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Based on the Novel By...
Posted: Jan 07, 2008 in Things to do, Culture, Movies
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This past weekend I watched several films that were based on a novel of the same premise - the most notable being two and a half rounds of Fever Pitch (starring Drew Barrymore and everyone's favorite 'neighbor's hot younger brother look-alike' Jimmy Fallon). And I know that the end of the movie deviates significantly from the end of the book...and that got me thinking:
What are everyones favorite books turned screenplays? Least Favorite?
Let me start us out:
Stephen King's "The Shining" - although I read the book first, i can't help but picture scenes from Kubrick's on screen version when the story comes up in passing.
Without question this has to be Frank Darabont's interpretation of Stephen Kings, "The Shawshank Redemption". Best book to film transition EVER. It was even snubbed for 7 Oscars, most notably "Best Picture", which went to Forrest Gump.
The cinematography goes hand in hand with how I pictured it upon reading the story, and the underlying message of love and hope between friends is never downplayed or upstaged by the actors egos and is as prominent in the movie as it is in the story.
The Shining was a good call too. Kubrick is a genious!
s.h.
I agree with SH, but I'm not sure we can say ever. There have been a LOT of good adaptations of novels. "The Lord of the Rings" I think most people would say is a good adaptation, especially given the laborious source material. The "Harry Potter" movies have been well received. I haven't read the book, but "L.A. Confidential" is one of my favorite movies, and it's based off of a novel.
Come to think of it, so is "Jaws."
Totally concur.
However now that my mind is racing thinking about this topic, I was upset with myself that "The Godfather" was not the first thing I thought of. Turning Puzo's work of lierary art into a cinematic masterpiece was a near impossible task, but Coppola pulled it off like no other.
s.h.