Books and Movies

Lately it seems like every day I find out about another book I love being turned into a movie. Some recent ones I have heard about include:

-The Time Traveller's Wife
-Stardust
-The Golden Compass
-Atlas Shrugged
-The Amulet of Samarkand
-The Watchmen
-His Majesty's Dragon

While Hollywood can often take a good book and turn it into a horrible movie (i.e. Eragon, the Fountainhead...) sometimes, with the right director it can really work (i.e. Lord of the Rings, The Bourne Identity. What is a book you would like seen turned into a movie?

I really enjoyed Patrick Carman's Land of Elyon series, and would love to see that come to the big screen.

I'm also very eager to see His Majesty's Dragon. I'm glad that Peter Jackson will be at the helm, since he did such a brilliant job in capturing the essence of the LOTR books.

I have to say I was quite impressed with the movie version of Charlotte's Web. I love the book dearly (It was the first chapter book I ever read) and I was very pleased that they stayed true to the book.

I've heard Paradise Lost is being made into a movie. I always wondered when technology would be advanced enough to take a crack at it. I'm very skeptical, though, as I adore PL, and don't think a movie could ever do it justice. Plus, the rumor is that the movie studio is courting Heath Ledger (sp?) as Satan, which seems a very odd choice.

Another I've heard is being made into a movie is The Devil's Apocrypha. I love the book, and think this may actually make a fantastic movie.

#2 - WHAT!!???????????????????????!!

"I'm also very eager to see His Majesty's Dragon. I'm glad that Peter Jackson will be at the helm"

Am I the only person who didn't know about this?????

None - really once I've read the book, I don't want to see the film.
If I really had to it would be a short story where they can't mess with the plot too much, and something where the special effects can really go to town. But then 'they' managed to make a mess of Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy so even that isn't foolproof criteria.

#2- Phew. I thought I'd lost my mind. As of now the story that Peter Jackson (who is one of my personal gods) is making that film is still just a rumor. Not that I wouldn't be thrilled to have it turn out to be true, mind you. I just didn't want to think I'd missed some monumental news flash. LOL

I have actually never read 'His Majesty's Dragon.' Should I? I'm always anxious to see the movies of books I love. And since it's Peter Jackson, YAY!!! He'll do an excellent job.
I'm also eager to see The Golden Compas which is one of my favorite books of all time. My friends are all very excited about the movie. That should make a great movie if they get the casting right.

#3 - How on earth could Heath Ledger be Satan?

... Then again, who could be Satan? I'll have to think on this.

I really have to read His Majesty's Dragon.

Generally I'm not a huge fan of movies made from books, because they turn out differently than how I'd expect and they tend to ruin my own perceptions about the book. Then again, some of them haven't been so bad (like LotR), and I'm really looking forward to a couple of the ones mentioned above. I'm quite pleased with the amount of fantasy being made into movies now, even if the stories are compressed.

#8 Heath Ledger can be anything he wants, for my money. Rowr!

I never wish for movies from books I've read, but I'll go see them if the reviews are good enough. I hate when the movies suck or change too many things. I did like LOTR, the Potter films (some more than others), and Hitchhiker's Guide.

#7
I heard that His Majesty's Dragon was like Jane Austen playing Dungeons & Dragons as Horatio Hornblower. I'm not sure I quite agree, but it sure made me pick it up!
I really liked it. It's the first in the series, so a lot of it is set-up, but it's good set-up focused on presenting the world and the important relationship between the main characters. I enjoyed it.

Am I the only one who can't stand Peter Jackson? I loved the first two LOTR movies, but the last one just wouldn't end... and everything else I've seen of his has sort of a self-important 'I must be epic' quality about it that I really don't like. Not to rain on anyone's parade...

You do know that there's a whole group dedicated to this subject.
http://www.librarything.com/groups/madeintoamovie

#9 - True, at least if the movie is terrible we get some eye candy!

I wait for the reviews too, except on Harry Potter. Then I just go with my friends and we pick it apart to death while admitting that we still love it. Goblet of Fire served this purpose extremely well.

#12 GoF was such a looooong book, they had a lot to cram in. Same with OotP. I hear they cut all the Quidditch. No Weasley is Our King!

#4 - This is from the Wikipedia entry on Temeraire:

The Hollywood Reporter reports that Peter Jackson, director of Lord of the Rings series, has optioned the rights to the historical fantasy series "Temeraire". Jackson added that Temeraire "is a terrific meld of two genres that I particularly love -- fantasy and historical epic. I can't wait to see Napoleonic battles fought with a squadron of dragons. That's what I go to the movies for."

So while it's not yet in production, Peter Jackson will be involved.

From everything I heard, Peter Jackson has optioned the rights to all three Tereraire books but has not actually started working on a movie. A few months ago there was an interesting interview with with Naomi Novik where she discusses the possible movie as well as some details on the next book in the series.

Also, while tooling around on the Internet I checked out the webpage for The Golden Compass movie which has an application that shows your deamon. Mine was an ocelot named Ariel.

Inkheart is being made (has been made; it's in post-production) into a movie: http://imdb.com/title/tt0494238

Depending on how it's done, of course, I think this could make a fantastic movie. And with the slight exception of Brendan Fraser playing Mortimer Silvertongue (not that I have any problem with him; I just pictured Mo as older), the rest of the casting is SPOT ON.

I found the actual original report:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=10...

He's 'eyeing' it and 'optioned' it, but there's been no official press release about when/if work on the movie will begin. He hasn't even started working on The Lovely Bones yet, and that is his next official film. So, in other words, those of us who haven't started reading the Novik books yet still have plenty of time!!! LOL

And yes, Caramellunacy, you are the only one. ;o)

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the Amulet of Samarkand turned into a movie. I've heard that Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is being turned into a movie. I haven't read it yet, but from what I know about it, and seeing the masterpeice Jackson made of the LoTR trilogy, I think he could do the book justice, as far as making a three or four hour movie, leaving most of it in, and still making it good.

#10 Caramellunacy - I'm with you on Peter Jackson. I enjoyed the first two movies, (though certainly not in the over-the-moon way most people do), but the last one... urgh! I spent at least three quarters of the movie just wishing Frodo would throw the bloody ring in the bloody volcano so I could go home!! I think Peter Jackson has some wonderful visions, but he totally needs to learn the fine art of self-editing.

I don't usually seek out film versions of books that meant a lot to me, but I'd love to see a good live-action version of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. It was my very favourite book when I was little, and while I will NEVER forgive the BBC for what they did to Reepicheep in their adaptation, (NEVER! NEVER!), I think a proper version would go a long ways towards making up for that horrid, horrid portrayal.

xicanti, you know I love you, but have you actually read The Return of the King? Because Peter Jackson actually left out the lion's share of that book in order to speed things up.

Good lord! The touchstone actually turned up V. Tejera as the author, and not JRRT!

*gasps*

*keels over*

Phew. I fixed it. ;o)

I'd heard a while back the PJ had the rights to the Temeraire books (or so I believed), I think he'd be a very good choice, but then I think he'd be a very good choice to direct the phone book ;-)

>#20

Yeah, he left a ton of stuff out to speed things up, but the fact of the matter remains that he DIDN'T speed things up. Nor did he really make the wait bearable in my opinion. The first two movies I didn't even notice that they were over three hours. The third I was feeling every single second tick by after the big battle.

And of course, the book gave me the same reaction as xicanthi; just toss it already and be done with it!

*waits to be martyred by die-hard Tolkien-fans

wow half of these books I've never heard of!

#22 Naw. Everyone has thier own snapping point.

I usually judge a movie's 'sit-through-ability' by my son. If he can make it through, without squirming, then just about anyone can. He sat through RotK 3 times, and he was only 8 years old at the time.

I read all the LOTR books about five years ago, and I remember having similar misgivings about the book. My main problem with the movie, though, was the long, drawn-out emotional resonance stuff that was supposed to be going on between Frodo and Sam. It was SO drawn out that it just fell flat for me. I kept wishing for something more concrete to happen.

The battle scenes were great, though. :)

A few months ago I saw PJ's King Kong, and I felt much the same about it. I ended up watching it in shifts; it was visually impressive, but there were a lot of directorial choices that I felt were rather self-indulgent.

I HATED King Kong. What a bunch of emo crapola. Nice visuals, tho.

:o(

I'm very much looking forward to A Game of Thrones being made into a mini-series. I've maintained the view that Song of Ice and Fire books wouldn't be done justice as a stand alone movie. I was also concerned about it being done by those who wouldn't do it justice, but it looks like HBO could be the right outfit to get it done. I loved Deadwood, so I think it has, at least, a fighting chance.

Awhile back, there was also rumor of Clive Barker's The Thief of Always being made into an animated movie, but I guess it fell by the wayside.

Angel Heart was a pretty darned good translation of Falling Angel. And, though it wasn't a literal translation, who could forget the wonderful Apocalypse Now, based on Heart of Darkness?

Since I've finished Elantris, I've also been puzzling out who I'd like to see as actors if it were ever made into a movie. I've got a couple of ideas for the secondary characters, but nothing solid for the mains.

#26 - I loved King Kong! I watched it again this weekend.

I read The Time Traveler's Wife several months ago for a book club. I think it would make an interesting movie.

How about Elantris? :)

I heard that Peter Jackson would not be involved in making The Hobbit? Any truth to that rumor? I am in agreement for the most part with the above posts about Peter Jackson's handling of the LOTR series. The first two were respectable. The third... well, I did sit through it.

I, too am excited that HBO has picked up George R. R. Martin's A song of Ice and Fire series and I hope they do it justice. They have gained me as a subscriber. Now let's hope they don't lose me.

Also, in reference to message #1, The movie version of The Bourne Identity was only slightly better than the mini-series of the same title. At least the mini-series tried to follow the story line. IMHO

>29 GeorgiaDawn: and others...

What do y'all think about the casting for Time Traveler's Wife? Eric Bana seems like a good choice for Henry, but Rachael McAdams doesn't seem right for Claire for some reason I can't put a finger on.

>30 EddieTol: I won't likely subscribe to HBO because of the series. It's just too much extra money for stuff that I won't watch. It's likely I'll catch it at a friend's place when they DVR it or DL it off the intarwebs, then buy it if it turns out to be good once it gets released on DVD.

WATCHMEN!!!

Naaaah, never happen. They've been promising this since 1987, I'll believe it when my fanny's parked in the theater. And even then, I just won't believe anyone will ever be properly faithful. BAH!!!

#8

I have no idea who would make a good Satan. It's a tough role to really pull off. Although Viggo Mortensen was fantastic in The Prophecy.

In my perfect world, Gary Oldman would play the part. Even though he may not be youthful enough to play the PL Satan, I bet he'd act the hell out of that part.

#28, 30, 32 - I am so excited for that mini-series! I'm really glad they're not going to be regular movies because the books are much too long and I think too much would be left out. I hope HBO doesn't mess it up, but since George R.R. Martin is excited I figure I can be too. =)

Wow I hadn't heard that HBO was making A Game of Thrones. This was not one of my favorite books as I found it dragged on at parts but I think if it is done well it could be a really interesting series.

On a similar note, I would love to see a TV series based on Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time.

As reported elsewhere, The SciFi Network is making The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson. I couldn't be happier. The only thing I can imagine that would be more exciting would be something by Gene Wolfe

Game of Thrones on screen will either be really awesome or really bad.

#27 *hugs*

Everyone: For those who wanted a shorter RotK, or even a shorter LotR, look at this. I know some of you have seen this, as it was posted on another site.

But enjoy!

#33
Groo... what do you make of Zack Snyder directing Watchmen? I've enjoyed the movies he's done so far, but I think that Watchmen is probably best left as a graphic novel... I think it'd be very difficult to make without diluting the story somewhat - which would, probably, diminish the whole story, making it Watchmen Lite.

Still, I'm prepared to be corrected, and I wish Zack all the best... if he can get it made.

and #39
LOL! I enjoyed that.

#39 - I have never seen that before! LOL
Very good.
:o)

#39, LOL! That's great, imagine how much money Peter Jackson could have saved!!!

#39 Of course I liked that, but I didn't want a shorter ending on the movie. I WANTED THEM TO SCOUR THE SHIRE!!! I won't holler like that again.

I'm half and half on Jackson. Loved LoTR movies, with some exceptions, enjoyed King Kong with some exceptions, am too chicken to see some of his earlier films, so for me the decision is on hold.

What I would love to watch, and maybe it could only be done in Dr. Who style, is to see some well done Terry Pratchett movies. If they aren't going to do it right though, they might as well skip it. I have heard mixed reviews about the Hogfather movie, but haven't been able to see it for myself.

#39 - BRILLIANT! Except it still took the ring way, way too long to fall. The little "splat" at the end was priceless, though.

39- Ace! well done that! LOL

#40 - To me, this is a story that MUST be told faithfully or not at all. That means an Alan Moore Screenplay, giving him Exec. Producer status and complete veto rights!

*sigh* never happen!

#46
Nope, that'll never happen... you know how Mr Moore gets when it comes to filming versions of his work... ah well, at least we'll always have Paris.

And the graphic novel.

But mostly Paris.

:-)

They've made The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory into a film recently too. Don't think much of the casting though - Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson and Eric Bana (again - will that man not just disappear, please???) it won't be out till next year though.

I totally forgot about Inkheart being made into a movie until fyrefly mentioned it. I looked at the site and there were many, MANY sound effects. Paul Bettany will be perfect for Dustfinger! And Andy Serkis...who would have thought? I still picture him as a little mutant hobbit running around with a loincloth.
#48 I'm looking forward to The Other Boleyn Girl as well though the casting is a little iffy. It was an excellent book.
Well, you all have convinced me to go out and read His Majesty's Dragon. Another book to my ever-growing TBR list. I hope you're happy.
;)

Maybe Temeraire/His Majesty's Dragon could be the next group read?

Just a thought...

>50 Tane: Oh, I'd totally get behind that... seeing as I got a copy of the first one for christmas and it's been languishing in my TBR pile. I could use the kick in the butt of knowing that everyone else is reading it too.

#50 - Well, since we are The Green Dragon, maybe we should think about The Children of Húrin as a possible read, too. That might be harder sell, since it's hardcover only, at this point. Plus, it's certainly not a happy-go-lucky Hobbitty sort of book.

Edit: }:o(
Touchstone are being difficult!!!!

I do think Children of Hurin should be a Green Dragon read.
That's what this group is all about.

Better that than some Magic Balls of Thorglopf trilogy or something like that.

Hey, I liked Magic Balls of Thorglop, especially Book 2: The ChafeSong of Thorglop!

Still Children of Hurin would be an appropriate group read.

*heavy sigh*
Oh groo, I thought we'd all agreed that Book 3: The Creeping Drawers of Rottingham was the best of that lot...

Well, the egg-dropping scene was rather frightening...

There was a movie made out of the Phantom Tolbooth by Norton Juster as well. I remember watching it and thinking to myself " uh....what in the world is this?"

surely, Book 4: Amazing Arnbatnorth in the Fog of Destruction was the best of the trilogy, as it was the most potent of the collection... and I'm always amazed with how they managed to squeeze just one more gem out of this fantastic world.

Oh, and Children of Hurin must surely be a GD group read, you're right.

Children of Hurin I would read with this group, might even convince me to buy it. :) I've been on the edge trying to think of an excuse.

I was sort of looking forward to that trilogy though.

The short version of Children of Hurin is what made me throw up my hands and put down Unfinished Tales for good, so I'd vote against that for a group read. Also, the whole "not available in paperback" thing is a detriment, at least as far as I'm concerned.

I might be up for Children of Hurin, but only if my library has it processed by then and I'm able to get my hands on a copy. I wouldn't buy it, since new hardcovers cost WAY too much here and it'd be difficult, (if not impossible), to find used.

I have yet to finish LOTR *look sheepish*, so Child of Hurin is out for me . But His Majesty's Dragon is one I've thought about reading.

PS. Not that I'd mind if you guys decided to read Child of Hurin. I'd just sit this one out.

I'd sit it out, too. I have no interest in reading sequels by people other than the original writer.

#63 Am I missing something here? What percentage of Children of Hurin is Tolkien, and what percentage "other"?

Or are you talking Magic Balls of Thorglopf, which I can assure you was all written by I.P. Knightly (best known for his Rusty Bedsprings series).

I'd be interested in reading Children of Hurin at some point, but I can't buy it in hardcover since I don't have the money, so I'd have to find it at the library, which in my current situation is a bit unlikely. So if we do this soon, I probably won't be able to participate.

I did just read Temeraire though, and I liked it a lot. I recommend that for all those who are wavering between whether or not to read it. =)

#64 - the bits you've read in SIlmarillion and lost tales were JRR, everything else is Christopher tolkein. Children of Hurin is CTs first attempt at writing an actual novel. He has filled in all the details without editorial comment, in his father's style. Apparently it is pretty good (see here) but I wasn't impressed enough to buy the hardback when I flicked through it at a bookshop over the weekend.