Movies: Better than the Book Edition

 

   There are many instances were I find that the book are just more than the movie version. The books delve more into the characters backgrounds. They just have more details than can be translated into film. But, I have found some stories that work better in movie form than book. Here's a list of the most notable (in no particular order).
1. The Princess Bride
     OK. This is the only one that earned its numerical spot. It is by far my favorite movie. I love the many amazing quotes that are in it! A few years ago, I gave the book a try, since I loved the movie so much. It was horrible, boring, and it was the "abridged" version. There was far too many descriptions. Buttercup is a complete ditz (even worse than Bella, and that's saying something!). The book also seemed endless. The movie was much funnier and just better. Plus, the settings in the movie were gorgeous (except for the fire swamp, which was super creepy). The ROUSs were quite laughable. The princess was gorgeous, Wesley was dreamy, and the supporting characters were perfect. Maybe the book took "to the pain" too seriously.

2. The Nanny Diaries
     This movie was a great romantic comedy. The child "Nanny" was carry for was almost as awful as his mother, who was atrocious. The actress who played Mrs. X was perfect. The book was almost unbelievable. All of the characters seemed to be inconsiderate robots. Even Nanny. In fact, the book never gave "Nanny" a name! Plus, the book had a character, Josh, who kept randomly popping up, but who didn't seem to have a purpose. The book made me want to chuck it out the window a few times. The movie, on the other hand, was great. Scarlett Johansson made me actually felt sorry for Nanny. Plus, the movie was cleaner than the book!

3. Sundays at Tiffany's
     I was sorely disappointed by this book. I saw it before I read it. The book was alright, but the movie did a better job of accentuating the fact that Michael isn't real. The book seemed too long. Truthfully, I don't remember much about this book. I just remember disliking it. I do love the movie though!

4. The Time Traveler's Wife
     The first time seeing the movie, I was annoyed with the sudden disappearances. I could totally relate to the frustration that Clare often felt. The disappearances where even more noticeable in the book, which, for some reason, bugged me. I don't recall crying at the end of the book, but I definitely still do at the end of the movie. I connected with the movie versions of the characters more. I don't really have a good reason for liking the movie over the book. I just do.

5. The Princess Diaries
     To be fair, I only read the first book. And it took all my willpower to finish just that! Mia was obnoxious, the grandmother stiff, and Michael was just...wrong. I loved the movies growing up and am excited about the possibility of a third.

6. If I Stay
     This movie was just...beautiful. The characters were real. Mia was perfectly portrayed.  The book's writing was amazing, but the teenagerness of the characters got really annoying half way through. This wasn't much of a problem in movie form. I also cried more during the movie than the book. Maybe it's just me. The story is amazing, in both book and movie form. The movie is just a smidge better.

   In case you didn't notice, I am fond of some of these books. They just didn't live up to the movies.
 
   Are there any movies that you enjoyed more than the books? Sound off below!

5 Books That Would Make Great Movies

 

   Have you ever read a book and wished that it could be made into a movie or TV series?  I'm talking an in-depth, not leaving anything out adaption.  Of course, that rarely happens.  But I can dream, can't I?  Granted, there are a TON of books that I wish would be made into movies, but I narrowed the list down to my top five choices.

5. The Juliet Club by Suzanne Harper
This is an amazing story about Kate, a teenager who gets the chance to spend the summer studying Shakespeare in Verona, Italy. There are amazing costumes, a giant maze, and a dash of romance. It reminds me of Letters to Juliet, but it spends more time talking about Shakespeare and a few of his plays. I would love if this was made into a movie because I want to see all of the costumes and settings that the book describes. Plus, it would be a clean, romantic teen movie, which I don't think there are currently enough of.

4. Cape Refuge by Terri Blackstock
This is the first book of a four book Christian fiction series that is set in the small island town of Cape Refuge. The story follows the Owens family as their small town is shocked by multiple murders throughout the series. I love that we get to see the perspectives of the Owens sisters in this series as they go through various big life changes. I also love books that feature murder in a small town because the narrator normally is friends with the killer. I think this book would have great potential as a movie series!

3. I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
Three words can perfectly sum up this six book series. Girls'. Spy. School. Another teen romance book made my list, but this one includes lots of action, secrets, and intrigue. This series is well written, and I think it would easily translate into film. It's reminiscent of Alex Rider, except all of Cammie's friends know she's a spy, because they attend spy school as well. The only teen spy movies I've seen have been about boys. I think this would do well as a movie because it's got a female teen spy who's mother is the principal of said girls' spy school. As far as I can tell, Disney owns the movie rights for the book, and there was talk a few years ago about two producers who were interested in the series. This one might happen!

2. Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones
Yes. I know. Another book by Jenny B. Jones is on my blog. To be honest, she is my favorite author! I would love for this book to be made into a movie because I love stories where the couple is just pretending to be a couple until they realize that they actually DO have romantic feelings for each other. Lucy runs a home for girls who have graduated out of the foster care system. Alex is an ex-football player who wants to run for office. Both are extremely sarcastic and can't really stand each other in the beginning. That's a pretty good basis for a successful rom-com!

1. The Homelanders Series by Andrew Klavan
Charlie goes to bed one night a normal teenager and wakes up tied to a chair in a completely empty room. And he just heard someone outside the door give the order to kill him! That's one of the many reasons as to why I believe that this would be a great movie (because that is the actual beginning of this series). Also, later in the book, Charlie comes to find out that he's a few years older than he remembers, and he doesn't regain his memories until the fourth book. He's like a teenage Bourne, just with a lot less killing. [Trust me, there are still plenty of scenes that include running from the cops, explosions, and kidnappings.] At one point, there were people working to make this into a movie, but for one reason or another it didn't happen. I still have hope though!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of these books. The books pictured above are all owned by me (Except for Cape Refuge, which was my mom's. My version contains the first two books of the series.). I hope you enjoyed reading this list! Are there any books that you wish would be translated unto film? Comment below!