Don't mind me. I'm just making up my own questions.
- Are there any movies that you liked more than the book? There are people who say the book is always better than the movie but there are some instances where I like the movie more than the book. I've never successfully been able to get through Princess Bride but I love the movie. I like the Hunger Games movies because we're able to get out of Katniss's head and see the far more interesting things going on around her.
Drive is actually one of the few movies that I watched the movie before reading the book and I think I actually liked the movie more. Yes, there are some aspects of the book I'd wished they'd stuck closer to but I love that the movie gives you no background of this character. In the book you actually learn about his past and where he came from but the movie leaves it much more mysterious and unexplained and I like that for this particular story.
- Would you like to talk about endings? I feel like the number one way to piss me off when making a movie adaptation of a book is the change the ending and no movie will I rail on more than The History Boys. First off, I don't understand why the ending changed at all because Alan Bennett wrote the damn screenplay. The ending of that play packs a punch. It is haunting. The movie loses all that. Posner doesn't give up on life. Dakin isn't forced to feel responsible for the first time in his life. The movie softens the ending and I will no accept that.
- If you see a film based on a book does it make you want to go and read the book? If I see a trailer for a movie that's based on a book and think that looks really interesting I'll go and pick up the book. By the time I'm going to see the movie I already know that it's based on a book and have made the decision to either read it first or forgo reading it because I'll probably never actually get around to it. I'll very rarely read the book after seeing the movie. If it's a series and I want to know where the story goes from there I might just pick up the next book figuring I got enough of the plot from the movie. (This is what I did after being pissed off by the ending of Maze Runner.)
- How important is casting? I’m not someone who really forms a firm picture in my head of characters so I’m not usually bothered by casting. If there’s something utterly and obviously wrong (like whitewashing) that’s another story but simple changes in hair color no big deal.
I find it absolutely hilarious how upset people are about Harry’s eye color in the movies. So, his eyes are blue? He’s supposed to have his mother’s eyes? Simple fix: give Lily blue eyes. That’s not something to get worked up over. Especially where there are some more glaring casting problems.
Every time I bring this up people jump on my because Alan Rickman is perfect and no one could picture any other Snape, blah blah blah, but there’s no getting around the fact that he’s too old. Gary Oldman is too old. David Thewlis is too old. They essentially miscast an entire generation.
A lot of the tragedy from the books stems from how young everyone was. These characters came out of school and pretty immediately fought a war. Some lived. Some died. The ones who survived went on to fight the same war again in their lifetime. Not only within their lifetime. These characters - Snape, Sirius, Remus, even Peter - never made to the age of 40. That’s young to die for a muggle. It is tragically young for a wizard.
- What is the worst thing about movie adaptations of books? When they miss the point. Especially when it’s in the title. I’m looking at you, I am Legend.
I also feel similarly about Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter. Yes, it was an awful movie overall but nothing bothers me more than that last scene. Abraham was something special and you can’t just go replacing him with any old president that comes along.
Are there any movies you'd like to see made into movies? I'm still holding out hope for a Hero movie. Or television show. Perry Moore wanted this, people. He said it would happen. Let's do it.
Has one of your favorite books been made into a movie? Are you afraid to watch it? Yes.
I haven't read Hero because my friend (whose opinions I trust since we have similar taste) thought it was just 'meh.' I'd definitely be interested in a movie or tv show, though.
I agree, The Princess Bride is definitely one of the few movies that is better than the book by far (though I do like the book!).
Hero is really one of those books I've been meaning to reread and reevaluate now that I'm older. It probably isn't all that great but I'd argue that it's important. Queer superheroes are something we don't have nearly enough of.
Also, I would like to take this opportunity to inform you that every time I see that icon I think it says I beer in the trap which I find hilarious each and every time.
Definitely, I agree. But I'm also past the point of throwing money at something just because it's representation. There's a weird sort of stagnation in LGBTQIA+ fiction in which we see only a handful of the same characters/stories over & over. And I'm a big believer in voting with my wallet, so I feel like I'd be contributing to that stagnation, you know? It's kind of like when a group of people were saying on Tumblr that if you support trans women, you HAVE to watch Sense 8, or else you'll be letting down trans characters and people everywhere, and we'll never get to see trans characters or trans creators again! And I just. ::shakes head::
Haha, now I can't unsee it! I was trying to make it look like Nicki's jewelry from her video.
Oh, yeah, I totally get that. That stagnation is what made me really want to write for television years ago. I started getting involved with communities online and so many people were all yay! representation and I'm just sitting there seeing all the flaws and as soon as you bring that up you're given shit because it's representation, even if it is ultimately doing more harm than good.
Yeah, & sometimes talking about it helps! Wasn't there a thing with Modern Family where the creators just hadn't realized what they were doing, and immediately wrote more physical affection between the gay couple?
I don't think my favorite book (Taliesin by Stephen Lawhead) will ever be made into a movie. Which is a shame, because one of the main characters is totally badass and is a BULL DANCER. She's one of my favorite characters ever.
I like the Hunger Games movies because we're able to get out of Katniss's head and see the far more interesting things going on around her.
ABSOLUTELY. That's one of the biggest issues with first person, especially. You're trapped in the character's thoughts and, seemingly, if you're a teenaged girl you have THE MOST ANNOYING THOUGHTS EVER. In this vein I would say the Twilight movies were better than the books for that reason alone (and I say that with massive internal conflict and caveats abound, of course).
I like the Hunger Games movies because we're able to get out of Katniss's head and see the far more interesting things going on around her.
I agree with you on this. I couldn't get into the Hunger Games books, partially because I don't really like first person. I prefer third person omniscient or third person limited.
I didn't mind Harry's eyes, particularly since it came out that Dan couldn't wear the contacts. I was, though, pleased they kept the "he has his mother's eyes". I was displeased, OTOH, that they didn't explain better that it was Harry's eyes that kept Snape helping him. That Snape saw Lily every time he looked at Harry (as well as his father) was quite the shocking reveal IMO in the last book.
I have to say, much as I love the movies (and I REALLY do) I can't help but agree with your assessment of Alan Rickman, Gary Oldman and David Thewlis all being too old for the parts they were cast in. They really are. And the impact of their age (too young to die/be emotionally destroyed) IS lost in this translation. I remember the first time I saw Harry's parents thinking...um...aren't they way too old?
Still, I try to suspend my disbelief when I watch the movies because I really do love them.
I absolutely don't understand when they change the ending of a story in the movie. I mean why? Especially if it completely changes the story, it just doesn't make sense. I get certain decisions of leaving stuff out but changing the ending? No.
You make really valid points about the age of the marauders era in the HP movies. I think they were trying to get really good actors that people would resonate with and they did a good job in that. But surely there were others who would have more closely hit the mark in age.
- Are there any movies that you liked more than the book?
There are people who say the book is always better than the movie but there are some instances where I like the movie more than the book. I've never successfully been able to get through Princess Bride but I love the movie. I like the Hunger Games movies because we're able to get out of Katniss's head and see the far more interesting things going on around her.
Drive is actually one of the few movies that I watched the movie before reading the book and I think I actually liked the movie more. Yes, there are some aspects of the book I'd wished they'd stuck closer to but I love that the movie gives you no background of this character. In the book you actually learn about his past and where he came from but the movie leaves it much more mysterious and unexplained and I like that for this particular story.
- Would you like to talk about endings?
I feel like the number one way to piss me off when making a movie adaptation of a book is the change the ending and no movie will I rail on more than The History Boys. First off, I don't understand why the ending changed at all because Alan Bennett wrote the damn screenplay. The ending of that play packs a punch. It is haunting. The movie loses all that. Posner doesn't give up on life. Dakin isn't forced to feel responsible for the first time in his life. The movie softens the ending and I will no accept that.
- If you see a film based on a book does it make you want to go and read the book?
If I see a trailer for a movie that's based on a book and think that looks really interesting I'll go and pick up the book. By the time I'm going to see the movie I already know that it's based on a book and have made the decision to either read it first or forgo reading it because I'll probably never actually get around to it. I'll very rarely read the book after seeing the movie. If it's a series and I want to know where the story goes from there I might just pick up the next book figuring I got enough of the plot from the movie. (This is what I did after being pissed off by the ending of Maze Runner.)
- How important is casting?
I’m not someone who really forms a firm picture in my head of characters so I’m not usually bothered by casting. If there’s something utterly and obviously wrong (like whitewashing) that’s another story but simple changes in hair color no big deal.
I find it absolutely hilarious how upset people are about Harry’s eye color in the movies. So, his eyes are blue? He’s supposed to have his mother’s eyes? Simple fix: give Lily blue eyes. That’s not something to get worked up over. Especially where there are some more glaring casting problems.
Every time I bring this up people jump on my because Alan Rickman is perfect and no one could picture any other Snape, blah blah blah, but there’s no getting around the fact that he’s too old. Gary Oldman is too old. David Thewlis is too old. They essentially miscast an entire generation.
A lot of the tragedy from the books stems from how young everyone was. These characters came out of school and pretty immediately fought a war. Some lived. Some died. The ones who survived went on to fight the same war again in their lifetime. Not only within their lifetime. These characters - Snape, Sirius, Remus, even Peter - never made to the age of 40. That’s young to die for a muggle. It is tragically young for a wizard.
- What is the worst thing about movie adaptations of books?
When they miss the point. Especially when it’s in the title. I’m looking at you, I am Legend.
I also feel similarly about Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter. Yes, it was an awful movie overall but nothing bothers me more than that last scene. Abraham was something special and you can’t just go replacing him with any old president that comes along.
Are there any movies you'd like to see made into movies?
I'm still holding out hope for a Hero movie. Or television show. Perry Moore wanted this, people. He said it would happen. Let's do it.
Has one of your favorite books been made into a movie? Are you afraid to watch it?
Yes.
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I agree, The Princess Bride is definitely one of the few movies that is better than the book by far (though I do like the book!).
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Also, I would like to take this opportunity to inform you that every time I see that icon I think it says I beer in the trap which I find hilarious each and every time.
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Haha, now I can't unsee it! I was trying to make it look like Nicki's jewelry from her video.
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ABSOLUTELY. That's one of the biggest issues with first person, especially. You're trapped in the character's thoughts and, seemingly, if you're a teenaged girl you have THE MOST ANNOYING THOUGHTS EVER. In this vein I would say the Twilight movies were better than the books for that reason alone (and I say that with massive internal conflict and caveats abound, of course).
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I agree with you on this. I couldn't get into the Hunger Games books, partially because I don't really like first person. I prefer third person omniscient or third person limited.
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Still, I try to suspend my disbelief when I watch the movies because I really do love them.
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