Is nothing sacred, not even worms?

Shawnee123 · 08-30-2006, 01:48 PM

I just heard that there was a movie coming out based on a favorite childhood book "How to Eat Fried Worms."

Most that I've read about it is that it is nothing like the book, save for the kid's name and some worms.

What were your favorite kid's movies based on childhood books? What movies disappointed you?

In some ways I think kids today miss so much because of sophistication in technology and exposure to much more at a younger age.

If the old Charlie Brown specials had never been made until this day, would we have missed the innocence, the sweet humor, the caring lessons? If Winnie the Pooh and Tigger and Eeyore made their screen debuts as 3 dimensional computer-enhanced figures, would something be lost in the translation?

What are your opinions? Am I just an old fogey, or has our whimsy gone?

Happy Monkey · 08-30-2006, 02:01 PM

"Matilda" was pretty good.

I'm really hoping "Coraline" is good.

Trilby · 08-30-2006, 02:12 PM

The very first movie I recall going to (with my mom) was SNOW WHITE. We ate nonpareils. I loved it. I was the most special girl in the world just then.

The next movie I recall is Jaws--I think there might have been a willful lapse of memory there, I dunno.

I LOVED Matilda. I love all the Harry Potter books and movies. I loved the first Freaky Friday (with Jodie Foster) and I loved Bedrooms and Broomsticks... I may not have all that in order!

I also loved that ballerina movie of the late 70's or early 80's--Turning Point!

i am SOOO Girly. Sigh.

No wonder you all hate me.

Little Miss Sunshine ROCKED.

Elspode · 08-30-2006, 02:33 PM

That's "Bedknobs" and Broomsticks, sweetie. Bedrooms and Broomsticks was the porn version, I think.

Anyone else excited to see the big screen "Transformers" movie? I wasn't a kid when it was out, but my kid was a kid then.

Shawnee123 · 08-30-2006, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elspode

That's "Bedknobs" and Broomsticks, sweetie. Bedrooms and Broomsticks was the porn version, I think.

Willie Wanger and the Chocolate Pushers

Titti Longsloppy

Shitty Chitty Gang Bang (by the way I LOVE Chitty Chitty Bang Bang)

Sorry, went off on a tangent!

Clodfobble · 08-30-2006, 03:24 PM

I loved the Pippi Longstocking movie when I was a kid. I rubber-banded wet sponges to my feet and tried to skate around "cleaning" the kitchen like they did in the movie.

wolf · 08-30-2006, 03:47 PM

Oh, there are so many ... Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was one of my favorite books in childhood, and I love both movie versions, for different reasons. The Gene Wilder because it's so joyous, and the Tim Burton because it retains more of the creepy moral teaching of the book.

The Phantom Tollbooth, although I liked the book better than the cartoon.

The new Narnia movie did not disappoint me at all ... thought that was like someone took the pictures out of my head and popped them up onto the screen.

The Black Stallion was phenomenal!

However, there are a lot of disappointing versions of Black Beauty out there ...

I was always disappointed that none of the CW Anderson horse books ended up being made into movies ... and I still haven't seen the film version of Marguerite Henry's Misty of Chincoteague. There are several other of her books that would have made good movies too, but I guess that she's fallen out of favor with young girls who are mad about horses, it's all internimably long series of boring stories about girls in Saddle Clubs or whatnot these days.

I always wanted to see a movie about Ramona the Pest (Beverly Cleary), but given what happened to Harriet the Spy (Louise Fitzhugh), I'm not so sure that's a good idea.

Shawnee123 · 08-30-2006, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf

The Phantom Tollbooth, although I liked the book better than the cartoon.

I didn't like the cartoon. However, that was my absolute favorite book as a kid, and still is one of my favorites. I still have a copy. Back in our 'salad days' I would read a chapter at a time to my ex (yes, he could read, it was just fun!) My sis-in-law also read it to my nieces/nephews at my recommendation. What an awesome book.

wolf · 08-30-2006, 04:24 PM

A friend of mine in college and I used to read children's books to each other. It was quite cool. I like audiobooks for the same reason.

One of my friend's reads to her kids every night. I occasionally get pressed into service as a pinch reader when I'm over around bedtime.

That reminds me of another series of children's books that I would love to see made into a movie, but I know it would get screwed up somewhere along the way ... the Green Knowe books by L.M. Boston. I'd be happy with just the first one, Children of Green Knowe.

Happy Monkey · 08-30-2006, 04:40 PM

Speaking of "of Green", the Anne of Green Gables movies were great, especially the first one.

Elspode · 08-30-2006, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf

I like audiobooks for the same reason.

Mrs Elspode and I often share audiobooks together. We are now listening to The Color of Magic. I don't know how I managed to get to this age without reading Pratchitt, but there it is. I'm an idiot. This stuff is seriously, seriously entertaining.

wolf · 08-30-2006, 06:22 PM

It is a shame you are getting into him so late in the game ... there are a lot of books to catch up on!!

(Reaper Man is excellent, and I'm sure that you'll like the Wyrd Sisters for a variety of reasons. You might also want to check out The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch)

JayMcGee · 08-30-2006, 06:25 PM

the current wife and wicked stepdaughter are into Pratchitt in a big way. TBH, not my cup of tea.. I've read a few, but I like my sci-fi hard. They could make good films, though.

Childhood books? I loved the 'Biggles' books, but was so disappointed with the film. Time-travelling helicopters? The Captain would surely be spinning in his grave.

wolf · 08-30-2006, 06:27 PM

You mean that wasn't just a Monty Python bit?

Sundae · 09-08-2006, 07:53 AM

I am always scared when I hear one of my childhood favourites is going to be made into a film.

Books I resented sharing with the non-reading world include:
The various Winnie the Pooh books - yup, my Dad read them to me. My Winnie the Pooh had a gruff East London accent, not a high pitched American one.
The Black Cauldron - Taran & Eilonwy were my Posh & Becks. I didn't appreciate them getting the Disney treatment.
Little House on the Prairie - Laura's life was hard work and strong morals, not talking back to her parents and rescuing people.
Archer's Goon - a TV series over here based on the wonderful book by Diana Wynne Jones. It just wasn't as subtle and complex as the book. And the magical siblings just didn't have the presence on screen that my mind gave them.
Howl's Moving Castle - again by Diana Wynne Jones. It was a beautiful cartoon, but no Howl could live up to my expectations.

The one I fear the most is a screen version of The Changeover by Margaret Mahy. I read that book to pieces in my early teens and would just hate to see Sorenson Carlise and Laura Chant as just another two whiny Kiwi kids.

I'm NOT looking forward to Coraline, but I would really like to be proved wrong.

08-30-2006, 01:48 PM	#1
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Is nothing sacred, not even worms? I just heard that there was a movie coming out based on a favorite childhood book "How to Eat Fried Worms." Most that I've read about it is that it is nothing like the book, save for the kid's name and some worms. What were your favorite kid's movies based on childhood books? What movies disappointed you? In some ways I think kids today miss so much because of sophistication in technology and exposure to much more at a younger age. If the old Charlie Brown specials had never been made until this day, would we have missed the innocence, the sweet humor, the caring lessons? If Winnie the Pooh and Tigger and Eeyore made their screen debuts as 3 dimensional computer-enhanced figures, would something be lost in the translation? What are your opinions? Am I just an old fogey, or has our whimsy gone? __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

08-30-2006, 02:01 PM	#2
Happy Monkey I think this line's mostly filler. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DC Posts: 13,575	"Matilda" was pretty good. I'm really hoping "Coraline" is good. __________________ _________________ \|...............\| We live in the nick of times. \| Len 17, Wid 3 \| \|_______________\| [pics]

08-30-2006, 02:12 PM	#3
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	The very first movie I recall going to (with my mom) was SNOW WHITE. We ate nonpareils. I loved it. I was the most special girl in the world just then. The next movie I recall is Jaws--I think there might have been a willful lapse of memory there, I dunno. I LOVED Matilda. I love all the Harry Potter books and movies. I loved the first Freaky Friday (with Jodie Foster) and I loved Bedrooms and Broomsticks... I may not have all that in order! I also loved that ballerina movie of the late 70's or early 80's--Turning Point! i am SOOO Girly. Sigh. No wonder you all hate me. Little Miss Sunshine ROCKED. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

08-30-2006, 02:33 PM	#4
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	That's "Bedknobs" and Broomsticks, sweetie. Bedrooms and Broomsticks was the porn version, I think. Anyone else excited to see the big screen "Transformers" movie? I wasn't a kid when it was out, but my kid was a kid then. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

08-30-2006, 03:47 PM	#7
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Oh, there are so many ... Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was one of my favorite books in childhood, and I love both movie versions, for different reasons. The Gene Wilder because it's so joyous, and the Tim Burton because it retains more of the creepy moral teaching of the book. The Phantom Tollbooth, although I liked the book better than the cartoon. The new Narnia movie did not disappoint me at all ... thought that was like someone took the pictures out of my head and popped them up onto the screen. The Black Stallion was phenomenal! However, there are a lot of disappointing versions of Black Beauty out there ... I was always disappointed that none of the CW Anderson horse books ended up being made into movies ... and I still haven't seen the film version of Marguerite Henry's Misty of Chincoteague. There are several other of her books that would have made good movies too, but I guess that she's fallen out of favor with young girls who are mad about horses, it's all internimably long series of boring stories about girls in Saddle Clubs or whatnot these days. I always wanted to see a movie about Ramona the Pest (Beverly Cleary), but given what happened to Harriet the Spy (Louise Fitzhugh), I'm not so sure that's a good idea. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis Last edited by wolf; 09-30-2008 at 01:09 PM. Reason: noticed spelling error two years later

08-30-2006, 03:24 PM	#6
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	I loved the Pippi Longstocking movie when I was a kid. I rubber-banded wet sponges to my feet and tried to skate around "cleaning" the kitchen like they did in the movie.

08-30-2006, 04:24 PM	#9
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	A friend of mine in college and I used to read children's books to each other. It was quite cool. I like audiobooks for the same reason. One of my friend's reads to her kids every night. I occasionally get pressed into service as a pinch reader when I'm over around bedtime. That reminds me of another series of children's books that I would love to see made into a movie, but I know it would get screwed up somewhere along the way ... the Green Knowe books by L.M. Boston. I'd be happy with just the first one, Children of Green Knowe. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

08-30-2006, 04:40 PM	#10
Happy Monkey I think this line's mostly filler. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DC Posts: 13,575	Speaking of "of Green", the Anne of Green Gables movies were great, especially the first one. __________________ _________________ \|...............\| We live in the nick of times. \| Len 17, Wid 3 \| \|_______________\| [pics]

08-30-2006, 06:22 PM	#12
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	It is a shame you are getting into him so late in the game ... there are a lot of books to catch up on!! (Reaper Man is excellent, and I'm sure that you'll like the Wyrd Sisters for a variety of reasons. You might also want to check out The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch) __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

08-30-2006, 06:25 PM	#13
JayMcGee Cardigan-wearing man Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Much Binding In The Marsh Posts: 1,082	the current wife and wicked stepdaughter are into Pratchitt in a big way. TBH, not my cup of tea.. I've read a few, but I like my sci-fi hard. They could make good films, though. Childhood books? I loved the 'Biggles' books, but was so disappointed with the film. Time-travelling helicopters? The Captain would surely be spinning in his grave. __________________ I like wearing cardigans...... my current favourite is an orange cable-knit with real leatherette buttons.

08-30-2006, 06:27 PM	#14
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	You mean that wasn't just a Monty Python bit? __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

09-08-2006, 07:53 AM	#15
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	I am always scared when I hear one of my childhood favourites is going to be made into a film. Books I resented sharing with the non-reading world include: The various Winnie the Pooh books - yup, my Dad read them to me. My Winnie the Pooh had a gruff East London accent, not a high pitched American one. The Black Cauldron - Taran & Eilonwy were my Posh & Becks. I didn't appreciate them getting the Disney treatment. Little House on the Prairie - Laura's life was hard work and strong morals, not talking back to her parents and rescuing people. Archer's Goon - a TV series over here based on the wonderful book by Diana Wynne Jones. It just wasn't as subtle and complex as the book. And the magical siblings just didn't have the presence on screen that my mind gave them. Howl's Moving Castle - again by Diana Wynne Jones. It was a beautiful cartoon, but no Howl could live up to my expectations. The one I fear the most is a screen version of The Changeover by Margaret Mahy. I read that book to pieces in my early teens and would just hate to see Sorenson Carlise and Laura Chant as just another two whiny Kiwi kids. I'm NOT looking forward to Coraline, but I would really like to be proved wrong. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)