Tombstone. Poster of the 1993 movie and cover of the book novelization
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Tombstone
Giles Tippette, 1994
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
George P. Cosmatos, Kevin Jarre, 1993

In 1879, members of an outlaw gang known to wear red sashes called the Cowboys, led by Curly Bill Brocius, ride into a Mexican town and interrupt a local police officer’s wedding. Wyatt Earp, a retired peace officer with a notable reputation, reunites with his brothers Virgil and Morgan in Tucson, Arizona, where they venture on toward Tombstone to settle down.


Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Poster of the 2005 movie and cover of the 1941 book, Bodies Are Where You Find Them
VS3
Bodies Are Where You Find Them
Brett Halliday, 1941
movie vs book
Shane Black, 2005

At a Los Angeles party, Harold #Harry# Lockhart recounts recent events. Fleeing a botched burglary in New York City, Harry’s friend is shot, forcing Harry to evade police by ducking into an audition. Harry unintentionally impresses Dabney Shaw with an outburst of remorse Dabney mistakes for method acting.


Willow. Poster of the 1988 movie and cover of the book novelization
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Willow
Wayland Drew, 1988
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Ron Howard, 1988

When a prophecy states that a female child with a special birthmark will herald the downfall of the evil sorceress Queen Bavmorda, she imprisons all pregnant women in her realm to prevent its fulfillment. When the child is born, the mother begs the midwife to smuggle the infant to safety. The midwife reluctantly accepts and leaves Nockmaar Castle unnoticed. The mother is executed; the midwife is hunted down and eventually found.


Kill the Irishman. Poster of the 2011 movie and cover of the 1998 book, To Kill the Irishman: The War That Crippled the Mafia
VS3
To Kill the Irishman: The War That Crippled the Mafia
Rick Porrello, 1998
movie vs book
Jonathan Hensleigh, 2011

In 1960 Danny Greene and his childhood friends Billy McComber and Art Sneperger are longshoremen at the Cleveland docks. Nardi gets him work as an enforcer for Hungarian Jewish loan shark Shondor Birns, and later helps pitch a deal to Mafia Capo Jack Licavoli: Greene will force the city’s garbage haulers to join the union Licavoli controls.


Pollock. Poster of the 2000 movie and cover of the 1988 book, Jackson Pollock: An American Saga
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Jackson Pollock: An American Saga
Gregory White Smith, Steven Naifeh, 1988
movie vs book
Ed Harris, 2000

In 1941, Jackson Pollock is living with his brother in a tiny apartment in New York City, drinking too much, and exhibiting an occasional painting in group shows. That’s when he meets artist Lee Krasner, who puts her career on hold to be his companion, lover, champion, wife, and, in essence, caretaker. To get him away from booze, insecurity, and the stress of city life, they move to the Hamptons where nature and sobriety help Pollock achieve a breakthrough in style.


Top Gun. Poster of the 1986 movie and cover of the book novelization
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Top Gun
Mike Cogan, 1986
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Tony Scott, 1986

United States Naval Aviator LT Pete Maverick Mitchell and his Radar Intercept Officer LTJG Nick Goose Bradshaw are stationed aboard the USS Enterprise, from which they fly the F-14A Tomcat. Despite his dislike for Maverick’s recklessness, CAG Stinger sends him and Goose to attend TOPGUN, the Naval Fighter Weapons School at Naval Air Station Miramar.


The Ghost and the Darkness. Poster of the 1996 movie and cover of the 1907 book, The Man-Eaters of Tsavo
VS3
The Man-Eaters of Tsavo
John Henry Patterson, 1907
movie vs book
Stephen Hopkins, 1996

In 1898, Sir Robert Beaumont, the primary financier of a railroad project in Tsavo, Kenya, is furious because the project is running behind schedule. Patterson travels from England to Tsavo, telling his wife, Helena, he will complete the project and be back in London for the birth of their son.


The Ghost and the Darkness. Poster of the 1996 movie and cover of the book novelization
VS3
The Ghost and the Darkness
Dewey Gram, 1996
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Stephen Hopkins, 1996

In 1898, Sir Robert Beaumont, the primary financier of a railroad project in Tsavo, Kenya, is furious because the project is running behind schedule. Patterson travels from England to Tsavo, telling his wife, Helena, he will complete the project and be back in London for the birth of their son.


The Missing. Poster of the 2003 movie and cover of the 1995 book, The Last Ride
VS3
The Last Ride
Thomas Eidson, 1995
movie vs book
Ron Howard, 2003

In late 19th-century New Mexico, Samuel Jones reappears hoping to reconcile with his adult daughter Magdalena Maggie Gilkeson. She is unable to forgive him for abandoning the family and leaving her mother to a hard life and early death. This situation changes when renegade Apache Pesh-Chidin and a dozen of his followers pass through the area, ritualistically killing settlers and taking their daughters to be sold into sex slavery in Mexico.


The Saint. Poster of the 1997 movie and cover of the book novelization
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The Saint
Burl Barer, 1997
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Phillip Noyce, 1997

At the Saint Ignatius Orphanage, a rebellious boy named John Rossi refers to himself as Simon Templar and leads a group of fellow orphans as they attempt to run away to escape their harsh treatment. Just as Simon is caught by the head priest, he witnesses the tragic death of a girl, to whom he had taken a liking, when she accidentally falls from a balcony.


The Saint. Poster of the 1997 movie and cover of the 1928 book, The Saint Meets the Tiger
VS3
The Saint Meets the Tiger
Leslie Charteris, 1928
movie vs book
Phillip Noyce, 1997

At the Saint Ignatius Orphanage, a rebellious boy named John Rossi refers to himself as Simon Templar and leads a group of fellow orphans as they attempt to run away to escape their harsh treatment. Just as Simon is caught by the head priest, he witnesses the tragic death of a girl, to whom he had taken a liking, when she accidentally falls from a balcony.


Palo Alto. Poster of the 2013 movie and cover of the 2009 book, Palo Alto: Stories
VS3
Palo Alto: Stories
James Franco, 2009
movie vs book
Gia Coppola, 2013

April finds herself torn between two conflicting emotions – an illicit flirtation with her soccer coach and an unreciprocated crush on her classmate Teddy. Meanwhile, Fred, a lively and unrestrained individual, embarks on a relationship with Emily, a promiscuous loner seeking validation through sexual encounters. As the parties in their high school life blur together, April and Teddy grapple with acknowledging their mutual affection, while Fred’s reckless behavior leads to escalating chaos.