Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Why We Love Books-On-Video



I recently watched, with great anticipation leading up to my viewing the movie, The Girl on the Train.  The film is based on the best-selling psychothriller penned by Paula Hawkins.  It was my favorite movie since Gone Girl, another movie based on a blockbuster book, by Gillian Flynn.  I really enjoy these “books-on-video,” so much so that I must confess I’d sooner see a movie based on a great novel than read that very same book. Why would a self-professed lover and defender of books say that?

There’s only so much  time to read so many books, so I’d rather read the books that don’t become movies. For books that get dramatized on the big screen.   I thoroughly enjoy watching the action unfold.  Nothing beats the fantasy and imagination of a reader combing through a great book, but if I can consume some great books in less than two hours with great visuals, I’m in.  This allows me to not only experience a story in a different way, but it also provides me with reading time to explore non-fiction, and other fiction that won’t convert into Hollywood artistry.

Is it so bad to admit I enjoy a movie over reading the book it’s based on?  The book world needs people like me, so it can make more money. Some read the book.  Some see the movie.  Some do both.

I think there are many genres of movies that have taken over in the past few years.  There’s a market for a dystopian future (Hunger Games), science fiction (The Martian), and psychodramas like The Girl on the Train.

All of these novels-turned-movies represent something about society that seems in need of deeper exploration -- otherwise these books would fail and falter at the box office.  We seem to have deep-seated fears about the future, unending curiosity about space and technology, and fearful insecurities about the relationships we commit to.

Whatever happened to the schmaltzy, Hollywood-ending, feel-good movie?  It’s no longer enough nor reasonable to accept happily-ever-after or guy-gets-girl films. Now it’s who can save a world that isn’t always worth saving?  Who gets to play God when it comes to the unlimited power of science and technology?  Who gets to cheat on or kill their spouse?

But none of this is new to publishing or Hollywood. Many books and movies over the years have been crafted based on different fears, desires, and delusions of power.  Instead of movies about drug wars, we do battle in space.  Instead of stories about a spouse having an affair, we amp it up and toss in murder, rape and abuse.  Instead of movies about dictators that actually existed, we explore how machines will dictate our lives.

Maybe one thing we’ve been spared is more political dramas.  The nation is exhausted and fatigued from a four-year-old election with the highest level of low-brow, mud-slinging ever seen. What books or movies can possibly come of this deplorable race to the White House?

But if we can have Trump battle an alien, or find a way for Clinton to Kill Bill and cover up her affairs, maybe we’ll get the book or movie some people eagerly await.

If you like a good thriller, where beautiful, rich people seem unhappy over having everything, go see The Girl on the Train.  Or read the book.  Or both.

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Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2016 ©.
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