Wizard of Oz - Book review (Part 1)

Read The Wizard of Oz amzn.to/2pcBJYO
I talk about the classic 1939 Wizard of Oz film, and its literary source, and why Hollywood has not yet taken advantage of adapting the rest of the books. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was written by L. Frank Baum, published May 17, 1900.
Twitter James ► cinemassacre
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If you like my book reviews, I did a whole series "Lookin' at Books". See full playlist here. (Goosebumps, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Autobiographies, Fiction, Comics, Hard Rock/Metal, Weird Nj and more!
kzbin.info/www/bejne/oonOiJRomM9litE #retro #retrogaming #nes #snes #jamesrolfe #mikematei #atari #playthrough #gameplay #gamereview

[@jackjaws]

I guess it makes sense that The TinMan was killing stuff with his axe, he has no heart

[@bucwhovian8305]

Jack Jaws' random videos you realises the whole idea is that the three of them already have what they want, they just aren't aware of it. Throughout the book The Scarecrow says and does things that are smart, the Tin-man is kind and the Lion is brave.

[@kevinjohnson9947]

Buc Whovian you should ask the great oz for a sense of humor

[@vector6977]

Jack Jaws' random videos I could see a terminator/robocop version of the tinman.

[@bucwhovian8305]

kevin johnson Why? I have one of those already!

[@AriochStarr]

¬_¬

[@ThatFreikugel]

I honestly just love hearing James talk about things. I don't care what it is.

[@Extremezotako]

Same

[@bigtimetimmyjim6486]

Wow, the Scarecrow beating the shit out of the giant crow with a vest in the SNES game is actually faithful to the tone of the book? Mind blown.

[@cpkudrongaming6100]

Actually you played as Dorothy while doing that. You get Scarecrow after killing the bird

[@melissacooper4482]

I remember in the book the Scarecrow killed the crows by twisting their necks.

[@themysteriouscatperson9483]

Melissa Cooper 40 crows to be specific

[@metfan4l]

This is the kind of stuff I subscribed for. Listening to James talk about things he's really knowledgeable and passionate about is always the most entertaining.

[@superlive98]

He needs to acknowledge that THE WIZ is a better movie. Well, better structured as a musical at least. Once Dorothy and pals arrive in The Emerald City in the 1939 version, the movie runs out of songs! It's a musical with no fucking songs in the final act. What the hell, MGM?

[@bbqboi182]

@@superlive98 the wiz is embarrassing for a wizard of oz film

[@brianmetcalf2440]

Wizard of Oz 3 Dorothy goes to hell is the best version

[@superlive98]

@Street Deacon What is your primary language? Does it include the concept of sarcasm?

[@alexpollock6932]

@@superlive98 once the story kicked into gear, it’s appropriate that they cut off the songs.

[@mandu9520]

The mild mannered book nerd.

[@MickSaladin]

he's gonna take you back to the past to read the classic books that kick ass

[@DragonspineInfiniteZero]

Wouldn’t it be MMBW like book worm?

[@idjut1080]

Relax dude.

[@DragonspineInfiniteZero]

He’s the chilled, Harry Potter, wizard of oz, Oliver Twist NEeeeerd he’s the chilled book worm nerrrrrrd

[@jadlysmf1933]

would pay good money for audio books read by James Rolfe

[@eljefe6609]

John Dadberger who wouldn't

[@Beunibster]

* with commentary.

[@Nx57ytre]

Fifty Shades of Grey narrated by the AVGN with some artistic license.

[@jadlysmf1933]

Beunibster hours. and maybe some Mike in there. do Mike and James ever read or respond to these? anybody know cause I want this.

[@GabrielCorpsegrinder]

He did an audio book a while ago on Cinemassacre.. I can't remember what James was reading about but I think.. it was mega man related ? Anyways it was over an hour of James reading, pure bliss.

[@japeth3213]

James is able to making the act of describing a book entertaining as hell.

[@japeth3213]

Well, if that's how you feel. Oh and your avatar is the stuff nightmares are made of.

[@Darlos9D]

He knows how to pick out the cool things and get you hype about them.

[@TrustsLiars]

I just showed my daughter the 1939 wizard of oz film (on laserdisc for some reason), and she just loved it. She is 4 and I honestly expected her to be bored. now she wants to watch it all of the time, it's amazing how timeless the film is.

[@YuukitheMighty1]

The Wizard of Oz is metal as fuck.

[@98izzark69]

YuukitheMighty1 i was waiting for this comment.

[@cman32826]

el mago de oz?

[@ivanmegafanboy1981]

Vaya referencias.

[@davegsux]

Mägo de Oz

[@TimThomason]

The Tin Woodsman is the most metal of all the characters. Literally and figuratively.

[@ShadowLeggy]

I know this has minimal relevance to the video, but Ash vs. Evil Dead is fucking amazing.

[@HsienKoMeiLingFormerYANG]

ShadowLeggy Goovy starz show.

[@CaptainFarthouse]

AVGN is now The Angry Bookworm! :D

[@thegreeniporcini7263]

he doesn`t seem so angry, in all honesty he seems very happy! so how about the "I used to be angry but now im a bit more mellow * insert word play * bookworm neeeeeerd"

[@MPunky666]

This isn't his AVGN character though. It's just James giving a book review.... So no... AVGN is not the angry bookworm...

[@chaser5616]

he is the Nerd ya know he could do anything

[@Sammyyaam]

Bibliomassacre

[@Jerkwad152]

Fifty Shades of Grey? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSS!!!!!

[@Tool0GT92]

I could listen to you read ingredients from a cereal box, why are you so entertaining?

[@AriochStarr]

FYI, he owns his own store.

[@raghadalasmari7907]

Omg i feel you.

[@spinecraft1356]

Totally agree. I just wish you had used a semicolon. 😞

[@TheCharlesJackson]

Simply put: because he cares.

[@SenecaGray]

I guess if anyone's going to pioneer book reviews on KZbin, it's gotta be James Rolfe.

[@DChuck]

Articuno Forever Plenty of book reviewers exist on KZbin.

[@JazGalaxy]

That's a funny quirk of KZbin. There's so much stuff that you don't know exists. So many pockets of subcultures.

[@SenecaGray]

Dylan Dumais I'd be surprised if there WEREN'T book reviewers on KZbin. DarkKnightTrinity gets the point across for me, so I don't really have anything to say.

[@Thomse85]

Strangely enough, something I would like to see (dunno about the legality of it though) would be "lets read" with perhaps well made illustrations. For example it would be pretty awesome to see Stephen Kings "It" illustrated, especially since there is plenty of scenes that haven't and probably never will be included in any of the movies and what have you that have come out. It would also mean that as you read the book you can have a visual to go with the book.

[@blackcatbooks64]

I've thought about doing it myself, but I know so little about making videos I'm not sure how it would work.

[@JamesNintendoNerd]

Often times we get e-mails from people that say they have not been notified of our newest videos. That’s probably because you have not clicked on the bell! To get notified of every video we put out, you must click the bell icon when you subscribe to our channel. Then, checkmark “allow notifications” and click SAVE. Never miss a Cinemassacre video again!

[@flabbergastedwash232]

Cinemassacre Yes

[@tommydiaz-millan2438]

Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events was a series of 13 books made into a movie from 3 and I thought it was alright but 2 most of the fans of the books the movie kind of sucked. That's why we have the Netflix series and it was better and Neil Patrick Harris is a better Count Olaf than Jim Carrey.

[@flabbergastedwash232]

Tommy Diaz-Millan The book series is good I read the whole series.

[@potatobombmaster1523]

play shitty games please

[@sonnyhuynh007]

Cinemassacre how come you didn't talk about the urban legend of the hanging munchkin.

[@lazyrmc]

It's also crazy how this story is over 100 years old! It really feels weird how this book is basically a fairy tale for America.

[@Tollero999]

lazyrmc The book is but the movie isn't.

[@lazyrmc]

sorry typo, i meant the book lol

[@Tollero999]

lazyrmc You can edit your comments, you know?

[@lazyrmc]

I don't comment often. Forgot that that was a feature

[@Tollero999]

lazyrmc No problem. And your point still stands. I think old stuff is fascinating. Nosferatu will be 100 years old in 5 years. Like, jeez, that's alot of time! Imagine showing that to you grand-children one day and being able to say "This movie is over a century old." It's kind of mind blowing.

[@Luke12321]

This would be a awesome series. Reviewing the books that classic movies were based on. I'd love to see your review of Bram Stokers Dracula, or Mary Shellys Frankenstein.

[@Linuxs108]

I really liked this episode. The 1939 movie is the only Oz related thing I've experienced but now I'm really interested in the books. They seem really interesting.

[@jtszabo1691]

Linuxs108 I've seen Return to Oz and some of the silent films. The silent films are interesting

[@Linuxs108]

I usually find silent films to be pretty creepy so I'll most likely skip those! Return to Oz seems pretty good though.

[@truwho82]

Linuxs108 Read up to at least 6. Those are the best ones :)

[@fawfulmark2]

All of Baum's Books went Public Domain back in 1985, so you can read them all online. Easiest place is probably the Wizard of Oz Wiki which has all the book text on article pages.

[@naegling]

I have also read the Marvel comic books series of Oz illustrated by Skottie Young. It's a great adaptation.

[@alejandrovivas8567]

Is number 40 a thing in the book??? The Tinman kills 40 wolves, the Scarecrow kills 40 crows

[@TaylorOnyx123]

Just with the Witch's henchanimals.

[@tokutickler]

Alejandro Vivas Can this comment get 40 likes?

[@melissacooper4482]

I'm not sure if forty is a magical number or not but the only things that had no exact number were the Winkie guards and the flying monkeys.

[@ДжекМиллер-ь9к]

Alejandro Vivas Sort of like 40 thieves. Some dragons are also said to have 40 heads/tails.

[@bigredjanie]

Maybe it's a Noah's ark reference? "40 days and 40 nights" and all that

[@LegionOfEclaires]

Ooo this is cool idea James. Wouldn't mind you reviewing books you read.

[@TapeCollageForEloise]

So he's doomed to only ever talk about the thing that made him successful? That's insanely dumb.

[@LegionOfEclaires]

Nothing wrong with diverse content.

[@mikeburnsy6492]

+gtrslinger who crapped in your lucky Charms?

[@mikeburnsy6492]

+gtrslinger I wouldn't expect someone with -50 brain cells to understand.Please Silence Your Dumbcrotch

[@mikeburnsy6492]

+gtrslinger we don't want your Idiocy to spread okay?

[@forceshakedown]

I could listen to James explain movies, books, video games, or anything all day long. Great job man!

[@TheCludo]

The birth of book James, is this going to be a thing?

[@kristinaneuner7058]

TheCludo James has reviewed Horror books and Rock and Roll Autobiography books in the past.

[@YoshiKiller2S]

TheCludo I hope

[@originalindigodingo]

Kristina Neuner yeah but...how do I put this, neither really rise to the level of great literature.

[@WTK55]

Well James has already done a few book reviews before so why not?

[@originalindigodingo]

thesatanic6 I'm surprised something like go set a watchmen didn't create it.

[@penbeatssword7350]

I love this! The mix of book of review and talking about the behind the scenes implications of a remake was really interesting! You're definitely my favourite film reviewer, it's so obvious that you know what you're talking about :P

[@StudioUAC]

hayao miyazaki should direct a oz movie!

[@humanconvertile]

Miazaki is best at stories that are more about an experience and a spectacle, like Spirited Away and Kiki's Delivery Service, rather than a standard structure. Now, that doesn't mean he can't do it, but I think Miazaki would be PERFECT to adapt something like Alice in Wonderland or even Dante's Inferno.

[@JazGalaxy]

Right. Miyazaki excels at emotion and depicting humanity. He's not great at getting characters from place to place or having them have solid motivations for what they are doing.

[@shreknet]

Check out the 1986 series The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Either the Japanese or dubbed versions are reallyy good.

[@GadGades]

I've seen a few eps of that when I was a kid. Just not very consistently.

[@CatHermit]

StudioUAC Nah I imagine someone like Peter Jackson would do pretty good job at adapting the books to flim like he did with Lord of the Rings.

[@TheFantasticJoe]

About ten years ago there was an Oz TV mini-series called Tin Man. It was pretty good.

[@StudioCastleman]

I love the book SO MUCH. I would love a more faithful remake.

[@jstnshea]

I just realized before I started watching this that 2019 will be the 80th anniversary of the Wizard of Oz movie.

[@Lenoxmst]

man, woodman went through some shit before mm2... nice

[@melissacooper4482]

In the movie when Glinda reveals to Dorothy that she always had the power to return to Kansas the Scarecrow asks Glinda why didn't she tell Dorothy that to begin with. Glinda replies that Dorothy wouldn't have believed her and it was best she learned it on her own.

[@TheNotverysocial]

Which has been rightly parodied numerous times, it's so silly. Does she even ask for a ride in the bubble?

[@ramirogarcia9960]

She came down on a bubble. Dorthy would’ve believed anything she told her.

[@valerievargas1548]

I believe she was trying to be sure she learned anything.

[@TheSamiryoussef]

I could actually see Peter Jackson making a franchise out of this...

[@tkayube]

I think that'd work pretty well. There's enough book stuff that he wouldn't need to make stuff up entirely.

[@bremccune]

Guillermo del Toro might do well on this series.

[@jeradmcmilligan4895]

TheSamirEzz Plus the actual books are alot darker than the original movie. They could take a really cool direction with all that material.

[@balbanes1]

That's actually a good call since OZ is a twisted fairytale, honestly after reading the books the 1980's film actually captured the tone better than the original film.

[@TheFantasticJoe]

I don't think I can handle 14 three-and-a-half-hour-long movies.

[@SHspesh]

Great video, James. I'm hoping you'll bring back the "lookin' at books" series. These are a lot of fun to watch because they're so enlightening!

[@alexl.4362]

James, consider Reviewing Every Goosebumps book in the Collection. Thank you.

[@melvinrivas385]

Alex lopresti finally a book reviewer

[@TsubasaNoAkutenshi]

He had reviewed Goosebumps before, but just as overall, not in depth per book.

[@alexl.4362]

Chest Pec Respect What about...The Masked Mutant.

[@alexl.4362]

choncho2585 Choncho

[@Kristhor]

Not surprised that it is gory, most old fairytales were, like Grim fairytales

[@luisd.mancilla8169]

Kristhor Huh, get it? "Grim"

[@valerievargas1548]

Or Hans Christian Andersen

[@NathanSeals]

I'd really like to see more book review from you, James.

[@zyffe]

This was extremely well done. One of my favorite videos of yours! Your enthusiasm really shone through here and it was a great pleasure to watch. Thanks, James! Looking forward to pt. 2!

[@lowmax4431]

Reading Rainbow: With James Rolfe. The only thing this video is missing is a reading rainbow-like intro.

[@RockMedved]

I love how James can take something I have no interest in or emotional attachment to, and make a presentation about it that even I can enjoy! He is always bursting on seams with passion for the material he is discussing, an enthusiasm that can infect pretty much anyone!

[@thaddeusbelmont1662]

After the Oz books, you should review Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass.

[@Deep_wolf]

Pinocchio is also a very violent book. They didn't showed all guts and gore in the cartoon lol!

[@hemidas]

And Bambi as well! It had a kill ratio comparable to Game of Thrones!

[@danmiy12]

ya...a lot of people think bambi is so cute...try reading the book bambi...and come back to me to say that again...lol...so much death...

[@willthomas2310]

danmiy12 Well...the movie wasn't always exactly the most cheerful flick. Don't know how much more or less, it dark from the book. The movie was pretty intense, and scared a lot of childhoods

[@JaxxsinsTrails]

What about Tin Man with Zooey Deschanel? If you haven't watched that miniseries yet I highly recommend it.

[@davidandrew3006]

I like how there are elements of the AVGN sieving through during a book review.

[@SkepticTalk]

Such a brilliant color movie for its time as stated, with such timelessness. It's hard to believe this was made in 1939 isn't it? Made just a couple years prior to the U.S. involvement in WW2 and the start of Nazi Germany in WW2. An amazing movie, that not only became popular, but provided catharsis and bewilderment to people at the start of a very disturbing time in history. Perhaps again, more than ever, we really do need "The Land Of Oz". It proves us relief from the real world I think. A beautiful fantasy land of bewilderment that exists in our imaginations, and cannot be tainted or disturbed by the real world.

[@aperson22222]

I'm excited to see James do this series. It's the kind of area where both his creative and critical eyes really shine.

[@BriansManCave]

Remake the original Wizard of Oz.. but have it true to the book and rated R !!

[@zpozuniverse4562]

Brian's Man Cave 0:43-0:57 can mgm and Warner Bros team up and 1:00 and remake the film and make a pg13 musical??

[@C-Murph]

James! Review all of the book please!! Your reviews are the best!

[@jgradaille]

4:45 the muppets adaptation actually referenced the wizard changing forms

[@JCLegendary]

Yeah, but they should have had Frank Oz as the Wizard. Total missed opportunity.

[@jgradaille]

i mena, that would've been perfect casting (although I don't blam him for not wanting to be associated with the movie)

[@mikeburnsy6492]

+Jacob Andrew Gradaille Why do you not blame him? It's not like he knew that movie was gonna be a big pile of Galacticrap

[@daniellado2523]

If anyone wants to you can watch the Dom's Lost in Adaptation review of The Wizard of Oz where he points out the differences between the movie and the book.

[@Sammyyaam]

Whaaaat? This is Cinemassacre not Bibliomassacre! Jk haha. This is something I never knew I needed

[@rogerbabin8175]

This was fantastic. I could not care less about book reviews normally but you managed to make it interesting to me and leave me wanting more! Great job James!

[@benloud8740]

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Return to Oz. That movie traumatized me as a kid.

[@SlothMachines]

It's awesome that you gave a shout out to the original book series James. One thing worth noting is at the time of release in 1900, the original book was just as lavish as the original movie. With rich, color illustrations on nearly every page, something that was very new at the time. So if you read the book, definitely seek out a reprint of the original (Book of Wonder edition is great). Since it's in public domain, lots of reprints of the book are missing the original illustrations, which really add to the story, as intended. My favorite in the series of books is The Emerald CIty of Oz, the 6th, and originally intended to be the final book. L Frank Baum made a very successful play out of the original book, and the second one was written almost as a play, but failed. So he went back to his original writing method for the third. He began to resent the Wizard of Oz as his other stories were always over-shadowed by it. The Emerald City of Oz was suppose to be the final wrap up, it's great as Princess Ozma (Tip) refuses to fight evil creatures trying to invade oz, so they come up with a very clever and non-violent plan instead, great message for children. If Oz was written today it would most certainly have a movie series, I think the books were just too ahead of their time, the movie industry could not provide the vision of the books, until the MGM film came along. It was so good, that no one could match it. The second book does not have Dorothy in it, but she's right back in the third, so I am surprised they never made a sequel with Judy Garland. Hollywood would definitely capitalize on the success today and suck it dry.

[@8BitGamer4life]

What's next Picasso art reviews?

[@jhhwild]

I think James could make that entertaining. Imagine Angry Art Reviews, I can see that being pretty awesome. Just think of the Angry Video Game Nerd trying his own Jackson Pollock painting, lol.

[@mikeburnsy6492]

+jhhwild tbh I don't wanna see that

[@ivancorredera4241]

I really like your review videos. They're formal, but informative.

[@Jexol_AI]

James, you should make audio for books, seriously. You got the empowering voice for it! XD

[@carbootstudios2459]

Return to Oz is, so far, my favourite Oz film.

[@68SSCAM]

Someone like Tim Burton should do an R rated adaptation of this book and include all the gruesome stuff left out in the 1939 film.

[@bethm5852]

Deuce Moncura I agree even though I think that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a good movie.

[@-psilo-9071]

bad idea

[@m3sneakerhead465]

Excitement! Can't wait for part 2! I love watching your reviews of all the different types media and while nothing will ever beat AVGN, getting these special in depth looks at other aspects is more than welcome!

[@kingkold]

From what I understand the author made her shoes silver and the yellow brick golden , as a push for bimetallism standard in America . which a standard of currency based on gold and silver

[@kyletowers9662]

actually Baum never intentionally wrote that. it was made up by a history teacher in 1963 to teach his class about the 1896 election. he did eventually publish the idea in 1964. that was 45 years after Baum died.

[@kingkold]

Kyle Towers either way that's idea behind novel . I tried to find whether the author ever spoke on it , but couldn't find anything. So it's possible it may have been unintentional. Personally I wish our money was back by gold and silver

[@camraid9]

Thank you! I was searching for this comment. You saved me typing it.

[@bigred8432]

No, it's just as ever one of the things people try to imprint upon it

[@trunksrocks1]

he's gonna take you back to the past, to flip through the novels that probably don't suck ass.

[@AaronPeckCarpDime]

Great review! I've always wondered about Glinda. She tells Dorothy that only bad witches are ugly, then proceeds to ask Dorothy if she's a good witch or a bad witch. What's she implying?

[@CartoonHangout]

I love that you made a video on this. I've been in an Oz mood lately and I want to write my own Oz novels one day.

[@theholyavenger]

I could listen to James' voice forever. ^_^

[@i0bz18]

I love the wizard of oz

[@ZekeThePlumber86]

I bet I'm one of the few people that actually discovered him on a book review. Super glad I did!

[@DChuck]

Fun fact: L. Frank Baum advocated ethnic cleansing.

[@abram03]

May be true, but you can't just throw away all of a person's outstanding accomplishments just because they thought or said some insane things . . . or maybe you can, but it would be pretty dumb.

[@z-beeblebrox]

Interesting that he advocated for the extermination of native americans, but wrote stories about multiple disparate cultures peacefully sharing the same lands. It's kind of like how Orson Scott Card wrote the extremely Humanist "Ender's Game" despite being a bigot. You'd think authors would actually follow the moral standards they write about, and yet..

[@ivanmegafanboy1981]

People of 100 year into the future will also talk about us as if we were cavemen. I mean, racism was pretty common in 1900. WW II was barely starting to be a thing. You can't blame Frank Baum for having opinions that are unacceptable on this time and age.

[@z-beeblebrox]

34Floaty Uh oh, looks like a triggered you LOL

[@ThePreciseClimber]

@abram "Morally deplorable" doesn't equal "insane"...

[@generalcoon47]

James has gone from being the Angry Video Game Nerd to the Harmonious Literature Nerd.

[@ndingo]

Don't forget the 1985 Cinar cartoon that show was fateful to the book

[@Hatchet2k4]

That''s my favorite adaptation as well, many good memories of that one!

[@AegisAuras]

James is the only person I would watch give an OZ book review

[@drewdawg4203]

"Glinda was an asshole"! 😂😂

[@EggShen905]

James, I really appreciated this. I think you should add some of your favorite classic and sci-fi/fantasy book reviews to your repertoire, especially with commentary on their (inevitable) film adaptations in relation to the original works.

[@CoinOpTV]

bravo cant wait for more

[@WeegeeSlayer123]

PLEEEAAAASE do more of this James!

[@onigames7309]

This was good, and imformative. The Tin Man's badass in the book XD

[@GreenEvanJ]

This is great, James. Pleasure to watch you talk and share your enthusiasm. Thanks!

[@muhanc.a.9299]

The Angry Paperback Nerd did a very good job with this review. But... ... I gotta be honest, more than once during the video I though that he'll go mad and a "What are they thinking?" will burst out of his mouth.

[@branaa09]

Muhan C.A. Wow your one of those people. James Rolfe makes films, he isnt a true gamer. He loves video games but music and movies are his firsts. He's not the AVGN, its a character he made up as a joke and he thought the episodes were funny. Yes they are, but he has more subjects he tackles, because well there is more to life than video games. I just like James have a huge game collection but, music and movies are more special to me.

[@mikeburnsy6492]

+branaa09 since when does he review music

[@bethm5852]

branaa09 Ok but he is most well known as AVGN, the original commenter didn’t ask for your speech about James, and I also would like to know when he ever reviewed music lol.

[@marnsdnfois7006]

They way James writes these are so fucking well done. It's so concise and there are examples for everything. If my English teacher had a look at one of these scripts she'd give it a fuckin' 100.

[@Gio-vn9yj]

ah the wizard of oz, a film that my mother keeps making me watch with her.

[@Krains123_]

I've gotta say, I'm so glad James is done with Monster Madness. These kinds of videos right here wouldn't exist if he had to constantly prepare for Monster Madness every year and these types of videos are fantastic. I loved Monster Madness, but I'm so glad that we're getting unique videos like this. I never would have thought that I'd enjoy something like this, but James proved me wrong. This, the Star Wars reviews about the prequels, everything is great.

[@mrcydonia]

"Emerald City" did not turn out well.

[@lordcoyote2000]

I like the respectful and comprehensive look you took at the book series and its potential for film.

[@apex2000]

only 2 parts. please James cover all the books.

[@SuperCaleb360]

Wish there was more of this. These are my favorites videos on Cinemassacre

[@daryngoodwin4511]

I feel the same way about Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory 1971. One of my all time favorite movies that in my opinion should have been left alone. I really didn't like Tim Burtons version.

[@steamboatwill3.367]

except Burton's film is a lot more faithful to the original book.

[@jeffroberts9693]

Great pick, James! I read the 14 original books over and over as a kid. Great stuff and so creative! I still have them today. Glad you love them too!

[@jamierose9095]

EVEN OZ HAD A MONTAGE!!! MONTAGE!!!

[@melvinrivas385]

Jamie Rose you are awesome

[@jamierose9095]

[@keyboarding5593]

Only Josh can say words again for emphasis. EMPHASIS!

[@Scotttjt]

I like this concept of James reviewing classic literature. I hope this becomes an ongoing series.

[@johnny-becker]

Those were the times, children were not afraid or offended by stories that induced gore. Even the non-Disney version of Cinderella told about birds pecking the eyes out of the evil step sisters. Won't see that in any Disney film.

[@MrRenegadeshinobi]

Deathbrewer you know, for kids.

[@randamunaotoka8901]

John Becker You know the Disney version of Cinderella is not based off the Grimm's version instead based off a French authors version which included the Fairy Godmother.

[@johnny-becker]

Randamuna Otoka I did know that the Disney version was not from Grimm however the tales are similar. I, however, did not know where the Disney presentation originated from but I do now.

[@johnny-becker]

Mitch Conner Of course, they weren't pansies like they are today. Adults shielding them from everything that could hurt them including feelings. Of course, this was also the time when teachers were allowed to do their job and any child dare not cross madam teacher because a whack was the least of your worries

[@mikeburnsy6492]

+MrRenegadeshinobi A Family Book

[@AwesomeYears]

James can do any kind of series and do it just as entertaining! Really enjoying it so far!

[@IMDRanged]

You need to be part of Reading Rainbow.

[@TheNewNewfie]

damn james, you're looking good. loved the video, by the way. i really like that you're not afraid to stray from the video game stuff and just talk about what else interests you

[@attackofthetheeyecreatures3472]

Return to OZ is pretty dark.

[@balbanes1]

It captures the tone of the books better, not saying its better than the original but it does capture the themes better.

[@rocketcon]

balbanes1 The characters also look a lot more like the book illustrations. The Cowardly Lion for example looks like an actual lion who walks on all fours, rather than a man in a lion costume.

[@whyiamafs]

kinda, but don't knock it - it's a literal kid's move compared to NBC's Emerald City [not that I'd want to compare them - I'm just saying give RTO a chance]

[@Starcrow999]

I want a video series where James is sitting in a comfy, big chair in front of a fireplace, reading and reviewing books like this.

[@Bakeshop040]

READING ROLFE!

[@abram03]

Hey, that was as entertaining as your movie-only reviews! Okay, you've convinced me -- I've had this Oz Complete Collection on my e-reader here for a while, and it's time I start! I'm crazy about fantasy, folktales, and fairytales, and I'm already in old-fashioned mode from a Sherlock Holmes binge, so it's time to take a trip to the Emerald City!

[@HipsterKaren]

More of this please!

[@sethmusic]

thanks James! I loved these books. went on a tear and read maybe half of them in the mid 90s. I'll be looking for them again soon.

[@chimkinNuggz]

can you do a review about the genie movie sinbad did in the 90s?

[@jtszabo1691]

RuggedALAN are you from a parallel universe?

[@melvinrivas385]

Michael Linkovski l hope he is

[@noneofyourbusiness9763]

This guy takes anything and gets me interested in it, great videos man!

[@fuegonintendo9117]

Avgn,book review, show me more!

[@hatch82]

Please do more book reviews! You make me want to read more.

[@Pontius888]

James make a video about Ash Vs Evil Dead come on it's time please!!!!!

[@101Volts]

He did do an Evil Dead movie review years ago in the Monster Madness series. No, I'm not sure which year except it's pre-2011.

[@rocketcon]

Austin Lucas Yeah, but I want to see what he thought of the current Evil Dead TV series.

[@ThrowdownN64]

Very insightful and love James' perspective. A nice change of pace from AVGN