Multiverses, time-traveling, and fancy editing can’t replace a great story and compelling characters. (Note: This stack is loaded with great film clips. Enjoy!)
Great picks, Susan, and you’ve made me want to watch Jaws again - I happened to rewatch all three Godfather movies before my recent trip to Sicily, and the first two really are terrific (the third, not so much). My husband and I recently rewatched Patton (Coppola wrote the script), another great book-movie adaptation - though no women 😉
The only one on your list that doesn’t resonate for me is Gone Girl - I haven’t watched the streaming adaptation because I loathed the book, which seemed hokey and melodramatic in the extreme (and not because of shifting POVs, the only thing I liked). But, you know, it’s subjective - and pleasure *is* the key here, partly why Ang Lee’s Sense and Sensibility is so fabulous.
On my list, I’d put the recent adaptation if Shogun (brilliant) and the adapted series One Day (funny, heartbreaking, wonderfully appealing leads): https://youtu.be/X8vGnkXd9rA
Definitely YES to the “One Day” series. It was wonderful (the movie, not so much.) Believe it or not, I haven’t seen “Shogun.”
“Gone Girl” may be one of the few movies (that we’ve talked about here) that we disagree about. It doesn’t rate against most of the others I picked but it’s really entertaining. I happen to like the book, too, though (all the copycats, not so much.)
Whatever you do, don’t see “Sirens.” Edward and I wasted an evening on it out of sheer inertia.
I like SHOOT THE PIANO PLAYER, adapted from a pretty crummy book in my view. Along that line, I had a theory that mediocre books were better suited to movie adaptations. But THE BIG SLEEP doesn't suit that rule, nor does Kubrick's LOLITA, both of which I've enjoyed a lot.
I've seen four of your list and thought they were largely well made, except for LITTLE WOMEN, which I thought perfect, including in the freedom of its adaptation. Anyway, thank you for diverting me, more than I should allow myself!
Great picks, Susan, and you’ve made me want to watch Jaws again - I happened to rewatch all three Godfather movies before my recent trip to Sicily, and the first two really are terrific (the third, not so much). My husband and I recently rewatched Patton (Coppola wrote the script), another great book-movie adaptation - though no women 😉
The only one on your list that doesn’t resonate for me is Gone Girl - I haven’t watched the streaming adaptation because I loathed the book, which seemed hokey and melodramatic in the extreme (and not because of shifting POVs, the only thing I liked). But, you know, it’s subjective - and pleasure *is* the key here, partly why Ang Lee’s Sense and Sensibility is so fabulous.
On my list, I’d put the recent adaptation if Shogun (brilliant) and the adapted series One Day (funny, heartbreaking, wonderfully appealing leads): https://youtu.be/X8vGnkXd9rA
Definitely YES to the “One Day” series. It was wonderful (the movie, not so much.) Believe it or not, I haven’t seen “Shogun.”
“Gone Girl” may be one of the few movies (that we’ve talked about here) that we disagree about. It doesn’t rate against most of the others I picked but it’s really entertaining. I happen to like the book, too, though (all the copycats, not so much.)
Whatever you do, don’t see “Sirens.” Edward and I wasted an evening on it out of sheer inertia.
I wasted time on Sirens, too - actually fell asleep during the last episode 😉
Yentl is a rather forgotten classic. I need to rewatch it.
Yes, do. It continues to enchant. It was much under-rated.
Fantastic, fun article. Makes want another go at these movies!
Thank you for great summaries of some major cultural markers
I haven’t seen all of these, they’re all on my list now. Thanks for the reviews.
I like SHOOT THE PIANO PLAYER, adapted from a pretty crummy book in my view. Along that line, I had a theory that mediocre books were better suited to movie adaptations. But THE BIG SLEEP doesn't suit that rule, nor does Kubrick's LOLITA, both of which I've enjoyed a lot.
I've seen four of your list and thought they were largely well made, except for LITTLE WOMEN, which I thought perfect, including in the freedom of its adaptation. Anyway, thank you for diverting me, more than I should allow myself!
A lot of overlap here in movie favorites, Susan. But, I've never seen Yentl! How is that possible?
Anyone can put together a terrific list but your commentaries and choices of clips make this so valuable.