Round two of the 2023 Close Reads literary bracket is upon us and as you can see round one saw its fair share of chaos with at least five “underdogs” winning.
My biggest gripe is that HP3 was the movie choice. I know it’s an artsy movie and all but I will be forever bitter about how poorly the movie served the Marauders (who I adore with all my heart) and how it really began the character assassination of Ron Weasley in favor of making Hermione a near perfect character. I think there are other Potter movies that serve as good films but are much better adaptations of the books, but that could be just me. On the plus side HP3 being the choice made it easy to vote against it out of spite 😂
That’s fair. And in other book to movie adaptations where there’s a similar circumstance (like Pride and Prejudice 2005) I don’t mind as much because they weren’t part of my childhood the way HP was. I think in general too because of the way the books and movies were coming out simultaneously/so close to each other as part of this one giant cultural moment, it’s hard to separate them as works of art the way I can separate say, the LOTR books/movies.
Why hello! Did I know you're a Close Reader? I'm so delighted to know that! I did have trouble with that one now that you mention it. I have better memories of seeing LOTR, so that was my guiding factor, haha
Oh my gosh. Why do we do this to ourselves every year.
My Fair Lady is beating The Godfather??
This is an interesting year.
This is just WRONG by any objective standard. There, I said it.
Correct.
I can't believe what has been eliminated. How can Hunt for Red October and The Fantastic Mr. Fox be gone??? David, explain this to me.
I assume too few people have watched FMF.
I'll buy that but Hunt for Red October is not only the best Jack Ryan movie, it has Sean Connery AND James Earl Jones.
well up against The Godfather, which is considered by many to be a top 3 movie ever.
I’m just excited that we may end up with a Keira Knightley-free final line up! C’mon everyone, make it happen!
Go Muppets Go!!!!
Winnie the Pooh vs Mary Poppins is an impossible choice.
AGREE
My biggest gripe is that HP3 was the movie choice. I know it’s an artsy movie and all but I will be forever bitter about how poorly the movie served the Marauders (who I adore with all my heart) and how it really began the character assassination of Ron Weasley in favor of making Hermione a near perfect character. I think there are other Potter movies that serve as good films but are much better adaptations of the books, but that could be just me. On the plus side HP3 being the choice made it easy to vote against it out of spite 😂
It shouldn’t have won last round, but it’s just generally considered the best of the movies, because it’s actually cinematically well-made.
That’s fair. And in other book to movie adaptations where there’s a similar circumstance (like Pride and Prejudice 2005) I don’t mind as much because they weren’t part of my childhood the way HP was. I think in general too because of the way the books and movies were coming out simultaneously/so close to each other as part of this one giant cultural moment, it’s hard to separate them as works of art the way I can separate say, the LOTR books/movies.
I can't stop laughing at these results.
And I can’t at the titles you made. Umbrellas Matter wins!
LOTR vs Princess Bride...which child do I sacrifice??
Princess Bride vs Fellowship of the Ring and Little Women vs Anne of Green Gables???? That is final round type match ups!
They are both impossible choices!!
Not for THAT Little Women...
Agree!!!!!
My only problem was deciding between Little Women (2019) and Ben Hur. I haven't seen Ben Hur so I voted for Little Women... but very guiltily!
It’s like people listened to the discussion episode and made a pact to can all of the guys’ favorites 😂
Yep
Oooh, these were good!! I didn't have too much trouble except The Remains of the Day is not winning so far!!
Did you have any trouble with LOTR vs Princess Bride? (also, fancy meeting you here!)
That one gave me pause! I do love both, but at the end of the day, I’d pick LOtR to watch on repeat.
Why hello! Did I know you're a Close Reader? I'm so delighted to know that! I did have trouble with that one now that you mention it. I have better memories of seeing LOTR, so that was my guiding factor, haha
Probably not, I don't jump in to the comments very often! Yeah, I had to make that my guiding factor on a few too.
Well, lovely to see you here!
I know--that really surprised me! I can see why it wouldn’t be a favorite film but it’s an excellent adaptation.
Yes, it really is a masterful adaptation, though I imagine it may be too slow for a lot of folks.
I think I'm most upset about Winnie the Pooh against Mary Poppins! How can I choose between two such beloved movies!
I wonder if Dr Zhivago would have stood a chance against something that wasn't Sense and Sensibility.
Also A River Runs Through It is something that comes to mind when I think "Excellent adaption" and really ought to made it past the first round.
David, I really appreciate the email reminders and Substack reminders. In previous years I missed some of the rounds, this has been perfect.
Same!!!!!
Definitely!