Movie Theater Catch-22 Coming May 16 to Hulu!

[Strykervet]

Catch 22, you've heard the expression. Joseph Heller, a WW2 bomber crew member himself, wrote one of the greatest military novels of all time, Catch 22. Just when you think you've won, you've lost! It was a great book, one of the best I've ever read. The movie wasn't that great so I'm really hoping they capture the book in this series.

This is one I can't wait for, just two more days, then it's into the world of Yossarian and Milo Minderbinder and Major Major Major.

You had to be former military to understand some of the subtleties in the book, but I think a series may be able to capture that without the prerequisite tour of duty.

 

[shootist2004]

yeah the movie was a little "dark". Alan Arkin made it worth the watch.

 

[Fig]

One of the all time best books. I still like the movie.

 

[Strykervet]

I didn't like the movie that much... Too far away from the book. The book is a must read, there's no way a movie or even this series can come close to what Heller wrote. He actually disguises the horrors of war in these tales, but as the book goes on, more and more gets revealed and by the end of the book, all illusions are gone. Everything is exposed for the ugly war it is. It was actually an anti-war book from post WW2/Korean war eras. If you were in the military, any branch or MOS, you'll get this book better than a civilian, it was written just for you.

Didn't like the movie, but I agree, Alan Arkin did make it worth the watch. And it's on Amazon Prime right now FWIW.

 

[Fig]

I started to watch the other night and fell asleep immediately. I plan on watching it again, because, of course, I am part of the collective! We all are!

 

[Strykervet]

Yes, we are all part of the syndicate and what's good for the syndicate is good for us!

SO, I finished watching it. I liked it, it was better than the movie, they did capture more in it BUT they left out some characters (most notably Chief White Halfoat). And it also couldn't capture the tonality or progression of the book. Or the mastery of language Heller used in the book. Word choice. All of it, really. It's why it's a true masterpiece.

We always say the book is better than the movie, but in this case it's a piece of American Literature and there simply is no way to do it justice in a film. It can only be "honored" in a way. If your remember the book, it starts out as absurd, surreal and the nature of violence is hidden. Slowly that veil is pulled back, page by page, until you get to the end and it's just unadulterated war in all it's ugliness. The reader is basically protected in the beginning, shielded from the horrors. The show just can't capture that.

But it's still worth a watch and if you haven't read it, READ IT!