Challenge: 50 Books discussion

Have you seen a movie that's better than the book? Which one?

"The Horse Whisperer" I saw it under duress with a friend who is both horse and Robert Redford mad. I'm not saying it was a great movie - although I did enjoy it - but it was OMG better than the book. I thank the powers that be that they changed the ending. After I finished the book (read on rec from aforementioned bff) I had the overwhelming urge to hunt down Nicholas Sparks & beat him with a stick. Suicide by wild horse, are you effing kidding me!!? I have never picked up another of his books, and I'm pretty sure I never will.

I know there are a few that I've seen, but the only one that I can think of off the top of my head is Bridget Jones' Diary. Book was enjoyable enough (in a total fluff kind of way), but the movie was better.

Okay, I know I'm gonna catch a lot of flak for this, but all of the Lord of the Rings movies. The books were just too mired in details that didn't seem necessary to me. I get that Tolkien was trying to create an entire world with hi words, and he certainly did, it was just too much for me. The movies pared the books down to the absolute essential storyline and gave immediate visuals instead of pages and pages of detailed description.

I have to agree with Brook. The movies were amazing but I struggled through the books.

Bridget Jones - really liked the movie, didn't make me want to read the book.

I was really thinking about this, but I do have to agree with Brook. The books had their moments, and they did take out some of my favorite parts. But the movies made it so much easier to get through those slogging battle scene descriptions.

I really enjoyed the Lord of the Rings books, but I understand the points you have all been making. I would say that the movies are equal to the books, for me.

I did think of another one, though. Nothing against the book, I very much enjoyed it, but The Shawshank Redemption is my all-time favorite movie (I think it's FANTASTIC), so therefore the book will obviously pale a little in comparison.

Faye wrote: "Have you seen a movie that's better than the book? Which one?"

I agree with Kate. I can not compare the movies and the books for the Lord of the Rings. They are equally successful.

I can think of New Moon by Stephenie Meyers. I liked the movie more than the book.

The Princess Bride - The movie was just the most fantastic thing ever. And possible actually Howl's Moving Castle

Lin wrote: "The Princess Bride - The movie was just the most fantastic thing ever. And possible actually Howl's Moving Castle"

I have to completely disagree with you, Lin. I tell ALL my friends that even though I love the movie, I thought the book of Princess Bride was WAY better.

interesting question. in the back back back of my mind there is a film that was indeed better but for the life of me i can't recall it. darn! the only thing i keep thinking about is how much i hated what they've done of The Lightning Thief.
oh - probably the last harry potter. the films were well done but the book dragged. (well the penultimate film wasn't great either.)
now i did not know there was a book for "the princess bride" - i'll have to read that some time!

Antonia wrote: "interesting question. in the back back back of my mind there is a film that was indeed better but for the life of me i can't recall it. darn! the only thing i keep thinking about is how much i hate..."

As soon as I read the question I thought about how much I hated the movie for Golden Compass, which was one of my favorite favorite books. I definitely recommend Princess Bride!
I haven't watched Lightning Thief YET, but I just finished the book.

Oooh, Princess Bride! There's a book I've always wanted to read. Is it suitable to read aloud to children?

Yes, although it's not a children's book.

Michelle wrote: "Oooh, Princess Bride! There's a book I've always wanted to read. Is it suitable to read aloud to children?"

I'd say there's nothing objectionable in it, but depending on the age of the children, a lot of the humor may go over their heads.