Cleopas · Post by **Cleopas** » 21 May 2006, 07:57

Actually, the Bond films tend to be better than the books. Fleming was a pretty turgid writer.

Green Onions · Post by **Green Onions** » 21 May 2006, 10:19

Sandra wrote:Green Onions I thought the book was fab and very emotional and the film disappointing

Don't generally think films about books live up to the greatness of the book.

I agree that most films don't live up to the original books, but I think there are a very few exceptions. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree about BoMC.

One of my favourite books is To Kill a Mocking Bird - the film wasn't better, but it certainly came close.

Anyone read the The Shining? The film was very scary, but would be good to know how it compares.

I think it is a real mistake in most cases to try to film books with an element of fantasy to them. I took my children to see the Narnia film - they liked it but, having read and loved the books when young, I thought it was a real disappointment.

Not the biggest fan of James Ellroy's work, but I thought the film of LA Confidential was excellent.

ali · Post by **ali** » 21 May 2006, 10:32

Cleopas wrote:Actually, the Bond films tend to be better than the books. Fleming was a pretty turgid writer.

really? that's a good point - and well made too.

Denise · Post by **Denise** » 21 May 2006, 11:11

Sandra wrote:would like to see "Memoirs of a Geisha" but didn't get round to it when it was at the pictures. Book is fabby, has anyone seen the film?

yes, I saw memoirs of a geisha, it was stunning. although a lot of the story was missed out from the book. I also asked me bloke to go and see it, but told him if he didn't fancy the film I would ask my sister who had also read the book. I was worried the film may be a bit of a "chick flick", but it's not at all. He went and really enjoyed it! Even though there weren't many car chases.

Cleopas · Post by **Cleopas** » 21 May 2006, 11:21

I WAS that Geisha!!!

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 21 May 2006, 14:01

Green Onions wrote: One of my favourite books is To Kill a Mocking Bird - the film wasn't better, but it certainly came close.

I love to kill a mocking bird - first read in school and re-read when older - great book. Film was enjoyable and believable.

Cleopas · Post by **Cleopas** » 21 May 2006, 15:18

Did you know that Clark Kent's favourite film is "To Kill A Mockingbird"?

It's true ... I remember reading that.

Novastar · Post by **Novastar** » 21 May 2006, 15:50

As someone who hates long books I thought the Lord of the Rings was better on film. Also the Gormanghast Trilogy that the BBC ran about 5-6 years ago. Book is a real trudge.

Hasn't been yet but always wanted to see some Robert Rankin books get made into a film. He's my favourite writter - like a very surreal Douglas Adams.

Which has reminded me - Ijust thought you might like to know, I'm feeling very very depressed

Might have that as my new Sig actually.

Cleopas · Post by **Cleopas** » 21 May 2006, 16:33

You think Rankin is MORE surreal than Adams??? The mind boggles!

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 21 May 2006, 22:24

Green Onions wrote: One of my favourite books is To Kill a Mocking Bird - the film wasn't better, but it certainly came close.

I think it is a real mistake in most cases to try to film books with an element of fantasy to them. I took my children to see the Narnia film - they liked it but, having read and loved the books when young, I thought it was a real disappointment.

Not the biggest fan of James Ellroy's work, but I thought the film of LA Confidential was excellent.

I agree on exactly - on all 3 counts!

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 21 May 2006, 22:24

Novastar wrote:Which has reminded me - Ijust thought you might like to know, I'm feeling very very depressed

What's up Nova?

Jackson Priest · Post by **Jackson Priest** » 21 May 2006, 23:29

Sandra wrote:
Novastar wrote:Which has reminded me - Ijust thought you might like to know, I'm feeling very very depressed
What's up Nova?

Clue: Elton John.

Am I right, Novastar? Cheer up - at least you didn't get relegated like we did this season.

Jackie Priest

Cleopas · Post by **Cleopas** » 22 May 2006, 09:29

I'm re-reading the Belgariad (David Eddings) for the umpteenth time. When I'm finished with "Polgara" I'm going on to "The Crystal Gorge", the 3rd part of "The Elder Gods" Trilogy, which I bought two weeks ago.

sunnyporty · Post by **sunnyporty** » 22 May 2006, 10:24

'' Personally I'll go and watch anything''

was epykats answer. Well ask anyone who has sat through a film with her and they will tell you that the eyes are shut and the snoring begins within 15 minutes of any film starting

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 22 May 2006, 10:42

sunnyporty wrote:'' Personally I'll go and watch anything'' was epykats answer. Well ask anyone who has sat through a film with her and they will tell you that the eyes are shut and the snoring begins within 15 minutes of any film starting

How did I know you'd bring that up? It's only happened on a couple of occasions

Cleopas · Post by **Cleopas** » 22 May 2006, 12:20

X-Men 3 ... Friday!!! Love the comics, Love the movies.

Denise · Post by **Denise** » 23 May 2006, 09:58

went to see the Davinci code last night, it's even more pants than the book! Got a couple of good laughs though, I didn't realise it was a comedy. Tom Hanks is really bad, which is a shame cos I think Audrey Tatou was great in Amelie and the bloke from Leon is good too, but the whole thing was just a bit daft. Ah well, on the plus side we treated ourselves to gold club seats and a bottle of wine, maybe that's why I found it amusing.