A Series of Unfortunate Events

This movie is based on the first three books in this series. Although some of the narration did not match the book exactly, the spirit was the same. For example, Sunny's squeals get translated, just as they do in the book. In the movie, however, they are usually very amusing. The narrator in the movie also interrupts to situationally define words (e.g, "which here means that Klaus was in trouble") Those definitions might not match the book exactly, but the idea is the same. The "fake" wedding was moved from the beginning of the series to the end of the movie. The train scene was also added; it is nowhere in the novels. It was also Klaus that saved the day (at the wedding), instead of Violet. It was somewhat satisfying that Count Olaf got caught and at least had a trial. And he was forced to endure some of the trials the orphans faced. Yet he was found innocent at the end, leaving the movie open to a sequel. (which has yet to materialize)

GCB

This television series is based on the book "Good Christian Bitches". The TV show changed the B to "Belles". The main character has the same name, and she is coming back to Dallas after spending over a decade in California, but that is about where the similarities end. The television show has her husband as deceased, although there is the possibility that he has faked his own death after stealing millions of dollars. In the book, she is leaving him because he is such a cheat. (he is also a cheat in the series) The book has two horrific women, both who happen to be on the poor side of the Dallas elite. The two of them try their hardest to bring Amanda down, for no other reason than that she MIGHT snatch up one of the good men. In the series, the only poor-ish woman is one of the nicest / least bitchy. There are also several sub-plots that do not appear in the book at all. But this all makes perfect sense, as the book did not really leave many loose ends, and of course a television series relies on loose ends.

Tuesdays with Morrie

This was a very short book. I believe I read it in one day. But it was very touching, and refreshing to see a man gradually learn the lesson to slow down and appreciate life. Morrie is quite the character, and eager to impart one last thesis upon the world.

Oprah Winfrey produced the book into a short TV movie. Hank Azaria played Mitch, and Jack Lemmon played Morrie. They both did a great job. I thought the beginning was a little convoluted, and was thinking that maybe the lessons of the book just wouldn't translate onto the screen. But it got better as his visits to Morrie increased in frequency. It was very touching when he started to increase his physical contact with Morrie, lifting him, then massaging him, and a wonderful climax when he finally wept over Morrie's impending death.

All the President's Men

I listened to this book on tape. It was interesting, but a little bit hard to follow. I couldn't keep all the players straight. I thought the authors could have done a little better job clarifying each major character. It was also a little dry. I'm sure at the time the target audience was very familiar with the details that followed the end of the book. But there was nothing in the text concerning Nixon's admission of guilt, the incriminating tapes, and his resignation. I caught up on that easily with Wikipedia though.

The movie was easier to follow than the book, and the dialogue and comraderie in the press office were alternately humorous and tense. The movie completely skipped the paper-bashing that was an important section in the book. Also, I didn't think Dustin Hoffman as Bernstein seemed quite scruffy enough. It was interesting to watch Hoffman smoking everywhere in this 1976 film... from the press floor to elevators. Also, at least the movie made an attempt to summarize subsequent events, ending with the typed line "Nixon resigns."

The Spiderwick Chronicles

This movie is based on 5 ultra-short children's novels. The general idea is the same, but there are major differences. The children's parents' divorce is barely mentioned in the books, but becomes a major point in the movie. Mulgarath is mentioned immediately, where the books do not mention him until book 5. An entire book (#4, The Ironwood Tree) is left out completely, except for a short scene where Mulgarath poses as the childrens' father (played by Andrew McCarthy, wow)

Jordan/Simon, played by the same actor, does a great job. I thought it was two different kids playing the role.

The visit to Aunt Lucinda is Mallory and Jared only, and they have to go through an underground tunnel. A magical circle around the house is extremely important in the movie, but does not exist in the book. The griffin was Spiderwick's pet in the movie, whereas in the book the children nurse him back to health and he is their pet, not Arthur's.

Arthur is held captive by sylphs in the movie; in the book, it is elves. In the movie, Lucy, his daughter, comes with him in the end, and magically changes from 86 to 6. In the book, Arthur steps out of the glad and instantly disintegrates. In the movie, the children fight the evil forces with tomato sauce and knives, inside their own house. In the book, they destroy Mulgarath only and the others lose their evil intentions.

There are several other key differences. But it still results in a good movie, maybe a better movie than if the books were followed exactly. And the general spirit of the books is retained.

Vanity Fair

This book was very long, and I felt that it dragged along. I am sure I missed multiple nuances as I plowed through the 700+ pages. But one point was clear: Becky is manipulative, devious, and extremely two-faced. She is charming and sweet only when it meets her needs. She cares nothing for Amelia, and thinks nothing of flirting with George, her husband. Pushing Amelia together with Dobbin is not so much a good deed as an act of utter frustration.

The movie generally followed the storyline of the book. Reece Witherspoon did a wonderful job as Becky. The plot was somewhat simplified, and a bit easier to follow. But not once does it reveal Becky as a conniving plotter. Yes, she is a flirt, and knows how to charm. She does ignore her only son, but that is not made as obvious. The book implies she has loose morals with multiple men. But the movie shows her as taken aback when Count Steyne expects sexual favors in return for raising her up in society (not to mention paying her debts and giving her 1000 pounds) I expected a few low-down, knowing looks when she was hugging her husband, or some type of soliloquy to reveal the darkness inside her.

When she meets with Jos in the end, we never learn how horribly she uses him.

Although an entertaining film, it is not consistent with the intention of the author. Probably just as well that he is long dead.