Books as movies (was: Aliteracy - something that doesn't apply to any of us...)

[Ebony Elizabeth Thomas]

Amber wrote:

>I don't see how the movie will be a bummer for the "club" of bookworms.
>If a person sees the movie but hasn't read the book, they will either
>like it or dislike it. If they like it to the point where they're
>quoting it, buying merchandise, going crazy, they're likely to pick up
>the books at some point. I mean, when I get a new "obsession" the first
>thing I do is look for websites, join chat groups. All the websites and
>chat groups that I know of (with the exception of the WB website)
>mention the books extensively and implore people to read them. Maybe in
>the process of reading them, they'll become bookworms.

Excellent point!  I discovered my favorite children's author (Lucy Maud 
Montgomery) through the Sullivan adaptations of *Anne of Green Gables* and 
*Anne of Avonlea* (ironically, they happened to be shown on the Disney 
Channel).  I was 12--a few months later I went to the library and found that 
she'd written EIGHT BOOKS about this character... I swear, it's the biggest 
adrenaline rush I have ever gotten over books!... now I've read all of LMM's 
novels, most of her short story collections, and portions of her personal 
journals.  Because of those movies, I've met some wonderful people and 
cultivated several great friendships that have grown beyond LMM.

In that case, the first movie remained true to the spirit of the book, and 
the second deviated a great deal... I'm sure if I'd read the books first I 
wouldn't love it as much as I do.  (Trina and other Kindreds who may be 
around--let's not even talk about the third movie!  Blech!)

When I was very active on the KS list, we were constantly getting into Great 
Debates like this between those who'd been converted to LMM fanaticism by 
the movies and the purists who loved LMM pre-Sullivan.

Other movies I've watched before reading the book include *The Color Purple* 
and *Beloved*.  And I actually think that Terry McMillan's second 
book-to-movie is *far* better than the poor excuse for a book she cranked 
out.

*Of course* most readers will hate the movie based on their favorite book, 
if they read the book beforehand.  But is it the filmmaker's fault that we 
created our own perceptions of the characters?  How can he or she possibly 
cater to the individual visions of millions of fans?

My take:  if Jo Rowling's happy, I'm happy.  It's her series... obviously 
the movie's vision is in part her vision... and who are we to say she's 
wrong?

Hey, I know I'll probably squirm at certain points during the HP movie.  But 
I thank God I happened to turn on the Disney Channel that day... and I'm 
glad that we'll get a chance to take our non-reader friends to the movies so 
they can get at least a glimpse of what all the fuss we've been making is 
all about.

If *The Mummy Returns* could top the box office and break records with 
absolutely no plot whatsoever (I was disappointed!)... we as HP fans should 
make *sure* we make the box offices worldwide explode so that we can get 
another movie made.  If not, we'll never know *who* JKR and TPTB intend to 
cast as Lockhart, Lupin, and Sirius Black.

--Ebony

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Ebony AKA AngieJ
ebonyink at hotmail.com

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