Books Vs. Movies

Ever since the discovery of cinematography in 1887 and television in 1927, movies have been the highlight of entertainment for the modern age. But before movies, cameras, and videos, books were the stage of the imagination. Thanks to the advancement of technology, movies have now been made from the books that people read then and today. However, this has become a widespread controversy over the quality and accuracy of the very movie that portrays the book's plot and characters. Many of the movies that we view today are based partially or completely from the plot line found in the novel.

There are several examples which have become the most outspoken and well-heard of in this conflict. The biggest and most recent of these examples is the Twilight movie saga. Although many of the theaters and box offices have had no problem selling tickets to this series of books, at least a dozen people will leave the movie arguing about how inaccurate the movie was to the book. Even online critic reviews can be found describing how New Moon was somewhat inaccurate, or lacked emotion behind the overall story (Yahoo! Reviews).

However good reviews can be found that describe how well the movies grab its audience, and the decent quality of the movies compared to the books. Based on various, self-conducted interviews, I found that those who read the books first were a little displeased with the different scenes, but were understanding of the shortened details. Most agreed that because of the time constraints, the movie would have to lose some less than irrelevant information in order to focus more on the broader, significant scenes. Yet, one interviewee said, "Some scenes (those found in the first film of the Twilight saga) were short of the dramatic emphasis that the book seemed to capture my attention with." Even though Twilight has had its fair share displeased reviews because of its failure to follow the books properly, other movies have been praised for its differences to the book it reflects.

Atonement is an excellent example of how a movie is commended for its changes in script. A second interviewee stated, "In the movie, the scene of the field with the dead childrens' bodies was more emotional intense than the book describing random body parts scattered across the field." Most reviews admired the passion and faithfulness displayed in the movie relating to the plot in the book. However, one critic found the movie to be less than satisfying. Scott, from the NY Times stated, "Atonement is, instead, an almost classic example of how pointless, how diminishing, the transmutation of literature into film can be." This seemed to be one of the few critics that did not take pleasure in the quality or accuracy of the movie.

In the end, this controversy is more of a he-said she-said point of view. One person might like the books because it allows them the opportunity to have that personal connection. Then, most likely that person is not going to enjoy the book being made into a movie. A person who takes pleasure in a shared experience is going to like the movie equally or better than the book. I have always been in the middle of this decision. Some movies, such as Twilight and Pride and Prejudice, were movies that were better than the books. On the other hand, movies like Atonement and the Harry Potter series were better as books than as movies. The overall decision of whether a book into a movie is a good idea is an individual choice. One person or a dozen peoples' perspective on a book to a movie is a controversy that will continue until books are ceased from being made into movies.

Opening May 1st...

The origin of the x-men has now begun. X-men Origins Wolverine is an awesome action-packed film that stars Hugh Jackman as the stunning Wolverine. The movie also co-stars Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Liev Schreiber as Sabertooth. In this version of Wolverine's story you come to learn just how he became Wolverine and why. Also featured are some familiar mutants not yet seen in past x-men movies and some that have. The story of Wolverine begins with the death of his father and the discovery of his brother who tags along. Through hundreds of years of war and pain, the two come across Stryker and his special unit of mutants. After leaving the group due to moral rights, Wolverine is confronted again six years later by Stryker only this time to serve in project Weapon X. Logan's two descisions for joining is the death of his girlfriend and the hunt for his brother who has become a ravenous killing animal. Logan soon discovers the truth about his brother, Stryker, and project Weapon X after clawing his way through everything. This is one x-men you don't want to miss.

A movie from the Stone Age

A movie from the old...So, for this blog this week I thought I would tell you about an old comedy that I love to watch whenever I get the chance. The Gods Must Be Crazy is one of the most hilarious movies of all time that I have ever seen. It starts off with a Sho from Kalahari desert named Xixo, who has has first encounter with technology from the sky above, and it is in the shape of a Coke bottle. After he takes it to his people, they become amazed by it and use it for simple tasks. But it all changes when others hear of its power and begin to fight over it. Xixo, now sent to throw this bottle over the edge of the world to return it to God. Meanwhile a biologist named Andrew Steyn, and a teacher named Kate Thompson face several hilarious obstacles when trying to get to her school house. Between rhinos as a fire marshal and a revolutionist named Sam Boga kidnapping the children of the school, this movies problems never seem to end. The safety of everyone is now up to Andrew and his new found friend, Xixo.

Featuring Marius Weyers and Sandra Prinsloo, this African comedy will make you laugh your butt off. With the weirdest encounters with animals and the crazy events that happen throughout the movie is just like the title suggests, the god's must be crazy. This movie will give you just the laughter you need to make the day even better. At last, a comedy everyone can laugh with.

This Summer...

Coming this summer to theaters near you...for many years, there has been a truce between mankind and the invisible realm of fantastic. But all of that is about to change when a creature, Prince Nuada, from this invisible realm decides that his kind should no longer hide from the human race, but control it. Now, Hellboy, Abe, Liz, and the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense must travel beneath our world and the unseen magical world. During this fight to protect humanity, Hellboy is forced to become made public and face the world that he must protect, but fears him. It is a race against time now, and Hellboy and his gang must try to find Prince Nuada, son of the Woodland King, who is determined to resurrect the golden army his father once ruled. With so many new enemies, can Hellboy and the team defeat them all? Will they get there in time to keep the Golden Army from rising again, or will they be too late to save Earth? Find out in theaters this summer.

Featuring Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, and Doug Jones are back again in this summer's hottest movie, Hellboy 2: The Golden Army. These new, amazing sci-fi characters from fantasy, this movie is sure to make your skin crawl. Coming to theaters June 11. Saving the world is one hell of a job.

Coming Soon to Theaters...

Coming soon to theaters...based on the famous Marvel Comics character, Tony Stark, is a playboy billionanire idustarlist who makes weapons for the United States government. While out on a field test for one of his new inventions, something goes terribly wrong. Captured by an enemy miltary group lead by Obadiah Stane, Tony is suddenly forced to make weapons for him, but Tony has a better idea at hand. During his capture, he builds himself a crude powered armor to save his life and escape. After he returns back home, Tony decides to revise his suit to become the Armored Avenger IRON MAN, but Tony is not the only one who has been busy. While Tony has been rivising his suit, Obadiah has also begun to make a suit, and becomes Iron Man's new enemy known as the Iron Monger. Tony now has to face against both the U.S. government and Iron Monger. Can Tony survive against these odds, or will superhero, Iron Man be forced to give up his new found power? Find out in theaters May 2.

Featuring Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L. Jackson and other famous actors, this movie will blow you away. With amazing graphics, and the super sweet action-packed plot, this movie might just inspire you. If you are looking foward to an awesome fun-filled packed weekend before finals, then this movie is for you. Heros are not born, they are made.

This Friday...

This Friday in theaters... On vacation in Cancun five friends, Jeff, Stacy, Amy, Eric, and Pablo, set out on a quest to help out Mathias find his brother, Henrich, who went missing several weeks ago with his girlfriend, who were on a archaeologist dig. With a poorly drawn map, the journey begins, but things suddenly start to go wrong for these travelers. They are finally lead to a Mayan village where the natives seem hostile. The Mayans try to lead the friends away, but unmoved they continue to follow the map. Things taken a sudden change for the worse when the Mayans decide not to let them leave. Forced to climb to the top of an architecture covered in vines and red flowers, they discover Henrich's corpse covered by the vegetation. After further investigations, the friends come to realize that this is no ordinary vine. Able to secrete deadly acid sap and move about, the vine is determined to let these six travelers join their friend. Suddenly they have to fight against both the villagers and the carnivorous vine that now wants them dead. Now, with the race to survive, these six friends must either decide to help out one another in these deadly odds, or leave everyone to die on their own in a torturous and painful death. Who lives and who dies? Does anyone come for them or do they escape? Find out this Friday in theaters, and watch... The Ruins.

Starring Jonathan Tucker, Jena Molane, Shawn Ashmore, and Laura Ramsey, The Ruins is not a movie for the faint of heart and the hopeful. With an exciting plot and creepy turns, those looking for an amazing horror film for the weekend should definitely check this one out. Warning: The movie might just take you.

Movie You Must Buy

The best movie of all-time is I Am Legend featuring the solo actor Will Smith. Will Smith plays a man named Robert Neville, a military scientist, who is the last man on earth after a virus originally created to cure cancer is unleashed upon the world in 2009. Robert may be the last man on earth, but he is not alone. After the virus was released the entire world became infected, and turned into cannibal vampire-like monsters. Living on his own in New York City with his dog, Sam, for 1001 days, Robert sits patiently on a harbor waiting, hoping that he is not alone, and that someone will answer his radio broadcasts. Robert, somehow immune to the virus, tries to find a cure. But his blood is what the infected now hunt. Racing against time and his insanity, Robert must try to survive and find a cure before the Infected get him, but will he be too late to save mankind?

This movie features a suspenseful, horror plot directed by Francis Lawrence. The movie definitely illustrates Will Smith's amazing acting abilities. It has eleven nominations and is one of the best thriller movies of 2008. The movie is a combination of the novels I Am Legend, The Omega Man and The Last Man on Earth. This movie is an all-time favorite of mine and should definitely be watched at least once.