What book have you read that would make a really good film

dublinlawyer

Ok heres one. Have you ever read a book and thought...this would make a great film. Certainly better than most of the ****e films that get churned out every year.

Here's one:-
The Catcher in the Rye.

faceman

With the right director and writer:

The Traveler by John Twelve Hawks

Brother Odd by Dean Koontz

Tusky

I am Legend. Its a really good vampire book and has never been made into a film.

In reality, Filth by Irvine Welsh.

faceman

Not really a book as such although its covered in many books but I always reckoned our fables and legends could make great movies. Setanta, the Fianna etc

Pigman II

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

kraggy

dublinlawyer wrote: »

Ok heres one. Have you ever read a book and thought...this would make a great film. Certainly better than most of the ****e films that get churned out every year.

Here's one:-
The Catcher in the Rye.

It's been looked at many many times but no one wants to do it. Mixture of fear of ****ing it up and hard to make it work.

There has been a TV mini series made but no film.

Similarly, for me, what I'd love to see made into a film but am pretty sure it wouldn't work is Glue by Irvine Welsh.

Masterpiece.

monkeyfudge

I'd love to see an adaptation of Consider Phlebas by Ian M. Banks.

It's an outstanding space opera and it really jumps off the page at you... very visual indeed.

qwertplaywert

Not strictly a book, but part of one. Always though the War on Heaven would make a great subject point for a movie, where the audience have to make up there mind, coming to argree with God, or stay on Lucifers side[the right one in that arguement imo].

rizzla

Tusky wrote: »

In reality, Filthy by Irvine Welsh.

It's just Filth, not Filthy. Sorry, I'm pedantic. I think the tapeworm bits would be hard to do

I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan. Although I think it is actually getting turned into a movie.

Love to see another Irvine Welsh book get turned into a film. The Acid House and Trainspotting were excellent films.

Half of a yellow sun by Chimanda Adichie.

KIVES

'A Confederacy of Dunces' - that's presuming they haven't made it into a film already...get Philip Seymour Hoffman to put on a tonne of weight and play the ephonomous hypocondriac from New Orleans, Ignatius J.Reilly

Dont be at yourself

I am Legend. Its a really good vampire book and has never been made into a film.

Although I quite liked Will Smith's I Am Legend as a film, as an adaptation of the book, it left a lot to be desired. The mind boggles how the book's ending (in particular the last few lines, which pretty much defined what the whole book was about) were changed completely and replaced with a Hollywood-happy ending.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to the mooted adaptation of Max Brooks' World War Z: Memoirs of the Zombie War. I'd imagine it will be quite a difficult book to adapt in some ways (there's no real story thread, no single key character etc) but some of the setpieces would make spectacular viewing if handed correctly.

Ruu_Old

The Ender's Game series, says film in pre-production but don't think it is likely for some time.

KIVES

dublinlawyer wrote: »

Ok heres one. Have you ever read a book and thought...this would make a great film. Certainly better than most of the ****e films that get churned out every year.

Here's one:-
The Catcher in the Rye.

I think anyone who was entranced by 'The Catcher' has always had a secret hope that when Salinger passed away you might get a screen version - however, although it's still up there in my Top 5, I must admit to now hoping that in fact it never gets filmed...my reasons are self explanatory..I'd just leave it be on paper..they'd never do it justice

Mitch Connor

Most David Gemmill books would make great fantasy movies. Would be easy to start off with the Druss trilogy. The John Shannow books would be an interesting take on the future too, and the Waylander and Skilgannon books would provide some great scenes. Then you have the books such as Winter Warriors.... and the Lion of Macedon, Dark Prince and.... can't remember the name of the third book in that series. so many good fantasy books. I reckon you could get good movies out of them too given the style of writing.

Tusky

rizzla wrote: »

It's just Filth, not Filthy. Sorry, I'm pedantic. I think the tapeworm bits would be hard to do

I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan. Although I think it is actually getting turned into a movie.

Love to see another Irvine Welsh book get turned into a film. The Acid House and Trainspotting were excellent films.

Its one of my favorite books so it was a typo rather than me actually getting the title wrong!

Wacker

NekkidBibleMan wrote: »

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to the mooted adaptation of Max Brooks' World War Z: Memoirs of the Zombie War. I'd imagine it will be quite a difficult book to adapt in some ways (there's no real story thread, no single key character etc) but some of the setpieces would make spectacular viewing if handed correctly.

I fully agree - how cool would it be to see the total disaster that was the Battle of Yonkers, New York, followed by the Battle of Hope, Nebraska, where they got it right.
Does anyone know off hand of any epic zombie movies, where there are massive pitched battles between thousands of humans and hundreds of thousands of the undead? I'd love to see that done.

The adaptation I'd must like to see would be Frank Millar's masterpiece, The Dark Knight Returns. I'd rather see it as a HBO four part mini-series than a film, as too much good stuff would have to be cut to make it into a film and the story does have four chapters to it.
I want this to be made in 25 years. Starring Christian Bale. It would be worth the wait.

Sabre0001

Would love to see "Contest" by Matthew Reilly on the big screen (Surely difficult to screw it up...) Actually there are a few of his that I would like.

And "The Traveller" (trilogy) by John Twelve Hawks

kevmy

Any of the Reacher books by Lee Child

He's a fantastic central character and the books are filled with suspense and cleverness. It would only work if the violence was left in and they could get someone big enough, strong enough and good enough to play him. Like Dolph Lundgren with talent.

vasch_ro

without a doubt the book(s) I would most like to see would be George RR Martins "A Song of Ice and Fire" because the characters are so strong in the novels and so human, and there is great intrigue in the novels which really makes them stand out from most Fantasy novels.

I also think the Graphic Novel "Swimming in Blood" would make a great movie, it has everything a Vatican envoy and former olympic competitor the infamous Devlin Waugh, and a undersea prison location and Vampires by the dozen what more could you want ???
"When the Vatican's pre-cognitive telepaths detect a future problem in the high-tech underwater prison of Aquatraz, Devlin is sent to investigate. But when he discovers the truth, will he turn out to have bitten off more than he can chew?"

humanji

Well, before the thread is locked for being a list thread, I'd love to see "Good Omens" by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchet being made into a film. It's an absolutely amazing and hilarious story.

Terry Gilliam was set to film it a while ago with Johnny Depp and Robin Williams as the two main characters, but like most of Gilliam's stuff, it fell through, which is a hug pity because I really feel that he was one person who could fully capture the book.

And as mentioned above, The Dark Knight Returns (can't see this being made, especially since there's a Batman Vs Superman film in the works) and Swimming In Blood would be fantastic. As would a proper Judge Dredd adaptation.

mewso

Have always wanted to see a good Asimov adaption. Caves of Steel would be my choice. Feist's Magician is also something I would dearly love to see get the LOTR treatment.

monkeyfudge

Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke would make a brilliant film. I'm amazed it hasn't been adapted yet.

I know Morgan Freeman was trying to get it off the ground at one stage though.

If they do make it, I hope they steer clear of the increasingly rubbish sequels.

Mr E

+1 for Matthew Reilly's books (Contest, Ice Station, Temple, Area 7, Scarecrow, Seven Deadly Wonders, Six Sacred Stones).

+1 for Lee Child too ... (particularly the earlier books). Jack Reacher is a great character, but they'd need a big big man to play him.

johnny_ultimate

KIVES wrote: »

'A Confederacy of Dunces' - that's presuming they haven't made it into a film already...get Philip Seymour Hoffman to put on a tonne of weight and play the ephonomous hypocondriac from New Orleans, Ignatius J.Reilly

There are always rumours that it is currently being adapated, but it never goes ahead. I don't know if it would really work as well as a film, but would be an interesting experiment.

One I was always interested in seeing adapated was Ubik by Phillip K Dick. Since alot of his 'lesser' stories have been used (mostly to produce generic action tripe) it would be fascinating to see his probably best book being given some screen respect. Trippy as hell, and could build upon the only true adaptation of his work to date: A Scanner Darkly (which was quite a flawed little film).

Would also be nice to see an adaptation of Girlfriend in a Coma by Douglas Coupland. A terrific first half of the book, but the questionable second half might actually benefit from a highly visual adaptation and perhaps even work better than the book.

BurnsCarpenter

King Suckerman or The Sweet Forever by George P. Pelecanos would be great crime movies.
Also:
King Dork by Frank Portman.
One of Us by Michael Marshall Smith.
Drop City by T.C. Boyle.

manaboutdog

The Pillars of The Earth by Ken Follett - Now that'd be some epic.

LeoGilly

Gemmell Legend

Otis Driftwood

The Dark Tower cycle done Lord of the rings style.

Lullaby by Chuck Palaniuk could be awesome in the right hands.

Otacon

vasch_ro wrote: »

without a doubt the book(s) I would most like to see would be George RR Martins "A Song of Ice and Fire" because the characters are so strong in the novels and so human, and there is great intrigue in the novels which really makes them stand out from most Fantasy novels.

+1

Haven't read all the books but the ones I have read are brilliant.

Sabre0001

Mr E wrote: »

+1 for Matthew Reilly's books (Contest, Ice Station, Temple, Area 7, Scarecrow, Seven Deadly Wonders, Six Sacred Stones).

Reilly did manage to license the rights to "Contest" but they have reverted back to him...Now he is working on either making it a film himself or having enough of a teaser to get a studio interested - there is a music video on his website with clips in it; worth checking out!

*Edit* - Can't find video but some photos here: http://www.matthewreilly.com/thedeskof/desk_may05.htm

Aura

The Secret History.. though my heart would be in my mouth I'd be so nervous they'd mess it up and go all Dawson's Creek on it.

Marching Powder could be done well too I reckon.

pljudge321

vasch_ro wrote: »

without a doubt the book(s) I would most like to see would be George RR Martins "A Song of Ice and Fire" because the characters are so strong in the novels and so human, and there is great intrigue in the novels which really makes them stand out from most Fantasy novels.

Aren't HBO making that into a series, which seems like a better choice than a film considering the depth of the plot and how deep the various characters are. If the books were made into a film I think most of the really interesting characters like Arya would be sidelined.

doubledown

Chickenhawk by Robert Mason.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chickenhawk_%28book%29

Awesome account of flying Hueys in the Vietnam War. I first read it when I was 15 (I'm 34 now) and it's still my favourite book.

6th

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

DublinWriter

Battlefield Earth...that was before John Travolta got his hands on it.

Crash

I always considered that "Use of Weapons" by Iain M. Banks would make a fantastic film - lot of work would have to be done to reorder some of the timelines though.

constitutionus

Tauren wrote: »

Most David Gemmill books would make great fantasy movies. Would be easy to start off with the Druss trilogy. The John Shannow books would be an interesting take on the future too, and the Waylander and Skilgannon books would provide some great scenes. Then you have the books such as Winter Warriors.... and the Lion of Macedon, Dark Prince and.... can't remember the name of the third book in that series. so many good fantasy books. I reckon you could get good movies out of them too given the style of writing.

seconded. with the sucess of the lord of the rings and narnia films im AMAZED no ones tackled gemmels stuff

legend would be the obvious start as the visual of a million nadir taking on a fortress would be so compelling but theres such great characters in it. remember getting in a session one night trying to cast it. i thought pitt would make a good rek as he's meant to look like a hero ,even though hes actually a deserter and i think brad could pull that off.

for serbitar of the thirty i'd stick in johnny depp. he's good enough of an actor to do the whole psychic knights templar and gemmel describes him as looking drawn like a consumptive and depp's bone structure makes him a match. just white him up for the whole albino bit.

Druss is a **** though. originally gemmel based his manner on connery and in the day connery was a weight lifter but hes way to old and skinny now to play the old war horse that is druss. best i could think of was sam elliot (think of his preformance in "we were soldiers" as the drill sargent)

of the other books i reckon the best would be wolf in shadow (the first jon shannow book) and a little jem called knights of dark renown. if ya like medieval vampire stories mixed with celtic legend thats your one. theres one particular death scene in that (involving a tree that blossoms) that i'd pay the entrance fee alone for.

i love how gemmels heros ARENT heros. many of them thinking theyre well over their head and im most place's not that nice a bunch of characters (one of gemmels heroes in knights of dark renown was a guy called groundsel who's basically a serial rapist murderer and highway robber ! yet by the end your fecking delighted with what he does)

Mitch Connor

constitutionus wrote: »

seconded. with the sucess of the lord of the rings and narnia films im AMAZED no ones tackled gemmels stuff

legend would be the obvious start as the visual of a million nadir taking on a fortress would be so compelling but theres such great characters in it. remember getting in a session one night trying to cast it. i thought pitt would make a good rek as he's meant to look like a hero ,even though hes actually a deserter and i think brad could pull that off.

for serbitar of the thirty i'd stick in johnny depp. he's good enough of an actor to do the whole psychic knights templar and gemmel describes him as looking drawn like a consumptive and depp's bone structure makes him a match. just white him up for the whole albino bit.

Druss is a **** though. originally gemmel based his manner on connery and in the day connery was a weight lifter but hes way to old and skinny now to play the old war horse that is druss. best i could think of was sam elliot (think of his preformance in "we were soldiers" as the drill sargent)

of the other books i reckon the best would be wolf in shadow (the first jon shannow book) and a little jem called knights of dark renown. if ya like medieval vampire stories mixed with celtic legend thats your one. theres one particular death scene in that (involving a tree that blossoms) that i'd pay the entrance fee alone for.

i love how gemmels heros ARENT heros. many of them thinking theyre well over their head and im most place's not that nice a bunch of characters (one of gemmels heroes in knights of dark renown was a guy called groundsel who's basically a serial rapist murderer and highway robber ! yet by the end your fecking delighted with what he does)

Knights of Dark Reknown was the first of his books i read. Blew me away, loved every bit of it. Followed it up with the Lion of Macedon trilogy, then got on to Druss.

Seriously, after all the fantasy movies that have come out, i can't understand why these aren't getting the big screen treatment - although they'd probably screw it up cause i can't see it getting the full LOTR treatment. Without Gemmell himself to oversee the project if it ever happened, i would be fearfull.

Shryke

I can't stand Gemmel. The Druss books were passable, that I've read, but that Skilgannon ****e was woeful. It really tipped the scales with me.
The Dark Tower would be interesting but a lot of the stuff King writes isn't adapted very well.
For those who are saying ASOIAF, HBO is meant to be making it into a TV show. If anyone can do it right, HBO can. The only danger is the budget will run too high and it'll get the axe. The Wall, Winterfell, etc. would take a good bit of CG I'd say.
I'd love for someone with the right talent try and adapt The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe. I can't see it working but it'd be interesting if nothin' else. Also maybe American Gods.

de_shadow

"Last Man Standing" by David Baldacci "split second" and The camel club " also by him.

i dont think a movie could do Gaimens American Gods any justice.

And on Matt Reilly i would definitely think that most of his books would lend well to the big screen given his style of writing and i think Contest was made as a tv movie (only showed in austrailia) in which he played the main character.

TerrorFirmer

Fatherland - OK, it's been done, but apart from the excellent first few minutes (the intro, a narration of alternate WW2 history) it was atrocious.

The Guns of the South - time traveling white supremacists equip the confederate army in 1864 with modern day firepower. Awesome book.

luckat

The King Must Die by Mary Renault - the story of Theseus told as a realistic adventure. (Put like that it doesn't sound great, but it's a *brilliant* book.)

Tokyo Station by Martin Cruz Smith - an American brought up in Japan and forced to become a cunning trickster by the events of his childhood tricks his way through the last five days before Pearl Harbour, trying to stop Japan taking on America, for the sake of the country he loves.

Blackhorse Slim

Cosmic Banditos

Could be a great Jack Black vehicle. Just don't let Ben Stiller near it.

Pride Fighter

Plutarch's comparative lives. A film on King Pyrrhus would be awesome.

c0rk3r

When has a film ever been better than a book ?

open to suggestions.

On the question which book would i like to see adapted into a film, personally none. It loses some of the magic the book has given.

youcancallmeal

World War Z by Max Brooks
As far as I know the rights have been bought by Brad Pitt's production company but its a long way off I'd say

Pigman II

c0rk3r wrote: »

When has a film ever been better than a book ?

open to suggestions.

Once Were Warriors
Fight Club
High Fidelity
The Prestige
Schindler's List
Silence of the Lambs

Dont be at yourself

+ The Shawshank Redemption

Armin_Tamzarian

I think that there's a good few Frederick Forsyth novels that would have made decent films.
Instead we were subjected to the butchering (twice) of 'The Day of the Jackal' and 'The Fourth Protocol', etc.

MikeHoncho

Not strictly a book and it might possibly work better as a TV series but the comic book Y The Last Man would be great. The premise is that "something" (we dont know what to start with) kills every male on earth except for one man called Yorick and his pet monkey. If you dont think thats interesting enough you should be more interested when I inform you of the

ass kicking 1 breasted female biker gangs roaming the streets

. You all know you want to see this movie.