I found that if I happen to read the book first, I get my own image & idea of how it's supposed to look on screen. This usually ends up jading the film.

If I watch the film first, then go back & read the book, it's usually a disappointment since someone ELSE'S image of how the book was supposed to look is stuck in my head.

So...either way I'm screwed.

UNLESS...the cast & crew actually follow the story & characters without altering anything. i.e. the King/Darabont collaborations, Snyder's Watchmen, Raimi's Spider Man, LOTR, etc...

Those were all pretty much how I had imagined them to be.

The movie John Carter was fun, really liked it. Went and bought the first 5 books, and didn't care for them as much, definitely liked the movie better.

I like to read so its a given to read the book before a movie. Gives way more detail to what happening but I agree with disappointment of what you create in ur head vs movie

i'm a reader and i rarely find a movie living up to the book,
visual affects and all, an excellent writer always leaves so
much more in my mind.

one book/movie character though that took me by surprise was
Lestat, Anne Rice, Interview with the Vampire. i, no way had
him pictured to be played by tom cruise, who remarkably, pulled
it off.

I hate to read so I always wait for the movie.

There's a lot of excellent books that still have, and may never get film adaptations, won't knock ya for not liking to read, but you're missing out on some good stuff.

Or just never proper adaptations...
As a fan of Frankenstein, I'm still waiting on what I feel is a good and faithful adaptation.
Not that crap with Kenneth Branagh.

I go in with an open mind and never expect the the movie to be an exact copy of the book. Sometimes the movie casting is perfect so when I go back and read the book I picture those actors in my head.

As long as the heart of the book is present in the movie I can forgive changes.

I grew up on the books, so they'll always have a special place in my heart. Haven't seen the movie, but it was a huge(as in one of the biggest) financial flops so there most likely won't be any sequels.

Well, they were definitely interesting. And for when they were written, no problem.

But I liked Dejah Thoris kicking butt in the movie, rather then wimpily expecting him to save her.

There's a lot of excellent books that still have, and may never get film adaptations, won't knock ya for not liking to read, but you're missing out on some good stuff.

Reminds me of my brother, who has an exceptionally high IQ.

He's an avid reader, but refuses to watch foreign films because he doesn't wanna read the subtitles.