Not all the time are the books better than the movies...but most of the time they are.
I am amused at the choices in your poll. I couldn't choose the smell of the book over the smell of popcorn because they both have such delightful smells -- but I can't eat a book. :-)
Three Movies where the book was not as good:
The Commancheros with John Wayne
State Fair - with Dana Andrews (the book was too real to life - and the movie was pure, musical goodness)
Jumper (My goodness the book was Sooooooo depressing that it ruined the movie for me.)
But don't get me started on the comparisons between the book/movie versions of Prince Caspian. Gah!!
The horrors!
I agree that the books aren't better than the movies all the time, but a lot of times they are. I voted that I can imagine it much better than anyone can do it. ^_^ Being a writer myself, I have a very vivid imagination. However, I can watch badly done movies quite happily because I simply imagine them done better. For instance, if the actor is lousy and can't get his emotions across at all, I simply imagine him as he should be acting. Works for me, at least, haha. :P
P.S. Please inform your eldest that I just found her birthday card in my desk. I thought I mailed it weeks and weeks ago. *looks sheepish*
