I found that if I happen to read the book first, I get my own image & idea of how it's supposed to look on screen. This usually ends up jading the film.

If I watch the film first, then go back & read the book, it's usually a disappointment since someone ELSE'S image of how the book was supposed to look is stuck in my head.

So...either way I'm screwed.

UNLESS...the cast & crew actually follow the story & characters without altering anything. i.e. the King/Darabont collaborations, Snyder's Watchmen, Raimi's Spider Man, LOTR, etc...

Those were all pretty much how I had imagined them to be.

I hate to read so I always wait for the movie.

I go in with an open mind and never expect the the movie to be an exact copy of the book. Sometimes the movie casting is perfect so when I go back and read the book I picture those actors in my head.

As long as the heart of the book is present in the movie I can forgive changes.

I like to read so its a given to read the book before a movie. Gives way more detail to what happening but I agree with disappointment of what you create in ur head vs movie

I hate reading and then seeing the movie.

I do way better seeing the movie, then reading the book. Usually. Newer books/movies, not so much.

The movie John Carter was fun, really liked it. Went and bought the first 5 books, and didn't care for them as much, definitely liked the movie better.

i'm a reader and i rarely find a movie living up to the book,
visual affects and all, an excellent writer always leaves so
much more in my mind.

one book/movie character though that took me by surprise was
Lestat, Anne Rice, Interview with the Vampire. i, no way had
him pictured to be played by tom cruise, who remarkably, pulled
it off.

I grew up on the books, so they'll always have a special place in my heart. Haven't seen the movie, but it was a huge(as in one of the biggest) financial flops so there most likely won't be any sequels.

I definitely agree with this sentiment.

There's a few movies I'm holding off on watching just cuz I'd like to read the book first.
Granted it's a show, I actually felt that watching season 1 of Dexter was probably more enjoyable from having read Darkly Dreaming Dexter beforehand.

Anne Rice is a regular poster over on the Amazon discussion boards. She's a nice lady, and isn't there plugging her books like some of the other authors on there.

There's a lot of excellent books that still have, and may never get film adaptations, won't knock ya for not liking to read, but you're missing out on some good stuff.

Or just never proper adaptations...
As a fan of Frankenstein, I'm still waiting on what I feel is a good and faithful adaptation.
Not that crap with Kenneth Branagh.

True dat. I enjoyed Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes....BUT it was a totally missed opportunity for a more faithful adaptation of the original novel Monkey Planet...the original '68 version had to make several changes from the novel because of technology constraints...now we have the technology.

I'd also love to see a more faithful adaptation of The Running Man- one of the main things of the book was the guy was an every day joe, not some muscle bound...and anyone and everyone was after him, not a bunch of Wrestling rejects.

In my opinion the book is always better. But I go into the movie open minded anxious to see someone else's tame on how they imagine the characters. The frist book turned movie I saw was E.T. I was 13 and I loved it. but I enjoyed the book more. :)

This. Exactly this.

Sometimes I read the book first, sometimes I watch the movie first. I never expect the movie to follow the book exactly, so I don't really worry about it much when they're different.

Well, they were definitely interesting. And for when they were written, no problem.

But I liked Dejah Thoris kicking butt in the movie, rather then wimpily expecting him to save her.

Yeah, it's definitely a product of its time.

Reminds me of my brother, who has an exceptionally high IQ.

He's an avid reader, but refuses to watch foreign films because he doesn't wanna read the subtitles.

LOL! Takes all kinds... I just find subtitles distracting, unfortunately. I want to see the picture, not have to be reading it as well.

LOL! Takes all kinds... I just find subtitles distracting, unfortunately. I want to see the picture, not have to be reading it as well.


Haha. I used to be the same way. But...working nights & living in apartment complexes with paper thin walls, I had to watch EVERY film with the subtitles on...so, I had to teach myself to get used to the reading & watching at the same time thing.