Books versus Movies

I am a voracious reader and have always loved books. Last night we went and saw 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' and I enjoyed it quite a bit. But because I've read the books and because of the way I read books, I've almost learned not to equate a book and a movie in the same way. There so much nuance and character details that books give that helps me understand the story and that enriches my experience. Movies don't usually do it for me that same way. I've also learned not to get into a debate over whether a book is better than the movie, as that's generally a time waster - it's always the book. Kidding! I just usually prefer to create my own visualization of what I'm reading that have someone else's presented to me in the movie form. And I get that not everyone feels the same way. Still, most often, the book speaks to me more than the movie. When I finish reading a really good book, I miss the characters like I miss my friends when they are not around. That connection almost never happens with movies.

Exceptions to prove the rule:

Fight Club - Way sexier than what was in my head, and I just couldn't get into the writing style. But the movie rocks!

Contact - The movie had more emotion and resonance for me than the book, which is pretty hard to do.

I'm sure there are others, but that's what comes to mind right now. What movies are the better than the books they are based on in your opinion?