What is it about the written word v. movies? What is it that's hard-wired into our brains that for most of us, the written word is so much more powerful for our own imagination; whereas the visuals on the screen makes everything so specific.
Don't get me wrong. I love movies. I love the escape. I usually enjoy the storyline. But today I went to see a movie...based on a series of books I have already read. And even though the one movie probably covered 4 of the books, it all went lacking for me. Since I totally enjoy/know 3 of the 4 actresses, it was still a good movie. I sat in the theater with my free popcorn (Tuesdays are Free Popcorn days), alone for most of the whole show and totally enjoyed the experience. But I am so happy I read all the books previously.
I saw the trailer for Twilight and thought to myself...Gee, this is much nastier than my head made it when I read that book. And the trailer for Harry Potter which we all had hoped was coming out in November but won't be out til next July..........the trailer was super. but there's not way any producer can make the story into one movie. So glad the 7th volume will be 2 movies.
So what do you like? Reading? Watching? Both? Which way first? Ever read a story after you've seen the movie? Any movies on your list to watch in the near future that I should be alerted to?
4 comments:
well I rarely go to movies or read fictional books so can't really answer your question. right now we are into watching historical documentaries. just watched john adams all 7 pbs series on dvd and loved seeing history come alive. that's where my interests are, most modern movies are too much-violence, sex or language that makes me uncomfortable. sorry!
I started reading the Harry Potter Series after seeing the first movie. I really enjoy reading Jane Austin and other Classics. and I really enjoyed the Twlight series. My favorite type of movies are Romantic comedy although Dave and I take turns picking because he is not a fan. My all time favorite movie is While you were sleeping. Anyway thats my 2 cents.
Susan,
As a family we read Harry Potter and then saw the movie -- all the volumes that way.
I remember reading Journey to the Center of the Earth after the movie when I was in high school and got an A+ on the oral book report comparing the two.
Often I think I want to see what the book was like after I've seen a show.
I read all the Nicholas Sparks books before I saw the movies (Message in a Bottle, Walk to Remember, The Notebook). Same for Richard Paul Evans (The Christmas Box, The Timepiece, The Locket). His Nights in Rodanthe is supposed to be coming out soon and I'll see that, too.
A friend told me I 'have to see' Mama Mia, but I haven't yet. She said you have to see the credits all the way through.
Of course Sound of Music was way different than Maria von Trapp's book and she never made a dime from the movie.
Obviously, I like musicals and romances and have never seen some that you have enjoyed and even some hubby likes. Some movies I just don't think I'll like or want to see, and some I know I won't like, so I don't go -- and I'm a stickler for ratings even though even PG-13 is no guarantee that it's decent standard to see.
I don't like most series books. I seem to run out of interest way before the author runs out of verbage. I like to read the book...then see the movie, then read the book again with the visual of the characters a little more vibrantly brought to life.
There have been times when the actor chosen for the role just didn't seem to fit the description in the book as well as I thought I should, then when I saw the movie, it all fell into place for me.
I like light romantic comedys. translation: chick flicks. Movies like, "Return to me", "P.S. I Love You", "Sleepless in Seattle", "The Electric Horseman", "Legal Eagles", "You've Got Mail", "While You Were Sleeping", "The Notebook"
I also like older movies and movies with strong performances. "Gone With the Wind", "Pride and Prejudice, "Imitation of Life", "A Lion in Winter", "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner".
I LOVED Mamma Mia. It has an absolutely TERRIBLE premise. And there are some fleeting naughty moments. But, it is filmed entirely in Greece...great location! And my daughter and I laughed to the point of hysteria. We sang along, and waved our arms in the air, and squiggled and wiggled in our seats. It was all I could do to keep from dancing in the aisles during some of those lively Abba songs. We actually came pretty close. I'm pretty sure that the people sitting behind us wished we'd gone to an earlier showing. There was one very poignant number that Meryl Streep sang about her daughter, "slipping through her fingers" that Chandi and I put our heads together, held hands, and sobbed all the way through... out loud.
I guess I like escapism. "Schindler's List" and "Sophie's Choice" were excellent films...but so hard to watch. They tugged at me for weeks.
And... "Tha-Tha-Tha-That's All Folks"
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