Stardust
Author: Neil Gaiman
Year of publication: 1999
Plot summary: Tristran wants to find a fallen star for his true love, but is about to learn a lot of things about love and other matters on his journey to find it and bring it back.
You might want to sit down for this one: I actually liked the movie better. I thought the characterisation wasn't as strong in the book (don't even ask me how that is possible), the plot not as engaging, the settings not very well described. Maybe my expectations on this book were too high after having read Good Omens and loving it, but I can honestly say I didn't think I'd be this disappointed. I remember thinking while I watched the movie "Oh, I'll enjoy reading that, I bet it'll be more detailed/you'll understand it better/there'll be more of a twist to a certain joke/whatever". And it wasn't. And you didn't. And there wasn't.
Now, this doesn't mean the book sucked, don't interpret it as that. Just that it didn't meet my expectations; not what I expected from a book that was the base for such a high-quality movie, and not what I expected from Neil Gaiman. If you want to read his best works, try Good Omens or Neverwhere (which I haven't read yet but am getting to) instead. And watch the movie.
Year of publication: 1999
Plot summary: Tristran wants to find a fallen star for his true love, but is about to learn a lot of things about love and other matters on his journey to find it and bring it back.
You might want to sit down for this one: I actually liked the movie better. I thought the characterisation wasn't as strong in the book (don't even ask me how that is possible), the plot not as engaging, the settings not very well described. Maybe my expectations on this book were too high after having read Good Omens and loving it, but I can honestly say I didn't think I'd be this disappointed. I remember thinking while I watched the movie "Oh, I'll enjoy reading that, I bet it'll be more detailed/you'll understand it better/there'll be more of a twist to a certain joke/whatever". And it wasn't. And you didn't. And there wasn't.
Now, this doesn't mean the book sucked, don't interpret it as that. Just that it didn't meet my expectations; not what I expected from a book that was the base for such a high-quality movie, and not what I expected from Neil Gaiman. If you want to read his best works, try Good Omens or Neverwhere (which I haven't read yet but am getting to) instead. And watch the movie.
The Incredible Hulk
Director: Lousie Leterrier
Cast: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt and more.
Plot outline: Same old story
Well not exactly the same story, we don't have to be led through the process of his becoming the Hulk, just his struggle to get back to normal and the usual prosecution. Even though the Hulk isn't exactly my favourite super hero, I think this new version of the story is better than the previous (I haven't seen the older versions) and it's actually among the top movies of my list. That ows a lot to Norton and Tyler's acting skills; the story in itself isn't enough to earn that place. But sure, you should see it. If nothing else, it definitely beats the Spiderman movies.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800080/
Cast: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt and more.
Plot outline: Same old story
Well not exactly the same story, we don't have to be led through the process of his becoming the Hulk, just his struggle to get back to normal and the usual prosecution. Even though the Hulk isn't exactly my favourite super hero, I think this new version of the story is better than the previous (I haven't seen the older versions) and it's actually among the top movies of my list. That ows a lot to Norton and Tyler's acting skills; the story in itself isn't enough to earn that place. But sure, you should see it. If nothing else, it definitely beats the Spiderman movies.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800080/
The Beach
Author: Alex Garland
Year of publication: 1996
Plot summary: Richard, Étienne and Francoise look for the mysterious paradise said to exist on an isolated island in Thailand and find it, but is it really paradise?
As usual, the book makes much more sense than the movie. Even 2001 was understandable in its paper format. With 'The Beach' the movie, all I remember is Richard losing his mind and long sequences of him running around shooting drug dealers in the jungle. After reading the book I actually understand why that happened, even though having an insande person as the narrator always makes the story a bit confusing. But it was still a thrilling story to read, and Garland uses fast, snappy dialouge and narrating. The plot always pushes forward, even when it doesn't seem like it. Besides, it has become somewhat a cult classic, so if for none of the reasons mentioned above, you should read because of that.
Year of publication: 1996
Plot summary: Richard, Étienne and Francoise look for the mysterious paradise said to exist on an isolated island in Thailand and find it, but is it really paradise?
As usual, the book makes much more sense than the movie. Even 2001 was understandable in its paper format. With 'The Beach' the movie, all I remember is Richard losing his mind and long sequences of him running around shooting drug dealers in the jungle. After reading the book I actually understand why that happened, even though having an insande person as the narrator always makes the story a bit confusing. But it was still a thrilling story to read, and Garland uses fast, snappy dialouge and narrating. The plot always pushes forward, even when it doesn't seem like it. Besides, it has become somewhat a cult classic, so if for none of the reasons mentioned above, you should read because of that.