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Better than the book
	Topic by: Chyekk Posted: June 21, 2006 - 6:07 PM PDT Last Reply: September 18, 2006 - 1:27 AM PDT

author	topic: Better than the book
Chyekk	post #1  on June 21, 2006 - 6:07 PM PDT   A Recent List that I like mentions some films that were successfully adapted from a book. Usually the expectation is that the film can't live up to the book. But there are some cases where I think the film is even better than the book or stories it was based on. In fact, two of my favorite films fit that category: "The Wizard of Oz" and "Bladerunner". Although not as high on my list, "The Shining" is better on film than in the book. Do you have any favorite adaptations?
Eoliano	post #2  on June 21, 2006 - 8:00 PM PDT   There is also underdog's terrific Adaptations list, and there's a decent reader selection in The Guardian that's worth checking out. Surprisingly, The Leopard is missing from underdog's list, as are David Lean's two Dickens films, among several other favorites of mine...
Chyekk	post #3  on June 21, 2006 - 8:14 PM PDT   > On June 21, 2006 - 8:00 PM PDT Eoliano wrote: > --------------------------------- > There is also underdog's terrific Adaptations list Cool list. I'd forgotten about that one. And I totally agree about "The Hours", "Coup de Torchon" and "Naked Lunch". Another of my own favorite movies that is also better than the book is "Stalker" (based loosely on "Roadside Picnic".)
woozy	post #4  on June 21, 2006 - 11:33 PM PDT   > On June 21, 2006 - 6:07 PM PDT Chyekk wrote: > In fact, two of my favorite films fit that category: "The Wizard of Oz" Bah! Lousy movie. Admittedly not a very good book but... okay, I admit I prefer the sequels especially those featuring me... "Birdy" is a very good book and even a better movie. ("Dad" the book is good but not as good as Birdy but the movie "Dad" is a total travesty, an insult to the intelligence, and a complete waste). "Ordinary People" is a very mediocre book but I think the movie is quite good. Then there's "Everything you wanted to know about Sex but were afraid to ask" which is in a class be itself.
goodyerin	post #5  on June 29, 2006 - 11:40 PM PDT   I don't know about 'better than' but the Virgin Suicides is one of the best adaptations to screen I can remember. I heard a rumor one of the Grisham movies was good. Sweet Hereafter is a great one!
hamano	post #6  on June 30, 2006 - 1:30 AM PDT   I thought Life of Brian was much funnier than the book it was loosely adapted from.
goodyerin	post #7  on July 2, 2006 - 7:39 PM PDT   it pains me to say, but: the Devil Wears Prada!
orius1	post #8  on August 25, 2006 - 7:13 PM PDT   I believe the best movie adaptaion was the silence of the lambs. Excellent and also kiss the girls.
Ayato9	post #9  on September 17, 2006 - 9:02 PM PDT   I liked the Fight club movie better than the book, same with a clockwork orange and ghost in the shell.
DHofmann	post #10  on September 17, 2006 - 10:08 PM PDT   I haven't read The Da Vinci Code, but Roger Ebert liked it better than the movie.
DHofmann	post #11  on September 17, 2006 - 10:30 PM PDT   Now I feel stipid. What I meant to say was, he liked the movie better than the book. (FWIW)
SonjaBlue	post #12  on September 18, 2006 - 1:27 AM PDT   In rare instances, even a remake [The Thing (1982)] of a film [The Thing From Another World (1951)] based upon a novella [Who Goes There? (1938)] outshines its predecessors. To be fair, the short story (penned by Mr. John W. Campbell Jr.) -- upon which both films were based -- is respectable, but in this case, the redeveloped picture is worth a thousand words.