Some time ago I read the novel Savages, by Don Winslow, and really liked it. Now it is an Oliver Stone movie, opening on Friday, and starring massage mania actor John Travolta.

I read the book again today, and I sure hope the movie is as good as the book. But, looking at the trailer, I can already see that they changed some things. Nonetheless, the trailer looks pretty promising.

Despite the overwhelming interest here in this movie, the reviews so far have not been kind. So I urge you to read the novel instead. I will still see the movie, and, if it is better than its reviews, I will say so. Or, you can think for yourself and see it anyway!

I spoke too soon! The NY Daily News loved it!

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/film-review-blake-lively-taylor-kitsch-shine-oliver-stone-fierce-savages-article-1.1108437

I hope it does well for Taylor Kitsch's sake. He's been in two bombs so far this year already and he's too hot to drop off the face of the earth yet.

It's very hard to make most books into movies that are 100% true to the book. They are two different mediums with different criteria that must be observed.

First, each reader helps each book author present his story. The authors uses words that the reader's mind paints into a scene. Good authors inspire readers to paint great scenes. A movie director has to do it on his own with help from actors, wardrobe, make-up etc. The picture is presented on the screen which is almost impossible to paint as richly as one's mind can. The viewer contributes nothing. He just sits back and observes what mere mortals have been able to cobble together, with limitations, to try to capture a scene.

Second, the reader has no time limitations in exploring the author's story. He can read as little or as much as he desires by his own schedule. This permits complex story lines, maybe multlple story lines, to be woven intricately that captures interest and draws readers into the plot. Oh, and at anytime the reader can get up to take a leak or a dump or get a beverage to enjoy while reading.

However, theater patrons have limitations on bladder capacity and possibly sitting in a cramped, maybe cold screening room. Not to mention that the theater itself stays in business by cycling audiences through over the day. All this goes to say that movies must fit time constraints that readers of books do not have and authors do not expect.

Transferring a book to the screen usually requires pruning of the book down to one story line, maybe two at most, with reduced characters and compressed time for presentation. Necessarily, much must be lost to the reader. That is the nature of making movies from books. Not everyone can do that well. Probably no one can do it well every time.

Also, not every book is well suited to be made into a movie. Yet the basic storyline may be compelling and public interest great enough to attempt to spin off something that can be made from a book title. Remember, people make movies for money and they pursue a potential payoff.

These are some things to keep in mind when you compare a movie inspired by a book. It's a tricky business to make one. Some succeed better than others or better one time than another. Judge the movie by what it presents and not the book it was inspired by. It may be a good movie even though it wasn't a true rendering of the novel.