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Films That Motivate Reads

Hey, ya'll! I'm new here, and happy to be here. I was just wondering what films out there have motivated you to read the "original". One of my favorite films is Orlando (Virginia Woolf), so I'm trying to get to the read. I think it's interesting to compare the two genres of the same work. Usually I find the book to be far better, but occasionally... Anyway, I've found film to be a good source for the library list. What do any of ya'll think?

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Permalink Reply by Vitomama on July 21, 2008 at 6:34pm

Digression can be a very good thing...Every night my husband reads to our 4 year old at bedtime. Lately they've been doing Roald Dahl books (husband of the great Patricia Neal). A couple of them are kind of scary for him, but he loves most of them. I will say, however, that our kid is not nearly as limited as most in what he can watch/read. I grew up with an uncle in the movie business and saw things that my parents would never have approved of. The jury is still out as to the damage it may have caused! But we're very liberal about his exposure. He lets us know when he has questions or fears and we talk about it. We haven't started him on the Potter books, but he is watching the films. Aren't they great?

Permalink Reply by Sarah on July 21, 2008 at 11:10pm

My son has seen HP movies 1-4 but we're only through book 3 in reading. I don't think anything scares him strangely enough. This is the kid who at 4yo, begged to ride Tower of Terror at Disney and was crying when he got off because he couldn't get right back on! He's an odd one. Course if you ask him now, he'll tell you he doesn't like it.

Permalink Reply by Sarah on July 21, 2008 at 11:30pm

Aww, that's o.k. Even when they are old enough to read by themselves, you should read to him. It's one of the best ways for kids to keep acquiring the language. It also helps with spelling and grammar. I can't find it now of course, but I've read that you shouldn't stop reading out loud to your kids until they leave home!

Permalink Reply by Suzanne on August 26, 2008 at 10:48am

That is so true. I kept reading aloud to my kids even into middle school. We'd pick a grown-up book that interested them but that they couldn't yet handle, and I'd read it to them. They soon discovered that "kids" books weren't nearly as good as "grown-up" ones. It also encouraged them to continue to practice their reading skills so they could read the books for themselves.

Permalink Reply by Suzanne on August 26, 2008 at 10:43am

I find that's true with a lot of movies made from books I've already read.

Permalink Reply by Vitomama on July 21, 2008 at 10:50pm

Have you seen the Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon version of Wizard of Oz? It's entertaining.

Permalink Reply by Jeffrey on July 23, 2008 at 10:23am

I didn't start reading Bukowski until I saw Barfly and I saw Secret Window before I read the book. I tend to agree with what King says about his movies. He compared his books and movies to apples and oranges saying they're different but both are good. Eh well that's not always the case with Stephen King. Some of his movie adaptations are just plain embarrassing. Other than that I don't usually watch a movie then read the book. I just don't see the need because it seems like I got the gist of it the first time around.

Permalink Reply by Calla on July 23, 2008 at 11:58am

Fight Club... although I should've known that the book would be, if possible, even more brutal than the movie. Still haven't finished reading it...

I usually like the book better than the movie though. In some cases, I don't even want to see the movie, because I know it'll inevitably suck.

The opposite is true of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. ;)

Permalink Reply by AtheistJoy on August 18, 2008 at 12:13pm

I had a feeling the Fight Club book would be more brutal than the movie. Palahniuk isn't known for buttercups and fluffy lambs. Well, maybe surreal, bleeding buttercups and eviscerated lambs...

How about movies that are better than the books?

The Jaws movie is notable for being much better than the book. The book was horrible with its twisted romances and multiple nonsensical plotlines. The movie cut through all of the idiocy of the book and made it into a straight-forward, man vs. nature classic.

Permalink Reply by Suzanne on August 25, 2008 at 11:52pm

I guess I'm showing my age a little bit, but the book I was most inspired to read after the movie was Jaws (1975). Great book, but it's different from the movie. The protagonists are a bit darker, the shark has a stronger personality, and it ends differently.

Permalink Reply by Suzanne on August 27, 2008 at 12:59pm

I saw the movie The Abyss, and I liked it. I didn't know it was also a book. You're right about the movie's cheesy ending, though. I wouldn't have been tempted to read the book even if I had known about it. After your glowing recommendation, I'm definitely going to read it.

Permalink Reply by Suzanne on August 28, 2008 at 1:05am

Actually, my daughter and I are going book shopping (at Borders where we can also get some expensive coffee) tomorrow. I've got my list ready.