Books Turned Into Movies

I am one of those people, I try to read the book first every time. The part that is frustrating is that the movie almost never lives up to the book. A great example: Eragon. I love the book Eragon so much. It was very well written and I was very excited to see the movie. Wow, what a bust! That movie just made me sad. It in no way did Paolini's book justice. Sure people had the same names but it was just a disaster. My husband, the non-reader, loved it though. 


Twilight was another disappointment for me. I loved all the books. I don't even mind that the vampires sparkle. The movies just are not enough. I have never liked the cast choice (I'm sorry Rob Pattinson fans!) except for the choice for Alice, Jacob, and James. They fit well. I think I would have liked Jasper better if they didn't make him stand around with a dumb look on his face never speaking. So sad. There were changes that were just bad choices in all the movies. If you want to make a movie based on a book, make it like the book! I haven't seen the newest movie, and I'm sure it is great. The movies are not bad, just not like the books.


Oh Harry Potter! That movie was cast wonderfully! I loved all the choices and now when I read the books I can imagine it better. I just hate how they deviated so much from the books. Parts of those movies were never in the books at all! Huge, important parts of the book were cut out. I found myself so frustrated with the movies that for a long time I wouldn't watch them at all. I have finally seen them all now, and the best two are the last two, although they still deviate from the book! I realize they would have much longer, but I would have sat through them! Any Harry Potter fan would have!!


One exception to my "read the book first" rule was My Sister's Keeper. That movie was just so heart breaking and beautiful. I had to read the book after seeing it. It differs, it really does, but I wasn't so frustrated by it. I love both the book and the movie and I don't mind some of the changes. I don't like that they took out Jesse's whole messy story. I think they should have left it. It really adds more controversy, and gives you a better picture of him.


The Green Mile is a great example of a book and movie syncing up beautifully! It is just wonderful to see that they did not change anything that was important. The discrepancies, for me, were so minor. It's a long movie but it is just so worth it! They made that movie a wonderful telling of an already perfect book. Congratulations Stephen King and Frank Darabont for making it all fit so perfectly together!


I look forward to first reading and then seeing The Hunger Games. The movie looks great, and the reviews of the books make me excited to read them. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is also on my list of read and then see. I hope that both movies live up to their books. I also need to read The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit. I have already seen The Lord of the Rings movies (gasp! without reading the books!) and I hope I that the books are just as amazing. 


So, now that I have complained, What do you think? Do you ever get disappointed in a book that becomes a movie? Or are you one of those lucky people who can go with the flow (I envy you!!)? Let me know in the comments!