Book Vs Movie Podcast

Book Vs. Movie is the podcast that ponders the question: "Which was better...the book or the movie?" We spoil away the details, uncover the plot points, discuss casting choices and shower with praise (or pummel with snark) as we see fit. Hosts are Margo P. (She's Nacho Mama's Blog) and Margo D. (Creator of Brooklyn Fit Chick.com) and we are not afraid to tell it like it is!

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Episodes

The Giver (2014) Lois Lowry, Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep. Brenton Thwaites & Alexander Skarsgard

Book Vs. Movie: The Giver The 1993 Classic 1993 Novel by Lios Lowry & the 2014 Movie The Margos continue their “Banned Book Month” with The Giver by Lois Lowry, one of the most praised young adult novels of the 1990s that is also one of the most challenged books of the last 30+ years. Lowry based the story partly on her “army brat” upbringing with its strictness and her desire to honor life’s journey throughout its ups and downs. We can forget that other people do not have that privilege by ...

Sep 25, 2022•1 hr 10 min

Slaughterhouse Five (1972) Kurt Vonnegut, George Roy Hill, Michael Sacks, Ron Liebman

Book Vs. Movie: Slaughterhouse-Five The 1969 Kurt Vonnegut Masterpiece Vs. the 1972 Filmed Adaptation The Margos continue “Banned Book Month” with one of the most controversial works by celebrated author Kurt Vonnegut, 1969’s antiwar novel Slaughterhouse-Five: or The Children’s Crusade: A Dirty Dance with Death. Vonnegut’s fictional account of his real-life experience as a prisoner of war and the WW2 Dresden bombing was published at the height of the Viet Nam conflict and appreciated by millions...

Sep 18, 2022•1 hr 11 min

The Chocolate War (1986) Robert Cormier, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, John Glover, Keith Gordon & Kate Bush

Book Vs. Movie: The Chocolate War Robert Cormier 1974 YA Novel Vs. The 1988 Keith Gordon Film This September, the Margos are going to cover books that have been placed on “Banned Books” lists at schools and libraries in America over the last 100+ years, starting with The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier, which has consistently been banned in high schools for language, religious questioning, and sexual imagery since its publication. The story of Jerry Renault, a lonely high school freshman at a Ca...

Sep 11, 2022•1 hr 8 min

The Farewell (2019) Lulu Wang, Awkwafina (Special Guest Kristen Meinzer By the Book)

Book Vs. Movie: The Farewell The Lulu Wang Story from NPR’s This American Life & the 2019 Film The Margos have a special guest for this episode devoted to an NPR story by writer/director Lulu Wang. Kristen Meinzer (co-host of the By the Book & Romance Road Test podcasts) is a return guest who wanted not only to talk about her new shows but also to share one of her recent favorite films, which is an adaptation of a true story contribution by Wang she shared with This American Life in 2016...

Aug 28, 2022•1 hr 1 min

Election (1999) Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Klein, Alexander Payne

Book Vs. Movie: Election The 1998 Novel Vs. the 1999 Film The Margos have had the Tom Perrotta novel Election on their list to cover since the podcast began in 2008, but for some reason--it was not made available until this summer. Who could forget Reese Witherspoon’s performance as Tracy Flick? Matthew Broderick's last line in the Alexander Payne movie? The story is about an ambitious woman who will win her high school presidential campaign no matter what made Witherspoon a star. Her character ...

Aug 22, 2022•58 min

James and the Giant Peach (1996)Roald Dahl, Henry Sellick, Joanna Lumley, Simon Callow

Book Vs. Movie: James and the Giant Peach Roald Dahl’s 1961 Children’s Novel Vs. the 1996 Henry Sellick Adaptation The Margos have covered Roald Dahl several times on this podcast for good reason, he has written dozens of interesting stories in the 20th Century. He is also a polarizing and controversial figure, but his influence on children’s literature is undeniable. James and the Giant Peach is very typical in his storytelling in that it features a protagonist who is a small child that is smar...

Aug 14, 2022•46 min

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) Ian Fleming, Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Benny Hill, & Roald Dahl

Book Vs. Movie: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang The 1964 Ian Fleming Story vs the 1968 Dick Van Dyke Movie The Margos can’t seem to escape the allure of Ian Fleming with an episode devoted to his only children’s story Chitty Chitty Bang Bang which was published in October 1964--two months after his death at the age of 56. He wrote the story for his son Caspar and based many of the characters on his children and their friends with the backstory of “aero-engine racing carts” of the 1920s by Louis Zborowsk...

Jul 17, 2022•53 min

Book Vs Movie: Hercule Poirot's Christmas (1994) David Suchet

Book Vs. Movie: Hercule Poirot’s Christmas Agatha Christie’s Holiday Mystery Vs the David Suchet “Poirot” TV Series The Margos return to Agatha Christie and one of her most famous detectives with Hercule Poirot’s Christmas which was originally released in 1938. The “locked room mystery” is one of her most well-loved stories. This being the holiday season, we thought it made for a perfect inclusion to our December episodes! A family returns home to visit with their elderly (and rich) father durin...

Dec 16, 2021•1 hr 2 min

Book Vs Movie: The Year Without a Santa Clause (1974)

Book Vs. Movie: The Year Without a Santa Clause The Rankin/Bass 1974 Classic Special Based on a Light Verse Book For many 70s kids, the Rankin/Bass specials with their catchy music and stop motion animation were high art. From Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to Santa Clause is Coming to Town their specials garnered big ratings and helped popularize holiday music. One of their most iconic specials was based on a 1956 Phillis McGinley book The Year Without a Santa Clause which told the story of a b...

Dec 09, 2021•40 min

Book Vs Movie The Bishop's Wife (1947) Cary Grant & Loretta Young

Book Vs. Movie: The Bishop’s Wife The 1928 novel by Robert Nathan Vs the 1947 Classic Cary Grant Film It’s December at Book vs Movie and we are excited about covering holiday-themed films including this selection--The Bishop’s Wife. The original novella was written by Robert Nathan in 1928 is the story of a preacher, Henry Boughman, who dreams of building a huge cathedral at the expense of his relationship with his wife Julia. An angel, Michael, appears to help Henry and his family learn that fa...

Dec 01, 2021•54 min

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