I’m sure many of us got disappointed with a movie adaptation or a remake of an all time favorite movie, we have seen the many novels that are out there in the market with the names of so many authors, yes I know I’m one of them, but that’s not the point of my post of course. So why it became harder to pinpoint a great book and have a legendary and not just a good movie these days?
Older movies are more memorable and better because, unlike now, they didn’t get cocky with special effects and the overuse of soundtracks that are either incompatible or exaggerated with the scenes. So in the old days, to make a good quality movie they have to rely mainly on the other and more important ingredients; the dialogue and the story itself. The harder it is to imagine and create the more juices pumping to your brain. A simple example from our lives is the overuse of a calculator, the more you do it the harder it becomes to do math in your brain (Which is why I started to play Einstein brain tester on my i-phone, which I really recommend).
Good old, immortal, days
An example of that is the movie Casablanca, my god, the dialogue, the story, the acting, if you died before seeing that movie then you haven’t existed in this life. If the movie Doctor Zhivago was done in these days I’m sure there will be a big, opera music scene where our hero will try to survive a very well CGI created bear and may even kill the poor digital animal, thinking that by this they will add suspense to us viewers… wrong!
I had this very interesting conversation once a very long time ago with a fellow blogger of mine, the Sweet and hilarious Robin Coyle, after she posted about old typewriters that were used by authors to create their own piece of works. The reason why older novels are great is because writing with those typewriters are really a very tiresome process to go through, so if someone wants to write a story, he or she wouldn’t bother her or himself unless they really think and truly believe they have something to offer. Now it’s easier to write, so unfortunately not so many people put an effort with their stories to try and make them as good or at least as original.
Ernest Hemingway on his typewriter
Creators of all form of arts should have a better base to launch from, they shouldn’t label the hard work that made those movies, novels and other arts legends as old school, it is what should always be known as the write way (pardon the pun).
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ahamin 
I completely agree with you AH Ahmin. Don’t forget the actors really had to put a lot of effort into showing the story when they weren’t telling. I have seen a great many silent films at an original silent film theater in the San Francisco Bay Area (Niles). The acting is much more dramatic then when they begin to talk. When they talk, it is more eye movements and other body language and with special effects the character just stands there watching the idiotic dragon fly by. American movies are for dummies in my opinion. This is why I rarely watch them and I stick to classics as well as foreign. Foreign movies are actually beginning to dominate the Oscars. There is a reason for this. The actors are really making a film and causing you to think about what they are telling you.
BTW, they did re-make Dr. Zhivago with Kiera Knightly. I wasn’t completely disappointed but I still believe the original with Omar Sharif was the best it will ever get. Did you know that in the old mansion scene where he and the Lara stay, all that ice inside is actually candle wax. I saw a “making of…” documentary and they mentioned this.
Now the other conversation to this is how many people read the books to these classics? I have to say I have seen more of the classic movies rather than read the books – I know shame on me. I do love movies though!
One of the great people I was thinking of as I wrote this post was Charlie Chaplin, I love to see more of that.
I haven’t seen the new version of doctor Zhivago, I think it’ll be on my list.
I too need to visit old novels, I’ll do that once I find the time.
Waw… wax, that’s very creative, that’s what I was talking about.
Thanks for the comment. 🙂
Hi Amin! *waving* This is sooo true! You read a book, fall completely in love with it, die for the movie to come out! Just to be disappointed.
I think I died because I haven’t seen Casablanca! *laughing*
Still NO negativity! as I want to see your novel on the big screen.*smiling* Even if your book is better!! ……Paula x
Oh, Thank you! If that day comes you’ll get premier ticket, so pray for that day 🙂
But you really have to watch Casablanca, it’s not a classic movie, it’s an immortal one.
I’m holding you to that seat!! *laughing* Done! I shall watch it next week. I’m not religious! Too many wars over that one! *smiling*
So, I will ask the universe for great abundance to Amin! *hugs*
Paula x
Thanks! Tell me who’s your favorite actor and I’ll try to score you a seat next to him 🙂
I’ll sit next to you and Johnathon Rhys Meyers! *smiling* How lucky would I be? I’ve got the Golden Ticket! *laughing* *hugs* Paula x
Evening Amin! *waving* I get the movie out tonight and my husband said I’ve seen this a few times. He’s older than me (65),so he goes to bed! My sister called as I’m watching it and tells me,I’ve seen that heaps of times! It’s a classic and I love it! I think I’m the only person to have not seen it. *smiling* Disc 2 tomorrow night if I get a chance.
Night Amin. xx
Well, some movie adaptations of novels were good, but I prefer reading the original novels themselves. It gives the mind good exercise. And they’re the originals. Some movie adaptations portray the novels a bit differently from their original story.
Book usually are better because you are the director, and there’s nothing better than your imagination. But still, I wouldn’t mind watching a movie adaptation even if by chance I’ll be disappointed, because we love to see our favorite characters come to life.
Yeah. I also like watching a good adaptation, especially if it really got my mind going.
Boo me! The second disc was just special features! *laughing*
I’m more of an action/thriller girl:) Did I enjoy it? strangely for me,Yes!
I love that song, As Time Goes By!
Play it again,Sam….”Here’s looking at you,kid” Don’t laugh, but I had no idea where the sayings came from! xxxx
Hahahahah.
I’m a thrill seeker myself, which is why I was surprised that I loved it. That’s the point of my post, old movies are so good that even you and I will like. 🙂
Tis true! x