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Emma Watson recommended The Color Purple in Books (curated)
Jason (7 KP) rated The Light Between Oceans in Books
Jul 9, 2017
Better Than The Film
Yes, yes, I know this has been made into a film. I'm always a little disappointed when a good book becomes a film. With the book, the characters look how you think they should and the locations look how you think they should and so on . . .
With the film, you have the directors vision not yours and I always seem to think the director has it wrong. I even felt this with the Harry Potters. In my head, everything was how I imagined it and the films were not.
Anyways, nothing exists to serve my point as much as this book. I read it a long time before the film came out and it made me feel things more than the subsequent film did.
If you didn't know, this is the story of a man who comes back from the First World War and seeks solitude manning a lighthouse on a lonely island.
He meets the love of his life and they marry and co-exist on the island very happily. They try to have a family but sadly it is not to be as his wife suffers miscarriages.
One day, a boat washes up with a dead man and a live baby inside. What follows is nothing short of heart rending. I won't go into too much detail as you need to read this yourself and please, I implore you to avoid the film until you have read the book.
It's an emotional read, but worth it.
With the film, you have the directors vision not yours and I always seem to think the director has it wrong. I even felt this with the Harry Potters. In my head, everything was how I imagined it and the films were not.
Anyways, nothing exists to serve my point as much as this book. I read it a long time before the film came out and it made me feel things more than the subsequent film did.
If you didn't know, this is the story of a man who comes back from the First World War and seeks solitude manning a lighthouse on a lonely island.
He meets the love of his life and they marry and co-exist on the island very happily. They try to have a family but sadly it is not to be as his wife suffers miscarriages.
One day, a boat washes up with a dead man and a live baby inside. What follows is nothing short of heart rending. I won't go into too much detail as you need to read this yourself and please, I implore you to avoid the film until you have read the book.
It's an emotional read, but worth it.
Film Editing
Book
Designed for the novice or for a course in film editing, this book is the perfect introductory text....
Ama (21 KP) rated A Monster Calls (2016) in Movies
Sep 11, 2017
A truly delicate book adaption
I went into A Monster Calls with big expectations from an absolutely brilliant and enchanting trailer and came out wondering why there aren't more people making films like this.
Before watching the film I had not read the book, and haven't still, in fact (although it is on my list and very close to the top).
A Monster Calls has so much clever story telling that it's hard to believe it wasn't made for film. Adaptions (especially from books) usually struggle to make a storyline out of an already existing one. This film however managed to evoke a feeling, rather than strain to tell a story. The narrative is so effortless that as an audience I could simply focus on being swept away by the characters. In fact, I want to go so far to say that watching this film was almost like reading a book. It kept me hungry for more every second of it, gave just enough away to evoke a feeling of understanding but kept enough secret to make me believe that this is a story just for me that only I understand.
The characters are so deliberate that none feel out of place and their interaction with each other felt very natural.
The cinematography was absolutely stunning. There was a feeling of fantasy, mixed with something very familiar that works very well for the topic at hand.
All that being said, I think it's clear that I am absolutely in love with this film (even though it did make me cry more than once).
However, I have not seen this film in some time and therefore will stay a bit vague with this review as to not make assumptions. I will update/write another review once I've rewatched the film and actually read the book.
Before watching the film I had not read the book, and haven't still, in fact (although it is on my list and very close to the top).
A Monster Calls has so much clever story telling that it's hard to believe it wasn't made for film. Adaptions (especially from books) usually struggle to make a storyline out of an already existing one. This film however managed to evoke a feeling, rather than strain to tell a story. The narrative is so effortless that as an audience I could simply focus on being swept away by the characters. In fact, I want to go so far to say that watching this film was almost like reading a book. It kept me hungry for more every second of it, gave just enough away to evoke a feeling of understanding but kept enough secret to make me believe that this is a story just for me that only I understand.
The characters are so deliberate that none feel out of place and their interaction with each other felt very natural.
The cinematography was absolutely stunning. There was a feeling of fantasy, mixed with something very familiar that works very well for the topic at hand.
All that being said, I think it's clear that I am absolutely in love with this film (even though it did make me cry more than once).
However, I have not seen this film in some time and therefore will stay a bit vague with this review as to not make assumptions. I will update/write another review once I've rewatched the film and actually read the book.
Roxanne (13 KP) rated Warm Bodies in Books
Nov 14, 2018
If I could give this more than 5 stars I would since I enjoyed this book immensely. This is one of those books that I did not want to put down and very much hated it when life kept getting in the way. I wanted to read this one as I enjoyed the film and it's not often that I watch the film before reading the book, actually it's very very rare. I found that the book was so different from the film and so much better. I really connected and felt for the characters and the writing was so fluent and beautiful, it flowed and shimmered like silk, it was a pleasure to read. There are so many Zombie books out there that I imagine it's very hard to come up with something original and unique but this was both, I haven't read anything like this before. These aren't your brain-dead, savage man-eaters, these are something different, something fascinating, something wonderful. Read this book!
Benedick Lewis (3001 KP) rated Nothing Lasts Forever (Die Hard, #1) in Books
Sep 30, 2020
Good to see origins to a great film (1 more)
Quick read - less than 250 pages
Only one perspective- feels like it needs more character viewpoints (1 more)
Prose can be difficult to follow
Surprising: film better than book
Nothing Lasts Forever was the framework for the great film Die Hard. Being a massive fan of the film as well as putting it under academic scrutiny, it was interesting to see the similarities and differences between book and film.
However, having seen Die Hard multiple times, it was sometimes difficult to picture the protagonist, Joe Leland, doing the John McClane things. Further more, the book only depicts Leland’s point of view and the story could have benefited from being told from multiple perspectives: Leland’s, the terrorists and the hostages. Unfortunately, the terrorists’ motive is summed up in one page and it doesn’t wholly satisfy, especially given in the film, the plot is more devious and fiendishly clever giving cinema one of its all time greatest villains.
To talk more about the comparisons is doing literature an injustice. Time and again, it needs to be reminded that they are two different mediums with different requirements. That said, there is definitely one big major difference that really distinguishes the two products of this idea and the only thing that can be said is that it is towards the end. Those that know the film and decide to read this book will know when you get to that part but it is one that really sets it apart.
Frank Sinartra played Leland in the prequel to this book, The Detective. It’s not essential that you read that book first to understand this one. Author Roderick Thorp plays catch up in the opening chapters. He does however spoil that story so if you are looking to read that, best put this to one side.
Thorp’s style is a little all over the place, especially regarding the set pieces and it can be difficult to imagine the scenes he is trying to depict. Leland is not the most likeable of heroes either and it can be difficult to root for him but it is a short story and can be done in one sitting so it’ll be over before you have the time to really dislike him.
Read this if you haven’t seen Die Hard. Read this but make sure you watch Die Hard rather adjacent to that. It would be surprising if you found the book better. In this case, the film is superior. A rare case indeed.
However, having seen Die Hard multiple times, it was sometimes difficult to picture the protagonist, Joe Leland, doing the John McClane things. Further more, the book only depicts Leland’s point of view and the story could have benefited from being told from multiple perspectives: Leland’s, the terrorists and the hostages. Unfortunately, the terrorists’ motive is summed up in one page and it doesn’t wholly satisfy, especially given in the film, the plot is more devious and fiendishly clever giving cinema one of its all time greatest villains.
To talk more about the comparisons is doing literature an injustice. Time and again, it needs to be reminded that they are two different mediums with different requirements. That said, there is definitely one big major difference that really distinguishes the two products of this idea and the only thing that can be said is that it is towards the end. Those that know the film and decide to read this book will know when you get to that part but it is one that really sets it apart.
Frank Sinartra played Leland in the prequel to this book, The Detective. It’s not essential that you read that book first to understand this one. Author Roderick Thorp plays catch up in the opening chapters. He does however spoil that story so if you are looking to read that, best put this to one side.
Thorp’s style is a little all over the place, especially regarding the set pieces and it can be difficult to imagine the scenes he is trying to depict. Leland is not the most likeable of heroes either and it can be difficult to root for him but it is a short story and can be done in one sitting so it’ll be over before you have the time to really dislike him.
Read this if you haven’t seen Die Hard. Read this but make sure you watch Die Hard rather adjacent to that. It would be surprising if you found the book better. In this case, the film is superior. A rare case indeed.
tonidavis (353 KP) rated Love, Simon (2018) in Movies
Jan 25, 2018
Nick Robinson (3 more)
Tony Hale
Plot/premise
Subject matter well handled
So close to 10 out of 10
This was a beautiful stunning film. If you like Rom coms or teenage films then this is a must see.
Nick Robinson not only does Simon justice. He is truely captivating at holding each and every scene. His character and presence is remarkable. I truely believe he is a superstar on the rise.
Every cast member in this film was good and some really suprised me. I Think the most surprising for me was Tony Hale preformance as the vice principal in the book this is a character I have very little emotion or love for on screen he makes the characharacter cter vibrant.
I have read the book and so went into this film with certain expectations. Whilst I understand you will never get an exact book to screen represetation (more the pity) I do get annoyed if film makers throw premise out of the window or do what I call hollywoodising it to make it dramtic for rating. Until this film was nearly finished I was sat going oh my god they done a brilliant representation then an event happens and for a couple of scence I though it lost it way but unlike most films. This film brought it back to premise and story and had a great ending.
Nick Robinson not only does Simon justice. He is truely captivating at holding each and every scene. His character and presence is remarkable. I truely believe he is a superstar on the rise.
Every cast member in this film was good and some really suprised me. I Think the most surprising for me was Tony Hale preformance as the vice principal in the book this is a character I have very little emotion or love for on screen he makes the characharacter cter vibrant.
I have read the book and so went into this film with certain expectations. Whilst I understand you will never get an exact book to screen represetation (more the pity) I do get annoyed if film makers throw premise out of the window or do what I call hollywoodising it to make it dramtic for rating. Until this film was nearly finished I was sat going oh my god they done a brilliant representation then an event happens and for a couple of scence I though it lost it way but unlike most films. This film brought it back to premise and story and had a great ending.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Interview with the Vampire (1994) in Movies
May 17, 2020
A classic vampire tale
I'm rather ashamed to admit that I've never seen this film, and I've only been prompted to watch it now after having read the book recently.
As vampire tales go, I'd be inclined to say this is one of the classics and definitely one of the better vampire films I've seen even considering it's age. It has a great gothic and chilling feel to it, and has a very interesting plot. It has some slightly dodgy CGI moments but fortunately due to it's age relies more on some rather decent physical effects. There's a great cast in this, although I'm rather polarised on their performances. Tom Cruise seems a little too OTT yet Brad Pitt seems too reserved, even considering Louis's character.
This film also does a decent job of adapting the book. The book I found rather long winded at times and the film helps summarise the main story without being too drawn out. Although there were a few times when it felt like the film had missed out a little too much of the detail.
Overall this is a decent daptation of the book and a worthy example of a great vampire flick.
As vampire tales go, I'd be inclined to say this is one of the classics and definitely one of the better vampire films I've seen even considering it's age. It has a great gothic and chilling feel to it, and has a very interesting plot. It has some slightly dodgy CGI moments but fortunately due to it's age relies more on some rather decent physical effects. There's a great cast in this, although I'm rather polarised on their performances. Tom Cruise seems a little too OTT yet Brad Pitt seems too reserved, even considering Louis's character.
This film also does a decent job of adapting the book. The book I found rather long winded at times and the film helps summarise the main story without being too drawn out. Although there were a few times when it felt like the film had missed out a little too much of the detail.
Overall this is a decent daptation of the book and a worthy example of a great vampire flick.
Damian Sutton (4 KP) rated Ready Player One (2018) in Movies
May 3, 2019
A decent adaptation of a great book
Contains spoilers, click to show
From the get go, I think I'd best say I came to this with a pre-concieved notion that I was going to enjoy it, having read the book several times and having a long term love affair with Steven Spielberg (child of the 80s, so most of my formative years were spent sitting worshipping at the alter of Spielberg and Lucas) so I was aware that I was going to enjoy this film regardless, that said, there are moments in the film that fell flat for me, but on the whole....its a very enjoyable little action/adventure romp....with plenty in it for film lovers (the whole shining sequence had me grinning from ear to ear) and gamers too ( the whole film is deeply rooted in gamer culture and there are more gaming Easter eggs than you can shake a stick at) there's plenty of heart to this film too, and by the time the credits rolled I left the theatre thoroughly entertained, had this film come out a few years back, it would have been lauded as a sci-fi/adventure classic, however we now live in a post marvel world where every film they release seem to raise the bar very high, and films like this get lost in the shuffle a little, does this make it a worse movie....not at all, but it probably didn't get the acclaim it deserved because of being released in a sea of blockbusters.
So in closing, if you're looking for that perfect Sunday afternoon adventure film....you could do a lot worse than giving this a watch....see how many movie/gaming references you can spot
So in closing, if you're looking for that perfect Sunday afternoon adventure film....you could do a lot worse than giving this a watch....see how many movie/gaming references you can spot
A Monster Calls: Special Collector's Edition
Patrick Ness and Jim Kay
7.0
Rate It
Book
In this special collector's edition, discover Patrick Ness's original prize-winning...