Honestly I love to see adaptations of the books I love. Some of my favourite films are adaptations of books, but if I could give just one piece of advice on seeing adaptations of books you love it would be this:
Please please please DO NOT read the book just before going to see the movie. Just don't do it. You will be disappointed. Even if the movie is the best adaptation ever (and especially if it isn't).
The only way that I was able to enjoy most of the Harry Potter films (sorry I'm going to switch between using film and movie, because that's what I do in life) was because I hadn't read any of them immediately before going to see them and so was only vaguely aware of what they'd missed out or added in (except in the sixth film because practically the whole thing was made up). Anyway, that's my tip.
Some books I've reviewed since I started blogging which have been turned into movies that weren't awful:
We Bought a Zoo by Benjamin Mee - So the film was set in the US and starred Matt Damon as opposed to being set on cold and rainy Dartmoor and starring this guy:
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| hair aside, I can see the resemblance actually... |
The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien. I haven't actually seen these except the first one but I enjoyed that, and I do own The Desolation of Smaug but haven't geared myself up for the extended edition yet.
Ghost World by Daniel Clowes. Actually I think I might like the film of this more than the graphic novel, although that's really good too. The cast of the film are just perfect.
V for Vendetta by Alan Moore. The first book I ever reviewed on this blog and an amazingly amazing film. If you haven't seen this film yet you really should, it's so clever.
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. This film was really great - what's not to love about a book and film set in a circus? Beautiful with a really touching storyline and Robert Pattison was unexpectedly good.
And two I'm looking forward to:
Wild by Cheryl Strayed - love love love the book and I also love Reese Witherspoon so I need this film!
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. Not sure why I haven't seen this yet because The Hunger Games movie was so much better than I thought it would be, but they have the film in the library now so I have no excuse!
And as a little added extra you can win your choice of one title from this list! Just leave a way to contact you (twitter, email) in the comments and I'll pick on at random next week sometime. Happy Armchair BEA!
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is possibly BETTER than the first movie, which was a nice surprise. I'm also looking forward to Wild, but I need to read the book first (obviously) so I'm holding off ordering it for now! V for Vendetta is amazing in book AND movie form, and I think I preferred the Ghost World movie but really enjoyed the book too. :)
ReplyDeleteOf course I'd pick The Hobbit. I love this book. And this movie.
ReplyDeletedebnance at gmail dot com
I'd choose Wild by Cheryl Strayed. I haven't seen the movie nor read the book yet. Thank you :)
ReplyDeletemilkristia(at)hotmail(dot)com
thanks for the giveaway and interesting post. I have not yet read nor watched Wild, o I'm due, and would love to win that title. Emma: @wordsandpeace
ReplyDeletebe sure to enter my own giveaway: http://wordsandpeace.com/2015/05/30/armchair-bea-win-a-15-gift-card-and-giveaway/
Love your post! I loved the movie adaptation of Water for Elephants.
ReplyDeleteverusbognar (at) gmail (dot) com
I'd pick Water For Elephants since I loved the film. Jo Elliott @iloveheartlandX
ReplyDeleteI'd like to win Ghost World. @wearedevilcow
ReplyDeleteYes, I'd agree with you about putting some space between reading the book and seeing the film. I didn't enjoy The Hunger Games film that much when I saw it at the cinema, not because it wasn't a good adaptation but possibly because it was TOO faithful and too fresh in my mind so lacked the element of surprise. (Also wasps.)
ReplyDeleteThe film I like better than the book it was based on is The Princess Bride. It is so well paced, witty, visually impressive and exactly the right length of ninety minutes. There closest thing to a perfect film I have yet encountered.
i do thing it's better to see the film first too because i did got disappointed each time i read teh book first.( catching teh fire or the hobbit hum my heart is undecided yet)
ReplyDeletethanks!
isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm really interested in reading Wild and watching the movie too! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeletexxsquigglesxx(At)Gmail(dot)Com
I would love to read Wild. It has been on my wish list for quite some time.
ReplyDeletevideoclimber AT yahoo DOT com
haven't seen any of these yet
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
I must say I was surprised by how much I enjoyed THE HUNGER GAMES movies. Always a good thing when you have enjoyed the books.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I have seen the movie of we bought a zoo and loved the plot idea would love the book - didn't realize it was from a book till now but that's a good thing for me because I tend to get a little OC about the details when I know a book and watch the movie of it. bibliophilesretreat (at) gmail
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!. I love Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Game trilogy and so far the movies have been really good too. If I were to win the giveaway I would like to win The Hobbit, mainly because this is a book my 8 year old son has been wanting me to read it with him. He's just now getting into reading larger books and that's something we do together. Once again thanks for the giveaway. andreahatfield43 (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely giveaway! I'd love to read Wild. I've had my eye on it for ages but haven't got round to buying it yet! Look's like an amazing book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI'd love The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien
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