I realize that with all of the drinkalongs and everything, I have been talking much trash about Peter Jackson’s interpretation of Lord of the Rings. If you’re new here – spoiler alert – I effing hate them. I’ve talked about why in so many places here, that it’s not even worth digging up all the links. Sorry.
Anyway, I figured that since everyone can use a little positivity in their lives sometimes, I’m going to create a list for you of books I’ve read whose movies I did not think were complete garbage. I know, I’m so awesome, right?
- Fight Club (1999) - Look, as someone who (pardon my language) F*CKING HATES Chuck Palahniuk, it’s quite a coup that I was even able to enjoy a movie based on something he’s written. This movie contains everything that the book was lacking, and loses all of the ridiculous crap that was unnecessary. Plus, Edward Norton. He’s totally dreamy. Shut up. Oh, and even if I didn’t think the movie was super spectacular, you know what it did have going for it (besides Eddie)? A song by my favourite band playing at the end. I’m willing to forgive a lot for a Pixies reference.
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*** - No Country for Old Men (2007) - I am not what one would call a Cormac McCarthy fan. I’ve read a few of his books, and I like them just fine. His, um…creative punctuation gets on my nerves, though. I find it somewhat distracting. I do like his stories, I just think sometimes his writing style comes across as gimmicky. Anyway. This movie. I AM a Coen Brothers fangirl, and I absolutely adored this movie. Javier Bardem is amazing as the sociopath Anton Chigurh and this was the movie that made me realize I should probably stop picturing Josh Brolin as Brand Walsh.
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*** - A Scanner Darkly (2006) – No joke, this is one of my favourite books of all time. When I heard they were making it a movie with (ugh) rotoscoping and (double ugh) Keanu Reeves, I decided to give it a pass. Then, last year I met Kate over on subjot (which sadly no longer exists). We started talking about Philip K Dick almost immediately and she chastised me for having not seen this. I was still doubtful, but when she said it was the FIRST NOT CRAPPY PKD adaptation, I decided to trust her. I’m so glad I did. The rotoscoping is brilliantly done (and I really don’t think they could have done the Scramble Suits any other way) and – yeah, Keanu is kind of perfect to play the drugged out Right-Hand-Has-No-Idea-What-The-Left-Hand-Is-Doing Bob Arctor. There were some minor quibbles with scripting, but as a whole it’s definitely the strongest adaptation of any of Dick’s work yet. See it for Rory Cochrane, Woody Harrelson and Robert Downey Jr. Seriously.
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*** - The Godfather (1972)- Back in high school, I was somewhat of a pretentious asshole. I know, you’re probably all gasping and trying not to faint now, right? So unlikely! Anyway, everyone I knew loved the crap out of this movie. I refused to watch it until I had read the book. Which I did. And I did. not. care. for. So I decided that everyone was effing full of it and STUBBORNLY turned my nose up at the movie. ”Do not want,” I said. Fast forward a number of years. My husband forced me to sit with him and watch. End credits. ”When can we watch Part II?” I asked. LOVED. IT. Sad I waited so long to watch it. (oh, and I think the second movie is even better than the first)
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*** - The Princess Bride (1987)- One of my all-time favourite books AND movies. I’ve read so many reviews from people that HATED the book (which I honestly can’t understand) but love the movie. I think they both perfectly complement each other. While much of the backstory was lost in the film adaptation, it’s not stuff that is absolutely necessary to understand what’s going on. I loved the S Morganstern parts of the book, but I think that’s where most book naysayers got lost and decided the movie was preferable. Anyway, I don’t think I could put one over the other, they’re both pretty damn close to perfect in my eyes. Also, little sj had a major crush on Cary Elwes.
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Honourable Mentions – American Psycho, Prisoner of Azkaban, Deathly Hallows (parts 1 and 2)
What do you guys think? Anything I missed?
