Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB ’s Comments (group member since Oct 06, 2009)

Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB ’s comments from the THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB group.

John wrote: "Rick wrote: "I did not read the book..so I can't really compare the the film and novel..I just felt that the film meandered on too much and that ending..or non-ending..had me dumbfounded"

The titl..."

I definitely will watch the film again..sadly, I think that most novels..when turned into films..are ....simplified..or made more acceptable to the masses..to put it politely..I have to assume that McCarthy was fine with it..as he certainly benefited financially from the film. I know that some writers (Sue Grafton, Robert Crais) have refused to let their books and characters be made into films..yet you have a Lee Child who made big bucks by selling his lead character (Jack Reacher)who was portrayed in all the books as a tall and very rugged hero ..to Hollywood for Tom Cruise (who I actually like) to star..have not been able to read any of Child's books since..the whole mental image of the character has been shattered.

I am proud to say that I am now 175 pages into ..this is my 2014 project! Just 1157 more pages to go..I enjoy having a long book to read a few pages a night along with my regular books. I also have the 1934 almost 5 hr long French film version of the book which I shall watch once I actually finish the book!

not a new film..but I just ordered the 2 DVD set of Cinema Paradiso..with the new 174 minute Director's cut and the theatrical cut. I have never seen this film yet and have heard from folks who love the extended version..and others who absolutely hated it and preferred the approx 40 minute shorter theatrical version. Curious if anyone has an opinion on this film

Rebecca wrote: "Rick wrote: "One peave that has come up recently is having a villain who seems superhuman. This is in a traditional thriller. Not SciFi or fantasy. But an evil villain who appears immortal. And kee..."

And I do like the book I am reading now..even though it has a "I shall rule the world" villain..I keep thinking, as I am reading the book..I wonder how all those other "Rule the world" villains I read about in previous novels are doing..do they ever all meet together in an "I shall rule the world" Convention? or maybe even an annual clambake!!

Mickey wrote: "It's almost a given that fantasy novels will have a zillion characters. As long as they're distinctive and there's a list somewhere I can refer to, doesn't bother me. As said above, if there are to..."

yes!! There are some books that have the characters listed in front..like a playbill..and that helps..but so much easier if each had a distinctive name.."JT" and "TJ"?? why not a JT and an RJ?? so much easier to differentiate!

John wrote: "I was fascinated by Anton Chigurh and impressed by the authentic South Texas ambiance. What I'll never understand is how the Hollywood gods smiled upon that book and changed McCarthy's life. His ed..."

I did not read the book..so I can't really compare the the film and novel..I just felt that the film meandered on too much and that ending..or non-ending..had me dumbfounded

Barbara wrote: "I get frustrated when there are too many characters that are not distinctive enough and I can't remember who's who. It makes it hard to follow the story."

also when there are multiple characters with similar names! "Mike" and "Michael" "Roger" "Robert"..too much alliteration

George wrote: "Rick wrote: "Jon R wrote: ""No Country for Old Men" by Cormac McCarthy"

I have got to watch that film again!! I have it on bluray and watched it once..hated it!! need to revisit that film"
I agree..."

yes! I blind-bought the bluray..and just hated the film! the ending was so sudden..thought there was a defect in the bluray!

Franky wrote: "I have to give a nod to many of the Great Expectations adaptions, both new and old. The BBC had a great version in the 80s and even the newer one for Masterpiece Theatre (1995) was pretty good. I w..."

I seem to recall a David Lean version in 1950 or so..maybe with John Mills...Francis L Sullivan?

KOMET wrote: "The movie version of "FROM HERE TO ETERNITY" (1953). With Burt Lancaster, you always got value for money. Deborah Kerr, Montgomery Clift, Ernest Borgnine, Frank Sinatra, and Donna Reed were also ..."

I really liked Ernest Borgnine in that..he was so evil!! and yet such a nice guy in real life!

Jon R wrote: ""No Country for Old Men" by Cormac McCarthy"

I have got to watch that film again!! I have it on bluray and watched it once..hated it!! need to revisit that film

I was shocked..but I really loved !!!

Stuart wrote: "Yes, I agree with Patricia. How about books that leave you with a major cliffhanger where you're forced to buy the next book since the main story was not resolved. Mostly bad writers do this, but G..."

Patricia wrote: "When the book just --- ends.
Loose ends all over the place.
Plot point abandoned, not resolved."

major warning to you two..do NOT READ ..it is a 500 page primer for the next book..no ending..just part one..and with a lead character it is impossible to like...

Seeley wrote: "I just finished . GREAT book. I highly recommend it. My review is on my site Thriller of the Week.

Peace,
Seeley
"


Very well done review..quite nuanced!

Has anyone seen Nebraska with Bruce Dern. That's a film I really loved. .

Mickey wrote: "Also, the good guys. In a series of events one of them takes a bullet to the shoulder and loses a lot of blood, but soon sneaks out of the hospital. Immediately thereafter, twists a knee, gets sla..."

Marja wrote: "Rick wrote: "One peave that has come up recently is having a villain who seems superhuman. This is in a traditional thriller. Not SciFi or fantasy. But an evil villain who appears immortal. And kee..."

Barbara wrote: "Rick wrote: "One peave that has come up recently is having a villain who seems superhuman. This is in a traditional thriller. Not SciFi or fantasy. But an evil villain who appears immortal. And kee..."

Well, I am currently reading .. and I do enjoy it..but the lead villain is something out of a Marvel Superhero film..he is able to get out of situations that would defeat any mere mortal! He can shoot like the best sniper in history..as smart as Einstein...ect ect..

One peave that has come up recently is having a villain who seems superhuman. This is in a traditional thriller. Not SciFi or fantasy. But an evil villain who appears immortal. And keeps showing up or escaping from impossible situations to kill again!

Shelley wrote: "Lance: based on your recommendation, I'm planning on seeing Hustle tomorrow.

I agree with Barbara and Rick about Lincoln. Not only is the portrayal unforgettable (and these days few things are), b..."

Absolutely, Lincoln was almost like reading a non fiction book..a very intelligent and honest film

Sean wrote: "Cardboard sidekicks and stereotyped villains. Usually means the author was unconcerned with the finer and more interesting aspects of fiction. Very frequent in popular mystery and thriller novels..."

Very well put. Same with films. That's why I live Hitchcock so much. All the villains in his films were so very complex.

Barbara wrote: "I finally saw Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" (from 2012) and it's a great movie. Daniel Day Lewis is wonderful in the title role but my favorite is Tommy Lee Jones, who plays Thaddeus Stevens. He is ..."

Absolutely brilliant film