Best Books and Movies
Fans of both books and movies often lament the fact that the book is better than the movie. Yet the truth is, the best book movies rarely compare to their source material. Screenplays often make compromises in order to advance the story visually or to compress the plot to fit a 90 to 120 minute running time. Such changes sanitize the experience and take away the power of the words on the page. So how do you choose between the two?
Robert Evans
In his later years, Evans wrote and produced several classic films, including Easy Riders, Raging Bulls, and The Fiend Who Walked the West. His work was hailed as being a sane rebuke to Hollywood’s excesses. His most memorable performance, however, came when he wrote and directed The Fiend Who Walked the West. The film was one of the most enduringly popular in the history of American cinema.
In Easy Riders, Raging Bulls, author Peter Biskind explores the life of legendary Hollywood film producer Robert Evans. He chronicles his career in a way that is cinematic, with Evans’ narrator engrossing and honest. While Evans tended to appear arrogant and self-deprecating, he is not afraid to admit mistakes and his own personal blunders.
Although he had few acting roles until his emergence as a film producer, he remained true to his ambitions. He paid a friend, George Weiser, to tip him off to hot literary properties. When he saw Roderick Thorp’s novel The Detective, Evans immediately snapped it up. It later became a popular film starring Frank Sinatra, with Evans own producing rights. Although Evans was never a movie star, he shaped many iconic movies of the 1970s.
While many have praised his work in the past, Evans has had a rather turbulent career. He was a so-so actor for decades, but in the 1980s, his career took a turn for the worst. He became linked to the murder of Roy Radin by a group of Miami drug dealers, and his autobiography, “The Kid Stays in the Picture,” was made into a documentary in 2002.
As a film producer, Evans was once again in the spotlight in 2003 with a documentary about his life. The film drew a large audience and shared its title with his autobiography. Evans was born in New York City and grew up in a rich family. His father, Archie, was a dentist in Harlem, while his mother, Florence, raised him. His parents’ wealth ensured a privileged upbringing on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
His filmography also includes several novels and other works. He was the head of Paramount Pictures for a time, and he took the studio from near obscurity to a position at the top. Many of his movies became classics, and his career included such films as The Love Story, The Godfather, Chinatown, Serpico, and The Conversation. During his life, Evans dated beautiful women and married Ali McGraw. He lived in a beautiful mansion that was donated by actor Jack Nicholson.
As the director of the first two movies of his career, Evans won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1977. His other movies include The Two Jakes, which won him his sole nomination. Evans also requested a script adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. In exchange for the film, Evans gave Towne a lot of latitude to write his own script. He also convinced Roman Polanski to return to Hollywood after the tragic death of Sharon Tate. However, he and Towne had a bitter fight over Evans’ refusal to cut his hair in 1940s style. The director subsequently fired Evans, but not before firing him for refusing to get a 1940s haircut.
The documentary on Evans’ life could be considered a perfect film material. The documentary features Evans as the narrator. He is a bit easier on himself than the outside world, and isn’t afraid to call himself out. The film includes unflattering assessments of the stars of Hollywood, which will likely turn off some viewers. However, Evans’ personal life is a source of inspiration, and fans of his work can’t blame him for sharing it with others.
Cormac McCarthy
Cormac McCarthy is a prolific writer of fiction, with four perfect books to his credit. In his prolific career, he’s explored a wide range of themes, but The Crossing is his finest book. Set over three distinct sections, The Crossing tells the story of protagonist Billy Parham as he crosses the border into Mexico. The narrative traces wide circles around themes, drawing painful realities with each successive trip.
One of McCarthy’s most famous novels, No Country for Old Men, won the Pulitzer Prize in 2008 for its story of a drug-dealing father. The Road, meanwhile, chronicles the lives of a father and son in a post-apocalyptic society. Both novels won McCarthy the Pulitzer Prize. His work has also been adapted into several films, including The Sunset Limited, which was made into a major motion picture starring Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz.
The novel “The Road” is one of McCarthy’s most famous novels, and it has been adapted into several films, including the critically acclaimed movie adaptation of the same name. A few years later, the book was made into a movie, and McCarthy’s film adaptations have received numerous awards. In addition to The Road, McCarthy has penned two books based on his short stories. Both are beautifully crafted, consistently thought-provoking, and utterly romantic.
Another great novel by McCarthy is “No Country For Old Men.” While this book has been made into a movie, the novel itself is not comparable to the movie. This film is based on the novel and has been acclaimed as an Oscar-winning movie. Among his other best-selling books are “Blood Meridian” and “All the Pretty Horses”. The author is still prolific, and his novels continue to garner awards and recognition.
The first book in the Border Trilogy, All the Pretty Horses, won a national book award in 1992 and has been adapted into a film. The novel is set in the American south-west in the years before the Second World War. It explores two opposing world views through the characters’ interactions and their struggles. It also features some of the best performances by Cormac McCarthy. It is well worth reading and watching.
No Country for Old Men won the Best Picture award and became a sensation. The Coen brothers turned No Country For Old Men into a film, which won three Oscars: best director, best actor, and best picture. The Coens’ film strayed away from the poetic prose McCarthy was known for. While some critics called it a travesty, No Country For Old Men is arguably one of the best crime movies of the decade.
Another bestseller from the author is Blood Meridian. This novel reveals the violence of human endeavors and has been described as McCarthy’s masterpiece. The story follows a group of Native American hunters through the nineteenth century. The group is led by a devilish figure called the Judge who engages in several amoral acts. The book is a compelling tale about devilish instincts, the human spirit, and the nature of good and evil.
Child of God is McCarthy’s third novel and adapted into a film. The book follows a dark main character through the eras of Appalachia, Tennessee. The novel explored themes of isolation, violence, and the consequences of isolation. The book was later turned into a film with James Franco. Child of God also features a character played by James Franco. This film is a thrilling adaptation of McCarthy’s novel and explores the themes of isolation and madness.
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