Books made into films - Page 3

AccyRed · 03-09-2007, 18:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

I think a lot of the failings of the film were due to him being miscast.

I thought that too Gayle...It just wasn't the right role for him...don't know why...can't quite put my finger on it!!! Too young for it maybe??

steeljack · 03-09-2007, 18:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by AccyRed

I thought that too Gayle...It just wasn't the right role for him...don't know why...can't quite put my finger on it!!! Too young for it maybe??

maybe it was the idea of an American being an intellectual history professor , kind of an oxymoron dont you think.

apologies to my countrymen

cashman · 03-09-2007, 18:55

like shaker n others say,cant really compare books-films, think very few work though on the big screen, one that stands out to me in film was - The Devil Rides Out, agree the Da-Vici-Code was garbage on the screen, most conversions are.

shakermaker · 03-09-2007, 19:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by AccyRed

I thought that too Gayle...It just wasn't the right role for him...don't know why...can't quite put my finger on it!!! Too young for it maybe??

When I was reading both Angels & Demons and then The Da Vinci Code, I always pictured Jeff Bridges playing the role of Robert Langdon. Possibly because of his performance in Arlington Road which was vaguely similar (and a very good film).
I don't think Hanks was particularly bad in the role or mis-cast, I just think the film should not have been made. It was one of those knee jerk reactions to a massively popular book. The film companies saw the opportunity to make a buck and made the film as quickly as possible with the biggest names they could find (Hanks and McKellen). It's not an awful film, it does have it's good points.

lindsay ormerod · 03-09-2007, 19:34

Thought both " silence of the lambs" and "Jaws" were scarier in book form but both films were great too.
Agrre with the point about Dalziel and Pascoe; books are better though Warren Clarke is the ideal Dalziel.
The only case I can think of where the book and the filmed production are equal is Morse. I have read every book and seen every episode and they are both a joy. ( Except the last book and last programme, I can't face the fact of Morse dying, I have both but can't bear to go through with it ; sad I know !)

Tin Monkey · 03-09-2007, 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by spud

I saw Trainspotting(film) before reading the book and thought it was very good indeed, it's just a shame they havn't made a film of the follow-up, Porno, 10 years on and the story hits the ground running. Excellent book, how much would it cost to get the cast on this time round?, probably the reason they havn't made it.

I heard that a film of Porno is in the pipeline.

I enjoyed the film of Trainspotting, but it isn't a patch on the book. The book is much, much darker.
Porno was enjoyable, but I don't think it's Welsh's best effort.

Ianto.W. · 03-09-2007, 21:59

It takes a specialised typy of authour to create what I call 'page turners,' these are the only novels suitable for making film versions, some may only write one in their career, but there are exeptions. My nomination would be John Grisham, all his novels have been successfull films, to name a few, as at present my mind is rather clouded with medication, so dear reader please bear with me. 1 A time to die,2 The client, 3 The Pelican,4 Brief,5 The fiirm,6 The street lawyer,7 The chamber, there are more but my patience is at an end, please do not mention the rubbish churned out for little old ladies by the 'Geordie woman who'm my late dear mother was hooked on Catherine Cookson or her Blackburn born phlagarist Josaphine Cox in the same breath as this great man. rant over ta.

garinda · 03-09-2007, 23:48

I read American Psycho after reading a review in the Sunday Times saying 'do not read this book'. Well, always the rebel, I of course went out and bought it.

It is a cheap literary trick. Half a book of the most mundane details about what people ate/wore, then WHAM, the most shocking, disgusting sadism, in all it's gory detail. I thought the book was great, and went on to read everything by it's author Bret Easton Ellis, and enjoyed them.

I was very disappointed at the film. It certainly didn't have the slickness of the book, nor the almighty shock factor.

shakermaker · 03-09-2007, 23:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I was very disappointed at the film. It certainly didn't have the slickness of the book, nor the almighty shock factor.

I loved Ellis' use of humour in American Psycho, which I felt the makers of the film did not get at all.
Some of the dialogue really had me chuckling, and then asking myself why would I laugh at such a disgusting scene, which I also loved. Good books always make you second guess the way you feel about their characters.

garinda · 04-09-2007, 00:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakermaker

I loved Ellis' use of humour in American Psycho, which I felt the makers of the film did not get at all.

No.

Whoosh.

Right over their heads.

shakermaker · 04-09-2007, 00:13

I don't get it.

jackyalex · 04-09-2007, 00:27

i read a book about 10 yrs ago called go ask alice,now i missed the film on tv and ive tried to get hold of it ever since,where is the best place to look for the it,ive tried ebay but cant find it

garinda · 08-09-2007, 15:51

I've just thought of another book and a film that I like equally.

I read Alice Walker's The Color Purple when it was first published in 1982. I read it on holiday by myself in Greece, and I found it really moving.

The film, released two years later was brilliant, but nothing like the book. All evidence of lesbianism had been removed from the story, but the cast, including a memorable performance from Oprah Winfrey, turned it into a great film, in my opinion.

I've just watched part of the film on YouTube. It's when hard drinking sinner Shug, is reunited with her preacher father. The music is by Quincy Jones, and it fills my heart with joy, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, everytime I watch it.

mobertol · 08-09-2007, 16:55

Good one, Garinda -brilliant film and snubbed at the oscars that year. I have to admit to not having read the book, will put it on my list of books to read.
Another film I loved was Possession with Jennifer Ehle and Gwyneth Paltrow, the book by A.S.Byatt is a challenging read but well worth the effort..

shillelagh · 09-09-2007, 20:07

Sat here watching Lord of the Rings Two Towers its on channel 4 at the minute. Love the films but cant get into the books have tried many times to read the book but have never got past the first 20 pages