Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Although the first scene is similar to the book, the background of the house is not covered, which adds to the creepiness factor. The Dursleys do not appear at all (they are briefly in the book), which disappointed me, as they are good comic relief. Crouch's loyal elf, which was so important in the book, is not in the movie at all. Hermione's quest to get the house-elves freedom was also omitted, although it is a theme throughout the novel. We see Moody continually drinking from a flask, which, if it was mentioned in the book, completely slipped by me. Snape and Moaning Myrtle also ask Harry about Polyjuice Potion, which could have also been missed by me I suppose.

Also, Harry dreams of Barty Crouch, Jr, which he does not in the book. On this I am almost certain. He only dreams of Voldemort and Wormtail, there is no third man.

There is also no mention of the Marauder's Map, or the fact that Mr Crouch's son was supposedly dead. I know the movie was already almost 3 hours, but these are really wonderful plot points. I think the book should have been made into a 2-part movie.

Love in the Time of Cholera

Although I felt the book dragged some, it wasn't all bad. It was a sweet story, sometimes using just-beyond-reality details to bring home its themes.

Although the movie did show Francisco eating flowers, it mostly stuck to reality. The general plot came straight from the book, although America's suicide was left out (mercifully) There was also a very extensively-covered suicide at the beginning of the book that was omitted from the movie. These two details did not actually add much to the main plot, though.

All three main characters were likable, as they are in the book. Benjamin Bratt (the doctor) was handsome, as usual. I thought the makeup used to have the characters age was wonderful. One of the book's main themes was the aging process, and this shone through very clearly in the film. We are never too old for love, we see that here.

The doctor's infidelity was covered very thoroughly in the movie. When she told him she wished he had lied to cover up, Francisco's lie at the end ("I remained a virgin for you") seems twice as sweet, and she smiles and says "liar".