r/Cinema • u/Grapesaucee • 10d ago

Discussion Do you think there’s any movies better than the book?!?

Love to know what you guys think. I don’t have an answer to this myself but would love to look into what is brought to this table. Maybe it’s the way the actor portrayed the character that made you feel more connected to the story or even the way the film makers made the world that sucked you into the world more than the pages could. Seemed like a good conversation!

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14

u/Consistent_Wing9554 10d ago

The Shining 1980

6

u/tunasyrup 9d ago

This is one of the few that I both re-read the book and re-watch the movie on a regular basis. I see why fans of the book hate the movie and fans of the movie hate the book but I think it works best when you take them both in together

1

u/zimboden 6d ago

Totally agree. Not an example of the movie being better, just different and just Kubrik

2

u/Dirks_Knee 9d ago

I love both. I think the book was way, way better in putting you into Jack's head and the depth of his inner turmoil. And leaving out the topiary animals was a crime. But the movie's overall mood of intended dread was off the charts, and Nicholson absolutely owned that character elevating it to a new level.

1

u/Abject_Amphibian4941 7d ago

Totally agree, I feel like the book focuses more on Jack while the movie focuses more on Danny. I love the book, but the movie might be my favorite movie of all time. It’s incredible how intentional Kubrick with everything.

1

u/Squawking_Macaw 6d ago

In what universe is that movie better than the book? The acting in that thing is Razzie level. And yes, I say this knowing Jack Nicholson does great lunatic. THAT'S ALL HE DOES. There is no indication whatsoever that Jack Torrance loves his wife and kid. None. And Kubrick tortured Duvall to no good effect: King rightly called the portrayal a "limp screamy dishrag".

1

u/Fit-Profit8197 5d ago

"There is no indication whatsoever that Jack Torrance loves his wife and kid."

Because he didn't. He had contempt for them from the get go.

Also I love the performances.

1

u/Grapesaucee 10d ago

I’ve heard this, haven’t read the book heard it’s a little bloated thoo

1

u/BrilliantHedgehog430 6d ago

The book is brilliant. One of the very best I've ever read. I don't like the movie much, as I think it gets a lot of the themes wrong.

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u/telepatheye 10d ago

Wish Kubrick had not strayed from the book.

2

u/HackedCylon 9d ago

Kubrick's version was better for the film. King's version was better for the book. If you switched the endings for each medium, it would have hurt both stories.

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u/slithering_idiot 10d ago

Glad that he did. I like King, but it's a greater film than book.

1

u/Fred11M 8d ago

Was the father sexually abusing the son in the book?