Movies Sink in the Battle vs. Books
By: Erin Stratta and Maggie BroderickWe scoured the halls of Marian, curious to see if we are alone in our homage of books over movies, skeptical that teens today still read books on their own.
"Movies are just easier sometimes. They take less time and less concentration," said senior Meghan Simon.
It does seem to be true. How many times have you intended to read but were instead caught up in a movie or a TV show? But many teens, even in spite of this, seem to notice that movies just donUt cut it when compared to books.
"Books are better because they are more descriptive and seem more real," agrees junior Jay Cie Madison.
In some ways, because it may take several weeks to read a book and a movie is finished in hours, books become part of our life. When we finally finish and Scarlett OUHara is no longer part of our daily routine, we feel a sense of loss. We miss them.
"I like books because as you read the book, you have time to stop and think about the plot and characters. You grow more attached to the storyline," said sophomore Micki Hiller.
Movies are appealing because they are visually stimulating, loaded with special effects and attractive people that draw us into the story. However, books can be better in our minds, where people are unique and different.
"Books allow you to use your own imagination to create how characters look," said freshman Ellie Krasne. Another appeal of books is the ability to take them wherever you go. To the doctorUs office, to school, to the swimming pool, they can entertain you in places where you obviously couldnUt have access to a TV set.
Many movies have tried to imitate a good book, but most seem to fail miserably in comparison. Even if the movie was well liked by those who havenUt read the book version, those who have probably wonUt like it.
Problems seem to occur in the movie making process that prevent a book from translating well onto film. For example, smaller, intricate story lines are cut, as to not confuse the viewer. Also, characters always seem to be made less flawed and more likeable to the crowds. Movie makers tend to worry more about holding the short attention span of the American viewers than staying true to the book.
Although very few books translate well onto the screen, there are some that have come close. The Godfather, Lonesome Dove and Silence of the Lambs are some popular examples. Many Oscar nominated movies have taken a script from popular books. The English Patient, LA Confidential, Ordinary People and In the Name of My Father are all been Oscar films based on books. The list goes on and on. If you donUt usually like to read or know which book to start with, consider one of your favorite movies that is also book. The book is probably better.
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