Book Versus Movie Podcast Archives

Podcast June 22, 2020 by Margo Donohue

Book Vs Movie “Like Water for Chocolate” (2020)

Book Vs Movie

Like Water for Chocolate

The Margos are ready to talk about “magical realism” in Laura Esquivel’s 1989 novel (that later became the 1992 movie of the same name) Like Water for Chocolate. This may sound familiar to long time fans but we originally recorded this topic five years ago and the quality of that show–left much to be desired.

This is a story filled with interesting characters and set in Mexico in the early 1900s. We meet Tita, a 15-year-old girl who was basically born into family servitude by being the youngest daughter. Being the youngest daughter in her family means she is expected to never marry and support her overpowering widowed mother Elena.

Esquivel’s husband, director Alfonso Arau, filmed the movie in Mexico with a small, independent film budget. It went on to make over $20 million, one of the most successful foreign-language films of the 90s.

Between the novel and film–which did the Margos like better?

In this ep the Margos discuss:

The story behind the novel
The setting of Mexico in the early 1900s
Changes between the novel and the film
The cast which includes: Lumi Cavazos (Tita,) Marco Leonardi (Pedro,) Regina Torne (Mama Elena,) Mario Ivan Martinez (Dr. John Brown,) Yareli Arizmendi (Rosaura,) Pilar Aranda (Chencha,) and Claudette Maille (Gertrudis.)

Clips Featured:

A clip from the audiobook narrated by Kate Reading
Like Water for Chocolate trailer
“Quail in Rose Petal Sauce”

Join our Patreon page to help support the show! https://www.patreon.com/bookversusmovie

Book Vs. Movie podcast https://www.facebook.com/bookversusmovie/

Twitter @bookversusmovie www.bookversusmovie.com

Email us at bookversusmoviepodcast@gmail.com

Brought to you by Audible.com You can sign up for a FREE 30-day trial here http://www.audible.com/?source_code=PDTGBPD060314004R

Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com brooklynfitchick@gmail.com

Margo P. @ShesNachoMama https://coloniabook.weebly.com/

Check out this NEW episode of Book Vs. Movie!

Podcast June 15, 2020 by Margo Donohue

Book Vs Movie “Gentleman Prefer Blondes”

1Comment

Book Vs Movie

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

The Anita Loos 1925 novel Vs the 1953 Howard Hawkes classic film

The Margos are heading back to the 50s (well, really the 20s if you want to be technical about it!) Gentleman Prefer Blondes was first published in 1925 by Anita Loos in Harper’s Bazaar magazine as a serial. The book itself was so popular at the time that Edith Wharton dubbed it “the Great American Novel” considering it came out the same year as Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby–that is incredible praise.

The story itself is a simple tale about a “professional lady” making her way in the world trying to nab a wealthy suitor. Lorelei Lee is a blonde flapper from Little Rock, Arkansas and men can’t help but so attracted to her she winds up getting whatever she wished for in life.

Dorothy Shaw is Lorelei’s best friend and has her own romantic struggles (one of them being a brunette which makes her work harder to get men to pay attention to her.)

The movie was directed by Howard Hawkes and stars Jane Russell as Dorothy and Marilyn Monroe as Lorelei. It was a huge hit in 1953 and the stars got along famously. It’s considered a classic musical and pre-feminist statement.

Between the novella and Howard Hawkes film–which did the Margos like better? (Is it even going to be close?)

In this ep the Margos discuss:

The life of Anita Loos
The setting of the book and why the 1920s was known as the flapper era
Major changes between the novel and the 1953 film
The cast which includes: Marilyn Monroe (Lorelei Lee,) Jane Russell (Dorothy Shaw,) Charles Coburn (Sir Francis “Piggy” Beekman,) Elliott Reid (Ernie Malone,) Tommy Noonan (Gus Esmond Jr,) and George Winslow (Henry Spofford)

Clips Featured:

Lorelei is accused of stealing in Paris
Gentleman Prefer Blondes trailer
Lorelei and Dorothy meet Henry Spofford
Lady Beekman (Norma Varden) shows Lorelei her tiara
Outro music: “Is There Anyone Here for Love” Jane Russell

Join our Patreon page to help support the show! https://www.patreon.com/bookversusmovie

Book Vs. Movie podcast https://www.facebook.com/bookversusmovie/

Twitter @bookversusmovie www.bookversusmovie.com

Email us at bookversusmoviepodcast@gmail.com

Brought to you by Audible.com You can sign up for a FREE 30-day trial here http://www.audible.com/?source_code=PDTGBPD060314004R

Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com brooklynfitchick@gmail.com

Margo P. @ShesNachoMama https://coloniabook.weebly.com/

Check out this NEW episode of Book Vs. Movie!

Podcast June 8, 2020 by Margo Donohue

Book Vs Movie “Saturday Night Fever”

0Comments

Book Vs Movie

Saturday Night Fever

Based on a short story in New York magazine, the 1977 movie is dissected in this special episode

The Margos are suffering from a case of “Night Fever” and the only sure is taking a deep dive into one of the most successful films of the 1970s–Saturday Night Fever. The film was directed by John Badham and stars John Travolta in his first Academy-Award nominated performance as an actor.

The idea for the film comes from an article from New York magazine in 1976 “Tribal Rights of the New Saturday Night” by reporter Nik Cohn. At the time, Cohn said it was based on a real group of people from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. In fact, it turns out he pretty much made up the whole thing. The story of “Vincent” a teenage dance phenom who is just trying to earn and living and forget about living in a working-class neighborhood caught the eyes of Hollywood and a screenplay was created as a starring vehicle for Travolta who was seen by millions every week on the ABC-TV hit sitcom Welcome Back Kotter.

Badham inherited the movie two weeks filming was supposed to start without film locations set and without the role of Stephanie filled. We have so much behind the scenes gossip and trivia here to talk about in addition to the fabulous soundtrack! (The Bee Gees at their finest!)

Between the article and film–which did the Margos like better? (Is it even going to be close?)

In this ep the Margos discuss:

How Nik Cohn came to writing the article for New York magazine
How the film overcame so many obstacles to become a classic
How the dancing was received
The incredible music!
The cast which includes: John Travolta (Tony Monero,) Karen Lynn Gorney (Stephanie,) Barry Miller (Bobby C.,) Joseph Cali (Joey,) Paul Pape (Double J,) Donna Pescow (Annette,) Martin Skakar (Frank Jr.,) and Fran Drescher (Connie.)

Clips Featured:

Saturday Night Fever trailer
Tony and his family “You Hit My Hair’
Tony’s brother leaves the priesthood
Fran Drescher’s film debut
Tony and Connie on the dance floor
Outro music: “You Should Be Dancing” The Bee Gees (from the movie scene)

Join our Patreon page to help support the show! https://www.patreon.com/bookversusmovie

Book Vs. Movie podcast https://www.facebook.com/bookversusmovie/

Twitter @bookversusmovie www.bookversusmovie.com

Email us at bookversusmoviepodcast@gmail.com

Brought to you by Audible.com You can sign up for a FREE 30-day trial here http://www.audible.com/?source_code=PDTGBPD060314004R

Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com brooklynfitchick@gmail.com

Margo P. @ShesNachoMama https://coloniabook.weebly.com/

Check out this NEW episode of Book Vs. Movie!

Podcast May 10, 2020 by Margo Donohue

Book Vs Movie “The Warriors”

0Comments

Book Vs Movie

The Warriors

(Yes, the Cult Classic Film is Based on a Book!)

The Margos are picking out our costumes for this special episode devoted to the cult classic The Warriors (yes, it was based on a book by Sol Yurick.) The movie, directed by Walter Hill, was a hit when it was released in 1979, but the glory of that was marred by real-life gang violence at the time which caused the movie studios to cease advertising the film. It was a staple of syndicated television throughout the 80s and is considered a modern classic and one of the earliest films to bring a comic book sensibility to urban decay.

Yurick wrote the original story in 1965 and based it on his experience working for the welfare department in New York City after graduating college in the 1940s. He became fascinated by the teenagers he met and how they navigated living in a big city. (At the time, the term “juvenile delinquent” was used to describe young people who got into trouble.)

The basis for the story is a fictional account of gang life and the Greek story Anabasis.

In the mid-1970s, producer Lawrence Gordon bought the rights to the book and Paramount Pictures became the home of the film adaptation.

There are several differences between the book and film including the names and costumes of the multitude of gangs and its depiction of women.

So between the book and the movie, which did we like better? Click on the link below to find out!

In this ep the Margos discuss:

The life story of Sol Yurick
New York City in the 1960s and 1970s
Trivia about the shooting of the film
The cast which includes: Michael Beck (Swan,) James Remar (Ajax,) Dorsey Wright (Cleon,) Brian Tyler (Snow,) David Harris (Cochise,) Tom McKitterick (Cowboy,) Marcelino Sanchez (Rembrandt,) Terry Michos (Vermin,) Deborah Van Valkenburgh (Mercy,) Roger Hill (Cyrus,) David Patrick Kelly (Luther,) Lynne Thigpen (D.J.,) and Mercedes Ruehl (policewoman.)

Clips Featured:

The Warriors trailer
“Warriors, come out to play!” (David Patrick Kelly)
Luther “Can you dig it?” (Roger Hill)
The D.J. warns The Warriors (Lynne Thigpen)
Outro music: Composer Barry DeVorzon

Join our Patreon page to help support the show! https://www.patreon.com/bookversusmovie

Book Vs. Movie podcast https://www.facebook.com/bookversusmovie/

Twitter @bookversusmovie www.bookversusmovie.com

Email us at bookversusmoviepodcast@gmail.com

Brought to you by Audible.com You can sign up for a FREE 30-day trial here http://www.audible.com/?source_code=PDTGBPD060314004R

Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com brooklynfitchick@gmail.com

Margo P. @ShesNachoMama https://coloniabook.weebly.com/

Check out this NEW episode of Book Vs. Movie!

Podcast February 3, 2020 by Margo Donohue

Book Vs Movie “Beloved” (Toni Morrison & Oprah Winfrey)

0Comments

Book Vs Movie

Beloved

The Toni Morrison Pulitzer Prize-Winning Novel Vs. the Oprah Winfrey Movie

It’s African American History Month and the Margos are eager to start with Toni Morrison’s 1987 widely-acclaimed novel Beloved which was turned into a movie with the help of Oprah Winfrey in 1998.

This novel is a story about an escaped slave, Sethe (played by Winfrey in the film) who when was threatened with capture, killed her daughter rather than have her face a life of being in chains. Her other children survive and eventually, they live a life as free people in Cincinnati.

Sethe lives with her daughter Denver while two of her sons have long ago runaway. Sethe and Denver believe their home is haunted by the spirit of her dead daughter. They rarely leave home and Denver is shy and lonely. Paul D. is a former slave of Sweet Home which is where Sethe and her family were kept before their escape across the Ohio River.

He catches up with Sethe in Cincinnati and convinces her and Denver to enjoy an evening out when they come across “Beloved”–the spirit of her dead child in a woman’s form. Beloved is feral and causes a great deal of strife in Sethe’s life.

The themes of the book cover everything from racism, sexism, class, spirituality, and the mother-daughter family dynamics and it won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988 and was a runner up for the National Book Award that year. (This caused quite a bit of controversy in the African American literary community!)

It is now considered one of Morrison’s best work while concurrently being banned from high school curriculums across the country.

In this episode, we talk about the many differences between the original book & the movie to decide which we like better.

In this ep the Margos discuss:

- The incredible life of Toni Morrison

- The more controversial aspects of the book and why it is banned from so many schools

- The basic differences between book & movie.

- How Oprah Winfrey finally brought the adaptation to life

- The cast of the movie including Danny Glover (Paul D.,) Kimberly Elise (Denver,) Thandie Newton (Beloved) and Hill Harper as Halle.

Clips Featured:

- Beloved trailer

- Paul D. & Sethe get closer

- Young Sethe (Lisa Gay Hamilton) meets Amy Denver (Kessia Embry)

- Outro music “Storise Khoro Goliamo” by Mita Stoychera

Join our Patreon page to help support the show! https://www.patreon.com/bookversusmovie

Book Vs. Movie podcast https://www.facebook.com/bookversusmovie/

Twitter @bookversusmovie www.bookversusmovie.com

Email us at bookversusmoviepodcast@gmail.com

Brought to you by Audible.com You can sign up for a FREE 30-day trial here http://www.audible.com/?source_code=PDTGBPD060314004R

Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com brooklynfitchick@gmail.com

Margo P. @ShesNachoMama https://coloniabook.weebly.com/

Check out this NEW episode of Book Vs. Movie!

Podcast September 29, 2019 by Margo Donohue

Book vs Movie “Practical Magic”

0Comments

Book Vs Movie

Practical Magic

Alice Hoffman 1995 Novel Vs the 1998 Cult Classic Film

The Margos are feeling very witchy in this episode dedicated to Alice Hoffman’s novel Practical Magic and the 1998 adaptation from director/actor Griffin Dunne. This is one of the most requested subjects in our five-year history and we had a ball talking about the 90s look and feel from the film.

The story revolves around the Owens sisters (Sally & Gillian) who come from a long line of witches in their Massachusetts town and experience bullying and taunting from the locals. Sally becomes introverted as a result while Sally goes a little wild and takes off as a teenager. Sally & Gillian have a bond that is strong and when Gillian comes home in deep trouble–the women use their powers to vanquish their foe.

The film features the shiniest hair imaginable and a soundtrack that practically screams “90s!” So between book and film, which did we like better?

Click the link at the bottom to find out.

In this ep the Margos discuss:

- The career of author Alice Hoffman

- The incredible cast including Sandra Bullock (Sally Owens,) Nicole Kidman (Gillian Owens,) Stockard Channing (Aunt Frances,) Dianne Weist (Aunt Jet,) Goran Visnjic (Jimmy Angelov,) Aidan Quinn (Gary Hallet,) Evan Rachel Wood (Kylie,) Alexandra Artrip (Antonia,) Mark Feuerstein (Michael,) Caprice Benedetti (Maria Owens,) Chloe Webb (Carla,) and Margo Martindale (Linda Bennett.)

- The biggest differences between the book and movie

- Our favorite scenes from the movie

Clips Featured:

- Practical Magic trailer

- Aunt Jet & Aunt Francis create a potion

- Detective Hallet flirts with Sally Owens

- Outro music Coconut by Harry Nilsson

Join our Patreon page to help support the show! https://www.patreon.com/bookversusmovie

Book Vs. Movie podcast https://www.facebook.com/bookversusmovie/

Twitter @bookversusmovie www.bookversusmovie.com

Email us at bookversusmoviepodcast@gmail.com

Brought to you by Audible.com You can sign up for a FREE 30-day trial here http://www.audible.com/?source_code=PDTGBPD060314004R

Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com brooklynfitchick@gmail.com

Margo P. @ShesNachoMama https://coloniabook.weebly.com/

Check out this NEW episode of Book Vs. Movie!

Uncategorized September 1, 2019 by Margo Donohue

Book Vs Movie “The Maltese Falcon”

1Comment

Book Vs Movie

The Maltese Falcon

Dashiell Hammett’s 1930 dark novel Vs the 1941 Bogart film noir classic

This episode is the stuff that dreams are made of with the Margos talking about The Maltese Falcon which was written by Dashiell Hammett originally in five parts in Black Mask magazine in 1929 and later became the first film directed by John Huston and starring a 42-year old Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade.

The story begins with private detective Sam Spade who along with his partner Miles Archer metts the lovely “Miss Wonderly” who hires them to find out is her sister has run off with a gentleman named Floyd Thursby. Archer and Thursby are soon killed and Sam is the suspect.

In this intriguing tale, we also meet Effie Perrine, Joel Cairo, and Casper Gutman and learn about a Maltese Falcon that jewels from the King of Spain who was captured by pirates. It was coated in black enamel to hide its value.

But who is lying and who is on the side of truth? The peppy mystery and old-timey San Francisco setting keep the audience guessing until the end. This is a fun ride with a super-exciting film to match.

So between the book and the movie–which did we like better? Click the link at the bottom to find out.

In this ep the Margos discuss:

- The interesting life of Dashiell Hammett

- The definition of film noir and why it applies here

- The cast including Bogart, Mary Astor (Brigid O’Shaughnessy,) Gladys George (Iva Archer,) Peter Lorre (Joel Cairo,) Barton MacLane (Detective Dundy,) Lee Patrick (Effie Perine,) Sydney Greenstreet (Kasper Gutman,) Ward Bond (Det. Polhaus,) Elisha Cook, Jr. (Wiler Cook,) and James Burke (Luke)

- The biggest differences between the book and movie

- Our favorite scenes from the movie

Clips Featured:

- The Maltese Falcon trailer

- “The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of…” (Sam Spade & Detective Polhaus)

- Sam Spade gets his confession from Brigid O’Shaughnessy

- Sam Spade finds out who “Miss Wonderly” really is and he is skeptical

- Sam Spade offers Joel Cairo as the fall guy

- Sam Spade meets Joel Cairo

- Outro music The Maltese Falcon theme by Global Stage Orchestra

Join our Patreon page to help support the show! https://www.patreon.com/bookversusmovie

Book Vs. Movie podcast https://www.facebook.com/bookversusmovie/

Twitter @bookversusmovie www.bookversusmovie.com

Email us at bookversusmoviepodcast@gmail.com

Brought to you by Audible.com You can sign up for a FREE 30-day trial here http://www.audible.com/?source_code=PDTGBPD060314004R

Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com brooklynfitchick@gmail.com

Margo P. @ShesNachoMama https://coloniabook.weebly.com/

Check out this NEW episode of Book Vs. Movie!

Uncategorized November 9, 2018 by Margo Donohue

Book Vs Movie Bonus Ep “Psychology in Films”

0Comments

Book Vs. Movie Podcast Bonus Ep

with David Hart “Talk Film Society”

“Psychology in the Movies”

In this bonus ep (which originally dropped in November 2016) Margo D. talks with guest David Hart, writer at Talk Film Society, about four psychological illnesses and/or traits and pick one film each that best represents them. David is a former Psychology Intern at VA Sierra Nevada System and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in clinical psychology.

The categories chosen for this ep:

Depression
Anxiety
Narcissism
Sociopathy

Agree or disagree with our choices? Let us know in the comments below.

If you need help with any of these disorders please visit Psychology Today “Find a Therapist” or Talk Space.

Book Vs. Movie podcast https://www.facebook.com/bookversusmovie/

Twitter @bookversusmovie www.bookversusmovie.com

Email us at bookversusmoviepodcast@gmail.com

Brought to you by Audible.com You can sign up for a FREE 30-day trial here http://www.audible.com/?source_code=PDTGBPD060314004R

Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com brooklynfitchick@gmail.com

Margo P. @ShesNachoMama http://thechingonahomesteader.weebly.com/

Check out this NEW episode of Book Vs. Movie!

Podcast, Uncategorized October 7, 2017 by Margo Donohue

Book Vs Movie “Rosemary’s Baby”

0Comments

Book Vs Movie Podcast

“Rosemary’s Baby”

Special Podcast Guest Juliette Miranda and Margo D. Take a Close Look at the Classic Book and Movie

Margo D. (co-host of Book Vs. Movie) and Juliette Miranda of the Unwritable Rant podcast turn up the spookiness in this episode talking about the classic Ira Levin novel and the venerated film directed by Roman Polanski. It took a year to make this show happen but it’s now ready, enjoy!

In this episode we discuss:

The incredible work of Ira Levin
Mia Farrow’s incredible performance and offscreen troubles with husband Frank Sinatra (!)
The near perfect direction by Roman Polanski and how he frames his shots.
The weird rape scene featuring a rather unfortunate “hairy paw”
How strong (or weak) the character of Rosemary is at different times in the movie.

Clips used:

Rosemary’s Baby TV trailer

Rosemary’s dream sequence

The morning after Rosemary’s baby ceremony

Rosemary and Dr. HIll

“His eyes!”

Outro Music: Rosemary’s Baby theme by Mia Farrow, Krysztof Komeda

Book Vs. Movie podcast https://www.facebook.com/bookversusmovie/

Find us in Apple Podcasts

Twitter @bookversusmovie www.bookversusmovie.com

Email us at bookversusmoviepodcast@gmail.com

Brought to you by Audible.com You can sign up for a FREE 30-day trial here http://www.audible.com/?source_code=PDTGBPD060314004R

Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com brooklynfitchick@gmail.com

Margo P. @ShesNachoMama www.shesnachomamasblog.com

Check out this NEW episode of Book Vs. Movie!

Podcast, Uncategorized September 29, 2017 by Margo Donohue

Book Vs Movie “The Hunger Games”

0Comments

Book Vs Movie Podcast

“The Hunger Games”

Part 1 of Suzanne Collins’ Trilogy Versus the Jennifer Lawrence Megahit Film

Book Vs. Movie finally takes on the Suzanne Collins’ classic 2008 novel The Hunger Games and compare it to the 2012 movie–both smash hits. We were a little scared to take this on as the trilogy as it has some very fervent fans. But the Margos are as fearless as a tribute from District 12 so we grab our bow & arrow and take aim at each work of art.

What are the differences between the two? Which did the Margos like better? Click the link below to find out.

In this episode we discuss: