Why I'm Not Watching The Hobbit movie

max · 11-07-2012, 05:50 AM

Pretty simple. It's such a powerfully well-written book that for me, a movie will just throw lesser images in my mind. That's the power of reading, really, that you can imagine characters and settings that are highly particularized, and perhaps even grander, than a mere movie can do.

The movie would wreck it for me.

westside · 11-07-2012, 05:54 AM

I feel as though many thought the same for Lord Of The Rings and Harry Potter.

ollinger · 11-07-2012, 07:08 AM

This is a sign of great character and integrity.

r2473 · 11-07-2012, 07:16 AM

I was going to start a thread about why I'm not reading War and Peace, but the reason is not quite as noble.......

max · 11-07-2012, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r2473

I was going to start a thread about why I'm not reading War and Peace, but the reason is not quite as noble.......

Interesting you mention War and Peace. It was the one book I wanted to read for 2012 and I finished it a couple of days ago.

r2473 · 11-07-2012, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by max

Interesting you mention War and Peace. It was the one book I wanted to read for 2012 and I finished it a couple of days ago.

Was it worth the time and effort?

FWIW, I've read it twice over the past 5 years. Took me about 3 months each time. Well deserved of the title "greatest novel of all time".

If you are interested in a "screen version", this is FOR SURE the one to watch. I liked it so much I bought it (well, I copied it from the library actually):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_and...972_TV_series)

By the way, your decision to not watch the new Hobbit film is a good one IMO. But I'm not normally a fan of Hollywood versions of books. The BBC can often be counted on for "good" dramatizations.

If you like Shakespeare by the way, the BBC (released on Ambrose video) made THE DEFINITIVE collection (which I also copied from the library):

http://www.ambrosevideo.com/items.cf...TOKEN=80778860

max · 11-08-2012, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r2473

Was it worth the time and effort?

FWIW, I've read it twice over the past 5 years. Took me about 3 months each time. Well deserved of the title "greatest novel of all time".

If you are interested in a "screen version", this is FOR SURE the one to watch. I liked it so much I bought it (well, I copied it from the library actually):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_and...972_TV_series)

By the way, your decision to not watch the new Hobbit film is a good one IMO. But I'm not normally a fan of Hollywood versions of books. The BBC can often be counted on for "good" dramatizations.

If you like Shakespeare by the way, the BBC (released on Ambrose video) made THE DEFINITIVE collection (which I also copied from the library):

http://www.ambrosevideo.com/items.cf...TOKEN=80778860

Yeah, it's worth the time and effort. I'm a bigger fan of George Elliot's work: Middlemarch is outstanding. I kept comparing Tolstoy to Dostoeyevsky and this might be the wrong thing to do, since I liked Dostoevsky so much as a teen.

The one classic I've read several times has been Moby Dick. I'm amazed by it's sheer language force and its philosophical sweep. And I like boats.

Avles · 11-08-2012, 05:57 PM

I was absolutely crazy about the Tolkien books when I was younger. I don't feel the same fervor now but I'm still moved by JRRT's love of language and of landscape. His painstaking descriptions of his settings are so beautiful (and so British somehow).

I was pretty excited when the movies were announced but I ended up never watching them-- in part because, while I realized that Tolkien's dialogue would never work as it was, I didn't really want to hear Jackson's / Boyens' attempts at movieizing it.

For those who enjoy Russian novels I'd recommend Turgenev's Fathers and Sons. Great book, less ponderous than Tolstoy or Dostoevsky.

Kevin T · 11-07-2012, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by max

Pretty simple. It's such a powerfully well-written book that for me, a movie will just throw lesser images in my mind. That's the power of reading, really, that you can imagine characters and settings that are highly particularized, and perhaps even grander, than a mere movie can do.

The movie would wreck it for me.

I'm having this issue with the 'Game of Thrones' TV series, though I must confess the producers have done a fantastic job to this point. I'm excited to see 'The Hobbit' because Peter Jackson exceeded my expecations with TLOR trilogy.

Bobby Jr · 11-07-2012, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin T

I'm having this issue with the 'Game of Thrones' TV series, though I must confess the producers have done a fantastic job to this point...

It is fantastic TV for sure but the the issue I have with the Game of Thrones TV series is they skip over way too much detail so they can keep each book to a 10 episode series. The story has been skipping forward too much imo.

TopFH · 11-07-2012, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby Jr

It is fantastic TV for sure but the the issue I have with the Game of Thrones TV series is they skip over way too much detail so they can keep each book to a 10 episode series. The story has been skipping forward too much imo.

I loved both seasons, but I had a couple of gripes as well. The first season was about 90%-95% in accordance with the first book, "A Game of Thrones". Season 2, based on "A Clash of Kings", had a couple of problems with pacing, and did not introduce important characters like the Reeds (They'll do this next season, missing much of Bran's character development). Daenerys took too long to get out of Qarth, whereas in the books, she covers a lot more ground.

Anyway, this is always the case with books and their silver-screen adaptations. Regarding GoT, I would have preferred 12-15 40 minute episodes to complete the story arc entirely. Still, I always enjoy reading the books and watching the films (Playing the games sometimes).

Polaris · 11-07-2012, 09:50 PM

The LOTR movies were a superb adaptation of the LOTR books. It was apparent that, not only Jackson, but Fran Walsh and Phillippa Boyens and much of the brains behind the films were obsessed with Tolkien. It was big business, and I did have some misgivings with the third film, but all-in-all, it was an excellent adaptation. Besides that, it was well acted, well cast, had beautiful music, incredible locales and was a landmark in modern cinema. Those who haven't seen it on the big screen have missed one of the spectacular films of all time.

With that record, I am unconcerned and in fact eager to watch The Hobbit. If there was one director who could make the film, then Jackson has shown with LOTR that he is the one. In the reading, The Hobbit seems much more playful than LOTR, and I suspect that this will be the case with the movies as well.

That said, I can understand where the OP is coming from. I recently finished Midnight's Children which is more ridiculously awesome than a book has any right to be, and am really not enthused about watching the film version coming out this year, even though Rushdie helped with the screenplay. I want to protect the story in my head for a little longer.

Timbo's hopeless slice · 11-08-2012, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polaris

It was big business, and I did have some misgivings with the third film, but all-in-all, it was an excellent adaptation. Besides that, it was well acted, well cast, had beautiful music, incredible locales and was a landmark in modern cinema. Those who haven't seen it on the big screen have missed one of the spectacular films of all time.

yes, either finish it at the weddng or go ahead and scourge the shire, don't just meander off into the west over interminable minutes...

GoT is a fine job, imho. Actually bringing the wonderful Tyrion Lannister to life is an amazing achievement in itself.

Power Player · 11-07-2012, 07:34 AM

Im going to see the hobbit because the cute girl I am dating wants to go and it's not a RomCom.

Pete.Sampras. · 11-07-2012, 09:37 AM

Isn't that always the case with books and movies?

Anyway, I understand your decision, especially if you have read the books already.

Magic of tennis · 12-17-2012, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Power Player

Im going to see the hobbit because the cute girl I am dating wants to go and it's not a RomCom.

Lucky you are. Hoping all goes well

norbac · 11-07-2012, 10:01 AM

One of the first books I read and one of my favorites still. Though I'm not as excited as I probably should be (a trilogy, really?), I'll probably go and see it.

Power Player · 11-07-2012, 10:18 AM

The first lord of the rings series IMO did a great adaption of the book.

TahoeTennis · 11-07-2012, 10:57 AM

I loved the Hobbit cartoon as a kid, ftw.

quest01 · 11-07-2012, 02:46 PM

I want to see The Hobbit but right now I'm looking forward to Skyfall.

11-07-2012, 05:50 AM	#1
max Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,309	Why I'm Not Watching The Hobbit movie Pretty simple. It's such a powerfully well-written book that for me, a movie will just throw lesser images in my mind. That's the power of reading, really, that you can imagine characters and settings that are highly particularized, and perhaps even grander, than a mere movie can do. The movie would wreck it for me. __________________ Trustworthy - Loyal - Helpful - Friendly - Courteous - Kind - Obedient - Cheerful - Thrifty - Brave - Clean - Reverent

11-07-2012, 05:54 AM	#2
westside Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,555	I feel as though many thought the same for Lord Of The Rings and Harry Potter. __________________ Yonex Vcore 97.

11-07-2012, 07:08 AM	#3
ollinger Hall Of Fame Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 4,418	This is a sign of great character and integrity. __________________ Angell 105 WC Silverstring

11-07-2012, 07:16 AM	#4
r2473 Legend Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 5,347	I was going to start a thread about why I'm not reading War and Peace, but the reason is not quite as noble....... __________________ “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.”

11-07-2012, 09:50 PM	#12
Polaris Hall Of Fame Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,211	The LOTR movies were a superb adaptation of the LOTR books. It was apparent that, not only Jackson, but Fran Walsh and Phillippa Boyens and much of the brains behind the films were obsessed with Tolkien. It was big business, and I did have some misgivings with the third film, but all-in-all, it was an excellent adaptation. Besides that, it was well acted, well cast, had beautiful music, incredible locales and was a landmark in modern cinema. Those who haven't seen it on the big screen have missed one of the spectacular films of all time. With that record, I am unconcerned and in fact eager to watch The Hobbit. If there was one director who could make the film, then Jackson has shown with LOTR that he is the one. In the reading, The Hobbit seems much more playful than LOTR, and I suspect that this will be the case with the movies as well. That said, I can understand where the OP is coming from. I recently finished Midnight's Children which is more ridiculously awesome than a book has any right to be, and am really not enthused about watching the film version coming out this year, even though Rushdie helped with the screenplay. I want to protect the story in my head for a little longer. Last edited by Polaris : 11-07-2012 at 09:52 PM.