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Movies from Books
Aug. 5th, 2004 07:31 pmI should know better.
I loved Alice Hoffman's book, Practical Magic. So why I rented the movie, I don't know. I appreciate that the filmmaker's image of people and places is going to be different than mine; that's understood and I can deal with that (usually). But here, from the very beginning, with its obnoxious voiceover narrative, I knew there was trouble. And why movies think they have to have music, both orchestral and vocal, that is utterly distracting and doesn't contribute to the story, I don't know. Of course, chunks disappeared and the story changed. But what drove me to eject the DVD was the repeated use of the name "Hectate" for "Hecate". Talk about fingernails on a chalk board!
#82
An Intimate Ghost, by Ellen Hart
Hart's most recent Jane Lawless mystery.
Someone has spiked the food at a wedding with 'shrooms. While most of the guests simply wander about enjoying the pretty colors, the groom takes a dive into the swimming pool -- which is empty. Though injured, he survives, but the bride suddenly stops speaking and the best man shows an inordinate amount of concern for her.
Since it was Jane's restaurant that did the catering, she decides to find out who did it, and best friend Cordelia Thorn plans to help. In the meantime, Cordelia's sister has dumped her infant daughter on her while she goes off to Hollywood to make a film.
After many twists, turns and false leads, Jane solves a mystery that reaches far into the past, and, just maybe, finds herself a girl friend.
#83
Ten Tales Tall & True, by Alasdair Gray
There are actually more than ten stories in this book, but, the author says, ". . . I would spoil my book by shortening it, spoil the title if I made it true." Each is a small gem, some funny, some with bits of magic, some a bit terrifying.
"I met Jesus Christ only once, in Cana, at some sort of marriage feast. I say "feast" because that word was distinctly printed on the invitation card, though it aroused expectations which were not fulfilled, for the parents of the bride had either pretentions beyond their incomes or were downright stingy." Thus begins his re-telling of that well-known Bible story. In "Near the Driver", we are in a Britain where trains are run by a central computer, which announces to the passengers an impending collision. The final story, "Mr. Meikle -- An Epilogue", is an odd and sweet tribute to teachers generally and one of Gray's former teachers in particular.
The book is wonderfully illustrated by the author, who, among other designs, illuminates the first letter of each story.
I loved Alice Hoffman's book, Practical Magic. So why I rented the movie, I don't know. I appreciate that the filmmaker's image of people and places is going to be different than mine; that's understood and I can deal with that (usually). But here, from the very beginning, with its obnoxious voiceover narrative, I knew there was trouble. And why movies think they have to have music, both orchestral and vocal, that is utterly distracting and doesn't contribute to the story, I don't know. Of course, chunks disappeared and the story changed. But what drove me to eject the DVD was the repeated use of the name "Hectate" for "Hecate". Talk about fingernails on a chalk board!
#82
An Intimate Ghost, by Ellen Hart
Hart's most recent Jane Lawless mystery.
Someone has spiked the food at a wedding with 'shrooms. While most of the guests simply wander about enjoying the pretty colors, the groom takes a dive into the swimming pool -- which is empty. Though injured, he survives, but the bride suddenly stops speaking and the best man shows an inordinate amount of concern for her.
Since it was Jane's restaurant that did the catering, she decides to find out who did it, and best friend Cordelia Thorn plans to help. In the meantime, Cordelia's sister has dumped her infant daughter on her while she goes off to Hollywood to make a film.
After many twists, turns and false leads, Jane solves a mystery that reaches far into the past, and, just maybe, finds herself a girl friend.
#83
Ten Tales Tall & True, by Alasdair Gray
There are actually more than ten stories in this book, but, the author says, ". . . I would spoil my book by shortening it, spoil the title if I made it true." Each is a small gem, some funny, some with bits of magic, some a bit terrifying.
"I met Jesus Christ only once, in Cana, at some sort of marriage feast. I say "feast" because that word was distinctly printed on the invitation card, though it aroused expectations which were not fulfilled, for the parents of the bride had either pretentions beyond their incomes or were downright stingy." Thus begins his re-telling of that well-known Bible story. In "Near the Driver", we are in a Britain where trains are run by a central computer, which announces to the passengers an impending collision. The final story, "Mr. Meikle -- An Epilogue", is an odd and sweet tribute to teachers generally and one of Gray's former teachers in particular.
The book is wonderfully illustrated by the author, who, among other designs, illuminates the first letter of each story.
