Scavenger Hunt #5: Three Movies Based On Literary Novels
by Jenners • 05/04/2009 • Book Talk • 9 Comments
I’m participating in the Good Books Inc. Scavenger Hunt hosted by the lovely and talented girls over at Padfoot and Prongs. The challenge is to complete 10 different book and reading related challenges within a few months. Today I’m doing challenge #5:
Room With A View – This is one of the very few movies based on a book that I think got it right. Both are delightful and complement each other well, and I was able to accept the casting and the scenery with no hesitation. It has been a while since I read the book, but I still remember when I watched the movie for the first time after reading the book — I was delighted that such a great adaptation had been done. And I’m still SHOCKED that Daniel Day-Lewis plays Cecil Vyse so expertly that he disappears altogether in the role. And talk about a dream cast — Helena Bonham Carter, Maggie Smith, Simon Callow, Denholm Elliott, Julian Sands, Judi Dench. The movie is pitch-perfect. The scenery lovely. The story delightful. Perfection!
The Lord of the Rings — I will confess right now that I read the first two books of the Lord of the Rings and then bailed on the third halfway through. It just got too confusing. (I loved The Hobbit though.) For me, the movies did a wonderful job of bringing the book to life — although I still had trouble with the third movie just like I did with the book (too much jumping around). The first movie just blew me away. I remember watching it in the theater (alone as my husband said “NO WAY”) and being completely enthralled. I was so sad when it ended. Definitely a big screen must as it didn’t work as well on the smaller screen. I completely admire director Peter Jackson for his vision and hard work to bring these stories to life. And the casting was brilliant too!
You know you are kicking my butt at this game. I am down to the ones that are most challenging. Rats!
I liked the Twilight the movie. I thought they did a decent job considering most of the book is comversations. I would agree Bella was a little wooden, maybe. And that’s not how I pictured Edward. For the most I like dit though.
This is for you sweetie award
I haven’t seen A Room with a View. I’m definitely going to put this on my reading/viewing list.
Have you seen The Painted Veil? I really liked the movie……thought it was better than the book, and that NEVER happens for me.
Blech – Twilight was awful. My husband would agree with Padfoot above, that the problem was with the director. I’m not sure – I think it was a fail, in general.
I agree that they did a very good job with LofTR..as much as many fans worried.
But usually the movie falls far short of the book.
I like to watch movies based on books. I’ve always wanted to see “A Room With A View”. It is a great book and sounds like a well done movie. By the way, I think this is the fifth blog I came by today that mentioned Twilight. It is turning into a phenomenon for sure
Fantastic jenners! You are doin amazing on these! I liked the movie version of twilight at first…now I hate it. There are about 3 good scenes…I blame the director…she’s kinda crazy. I’ve never read a room with a view ..now I want too!
I generally dont love movies that come out of books….as a twilight fan though I loved the movie. I am looking forward to the movie version of My Sister’s Keeper that comes out soon
A Room With a View is one of my favorite movies —and although it is a romantic story, it is also one of my husband’s favorite films. And, we both read the novel, too. I couldn’t agree with you more about the casting, the setting, everything was just right. Daniel Day Lewis always amazes me in the roles he is able to play —from My Left Foot, to the Last of the Mohicans, to prissy Cecil in this film. What a talent.