I figured it was time to actually do some writing here on the ole interwebnet but since I really don't have anything profound to say I'll just start typing and we can discuss whatever comes to mind.
- Saw Sweeney Todd last month. I have to say it may get added to the top of my musical list. Sondheim is a bit much to take in if you don't know what's going on ahead of time. Luckily I knew the story before we saw the movie but Jenny didn't know as much and had a harder time with it. We both agreed the music was wonderful though. Definitely one to see on stage at some point. I highly recommend it for any of you who like musicals, dark comedies and/or the Depp/Burton movie combination.
- Finished The Bourne Identity for about the 7th or 8th time. I've now read it twice since seeing the movie. When I saw the movie for the first time I thought it was pretty decent but each subsequent time I've read the novel I've realized more and more how they butchered the story. I'm to the point where I can barely watch the first movie, can't watch the second at all and still haven't seen the third. Jason Bourne (David Webb) is, as far as my opinion counts, one of the top two or three spy characters ever and I just can't bring myself to accept the film version any longer.
- Since we're talking about things I've experienced lately I'll mention some music. I just came across the new Dashboard Confessionals album "The Shade of Poison Trees". I'm still in the initial stages of a good listen but I'm quite pleased so far. I also came across an album by New Found Glory. They have a couple of albums "From The Screen to Your Stereo" Parts I and II that are covers of popular movie songs done in their style of what i guess I'll refer to as "New Punk". Its pretty decent but the kickers for me were the crappy punk versions of "The Never Ending Story", "The Glory of Love" (love song from Karate Kid II) and "The Goonies are Good Enough". (For those who don't know, The Goonies was a movie from the 80's that almost everyone between the ages of 25 and 35 has seen multiple times and can quote extensively, you know, just in case you got lost on that reference :)
- Speaking of The Karate Kid, my wonderful wife got me the original on special edition DVD for Christmas. You haven't lived until you've seen Zabka and Machio rehearsing the beach fight while shirtless and sweaty on the "Making Of" featurette.
So I guess that gets us up to date for now. Jenny and I are looking forward to a productive and exciting 2008. Hopefully everyone reading this will be a part of it. If we are lucky I'll have lots of blog fodder to relate as we stumble our way from one pratfall filled day to the next.
And since its been a while since I've done this:
How about some inappropriate Gladiator Beefcake in honor of Hulk Hogan's return to gainful employment.
5 comments:
are there any books turned movie that you did like?
i'd be interested to see if you could come up with 3.
1. I Am Legend
2. Lonesome Dove (not sure if this counts because it was a TV miniseries and they had time to actually get it right)
3. 2001: A Space Odyssey (again, not sure if this really counts because Clark and Kubrick collaborated on the book and movie together all at once)
My biggest problem is that the best books are usually very rich stories and movie producers just can't do them justice in 2 hours or less. It leads to films that at best are gutted versions of a great story, at worst are completely different stories that only keep a title and a few details the same. I tend to be prejudiced by the story I see in my head.
awesome answers! very well said. i know what you mean, even though rie and i almost go out of our way to like whatever we see, there are definately times where we've noticed the gutting. i know changes have to happen alot of times but i understand the effect that can have on a watcher.
rie only read 1 and 1/2 books of the bourne series and that had an effect on her view of the 3rd movie!
Like the Lonesome Dove mention but your right it really does not count as a movie. But that being said The Prestige is one of the few movies based on a book that truly thrives with the gutting and still keeps the essence of the story intact. And let's not forget that there are a very few movies that are actually better than the books they were based on. Forrest Gump is one that springs to my mind.
"I've been saved by my pincers of power!"
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