Seeing the movie before reading the book

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Originally Posted by Dark Muse

There is one thing I have noticed about myself. It seems that when a movie comes out made after a book, even if it is a book I had wanted to read prior to the movie, if I see the movie first I end up stalling when it comes to reading the book and never quite get around to it.

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I'm the same way sometimes. It just depends on how interesting I find the movie. Take in point I just finished Chocolat the book after watching the movie like...jeez a year ago maybe? It just sat and sat, I think because I already knew the outcome. It wasn't really a surprise. The story was okay but nothing spectacular.
I can't toss movies from books because thats how I sometimes find an excellent read. I think its more or less how I respond to the characters and the premise. It has to be worth it either way for me to do both.

i dont mind it, its kinda cool, different from just reading the book because when you see the book first you kinda use their characters while your reading instead of imagining up your own
its like reliving the movie in my head for me, seeing it all again but with my imagination

the Perfume movie, the one about the perfume maker who goes on killing virgins and has superhuman sense of smell and stuff, wasnt that based on a book too? read somewhere that the book was unfilmable because it deals too much with the sense of smell; intangible things. i didnt manage to read the original book till the end though.

Harry Potter's movies murdered the books, they cut too much from the original texts and expand on some trivial scenes like the broomstick flight over London in the third movie i think.

In theory, I like to read the book prior to watching the film, as the film helps my understanding of the book and I like to see the interpretation.

I'm one to typically read the book first, but it often leaves me unimpressed with the movie. If I see the movie first, then I tend to get bored with the book. I already know the basic story, so it isn't as interesting to read anymore. More often than not I just try not to mix my movies and books. If I HAVE to see a movie, then I'll always be sure to read the book first. I would rather be disappointed with the movie than not be able to read the book.

I used to read the book first, but then I found that no harm can come from watching the movie first, actually it'd probably be best, because then you don't really get upset if the movie doesn't follow the book and just appriciate it for its cenematic quality...at least, I do...

Always watch the movie first, that way you can enjoy it, and then read the book and be even more blown away! If you read the book first, the films are always a let down.

American Psycho the movie was better than the book. I remember one chapter he just talked about all the different albums he had.

Also, The song For Whom the Bell Tolls by Metallica is sooooooooooooooo much better than the book. I hate to say it ,but for the whole that book sucked. It had a few good parts but they were not enough to save that boring novel.

Sometimes a terrible book can make an amazing movie, and sometimes an amazing book can make a terrible movie.

Often, I'm not even the least bit interested in books that movies have been made from, such as American Psycho, Fight Club, Shutter Island, The Shining, East of Eden, Into the Wild, The Graduate, and, of course, THE GODFATHER. Brilliant movies, but I doubt I'll ever read any of the books.

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Originally Posted by kelby_lake

In theory, I like to read the book prior to watching the film, as the film helps my understanding of the book and I like to see the interpretation.

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I agree, but this often results in disappointment, as the movies are generally nothing compared to the books.
Something that comes to mind is Name of the Rose, as mentioned above. Sean Connery can only take a movie so far...:Yawn:

I watched "Perfume:Story of a Murderer" a while ago- brilliant film by the way- but it took me ages to get around to reading the novel by Patrick Susskind. I've just finished it and I must admit it was much better than the film. Read it, it's fantastique!

I had no idea they made books out of the lord of the ring movies. I just picked up the first one from the library today, excited to read it.

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Originally Posted by Rakthor

I personally prefer to read it before I watch it. I just don't like being part of the follow-up crowd. You know the type. The people who immediately buy the book after the movie gets big. I don't precisely know why, but I hate being like that. Thus, the book first, and then the movie.

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I feel exactly the same, Rakthor. It's a pride issue for me.

I also can't bring myself to purchase the "movie" version of a book. For instance, I went online to order a pricey out-of-print, but thoroughly respectably-bound copy of Julia Child's My Life In France just to avoid the glossy paperback with Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. I like both actresses, but come on, it's an autobiography! I also can't bear the shame of appearing to be one of those people who shop only from the NYT Bestsellers List or prominent shop displays. :wink5: