We have been reading Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg a lot lately; the book is fabulous. C and R were both so excited to find out that there was a movie about the book. I had never seen the movie, but didn't think anything of suggesting it to Grandma for their sleepover at her house. Unfortunately, the movie did not live up to their expectations. It was scary (although now C and R both say they were not the least bit scared - Grandma said it was scary); the book is not scary at all! Also, C was very upset that the movie is so different from the book. He is still talking about that days later.
This got me thinking about Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. The book is definitely one of our favorites and it comes off the bookshelf at least once a week. We are anxiously awaiting the movie based on the book. I just hope it is good. No, I want it to be great. I want the book to come alive. Is that too much to ask?
What movies based on books do you love or hate?
9 comments:
I can NOT wait until Cloudy with a chance of meatballs comes out!
yep it is hard I love the Scholastic book movies that are just the book read by a person cuz then you know its like the book!
My 2 have never really like where the wild things are no matter how much a try! Now if Kittens First Full Moon was a movie we would be there in a heartbeat!
I still want to see the Cloudy with a chance of meatballs movie and wild things movie too!
Maybe it would be like Inkheart then they would love the book!? HUMMMMM
Okay, so I'm a bit of a literary snob and get bent out of shape when the movie has a vague resemblance to the movie. Here's ones I've loved:
Harry Potter movies (as true as you're likely to get)
Narnia movies (same, except on Prince Caspian, but don't get me started on that rant)
Pride and Prejudice (the BBC version)
Lukewarm:
Black Stallion (mostly follows movie except in a few irritating ways)
Jumanji (as your kids pointed out it kind of resembles the book, but the book as it was would be hard to adapt)
the Dr. Seuss movies, none of them have been quite what I wanted, but I LOVE Seussical the Musical.
But the differences in movies does make for great learning activity comparing and contrasting how they're the same and different
I think the fact that movies rarely live up to the books they are adapted from is a great lesson for kids. I know too many adults who have the attitude "Why should I read the book when I can just watch the movie?" (My DH included!!)
I bought The Cat in the Hat at a yard sale. I didn't look at reviews first...it won't be watched again in this house since it is supposed to be for children but had so, so many adult situations/words.
To be fair, we had the subtitles on (we ususally do). So maybe others wouldn't pick up on some of the subtle words that I noticed.
We love Narnia, but as was said...Prince Caspian wasn't as true as The Lion.
I loved your comment this morning about the Mets/Phillies and your son!
One of my favorite books (for older kiddos 8-9 and up) is Sarah, Plain and Tall. Beautiful story about a woman from Maine who answers an ad for a wife/mother for a widower living on the KS plains. Set during the late 1800s/early 1900s. Hallmark did a good job making the movie, but it was different from the book. My 3rd graders were a bit upset, but I turned it into a great compare/contrast lesson (a skill required on the KS Assessment).
I don't mind movies that stray away from the books that much...as long as I've read the book first! In my opinion, no movie can truly do an author justice! Authors tap into our imaginations so the movie in our mind is always different then Hollywood's version!
why is it that the books are always better than the movie?
I think it's hard for kids book to be turned into a good movie, because they try to entertain adults too.
Hmmmmmmm I'd have to really think about that. I'm with Ticia, if it's not really really close I no likey!
When I went to see HP #6, there was a preview for Where The Wild Things Are. I don't like the book, so I am not thrilled about the movie either. I also have no idea how one can make a short book into a full-length movie.
On the subject of movies that I liked - HP comes to mind even though the movies cannot compare to books in my mind. The Little Mermaid is very different from the book, and it's probably for the best - the book ends quite tragically. I like both the book and the movie in this case, but for different reasons.
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