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Post by brigadier on Mar 10, 2015 10:06:38 GMT
Watched it on Showbox last night. I must say after reading the books I thought it was going to be drivel but its the one time I can honestly say the film is better than the book. The two lead characters were very good and did actually have chemistry. It was easy watching and whereas in the books I thought the storyline implausible and banal on film it came across ok. Not the 'bestest' film ever but far less cringe worthy than I anticipated.
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Post by racaille on Mar 10, 2015 18:23:14 GMT
Bum, just lost a reply .... I didn't read the book as my kids said it was badly written and it's not really my thing, give me a melancholy Zola any day.  I am currently researching books to take to Ireland but I've already read a lot of the ones I'd have liked to take with me (I read a lot). Might take the Irish RM anyway since it's a hoot and horsey and I can always reread any Flann O'Brien ... Any suggestions? |
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Post by pboy on Mar 10, 2015 18:37:06 GMT
Like Rac, I didn't read the book as most people I know said it's badly written. I've read a lot about the film showing an emotionally abusive relationship, and I really don't fancy sitting through that as it's likely to just annoy me as I'll just want to yell out "JUST LEAVE HIM YOU FOOL!!" which probably wouldn't go down well in a packed cinema Rac - I'm in dire need of books to read as well. Recent ones that I've enjoyed were Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver (the start of the first chapter had me convinced I'd hate it, but it turned into a fab read) and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry - that one isn't literary but it's a lovely story. I've also enjoyed dipping into London Lives, a set of little snippets of little-known London history. And for something completely off-the-wall, my favourite book of last year was by Julian Cope "One Three One: A Time-Shifting Gnostic Hooligan Road Novel". It's a mad cross of Hunter S Thompson, Douglas Adams and I'm not sure what else! |
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Post by Blonde Donkey on Mar 10, 2015 18:50:31 GMT
I read the first chapter of 50shades and handed it back to a mate. I might not always read great literature but fecking hell there was no way I could read that without editing it massively. And tbh the idea of the film just gives me the creeps - who thinks its a good idea to teach young women that that kind of relationship is normal or acceptable? If you want a good book to read try Enduring Love - Ian McEwan. I read it at A-Level and hated it, picked it up two years later and I blitzed through it in a night. The level of description makes you feel as though you are there and the story is totally gripping. And its not the girly book you might think it is - it's action, thriller and romance all in one. Never get on a train without it now! He also wrote Atonement which is worth a look and Black Dogs which I am halfway through and am only putting down for ponies and work - and TP obvs  . |
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Post by Blonde Donkey on Mar 10, 2015 19:31:14 GMT
This thread reminded me of this poem - stolen from HHO. Its much better written than the actual book.
- Fifty Shades of Grey -
The missus bought a Paperback
...down Shepton, Saturday,
I had a look in her bag;
....T’was “fifty shades of grey”.
Well I just left her to it,
At ten I went to bed.
An hour later she appeared;
The sight filled me with dread…..
In her left hand she held a rope;
And in her right a whip!
She threw them down on the floor,
And then began to strip.
Well fifty years or so ago;
I might have had a peek;
But Mabel hasn’t weathered well;
She’s eighty four next week.
Watching Mabel bump and grind;
Could not have been much grimmer.
Things went from bad to worse;
She toppled off her Zimmer!
She struggled up upon her feet;
A couple minutes later;
She put her teeth back in and…
Said…. I must dominate her!!
Now if you knew our Mabel,
You’d see just why I spluttered,
I’d spent two months in traction
For the last complaint I’d muttered.
She stood there nude, naked like;
Bent forward just a bit ….
I thought what the hell,
Stepped forward,
and stood on her left tit!
Mabel screamed, her teeth shot out;
My god what had I done!?
She moaned and groaned then shouted out:
“Step on the other one”!!
Well readers, I can’t tell no more;
About what occurred that day.
Suffice to say my jet black hair,
Turned fifty shades of Grey.
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haffyfan
Administrator 
is pressing random buttons...sorry guys
Posts: 7,391
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Post by haffyfan on Mar 10, 2015 19:49:20 GMT
The books weren't great but i did read all three, curiosity as much as anything since the whole world seemed to be talking about them. Will probably get round to seeing the film eventually so good to hear it's okay. I know it was mainly hearsay but i so wanted to see Ian Somerholder in the lead role, just might well have seen it immediately if that had been the case!
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Post by fleabitten on Mar 10, 2015 22:39:57 GMT
haff, funny i didnt really think they picked the best people for the parts just from seeing the trailer (that sounds v judgemental!) i never read the books and dont intend to do so or watch the film either lol!
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Post by brigadier on Mar 11, 2015 10:05:37 GMT
Im more a history buff for books but will read anything and everything depending on mood- Ive even downed some mills and Boon in my day, Ive read the Game of thrones series and have seen he has done another book- just released, which is a prequel- so that will be my Ireland book. In the current series he hints at the history and its beguiling, so cant wait.
Re the Fifty shades- I think the hype about the abusive relationship of the characters is wrong- its more about human behaviour and the struggle the characters have with that- I think that's why the film is saved from being another "nine and a half weeks". That film was of its genre and although watchable was gratuitous in the sex scenes (more to display a younger fitter Mickey Rourke). This film is careful not to go there so it works. You cant judge something you don't see- don't believe the hype!
BD- Atonement is a cracking book- was Enduring Love the one made into a film re the organ donor programme?
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Post by fleabitten on Mar 11, 2015 11:27:14 GMT
Brig, no i dont think it was called enduring love, but i know the one youre talking about, the name escapes me! Is this it?http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1334260/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_15 Enduring love sounds good, that may be one my my next books! Currently reading starter for 10 which is a funny, light read www.amazon.co.uk/Starter-Ten-David-Nicholls/dp/0340734876Is there any more game of thrones books coming along? Ive read them all i believe but it feels like there should be more to come! I bought the season 1 box set but gave up after a couple of episodes, didnt like it on TV, enjoyed it much more in the books. |
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Post by brigadier on Mar 11, 2015 12:34:14 GMT
Don't know Flea- where did you get up to with the GOT books?
yes that's the one I was thinking about and of course it has the Japanese writer. duh!
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Post by fleabitten on Mar 11, 2015 13:37:04 GMT
Got up to a dance with dragons part 2 after the feast.
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Post by Blonde Donkey on Mar 11, 2015 16:46:20 GMT
Brig - I think the organ donor one might have been My Sisters Keeper. The one where the girl is born primarily to save her sister?
Enduring love is about two guys that meet at an horrific accident and one becomes completely obsessed with the other to the point the stalked guy will literally do anything to get rid of him.
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Post by brigadier on Mar 11, 2015 17:44:12 GMT
The one Im thinking about is Never let me go- thought provoking and very very sad. My Sisters Keeper is good but ive read a few by this author and they are a bit samey. Will look out for the Enduring Love one. The other really good book is The Time Travellers Wife, the film was ok but the book so much better.
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Post by racaille on Mar 11, 2015 18:32:23 GMT
I agree Brig - the The Time Traveller's Wife book was brilliant but the film just didn't hack it. Dunno why I like melancholy books, but I do  My family joke that I only read books written by dead authors.  They have a point but not entirely: I think Redmond O'Hanlon is a genius and for pure escapism I read a lot of thrillers. A favourite is James Lee Burke who tells a ripping yarn but also writes lyrically about the Deep South. |
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Post by Blonde Donkey on Mar 11, 2015 21:49:53 GMT
The film for Time Travellers wife really put me off the book. I might buy it to read at work on nights. If anyone hasn't read The Road by Cormac McCarthy then I urge you to read it. Its horrific, exciting and gives a fantastic insight into the human brain at times of real hardship. I bought the DVD after reading it years ago but I haven't yet brought myself to watch it, I don't want the book ruined by a mediocore film version - If anyone has seen the film let me know how good or bad it is! He also wrote No Country For Old Men which is worth a read but not near as good as The Road. Another worth a read is a book called Frozen Fire by Tim Bowler, I met him at a student English Literature conference in my hometown and we all got a book free and my god is it good. Its aimed at teenagers but is great for adults too, its quite a scary book, lots of suspense and weird happenings, not to be read when you're alone at work I've found . I'm also reading The Chinese Year of The Prat which was written by a colleague of mine and the way he dealt with his alcoholism and used it to help others. Really interesting. I don't know how you feel about chick lit but the Shopaholic series was great. I also recently read a book called Leftovers which is a cooking nerd chick lit book which I demolished in a day. I don't know if theres a book version of The Fault In Our Stars but if there is READ IT. The film was amazing, just make sure you have a box of tissues on hand, you will need them! Yea I like books . |
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for so much hard work we thank ye!!
I am currently researching books to take to Ireland but I've already read a lot of the ones I'd have liked to take with me (I read a lot). Might take the Irish RM anyway since it's a hoot and horsey and I can always reread any Flann O'Brien ...
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My family joke that I only read books written by dead authors. 
They have a point but not entirely: I think Redmond O'Hanlon is a genius and for pure escapism I read a lot of thrillers. A favourite is James Lee Burke who tells a ripping yarn but also writes lyrically about the Deep South.