Knights & Knaves Alehouse

I'd much rather see film treatments of Lewis' space books. When both youngsters are in college, there's not much interest left for Narnia. The so-called space trilogy, however, could be darned interesting if treated properly. I don't have the info handy, but I would nominate whoever produced and directed last year's The Moon to bring us Perelandra (sp?).

TheRedPriest wrote:I'd much rather see film treatments of Lewis' space books. When both youngsters are in college, there's not much interest left for Narnia. The so-called space trilogy, however, could be darned interesting if treated properly. I don't have the info handy, but I would nominate whoever produced and directed last year's The Moon to bring us Perelandra (sp?).

Having sat through three stage adaptations of the "space trilogy" I'd have to hear some excellent buzz from people I trusted before I'd rethink my resolution to "never again" sit through another adaptation.

That being said my oldest boy likes the Narnia movies and likes the books. And, at 7, he recognizes they are different media that demand different conventions.

I'd prefer to see, rather than feature film adaptations, fully-realized mini-series on the order of Shogun, The Thorn Birds, or Brideshead Revisited. I'm not holding my breath, particularly since Brideshead, a much slimmer volume than LotR, ended up being 13 hours long.

Flambeaux wrote:Having sat through three stage adaptations of the "space trilogy" I'd have to hear some excellent buzz from people I trusted before I'd rethink my resolution to "never again" sit through another adaptation.

Were these professional productions?

Some stories should never be adapted to the stage, and I believe we have a good example here. I've never seen it, but I'm sure that LoTR The Musical, also fits this category.

TheRedPriest wrote:

Flambeaux wrote:Having sat through three stage adaptations of the "space trilogy" I'd have to hear some excellent buzz from people I trusted before I'd rethink my resolution to "never again" sit through another adaptation.

Were these professional productions?

Some stories should never be adapted to the stage, and I believe we have a good example here. I've never seen it, but I'm sure that LoTR The Musical, also fits this category.

University productions. *shrug*
I did see a stage adaptation of LotR years ago that did work: it used puppetry.

The Ransom books have the potential to be some truly awesome movies. You’d have to have a truly talented and visionary director for Perelandra, willing to do a cerebral and artistic interpretation that was faithful to the book and unwilling to make a cookie-cutter blockbuster out of it. I hate to say it, but I think Out of the Silent Planet would be too boring for film. But That Hideous Strength would be a no-brainer that could practically make itself.

While we are on the subject, you may have heard that The Hobbit two-film series has gotten the green light. What are your feelings about this? I will probably hate the movies, based on the fact that I hated the LotR movies, and I suspect that Jackson will be unwilling to adapt his style to the charm and whimsy of TH. But, I've got to admit, I love the fact that the world will be talking about Tolkien again. (Even if half of them are talking in pure ignorance of the actual books.)

I've seen Prince Caspian only once, and that was enough. I remember thinking, "Was THAT in the book? I don't remember that!" Then I re-read the book, and there was very little similarity. I particularly miss the liberation of the school at the end.

Peter Jackson recently told Entertainment Weekly, “Bilbo is the straight man to 13 dwarves.” It gets better: “Thorin Oakenshield is a tough, heroic character, and he certainly should give Leggie and Aragorn a run for their money in the heartthrob stakes.” WTF?

By all that's... Leggie?????

Falconer wrote:Peter Jackson recently told Entertainment Weekly, “Bilbo is the straight man to 13 dwarves.” It gets better: “Thorin Oakenshield is a tough, heroic character, and he certainly should give Leggie and Aragorn a run for their money in the heartthrob stakes.” WTF?

Lets look at it positively, they (the dwarves) do get into a lot of compromising positions so maybe thats what he's referring to...

After an overly long embrace to make even Richard Simmons squirm in his seat, Bilbo rises (tears dripping from his eyes) from the dying Thorin.

BILBO: "I don't deserve you, King Under the Mountain..."

THORIN: "Noooooooooooooo!!!There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued..."

Stops and turns to look sharply at the audience.

"...kinetic 3D action and justifiably priced ticketing above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. But sad or merry, I must leave it now. Farewell!"

And people wonder why I don't go to the movies anymore.