Bookvies or Movooks..Books into Movies

Books to Movies is definitely not a new genre. From Cinderella (not disneys) but from the Anthology that later turned into a 1899 film. There have been decade upon decade of popular books being made into movies, and why not!? It’s a win-win. Of course the books have a built in audience, the word-of-mouth and media blitz per the book would alone drive sales before casting begins.

So why are they mucking up a good thing?

I mean yea a “creative license has always been used when a books ending or storyline needs a little “oomph”, but you would still have the ability to watch the movie if you haven’t read the book, or read the book and go see the movie and feel like you have now gotten a full breadth of the story. Ending and oomph included. But there are so many movies that have been made that travel 360 from the plot of the book or ending completely different.

In honor of Halloween, I thought I would share my top 3 movies that were made into movies and made me agitated.

SPOILER WARNING (in case you really still haven’t seen these movies or the read the books…really!? Anyways…

THE MIDST:

The Book: For those that don’t know this actually was a anthology, which was part of Stephen kings, “Skelton Crew”. had chilling, eerie book that brought an unnatural event to life, made it tangible, compelling and ominous. The end was the same, an unknowing beginning, to an equally unknowing end as the group begin to head toward a radio blip that brings fear and hope together for a creepy final chapter.

The movie: Distraught by their circumstance, the remaining group headed by David, played by Thomas Jane, met with a desperation, surrender their hope for survival and David, executes the remaining survivors, as well as his son only for the military to show up and tell him that all is well. WTF!? My creepy, ominous, scary feelings are replaced with anguish and sadness. Good Job?

Yea… I hate the ending changed but was it good and pure.. “GOTCHA, didn’t see that one coming” feeling.

THE BODY SNATCHERS:

The Book: Ha, didn’t know was a book hahahah. One of my absolute favs..book and movies.. both of em.., not the part 2’s or part 3. Jack Finney’s The Body Snatchers, ends with the aliens leaving!...for freakn real!Once Miles (the protagonist) starts setting pods on fire, they are take off.

The Movie: And of course, the movies are a never ending, dooming of the world. With hysterical screams of dred from Miles (Kevin Mcarthy) to the 1978 version that had Donald Sutherland as Matthew yowling and dooming our survival, and those other remaining versions.

I AM LEGEND:

The Book: Now this one has alllllways pissed me off, mainly beuase the book kept a deep meaning of the human condition, race and perception. As Dr. Neville learning that he's considered a monster to the vampire like creatures as they seem to have taken roots and live and thrive.

The Movie: for Entertainment purposes only. With Will Smith I think a great mark was missed to open a forum of discussion and use the movie as a platform.

Also for those that didn't know, check out Vincent Price "The Last Man on Earth (1964)" Freakin great based on the I am legend book and totally brings home all the nuisances of the book and the totally opens a wonderful discussion and drives a perfect roadmap our own self discovery.