Due to the recent death of Donald Sutherland, I am switching the release of The Time Traveler's Wife with the release of my Ordinary People book vs movie. I filmed it literally the day before he died! So Time Traveler's Wife will now be up the second Monday in July.
I think that’s a perfect honor. Never read the book of “Ordinary People”, but the film is so good; Mary Tyler Moore as the cold matriarch was such a shock for audiences due to her image from her titular show & she is excellent. Course so was Sutherland, but he often gets ignored a lot due to Mary (her only Oscar nod) & Timothy Hutton’s Oscar winning work but he deserves credit for playing a caring father but is so lost in the loss of their son and doesn’t know how to help his surviving son. Can’t wait to watch the vid
One that I thought barely beat out the book, but both are incredible, Women Talking by Miriam Towes is incredible. The book is a quick but deep read and the movie just expands on it with the characters . It’s very true to the book but I love the cinematography so much I love it just a tiny bit more than the book. But I highly recommend both
Great review! One thing that makes me like a movie more than a book is that the screenwriter(s) usually take a more streamlined approach (I tink of Jaws, Gone Girl, and The Girl on the Train). It's as if they're following Elmore Leonard's rule for writing #10: "Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip." I'm a writer, and I like to follow that rule, along with what another writer at a science-fiction conference told me. He said to cut out your "little darlings." A "little darling" is a piece of your writing you love that adds nothing to your story. Keep up the great work!
basically the book kind of triggered me with how bad all of the women are treated! and Puzo seems to condone it almost by not taking the time to write a well rounded female and instead the only female centered story is all about a woman getting surgery on her V.
I'm a big James Michener fan. Some of his sprawling narratives made into movies or TV miniseries: Hawaii, South Pacific, Centennial, Texas, and Space. I particularly like Hawaii. Another book that is also a movie that I liked was Michael Westheimer's 'Von Ryan's Express'
Unrelated to better/worse, I would love to hear your opinion (based on some of the other reviews within this video) on the Witches of Eastwick. And I would LOVE to hear the devil wears Prada review.
All the Rivers Run by Nancy Cato and Gone with the Wind. That book was so hard to read it is amazing that they were able to make such an amazing movie. I agree with you about Jurassic Park, liked the movie but loved the book. I thought the book spent more time with the science which was amazing.
You may have covered these - Rich Man, Poor Man (Irwin Shaw) book vs the 1976 TV miniseries by the same name and The Winds of War & War and Remembrance (Herman Wouk) books vs 2 mini series by the same name. 1983 and 1988 respectively.
I loved the movie “Something Borrowed” so much I read the book. The book was good, but the characters are so much more likable in the movie. It’s a great non traditional love story. The movie is funny and has a wonderful sense of humor where the book has a more serious tone. It’s just a much more enjoyable watch than it is a read. One of my favorite rom-coms.
I read Jurassic Park so long ago I don't remember it...I need to reread that one. This is a great video for reminding me of books I want to read!!!! The only one I am of a different opinion on is 'Little Women', but I totally get your perspective on it! Lovely video! All your videos are so well thought out. Very much enjoyed!
@@WhytheBookWins Admittedly the two were close when we reviewed them! But I'm a sucker for the metatextual stuff Goldman pulls off so well that I think it adds another layer that I missed in the movie.
I completely disagree with the person who said the movie adaptation of "Breakfast At Tiffany's" is better than the book. No amount of Audrey Hepburn and Blake Edwards magic can compensate the hetero-normative bullshit injected by George Axelrod's script. I found George Peppard's ending sermon truly revolting. And on top of that, there's Mickey Rooney. One movie that I do think is better than the book, is "Let The Right One In". The book offers a really unique take on vampire lore, but the movie (scripted by the writer himself) does a fantastic job in choosing what to keep and what to omit from the original story, distilling its essence while opening it up for different interpretations. Excellent movie. The American remake, not so much.
Came to say Last of the Mohicans, but others have said it as well. Howl’s Moving Castle is way up there. The book is sweet and cute. It does provide more context of who Howl and Sofie are… but Miyazaki made it his own with the anti-war theme, music and absolutely gentle sweetness of the story!
A lot of these I am not into, but I have seen Time travelers wife and Benjamin button (Both beautiful and kind of messed up at the same time🤣 esp because it involved young girls and old men). There is another movie Memoirs of a Geisha and The Notebook. Both great films. I have only read the Geisha book and thought it was great as well, just a bit confusing. It would be interesting to do a list of books that SHOULD be made into movies. I have taken a class once that was about watching films that were directed by women and it was SO fascinating! Mira Nair has directed many great films.
I remember looking into covering The Namesake, which she directed! Any other movies of hers that you would recommend? I have seen Memoirs of a Geisha but haven't read the book, that would be an interesting one to cover though.
@@WhytheBookWins There are quite a few films that she directed that are amazing 🤩. Queen of Katwe is one of them. A powerful story of overcoming. The Perez Family is also great. Mississippi and Masala. I have also watched a couple of her Indian movies like Kama Sutra which actually ended up being sad but beautiful. She did Amelia and Vanity Affair which I have not seen yet but look good.
The Shootist, very similar to the movie except Ron Howard's character is despicable in the book. Giving him some humanity was a huge improvement. The Postman, while the book had the lore I was craving and sci fi ideas it was so overstuffed it feels very busy. Makes me appreciate the more grounded film. Payback, this one feels like a cheat because the book's (The Hunter) claim to fame is the protagonist is a sociopath so any change would automatically make him more charming. I liked the book a lot but the movie is just fun, good cast, electric tone and a wild pace. I know there's more but that's all comes to mind right now
Agree with most of your list, but as far as Phantom of the Opera? I have to respectfully, but highly disagree with you. I first read the book (novella) when I was thirteen. It was in an anthology book of horror given to my by my father. Yes, I was a huge horror reader. I had read all the other stories in the book but had put off Phantom, because it took up most of the book but I had to read it to finish the book. It absolutely grabbed me and wouldn't let me go. One of the few books I lost time over because I couldn't put it down. To me, it is another book that needs a faithful movie adaptation. Nothing comes close to the heart of the book. The end, where Erik becomes accepted and loved by the public? And all mourn at the news of his death? You don't get that in any of the movie versions I have seen. And don't get me started on the soundtrack of the musical! My mom loved the soundtrack, so I heard it and kind of liked it, but felt I had heard the theme before. It bothered me so much...until I played one of my favorite songs from my favorite band of all time and realized - he took it from Pink Floyd's song Echoes! I was aghast! You just have to listen to both. You'll get it. For The Silence of the Lambs? In my opinion probably the most faithful adaptation of any book I've read. So, since imagination is better than any visual I highly recommend Thomas Harris's book. The only reason to hold the movie over the book is Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of Hannibal Lecter. But I encourage anyone who loves the movie to read the book. As well as the 'prequel', Red Dragon. The 2002 movie sucked, but the Michael Mann version entitled Manhunter from 1986 was so compelling, it comes close to being better than the book, since Mann always creates such a great atmosphere...but, it was another book I couldn't put down. So far ahead of its time, preceding and responsible for all the serial killer books that have flooded the market, since.
@@WhytheBookWins Thank you. It was a sudden end in the book. I remember wishing there was more, I was disappointed it ended. Thank you for the video, books now I need to read, and I now need to re-read Phantom.
You could try listening to the audiobook of Lord of the Rings! Also, the movie I always say is better than the book is The Grifters. The book is a trashy 50s pulp novel, but the movie is an academy award winning neonoir classic.
I'm tempted to add Les Miserables on here simply because none of the movie versions stopped in the middle of Valjean's escape with a half-dead Marius through the Paris sewers to show a 40-minute documentary on the history of the mapping of the sewers....
@@WhytheBookWins It's dense mostly because Hugo frequently pauses the narrative to write random essays on... whatever was on his mind that day of writing. But the most recent musical version actually incorporated details from the book that no other movie (or stage show) had, so that was cool.
So I’m late to this party, but I need to say something, One Who Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. If I’m not mistaken that book hit the shelves somewhere in the late fifties, early sixties. Now, it’s widely accepted that the tone and attitude is totally unacceptable today, as in 2024, not 1962. Doing reviews of works done multiple decades in the past, you cannot look at them through present day eyes. Also, I’d like to submit Stephen Hunter’s (Originally titled) Point of Impact, movie Shooter. Both are good, but the movie simplifies the concept and feels more urgency. Also changing Colonel Shrek to Colonel Johnson due to the movie Shrek being released around the same time is kind humorous and so,I’d move.
When I read 2001 a Space Odyssey, I had a lot of fun, the story was constantly moving. Years later I watched the movie. It was a painful experience. There were multiple passages when nothing happened. I would not recommend the movie to anyone.
I think you’re the first person I have seen to say the Time Traveler’s wife movie is better than the book since the book is loved and people hated the movie
@@naiderl i read the book in high school a long time ago and loved the movie of course it had its differences like any other source material but saw some comments saying it’s not like book and then the show came out I only saw the first episode I don’t know if it was successful I can’t have an opinion on that show I don’t know if it was better than the book
@@Menstral oh wow, that makes a lot of sense to know the backstory. I still don't like the book overall, but having that context helps me understand what she was going for.
A movie that's better than the book - the Jane Austen Book Club. I loved the movie then read the book and it kind of felt the way I felt about practical magic - the movie is just better!!
Disagree about Silence of the Lambs. I read the book twice. Once before the movie was made when Gene Hackman was still attached to play Hannibal Lecter, and ten years after the movie swept the Oscars. The book is like William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist ... perfect in the witten form.
The Excorsit is another one I see people say is better than the book so it is interesting to hear you say otherwise on both! I have never read either one and The Exorsict is another I have no interest in covering 😬
I absolutely love the 2000,s version of phantom of the opera same for the clint Eastwood film the beguiled and like you i struggled with the lord of the rings books i ended up dnfing the first book yes do a video on the devil wears Prada
'The Last of the Mohicans' (1992) definitely beats anything Fenimore Cooper ever wrote. Mark Twain's 'Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses' explains just why Cooper (and this book) was such an awful writer.
@@ElfInTheFlowers It is a wonderful film. As for the book, I have a small gargoyle sitting on top of an old copy of 'Last of the Mohicans', covering his eyes over the grotesque writing of Fenimore Cooper. :)
Larry McMurtry’s “Lonesome Dove” is one that does not actually belong on this list because both the book and the miniseries are fantastic imo. Maybe a “vs” episode? Not sure if you’ve covered this one
This will probably be controversial, but movies I prefer to the book that weren't mentioned are: 1. The Shining 2. Under the Skin 3. Stalker (Roadside Picnic)
Ooo I have covered both The Shining and Under the Skin and both I prefer the book. But I can see why you would like the movies because they do make significant changes! And I love The Shining as its own thing, but when I think about it compared to the book I don't like how they made Jack such a horrible person!
@@WhytheBookWins See that's why I loved the film version of the Shining. There was no hope like in the book, plus the book removed so much of the mystery by doing what King often does: giving us too much information. The film version to me was a much cleaner version of a tragic story. Under the Skin I enjoyed more because it was a better character study about someone trying to fit in where it's impossible. The book had too much on the nose commentary for me. I prefer commentary to be subtle.
In my opinion, there are at least three examples of this instance: Ice storm: brilliant film in contrast to a book where I never connected to the characters. Big fish: to me the film's spirit is more engaging. The virgin suicides: I found the book very interesting don't get me wrong, but the film is just so beautiful and powerful.
I have covered both Big Fish and The Virgin Suicides and I agree, both movies are really good. I think with Virgins I said I preferred the book, but the movie is an excellent adaptation.
@@WhytheBookWins I must see the video about The Virgin Suicides then. The two details from the book that aren't present in the film and I remember whishing to be referenced in it are: he decribes the girls' clothes getting rusty and their bodies and skins getting somehow emaciated after so long being prisoners in the house and the time when the boys steal one of the girls' lipstick and they use it on themselves and then kiss to "experience' kissing one of the Lisbons. Thank you for answering, I'm a new subscriber and I dearly enjoy your videos.
Mickey Rooney famously hated his role as Mr. Yunioshi, and was allegedly very vocal about wanting an actual Japanese man playing the character (in a less stereotypical fashion, I’m assuming).
@@WhytheBookWins was likely that he initially found it funny when he was cast, but regretted it in hindsight, because he was very vocal about viewing it as a stain on his career that he wished hadn’t happened.
I don't know if I can confidently state this since I never finished the book, but I think the Trainspotting film is far better than the book. Maybe it's not fair since the film has Ewan McGregor and one of the best soundtracks of all time... 😅
13:08 Wait the Devil wears Prada? lol I thought that was a Christian death metal band? Not even kidding the band got their name from the book and movie.
Brokeback Mountain is better than annie proulx's shirt story imo. The movie gives you a deeper look at the two main characters as well as theur environment, while the short story is just too brief.
In no way JP movie is better than the book. I love the JP movie, but the book ties up everything neatly, the movie just skip a lot of info, and I don't mean the cientific stuff, and changes many things that aren't for the best. Still great movie.
The film version of "The Martian" was monumentally better than the book. I say that because the first series of pages was math to get food on Mars. And the narrative feature of making the journal into a video diary was just genius; the journal fell flat with the jokes and one-liners in the book.
Why not where the book and movie are equally good. say the Treasure of the Sierra madre, Strangers on a Train and Leaving Las Vegas for a start or maybe The Conformist and the Woman in the Dunes so we are not too US centric.
I would add Starship Troopers, Sin City, and Generation Kill. The book Starship Troopers is very imaginative, vet dumb. It promotes fascism and spends way too much time talking about the effectiveness of corporal punishment. The movie taking that, and turning it into satire is brilliant. The Sin City movie cuts all the stupid stuff and bad story lines from the book. All of the artistic license used to adapt Generation Kill to a mini-series elevated above the source material.
OH, and Last of the Mohicans. The book is incredibly repetitive and, frankly, boring, whereas the movie was wall-to-wall excellence (plus Daniel Day Lewis in it made me question my heterosexuality, lol).
@@WhytheBookWins Plus the movie actually gave the women characters agency and growth instead of them being simple damsels in distress, as I recall they were in the book.
"I GOTTA FIND BUBBA!" "Run Forrest RUN" and "Mama says Life's like a box of chocalates. U never know what u're going to get" are my favs lines from the movie. Unfortunately most likely due to allergy concerns the latter is tech no longer true.
I have to disagree with you on One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. It's important to remember that the the story is being told by an extremely unreliable narrator and that McMurphy is no hero in any sense. He's a deeply flawed individual who says he faked his way into the hospital, but why should we believe that? He's there for a reason even if he won't admit it. The book does a much better job of showing this than the movie.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a VERY weird novel. I picked it up as a teenager after seeing the movie, and I had no idea about the dream sections. In a way I'd be up for the challenge of a filmmaker taking on those themes, but I think the movie is much more cohesive on its own EDIT: my personal pick would be Starship Troopers. The movie is a sardonic treat, while the book comes off as a pro-fascism fever dream
I think there's plenty to critique about the book, but I found the movie to be too broad in its satire. To me, a more interesting response is the book "The Forever War" by Joe Haldeman.
Gone Girl is close, but I prefer the book, and Dennis Lehane adaptations are always so good! I love his books and the directors always seem to nail the movie!
Due to the recent death of Donald Sutherland, I am switching the release of The Time Traveler's Wife with the release of my Ordinary People book vs movie. I filmed it literally the day before he died! So Time Traveler's Wife will now be up the second Monday in July.
I think that’s a perfect honor. Never read the book of “Ordinary People”, but the film is so good; Mary Tyler Moore as the cold matriarch was such a shock for audiences due to her image from her titular show & she is excellent. Course so was Sutherland, but he often gets ignored a lot due to Mary (her only Oscar nod) & Timothy Hutton’s Oscar winning work but he deserves credit for playing a caring father but is so lost in the loss of their son and doesn’t know how to help his surviving son. Can’t wait to watch the vid
One that I thought barely beat out the book, but both are incredible, Women Talking by Miriam Towes is incredible. The book is a quick but deep read and the movie just expands on it with the characters . It’s very true to the book but I love the cinematography so much I love it just a tiny bit more than the book. But I highly recommend both
I still need to read/watch that one!
I would like to see you do the Devil Wears Prada! I preferred the movie honestly but interested in your thoughts
Great review! One thing that makes me like a movie more than a book is that the screenwriter(s) usually take a more streamlined approach (I tink of Jaws, Gone Girl, and The Girl on the Train). It's as if they're following Elmore Leonard's rule for writing #10: "Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip." I'm a writer, and I like to follow that rule, along with what another writer at a science-fiction conference told me. He said to cut out your "little darlings." A "little darling" is a piece of your writing you love that adds nothing to your story. Keep up the great work!
Yes so true!
The Graduate; The Searchers; Psycho; Jules et Jim; Lawrence of Arabia; Schindler’s List; The Invisible Man; Ben Hur; Dr. Strangelove
The Children of Men movie is better than the book.
Now I have to watch her Godfather book video!
basically the book kind of triggered me with how bad all of the women are treated! and Puzo seems to condone it almost by not taking the time to write a well rounded female and instead the only female centered story is all about a woman getting surgery on her V.
The Age of Innocence and The Witches of Eastwick.
Oh wow, I have heard great things about this movie but I hadn't realized it was a book!
I'm a big James Michener fan. Some of his sprawling narratives made into movies or TV miniseries: Hawaii, South Pacific, Centennial, Texas, and Space. I particularly like Hawaii.
Another book that is also a movie that I liked was Michael Westheimer's 'Von Ryan's Express'
Unrelated to better/worse, I would love to hear your opinion (based on some of the other reviews within this video) on the Witches of Eastwick.
And I would LOVE to hear the devil wears Prada review.
Yeah I have been meaning to cover Eastwick! I have seen the movie and recall liking it a lot.
All the Rivers Run by Nancy Cato and Gone with the Wind. That book was so hard to read it is amazing that they were able to make such an amazing movie.
I agree with you about Jurassic Park, liked the movie but loved the book. I thought the book spent more time with the science which was amazing.
You may have covered these - Rich Man, Poor Man (Irwin Shaw) book vs the 1976 TV miniseries by the same name and The Winds of War & War and Remembrance (Herman Wouk) books vs 2 mini series by the same name. 1983 and 1988 respectively.
I've never heard of these! thanks for sharing
I loved the movie “Something Borrowed” so much I read the book. The book was good, but the characters are so much more likable in the movie. It’s a great non traditional love story. The movie is funny and has a wonderful sense of humor where the book has a more serious tone. It’s just a much more enjoyable watch than it is a read. One of my favorite rom-coms.
I read Jurassic Park so long ago I don't remember it...I need to reread that one. This is a great video for reminding me of books I want to read!!!! The only one I am of a different opinion on is 'Little Women', but I totally get your perspective on it! Lovely video! All your videos are so well thought out. Very much enjoyed!
Thank you! 😊
Great video! Although I respectfully disagree about The Princess Bride, I liked the book better! 😅 (I'm definitely in the minority though)
Interesting! It has been like 15 years since I read the book so I need to give it a re-read!
@@WhytheBookWins Admittedly the two were close when we reviewed them! But I'm a sucker for the metatextual stuff Goldman pulls off so well that I think it adds another layer that I missed in the movie.
I completely disagree with the person who said the movie adaptation of "Breakfast At Tiffany's" is better than the book. No amount of Audrey Hepburn and Blake Edwards magic can compensate the hetero-normative bullshit injected by George Axelrod's script. I found George Peppard's ending sermon truly revolting. And on top of that, there's Mickey Rooney.
One movie that I do think is better than the book, is "Let The Right One In". The book offers a really unique take on vampire lore, but the movie (scripted by the writer himself) does a fantastic job in choosing what to keep and what to omit from the original story, distilling its essence while opening it up for different interpretations. Excellent movie. The American remake, not so much.
Yeah I have great things about the original Let the Right One In! And yeah, well said when it comes to Breakfast at Tiffany's.
I’m actually currently reading One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
I’ve seen the movie a couple of times, and just recently checked out the book.
Let me know what you think! Kesey is a great writer in many ways, even though i have my complaints with that book.
🗣breathtakingly beautiful analysis/dissection🤌🏿
Thanks!
@@WhytheBookWins Truly my pleasure, 🙏🏿Pls keep doin wat ur doin🤝
Came to say Last of the Mohicans, but others have said it as well.
Howl’s Moving Castle is way up there. The book is sweet and cute. It does provide more context of who Howl and Sofie are… but Miyazaki made it his own with the anti-war theme, music and absolutely gentle sweetness of the story!
I love Miyazaki!
A lot of these I am not into, but I have seen Time travelers wife and Benjamin button (Both beautiful and kind of messed up at the same time🤣 esp because it involved young girls and old men). There is another movie Memoirs of a Geisha and The Notebook. Both great films. I have only read the Geisha book and thought it was great as well, just a bit confusing. It would be interesting to do a list of books that SHOULD be made into movies. I have taken a class once that was about watching films that were directed by women and it was SO fascinating! Mira Nair has directed many great films.
I remember looking into covering The Namesake, which she directed! Any other movies of hers that you would recommend?
I have seen Memoirs of a Geisha but haven't read the book, that would be an interesting one to cover though.
@@WhytheBookWins There are quite a few films that she directed that are amazing 🤩. Queen of Katwe is one of them. A powerful story of overcoming. The Perez Family is also great. Mississippi and Masala. I have also watched a couple of her Indian movies like Kama Sutra which actually ended up being sad but beautiful. She did Amelia and Vanity Affair which I have not seen yet but look good.
The Shootist, very similar to the movie except Ron Howard's character is despicable in the book. Giving him some humanity was a huge improvement.
The Postman, while the book had the lore I was craving and sci fi ideas it was so overstuffed it feels very busy. Makes me appreciate the more grounded film.
Payback, this one feels like a cheat because the book's (The Hunter) claim to fame is the protagonist is a sociopath so any change would automatically make him more charming. I liked the book a lot but the movie is just fun, good cast, electric tone and a wild pace.
I know there's more but that's all comes to mind right now
Thanks for sharing!
Agree with most of your list, but as far as Phantom of the Opera? I have to respectfully, but highly disagree with you. I first read the book (novella) when I was thirteen. It was in an anthology book of horror given to my by my father. Yes, I was a huge horror reader. I had read all the other stories in the book but had put off Phantom, because it took up most of the book but I had to read it to finish the book. It absolutely grabbed me and wouldn't let me go. One of the few books I lost time over because I couldn't put it down. To me, it is another book that needs a faithful movie adaptation. Nothing comes close to the heart of the book. The end, where Erik becomes accepted and loved by the public? And all mourn at the news of his death? You don't get that in any of the movie versions I have seen.
And don't get me started on the soundtrack of the musical! My mom loved the soundtrack, so I heard it and kind of liked it, but felt I had heard the theme before. It bothered me so much...until I played one of my favorite songs from my favorite band of all time and realized - he took it from Pink Floyd's song Echoes! I was aghast! You just have to listen to both. You'll get it.
For The Silence of the Lambs? In my opinion probably the most faithful adaptation of any book I've read. So, since imagination is better than any visual I highly recommend Thomas Harris's book. The only reason to hold the movie over the book is Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of Hannibal Lecter. But I encourage anyone who loves the movie to read the book. As well as the 'prequel', Red Dragon. The 2002 movie sucked, but the Michael Mann version entitled Manhunter from 1986 was so compelling, it comes close to being better than the book, since Mann always creates such a great atmosphere...but, it was another book I couldn't put down. So far ahead of its time, preceding and responsible for all the serial killer books that have flooded the market, since.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! You make a good point about the ending of The Phantom of the Opera.
@@WhytheBookWins Thank you. It was a sudden end in the book. I remember wishing there was more, I was disappointed it ended.
Thank you for the video, books now I need to read, and I now need to re-read Phantom.
Stand by me was better than “The Body”
You could try listening to the audiobook of Lord of the Rings!
Also, the movie I always say is better than the book is The Grifters. The book is a trashy 50s pulp novel, but the movie is an academy award winning neonoir classic.
That's a good idea to try the audiobook for LotR. And I'll have to look into The Grifters!
Shouldn't Life of Pi be here? From the video you made about it, I thought you preferred the movie. Was it not the case?
Yeah the movie was better, but I still wasn't crazy about either one.
I'm tempted to add Les Miserables on here simply because none of the movie versions stopped in the middle of Valjean's escape with a half-dead Marius through the Paris sewers to show a 40-minute documentary on the history of the mapping of the sewers....
@@zooropa04 i haven't read that one! I've heard it's dense at times though so it makes sense the movie are better.
@@WhytheBookWins It's dense mostly because Hugo frequently pauses the narrative to write random essays on... whatever was on his mind that day of writing. But the most recent musical version actually incorporated details from the book that no other movie (or stage show) had, so that was cool.
Maze Runner is one for sure
Ah Practical Magic, the movie so good the author added elements from there for her other books in the series.
Yeah I've heard that! I need to read her other books.
The Princess Bride and Stardust. The movies were good while the original books were a pain to read.
So I’m late to this party, but I need to say something, One Who Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. If I’m not mistaken that book hit the shelves somewhere in the late fifties, early sixties. Now, it’s widely accepted that the tone and attitude is totally unacceptable today, as in 2024, not 1962. Doing reviews of works done multiple decades in the past, you cannot look at them through present day eyes.
Also, I’d like to submit Stephen Hunter’s (Originally titled) Point of Impact, movie Shooter. Both are good, but the movie simplifies the concept and feels more urgency. Also changing Colonel Shrek to Colonel Johnson due to the movie Shrek being released around the same time is kind humorous and so,I’d move.
The Princess Bride and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies are both films that are better than their books
Rare instances imo but they definitely happen
When I read 2001 a Space Odyssey, I had a lot of fun, the story was constantly moving. Years later I watched the movie. It was a painful experience. There were multiple passages when nothing happened. I would not recommend the movie to anyone.
Oh interesting! You have definitely made me curious about the book now!
DO THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA !!!
Just posted it!
I think you’re the first person I have seen to say the Time Traveler’s wife movie is better than the book since the book is loved and people hated the movie
I never read the book, but I thought the movie was a fine love story with an interesting fantasy/sf twist.
@@naiderl i read the book in high school a long time ago and loved the movie of course it had its differences like any other source material but saw some comments saying it’s not like book and then the show came out I only saw the first episode I don’t know if it was successful I can’t have an opinion on that show I don’t know if it was better than the book
Yeah I might give the show a try, but as of right now I haven't seen it.
Yeah there are so many 5 star reviews for the book! But I did not feel that way about it lol.
@@Menstral oh wow, that makes a lot of sense to know the backstory. I still don't like the book overall, but having that context helps me understand what she was going for.
A movie that's better than the book - the Jane Austen Book Club. I loved the movie then read the book and it kind of felt the way I felt about practical magic - the movie is just better!!
I don't know if it would be weird to cover this one despite me never having read Jane Austen, but it looks like the kind of movie I would enjoy!
Sophie’s choice and Marjorie Morningstar are better as films. The film Marjorie Morningstar was made 1958.
Sophie's Choice is one I have been wanting to cover but keep putting off.
Disagree about Silence of the Lambs. I read the book twice. Once before the movie was made when Gene Hackman was still attached to play Hannibal Lecter, and ten years after the movie swept the Oscars. The book is like William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist ... perfect in the witten form.
The Excorsit is another one I see people say is better than the book so it is interesting to hear you say otherwise on both! I have never read either one and The Exorsict is another I have no interest in covering 😬
I absolutely love the 2000,s version of phantom of the opera same for the clint Eastwood film the beguiled and like you i struggled with the lord of the rings books i ended up dnfing the first book
yes do a video on the devil wears Prada
Yeah fantasy just isn't my thing lol.
'The Last of the Mohicans' (1992) definitely beats anything Fenimore Cooper ever wrote. Mark Twain's 'Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses' explains just why Cooper (and this book) was such an awful writer.
Ha Mark Twain was such a troll. He would have been hilarious in the internet age if he could stand it.
I remember liking the movie but it has been so long since I watched it! Thanks for commenting!
@@WhytheBookWins Welcome. :)
Came to add this! One of my all time favorite movies and the first book I couldn’t finish at all!
@@ElfInTheFlowers It is a wonderful film. As for the book, I have a small gargoyle sitting on top of an old copy of 'Last of the Mohicans', covering his eyes over the grotesque writing of Fenimore Cooper. :)
Larry McMurtry’s “Lonesome Dove” is one that does not actually belong on this list because both the book and the miniseries are fantastic imo. Maybe a “vs” episode? Not sure if you’ve covered this one
I have heard great things but so far the only McMurty book I have coverd is Horseman Pass By which I really liked.
This will probably be controversial, but movies I prefer to the book that weren't mentioned are:
1. The Shining
2. Under the Skin
3. Stalker (Roadside Picnic)
Ooo I have covered both The Shining and Under the Skin and both I prefer the book. But I can see why you would like the movies because they do make significant changes! And I love The Shining as its own thing, but when I think about it compared to the book I don't like how they made Jack such a horrible person!
@@WhytheBookWins See that's why I loved the film version of the Shining. There was no hope like in the book, plus the book removed so much of the mystery by doing what King often does: giving us too much information.
The film version to me was a much cleaner version of a tragic story.
Under the Skin I enjoyed more because it was a better character study about someone trying to fit in where it's impossible. The book had too much on the nose commentary for me. I prefer commentary to be subtle.
@JasonFuhrman Oh interesting! And yeah the movie Under the Skin was definitely subtle and vague.
In my opinion, there are at least three examples of this instance:
Ice storm: brilliant film in contrast to a book where I never connected to the characters.
Big fish: to me the film's spirit is more engaging.
The virgin suicides: I found the book very interesting don't get me wrong, but the film is just so beautiful and powerful.
I have covered both Big Fish and The Virgin Suicides and I agree, both movies are really good. I think with Virgins I said I preferred the book, but the movie is an excellent adaptation.
@@WhytheBookWins I must see the video about The Virgin Suicides then. The two details from the book that aren't present in the film and I remember whishing to be referenced in it are: he decribes the girls' clothes getting rusty and their bodies and skins getting somehow emaciated after so long being prisoners in the house and the time when the boys steal one of the girls' lipstick and they use it on themselves and then kiss to "experience' kissing one of the Lisbons.
Thank you for answering, I'm a new subscriber and I dearly enjoy your videos.
I completely agree on Forest Gump. I’m not sure how they got such a good movie out of this book.
yeah so strange lol.
Mickey Rooney famously hated his role as Mr. Yunioshi, and was allegedly very vocal about wanting an actual Japanese man playing the character (in a less stereotypical fashion, I’m assuming).
Interesting, I read that he thought it was funny, not that he thought a Japanese man should have played the role 🤷♀️
@@WhytheBookWins was likely that he initially found it funny when he was cast, but regretted it in hindsight, because he was very vocal about viewing it as a stain on his career that he wished hadn’t happened.
I don't know if I can confidently state this since I never finished the book, but I think the Trainspotting film is far better than the book. Maybe it's not fair since the film has Ewan McGregor and one of the best soundtracks of all time... 😅
Oh yeah, I have heard the movie is better for sure with that one!
13:08 Wait the Devil wears Prada? lol I thought that was a Christian death metal band? Not even kidding the band got their name from the book and movie.
Yeah I remember kids wearing their shirts in high school 😆
Brokeback Mountain is better than annie proulx's shirt story imo. The movie gives you a deeper look at the two main characters as well as theur environment, while the short story is just too brief.
Good to know, I saw the movie some years ago and loved it and have had it on my list of future videos. Thanks for sharing!
In no way JP movie is better than the book. I love the JP movie, but the book ties up everything neatly, the movie just skip a lot of info, and I don't mean the cientific stuff, and changes many things that aren't for the best. Still great movie.
The film version of "The Martian" was monumentally better than the book. I say that because the first series of pages was math to get food on Mars. And the narrative feature of making the journal into a video diary was just genius; the journal fell flat with the jokes and one-liners in the book.
Oh interesting. I have seen the movie but haven't read it!
Why not where the book and movie are equally good. say the Treasure of the Sierra madre, Strangers on a Train and Leaving Las Vegas for a start or maybe The Conformist and the Woman in the Dunes so we are not too US centric.
Yeah there are so many were they are both equally good!
The first maze runner movie is better than the first maze runner book
I would add Starship Troopers, Sin City, and Generation Kill.
The book Starship Troopers is very imaginative, vet dumb. It promotes fascism and spends way too much time talking about the effectiveness of corporal punishment. The movie taking that, and turning it into satire is brilliant.
The Sin City movie cuts all the stupid stuff and bad story lines from the book.
All of the artistic license used to adapt Generation Kill to a mini-series elevated above the source material.
Starship Troopers is definitely one i want to cover at some point. I've seen the movie and love it!
how dare!! jk, great recommendations here
😆
OH, and Last of the Mohicans. The book is incredibly repetitive and, frankly, boring, whereas the movie was wall-to-wall excellence (plus Daniel Day Lewis in it made me question my heterosexuality, lol).
I remember loving that movie! It has been a while since one seen it though.
@@WhytheBookWins It definitely holds up. And the soundtrack gives me chills to this day.
@@WhytheBookWins Plus the movie actually gave the women characters agency and growth instead of them being simple damsels in distress, as I recall they were in the book.
"I GOTTA FIND BUBBA!" "Run Forrest RUN" and "Mama says Life's like a box of chocalates. U never know what u're going to get" are my favs lines from the movie. Unfortunately most likely due to allergy concerns the latter is tech no longer true.
Yeah, these days if _only_ life really were like a box of chocolates and we could pick and choose what we want lol
Call Me By Your Name. Movie is better than the book.
Yeah that movie is amazing. I have a video for it!
I have to disagree with you on One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. It's important to remember that the the story is being told by an extremely unreliable narrator and that McMurphy is no hero in any sense. He's a deeply flawed individual who says he faked his way into the hospital, but why should we believe that? He's there for a reason even if he won't admit it. The book does a much better job of showing this than the movie.
Good point!
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a VERY weird novel. I picked it up as a teenager after seeing the movie, and I had no idea about the dream sections. In a way I'd be up for the challenge of a filmmaker taking on those themes, but I think the movie is much more cohesive on its own
EDIT: my personal pick would be Starship Troopers. The movie is a sardonic treat, while the book comes off as a pro-fascism fever dream
I've been wanting to cover Starship Troopers! I've seen the movie and loved it but never read the book.
@@WhytheBookWins well, it's kinda weird. Heinlein was an odd writer who had a lot of ideas on how to "improve" society
I think there's plenty to critique about the book, but I found the movie to be too broad in its satire. To me, a more interesting response is the book "The Forever War" by Joe Haldeman.
The Town, Gone Girl and every Dennis Lehane adaptation aside from Live By Night. The Affleck theme is unintentional.
Gone Girl is close, but I prefer the book, and Dennis Lehane adaptations are always so good! I love his books and the directors always seem to nail the movie!