Monday, April 15, 2013

King's Speech: M is for MOVIES

Regular readers of The Shellshank Redemption know how much I enjoy a good quote (see Motivational Mondays) and that I’m a huge fan of Stephen King (see the King of All Days Part I and Part II.) So, for the 2013 A-Z Challenge, I decided to combine the two, using some of my favorite King quotes about reading, writing and life in general. Enjoy!

*****

Books and MOVIES are like apples and oranges. 
They both are fruit, but taste completely different. 
(Stephen King)

I’m going to remember this the next time I see a movie based on a book. I’ve gotten into the habit of comparing them – a subplot was left out, the ending was different, the actor/actress playing the main character looks nothing like I pictured, etc. I figure I have two choices: watch the movie and enjoy it - or dislike it - based on nothing but the movie itself OR skip the movie and re-read the book instead. I’m not sure if this new system will work but I’m going to give a try, starting with King’s Under the Dome, which comes out on TV this summer…


22 comments:

  1. It is a good reminder. I find movies USUALLY do a better job at adaptation if they step back and try to get at the underlying idea, rather than taking the plot point by point. I know there are exceptions, but generally... TV series do a better job with movies because they can include a lot more details. (I am loving the Game of Thrones series, even though there are changes and consolidations... still, it is a pretty darned good job.

    ReplyDelete
  2. As long as it doesn't deviate too much from the book, I can enjoy both.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hart - I think that's a good point re the idea vs plot points. For me, an example would be The Hunger Games - I enjoyed it very much, but I think they missed a chunk of some of the underlying themes.

    Alex - I'm working toward enjoying both, each in their own right.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I didn't know they were making that a movie. I actually didn't care for the ending in the Dome though I loved the rest of the book up to that point.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I found The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo to be the rare case of the movie being as good as the book.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Susan - it'll be on TV this June. I remember liking the book overall, especially the beginning and middle, but I don't really remember the end.

    OE - I never could get into that book. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is so true! I don't know why I go into a film adaption of a book expecting to see the book. It hardly ever resembles the images placed in my head while reading.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I always go into a film adaptation knowing that changes are going to be made, and that I need to be prepared for that. I find it helps avoid a lot of disappointment.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm so excited for Under the Dome! I loved the book and, like you, I'll try not to think of the TV show as the same beast.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Emily - I think we'll be better off if we can see them as separate entities. :)

    MJ - preparation is the key. :)

    Kate - it helps that I don't remember it that well. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I almost always like the books better than the movies, but that may be because I've usually read the books first. Hope this movie will be a good one. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think we have a naturally tendency to compare book to movie or movie to book. As you say, they are two different fruits with different flavors. We just need to remember that when we're sitting and eating popcorn while we watch the next film adaptation of a book.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Julie - I usually read the book first, too, although I guess there are a handful of times I saw the movie first, like GONE WITH THE WIND, and then went back and read the novel.

    Elizabeth - I'm definitely going to try and remember that they're different and just enjoy them for what they are.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love that quote- I'd never thought of it like that but it makes a lot of sense. I try not to mix the 2 (ha, if that's possible) and just take them as separate experiences. it doesn't often work, but I try.

    ReplyDelete
  15. It's almost inevitable things will get left out of a film. I think we have to remember that it's just one or a few people's interpretation of a book, which would be different from our own, and it's just as valid even if we dislike it.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Lexie - I think the quote is a good reminder, too,

    Nick - that's a good point about the validity of different interpretations.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have a hard time separating movies and books. I always like the books better but there are some good movies from books out there.

    Thanks for visiting my blog! Nice to "meet" you. Enjoy the challenge!

    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  18. Jen - I agree, there are definitely some good movies based on books. Thanks for Following us here at TSR! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I used to love Stephen King's column for Entertainment Weekly. His take on movies and books was always so interesting, and I agree, they are definitely different experiences.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Stephsco - I haven't read those columns. I bet they are interesting!

    ReplyDelete