Friday, January 16, 2009

Famous Quotes, Famous Movies

by Jo Robertson


It’s nearly that time of the year – People’s Choice Awards, the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and finally the Academy Awards – the time when various organizations vote for their favorite movies, television shows, actors, and directors, among others.

I thought it’d be fun to see how many of us can match the following famous lines to the movies they came from. I’ve listed ten quotes and a picture from the film. See how many you know. I’ll post the answers at the end of the day and one random, lucky commenter will receive a $10 Amazon gift certificate, just for giving it a try.


1. "I know what you're thinking. Did he fire six shots or only five? Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I've kinda lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk?"


2. "Badges? We ain't got no badges! We don't need no badges! I don't have to show you any stinking badges!"


3. "You should be kissed -- and often, and by someone who knows how."


4. "A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti."



5. "Nobody puts Baby in a corner."



6. "What we've got here is failure to communicate."



7. "Get your stinkin' paws off me, you damn dirty ape!"


8. "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!"


9. "I'm your number one fan."



10. -- "I feel the need..."

-- "...the need for speed!"



Finally, for those who don't want to play that game, what's your favorite movie based on a book? Gone with the Wind? Silence of the Lambs? Which do you think was better, the movie or the book?
Announcement Alert: Nancy's bringing us another guest on January 26! Jessica Andersen, who started writing fiction after earning a Ph.D. in genetics, broke into fiction with a Harlequin Intrigue, DR. BODYGUARD, which was a Romantic Times Top Pick. Later, research on pre-Colombian serpent worship led her to the Mayan End Time countdown and inspired the Nightkeepers and the Novels of the Final Prophecy. Join us in welcoming Jessica on January 26!

124 comments:

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Oh boy, is he coming to Dallas?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Jo, can I come back later and play the list, coz, uh, like I know them all, but I'm not eligible for the prize?


AND

I love this game.

Unknown said...

Congrats Suzanne, yes it looks like he is coming to Dallas. Is it any warmer there? GR didn't like the cold weather we are having here. He doesn't like these 0 tempts.

jo robertson said...

Hehehehehe, Suzanne, off to Dallas he's a-going!

Did you see where I left one of the answers on the post. I'm such a doofus! Anyway, it's gone now. Not that any of these are hard, but there's one that might surprise people. I knew the line, but didn't know it was from that movie.

jo robertson said...

Virginia, I almost asked Suzanne if it was snowing in Dallas. With this crazy weather in half the country, I wouldn't be surprised!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

well, it's COLD enough to snow, but too dry. We've been in the upper 20's low thirty's at night this week. Hubby swears he's freezing to death!

jo robertson said...

This is so funny. I'm watching The Office while I'm blogging and Steve Carell just said, "I feel the need for TWEED"! What a good allusion!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Oh and my favorite movie, er movies, based on books was The Lord of the Rings. It really brought that book to life for me, especially Boromir and Aragon!

jo robertson said...

Wow, Suz, I didn't know Dallas got so cold! We've been in the 60's during the day and feel very fortunate. Well, not the almond growers. Their trees are budding and then it'll freeze. I predict a run on almonds soon!

jo robertson said...

I so agree about Lord of the Rings. I never read the trilogy as a girl so when I saw the wonderful films, I was able to see what all the buzz was about and could go back and read the books.

Of course, Viggo and Orlanda come to life in a way not quite as sexy on the page :-D.

Unknown said...

My favorite movie would have to be Gone With the Wind and the book was better then the movie.

I have and the answers to your game but will wait and post them later to give others a chance to get them if this is OK.

It is going to be below 0 here tonight and only get to about 15 tomorrow and this is in KY.

jo robertson said...

Brrrr, Virginia, I'm sending some of our warm weather your way. I afraid my old bones can't take the cold like I used to.

Sure you can wait to post your answers. I'll choose a winner at random anyway, so it doesn't matter if you get them all right or not.

I was so tempted to use "Rosebud" or "We'll always have Paris," but I thought those were too common!

jo robertson said...

I really agree with you, Virginia about GWTW. I read the book when I was 14 and saw the movie in my thirties. I remember actually being disappointed! In later years, with re-watching, I've grown to appreciate the movie more.

Probably something to do with Clark Gable LOL.

Unknown said...

I will have to say I do love Clark Gable, but I think the movie left out a lot of details that the book didn't. I sure they had to do that or the movie would have been six hours long.

Fedora said...

Hi, Jo! How fun! I know a few of these, but not being a huge movie person, there are a few that I'm not sure about. I'll have to wait until Suz and Virginia post ;) As for favorite movie based on a book, I'm not sure--one of my favorites was the Joy Luck Club. I thought the movie did a lovely job of conveying the sense of the book, even if it didn't strictly stick to it entirely. It was one movie that I liked just about as well as the book, and often that isn't the case for me!

Congrats on the GR, Suz! Is he behaving?

jo robertson said...

I agree. And for 1939 it was amazing what they were able to do. I wonder if anyone's ever thought of a re-make.

Who would play Rhett Butler? Who would play Scarlet O'Hara. Hmmmm.

jo robertson said...

Oh, I agree, Fedora. Joy Luck Club was excellent made. And the scene with the baby drowning? OMG, I sobbed during the movie in a way I didn't in the book. I didn't think I'd like it so much, being removed from the culture, but I adored it!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Suzanne, it's a while since you've hosted his Roosterness, isn't it?

Love the post, Jo! Actually over the years, I've become a bit of a purist and if I like the book, I won't see the movie. Too many disappointments. If it's a good book, I get very definite ideas about what the characters are like and no matter how good the actors are, they rarely match up. There's also the fact that a 400-page book can give me so much more detail and subtlety than a movie. So I've never seen the Harry Potter films, for example, although I've been told they're really good.

But having said that, there's a couple of book to movie adaptations that I've really liked. I liked the English Patient, partly because it really only used the book as a jumping off point to create a tragic romance. The book is quite different in its emphasis. I liked the movie of Atonement, especially the early scenes. Didn't like what they did with the ending. I liked the most recent Pride and Prejudice movie because it concentrated very much on the love story of Darcy and Lizzie. Oh, and of course, the Lord of the Rings adaptation was amazing! But then it took three monster movies to tell the story and a cast of thousands!

Donna MacMeans said...

What fun Jo! I'd know all those answers even if you hadn't scattered the post with clues (grin). I'm a big movie fan, but I ALWAYS prefer the book. I'm afraid the movie can't capture the inner thoughts and give all the details a book can. Of course, the movies to have tangible larger-than-life heros and you have to give points for that!

Now that you've brought up all the award shows, any predictions for nominees for Best Picture?

jo robertson said...

Uh, Anna, isn't that His HIGH Roosterness LOL?

Now, see, Anna, I'm just the opposite. I wonder if that makes me an IMpurist, tee hee?

If I like a book I want to see if they're clever enough to capture the characters and setting, the basic essence of the book. I went to see Silence of the Lambs, absolutely SURE that could not be translated well to film, but it was superb IMO.

Some, of course, totally SUCK! But I'm always interested in that medium.

Donna MacMeans said...

PS - Speaking of temperatures, it's to go down to about 20 below tonight with a high of maybe 2 tomorrow. Major Brrrrr! All the schools are closed tomorrow because they don't want kids walking or waiting for buses in that kind of cold. Martin Luther King day is Monday, so the kids will get a four day weekend. Fortunately the temps return to our normal 20s by Saturday.

jo robertson said...

Donna, I'm afraid I've been sadly disappointed with films this year. It may just be me and the fact that I've seen fewer and fewer movies in the last several years.

Whatever happens, I hope Heath Ledger wins something for his sheer versatility . . . and because I still miss him.

As for Best Picture . . . I haven't seen MILK or REVOLUTIONARY ROAD yet, but I'd bet money on either of those just because of the amazing actors.

I'm surprised Benjamin Button was on the SAG list for best pix because I really didn't like it, but I think I'm in the minority.

What do you think, Donna? Are you a big movie goer?

Christine Wells said...

Jo, great post! I love those quotes and I think I got all but one. I'll leave it to others, though.

Favourite movie from a book...hmm, I'd have to say the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter movies are probably my favourite adaptations. No one has ever quite got it right with Jane Austen (but my standards are high!). I also enjoyed the miniseries adaptation of Anne of Green Gables. Loved those books! Oh, and the French movie Queen Margot was superb, also.

Congrats on the GR, Suz, yay!

Pat Cochran said...

1. Dirty Harry
2. Treasure of the Sierra Madre
3. Gone With The Wind
4. Silence of the Lambs
5. Dirty Dancing
6. Cool Hand Luke
7. Planet of the Apes
8. Princess Bride
9. Misery
10. Top Gun

Pat Cochran

jo robertson said...

None of the adaptations of Pride and Prejudice, Christine? I must say my favorite is the A&E production with Colin Firth as Darcy. I can never think of another actor playing Darcy after that.

He's ruined me for all other Darcies!!

The one I think they've never gotten right is EMMA. I enjoyed all the productions and take-offs on the story, but no actor's quite captured Emma for me, that perfect blend of youthful arrogance and good intentions.

jo robertson said...

Thanks for playing, Pat. I'm not gonna say yet if you got them all right LOL.

I wasn't sure ya'll would get The Plant of the Apes picture even though that Statue of Libery scene was a seminal one in the film.

jo robertson said...

Funny, since one of the films is Dirty Harry, I'm watching Clint Eastwood's interview with David Letterman that was on last night, I believe. He's pretty amazing -- 78 and still going strong!

danie88 said...

The only one I know is #5 and it's Dirty Dancing...

Favorite movie based on a book?
Well I honestly can't think of one at the moment... it's honestly like this... I've either read the book and haven't seen the movie yet or I've seen the movie and not read the book yet lol did everyone get that? hope I'm not confusing anyone

Suzanne Ferrell said...

My list:
1. Dirty Harry
2. Tresure of The Sierra Madre
3. Gone With The Wind
4. Silence of The Lambs
5. Dirty Dancing
6. Cool Hand Luke
7. Planet of the Apes
8. Princess Bride
9. Misery
10 Top Gun

And now, the GR and I are going to bed, got a full day of chasing the bird and the dog around tomorrow!

Unknown said...

Er... :P My excuse for not trying harder/looking these up is that it's 2:41 am >.<

1. Sounds familiar - but... I don't... know it :X I know it was spoofed in starter wife!

2. >.< Familiar again.

3. Gone With the Wind! Whee!

4. Silence of the Lambs

5. Dirty Dancing

6. Ohhh... so familiar

7. Ditto

8. Princess Bride!

9. LOL I thought "Swim Fan" first but I know it's not :P

10 - sadly... nope :X

Favorite movie based on a book? Hands down, Gone with the Wind. I've never hated Scarlet O'Hara like others have. It's cliche, maybe - but man I love that movie.

Congrats on the GR, Suzanne!

jo robertson said...

GWTW has gotta be everyone's fave, Jennifer. Good tries! You're revealing how young you are LOL; some of these movies are a tad old!

jo robertson said...

Aha, Suz, you're back! Good guesses! I'll reveal them all at the end. #2 is the one that stumped me. I knew the line, very, very familiar, but I thought it was from one of the Godfather movies or one of those old James Cagney gangsta movies LOL.

jo robertson said...

Jennifer, I haven't watched Starter Wife, but my daughters love it! You say #1 was spoofed in that show? How funny!

I just realized that a lot of these dudes are DEAD! OMG. Can anyone name which leading actors are no longer with us?

Hint: There are four. Who can name them?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Humphrey Bogart, Paul Newman, Clarke Gable, and Charleton Heston

Sue A. said...

I got all but #2. It’s amazing how much stuff sticks in your brain.

I really enjoyed Silence of the Lambs the movie, so much so that I then had to read the book. Usually I see the movie after I've read a book.

But GWTW has to be the number one movie adaption from a book.

jo robertson said...

Yay, Sue! Number 2 is the one that stymied me too.

Have you seen or read TWILIGHT? I read the book, but haven't been able to see the movie yet. I was just wondering how it stacked up. Didn't someone say the heroine (Bella) in the movie was rather lackluster?

jo robertson said...

Yes, Suz! Bogart, Gable, Newman, and Heston died.

Isn't it sad to think these icons of film have passed on? Of course the recent one was Paul Newman whom I think even the younger generations remember.

Jane said...

Congrats on the GR, Suzanne.

1. Dirty Harry
2. Treasure of the Sierra Madre
3. Gone With The Wind
4. Silence of the Lambs
5. Dirty Dancing
6. Cool Hand Luke
7. Planet of the Apes
8. Princess Bride
9. Misery
10. Top Gun

2 and 6 were the hardest ones. "To Kill a Mockingbird" is my favorite movie based on a book. Gregory Peck was amazing. "Breakfast At Tiffany's" was a great film, but I never read the book.

Helen said...

Well done Suz enjoy your day with him.

This is a great game Jo I am going to give it a go

1. Dirty Harry
2. Cool Hand Luke
3. Gone With The Wind
4. Silence Of The Lambs
5. Dirty Dancing
6. Misery
7. Planet Of The Apes
8. Siera Madre
9. The Princess Brides
10.Top Gun

OK I have given it a try probably nor all correct but some are.

I loved both the book and the movie Gone With The Wind but I have never read Silence of the lambs but I love the movie.
Thanks Jo

Have Fun
Helen

Laurie G said...

Book into movie favorites:Dr Zhivago & The Thorn Birds.

I always like the books better than the movie. More background detail, more what the author vs directer saw and felt.

1. Dirty Harry
2. Treasure of the Sierra Madre/Blazing Saddles-Mel Brooks used the line too
3. Gone With The Wind
4. Silence of the Lambs
5. Dirty Dancing
6. Cool Hand Luke
7. Planet of the Apes
8. Princess Bride
9. Misery
10.Top Gun

Anna Sugden said...

Yay Suz on the GR capture!

Wow Jo, what a cool post!

Let's see:

1. Dirty Harry
2. Treasure of the Sierra Madre
3. Gone with the Wind
4. Silence of the Lambs
5. Dirty Dancing
6. Cool Hand Luke
7. Planet of the Apes
8. Princess Bride
9. Misery (ooh chiller of a film!)
10. My favourite line! Top Gun!

Love Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle version of P&P. Really enjoy the Harry Potter movies because you know they can't capture the whole book and they don't try - but they capture the essence - which is so important.

Bridget Jones' Diary is fun and so close to the book. And, the James Bond movies are good - though nothing like the books *g*.

Brain is too tired to think of others - late night! Back later!

MJFredrick said...

1. Dirty Harry
2. Treasure of the Sierra Madre
3. Gone with the Wind
4. Silence of the Lambs
5. Dirty Dancing
6. Cool Hand Luke
7. Planet of the Apes
8. Princess Bride
9. Misery
10. Top Gun

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

01. Dirty Harry
02. Treasure of the Sierra Madre
03. Gone With The Wind
04. Silence of the Lambs
05. Dirty Dancing
06. Cool Hand Luke
07. Planet of the Apes
08. Princess Bride
09. Misery
10. Top Gun

I read Gone With the Wind because of the movie and I watched LOTR because of the books so I would say they are both my favs..LOL I love the Harry Potter books and the movies but but I don't think the movies did justice to the books.

Terry Odell said...

Most of the time I prefer the books to the movies. My biggest exception: Hunt for Red October. I think they distilled all the important stuff into the movie and left out the right parts for a change. And the characters rang true.

Most of the time, they move off in their own direction because the visual medium is different from print. Robert Crais was asked what he thought of the movie they made from one of his books .... "It sucked" was his answer.

pjpuppymom said...

I love this game! Here are my answers:

1. Dirty Harry
2. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
3. Gone With the Wind
4. Silence of the Lambs
5. Dirty Dancing
6. Cool Hand Luke
7. Planet of the Apes
8. Princess Bride
9. Misery
10. Top Gun

pjpuppymom said...

I'm with you, Terry. My favorite movie based on a book is THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER. The casting was brilliant and the script stayed true to Clancy's fabulous book. Unfortunately, IMO, RED OCTOBER was the first and last movie to do a Clancy book justice.

p226 said...

ALL of my favorite movie quotes come from three movies.

1. Pulp Fiction. I can quote *so* many lines from that movie. Unfortunately, because of the language, exactly NONE of them are appropriate for this blog.

2. Fight Club. "You are not a unique and beautiful snowflake."

3. Snatch. "Dya lak dags?"

Ok... favorite movie from a book... I'm having to think entirely too hard about this one. But, I think "Flags of our Fathers" takes the prize there. Though, I'm never going to be able to watch that movie again, nor read the book.

Beth Andrews said...

What a fun game, Jo! I too read GWTW when I was 14 and I enjoyed the book more than the movie.

I also love the Bridget Jones' Diary movie more than the book - especially the fight scene between Mark and Daniel *g*

I love the LOTR and Harry Potter movies but I haven't read any of the books. They're on my To-Be-Read list for this year :-)

Gannon Carr said...

Congrats, Suzanne on bringing the GR to Dallas! He's definitely warmer there than he would be here. It's 2 degrees right now!!! And that's the ACTUAL temp. Brrrr!

Love this game. We are big on movie quotes in my family!

1. Dirty Harry
2. Treasure of the Sierra Madre
3. Gone With The Wind
4. Silence of the Lambs
5. Dirty Dancing
6. Cool Hand Luke
7. Planet of the Apes
8. The Princess Bride (one of my fave movies to quote!)
9. Misery
10. Top Gun

Terry and PJ, HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER is my favorite Clancy movie, too. Of course, Sean Connery is in it, so that is a big plus. :)

Anna Sugden said...

Little pause in the proceedings to swoon over the lovely and charming Robert Crais.

He also said he'd never turn his other books into movies because he wanted the reader to have their own image of his characters.

Anonymous said...

Well, since many already did the quotes, I'll do the second question -- yep, P&P and P&P95 as number one. Sure, will always like Pride and Prejudice book more, but still, Colin Firth. . . and I was thinking Hunt for Red October too before I saw a couple mentioned it, and definitely liked the movie more. Liked the book more for Patriot Games. And definitely liked the movies more for Jurassic Park, though in the end, reading the book gave you more in the science aspect that the movie just glossed over. Oh, and definitely love the ALW version of Phantom of the Opera more than the book. :)

That's all I can think of here! :)

Lois

Suzanne Ferrell said...

My family loves to quote movies.
Princess Bride, Office Space and Robin Hood Prince of Theives, along with all the Monty Python movies!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

The GR will be taking a nap this afternoon, but helping me peck with my wounded left hand this morning on the computer.

Unfotunately we'll be workimg on my WIP, hope he doesn't embarass easily.

Annie Solomon said...

I see the list already done correctly, so I'll skip. Truth is, I've heard the "badges" quote a zillion times and never knew where it came from. So that was cool. Anyway, I think my fav movie made from a book, is the 1983 BBC Jane Eyre with Timothy Dalton. Although handsomer than Rochester is supposed to be, he has the grit, focefulness, and virility I imagine in the character. Jane is also well cast--truly plain and small, especially against Dalton. AND they take huge chunks of dialog straight from the book, which the cast makes work perfectly--without modernization. You have look past the closed-in, inexpensive, play-like quality of the production values, but it's worth it.

Louisa Cornell said...

Congrats, Suzanne! I wish I was coming to Dallas! It is 20 degrees here in Alabama!! YUCK!!

I LOVE movie trivia! My brothers refuse to play any sort of movie trivia game with me. I watch entirely too many movies!

Lets see :

1. Dirty Harry
2. Treasure of the Sierra Madre
3. Gone With The Wind
4. Silence of the Lambs
5. Dirty Dancing
6. Cool Hand Luke
7. Planet of the Apes
8. Princess Bride (I love this one)
9. Misery (great movie!)
10. Top Gun


I have to agree with Annie Solomon. The Timothy Dalton adaptation of Jane Eyre is brilliant. And Dalton really captures the anguish and pain Rochester suffers.

Another favorite - Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. I think you already know it is one of my favorite books, but Eastwood's adaptation was spot on.

Anonymous said...

1. dirty harry

2. treasure of the sierra madre

3. gone with the wind

4. silence of the lambs

5.dirty dancing

6. cool hand luke

7. planet of the apes

8. princess bride

9. misery

10. top gun

Susan Sey said...

I'm with Suz--I recognized all the quotes, but as I'm not eligible for the prize, I'm going to let others play.

But can I just say the last night's The Office riffed on the "I feel the need...the need for speed!" quote hilariously. It involved the need for tweed. Heh.

As for movies vs. books, I'm not entirely impartial because it's one of my favorite books of all time, but I loved the English Patient, both book & movie.

I read the book first & it was one of those things where I read "The End" & immediately started reading again at the beginning. One of those "now that I know the secret" deals. It was so cool to read & really appreciate how the author was crafting this mystery, doling out little bits of seemingly inconsequential detail that added up in the end to the point where you couldn't believe you hadn't seen it coming. But you didn't.

The movie, of course, was nowhere near that kind of engrossing, but it WAS beautifully photographed & romantic. Plus, the hot guy from LOST was the bomb defuser. He added to the beauty factor significantly. :-)

Susan Sey said...

Ha, Jo, I just read that you, too, caught Steve Carrell's 'need for tweed' scene last night.

I think the Office is having a pretty darn good season.

Kennan said...

i recognized about half the quotes (my favorite is Princess Bride...did you know the 5-fingered man is my favorite Christopher Guest mocumentary writer/director of Spinal Tap/Best in Show/Waiting for Guffman movies?)

but i wanted to put in my plug for this fabulous movie we watched last night: it is based on a the true account and book by French Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, who suffers a massive stroke and is completely paralyzed. THE DIVING BELL AND BUTTERFLY is a beautiful, artistic movie (based on Bauby's book that he "wrote" using one eye and a patient nurse) that puts the audience in Bauby's eyes, literally. the camera work is amazing and the directing is elegant. it will make you thankful to be alive!

should i be a "back of the DVD" writer??? :)

kennan

Janga said...

What a great blog on a shivery day! It's a measure of how movie lines work their way into the culture that I knew 8 of the 10 quotes but have seen only 4 of the movies.

I am almost never completely happy with a movie based on a book I love. Two exceptions are To Kill a Mockingbird and Room with a View. The movies are faithful to the books and gifted actors create characters who mesh seamlessly with the images already in my head.

Unknown said...

Well suzanne is the GR warmer at your house then what he was at mine, it is 0 here today!

I will post my list now that everyone has got it right.
1. Dirty Harry
2. Treasure of the Sierra Madre
3. Gone With The Wind
4. The Silence of the Lamb
5. Dirty Dancing
6. Cool Hand Luke
7. Planet of the Apes
8. Princess Bride
9. Misery
10. Top Gun

Nancy said...

Suz--you got the bird! Have fun with him.

Jo, thank you for the promo on Jessica. I'm excited that she's joining us. I just finished hernew book, The Dawnkeepers, and I think it's a terrific second installment, blending romance with contemporary epic fantasy.

What a fun post! I got about 6 of them right away, but I'm clearly not as up on movies as I should be. The rest of them are pretty much guesses (and I couldn't have done that much without the illustrations). So here's my list:
1-Dirty Harry
2-The Treasure of Sierra Madre
3-Gone With the Wind
4-Silence of the Lambs
5-Dirty Dancing
6-Cool Hand Luke
7-Planet of the Apes
8-The Princess Bride
9-Misery
10-Top Gun

As for my favorite book-into-movie, that's easy. It's To Kill A Mockingbird. I think it's the best movie adaptation of a book I've ever seen. If I have to pick which is better, I pick the book because there's just so much more in it, but I thought the movie casting was perfect, and the script kept the most important parts of the story.

I wonder what Harper Lee thought of it.

Thanks again for announcing Jessica's visit and for the fun movie game! Uh . . . you're posting answers later, right?

jo robertson said...

Take care, all you folks suffering in this cold weather.

My daughter lives near Chicago and called this morning to say when she woke up it was 20 below and school was cancelled. The sun came out and warmed it up to 10 below. Yikes!

Fix a nice cuppa -- coffee, tea, or chocolate -- get warm and stay indoors if you can!

jo robertson said...

Perfectly clear, Dani88. Do you find that if you see the movie first, you don't want to read the book? Or does it just make you want to read it more?

I agree, Jane, #2 and #6 were the hardest. Lots of folks are interchanging them.

I didn't think about To Kill a Mockingbird. That's gotta be one of the best adaptations ever!

Isn't is strange that Truman Capote could write something quixotic like Breakfast at Tiffany's and also In Cold Blood?

jo robertson said...

Thanks for playing, Helen.

You really should read Silence of the Lambs. I think it's Thomas Harris' best book. He only writes one about every 10 years or so.

Can anyone name all of Harris' books? Hmmm, I think he's written four, but not really sure.

jo robertson said...

Hi, Laurie. You make a good point. I'd never thought about how the film is more the director's focus and the book belongs solely to the writer. I guess when someone buys the film rights, he gets to change it however.

I've heard the J.D. Salinger, for that very reason, never allowed Catcher in the Rye to be made into a film and stipulated that in his will.

LOL, I'm not sure my artistic integrity would outweigh the lure of money!

Pat Cochran said...

Good morning, all,

I forgot to add on my favorite book/film combination earlier today. I'd have to say it's To Kill A Mockingbird. Can't say if
I prefer film or book. They were both so excellent! Harper Lee or Gregory Peck! Who could choose?

Pat Cochran

jo robertson said...

Hi, Vrai Anna, wasn't Misery the scariest book EVER! The way Stephen King got into the woman's head (what was her name, anyway?) gave me the creeps for days! Reading that book was like watching a train wreck. I couldn't look away!

And it was nice that the film catapulted Kathy Bates to stardom. At least I think it did. She was amazing in that movie.

jo robertson said...

Uh, I just realized that I'd better keep a list of those who've gotten them all right. Duh! Way too many smart people reading this blog today!

jo robertson said...

Thanks for playing, MJFrederick and Dianna!

Interesting, Dianna, I thought the Harry Potter movies captured the books well. Maybe because my imagination in the fantasy realm is limited LOL. I need someone else to provide the special effects for my mind!

jo robertson said...

Hi, Terry! Which of Robert Crais' books was he talking about? Was it the one with Bruce Willis in it -- can't remember the title. If so, I agree with him. Dang, I can't remember that title! Anyway, the book was soooo much better.

jo robertson said...

PJ, I haven't read all of Tom Clancy's books, but I agree that Red October was an amazing movie!

Hi, P226, I was waiting for you to weigh in! I knew you'd name some down and dirty fight movies. I'm ashame to admit that Pulp Fiction is one of my favorite movies and Brad Pitt was HILARIOUS in Snatch, even if I couldn't understand half of what he said.

I'm ROTFL about "Dya lak dags?"

Beth, we're soul sisters! There's nothing quite as moving as reading GWTW when you're 14!

jo robertson said...

Gannon, yummy on Sean Connery. I was raised on the old James Bond movies and he was my favorite 007 until Daniel Craig came along. Dunno why, must be something about those thighs (Craig's not Connery's LOL).

My favorite role that Connery played, however, was his role as a retired Irish cop in THE UNTOUCHABLES.

jo robertson said...

Vrai, you've seen Robert Crais in real life, haven't you? Is he as good looking in person? Man, he should be a film star instead of a writer!

Lois, what's P&P95?

Definitely, Colin Firth was the best Darcy, IMO, but Jennifer Ehle was wonderful too!

I was just watching Phantom on TV the other day, the Gerard Butler version, was trying to determine if Butler was actually singing his lines or it was a dubbing. Does anyone know?

jo robertson said...

LOL, Suzanne, I think the rooster has seen just about EVERYthing having been with these rowdy BB's and Banditas!

Tell us how you injured your hand. Ugh on typing one-handed. Maybe the GR and help you by pecking out the right-handed letters.

jo robertson said...

Yes, Annie, I have to agree that the Dalton Jane Eyre is a great production.

My favorite, however, is still George C. Scott as Rochester. I thought he portrayed him perfectly. I can't remember who played Jane though.

Trish Milburn said...

I love that Inigo Montoya line.

Movies based on books that I've liked: Dances with Wolves, Emma, Pride and Prejudice, North and South, Twilight, Lord of the Rings, Hunt for Red October, The Last of the Mohicans, Legends of the Fall, The Man in the Iron Mask, Schindler's List, The Shawshank Redemption, A Walk to Remember, Stardust, The Notebook, Forrest Gump, The Green Mile, The Chronicles of Narnia, all the Harry Potters, 3:10 to Yuma, Million Dollar Baby, The Princess Bride.

Now, I haven't read all the books on which the movies are based. For ones like Harry Potter and Twilight, I've enjoyed the movies but of course there's so much more wonderful detail in the books, stuff there is no time for in the movies. As for Last of the Mohicans, it's one of my favorite movies but I couldn't finish the book because it was deadly boring.

jo robertson said...

LOL, Louisa, I also watch far too many movies. It's my not-so-secret weakness!

Ah, Susan, yes I saw that Office allusion to "the need for speed" too. So funny! I wonder how many people didn't recognize the reference? That's what makes the line so funny -- well Steve Carell ain't bad either.

Trish Milburn said...

It's freaking cold here too, Suz. I had to go pick up my car from the shop this morning, and it was 12 degrees!

jo robertson said...

Susan, who IS that hot guy from LOST who was in The English Patient? Speaking of which, it is a lovely book, beautifully written, but it takes patience (no pun intended LOL) to read it, I think. Many of my friends gave up and just saw the movie.

jo robertson said...

Hey, Kennan, are you freezing your patootie there in the Chicago area? I hear it's soooooo freezing. Watch your fingers and toes and ears; you can get frostbite in that weather really quick!

Yes, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly has been around since the mid-nineties, I think, but I never saw the movie. Bad on me!

Hey, Kennan, you can write the blurb for the back of my book when it comes out LOL!

jo robertson said...

Yes, Janga, and I think it's interesting to find out the original source of the lines.

Which version of ROOM WITH A VIEW do you like best, Janga?

Virginia, thanks for weighing in with your list. And brrrrr on your cold weather!

jo robertson said...

Yes, Nancy, I'm posting the answers later today, about 8:00 PM PST.

SO FAR, THERE ARE 12 POSTERS WHO GOT THEM ALL CORRECT. I won't say which ones, heheheh. Many of you knew the answers but didn't post them, so there are actually more of you who are MOVIE CRAZIES like me!!

jo robertson said...

I've never heard Harper Lee comment on her opinion of the movie of TKAM. Has anyone else?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Injured hand:

Home made pizza coming out of oven, stupid me only using one oven mit. Nearly dropped it on the floor. Saved pizza by balancing it against cupboard door with one hand, grabbing extra oven mit and then pizza with second hand.

Result: hyper-extended left index finger. Bruised from first knuckle back to middle of hand. Not broken, just sprained and darned inconvenient.

jo robertson said...

Hi, Trish. Wow, you've seen a lot of movies too! LOL on trying to read James Fenimore Cooper -- ugh, deadly boring. And of course Daniel Day-Lewis is to die for in LOTM. That's the movie that introduced him to me.

So what did you think of the TWILIGHT movie, Trish? I can't get anyone to go see it with me.

jo robertson said...

Poor, Suz, hugs on the sprain.

But I'm glad to know your priorities are straight. Pizza on one hand, hands on the other.

Pizza wins every time!

jo robertson said...

Hi, everyone, don't forget we have lots of fabulous writers still guesting with us this month.

Misa Ramirez, next Monday.

Tina Ferraro, next Thursday.

Jessica Anderson, newly added to our guest list, on the 26th.

Helen Scott Taylor on the 27th.

Heidi Betts on the 29th.

Angela Fox on the 31st.

A great line-up. Be sure to join us!

jo robertson said...

Oh, and don't forget the Banditas will be guesting on RNTV (Romance Novel TV) the last week of this month, January 26-30.

There'll be some interesting story vignettes in which you readers can participate, and lots of prizes.

Join us if you can!

catslady said...

Well they've all been answered correctly already so I'll say I really enjoyed the Lord of the Rings movies. Normally I don't like the movies as much as the book, but these came very close. Oh and the Harry Potters series too.

Trish Milburn said...

Jo, I've seen Twilight twice. I've enjoyed it and think Catherine Hardwicke did a good job of capturing the feel of the book even though there was no way to put everything in the movie. I wonder how it would be as a viewing experience to someone who hasn't read the book.

It's going to be interesting to see how New Moon compares since there's going to be a new director, Chris Weitz who most recently did Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist.

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

WTG on grabbing the GR, Suz! Put that bird to WORK! Esp. if you are injured! OUCH!

GREAT FUN post, Jo-Mama! I am waay too much of a movie buff to miss any of your quotes though #2 was the most difficult. Oh, and for the record, I was 16 when I read GWTW, but didn't see the movie version until many years later. LURVED BOTH! Vivienne Leigh was sooooo perfect as Scarlett.

As for books to movies, I almost always prefer the book. A couple of notable exceptions that nobody has mentioned yet, "Interview with the Vampire." I thought the movie version was BETTER than the book in spite of Anne Rice's original objections to Tom Cruise as LeStat (I thought the same until I saw him). And not exactly a book but Kenneth Branagh's version of Shakespeare's Henry V. O.M.G!!! He so totally captured the essence of that character! And the St. Crispin's Day speech had me in blubbering in my popcorn!!

AC

Keira Soleore said...

Suz, woo hoo! The GR's decided to try a warmer place. Hey you, chookie, Seattle ain't bad at all. It's only in the 30's here, unlike other spots with zero and minus-degree temps or stinking hot places Down Under. It's downright pleasant in Seattle.

Jo, what fun. Let me have a go.

1. Dirty Harry (Ooh Clint)
2. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (Hilarious)
3. Gone with the Wind
4. Hannibal
5. Dirty Dancing
6. Cool Hand Luke (Blue-EyeD Devil)
7. Planet of the Apes
8. Princess Bride (Love It)
9. Misery ???
10. Top Gun

Karen H said...

Well, here's my answers:

1. Dirty Harry
2. Treasure of the Sierra Madre
3. Gone With The Wind
4. Silence of the Lambs
5. Dirty Dancing
6. Cool Hand Luke
7. Planet of the Apes
8. The Princess Bride
9. Misery
10. Top Gun

My all-time favorite movie is 'Gone with the Wind'. I love the book too. It is really the only keeper book on my bookshelves.

Helen said...

Suz I hope you hand gets better the GR will help type and I agree he probably won't blush he has been around all of us too long LOL

I forgot to mention how much I love the Harry Potter books and movies sure the movies weren't as good as the books but I loved them just the same.

I read Gone With The Wind the first time when I was about 14 as well and saw the movie just after that but of course have watched it many times since it is one of my favourite movies.

I am looking foward to all of the guests that will be visiting this month it is going to be fun.

Here in Oz it has been reaching temps of about 40 to 42 degress celsius really hot but today is cool and cloudy I love it. I hope you all can keep warm you have great reading weather I say curl up with a good book a nice cuppa of tea or coffee enjoy the day.

Have Fun
Helen

Annie Solomon said...

Funny about taste, Jo. I didn't like the George C Scott version of Jane. I thought he was way, way older than Rochester should have been, though he was ugly enough!!! And I believe Susannah York played Jane, and she was way too pretty. I don't get why H'wood can't get it right with that story.

Janga said...

The Merchant-Ivory, Jo. Is there any other? :)

Susan Sey said...

Hey, Jo--

the hot guy from LOST is Naveen Andrews--he plays Sayid. He was the ill-fated bomb defuser in the English Patient & is (maybe was? Hard to keep up) Barbara Hershey's boyfriend. And yes, there's like a 21 year age gap.

You can keep your Jack Shepherd, you can keep your Sawyer. I'd take Sayid any old day. :-)

Minna said...

I really don't have an all time favorite movie based on a book.
Or favorite movie based on comics, for that matter.

1. Dirty Harry
2. Treasure of the Sierra Madre
3. Gone With The Wind
4. Silence of the Lambs
5. Dirty Dancing
6. Cool Hand Luke
7. Planet of the Apes
8. The Princess Bride
9. Misery
10. Top Gun

Minna said...

Well, I like Apollo 13, Jurassic Park, Beautiful Mind, Last of the Mohicans (reading THAT book in Enlish was interesting, to say the least...), Unknown Soldier (Finnish)...

Mr. Darcy - I'm Too Sexy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4JGXxmzPHo

Doing It All For My Baby - Huey Lewis & The News
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIH8xctqGUw

Love Song For A Vampire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhG8zC4npsE

jo robertson said...

Catslady, it's certainly the consensus her that the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings movies come darn close to being as good as the books!

Then you'd definitely recommend TWILIGHT, Trish? I've gotta see it soon, for curiosity if nothing else. I really enjoyed the first book in the series, but thought the rest were not quite as good.

pjpuppymom said...

Jo, Gerard Butler did his own singing in Phantom.

jo robertson said...

Agreed, Aunty Cindy! Kenneth Branagh is a favorite of mine. He's said that his goal is to make Shakespeare appealing to the "common people" as the plays were during the Renaissance. He's especially chilling as Iago in Othello.

I knew you wouldn't miss any of these quote, Bandita Friend!

jo robertson said...

BTW, AC, I wonder if those who enjoyed BAND OF BROTHERS realized that phrase came from Henry V and the St. Crispin's Day speech -- "we happy, happy few, we band of brothers."

Gives me chills too, AC!

Hey, Keira, it sounds like it's down-right WARM in Seattle!

danie88 said...

Jo, if I see the movie first I still want to read the book no matter what, because usually the book is always better then the movie.

jo robertson said...

Karen, GWTW is the book that you want to have leather-bound and displayed somewhere nice, isn't it?

You're right about George C. Scott, Annie. He was pretty ugly LOL. I think what I liked was that raspy voice that gave him the degenerate sound I imagine Edward Rochester had until Jane came into his life.

Susan, Sayid!!! I totally forgot that was Naveen Andrews in The English Patient. I didn't know him until LOST, which comes back next week I believe, doesn't it?

And no, Naveen is mine! Barbara Hershey is so undeserving of him, says the jealous Jo-Mama!

jo robertson said...

Helen, how delightful to have warm weather while we're freezing here in the east. But, you're right, at least it's good reading and snuggling weather.

Don't we have a nice line-up of guests this month? I love learning about new writers and adding their works to my already-ginormous TBA pile!

jo robertson said...

Ah, Merchant-Ivory! Thanks, Janga!

They've done some wonderful period pieces. Ironically, neither James Ivory nor Ismail Merchant is British. HOWARD'S END is one of my favorites.

Thanks for playing Minna!

jo robertson said...

Minna, which did you like better of Jurassic Park, the movie or the book. Someone said she liked the movie better, but I quite enjoyed Crichton's book.

That's disciplined of you, Dani; sometimes if I see the movie first it ruins reading the book for me, which I know is usually better, dang it!

jo robertson said...

Thanks, PJ, I was hoping Gerard Butler did his own singing. My, how versatile! Now I have even more reason to adore the man!

Okay, I'll just say it; any man with an accent is tres sexy!

Minna said...

Oh, I liked them both. And I liked the music in the Jurassic Park movie.

Weird Al: Jurassic Park
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpDckbqhpW8

Jurassic Park Themes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTsBJiq633E&feature=related

Nancy said...

Jo, I'll be checking back for answers.

Pat Cochran, another TKAM fan! Yay!

I also have to agree wtih all the LOTR and Harry Potter choices that they were excellent. And LOTR, like the more recent and way longer Potter books, required a lot of omissions to bring it in at a viewable length. I miss some of them (the barrow wight, which mattered at the Pelennor Fields) but got used to the omissions quickly.

As for weather--the high here was 28 today. Fahrenheit. I so don't do 28 (and don't even wanna think about the single digits in the current dire predictions), but I had errands I couldn't put off.

Christine Wells said...

Jo, no, Colin Firth never floated my boat as Darcy--I know I'm in the minority, there! Didn't like Jennifer Ehle as Lizzy, either. She was so smug! I know Lizzy is fairly smug but she never irritated me in the book the way she does in that production. Sigh. I think it would be well nigh impossible to please me with Austen adaptations, actually--let's say I'm *prejudiced* against them! However, the gorgeous Rosamund Pike was perfect as Jane in the recent P&P movie. The first time Jane hasn't come across as a dead bore and a milksop, to boot!

Running, ducking for cover...

Joan said...

Result: hyper-extended left index finger. Bruised from first knuckle back to middle of hand. Not broken, just sprained and darned inconvenient.

Ohhhhh...poor Suz! Here, the GR will kiss it and make it better *smooch*

Great post, Jo! Sorry I worked all day and missed it!

jo robertson said...

Was the Rosamund Pike production of P&P on BBC, Christine?

A pox on you for not liking Firth as Darcy. I must admit that Mrs. Bennett was a little over the top with her quelling screech!

So sorry you had to work a long, grueling schedule today, Joan. Yikes, what's with these day jobs?

jo robertson said...

Ouch on the weather, Nancy. Hope nothing got frostbitten!

So far the number of posters who've gotten all of them correct is up to 14!! Yay! I think many others guessed the answers but didn't post.

Christine Wells said...

Jo, Rosamund was Jane in the Keira Knightley version of P&P. She is absolutely beautiful and I loved her as Jane. She managed to convey intelligence and goodness as well, instead of just being a rather dull mouse. I think she's one of those rare combinations--a beautiful woman who is also an intelligent actress.

Oh, dear, a pox is a bit harsh, isn't it?? Yes, I know, my idea of Darcy is out of step with the rest of the world. Firth just didn't seem like a real aristocrat to me and I don't find him attractive in the least, not sure why.

Michele L. said...

1. Dirty Harry
2. Treasure of the Sierra Madre
3. Gone with the Wind
4. Silence of the Lambs
5. Dirty Dancing
6. Cool Hand Luke
7. Planet of the Apes
8. Princess Bride
9. Misery
10. Top Gun

The best book that I love that was turned into a fantastic movie is Gone With The Wind! Loved it! Oh, and the Harry Potter books and movies! Oh yeah! Oh, and how can I forget Little Women! There are 3 movie versions that were done too!

Unknown said...

1. Dirty Harry
2. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
3. Gone With the Wind
4. Silence of the Lambs
5. Dirty Dancing
6. Cool Hand Luke
7. Planet of the Apes
8. The Princess Bride
9. Misery
10. Top Gun

My fave movie quote is the one from The Princess Bride! Love that show!

jo robertson said...

Oh, yes, Christine I rememeber her now. As for Firth, there's no accounting for tastes, as Annie S. says LOL. Good thing too, or we'd all be clammering for the same fellow!

Thanks for reminding us of The Little Women, Michele. Which version was your fave?

jo robertson said...

Okey, dokey, artichoke-y, here's the final list of movies:

Sixteen of you got them all correct. Yay for you!

1. Dirty Harry -- even if you were thrown off by the 44 magnum comment, you could've gotten this one.

2. Treasure of the Sierra Madre -- this was the most frequently missed one. Everybody knows the line, but many don't remember the movie. If I recall correctly, he's the Mexican bandit who calls himself Gonzales Gonzales!

3. Gone with the Wind -- the fellows never get this one, eh?

4. Silence of the Lambs -- it was Hannibal Lecter's line, but of course not that second movie called Hannibal, which was pretty awful I thought.

5. Dirty Dancing -- another one the fellows often miss cause they don't know Jennifer Grey's character was called "Baby."

6. Cool Hand Luke -- the failure to communicate line is the one the prison guard (or warden) says to Paul Newman.

7. Plantet of the Apes -- I didn't give the movie title, but the picture of the Statue of Liberty buried in the sand signifying that they were on the planet earth all this time is the clue.

8. Princess Bride -- everybody got this line said by Mandy Patinkin.

9. Misery -- she was his #1 fan, remember?

10. Top Gun -- Tom Cruise's much watched fighter pilot school movie. I love the part where they all sing "I've Lost That Lovin' Feeling."

I'll post the winner shortly. Look for your name!

Nancy said...

Suz, your poor hand! I'm so sorry.

Did that bird cause you to do this?

Jo, I can't believe I got them right. The Bogart didn't seem to fit, but it was the only one left. I'd forgotten who he played in that movie.

jo robertson said...

Yeah, Nancy The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is an oldie. Boyd knew all the details. I, of course, was far to young to remember the movie, tee hee.

You and Suzanne were the two Banditas to get them all correct, though I suspect others knew all the answers, but weren't eligible.

You're more movie-savvy than you thought!

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Jo, I think the HP movies would have to be 4 hours long to get all the nuances that are in the books. For the most part I prefer the books to movies.