Even though it’s usually a mistake (grin) … do movies made out of books make you want to read the original?
The hustle and bustle of my day actually had me forgetting that it’s thursday, and when I had a minute to chill out and I started flipping through blogs I realized that, OMG it’s Booking Through Thursday day.
If I watch a movie and I don’t know that it is a book beforehand, then yes, generally I will go back and read the book. It has to have been a good story, right?, to spend millions to make it into a movie. And I always love to see where the inspiration for a good movie came from. As far as seeing the movie before I read the book when I know it was a book first, I try to avoid doing that, but I will admit that I did not read Pride and Prejudice until after I saw the movie. I have seen Atonement and Revolutionary Road, two movies that I was stunned by and I’m hoping that when I go back and read the books that I am properly fascinated at the amazing-ness of them.
OH! And, I just thought of this. I recently read Fireproof by Eric Wilson, which is kind of backwards because he based his book on the screenplay for a movie. So now that I read the book I have to go back and see the movie. Another book based on a movie that I have is N.H. Kleinbaum’s adaptation of Dead Poets Society. While I have not seen the movie yet (I know, I know) I did find the book in a huge pile of other stuff randomly in a favorite used bookstore of mine. So I have to decide what to do first there book or movie?
How do you feel about movie to books and vice versa? Any favorites or suggestions?
Among Stories 
I do read certain books after watching a period drama. In a way it has only enhanced a movie. However, I don’t like to watch movies after reading a book. Exceptions are there,
though!
Here is my BTT: Film to Books post!
Sometimes when I watch a movie after reading a book I wish I hadn’t. That’s what happened when I saw Dear John, I walked out of the theater pissed off. So I can definitely understand why you would stick to that philosophy.
Hm, interesting question 😀 I think it depends on the movie, right? And personal reading interests, obviously. I’ve seen enough of Atonement to know what it’s about (and how it ends), and while I thought it was a pretty good movie, it didn’t particularly make me want to go back and read the book (well…okay, it did, but only a little x3). Haven’t seen Revolutionary Road yet, but based on what I know about the movie, I don’t think I’d be inclined to read it, either. I guess some things suit some people better as movies, cause personally I think I might find trying to read RR or Atonement boring, even if the movies seem interesting. If that makes sense?
I’ve only done the book-after-movie thing twice – with Percy Jackson and The Bourne Identity. But that actually worked out decently because both movies were completely different from the source material, and balanced out pretty well as far as each having strengths and weaknesses. I’m also gonna do with with Sense and Sensibility eventually, but that actually did make me wanna read the book even more because I figured it’d be 100x better without the distracting casting choices, lol.
As far as picking, I’ve actually had a similar dilemma as your Dead Poets Society (which is an awesome movie, btw, did not know it was a book) with the Steig Larson books. I really wanna see *and* read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but am torn as to which to do first. But I think Imma end up doing the movie first, because then I won’t have such high expectations and end up disappointed, you know? Cause it almost never works doing it the other way around. Better to be impressed by the book afterwards than disappointed by the movie.
/longcomment
Completely agreed, on all counts. I haven’t read or seen anything Percy Jackson wise, but I have seen the Bourne movies, no books though, at least not yet.
I think I’m going to hold off on seeing the movies for the Steig Larson books though, and honestly, I don’t know that I even want to see the American version. I’m gonna watch the Swedish one first and go from there. After all, I prefer foreign movies half the time anyway. The books I do intend to read. My friend/co-worker got my interest spiked.
I didn’t manage to make it through more than one Bourne book. Identity was interesting, but…well, it wasn’t enough to suck me into the sequel, lol.
We’ll have to compare notes and see how each method worked, lol
Yeah, I’ll probably see the American version (if I like the book/movie) when it comes out, but I’m like 99% positive that the Swedish version is gonna be truer to the book. And yeah, I don’t mind a foreign movie, either :3
Same here, I’ll probably grab them once my current tbr list goes down a but D:
I’ve never heard of that Dead Poets Society adaption but it sounds really interesting. In any case- you should watch the movie! It’s absolutely fabulous!
I do believe that I will be seeing the movie soon. Thanks for the suggestion!
We were just discussing the whole books, movies-from-books thing. And in fact we’re currently having a Moviethon with “Movies made out of books we’ve read” -theme.
We started this with a slightly sceptical attitude, expecting to get to make fun and bad mouth the movies because we generally liked the books. But so far we’ve liked the movies, and spent most of the time gushing over Eric Bana (Time Traveler’s Wife). So if it wasn’t for Eric Bana’s abs and fine shoulders and that hair… sorry, lost focus for a while, back now. If it wasn’t for Eric Bana, we’d be completely disappointed, as we haven’t had anything to mean over. And we like being mean.
So I guess as a summary, we are usually expecting the movie will be a disappointment after the book, but there are exceptions.
It’s true, I have a tendency to believe that books will always be better and that’s not always the case.
I definitely understand the mean thing. I have a strong tendency to yell at American made ‘horror’ movies. Have you seen The Ruins? Damn pathetic. Little blondie there who’s afraid for her life because vines are growing inside the people and killing them, but shes sleeping in her skimpy little tank top and panties. Puh-lease. Bullshit, you know?
And I’d be lying if I said I’ve never watched a movie simply to daydream about lick-able abs, such as Eric Bana’s or Edward Norton’s. Fight Club anyone?! And not book related but Jake Gyllenhal’s body is what got me into the theater for Prince of Persia.
To get back to the point though, I agree.
Based on an old play, possibly even Shakespeare’s, She’s the Man. Seriously crapola movie, but Channing Tatum is practically naked half the time! There are several reasons to watch that movie, and they’re called “Channing Tatum’s abs”. Trust us. And Edward Nortons abs! Mmmm…you’ve got a point there!
ii: I have to admit, I’m more of a shoulder-girl. Abs just don’t do it to me as much as a nice pair of shoulders do. And if we’re talking shoulders, one has to mention Colin Firth. I know, predictable, everyone loves Mr. Darcy, but still. Makes me want to take something off…
M: Oooh, Colin! I’d accept his proposal anytime even if he didn’t jump in to the river and walk around with a see-through shirt….
ii: But if we’re talking of Jane Austen heros, my vote goes to Captain Wentworth. The movie was seriously ruined but the letter! Oh, the letter! *swoon*
What was the topic again?
I did see She’s the Man. Channing Tatum is a fantastic reason to watch that movie. Same with Stop-Loss, great movie, but even better with him to look at.
I’m not familiar with the movie version of Captain Wentworth, but I’ll look for it. And Colin Firth, I’ll make it a point to check out his shoulders. I’m a tall guy with nice broad shoulders fan myself – Matthew MacFayden is a perfect example if we’re sticking to Jane Austen heros.
Oooh! I just thought of this one, the guy who plays Alcide in True Blood – Joe Manganiello, I don’t know if you watch it or not, but he’s got a nice hiney in addition to nice abs and shoulders. He just may be my new standard.
Yeah, original topic.. pfft, who care’s when we’re talking hot bods?
You mention True Blood, so check out TB’s Eric, Alexander Skarsgård, in the HBO miniseries Generation Kill. None of that icky long hair, and dressed in camouflage. Me likey!
And, because I’m just too smart to be this pretty, Generation Kill IS based on a book! Ha! Hello again, original topic!
I love me some Generation Kill, and why I didn’t think of it I don’t know, but I am ashamed of myself for it. I’ve only seen it about 150 times! Isn’t the tattoo amazing? The real Iceman has it in real life. I know that because I read the book, lol!
I also have the Lieutenant Nate Fick’s book. It’s called One Bullet Away, I haven’t read it yet, but soon.
Okay, are you sure you’re not me?? This is creepy…
I’ve heard good things about the Fick book, and one of these days I fully intend to pull it off my shelf and read it…
Last I checked I was just me, lol.
My mom read Fick’s book and she said it was just as good as GK. I’m hoping I’ll get around to it sometime soon.
I haven’t joined BTT in a long time. Too bad I missed this interesting topic.
There’s only few movies based on books that are worth to seen, The Lord of The Rings and Green Mile are in my top list.
What I dislike the most is a movie that totally changed the story like My Sister’s Keeper, I don’t even want to have a glimpse of it.
As for Vice versa, it often happens. Shutter Island, The Ghost Writer are some of the movies I love to read. I watched them before finding the book. And I’ve been seriously searching for Breakfast On Pluto eversince I watched that movie. BoP is one of my all time favorite movies.
I have seen The Lord of the Rings, but I haven’t actually read them yet.
One movie that I personally loved as much as the book though is The Reader. I wouldn’t watch the movie until after I finished the book, but I was happy with both of them.
I hear you with the changing things aroung though. I can’t stand that. Even if it is just a single part of the movie. The book was successful on its own, why mess with it?
Anywho, I’m not familiar with Breakfast on Pluto, but I’m gonna give it a look.
You haven’t watched The Lord of The Rings? how come…they are really big.
I haven’t watched and read The Readers yet, I’m very curious with the movie tho.
As for BoP, I don’t know if it is the kind of book you often read, it’s definetly not my kind of book but I’m curious nevertheless. Here is a glimpse of the story (from movie side) is you like to read it http://t.co/5BVTaIo
I meant to say that I’ve watched The Lord of the Rings, but I haven’t read the books. Seems like a bit of an undertaking if I may say so myself.
And thanks for the info on Breakfast on Pluto!