by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team
Member since:
February 19, 2008

Coffee Break Moments Chat: Books Made into Movies – Transcript

September 25, 2008 02:09 PM EDT (Updated: September 26, 2008 11:08 AM EDT)
views: 526 | rating: 10/10 (31 votes) | comments: 294

What do you think of movies based on books? Grab a cup of coffee and join us for a live chat on this topic in our Coffee Break Moments Hour, tonight 9-11 PM ET.

Tonight we'll discuss books made into movies.

  • Is the book always better than the movie? Has the movie ever been better than the book?
  • Discuss your favorite and least favorite book-to-movie adaptations.
  • What book would you like to have turned into a movie? Who would you select for a cast?

Gather will draw three participants from 9-11PM ET tonight to receive a free COFFEE-MATE coupon. Of these three, one will be selected to receive 300 Gather Points! If you can't make the chat time, leave your comments in the field below.

Tip: You'll need to continually REFRESH your browser to see new comments appear during the live chat.

Special thanks to Gather member Christine Zibas who suggested this chat topic!

 

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d457/d209/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

 UPDATE: This chat has already occured. But you can still share your thoughts on books made into movies in the comment field below.
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Comments: 294

Bridget ♥ Sep 25, 2008, 2:17pm EDT
This could be fun! I'll TRY to make it!
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Sep 25, 2008, 2:17pm EDT
I don't think I've ever considered the movie to be better than the book, but it is always nice to be able to see the movie and put faces to the characters and scenery to the places. The movie is always a little different, just enough to change the storyline for me.
I love books and movies and have read many books made into movies- I'll plan to be here!
Tina L. Sep 25, 2008, 2:21pm EDT
I always thought the books were better because the author can really get into detail what he or she sees. When they make them into movies a lot of times they have to give it over to the directors to cut and manipulate!
I would love to see Diana Gabaldon's series Outlander made into a movie. I'm not real sure who i would select to play the characters that's something i would have to reall research more.
golds g. Sep 25, 2008, 2:22pm EDT
the book generally is better than the movie for example Tye Devil Wears Prada the movie was to jumpy skipping things ... The Pursuit ofHappiness I never read the book but the movie was great
golds g. Sep 25, 2008, 2:22pm EDT
My favoirte adaptaion would be Princess Diaries it actually was better than the book
Suze P. Sep 25, 2008, 2:27pm EDT
This sounds like a fun chat.. I'll definitely try to make it
Elaine S. Sep 25, 2008, 2:55pm EDT
sounds like fun
Angela A. Sep 25, 2008, 2:57pm EDT
I love books made into movies!
Especially Harry Potter, they are excellent!
Robyn F. Sep 25, 2008, 3:04pm EDT
cant make it....i like to read first, then see the movie...
kelldogg ! Sep 25, 2008, 3:07pm EDT
this would be so much fun but unfortunately (well --- fortunately i suppose) i have a date tonight! good luck with this all the same!
DiAnA D. Sep 25, 2008, 3:10pm EDT
The Notebook is one of my absolute favorite books/movies!! Unfortunately I won't be on the chat (Hello Grays is on!!
Heather ~of the Whippets~ M. Sep 25, 2008, 3:15pm EDT
I'll try to make it. I'll probably pop in and out during "Supernatural"-- can't miss that!
Patricia G. Sep 25, 2008, 3:27pm EDT
"The Pursuit of Happyness" is probably my favorite recent movie. I got to see Chris Gardner live at a business conference, and my husband and I bought his book as well.

There are some slight differences between the movie and what's in the book (which of course is the entire story of what happened). His son was actually much younger at the time (toddler age), and they were homeless for over a year.

It's an amazing story of how someone can overcome what would seem like impossible odds to a lot of people and become successful. I think anyone who hasn't seen it would like it.
M C. Sep 25, 2008, 3:28pm EDT
Hmm, not sure..was there a book written for "Showgirls"?
donna h. Sep 25, 2008, 3:29pm EDT
I will try
Jan S. Sep 25, 2008, 3:31pm EDT
This sounds like a great discussion. In general, I think movie treatments don't live up to our expectations of the books. Maybe this is because our minds have already formed images of the characters and locations.

"The Notebook" was an exception. I loved the book, but the movie really reached my heart.
"The Firm" was an example of a thrilling novel that became an equally suspenseful movie.
Both of these movies changed the endings, but if they hadn't, those who had read the books wouldn't be surprised.
Lacey K. Sep 25, 2008, 3:33pm EDT
I'll try to be here!
Rose H. Sep 25, 2008, 3:40pm EDT
Well, with the book you live in your own head and decide what the people and places look like.
I might not make it to the chat tonight. So I'll just say, that often the movie is disappointing, because it left out something that you thought was crucial to the plot.
☀ Aunt Shanny Sep 25, 2008, 3:41pm EDT
I'll have to check my schedule...
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Sep 25, 2008, 3:45pm EDT
Darn, I guess I'm going to have to Tivo Gordon Ramsey's second half tonight because I do not want to miss this chat especially if those books and movies above are the ones we'll be discussing. :)

Thanks Stefanie!
Janet "Jax" B. Sep 25, 2008, 3:46pm EDT
I hope I'm around tonight.
Christine Zibas Sep 25, 2008, 3:56pm EDT
Looking forward to the chat tonight. Maybe everyone can think about what was the best and worst adaptations? I know I have plenty of book into movie candidates for both best and worst!
Angel sent from God Secret Sisters Sep 25, 2008, 4:00pm EDT
I hope I remember .
Usually the book is better , some movies come close.
mary bryant Sep 25, 2008, 4:02pm EDT
Thanks for the invite but survivor starts tonight and I just won't miss it. My opinion is that 99% of the time the book is better than the movies. There are just some things in a book they can't or won't do and it really irks me when they change the endings . For example in Stephen Kings the Shining. LOL you just don't mess with the King. Please invite me again and I will try my best to make it.
Mary M. Sep 25, 2008, 4:07pm EDT
Books are usually better than movies in my experience. For instance, I love Stephen King's books so much that I won't watch a movie version of one until I've read the book. His imagery is so good it can't be captured in film. On the other hand, the Harry Potter movies seem to be equally good to the books, both being excellent quality and entertaining.
Dusty Hubbard Sep 25, 2008, 4:29pm EDT
I hope I have a chance tonight to drop by and chat! This will be fun!
delores snider Sep 25, 2008, 4:34pm EDT
I'm currenlty reading Kite runer and have started watchig the movie...I'll try to be hear
Marianne R. Sep 25, 2008, 4:45pm EDT
Normally I'd love a chat like this but not on season premier night. Sorry, Survivor and Gray's Anatomy will have my attention this evening.
I won't be able to make the chat tonight, however I will answer some of the questions. Personally, I think the books are always better than the movie. I believe this is because through reading the passages, we are able to use our imaginations to "visualize" the story (characters, etc). Most of the times, the movies lack what we've visualized. Also, due to time constraints, some parts of the story are left out of movies.
Some of the best movies I've seen AND enjoyed (even though they were not as good as the book) were those by Stephen King.
Danielle P. Sep 25, 2008, 5:14pm EDT
I've always enjoyed the book rather than the movie.
Ladybounty ~. Sep 25, 2008, 5:16pm EDT
Sounds great I hope I can be there.
Teresa W. Sep 25, 2008, 5:19pm EDT
I think it depends on the book and the movie. I like the movie Congo more than I liked the book. I liked Jurassic Park movie (first one) more than I liked the book. But in general I think I like the book the best but there are definitely exceptions, like the couple I mentioned here.
Teresa W. Sep 25, 2008, 5:22pm EDT
One book series that I would love see made into a movie is some of the Jayne Castle futuristic sci fi series. She's created a world on another planet, Harmony, and everyone has some psychic abilities. They're sort of sci fi, paranormal, futuristic romantic suspense books and I love them.
Kim M. Sep 25, 2008, 5:23pm EDT
sounds like a great chat! I'll try to be here.
Sonia M. Sep 25, 2008, 6:40pm EDT
Most of the time I feel the book is better than the movie. I know that The Da Vinci Code was much better in the book than the movie version. The movie Chocolat had a few scenes that were better in the movie, but overall the book was better....same thing with most movies from books. The Notebook and Message in a Bottle are instances where both the book and movie were good. I'm looking forward to Nights in Rodanthe by the same author.
I do enjoy seeing a movie taken from a book, but prefer to read the book first.
Wilma M. Sep 25, 2008, 7:08pm EDT
I probably can't make it tonight ( and I won't be watching TV, either). I think the books are always better than the movie. There can be so much more detail of descriptions and behind the scenes events that are important but just can't all be put into the movie.

I'm influenced by the fact that I love to read and rarely ever go to or watch movies anymore.
Ava's Mom (formerly known as Robiyah) Sep 25, 2008, 8:02pm EDT
w00t!
Jennifer M Sep 25, 2008, 8:24pm EDT
Sounds like fun.
I have always considered the books to be better than the movies.
Dagmara H. Sep 25, 2008, 8:55pm EDT
this will be fun
☀ Aunt Shanny Sep 25, 2008, 8:59pm EDT
* Is the book always better than the movie? Has the movie ever been better than the book?- Yes, the books are generally better than the movies. The exceptions for me have been The Green Mile and the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

* Discuss your favorite and least favorite book-to-movie adaptations.- Favorite books to movies: The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. My least is probably The Stand. What a disappointment that cast was!

* What book would you like to have turned into a movie? Who would you select for a cast?- I have actually written about this (but never posting it to Gather). I have fully selected the cast for The Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin. Supposedly HBO has picked up the rights, so hopefully we will see the movie version in the next few years.
☀ Aunt Shanny Sep 25, 2008, 9:00pm EDT
Some of my choices:

Eddard Stark- Robert Foxworth (I think that was his name. The "dad" from Falcon Crest)
Leslie ~ from NYC ~ R. Sep 25, 2008, 9:03pm EDT
Whale Rider, Girl Interrupted (well very different anyway), Dead Zone (Stephen King) were all better movies than books
Debra C. Sep 25, 2008, 9:03pm EDT
I suggest that some books make good movies, some movies make good books, and then there are the others. This holds true for book-to-TV scripting.
☀ Aunt Shanny Sep 25, 2008, 9:05pm EDT
Tyrion Lannister- Wee-Man from Jackass
☀ Aunt Shanny Sep 25, 2008, 9:06pm EDT
I liked the Dead Zone WAY better as a book!

Stephen King's books are way better than any of the movies, although Dolores Claiborne was decent.
Debra C. Sep 25, 2008, 9:06pm EDT
The Hours (Michael Cunningham, multiple awards, 1999) that was made into a movie in 2002 (David Hare, screenwriter) is, IMHO, a great example of a book that could also be a good movie. There were some focuses that differed in the handling, but good writing and a strong cast made this cinematically interesting, too.
Vikki M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:08pm EDT
Most books are way better than the movie versions, but just recently I read "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" and actually for once think the movie was better. Of course when I saw the movie ages ago, I didn't even know it was based on a book.
☀ Aunt Shanny Sep 25, 2008, 9:09pm EDT
Sansa Stark- Dakota Fanning
Mary M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:09pm EDT
Hi everyone.
Dawn Clevenger Sep 25, 2008, 9:09pm EDT
I have yet to find a movie, that I enjoyed more than the book. Though there have been many cases that I've watched a movie and didn't realize it was based off of a book. After finding out, I'll go out and hunt the book down and read it. Typically this leads me to finding many good books, that I still end up enjoying more than I did the movie.

Movie casts usually disappoint me, because the characters look absolutely nothing like how they did in my mind when I was reading the book. Reading I get transported to that world, become part of the fantasy, I never get that thrill and experience when watching a movie.

I'll be back a little later, I didn't realize this chat was happening and started dying my hair. Now I have to go wash the dye out.
Mary M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:10pm EDT
"A Series of Unfortunate Events" are great books but I really loved the movie too.
Vikki M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:10pm EDT
Oh I do agree with Leslie on "Girl Interrupted" being a better movie than book too.
☀ Aunt Shanny Sep 25, 2008, 9:10pm EDT
Cersei Lannister- Nicole Kidman
☀ Aunt Shanny Sep 25, 2008, 9:11pm EDT
Joffrey- the kid who played Draco Malfoy
☀ Aunt Shanny Sep 25, 2008, 9:11pm EDT
Jaime Lannister- Cary Elwes
Mary M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:12pm EDT
And what about what Disney did with with A.A. Milne's "Winnie the Pooh" books? If you've ever read them, they are just magical to share with your favorite child, and yet the various versions Disney has done on screen are just as fun.
☀ Aunt Shanny Sep 25, 2008, 9:12pm EDT
Robert Baratheon- that big heavy weight English actor. I can't remember his name.
Vikki M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:12pm EDT
"Gone with the Wind" is by far my favorite book to movie adaptation.
Mary M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:13pm EDT
Oh, Vikki I agree with you that is a great one! That is a LONG book but well worth the read.
I also love Gone with the Wind. I was a fan of Scarlett, too, but I'm not sure the book or the movie held up to the original standards.
☀ Aunt Shanny Sep 25, 2008, 9:14pm EDT
sadly, I had chosen Heath Ledger to play Robb Stark.
Overall, I've learned over the past few years that I can enjoy a book, and still enjoy the movie just as much, even if it isn't the same as the book, or done as well, or changed around.
Mary M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:14pm EDT
Scarlett was a bit of a modern twist on it, wasn't it Heather? I did like the whole concept of her going back to Ireland, even if it was far-fetched.
I look at fictional books as being entertainment. Something to occupy my time, and stimulate my mind and my imagination.

I look at movies the same way- if they keep me entertained for 2 or 3 hours, they did their job.
Mary M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:15pm EDT
Sometimes I find that the movie is quicker than the book, and therefore I get to watch the film but miss the written version of the story. I get so busy! I miss being able to read and read like I did when I was a kid. But life marches on . . . .
Scarlett wasn't necessarily a modern twist- it was set right after the end of "Gone with the Wind", but it was written many years later by a new author, whom many feel did not truly grasp the uniqueness of Gone with the Wind.
Chris E. Sep 25, 2008, 9:16pm EDT
Looks like I am late
In fact, in many circles of GwtW fans, the book "Scarlett" is scorned.
Mary M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:16pm EDT
It was definitely a hard act to follow.
Dagmara H. Sep 25, 2008, 9:16pm EDT
I think books are always better than the movie, but probably because I don't like to watch that much of tv. Also when I read the good book, I remember it for a long time and it is always much more exciting for me than a movie. I think the books has most of the time much more details than a movie.
Dagmara H. Sep 25, 2008, 9:17pm EDT
Hi everyone
Debra C. Sep 25, 2008, 9:17pm EDT
JRR Tolkein's Lord of the Rings trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson, was a serious movie spectacle.
Mary M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:17pm EDT
I never could quite decide if I liked "Scarlett" or not, and never saw the film version of the sequel.
Mary M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:18pm EDT
That trilogy was great, Debra. I never did make it past the second book though.
Dagmara H. Sep 25, 2008, 9:18pm EDT
I don't think I have ever seen "gone with the Wind" I guess I miss that one, also I know it is one of the most favorites movies
Vikki M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:19pm EDT
I enjoyed "Scarlett" to a point... at least when I tried to keep from comparing it to GWTW. On it's own it was pretty good.
Chris E. Sep 25, 2008, 9:19pm EDT
Anyone Read Robert B. Parker's Spenser series books? They were made into movies and a tv series. I love both the books and the movies/ series.
Mary M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:19pm EDT
"Three Men and a Baby" was based on a French story, but I can't remember if that was a screen play or a book . . .
Dagmara H. Sep 25, 2008, 9:19pm EDT
I have never seen that one Chirs, but I love Scarlett
Mary M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:19pm EDT
I remember when our local theater played "Gone With the Wind" for a short time on the big screen. That was SO cool!
Elaine A. Sep 25, 2008, 9:19pm EDT
Hi all. I can't make it, my fingers are hurting really bad.
Is the book always better than the movie? yes, because you have to use your mind to guess at how things would look.
Has the movie ever been better than the book? Yes many movies have been better than the book.
Discuss your favorite and least favorite book-to-movie adaptations. I like the Harry Potter, and I liked the Lord of the Rings movies.
What book would you like to have turned into a movie?
Who would you select for a cast? I have to think on this, hopefully I can come back
Mary M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:21pm EDT
Hope your fingers feel better soon, Elaine!
Mary G. Sep 25, 2008, 9:21pm EDT
I love to watch movies, as many people already know and there are many movies I have enjoyed more than the book. The Pursuit of Happyness I have watched it many times and the casting is just amazing. The book os great, but only read it once.

The Notebook I read the book first, but the movie made me cry and touched me a lot more than the book ever will or could.
Oh, Gone With The Wind is a fabulous movie. Very epic, and a fantastic movie for the time it was made.

I want to read Rhett Butler's People, but haven't bought it yet. That one is hailed as the true sequel to "Gone with the Wind", by the people who handle Margret Mitchell's estate- she was the author of GwtW, and died in 1949 at the age of 49. The movie came out in 1939.
Chris E. Sep 25, 2008, 9:21pm EDT
The TV series was one of my favorites in the 80's. It is probably near the top of one of my all time favorite TV series. I still read the books too. Some I have read several times.
Mary M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:21pm EDT
One book I have not seen a film version of is "The Wind in the Willows". If they could do something like they did with "The Wizard of Oz" that would be a good film.
The story goes that Margret Mitchell wrote Gone with the Wind after reading through all of the historical novels at her local library. Her husband told her if she wanted something new to read, she ought to write it herself.
Dagmara H. Sep 25, 2008, 9:22pm EDT
Hope it will be better soon Elaine
Chris E. Sep 25, 2008, 9:22pm EDT
I have seen Gone with the Wind but have never actually read the book.
Mary M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:22pm EDT
Some girls from work and I are going to see "Nights in Rodanthe" this weekend. I can't stand Nicholas Sparks' writing, but will enjoy a night out with the girls. It will be interesting to see if I like a movie version of one of his books better than his writing.
Dagmara H. Sep 25, 2008, 9:22pm EDT
Welcome to the chat Mary G.
Mary M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:23pm EDT
That's cool, Heather. I didn't know that.
She actually wrote the last chapter first, then skipped around, adding in short stories, and tying them together after the fact. She hid the story from friends, hiding it all over her house, and even disguising some of it in seat cushions, and under stacks of clean linens.
Chris E. Sep 25, 2008, 9:24pm EDT
How about Tom Clancy? Do you like his books or the movies better?
Chris E. Sep 25, 2008, 9:25pm EDT
That is interesting Heather. I have never heard about that before.
Mary M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:25pm EDT
I didn't like Tom Clancy's books at all, but I do like all the movie adaptations I have seen.
Mary M. Sep 25, 2008, 9:26pm EDT
John Grisham is one where I love his books and do not really care for the movies.