Not so good movies

[2LaneCruzer]

Watched...or tried to watch...a movie entitled "The Tracker" yesterday. It was about a man whose wife and daughter were kidnapped an murdered in Italy; he seeks his own revenge ala Charles Bronson in "Death Wish". The movie was so dark, so poorly edited, that I couldn't keep up with what was going on, or keep the good guys and the bad guys straight.

 

[dodge man]

I had a cinema class in college. It was actually a hard class and I had to study for it. One of the movies they touted and talked about was Citizen Kane, it’s a fairly long movie so we had to come at night and watch it. It was a bad movie, maybe I just didn’t get it. The Great Gatsby also another one I didn’t like.

A lot of the movies people said they didn’t like I thought were good or at least OK. I’m also not a fan of most musicals but I admit the Sound of Music sucks me in when it’s on. The truth is there are very few great movies and I’ve watched most of them several times.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I had a cinema class in college. It was actually a hard class and I had to study for it. One of the movies they touted and talked about was Citizen Kane, it’s a fairly long movie so we had to come at night and watch it. It was a bad movie, maybe I just didn’t get it. The Great Gatsby also another one I didn’t like.

A lot of the movies people said they didn’t like I thought were good or at least OK. I’m also not a fan of most musicals but I admit the Sound of Music sucks me in when it’s on. The truth is there are very few great movies and I’ve watched most of them several times.

I have NEVER been able to watch Citizen Kane; about 15 minutes and I'm done. I agree, it sucked. Gatsby was OK; maybe because I had read the book.

 

[3Ts]

I read books more than I watch movies. As a result most movies are a disappointment. The book is much better, but of course the author has more time to develop the characters, etc than a movie does.

 

[/pine]

Often but not always...The best movie adaptations of books come when the original authors contribute or actually write the screenplays...One of the best examples IMO is Elmore Leonard...I can't think of any of his books or stories that has not made an entertaining movie...With his assistance his 48 page short story 'Fire in the Hole' was the basis for 6 full seasons of the TV show 'Justified'

On the other hand some authors books end up making horrible movies regardless of how much the original author contributes...IMO most steven king adaptations end up this way and are usually a waste of time to watch...

On a related note...many of the most read and prolific authors refuse to give up the movie rights to their stories because they generally don't have any control of the outcome...some have tried and stopped after one or two attempts...one example of this is Clive Cussler's "Dirk Pitt" series...after 'Raise the Titanic' and 'Sahara'

One author who had many books made into movies and most all were quite good was Alistair MacLean....

scroll down for some of the titles many will recognize...

Alistair MacLean - Wikipedia

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I have NEVER been able to watch Citizen Kane; about 15 minutes and I'm done. I agree, it sucked. Gatsby was OK; maybe because I had read the book.

I made it through... OK, I guess... How about Dr Zhivago? I love that movie, but it sure helps to know a little history to sort it out.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

You guys would most likely like John Sandford's Prey novels. List of Books

 

[Steppenwolfe]

And... James Lee Burke, he's a master. James Lee Burke Books In Order | James Lee Burke

 

[/pine]

Sanford "Prey" series...read one and you've read them all...just change a few names and scenarios around and you have a boring series of books that fool a lot of folks into buying them...!

Not much different than the Dean Koontz books regardless of the pseudonym...IMO the best book he ever wrote was under the pseudonym of "Leigh Nichols" and was 'The Key to Midnight'...

 

[Jstpssng]

You guys would most likely like John Sandford's Prey novels. List of Books

His best were the "Kidd" series, then the books featuring Virgil "" Flower. I've read most of them though.

And... James Lee Burke, he's a master. James Lee Burke Books In Order | James Lee Burke

One of my favorites, I used to buy each paperback as soon as it came out. I've read all but the last 4... the price of paperbacks has gotten ridiculous.

If you like him, have you ever checked out the "Charlie Parker" series by John Connolly? Order of Charlie Parker Books - OrderOfBooks.com

Another less prolific author is Carol O'Connell, featuring Detective Kathy OMallory. Order of Kathleen Mallory Books - OrderOfBooks.com


I used to read Patricia Cornwell every time she wrote a book, yet she was one who ran out of material long before she stopped writing.