Anybody else think movie adaptations suck?

[naturalsciences101]

QUOTE (Ancient Ways @ Feb 8 2009, 02:58 PM)

Think about how long it takes to read the average 300-500 page novel. Usually a lot more than 90 or so minutes I would expect. Then, compare your boundless imagination with the tools and effects directors actually have at their disposal. These factors seem to be the biggest reason adaptations tend to disapoint. This is why all of the movies based on Hemingway books failed. The book was always ten times better than the movie.

Good observation. There's only so much that can be accomplished with the medium of Film. Fim-makers, by necessity, shave off about 3/4 of a novel's adornments, the particulars which give life to the characters and the settings, and leave the viewer with basically just the bare bones of a story. That's why movies work much bettter with Action titles than with deep, intellectual dramas. Comedy also works very well on screen because of it's physical nature, and ample room for a ton of one-liners.

 

I just recently ran into an old friend's mother and her daughter, and they both just recently finished the best-seller, Twilight. Both women nodded in affirmation as to how good they believed this title to be, as they passed the book on to me. I took it without exception. I knew it was a vampire story, and I knew it was a pretty big, pop culture phenomenon. These factors alone would usually be sufficient enough to keep me away. If it's popular, there's pretty good chance that it's going to be superficial drivel.

 

Well, it certainly is. But, it's a quick read at least. lol. I was about half done (notice I didn't say 'through'), when I spoke to my friend's mom once again to tell her thanks for the book, and the pie (there was also pie involved). And, she just knew that I loved both. But, I had to confess to her that the book wasn't what I usually read. I told her that the novel made me much more conscious of the fact that there sometimes exists 'male' and 'female' book titles.

 

This one is definitely a 'young girls' book. It's written from a young girl's perspective and the whole thing so far is centered around a young girl's 'very dangerous' romance. When I read it I feel like I'm overhearing gossip at a 15 yr. old's sleep-over. I'm very disappointed with the title and quite upset that I even started it. It's 500 pages long! But, I didn't know how to decline the offer of this old friend's mother. She finished off the conversation by telling me that there are three more titles in the series! Oh, no!

 

But, worst part about this is that I now feel obligated to sit through the full length feature film that they just made, based on the novel. The dreaded 'movie adaptation'. No one is asking me to see it. But, regardless of that fact, don't we all feel obliged to see what kind of treatment hollywood gives a book that we've just recently read?

 

 

[GeddyRulz]

[naturalsciences101]

[GeddyRulz]

Edited February 22, 2009 by GeddyRulz

[Prince Sphinc-Tor]

I dare any vampire to come near my house...I just bought a brand new box of tooth picks for just such an occassion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haha...get it...toothe picks.....wooden stakes

[Mara]

Here's an exception I recommend to everyone. Lonesome Dove, the television miniseries, is EXTREMELY faithful to McMurtry's book.

 

If you have not seen it, I urge you to do so. The headliners are Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones, and it is superbly cast and acted throughout.

 

I generally do not care for Westerns myself, so don't let that stop you. I loved the book once I finally got past my mental block. I picked it up one afternoon and began to read. I was still reading when everyone else went to bed. And then I looked out the window and thought, "oh, SHIT, the sun! It's dawn!" Yep, I read all night long.

 

I had my trepidations about the miniseries, but happily they were unfounded.

 

See it. Lonesome Dove. Now.

[naturalsciences101]

There's also the rare occasion where the film exceeds what's there on paper.

 

Shawshank Redemption and Green Mile being perfect examples.

 

Can ya think of others?

 

 

[GeddyRulz]

QUOTE (naturalsciences101 @ Mar 4 2009, 12:09 AM)

There's also the rare occasion where the film exceeds what's there on paper. Shawshank Redemption and Green Mile being perfect examples. Can ya think of others?

I thought "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" was a damned good read.

 

But yeah, it was an AWESOME film, too. Sometimes I think it's my all-time favorite, as I watch it every time it's on.

[Mara]

QUOTE (GeddyRulz @ Mar 4 2009, 05:58 AM)

QUOTE (naturalsciences101 @ Mar 4 2009, 12:09 AM) There's also the rare occasion where the film exceeds what's there on paper. Shawshank Redemption and Green Mile being perfect examples. Can ya think of others? I thought "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" was a damned good read.   But yeah, it was an AWESOME film, too. Sometimes I think it's my all-time favorite, as I watch it every time it's on. It is a great read, as well as an excellent movie. One of King's earlier efforts.   I'd heard years ago that "The Long Walk" was being made into a film. Anyone know what's going on with that, if anything? It would be quite a challenge. (One of my favorite King/Bachman stories).

[Finding IT]

QUOTE (Mara @ Mar 2 2009, 11:37 AM)

Here's an exception I recommend to everyone. Lonesome Dove, the television miniseries, is EXTREMELY faithful to McMurtry's book. If you have not seen it, I urge you to do so. The headliners are Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones, and it is superbly cast and acted throughout. I generally do not care for Westerns myself, so don't let that stop you. I loved the book once I finally got past my mental block. I picked it up one afternoon and began to read. I was still reading when everyone else went to bed. And then I looked out the window and thought, "oh, SHIT, the sun! It's dawn!" Yep, I read all night long. I had my trepidations about the miniseries, but happily they were unfounded. See it. Lonesome Dove. Now.

Yes!!! Absolutely. McMurtry is one of my favorite authors. The Lonesome Dove series is the book made flesh. Outstanding work.

 

BTW, Larry McMurtry owned a bookstore in Washington D. C. (Georgetown) in the late 80s. I worked in Foggy Bottom and would periodically walk over to see if he was in during lunch. On several occasions, I had the chance to speak with him. He was a very unassuming guy with an incredibly quick wit.

[naturalsciences101]

I finally finished Twilight yesterday. I can't believe I actually read a 500 page teenage girly novel. I feel so fresh and frilly now. But, now I'm obligated to view the flarkin film. And, I just know that this thing is going to be pure, unadulterated American pop culture drivel. The whole idea of vampires who are able to conduct themselves in the daylight goes against everything that is pure and right about vampires. And, how frikkin convenient is it to have vamps who are modified to live in the light? And, they're all nice and peaceful and only feed on animals. What a bunch of malarky.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[naturalsciences101]

I just saw the film. What a bunch of malarky.

 

One thing that I'll give 'em is that they cover pretty much every single key element and plot point from the book. It's all there...in all it's glorious suckitude.

 

Nah, I'm being way to hard upon the author. It's probably an awesome read...for a, what, 15, 16 year old girl who dreams about that dark, dangerous and powerful bloke coming into her life and giving her a sense of adventure, protecting her from the cruelty of the world.

 

That's what this whole thing is really about, right? It's all just female sexual fantasy. Softcore pornography for the young female mind. Nothing wrong with that. Totally normal and natural. The only thing that's wrong here is that I got suckered into reading in this book by an old pal's mother. lol. Somehow, she couldn't tell the difference between what a male finds interesting and entertaining and what women do. I have a coupla titles in mind to bring ova there and force her to read.

 

 

 

[-D-RocK-]

QUOTE (naturalsciences101 @ Feb 1 2009, 08:23 PM)

Upon urging by a close friend, I saw Paul Thomas Anderson's 'There Will be Blood' this past week. The film stars Daniel Day-Lewis; the actor who scared the living bejezus out of me in Gangs of New York is equally powerful and intimidating in this role....Unusual as it may seem, all planets must have aligned for Mr. DDL on Oscar Night, because he deservingly walked away with the gold statute for his work as the lead here. The 'running time' of this film is probably the project's worst enemy, and, possibly, it's only real downfall. The film clocks in somewhere around two and half hours and you definitely feel every single minute of that time passing by. It's a very slow moving film.

I recently watched it also. I got into it for the first 80 minutes or so, mostly because I enjoy period films alot, but then became restless and hit the FF button through some of the clunkier parts.

 

No need to see again I figure.

[Jack Aubrey]

QUOTE (naturalsciences101 @ Mar 6 2009, 02:46 PM)

I finally finished Twilight yesterday. I can't believe I actually read a 500 page teenage girly novel. I feel so fresh and frilly now.

[GeddyRulz]

QUOTE (naturalsciences101 @ Mar 6 2009, 09:54 PM)

It's probably an awesome read...for a, what, 15, 16 year old girl who dreams about that dark, dangerous and powerful bloke coming into her life and giving her a sense of adventure, protecting her from the cruelty of the world. That's what this whole thing is really about, right? It's all just female sexual fantasy. Softcore pornography for the young female mind. Nothing wrong with that. Totally normal and natural. The only thing that's wrong here is that I got suckered into reading in this book by an old pal's mother. lol. Somehow, she couldn't tell the difference between what a male finds interesting and entertaining and what women do. I have a coupla titles in mind to bring ova there and force her to read.

I've never read the book (and certainly don't intend to), but something tells me your review was spot-on. Women love this idea, don't they? The "slightly dangerous" and dark figure entering their humdrum lives and infusing it with a sense of adventure and excitement? It's probably why that Beauty and the Beast show (with Linda Hamilton) was so popular back in the day.

[Xanadu93]

QUOTE (naturalsciences101 @ Mar 6 2009, 10:54 PM)

I just saw the film. What a bunch of malarky. One thing that I'll give 'em is that they cover pretty much every single key element and plot point from the book. It's all there...in all it's glorious suckitude.

[naturalsciences101]

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/500/8027_chickflicks.jpg

 

Do I see 'Twilight' up there, in between 'Fried Green Tomatoes' and 'Waiting To Exhale'?

 

 

Edited March 9, 2009 by naturalsciences101

[naturalsciences101]

http://www.oxytocin.org/oxytoc/love-science.html

 

Oxytocin. Very interesting look at the love drug.

 

Not to be confused with Oxycontin.

 

 

 

Edited March 9, 2009 by naturalsciences101

[Finding IT]

QUOTE (GeddyRulz @ Mar 8 2009, 12:18 PM)

QUOTE (naturalsciences101 @ Mar 6 2009, 09:54 PM) It's probably an awesome read...for a, what,  15, 16 year old girl who dreams about that dark, dangerous and powerful bloke coming into her life and giving her a sense of adventure, protecting her from the cruelty of the world.  That's what this whole thing is really about, right?  It's all just female sexual fantasy.  Softcore pornography for the young female mind.  Nothing wrong with that. Totally normal and natural.  The only thing that's wrong here is that I got suckered into reading in this book by an old pal's mother.  lol.  Somehow, she couldn't tell the difference between what a male finds interesting and entertaining and what women do.  I have a coupla titles in mind to bring ova there and force her to read. I've never read the book (and certainly don't intend to), but something tells me your review was spot-on. Women love this idea, don't they? The "slightly dangerous" and dark figure entering their humdrum lives and infusing it with a sense of adventure and excitement? It's probably why that Beauty and the Beast show (with Linda Hamilton) was so popular back in the day. Since Wuthering Heights, no? Heathcliff is the archetype for this character.

[GeddyRulz]

QUOTE (Finding IT @ Mar 9 2009, 08:53 AM)

QUOTE (GeddyRulz @ Mar 8 2009, 12:18 PM) QUOTE (naturalsciences101 @ Mar 6 2009, 09:54 PM) It's probably an awesome read...for a, what,  15, 16 year old girl who dreams about that dark, dangerous and powerful bloke coming into her life and giving her a sense of adventure, protecting her from the cruelty of the world.  That's what this whole thing is really about, right?  It's all just female sexual fantasy.  Softcore pornography for the young female mind.  Nothing wrong with that. Totally normal and natural.  The only thing that's wrong here is that I got suckered into reading in this book by an old pal's mother.  lol.  Somehow, she couldn't tell the difference between what a male finds interesting and entertaining and what women do.  I have a coupla titles in mind to bring ova there and force her to read. I've never read the book (and certainly don't intend to), but something tells me your review was spot-on. Women love this idea, don't they? The "slightly dangerous" and dark figure entering their humdrum lives and infusing it with a sense of adventure and excitement? It's probably why that Beauty and the Beast show (with Linda Hamilton) was so popular back in the day. Since Wuthering Heights, no? Heathcliff is the archetype for this character. Exactly! I thought the same thing this morning!   Women LOVE "Wuthering Heights" - fantasizing that they're Katherine, in torrid passion with the "brutal" Heathcliff.

[naturalsciences101]

'Twilight' won over female audiences in droves because of the 'sexual fantasy' aspect of the main storyline. But, I don't have much respect for the author, or the story itself, because there was a high degree of cheating going on here. Dang cheater!

 

Vampires suffer and die in sunlight! Plain and simple. Period. End of story. There's no compromise. There's no crying in baseball. A writer can't just maneuver around this dang obstacle to get herself to some desired goal. Bah humbug!

 

You might call it poetic license, but I just call it cheating. The author is a cheater. Next thing ya know, they'll be asking us to believe that Superman sprinkles Kryptonite on his eggs every morning.

 

But, there's no denying it. It's this type of storyline which does it for the gals. Gets 'em all....well, let's say that it helps some condensation to build. It's a subtle, yet effective type of softcore porn for the female mind. It's incredibly interesting that the femal desire for sex oftentimes accompanies some form of 'romantic storytelling' device...and, that science is now telling that this type of female softcore roughly corresponds to that 'overtly explicit' form of romantic storytelling device which appeals to the guys......Porn, my good friend. XXX Porn! ♪♫ My love don't cost no thang. ♪♫

 

 

Edited March 9, 2009 by naturalsciences101

[Alien Girl]

[naturalsciences101]

D'oh!

[naturalsciences101]

I had something sorta intelligent to say on the matter...but, somehow it just sorta devolved into blather.....Point is, there is somewhat of a demarcation line when comes to what males and females find appealing in literature. Not so clearly defined though. And, obviously, there's a tremendous grey area where the twain shall meet. The most succesful (not necessarily - best) authors/movie-makers try to get a nice balance of the various, sometimes diametrically opposed, elements.

 

 

[iluvgeddy05]

I'll represent the ChikFlik opinion here

 

Years ago (I'm talking over 5), I read all the Confessions of a Shopaholic novels (aka chiclit). There are 4 of them and I thought they were great. Becky (the main character) is really a heroine and smart woman in the novel, even though she overshops and can convince herself and others of anything. The novels really make her the modern-day Nancy Drew, just dressed in Gucci.

 

So now the film is out and I was worried it would lose that significant part of her character....which it did. Of course, I'm not surprised. But it sucks when you have this awesomely, well-developed character in a book come off as a funny and ditzy woman in the film.

 

And I could tell which film reviewers read the books and which hadn't. Entertainment Weekly gave it an A-, which is a high rating for them, but they gushed about how loveable Isla Fisher was (and she was, but again, the screenplay didn't adapt her character complexities). Other reviews said the movie didn't respect the character enough, which is what I thought.

 

It was cute and entertaining but way fluffed up. Oh, and in the novels, she live in England, not NYC.