Do film adaptations give justice to the novel?

Personally, I'm sort of a thrill seeker when it comes to picking out my books and my favorite authors are Stephen King and James Patterson. They definitely are the masters of creating that detailed, spine tingling scenario in your head and you're eventually drawn into that roller coaster ride till the end. Your mind does the work and the imagery or situations described in the novel is different for every reader when it comes to interpretation. But that's really the exciting part.

And taking it a step further, this burdensome task then lies in the creative hands of some Hollywood producer who's just bought the rights to that bestseller of a book. So the big budget's there, you've got scriptwriters-check, the director and a potential all star cast. After blood, sweat & tears of filming, you've got the result. The end product.

Does it live up to the book? Or did these fellas have something in mind?

Some comparisons

J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels are definitely a cult classic and has developed a huge fan base globally, with all the magical wizardry and witchcraft that keep you glued page after page, leaving hardly any room for dull moments. Yet, when it comes to the big screen version, despite the spectacular visual effects and Daniel Radcliffe taking on the lead role, avid readers can testify to the fact that there is a lacking of sorts, like particular areas of the book that are not included especially in the recent film adaptation, The half blood prince. However, the fourth installment The Goblet of Fire which was translated into film in 2005, proved to be the most faithful to the novel and even bagged a BAFTA award for best production design and nominated for best art direction.

Another popular household name, The Lord of The Rings captivated movie audiences all over the world with mind boggling, state of the art visuals, under the impressive craftsmanship of Peter Jackson. The film received rave reviews from fans and critics and even earned itself four academy awards and five BAFTA's including best film and best director. Okay, but how does it compare to Tolkien's original version in the book?
While the big screen adaptation proved to be a global hit, it wasn't actually a faithful representation, according to most novel enthusiasts. Readers were quite disappointed when certain material in the book were deleted and new material added that were not created by the writer. Among such changes was the battle in the Shire at the end of the last book which was not included in the movie. And the list goes on and on. Nevertheless, this doesn't seem to bother crazed moviegoers one bit.

Schindler's List, based on the novel by Thomas Keneally which was originally entitled Schindler's Ark, was one of the exceptions of successful big screen adaptation, thanks to the renowned brilliance of Steven Spielberg. The story focuses on a Nazi party leader named Schindler, portrayed by Liam Neeson, who risks his own life to save 1,200 Jews from concentration camps. The film won seven academy awards including best picture.

Conclusion

While paperback die hard citizens are mainly concerned with the accuracy and loyalty when translated onto film and most of them agree that ninety five percent of the time books are far better, movies and books are very different entities. Films leave little room to viewers imagination while novels allow the reader to create their own movies themselves. How the characters speak, their appearance and what the surroundings are like. So if you've seen the movie and haven't read the book, i suggest you do. And readers like me, let's not expand our expectations when the movie's out and put ourselves in the filmmaker's point of view.

Will there ever be a Pacquiao-Mayweather bout?

The clash of the titans. The ultimate dream match of the century. Time & time again these two demigods of boxing have been so close to crossing each other's paths in the ring. And countless times as well have been thwarted by unsuccessful negotiations. So, that leaves us followers to ponder endlessly: Will there ever be such a squareoff between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.?

People's Hero

Widely renown as the 'Pacman' & considered the number one pound for pound boxer in the world, having recently accomplished a historical feat by claiming seven world titles in different weight divisions, The humble, soft spoken Manny Pacquiao serves as the primary driving force & inspiration of millions of Filipinos especially during turbulent times. Often the underdog in the ring, he proved skeptics wrong as the little man of General Santos City moved rapidly up the weight division (He started out at 106lb) out classing larger than life foes, his 3 most previous victims being 'The Golden Boy' Oscar De La Hoya, a mind boggling KO over the 'Hitman' Ricky Hatton & A 12-round TKO against his toughest opponent to date, Miguel Cotto.

Manny Pacquiao is currently the WBO welterweight world champion, IBO & Ring Magazine's light welterweight champion, former WBC lightweight world champion, IBF super bantamweight world champion & WBC former flyweight world champion. Furthermore, he is the former Ring Magazine featherweight & super featherweight champion. A natural southpaw, Pacquiao displays a mean left hook but never, i mean never take his right hand for granted.

Pretty Boy

The son of a former welterweight contender from Grand Rapids Michigan, given the popular monicker 'Pretty boy' by his amateur teammates because he had relativley few scars, The classy Floyd Mayweather Jr. remains undefeated with 40 wins including 25 by knockout in 5 different weight divisions & six world championships. He is currently ranked number 2 pound for pound fighter & is Ring Magazine's fighter of tne year in 1998 and 2007. Mayweather has tremendous speed & displays a unique defensive technique which utilizes the 'shoulder roll' wherein the lead shoulder is raised high on the cheek in order to cover the chin & block punches. An olympic medalist as well, 'Pretty boy' bagged the bronze in the 1996 olympics event held in Atlanta within the featherweight division.

He is the former WBC Welterweight champion, a title he vacated upon his retirement. An orthodox fighter, Mayweather is definitely a powerhouse opponent for 'Pacman' inthe ring.

Hindrances, hindrances

It's a global cry right now & those chants continue to echo everywhere, pleading for that one, breathtaking showdown. Or will it all lead up to that agonizing phrase...dream on, baby!

So what gives?

Well, you have this ongoing, overused hype about both parties grappling over a bigger slice of the pie which is now rumored at an $80 million worth of a super fight disclosing possibilities of a 50-50 split deal. Team Pacquio & Pretty Boy's camp refuse to give in with reasonable demands that one deserves top bill over the other. I mean, considering the status of these two mega superstars, who wouldn't?

But that used to be the case.

Politics. Despite Top Rank promoter Bob Arum & Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer's endless negotiations, this would have to come to an unforeseen halt. Confirmed reports state that The 'pacman' have decided to put on his gloves and step into the political arena, opting to run for congress in the Philippine province of Sarangani. Now whether sources predict a Pacquiao victory in the upcoming elections, Bob Arum says that there wasn't much to talk about regarding negotiation updates, following this scenario. And that his boy would have to fight someone else.

Fight someone else? If worse comes to worse, Pacquiao will have to settle for another opponent & an aspiring prospect is WBA super welterweight supreme Yuri Foreman in 2010. But then again,that is another weight division. Yet, also a crack at an unprecedented 8th division crown.

So, with all the hassles here & there, this could go on forever between Pacquiao & Mayweather. Or it may never exist. I don't know, what do you think?