Marley and Me

There were several significant differences in the movie. I'm not sure why they were made (he had a whole different career, his wife was more successful than him...) Loved McDreamy though, happy to have an extra character that is him!

I wasn't crazy about the book, and the movie was just okay too

The Golden Compass

My husband was interested in this book/movie because it had apparently caused protests in the religious world. I feel like a fool because I didn't even catch the religious tones of the book. As I watched the movie, it seemed clearer to me that the author is criticizing the nature of religion to encourage blind faith. As the magesterium cuts away childrens' daemons (their souls, outside their bodies) they are trying to enforce "pure thoughts". Without a daemon, the evil Dust does not descend upon the children. However, without a daemon the children can no longer think for themselves, or have any type of meaningful happiness.

The movie followed the book relatively closely. Lyra was even more intelligent and intuitive in the movie... figuring out that Mrs Coulter is her mother and Lord Asriel her father. She also comes up with the plan to trick the bear king very spur-of-the-moment. The special effects were good. I also loved Sam Elliott as Scoresby. He was so charming and warm.

The big complaint I have is the ending. The book ends before Lyra meets up with her father. The book, however, ends after Lord Asriel has already entered the other world, and as Lyra and Pan are crossing the newly-formed bridge. This is a huge difference, and I'm not sure I understand the rationale of the change.

Wrinkle In Time

I think I read this book approximately 20 times when I was a kid. I'm not sure why... maybe mostly because I owned it, so I didn't have to worry about getting it back to the library.

Megan started reading it on her own, but it was too difficult for her. So after a couple chapters, she let me finish it out loud.

The movie did not follow the book precisely, but it did follow it in spirit. It did a good job of not lagging at all, leaving out some details of time on Camazotz in the interest of action. It also invented some dream sequences, but they added to the excitement of the film.

Meg was a bit too boyish, especially given how adorable Calvin was. But the acting was decent overall. The teserects were way too repetitive and lengthy, this was my biggest complaint.

I loved all 3 of the Mrs (Who, Whatsit, Which), and Calvin and Charles Wallace.

Megan and I both give this movie a thumbs up.

The Blind Side

I'm never sure what to expect from a non-fiction book. But this one was excellent. Even though I am not familiar with the nuances of football, Michael Lewis did not go over my head in describing the different positions, plays, etc. I found the evolution of the game portion of the book as interesting as the story of Michael Ohr.

The movie took some liberties with the actual story, but there were also scenes directly from the book. In reality, Michael did not graduate with the needed GPA, but used correspondence courses to replace low grades. (what a crock that is) But he did write an essay on "The Light Brigade", and he was interested in the poem.

The fight where Michael supposedly harms a child is in a different setting. He actually gets into this fight (after an insult to his "mama and sister") in college. (he delays the fight "because he doesn't want to get blood on this shirt") In the movie, the fight is in the ghetto. This makes some sense, since the movie is written to end as the Tuohys are dropping him off at college. It irked me that there was no more mention of the child though. (in actuality, the 3-year-old is fine)

There are several amusing scenes with Leigh Ann in the movie. Although this type of fight is implied through the book, most of these seem to be fabricated for the audience's amusement. (nothing wrong with that) Sean Tuohy (played by Tim McGraw) is a pretty flat character in the movie. He seems to be there just to be amused by Leigh Ann. He does a nice job with that, though, and with his scene regarding "The Light Brigade."

The movie also shows Leigh Ann fleeing whenever she is emotional. I don't remember this from the book, but it may have been mentioned briefly. This leads to the final scene, where Michael comes after her and tells her "I need a proper hug."

I know Sandra Bullock won much acclaim for this movie. She did a good job with the fightsy scenes. But when Michael's past is supposedly tearing her up, I found her acting a bit too melodramatic. But what do I know?

Corelli's Mandolin

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. But I found a nice blend of humor, drama, and romance. The movie just barely gives us a glimpse of the humor. Pelagia and Antonio's romance is, in a word, INTENSE. In the book there is much joking around before these dramatic moments. However, given the World War II setting, the movie works. I also approve of Antonio finding his way back MUCH earlier in the movie. After I read the book, I kept shaking my head and moaning "FORTY YEARS??? What a waste."

While the Italians are occupying the island, the movie varies greatly. There is a scene with a dance that was not in the book. Also, Antonio announces in front of half the town that he has written "Pelagia's Song". While this makes for a great scene, it was a private moment in the book.

As Antonio lies dying beneath Carlo, he asks Gunter "shoot me". I liked this addition. It makes Gunter's decision to leave him alive even more noble.

Carlo's homosexuality is not revealed in the movie. This makes his decision to throw himself in front of Antonio during the massacre a bit more of a puzzle. But the movie was long and involved as it was, so this omission is understandable.

Pelagia's original finace, Madras, is a much more sympathetic character in the movie. He turns into a brave leader and warrior, and treats Pelagia with kindness, even when she betrays his love. In the end, he is the one who saves Antonio. He still hopes to win Pelagia's love. In the book he rapes Pelagia, and she murders him. Quite a contrast. However, I found the movie version of this character more poignant and dramatic.

Another simplification in the movie is Lemoni. She is adopted by Pelagia and her father, where in the book, an infant left on their doorstep, and this becomes their adopted child.

While the movie differs greatly from the book on several important points, it was a decent adaptation, and in some ways made for a better story.