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Feature & Follow Friday #5

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Feature & Follow Friday is a weekly blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read, each of whom feature a chosen blog of the week. It is a way for blogs to gain exposure but also so you can check out and follow other blogs

If you want to take part you must follow both hosts and both featured bloggers. Then add your own link and go visit and follow some bloggers. If someone follows you, you follow back. Simple.

This weeks question:
Are there any book to movie adaptations where you think the movie is better than the book?

This is really hard for me, because when it comes to my all time favourite books - The Harry Potter series, The Hunger Games trilogy as two examples - the books will always be better. They let you into the minds of the characters in a way the movies don't, they give you all the detail that movies can't squeeze into 120 minutes of film. Don't get me wrong, I still love the movies; still go the midnight premières and get excited for them all. But to me, the books will always be better. So instead I'll do:


Movies adaptations that were as good as the book:


Baz Luhrman's Romeo + Juliet

It's technically a play, but I'm counting it. I know this is vastly different from the original work of William Shakespeare, but I think it was a stunning, original adaptation and I absolutely love it. It was visually stunning:



Plus, Leonardo DiCaprio is gorgeous in it, Claire Dane's is spectacular and it made me forget in the orignal it's a 13 year-old marrying a 17 year old. I know Baz isn't for everyone, but I love him.



Fight Club

Based on Chuck Palahniuk's rather amazing book of the same name. I loved this movie adaptation, I absolutely loved all the portrayals and think Brad Pitt as Tyler Durden was just phenomenal. How this did not get him at least an Oscar nomination, I will never know! A bonus is the fact Brad Pitt is unbelievably good looking in this movie. This book and movie gives some of the best quotes ever.

Yes, please! 

Best quotes:

Tyler Durden: Man, I see in fight club the strongest and smartest men who've ever lived. I see all this potential, and I see squandering. God damn it, an entire generation pumping gas, waiting tables; slaves with white collars. Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don't need. We're the middle children of history, man. No purpose or place, we have no Great War. No Great Depression. Our Great War's a spiritual war... our Great Depression is our lives. We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off. 

Tyler Durden: It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything.

Tyler Durden: You're not your job. You're not how much money you have in the bank. You're not the car you drive. You're not the contents of your wallet. You're not your fucking khakis. You're the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world.



The Road

The Road by Cormac McCarthy was a book I found beautiful, absolutely stunning. So when the movie was released, I was pretty certain it would be rubbish and I'd be left really disappointed. I wasn't. I really loved it, from beginning to end and I felt it worked well.



The Notebook

Based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. I'm not really a fan of Nicholas Sparks books, but after watching and loving The Notebook, I gave the book a try. It actually worked quite well and I enjoyed both. But the movie might actually be better in my opinion. Mainly for the gorgeous leads and the beautiful settings.



It also gave some really beautiful quotes:

Noah: The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that place a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds, and that's what you've given me. That's what I hope to give to you forever. 

Noah: I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who's ever lived: I've loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough.



And the ones I had to come back and add on because I forgot them!!!! 


Life of Pi

My god, this movie! This movie, my god! It was just incredible.Visually stunning and did the book justice so well. I found the book hard going, it was very slow and it wasn't till the end that the book blew my mind. This movie had me from the beginning and was so glad Ang Lee got the Oscar for Best Director, he deserved it! How did I miss this off?




Silver Linings Playbook

So very different to the book in so many ways; but I loved them both! Plus I love Jennifer Lawrence!



The Perks of Being a Wallflower

I loved the book and the film. This movie was a really great adaptations and Ezra Miller was absolutely fantastic in this! The trailer is also amazing. 



The Help

Loved the movie. Loved the book. Both made me cry! 


WOW! I thought of way more than I thought I would. But now, NO MORE adding on!



In most other cases, I usually always enjoy the book more!


If you follow, make sure to leave a link to your blog so I can come check out your post and return the favour!

To be honest, when it comes to book adaptations, I think Axis of Awesomes - Rage of Thrones explains my feelings best!



"What's wrong with you people? No one reads any more. Your imagination is a fun place to explore. Go to a library or a f**king book store. Take it from me, you'll enjoy the book more! Harry Potter, the book was better! The Hunger Games, the book was better. The Lord of the Rings, the books were probably better. The Cat in the Hat, the book was BETTER!"



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63 comments:

  1. Aah, Romeo and Juliet! We've just been studying this and yeah, Leonardo DiCaprio. Nothing else to say ;)

    Old Follower
    My FF .
    Zareena @ Books and Books

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    1. I know, especially in that and Titanic! Thanks for checking out my post.

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  2. Wow! Lots of picks!! Saw bits and pieces of the first two, but never the other two. Read the first two as well but not the other two!

    Here's my Follow Friday

    Have a GREAT weekend!

    Old Follower :)

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  3. That is a wonderful adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. I remember when it came out and it was such a big deal. Great movie!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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    1. I love that adaptation, I think it's so beautiful! Thanks for checking out my post.

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  4. I've only seen part of Romeo and Juliet. Loved The Notebook though.

    Thanks for stopping by my FF :)

    Marilyn @ Marilyn's Mystery Blog

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    1. The Notebook is such a great movie, think I like it way more than the book; if I'm being honest with myself.

      Thanks for checking my FF out!

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  5. I've seen and read a few books fom your list but the only one that I've read and watched is Romeo and Juliet.

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  6. I agree, Perks of Being a Wallflower was a great movie adaptation. I also loved Gone with the Wind. Obviously the book was better but one of my favorite movies. And the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice (Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy...love him). Again, book is still better, but such a great adaptation! Also really enjoyed It's Kind of a Funny Story. Fun post! ~Pam

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    1. I loved It's Kind of a Funny Story, haven't read the book though! I feel really bad in admitting the following things - I have never read or watched Gone with the Wind or Pride and Prejudice. *Dies of embarrassment*.

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  7. I've heard that the book Fight Club is really great! Awesome choices! Thanks for stopping by my blog! Following you back :)

    Crystal @ Elegantly Bound Books

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    1. Thanks for following back! Fight Club is a really great book! =D

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  8. Oh Great choices! I had completely forgot about the Help and Life of Pi.

    Thanks for following! I can't wait to see more reviews from you!
    www.literarychameleon.blogspot.com

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    1. Me too, I went to work the day I posted it and thought of a few more and had to add them on. Thanks for following back =D

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  9. Ooh that is a great list of book to movie adaptations. I have seen a lot of those movies but only in few cases have I read the books and seen the movies. I skipped seeing Life of Pi since I didn't care for the book, but it sounds like I might have enjoyed the movie a lot more.

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    1. I really got into the movie, whereas the book bored me for quite a while and only had me at the end. The book managed to keep my interest the whole time and was just so beautiful. Thanks for checking out my post.

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  10. Ahh, so many that I even forgot about. Haha, it was so hard to pick ones, though, so I went with recent ones I'd seen. But I couldn't choose Harry Potter, I never choose it for anything. I don't know why, I seem to avoid labelling it. Romeo & Juliet, definitely. Mainly because play layouts annoy me to know end, though I do love reading them, too. Guess it depends on which one, since I love Blood Brothers. I so HAVE to read Perks, in fact I'm ordering it right now. And the see the movie, because seriously. Those gifs.

    Thanks for stopping by mine. :)

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    1. I could never pick Harry Potter either! Haha I know I love those gifs, Ezra Miller was so great in that movie. I really hope you enjoy Perks! =D Thanks for stopping by.

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  11. oh! I've watched them all but I haven't read the books yet :-| thanks for stopping by! happy #FF new GFC follower

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  12. Love that you did more than one. I agree 100% with Fight Club and the Notebook.

    And thanks for stopping by my blog :) I am now following you back on GFC and bloglovin. I hope you have a great weekend.

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    1. You too, thanks for checking out my post and taking the time to follow back =D

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  13. I loved the Help. I thought they did a great job -- not better than the book, but great. Also, recently watched Life of Pi, and thought it was pretty well done too. Thanks for visiting!

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    1. The Help, amazing book, great movie - both had me sobbing! Thanks for stopping by.

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  14. I haven't watch any of this but you mentioned the Life of Pi movie and until now I'm planning to watch it and read the book coz one of my professor back in college told me that the book is awesome but some said the movie is way better so I may try reading and watching that book :))

    thank you for visiting Home of a Book Lover
    New Follower! :)

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    1. Definitely give Life of Pi a try, it's really great! Thanks for following back =D

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  15. I forgot about The Notebook. I loved both the movie and the book.
    Thank you for visiting and followed you back!

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  16. OMG I didn't even think about The Perks of Being a Wallflower but it was a very good adaptation as well! Thanks for visiting and following my blog! I'm following back via Bloglovin and GFC :)

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    1. Thanks a lot for following back! I forgot Perks too, remembered while I was at work and had to add it on! =D

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  17. I haven't read any of those except Romeo and Juliet so it's hard to comment. I've noticed Life of Pi and Perks of Being a Wallflower on a lot of peoples blogs. Old Bloglovin' follower. My FF

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    1. They are both really great! Thanks for checking out my post =D

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  18. I forgot The Help!!! Amaaaazing book and brilliant film! I've been yearning for a book like it ever since!

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  19. I love your answer, so many choices:) I agree with The Notebook and Life of Pi. When I saw The Notebook, I wanted to see if the book was even better and read it. Unfortunately I liked the movie better too:) And Life of Pi was amazing. Such good graphics (if that's what it's called, lol). I'm a new twitter and GFC follower:D Thanks for following me back:)

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    1. You're welcome! Life of Pi was amazing, it just looked stunning from beginning to end! Thanks for following me back =D

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  20. Ooo I agree with The Help. Didn't even think of that one! I still want to read Life of PI. And Perks was another great adaptation ;)

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    1. Life of Pi was really hard to get through, end made it worth it for me though! Perks and The Help; two great adaptations that didn't leave me disappointed!

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  21. Great choices! Thanks for the follow. New follower via Bloglovin'. My FF

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  22. Lots of great choices! Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

    ~Pam @ Moonlight Reader

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  23. Omigod, I'm so there with you on Romeo + Juliet! I think I saw that movie with my friends in the theater at least twelve times - no joke, our parents took turns driving us because we weren't old enough to have our driver's license yet, lol. One of my favorite books of all time is Perks. I still haven't seen the movie - I've been really afraid it might ruin the book for me. But I'm going to give it a go. I'm way too curious and am glad to see someone who loves the book also enjoyed the movie. :)

    Thanks for the giveaway, too! I think I'd like to win Etiquette & Espionage if it's in the price range. ;)

    New follower via several ways, lol - thanks for stopping by My FF @ Donnie Darko Girl!

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    1. I loved Perks and I actually enjoyed the movie, even though it was different in some way I still thought it was well done. Romeo + Juliet is one of those movies that I never get bored of watching!

      It's definitely in the price range but TBD only have paperback, hope that's okay! Thanks for taking part and good luck! =D Thanks for following back.

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  24. Definitely Silver Linings Playbook. I adored the movie but the book was far too serious compared the film. The reverse for me was Tomorrow, When The War Begin. The movie was atrocious, but I loved the book.

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    1. I still have to read TWTWB - I have a copy of the book so hopefully I can get to it one day! I really enjoyed SLP as well, much funnier to watch than read.

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  25. A lot of the movies you picked I haven't read the books for, but I agree with Romeo & Juliet, the movie was amazing and Leo! We watched this my freshman year of high school while reading the book and it gave me a better understanding of what was actually happening seeing it on a screen.

    Old follower :)

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    1. I know, he is unbelievable in that movie! Thanks for checking out my post.

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  26. Hi,
    Thanks for stopping by and following.. :)
    Followed you via GFC and twitter..
    http://njkinny.blogspot.in
    Happy #FF!

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  27. You have some good picks, some I hadn't even thought of but totally agree with you!! New follower via Bloglovin'

    Hope you can visit my FF

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  28. Wow, you've got so many I don't know where to start! OK, I do love Luhrman's vision of Romeo and Juliet but you're right, it is a play and it's harder to critique a screenplay vs the final product than it is a book. I've not read Fight Club and have tried to watch it numerous times but keep falling asleep LOL. I would like to read Life of Pi before I see the film.

    Thank you for the follow, I am following you back on Bloglovin'!

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    1. Thanks a lot for taking the time to follow back =D. Life of Pi is a very slow read, but the ending made it worthwhile for me.

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  29. Ezra Miller's performance made me watch that movie over and over again. It's really good. Thanks for stopping by my FF :D

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    1. Me too! I absolutely loved him in this, he kind of made this movie for me!

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  30. Great list! I really loved Luhrman's Romeo and Juliet - but the movie is so different from Shakespeare's play that I can't even compare them.
    Thanks for the following. I'm now following you back on GFC, Bloglovin and Twitter.

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    1. Thanks for following back =D I know, really different but I really love it.

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  31. Great post! Followed you back from T B R

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment, it always makes my day! Because of time restraints, this is now an award free zone but thanks so much for considering me! Feel free to leave a link to your own blog and I will come visit.