People, I’m gonna get Old School on you now.
Thanks to the many movie review posts here at WAS, I’ve been inspired to read the book versions of many of the movies we collectively pan. As a consequence, I’ve redeveloped a passion for reading and have devoured over 30 books in the last few months… and couldn’t be more entertained.
Those of you who know me know that I am a pop culture junkie. I love music, movies, TV, etc. VH1 and Entertainment Weekly make up my moral compass. However, over the years I had lost my way with books, a passion I’ve had since early childhood… until WAS came along.
The crappy film reviews as WAS have saved me from spending my hard-earned $$$ at the local multiplex, instead spending half the dough on the book version. Thanks to WAS I’ve never seen these movies, but have read the book. For example:
- Remember that review about The Golden Compass? Well guess what? The book is awesome!!! The characters are well developed and the story is truly engaging.
- So, you say I am Legend looks like shit on screen? Well, the book is the creepiest thing I’ve read in years. I finished it in two days and plan on reading it again soon because it’s just so awesome. The message goes way beyond the vampire virus.
- The Stand? Same thing. What a crappy movie. What a great book.
- I even read the original James Bond novels, Casino Royale included. Even though 007 movies are in a league of their own, the original books are so engaging, so intriguing. So British.
- Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia (all seven books) deserve special mention. No one can deny that the Lord of the Rings movies were great, but believe it or not, the books just give you so much more weight.
- War of the Worlds with Tom Cruise. What the fuck was that? Man, pick up the book and get your freak on.
- And let’s not forget our boy wizard, Harry Potter. I’ve only seen the first movie, said Fuck it, and kept it real with the books. You actually grow as a person as Harry grows into his own.
Of course, one can never expect a movie to out do a book. It’s an unfair battle. Few movies have come close to giving you a literary experience. In fact, I can only think of Dracula (F.F. Coppola’s version) and V for Vendetta.
But that’s not the point. The point is that we give reading a chance. If you’re gonna waste three hours surfing through crap on the Internet or flipping through TV channels late at night, why not read something good? Obviously, the “I don’t have time” excuse won’t fly here. Just think: Most of your favorite movies are based on great books anyways.
Plus, there’s the experience of reading itself. It’s so intimate, so enveloping. No one can interrupt you with their cell phones, no kids are banging on the back of your seat. You never have to worry about the show being sold out or waiting in line. With a book, great entertainment is there whenever you want it.
Sorry for coming off as a library nerd, but aren’t we supposed to share here at WAS?
Thanks to the many movie review posts here at WAS, I’ve been inspired to read the book versions of many of the movies we collectively pan. As a consequence, I’ve redeveloped a passion for reading and have devoured over 30 books in the last few months… and couldn’t be more entertained.
Those of you who know me know that I am a pop culture junkie. I love music, movies, TV, etc. VH1 and Entertainment Weekly make up my moral compass. However, over the years I had lost my way with books, a passion I’ve had since early childhood… until WAS came along.
The crappy film reviews as WAS have saved me from spending my hard-earned $$$ at the local multiplex, instead spending half the dough on the book version. Thanks to WAS I’ve never seen these movies, but have read the book. For example:
- Remember that review about The Golden Compass? Well guess what? The book is awesome!!! The characters are well developed and the story is truly engaging.
- So, you say I am Legend looks like shit on screen? Well, the book is the creepiest thing I’ve read in years. I finished it in two days and plan on reading it again soon because it’s just so awesome. The message goes way beyond the vampire virus.
- The Stand? Same thing. What a crappy movie. What a great book.
- I even read the original James Bond novels, Casino Royale included. Even though 007 movies are in a league of their own, the original books are so engaging, so intriguing. So British.
- Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia (all seven books) deserve special mention. No one can deny that the Lord of the Rings movies were great, but believe it or not, the books just give you so much more weight.
- War of the Worlds with Tom Cruise. What the fuck was that? Man, pick up the book and get your freak on.
- And let’s not forget our boy wizard, Harry Potter. I’ve only seen the first movie, said Fuck it, and kept it real with the books. You actually grow as a person as Harry grows into his own.
Of course, one can never expect a movie to out do a book. It’s an unfair battle. Few movies have come close to giving you a literary experience. In fact, I can only think of Dracula (F.F. Coppola’s version) and V for Vendetta.
But that’s not the point. The point is that we give reading a chance. If you’re gonna waste three hours surfing through crap on the Internet or flipping through TV channels late at night, why not read something good? Obviously, the “I don’t have time” excuse won’t fly here. Just think: Most of your favorite movies are based on great books anyways.
Plus, there’s the experience of reading itself. It’s so intimate, so enveloping. No one can interrupt you with their cell phones, no kids are banging on the back of your seat. You never have to worry about the show being sold out or waiting in line. With a book, great entertainment is there whenever you want it.
Sorry for coming off as a library nerd, but aren’t we supposed to share here at WAS?
3 comments:
I agree. It's been two years since I took the tv out of my room and I couldn't be happier. TV was taking my time. Now I cozy in my bed with a great book and is become addictive. The best part is that I take the book I'm reading everywhere. :D
I so need to take the TV out of my room.
I agree.
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