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SCOTT (SCOOP) BUTKI
A cynical idealist; To Read Me Is to Know Me (Mostly)
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Member Since: 2/2007Last Seen: 11/28/2009
Member Since: 2/2007Last Seen: 11/28/2009
152 Comments
PrintYour Best Book/Movie Recommendations
News Type: Opinion — Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:00 PM EDT
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If you could force each Newsviner to read one particular book and one particular movie what would they be and why?
Mine would be Phantom Tollbooth and...
Hmm, I need to think on what movie I'd recommend.
Meanwhile, what would YOUR choices be?
(added later) Please explain the reasons for those selections
45 Votes- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
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{"commentId":589300,"authorDomain":"jay-baker"}
Book: 1984 by George Orwell
This one's a classic and it should be a must read for every American. It has so many things to say about human society and its future.
Movie: American Beauty
It's not the best movie ever made, and it's not even my favorite, but this is a great one to force other people to watch. Like 1984, it has a lot to say about American society. The main character is sort a personal hero to me. I think if we all watched it and took it to heart, we could all learn something.
{"commentId":589300,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"jay-baker"}
- 4 votes
#26 - Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:41 PM EDT{"commentId":589348,"authorDomain":"smackcover"}
I agree with 1984. American Beauty didn't do much for me, but I can see how others would find it very inspiring. It wasn't the messgae that lost me, but the delivery.
{"commentId":589348,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"smackcover"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":589528,"authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}
it has a lot to say about American society.
I think it has a lot to say about Hollywood society... and very little to do with your average American.
{"commentId":589528,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":589613,"authorDomain":"smackcover"}
Adam, that's how I saw it. I couldn't really relate, but I can see how it would be profound for some people. I just couldn't seem to put myself in the place of the characters. I'm not saying it wasn't a good movie, it just didn't affect me the way it did some of my friends.
{"commentId":589613,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"smackcover"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":589725,"authorDomain":"jay-baker"}
I agree with you guys, American Beauty didn't have the best presentation and that's why it's not my favorite movie (my favorite is Rocky Horror Picture show), but I think the message is very profound for anyone who lives in corporate suburbia. The scene where Lenard is about to make out with his wife on the living room couch really says it all. She almost seems like she's going to let go of her trite materialism to be happy with Lenard, but then she stops him just as he goes in for a kiss ... to warn him very matter-of-factly that he's about to spill beer on the couch ... "It's just stuff!" he yells. It doesn't get any better than that.
{"commentId":589725,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"jay-baker"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":590263,"authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}
Jay, that scene is one of the reasons why I think the movie is crap. I've lived in suburbia all my life, and I've never met anyone like that. Not to say that suburbia is perfect, because it's far from it, but I just think the movie and its themes were more of a transference than anything close to reality.
{"commentId":590263,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":607290,"authorDomain":"rkfan"}
Just had to read this for English. Normally when you read a book in school, everybody hates it. However, most of the books I've read for high school English are pretty good. I had known George Orwell was a talented writer, but had never experienced it firsthand. After reading this book, I think I will go read 1984. Excellent!
{"commentId":607290,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"rkfan"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":607472,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}
{"commentId":589333,"authorDomain":"thetalkingmule"}
I'm waiting for The Kite Runner to be made into a movie. With the proper production this excellent book will translate nicely to the big screen.
{"commentId":589333,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"thetalkingmule"}
- 5 votes
#27 - Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:51 PM EDT{"commentId":589352,"authorDomain":"deatienza"}
I really enjoyed reading that book. I went in with no expectations and was definitely moved by the end.
{"commentId":589352,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"deatienza"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":589356,"authorDomain":"deatienza"}
Didn't mean to hit "post" yet.
My only qualm is that the ending was kind of cheesy and you could see it coming a mile away. It was heartwarming, sure, but it wasn't done with as much style and talent as the rest of the book.
{"commentId":589356,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"deatienza"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":589455,"authorDomain":"kori"}
Book: Children of Bethany by Said K. Aburish
Movie: Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
I'm often harrassed because everything I enjoy reading or watching has a political or horistical basis to it. Dyed in the wool nerd, I guess.
{"commentId":589455,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"kori"}
- 3 votes
#28 - Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:45 PM EDT{"commentId":589466,"authorDomain":"kori"}
historical.
{"commentId":589466,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"kori"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":713344,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}
{"commentId":589476,"authorDomain":"created"}
It is hard for me to think of forcing a piece of literature or film on anyone. At some level, our enjoyment of something is so very personal. But if I had to pick a book, I would have to go with Conrad. Heart of Darkness opened my eyes to a whole new world of language. If you want to read modern books that make the English language look good, try The Floating City by Pamela Ball or Gentlemen of Space by Ira Sher.
As for a movie, perhaps even more subjective. I do think that one movie everyone should see is The Bicycle Thief by Vittoria de Sica. One of the most beautiful films ever created.
My pics are especially good for those of us who are in love with the art, and not just the outcome - in other words we appreciate the process and let the little details slosh around in the back of our throats.
Just to throw it in there (even though it wasn't asked) - everyone should fall in love with Johnny Cash. Start with his American Recordings and head on back. You won't regret it!
{"commentId":589476,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"created"}
- 3 votes
#29 - Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:58 PM EDT{"commentId":589482,"authorDomain":"zaki"}
{"commentId":589482,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"zaki"}
- 6 votes
#30 - Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:59 PM EDT{"commentId":589537,"authorDomain":"deatienza"}
I think I liked Choke more than I liked Fight Club. And not just 'cause there was far more sex.
Also, Syriana put me to sleep.
{"commentId":589537,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"deatienza"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":590291,"authorDomain":"grey"}
Also, Syriana put me to sleep.
Boo to that.
{"commentId":590291,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"grey"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":589545,"authorDomain":"emoat"}
Best book/movie: Johnny got his gun.
{"commentId":589545,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"emoat"}
- 3 votes
#31 - Fri Mar 16, 2007 3:20 PM EDT{"commentId":589681,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}
That is one that changes you forever
{"commentId":589681,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":589678,"authorDomain":"rightenough"}
Books - Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh. A Moveable Feast by Hemingway. Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce.
Even though there are tons, these are some of my favorites.
{"commentId":589678,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"rightenough"}
- 3 votes
#32 - Fri Mar 16, 2007 3:55 PM EDT{"commentId":589731,"authorDomain":"eco-geek"}
Just watched Trainspotting with my wife a few nights ago (her first time seeing it). Does the book improve significantly on the movie?
{"commentId":589731,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"eco-geek"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":589880,"authorDomain":"rightenough"}
The movie is an adaption of the book, and the movie focuses mostly on heroin, while also touching on issues of friendship, growing up and poverty (that the book excels at describing).
The movie is awesome for many reasons, but the book is an entirely different entity all together.
This is mostly because the book is a collection of stories with multiple (often unreliable) first-person narrators, and of whom are omniscient. The movie is solely through the perspective of Renton.
The novel does tend to focus on Renton as a main character, but it does let you peek into the minds of Begbie, Spud, Sick Boy as well as other important characters that aren't even in the movie.
In a sense it has a Faulkner-type approach, mainly in that Welsh created a community of characters that interact with each other (this community and its characters both re-occur and serve as the stage in his later works).
Another thing to note - with the exception of the third-person omniscient narrator sections, the novel is written in heavy slang. In fact, depending on the character, the dialogue/vocabulary may be harder or easier to understand (reflecting perhaps their varying degree of education and/or the area they hail from).
There are a lot of colloquialisms and Scottish slang, as well as a good deal of un-explained Scottish football references. You'll have to just play along with those, although 'Hibs' referes to Hibernian, Edinburgh (Leith's) team and 'Hearts' refers to the Hearts of Midlothian, the other team from Edinburgh - Think Cubs vs. White Sox.
{"commentId":589880,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"rightenough"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":589698,"authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}
Wow, it is hard to narrow down, and a lot of favorites are already on lists, so here are two not yet mentioned.
Movie ~ Brian's Song
Book ~ Uncle Tom's Cabin
{"commentId":589698,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"PamelaDrew"}
- 3 votes
#33 - Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:03 PM EDT{"commentId":589713,"authorDomain":"jnicolas"}
Book: House of Leaves only because once you get going on that book you start to question the actual physical properties of your own house.
Book if you want people to lose faith in humanity: 1984 No other book has made the statement that belief in anything is futile, like this book has. But if you had to force someone to read this book you would have to tell them that it isn't true, and that things don't really end up that way.
Movie: Crash Only to show that everyone is connected in some way.
{"commentId":589713,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"jnicolas"}
- 2 votes
#34 - Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:08 PM EDT{"commentId":589905,"authorDomain":"created"}
Crash is an excellent movie.
{"commentId":589905,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"created"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":590801,"authorDomain":"eyes"}
House of Leaves was a trip. If you ever wanted a book about the power of words, I encourage you to attempt House of Leaves.
{"commentId":590801,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"eyes"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":596153,"authorDomain":"HonkyTonk"}
I thought Crash was heavy-handed, impersonal, preachy, boring, predictable, badly acted, and juvenile. It was literally one of the worst movies I've seen in the past 5 years. Just because you like the message doesn't mean you have to like the movie.
{"commentId":596153,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"HonkyTonk"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":712566,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}
I encourage you to attempt House of Leaves.
That's a great way of putting it. You don't read it, you attempt it. (And you probably won't succeed on the first attempt...)
{"commentId":712566,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":589802,"authorDomain":"kori"}
The mention of 1984 got me thinking about books that shaped my viewpoint when I was young, and immediately Farenheit 451 came to mind.
{"commentId":589802,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"kori"}
- 2 votes
#35 - Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:37 PM EDT{"commentId":601826,"authorDomain":"jay-baker"}
Farenheit 451 is a classic. A few other books that have shaped my viewpoints:
Brave New World
Anthem
{"commentId":601826,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"jay-baker"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":589885,"authorDomain":"dreaming"}
It's difficult for me to find one book or movie to talk about, but to name some favorites:
Memories of Murder, and for a book, American Gods. I could make lists of stuff to read though.
{"commentId":589885,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"dreaming"}
- 2 votes
#36 - Fri Mar 16, 2007 5:02 PM EDT{"commentId":589935,"authorDomain":"Blitzen"}
Sun Tzu - The Art of War
Recommended to me when I was 12 years old by someone I considered a mentor who was an entrepreneur, if you don't take it literally it can be applied to many situations in life for example his chapter on the use of spies I interpreted as the perils of ignorance and the importance of networking, not litteral spying James Bond/CIA kinda stuff... best of all its FREE click the link --->>
Wikisource: Sun Tzu- The Art of War
Mind you there are many different translations that effect how it reads so read a couple of them to get a better understanding should be easy to find on google
and a honorable mention to "Ender's Game" I think someone already mentioned it
{"commentId":589935,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"Blitzen"}
- 3 votes
#37 - Fri Mar 16, 2007 5:23 PM EDT{"commentId":590062,"authorDomain":"tallman"}
Movie: Old Boy, Korean, directed by Chanwook Park. One of the most gut wrenching films of all time, and one of my recent favorites. Also its part of a series by the same director. No recurring characters, but all of the stories are based on revenge, the other two are Sympathy for Mr. Vengence and Sympathy for Lady Vengence.
Book: This is a really tough one. I think it would have to be Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five, Cat's Cradle being a close second. I frequently feel like Billy Pilgrim, coming unstuck from time.
{"commentId":590062,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"tallman"}
- 4 votes
#38 - Fri Mar 16, 2007 6:10 PM EDT{"commentId":590146,"authorDomain":"babar"}
The greatest and most underrated book in my opinion, Irving Stone's The Agony and the Ecstacy. don't watch the movie, it does the book no justice.
{"commentId":590146,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"babar"}
- 2 votes
#39 - Fri Mar 16, 2007 6:52 PM EDT{"commentId":590288,"authorDomain":"spacegoat"}
The Illuminatus! Trilogy by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson - I've read a lot of good books, but this is the one that has had the most influence on my life. It taught me that not everything is what it seems, but what it may be is probably bull@!$%# anyway. I read it 17 years ago, and I've been looking for fnords ever since. I may have even found a few.
I can't say any movie has had such an impact, but I'm a big Kubrick fan and Dr. Strangelove is one of his best. I watched it again a couple months ago, and I was struck by how accurately it portrays the futility and insanity of the military industrial complex, and by how it hasn't changed a bit in the 43 years since it was made.
{"commentId":590288,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"spacegoat"}
- 2 votes
#40 - Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:11 PM EDT{"commentId":590348,"authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}
That book hurt my head. I've never finished the least 50 so pages, it just got too confusing. Of course I haven't tackled it since I was 15 either...
{"commentId":590348,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":590745,"authorDomain":"spacegoat"}
I remember it was like that when I first read it. When I stopped trying to make sense out of everything, it became easier to read.
{"commentId":590745,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"spacegoat"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":590305,"authorDomain":"grey"}
Book:
- Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884)/Mark Twain
Breakfast of Champions, or Goodbye, Blue Monday (1973)/Kurt Vonnegut
The BFG (1982)/Roald Dahl
Movie:
- His Girl Friday (1940)/Howard Hawks
Rear Window (1954)/Alfred Hitchcock
Adaptation. (2002)/Spike Jonze
Wait. You asked for three of each, right?
{"commentId":590305,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"grey"}
- 2 votes
#41 - Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:25 PM EDT{"commentId":590312,"authorDomain":"grey"}
Goddammit.
Book:
- Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884)/Mark Twain
- Breakfast of Champions, or Goodbye, Blue Monday (1973)/Kurt Vonnegut
- The BFG (1982)/Roald Dahl
Movie:
- His Girl Friday (1940)/Howard Hawks
- Rear Window (1954)/Alfred Hitchcock
- Adaptation. (2002)/Spike Jonze
Wait. You asked for three of each and for the whole thing to be repeated at least once, right?
{"commentId":590312,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"grey"}
- 3 votes
{"commentId":590344,"authorDomain":"created"}
Hitchcock is brilliant, of course - as far as Rear Window - is it not possible that this is his masterpiece? The thrills are sophisticated and enchanting, and it all takes place in one room. Love, love, love this movie!!
{"commentId":590344,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"created"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":590431,"authorDomain":"deatienza"}
I didn't know Roald Dahl wrote a book called the Big @!$%#ing Gun.
Just kidding.
{"commentId":590431,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"deatienza"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":590357,"authorDomain":"theoldjuggler"}
Yeah, a lot of redefining "one" in this thread.
"Confederacy Of Dunces" Toole
"As Good As It Gets"
{"commentId":590357,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"theoldjuggler"}
- 2 votes
#42 - Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:54 PM EDT{"commentId":590415,"authorDomain":"spiffie"}
Movie: The Blues Brothers. The only movie adapted from an SNL skit that was ever worth a damn.
Book: Introduction to Logic by Alfred Tarski. This simple introduction to modern logic re-ignited my interest in academics, and sent me back to school to get my math degree. There are plenty of people who would benefit from a stronger foundation in basic logic.
{"commentId":590415,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"spiffie"}
- 2 votes
#43 - Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:44 PM EDT{"commentId":590785,"authorDomain":"eyes"}
How dare you.
If Nigel Tufnel saw this...
:)
{"commentId":590785,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"eyes"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":590443,"authorDomain":"TheVerbalistx"}
The Amazing Adventures of Cavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
{"commentId":590443,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"TheVerbalistx"}
- 3 votes
#44 - Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:56 PM EDT{"commentId":594023,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}
I LOVE that book, Mike V. Excellent choice.
{"commentId":594023,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
- 1 vote
#45 - Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:05 PM EDT{"commentId":594042,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}
One reason I started this thread was to see if there was interest in talking about books and think I can now answer in the affirmative. I wasn't sure since I didn't see a book group listed nor many threads about authors.
I've spelled out a a> about setting up a newsvine book group and book discussion group.
Come by and let me know if you are interested.
{"commentId":594042,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
- 1 vote
#46 - Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:11 PM EDT{"commentId":594062,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}
Argh, still getting used to doing links. I was trying to link to this piece
I have GOT to reemmber to look at that preview window.
{"commentId":594062,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
- 1 vote
#47 - Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:18 PM EDT{"commentId":596266,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}
This week my recommended movie would be Paper Clips. If you don't find the movie moving, inspiring and remarkable then you must not be paying attention. Or read here on why I liked it.
I thought of that movie while watching Mad Hot Ballroom this weekend (review to come later)
Hey, I warned you my answers would change depending on mood.
{"commentId":596266,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
- 1 vote
#48 - Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:27 PM EDT{"commentId":596276,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}
This week my recommended movie would be Paper Clips. If you don't find the movie moving, inspiring and remarkable then you must not be paying attention. Or read here on why I liked it.
I thought of that movie while watching Mad Hot Ballroom this weekend (review to come later)
Hey, I warned you my answers would change depending on mood.
{"commentId":596276,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
- 1 vote
#49 - Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:29 PM EDT{"commentId":597203,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}
Brian Ford has set up what is, probably unintentionally, the perfect companion piece to this piece:
Movies You Should Love But Hate Anyway
I just suggested there that it'd be interesting to compare the movies listed there with those here. I bet there are lots of matches.
{"commentId":597203,"threadId":"85254","contentId":"616612","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
#50 - Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:31 PM EDT{"canLink":false,"threadId":"85254","isPrivate":false}
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