Every time I hear someone say that the book is always better than the movie, I have to bite my tongue to keep from saying this:
Captain Nemo says I'm like Diane from
Cheers. I'm not sure if that's a compliment?
Do you have a soapbox that you regularly embarrass yourself by harping on ad nauseum?
The bias against self publishing usually gets me going for a while. I'm sure I'm far more obnoxious than anyone needs to be...but sometimes it's fun to be obnoxious and rant. :)
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the self-pub thing probably has tons of people soapboxing... and if "soapboxing" isn't a word, IT IS NOW. :)
DeleteI like it. I also think it is a writer's right to make up words.
DeleteI don't soapbox. Just ask Vic.
ReplyDelete*waits for laughing*
By the way, I completely agree with your argument except when movies or tv versions change basic truths that didn't need to be changed (see Sword of Truth series (but read books first) to see what I mean).
Yeah, I agree, sometimes the changes ARE arbitrary or stupid. Like all the changes to Ella Enchanted. Those weren't necessary because they changed the whole TONE of the movie from playful to (in my opinion) over-the-top silly. It wasn't a matter of structure or pacing, it was a matter of the entire attitude of the movie. That bothered me since I am a devoted fan of the original book, and I think that sort of thing is worthy of criticism from a devoted book fan.
Deletefunny thing is that your waits for laughing was perfectly placed... resistance is futile...
DeleteI get on a soapbox about the superior quality of cable TV shows. If anyone asks me to watch a network show, I start to go off about how network shows are overly long for monetary reasons, written by producers, etc.
ReplyDeleteNetwork shows do have to jump through an annoying amount of hoops.
DeleteOkay, you have a point. I'll stop saying that. :o) I will say there is one movie I prefer to the book (Stardust) but that's probably because they didn't feel the need to use the book for anything more than the title and characters names lol. I LOVE the movie, thought the book was... meh.
ReplyDeleteOther than the self-pub thing, (which I could go on about - I mean where else is do-it-yourself frowned upon???) my soapbox is bullying. I think bullying is wrong on every single level, BUT that being said, I think we're trying to thwart bullying in the wrong way. What I've learned and now firmly believe is that there is no way you're going to convince every single person on this earth to all think the same, and to have the same belief system. However, if we try to teach that you don't have to love/accept someone's behavior/religion/lifestyle/whatever, at minimum you owe that person your respect and consideration, and you may find that you love them in spite of that one thing you don't agree with. I think THAT's how we end bullying.
I agree completely that people should treat each other with respect and consideration regardless of whether or not we agree with them.
Delete"I mean where else is do-it-yourself frowned upon???"
DeleteI know. Entrepreneurs are celebrated everywhere else. I was bullied as a kid and you're partially right. It does come down to love and acceptance, but it also has to do with correct use of power and understanding social dynamics. Sometimes bullies are just flexing a new power they discovered and don't completely understand that what they do is wrong. Parents have to step in and educate their children on all of these.
another gaiman work: NEVERWHERE.
Deletehe wrote the screenplay and ran the miniseries FIRST.
then wrote the book...
so, you'd think the miniseries would be better...
but HECK NO! the book kicks the miniseries booty big time.
????
where's the sense in that
????
except thinking that maybe the idea developed more in the space inbetween...
like the time between drafts...
and the KEY being that he was heading both manifestations of the story.
I loved Neverwhere, both the book and miniseries. Yes, the book kicks more booty.
DeleteOne nice thing about books--the author has way more control. Movies are so variable, you know? Everything has to come together just right. There's the actors, and the director, and the editors, and the sound people, and the music, and on and on... with the book, the author runs the whole show. It's probably easier in some ways.
DeleteI wonder which Gaiman prefers...
Probably books. :)
Yes!
ReplyDeleteSo funny! I've had the same conversation with people! I don't like 'novelisations' of movies - I'v etried a few and they're always awful!
ReplyDeleteYes... I've never read one that I liked. I always thought "I'd rather be watching the movie" the whole time I was reading them...
Deletei try to look at them as completely separate creations and enjoy them (or not) as such.
ReplyDeletesoapboxes... i'm sure i have them...
oh yes.
yes.
some are coming to mind now...
but mostly they are ethical/ politcal/ religious and not so much appropriate to troll your post with! :)
great post sweetpea! i love your pictorial ones the best!