Books

[Shadow]

I read Angels and Demons before the DaVinci code and much preferred it to be honest.

One of my favorite books is "A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving.There was a film made based on it which was dreadful-but the book was fantastic.

[Deleted]

If you fancy something a bit different try Daemon by Daniel Suarez. Very Hi Tech and if you are into on line games, computers and technology linked to a possible future it's an absolutely great read.

CWL

[Shadow]

Might well be my cup of tea CWL.

Talking about future technology reminded me there about Isaac Asimov.I really enjoyed his books and at one time "I Robot" and "The Rest of the Robots" were constant reading material for me.In fact talking about them has made me want to go out and buy them again

[Ann1]

It's funny, I love Si Fi movies, but cannot stand the books!! I find that most movies from books, get changed out of all recognition!! The only ones that stay faithful are Stephen King adaptations. I've heard it's because he has a lot of input into the films.

[Shadow]

The difficulty I often have when watching films that are based on books is that if Ive read the book first I know the story well and form a mental image of what the characters were like.And then it irritates the hell out of me when bits are missed out or changed.And if the actor playing a part looks completely different to how I imagine some-one to be-well thats another hurdle to get over.

I loved Ann Rice's Vampire stories but when "Interview With The Vampire" was made into a film I hated Tom Cruise in the Lestat role and thought Brad Pitt completely wrong for the central character Louis.

As for Antonio Banderas playing Armand-supposedly little more than a boy-it was laughable.

[Ann1]

I saw the film and quite enjoyed it, but haven't read the book!! It's like Fairs was saying about the Alex Cross film, although Morgan Freeman is a good actor, he should not have been Alex Cross, as in the book he comes across as a much younger man. I like Val McDermid books, but when the TV series Wire in the Blood came on with Robson Green, it ruined the books for me, as I kept seeing him as Tony Hill!!!! Which is not how I saw him at all!!!!

[Deleted]

Feb 2, 2011 16:13:31 GMT 1 Ann1 said:

It's funny, I love Si Fi movies, but cannot stand the books!! I find that most movies from books, get changed out of all recognition!! The only ones that stay faithful are Stephen King adaptations. I've heard it's because he has a lot of input into the films.

Just as well he is a better Author than Film Director then as barring The Shining (Thank God for Kubrick) most IMO have been complete pants. I hope whoever is making and directing The DarK Tower film version get's it right.

CWL

[Deleted]

Feb 2, 2011 18:26:37 GMT 1 Shadow said:

The difficulty I often have when watching films that are based on books is that if Ive read the book first I know the story well and form a mental image of what the characters were like.And then it irritates the hell out of me when bits are missed out or changed.And if the actor playing a part looks completely different to how I imagine some-one to be-well thats another hurdle to get over.

I loved Ann Rice's Vampire stories but when "Interview With The Vampire" was made into a film I hated Tom Cruise in the Lestat role and thought Brad Pitt completely wrong for the central character Louis.

As for Antonio Banderas playing Armand-supposedly little more than a boy-it was laughable.

I know exactly what you mean.........................

The one thing I admire about most of the comic book adaptions is that the people behind the movies are extremely careful when it comes to choosing the actors to play the roles. The fans murder them when they get it wrong.....................

I love the idea of casting practically complete unknowns in these films where many people will go, Who? Shame is the big studio bosses and money men will always want a Star name to sell it which often ends up making it a whole lot worse. Hated, I Robot, and Legend as they were nothing but film vehicles for Will Smith. Shame of it is he is a very good actor (I think he is brilliant in Ali), however should never have been cast in those particular roles.

CWL

[Shadow]

Agreed CWL.

I'd also like to see more unknown actors getting roles.There are some good big name actors out there but it gets tedious seeing the same faces in every film.And some of the films they are cast in are just woefully wrong.

The film version of I Robot was a travesty in every way.It bore no resemblance to the original story-Will Smith's character was just slotted in for some random reason in my opinion and I really didnt like the ahem-"adaptation".Legend-well I saw the Omega man first and much preferred it.

In terms of Stephen King novels being made into films-the only one I liked was "The Shining".David Soul in "Salems Lot"-another book I loved-was an abomination in my eyes.Did the producers etc not read the book and see many references to Bens BLACK hair for starters .But I lost interest in Stephen King a while back.Books like Desperation were pure desperation.And as for those weasels that live up your bottom-well I have a vivid imagination but that was stretching things too far

[Ann1]

Weasles, bottoms Looks like I missed quite a bit when I gave up reading King's books!!!!!!! I liked his earlier books, Cujo, Pet Semetary etc, but didn't read Geralds Game or anything after that. That Legend with Will Smith, is that the one where he is the only person left alive, that was on not long ago? If it was, I quite enjoyed that

[Shadow]

Books called Dreamcatcher Ann.There were these aliens that lived in your bottom then exploded out killing you in the process-he actually called them a*** Weasels.I remember buying it then reading in disbelief

Yes-that sounds like legend

[Deleted]

I take back some of my earlier thoughts on Stephen King as on reflection there are actually four other film adaptations of his books I think are worth a look.

The Shawshank Redemption from his Novella (In Different Seasons, four great stories), Misery, Christine and The Green Mile. Both Shawshank and Green Mile directed by Frank Darabont with loving care.

Mind you although I consider these films worth the effort to watch (Green Mile being a test of stamina for any film goer) still found reading the books much better.

CWL

[Shadow]

Yes-I forgot about Green Mile-really enjoyed it but again I preferred the book.

[Ann1]

I thought Misery was really good, although I'd read the book first and knew what the ending was!!! I'm reading the The Rome Prophecy by Jon Trace, just started it, but it looks promising

[Fairscup]

Misery, I still have the occasional image of Kathy Bates. She was scarey