I was just about to make a new discussion on just this topic. The book is my favorite novel of all time and I’ve been trying to find this movie for what seems like for-freaking-ever.
I was wondering, though, for those who have read the book and seen the movie, if the movie is going to ruin the book for me. It could be an incredible adaptation. It could be flawlessly directed and I still feel like if I watch the movie that I would forever think of the book and the characters in terms of the images on the screen, and not how I originally saw them. (I have to be honest, Brad Dourif is not the Hazel Motes I had in my head.)
Sorry. It probably shouldn’t be that big of a deal, but I just wanted to know what you guys thought.
Excluding directors who are past their creative prime, yet still living, I am going to go with Wes Anderson and Paul Thomas Anderson. Some of these guys are too old and really don’t hold a candle to these two, IMO.
I love all The Beatles stuff and pretty much only hip hop.
Vaudeville Villain – Viktor Vaughn
Stakes is High – De La Soul
BIzarre Ride II – The Pharcyde
Moon Safari – Air
O.S.T. – People Under the Stairs
Runners Four – Deerhoof
I was really pumped to see this movie. I loved the GN. And when the title sequences came on, it was really something special. I mean, they were incredibly well done. Anyway…
Here’s what I learned… don’t go see a movie adaptation of a book you love, and I mean really love, because it’s just going to ruin the original experience for you. It’s fine to read Harry Potter, then go see Harry Potter, because, at least for me, it’s just a story, not something I am attached to.
I was looking forward to getting my hands on John Huston’s “Wise Blood”, but now I think I am going to skip it, only because the book really is my favorite thing of all time.
I honestly thought that most people had never seen The 400 Blows. Most of my friends have never heard of it. (I think I need new ones.)
Other than that… we didn’t learn much. All of these movies are in the Top 50 of any book you can buy. We don’t try very hard, I think.
Also, Martin Scorcese is the most overrated director of all time and Joan of Arc is insurmountably the most boring movie I have ever seen (with Rules of the Game running at a steady second).
We also have +100000000000 threads polling ourselves for top ten lists, and everyone jumps into those like it’s a pit full of money. And some of the lists are so absent of joy it’s really hard to believe anyone actually thinks they are the ten best movies.
I could change the title of the thread to “Don’t go see the movie adaptation of a book you really like”, but
THE TITLE SEQUENCE WAS UNBELIEVABLE, the rest of the movie just happened to be terrible.
But, I guess title sequences aren’t really important in movies… just being able to name movies people around us haven’t heard of is.
I think we can all agree that, at best, only a few of your favorite movies have ever appeared on a top ten list. So, why do we keep making lists of the movies we love, and more importantly, why do we feel like we have to come to a general consensus on the subject.
On the recent poll Auteurs Poll in the forum, there is only one film I really care about, one I remotely care for, and two that I generally hate. The rest, I don’t care about them at all. The other ones I would argue for or against, but most… I really just don’t care.
And I am guessing that the numbers are the same across the board.
I am just wondering why we do this? I guess you know where I stand, but does anybody gain from making these lists, or are we just making them?
I didn’t like or hate this movie enough to even talk about it, don’t know why I bothered (which is probably why I didn’t bother to search for a thread).
I think it was The Life Aquatic. I was 18, so before this, I had never been able to look forward to the release of a film. I probably saw it 5 or 6 times.
I am aware of few french films that weren’t filmed during the New Wave. I know it’s my fault, but I have been in one of those ruts where you find most things outside of your love to be unacceptable. That being said, I have seen some Dardenne brothers stuff, and Romain Duris, but that’s about all my knowledge of French film inside this decade.
Keeping it simple for as long as we can, in a sentence or two, name one French movie you’ve seen in the past ten years that was really something special. My Netflix queue is counting on it.
I’ve seen The Beat That My Heart Skipped, its one of my favorite. But other than those two, this is a great compilation of films I haven;t seen at all.
Really looking forward to pilling up my netflix account with these, especially the Vincent Cassel one. Haven’t seen him in a movie since La Haine (oh, and Oceans whatever it was).
ps… whats the trick to adding bold and italic stylings to your posts.
I’d love for new suggestions to keep on coming. In no way I am I saying we should stop with what we have. When I said I was going to post a list, I meant it to be a continually expanding reference, not as a canon.
I thought it might be helpful in organizing the movies we come up with, and as a way for people to go directly to the ones they haven’t seen.
Both France and film aren’t going anywhere, so why would we stop listing movies?
Seconded Kenji. There Will Be Blood lost No Country and I’ll never watch them again.
Then again, Cannes hasn’t been too stellar either. I think they let Stephen Spielberg open the festival a few years ago and I can’t recall one of his movies that deserves that honor.
I hate indie movies. Not independent movies, but the kind of movie that would literally be a stupid hipster converse all-star wearing douche with headphones blaring ironic acoustic covers of overly popular songs if it were turned into a human being.
I am sick people paying to go see crap movies. They wouldn’t make them if you don’t give them your money.
And also, I am sick of Cannes and Sundance. Awards blow. Have the festival, that’s great. Show a bunch of movies until people’s eyes fall out, but why do you have to give out awards.
The movie business as a whole sickens me. What a joke. We are doomed.
I really think it depends on the movie. I’ll start watching anything, but if It’s two hours in and I’m thinking “when is this going to end”, than I probably don’t like the movie to begin with. Proof: Watchmen. I left early.
Think about it, in 3009 the beginning of Cinematic history is going to include movies made in the 21st century.
Citizen Kane might be included, but I doubt anyone will want to watch it because it’s such a great movie. I’m guessing that Breathless might make it for it’s historical importance, probably a Hitchcock movie (but who knows which one) and The Beatles First US Visit.
I dunno. Tough question and it deserves a lot more consideration than just throwing out some of your favorite movies.
People against the seven samurai remake about 4 years ago
Where were you guys when they remade Breathless with Richard Gere in the eighties?
Go to Comment
WISE BLOOD on CRITERION! about 4 years ago
I was just about to make a new discussion on just this topic. The book is my favorite novel of all time and I’ve been trying to find this movie for what seems like for-freaking-ever.
I was wondering, though, for those who have read the book and seen the movie, if the movie is going to ruin the book for me. It could be an incredible adaptation. It could be flawlessly directed and I still feel like if I watch the movie that I would forever think of the book and the characters in terms of the images on the screen, and not how I originally saw them. (I have to be honest, Brad Dourif is not the Hazel Motes I had in my head.)
Sorry. It probably shouldn’t be that big of a deal, but I just wanted to know what you guys thought.
Go to Comment
Ever bought a dvd then realized you already owned it? about 4 years ago
I’ve bought The Life Aquatic twice, but that’s because I accidentally got Bill Murray’s autograph on my first copy. Booya!
Go to Comment
who is the greatest living filmmaker? about 4 years ago
Excluding directors who are past their creative prime, yet still living, I am going to go with Wes Anderson and Paul Thomas Anderson. Some of these guys are too old and really don’t hold a candle to these two, IMO.
Go to Comment
Where are you from? about 4 years ago
Memphis, TN.
Go to Comment
Films that made you take action about 4 years ago
I switched majors after my French New Wave elective.
Go to Comment
Greatest Albums of All-time about 4 years ago
I love all The Beatles stuff and pretty much only hip hop.
Vaudeville Villain – Viktor Vaughn
Stakes is High – De La Soul
BIzarre Ride II – The Pharcyde
Moon Safari – Air
O.S.T. – People Under the Stairs
Runners Four – Deerhoof
Go to Comment
Which Film Critics Do You Read? about 4 years ago
None.
Go to Comment
Best Part of "Watchmen": The title sequences. about 4 years ago
I was really pumped to see this movie. I loved the GN. And when the title sequences came on, it was really something special. I mean, they were incredibly well done. Anyway…
Here’s what I learned… don’t go see a movie adaptation of a book you love, and I mean really love, because it’s just going to ruin the original experience for you. It’s fine to read Harry Potter, then go see Harry Potter, because, at least for me, it’s just a story, not something I am attached to.
I was looking forward to getting my hands on John Huston’s “Wise Blood”, but now I think I am going to skip it, only because the book really is my favorite thing of all time.
Go to Comment
The Auteurs Poll Results about 4 years ago
I honestly thought that most people had never seen The 400 Blows. Most of my friends have never heard of it. (I think I need new ones.)
Other than that… we didn’t learn much. All of these movies are in the Top 50 of any book you can buy. We don’t try very hard, I think.
Also, Martin Scorcese is the most overrated director of all time and Joan of Arc is insurmountably the most boring movie I have ever seen (with Rules of the Game running at a steady second).
Go to Comment
Best Part of "Watchmen": The title sequences. about 4 years ago
We also have +100000000000 threads polling ourselves for top ten lists, and everyone jumps into those like it’s a pit full of money. And some of the lists are so absent of joy it’s really hard to believe anyone actually thinks they are the ten best movies.
I could change the title of the thread to “Don’t go see the movie adaptation of a book you really like”, but
THE TITLE SEQUENCE WAS UNBELIEVABLE, the rest of the movie just happened to be terrible.
But, I guess title sequences aren’t really important in movies… just being able to name movies people around us haven’t heard of is.
Go to Comment
Lists: Important or not? about 4 years ago
I think we can all agree that, at best, only a few of your favorite movies have ever appeared on a top ten list. So, why do we keep making lists of the movies we love, and more importantly, why do we feel like we have to come to a general consensus on the subject.
On the recent poll Auteurs Poll in the forum, there is only one film I really care about, one I remotely care for, and two that I generally hate. The rest, I don’t care about them at all. The other ones I would argue for or against, but most… I really just don’t care.
And I am guessing that the numbers are the same across the board.
I am just wondering why we do this? I guess you know where I stand, but does anybody gain from making these lists, or are we just making them?
Next….
Go to Comment
Best Part of "Watchmen": The title sequences. about 4 years ago
My bad…
I tend to have bad forum manners.
I didn’t like or hate this movie enough to even talk about it, don’t know why I bothered (which is probably why I didn’t bother to search for a thread).
Go to Comment
Lists: Important or not? about 4 years ago
I can agree with that.
I am having a bad day rousing people up.
Go to Comment
Assassination Of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford about 4 years ago
I’ve been trying to get my friends to watch this movie. I was really surprised by how much I loved this movie.
Casey Affleck’s performance was unbelievable. Brad Pitt was amazing to.
One of my favorite parts was how they filmed the landscapes. The first train robbery was also perfect.
I really could go on and on about it.
Go to Comment
What is your most memorable film going experience? (Only one per post please!) about 4 years ago
I think it was The Life Aquatic. I was 18, so before this, I had never been able to look forward to the release of a film. I probably saw it 5 or 6 times.
Go to Comment
Best Director: 1986 - KUROSAWA OR STONE? about 4 years ago
I hope you guys aren’t saying that Platoon wasn’t a good movie.
Go to Comment
French film this decade. about 4 years ago
I am aware of few french films that weren’t filmed during the New Wave. I know it’s my fault, but I have been in one of those ruts where you find most things outside of your love to be unacceptable. That being said, I have seen some Dardenne brothers stuff, and Romain Duris, but that’s about all my knowledge of French film inside this decade.
Keeping it simple for as long as we can, in a sentence or two, name one French movie you’ve seen in the past ten years that was really something special. My Netflix queue is counting on it.
Go to Comment
French film this decade. about 4 years ago
I’ve seen The Beat That My Heart Skipped, its one of my favorite. But other than those two, this is a great compilation of films I haven;t seen at all.
Really looking forward to pilling up my netflix account with these, especially the Vincent Cassel one. Haven’t seen him in a movie since La Haine (oh, and Oceans whatever it was).
ps… whats the trick to adding bold and italic stylings to your posts.
Go to Comment
French film this decade. about 4 years ago
New Question:
How in the heck do you guys keep up with all these releases. Are there some sites I need to be reading (besides this one).
[thanks crap monster and dazza for the posting tips]
Go to Comment
French film this decade. about 4 years ago
This is great. I feel like I finally have something to focus my interest on. Mainly, about a 500hr list of movies that sound really interesting.
I’m going to make a list of these, mainly so I can start watching them and marking them off, and I’ll probably post it up here soon.
Go to Comment
French film this decade. about 4 years ago
This is great. I feel like I finally have something to focus my interest on. Mainly, about a 500hr list of movies that sound really interesting.
I’m going to make a list of these, mainly so I can start watching them and marking them off, and I’ll probably post it up here soon.
Go to Comment
French film this decade. about 4 years ago
Dazza,
I’d love for new suggestions to keep on coming. In no way I am I saying we should stop with what we have. When I said I was going to post a list, I meant it to be a continually expanding reference, not as a canon.
I thought it might be helpful in organizing the movies we come up with, and as a way for people to go directly to the ones they haven’t seen.
Both France and film aren’t going anywhere, so why would we stop listing movies?
Go to Comment
Comfort Films about 4 years ago
Lord of the Rings.
Go to Comment
French film this decade. about 4 years ago
Seconded Kenji. There Will Be Blood lost No Country and I’ll never watch them again.
Then again, Cannes hasn’t been too stellar either. I think they let Stephen Spielberg open the festival a few years ago and I can’t recall one of his movies that deserves that honor.
Go to Comment
THE CINEMA OF TENNESSEE WILLIAMS about 4 years ago
I agree with Steve.
I’m a big fan of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof because of Paul Newman. I love it when Williams’ stuff creates a genuinely southern feel.
Go to Comment
Benjamin Button!?!? What the Hell? about 4 years ago
Not going to argue this, but it totally deserves the criterion treatment.
Go to Comment
Things your're really sick of about 4 years ago
I hate indie movies. Not independent movies, but the kind of movie that would literally be a stupid hipster converse all-star wearing douche with headphones blaring ironic acoustic covers of overly popular songs if it were turned into a human being.
I am sick people paying to go see crap movies. They wouldn’t make them if you don’t give them your money.
And also, I am sick of Cannes and Sundance. Awards blow. Have the festival, that’s great. Show a bunch of movies until people’s eyes fall out, but why do you have to give out awards.
The movie business as a whole sickens me. What a joke. We are doomed.
Go to Comment
Is length intimidating? about 4 years ago
I really think it depends on the movie. I’ll start watching anything, but if It’s two hours in and I’m thinking “when is this going to end”, than I probably don’t like the movie to begin with. Proof: Watchmen. I left early.
Go to Comment
It's Year 3009 - What 3 Films Survived Through A Millenium of History? about 4 years ago
Probably not any of the consensus top 100 movies.
Think about it, in 3009 the beginning of Cinematic history is going to include movies made in the 21st century.
Citizen Kane might be included, but I doubt anyone will want to watch it because it’s such a great movie. I’m guessing that Breathless might make it for it’s historical importance, probably a Hitchcock movie (but who knows which one) and The Beatles First US Visit.
I dunno. Tough question and it deserves a lot more consideration than just throwing out some of your favorite movies.
Go to Comment