Um, creativity, maybe? I usually think films adapted from other things can never meet their full potential.
pulp fiction can be adapted into good films. Books are probobly best but they should be visual books like No Country for Old Men and not heady like Naked Lunch ( although that was made into an aclaimed film) I guess it all depends on the talent of the parties involved.
Your own experiences throughout your life, I think would be the biggest thing to consider.
My favorite Bergman film is Fanny and Alexander.
My favorite Fellini film is 8 1/2.
My favorite Scorsese film is Taxi Driver.
My favorite movie of the year so far is Tetro.
My favorite movie of all time from ages 11 to 14 was On the Waterfront and it is tied with East of Eden as my favorite Kazan film.
This shows how obviously I prefer films based on the director’s own life. I love personal films.
Scorcese was a NYC cabbie?
No but he was in a very dark place in his life, and was living in NYC. I’m sure a lot of the “scum” of NY featured in the film had been experienced or seen by Scorsese (and Schrader).
Just like how Kazan didn’t rat out a bunch of gangsters, but his friends who were “communists”. Hmm Terry Malloy is a lot cooler and more noble than Kazan.
I thought Schrader was living in LA and depressed as hell when he wrote Taxi Driver. I know that doesn’t sound right but I could’ve sworn I remember him saying that.
David Edelstein, I confer to you.
Correct on the Schrader thing.
Ok but he was depressed, and Taxi Driver screams out as being a personal film. My point still stands.
Books, biographies, PBS is always rather informative.
I would suggest some of the less gutter-punk titles from AK press (BIO’s etc.) There is much to be remembered, and learned from history.
Emma Goldman was a saucy little tart.
Master plots.
Howard Fritzson
Sometimes I think it is books, but they can offer too much material. Plays don’t naturally adapt to film. TV shows start as films but they are usually too thin. Headlines only provide a premise. Your own life doesn’t distance you enough for objectivity.