The Book Is Better - Book to Film Adaptation Reviews

We're breaking from the norm today and discussing the film that's based, in one way or another, on maybe more books than any other movie in history! Join us as we review the 2023 D&D film and nerd out about races, classes, magical items, and more! (Yes, Rebekah is a DM. No, she didn't use all of the right words when recording and she doesn't care that you're a rules lawyer. K?) Let us know if...

Jaws was one of the most successful debut novels in history, and its film successor literally invented the summer blockbuster. So... how does this classic adaptation hold up? Was the book the better work, despite the continued fame of the film? As the book celebrates 50 years (we all threw up a little when we read that), the family discusses our thoughts on the incredible quality of the film after...

Dune: Part Two was, maybe, the cinematic event of 2024. We discuss our feelings about Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of the final half of Frank Herbert's book and (a little bit about) how it compares to the 1984 film adaptation. Trivia question to consider before listening: Can you name the 5 Oscar-nominated or Oscar-winning actors noted in the full cast list? Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Hayn...

This modern hit of a movie was based on the cult classic sci-fi novel, Dune — did Denis Villeneuve nail the adaptation? How does 2021's Dune: Part One compare to 1984's Dune? (Hint: One of them was super weird...) The family discusses our thoughts on both adaptations and our excitement in preparation for Part Two releasing in just a week! Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards,...

As four believers, reviewing Jesus Revolution was a family favorite and cut deep to the soul! Learn what we thought of the adaptation of Greg Laurie's biographical portrait of the revolution he lived through and how it stacked up to the real-life experiences of the time. TW: Drug abuse, child abuse, death of an adult child, religion, AIDS Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards,...

How does Ernest Cline's futuristic and dystopian 1980s love letter compare to the 2018 film adaptation? (Hint: there's so much different that it's like experiencing a whole new story.) We compare Ready Player One 's film to the book that inspired it and maybe include a bit of trivia along the way. Do you agree with our final verdicts? Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards, and...

This children's book has been a memorable classic for decades. The family discusses the (somewhat minor) differences from book to both the 1971 and 2005 films — but don't worry, we mostly stick to the original. The Tim Burton version is just...creepy. We also share our thoughts on Wonka , which we saw just a few days before recording this episode, as a prequel to the 1971 adaptation. Featuring hos...

Did you know that everyone's favorite average NYPD detective-turned-hero-series was actually inspired by a book? Learn what the family thinks about this adaptation, including how we handled the absence of an audiobook... Also, yes, Die Hard is absolutely a Christmas movie! Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards, and T. Josiah Haynes Support us on Patreon >>  https://p...

The family discusses Dad's favorite holiday work: A Christmas Carol . Adapted into more films, TV shows, and various art forms than possibly any other book in history, this timeless classic gave us plenty to discuss. From best and worst adaptations to the total obsession our dad had with watching as many versions as he could, we hope you enjoy this Christmas episode! Collider — The Top 24 Christma...

How does this short but charming children's Christmas book compare to its feature-length film? The family discusses major changes and some of the more notable facts about this groundbreaking (however uncanny valley-ish) holiday classic. For this special episode, we invite Rebekah's son, Christian, to the cast! The Polar Express is his favorite Christmas movie, and he proves to be a goldmine of lit...

In this bonus episode, we interview our very own Josiah about the process of writing a novel series, from character development to software and everything in between. He gives fantastic advice for aspiring authors and provides a lens into this complex process. Get the first book: https://a.co/d/6ptvd2W For signed copies or to reach out to Josiah, find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tjos...

As the epic* Twilight series comes to a close, the family reviews the most major book-to-film changes, including the fact that the Renesmee of the films is just... well, she's creepy. *Epic is in the eye of the beholder, we guess... Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards, and T. Josiah Haynes. Support us on Patreon >>  https://patreon.com/bookisbetterpod Find us every...

The arena explosion isn't the only bomb dropping in this episode... the family reviews differences between the book and film The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes . (We're all kind of obsessed. Buckle up!) Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards, and T. Josiah Haynes. Support us on Patreon >>  https://patreon.com/bookisbetterpod Find us everywhere at @bo...

Is New Moon the worst Twilight book, or the best ? The family chats about the second and third books in The Twilight Saga. We also discuss the fascinating (dark) perspective on the clearing fight in The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner . This one's for you, baby listener! (You'll need to listen all the way through to get that reference...) Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards,...

Love it or hate it, Twilight has a place in the collective psyche of our modern day. The family reviews the differences between the Twilight book to its massively successful film and determines if the book is really better. We also discuss the controversy around this IP, our opinions on Midnight Sun , and whether or not we're Team Edward or Team Jacob (or a third team, which you'll have to listen...

It's spooky season, and we're celebrating by reviewing one of the most famous thriller adaptations of all time! Learn what the family of 4 thinks of the (significant) changes made for the film adaptation. We also get real about the absolutely unacceptable way director Stanley Kubrick treated most of the actors on set to make for an "authentic" performance. TW: Mental illness and emotional abuse Fe...

In a shocking twist, Rebekah turns on everything she's ever believed (sort of...). The family discusses the differences between the hit movie Oppenheimer and the Pulitzer Prize-winning book that inspired it: American Prometheus. Spoiler alert: Biographies turned into films make for fascinating discussions. Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards, and T. Josiah Haynes. Support us...

What's so special about this story that gave it a book series, a TV miniseries, a stage play, and a movie?! The family of 4 discusses major differences between The Hitchhiker's Guide book and the 2005 film. They also share their thoughts on the major cult fandom spawned by the book and surprising trivia around the entire IP (including a quirky but not-so-shocking nude guest appearance of a critica...

We've got a lot of thoughts about President Coin, the "sanitized" PG-13 version of this haunting trilogy conclusion, and how we're so excited they added Effie to the final two movies! The family reviews the adaptation of Mockingjay to a two-part film and determines if the book is truly better this time. New listeners: Please forgive the audio quality from our original few episodes. We fix the setu...

The family talks major differences between the Catching Fire book and film and which work is superior. They also discuss the layout of Panem and... well, let's just say we like to chat. New listeners: Please forgive the audio quality from our original few episodes. We fix the setup and it's way better starting with episode 4, we promise! Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards, a...

Did they really get it right? The family discusses the major differences between the first Hunger Games book and film and which work is superior. New listeners: Please forgive the audio quality from our original few episodes. We fix the setup and it's way better starting with episode 4, we promise! Featuring hosts Tim Haynes, Donna Haynes, Rebekah Edwards, and T. Josiah Haynes. Support us on Patre...