Tag: movies

Adaptations Everywhere

John Guillen1 Comment

They’re everywhere. Every time I read a story about a new show or miniseies it appears to have been adapted from a book. I’m trying to figure out if this has been the case for decades or if I’m just more aware of it now.

Think of movies. Think of TV series. Think of what you see created by Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix. So much of their content is adapted from books. Cable networks and streaming services seem more likely to adapt books into something else, but broadcast networks jump into the mix too.

This isn’t meant to be a criticism. Authors are wonderful. But it makes you wonder if there are authors more concerned with the adaptability of their work than the quality of it.

Why, Netflix, Why?

John Guillen2 Comments

It was announced yesterday that Netflix has renewed Thirteen Reasons Why for a second season. I actually just told someone recently I’d be interested in finding out what happens once the season ends. That wasn’t a lie. What I didnt want is another season added on to something I believe ended perfectly. The story was told. The end was the end.

I think Netflix bought into its own hype. As much data and research goes into releasing a TV show on any platform, no one can ever truly predict the reaction of the viewer. Everything I’ve read tells me the reaction of the viewer of this show has been overwhelmingly positive.

Am I surprised this happened? No. At some point we have to acknowledge great books, TV shows, or movies simply don’t need sequels or more seasons. Last I checked the book never had a sequel.

Do you have any thoughts on a forthcoming second season?

Saturday Selects: Disney Classics

John Guillen7 Comments

Saturday Selects is a series of posts I write that fall outside the general bookish theme of the blog. Today we’re talking movies.

In recent years Disney has released live-action versions of some of its most beloved animated classics. The Jungle Book. Cinderella. Etc. The trend is continuing very soon with the release of Beauty and the Beast.

I’ve seen people my age become excited for just about every remake they’ve done in recent years. I imagine there’s a feeling of nostalgia involved. Like what I’d feel if Rugrats was brought back. I haven’t shared in any of the excitement for these movies. Because I haven’t seen any of the originals. *runs*

That’s right. I know someone who is obsessed with Disney princesses and I couldn’t even talk about the plots of these movies. John Legend and Ariana Grande covered the theme song from the new Beauty and the Beast movie, so I listed to see if it’d bring back any memories. I’d never heard it before.

People talk about The Lion King online as if everyone knows Evert detail about it. But I don’t. I don’t know anything about it. I think a lion dies? I don’t know.

The point is I’m lost when it comes to Disney animated classics. Is there something EVERYONE seems to be familiar with that you just haven’t been exposed to?

I Lied

John Guillen4 Comments

I voted Trump.

HA! No. Never.

But for once it appears I’m letting my curiosity get the best of me. I’m a huge fan of the Harry Potter movies. I’m not sure we’ll see a series done so well over so many movies in some time. I saw the final three movies on opening night. I saw the final two at midnight. So maybe I haven’t read all of the books but I’ve loved every minute of Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

And now Fantastic Beasts is tempting. See, y’all should know that I don’t see movies when they’re in theaters. The last one was Creed last December. I haven’t been in 2016. But the movie definitely looks intriguing AND I just found tickets for $4.99. I mean, my entire reasoning for not going to the movies is the absurd cost. Regular tickets are like $9. Then there’s 3D and IMAX and all kinds of crap that can potentially double the price of admission and it just drives me bonkers. But $5 isn’t so bad. I pay more when I buy a smoothie. Also, never buy food at the theater! I don’t.

Anyway, I’m thinking I might go see Fantastic Beasts next week. MIGHT. What about you?

Amazon Launches Prime Reading

John Guillen4 Comments

If you have a Prime account like I do, then you’re likely already aware of the many perks associated with the subscription. And now Amazon adds to it again.

Prime Reading is exactly what you’d expect it to be. You get to read any book that’s included in the service. I believe it’s currently over a thousand titles at launch. You also get free access to current magazines. I haven’t subscribed to a magazine in about a decade, but I’ve really been considering subscribing to Sports Illustrated or National Geographic. And they’re both included!

There is no subscription service that gives you greater value for your money than an Amazon Prime menbership. There’s books, movies, TV shows, two-day shipping, Prime Now, and I bet members will one day get to fly into space before nonmembers. HA!

Does Prime Reading make you want a Prime membership any more than before? Or if you’re already a Prime member, will you take advantage of the new program?

An Oddity

John Guillen12 Comments

It seems so trivial to write about books after what I’ve written about on here during the last week. But here I am.

Something I find rather odd is how books, movies, and music by or about celebrities sell extremely well immediately following their death. I don’t see why this always seems to happen. I mean, shouldn’t you already own that stuff if you’re that much of a fan?

It just makes me wonder.  It makes me wonder if people really have any interest in these people or if they’re just trying to fit in with what everyone else is doing. Prime examples from recent memory are Harper Lee, David Bowie, Prince, and now Muhammad Ali.

Obviously people can do whatever they like, but at least be genuine. Eh. Maybe everyone is genuine and I have no idea what I’m talking about.

Have you ever rushed to the store to buy a singer’s music, an actor’s movies, or an author’s books immediately after their death? I haven’t.

A Revelation

John Guillen29 Comments

I’m sitting here reading about embarrassing mothers in literature, right? Just a regular article. And then I see something that leaves me like 😲. I’ll share.

There’s this movie. One that I imagine you will know as soon as I write the name of it. Mrs. Doubtfire. You know it. Sally Field. Robin Williams. Lots of laughs. But did you know it’s actually based on a book!? I definitely didn’t. I also didn’t expect it to be young adult. But yes, the movie was adapted from a book published in 1987.

Which leads me to today’s question. There are so many movies adapted from books nowadays that we can’t possibly know all of them. What are some of the movies you’ve enjoyed (or not) that you didn’t initially know were based off of books?

I think this one takes the top spot for me. There are others, but they’re not as well done or respected as this.

Which Came First?

John Guillen8 Comments

This question may leave you with your jaw completely dropped. But I’m asking anyway. There are also Star Wars books along with all the movies, right? See, I don’t know anything about the series. I can probably name a handful of characters. Maybe. But I couldn’t tell you anything about the plots of the movies or the books. I’ve just never been interested. I’m still not.

So I haven’t seen any of the movies, and I have no desire to. But I just saw the Monday box office numbers and I started wondering where the movies originated? Were they a book series before they hit the big screen a million years ago? Or were the movies so successful that they spawned a book series? I suppose I could just Google and find the answer, but I’d rather make good use of you all. Hehe.

So tell me which came first. Heck, you can even tell me what you thought of the new movie. But I won’t have any idea who or what you’re talking about.

Lionsgate, Please Refrain From Doing This

John Guillen22 Comments

This week something happened. Something unfortunate. It was hinted that there could be more films set in Panem. And I absolutely hate the idea.

The Hunger Games books and movies, to me, were so good because of Katniss. Just your regular girl trying to do right and protect her family. And now it seems the studio is willing to do without its brightest star. Any prequel would take place long before the day Katniss so courageously volunteered as tribute. I’m not sure I’d be interested in such a film.

The reasoning for these potential prequels is simple. Money. And supposedly some fans have been disappointed by the lack of arena battles. But it’s mostly money. Before the series came along Lionsgate was well outside the big 6 movie studios. And now they’ve just about made it a big 7. The series isn’t wholly responsible for that, but it’s pretty damn close. So now Lionsgate is trying to milk its cash cow for every last penny.

It isn’t surprising. And I won’t even say they can’t make quality movies, but I just hate that no story is ever really complete in today’s movie business.

By the way, nothing is official at this point. But it will be. You watch.

Are you interested in these potential prequels to the four movies already in the series?

The Book Was Better

John Guillen44 Comments

Right?

It’s one of those sayings that you hear ALL THE TIME. The book was better than the movie adaptation. And probably more than 90 percent of the time it is. Because it’s the original and it’s difficult to match the original in any medium.

I’m here to ask if you’ve ever thought otherwise. I’ve written before on here that I hold the movie adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the original) in much higher regard than the book. I just about hated the book. But I’m not sure if I can really think of another movie that really surpassed the book in its brilliance. There may be a few out there, but I’m not thinking of any.

Perhaps the original Jurassic Park movie comes very close to matching the first book. Perhaps. Or maybe the LOTR movies? Though I haven’t read all the books

Can you think of any movies adapted from books that actually came out better?