Before I was a blogger, one of my favorite ways to find good books to read was to peruse the pages of Entertainment Weekly and see what movies were coming out. And of course I wanted to read the book before seeing the movie, because we all know most of the time, the book really is better.
Which brings us to this week's
Top Ten Tuesday!
Here's a list of movies that I think were as good (or better) than the books or at least brought something new to the experience of the story, in no particular order:
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
If you can believe, I read A CLOCKWORK ORANGE at the beach (in Myanmar). I remember having to read the first page about 10 times because it was so strange. Stanley Kubrick was the perfect director to bring this to life.
The Hunger Games (2012)
Ok, so I wasn't on board with some of the casting choices (Peeta), but for the most part I enjoyed the adaptation. At least, every time I rewatch it, it sucks me right back in.
Holes (2003)
This is probably my favorite middle grade book of all time, and though the movie is a different experience than the book, it's still a great one mainly due to the
perfect casting.
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
I read this specifically because the movie was coming out and I loved the cat and mouse of the book. The movie glosses over some of the plot, but Matt Damon and Jude Law were great in their roles.
Little Children (2006)
I also read this because of the movie, and I love Kate Winslet in the part of a bored housewife who has an affair. The production hits all of the dark atmospheric notes perfectly.
The Great Gatsby (1974)
I refuse to see the 2013 version because no one but Robert Redford will ever be Gatsby to me.
The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
This probably makes me weird, but this book was my favorite as a kid. When the movie came out, I saw it 8 times in the theatre (a record that still stands, and likely always will). I mean, those looks between Uncas and Alice. I totally believed in their wordless, unrequited romance.
Thank You For Smoking (2005)
The plot of the movie is less wacky than the plot of the book, but I so enjoyed both versions, because at the time, I had just finished working on a project for a potentially reduced exposure product from a major cigarette producer and everything rang so, so true to my experience. Brilliant.
Life of Pi (2012)
This was one of those books I was always pushing on people so I could discuss it with them, so when I heard Ang Lee was directing a film version, I was super excited. The visuals in this are STUNNING.
Les Miserables (2012)
I was obsessed with the Les Miserables musical in high school (saw a traveling production in Dayton for my 18th birthday), so when the 1998 movie came out, I kinda hated it because they didn't sing. The movie soundtrack won't replace my broadway version, but it works in the context of the movie (yes, even Russell Crowe). And I
always cry at the end. Every time.
Additional thoughts
The Lord of the Rings. LOVED the movies but I've only read bits and pieces of the books, so I guess I can't count these.
Cloud Atlas. For this to work, you HAD to have read the book, so that is not such a successful adaptation in my mind. It was very ambitious though, so I'll give it an A for effort.
The Never Ending Story. Ok, so I loved both when I was a kid, but wow, is this movie ever cheesy when I watch it today.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Well, actually Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory (1971) because both book and movie are so wonderfully weird. HATE the remake.
Disappointments
The Time Traveler's Wife. All the pieces seemed to be there, but it just didn't work. Lack of chemistry?
Memoirs of a Geisha. I read this in one sitting until the wee hours of the night, but the movie was boring.
The Road. One of my favorite books, and the movie didn't do it justice.
A Series of Unfortunate Events. I think Jim Carrey ruined this for me.
Loved the Book, Still need to see the movie
We Need to Talk About Kevin
Where the Wild Things Are
Loved the movie, Still need to read the book
Misery
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Children of Men
The Silver Linings Playbook
No Country for Old Men
Ok. Stopping now. For reals.
ETA: Not stopping apparently! Just reminded of The Help and Atonement. Both excellent on page and film.
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