Well that’s the Oscars done and dusted for another year. People are losing their minds over the dresses and the winners (and those who perhaps should have!) Personally I still haven’t moved on from Cate Blanchett’s Elizabeth I losing to Gwenyth Paltrow for Shakespeare in Love. I mean, really…?
I love a good movie. Going to the movies is one of my favourite sports. Recently watched – Bohemian Rhapsody, The Wife, Green Book… All wonderful storytelling, all great performances.
I recently read Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train in a few hours. What a book! Even though I knew what was coming, the writing was sublime. I really enjoyed the movie too. A friend who had read the book said it was far better than the movie but perhaps that depends on the order you consumed them in? In this case, I think both were equally brilliant. She preferred the London setting of the novel but I actually really enjoyed the New York backdrop. Each to their own.
I’m reading one of George RR Martin’s prequel books (to Game of Thrones) and it’s a light read, nothing like the intrigue and murder of GoT. Not yet anyway. I managed to enjoy the books on a different level from the series because they are so different. Outlander by Diana Galbadon is another story. The books are magnificent. The series, imo, a bit meh, although I loved the third season with it’s back and forth between 60s Boston and Scotland and Jamie’s life in the 18th century. I surprised myself by really not enjoying the season set in Paris!
There are a few movies that I preferred to the novel if only from an entertainment point of view. I’m a little lazy, I have to admit. Eat, Pray, Love, Julie & Julia, Under the Tuscan Sun, and A Good Year were all wonderful, escapist movies while the books asked far more of the reader. For pure entertainment, grab the movie, but if you want to think a bit more about why we do what we do, over and over again, read Eat, Pray, Love. I’m just back from Bali and it’s in the window of every book shop on the island! If you are struggling with infertility and working out what life means without children, read Julie & Julia (Tears aplenty. You’ve been warned!) Under The Tuscan Sun is quite literary and I found it tough going because I am a slow reader and she uses a lot of words. Mayes’ prose is quite flowery but I don’t mean that in a bad way. And A Good Year by Peter Mayle was a bit of a hopeless tale about a hapless guy that gets ripped off, but in the hands of Ridley Scott the movie becomes a bit of a hero’s journey leaving us all wanting to run away to a chateau in the South of France afterward. I might even have fallen in love with Russell Crowe, just a little.
This is Georgie, aka George, aka smoochy girl. This is how I stand at my desk and write, always with a small cat at my feet. I love this little cat so much.
That’s why I’m “the worst English teacher” (as quoted by one of my English teacher friends) because I preferred the Harry Potter films over the books, although my reason that it was less time to rewatch the films than to reread the series. I even said that the books were richer and gave a more satisfying experience, the films are less effort and I am still thoroughly entertained.
I see films adaptations as being just that – an adaptation! It introduces the text to a whole other audience! And it gives a different experience/interpretation of the same story. So of course it’s not always 100% true to the source material, but it’s also a different vision (not just version). Like (again with Harry Potter) the different directors portrayed the wizarding world and the characters slightly differently. The creative choices of film makers directly impact the sensational and emotional cinematic experience of the film viewer.
I like films and books and enjoy ruminating on interpreting the (intended or not) meaning of the text itself as well as any adaptations and/or remakes.
I loved the books and the movies of HP and you’re totally right, it’s two completely different experiences. So many more people have enjoyed those stories and so many others than would have if they’d never been made into movies. One thing I did find when my son was growing up is that if he wasn’t old enough to read the book I wouldn’t let him see the movie. HP especially has some pretty adult concepts.
It’s funny how people can be so snobby about book/film versions. I brought up HP because I honestly haven’t read nor seen any of the films/books you mentioned at all in your post LOL! But I wanted to throw in my pennies worth because I totally agree with your message. 😎
Also, I didn’t even realise the Oscars had happened. I pay no attention to the friggen world going on around me except for what is immediately in front of my eyes (like people, and WordPress LOL) any stand outs? Outfits, wins/losses, jokes, scandals?
I agree re the snobbery. I’m certainly no snob. My all time fave movies are Eternal Sunshine and Midnight in Paris 😬 The books are all travel related which I was obsessed with for years until I started reading fiction again. It was wonderfully woke, the whole oscars. I have to admit that I am a little confused about why everyone is losing their minds over Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. I mean, they’re actors surely. People are saying they’re a bit too cosy if you know what I mean. Lmao Do you follow Celeste barber on insta? Her ‘story’ post was hilarious.