BS: To all Dark is Rising Fans

Subject: RE: BS: To all Dark is Rising Fans
From: Mr Fox
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 07:38 AM

You have a point, Dave. I suppose that Ian McShane just doesn't fit in with my vision of Merriman - but I shouldn't let personal prejudices get in the way. He is a terrific actor.

I hope you're right, Animaterra, and Susan Cooper does have some control over the film(s)!

Subject: RE: BS: To all Dark is Rising Fans
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 07:08 AM

"Don't like films which change the books apart from when it's obviously necessary to fit it in. Nor do I like the Americanisation of things which are intrinsically British. And these books are most definitely British."

I agree with Lynne. But as an American who as a teen waited for each new book in the series as eagerly as any modern child waits the next HP book, I'll probably have to see it. But I'll wait for the DVD.

I used to know Susan Cooper slightly, through her work with the Revels. I can't believe she'd let it "dumb down" THAT much...

Subject: RE: BS: To all Dark is Rising Fans
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 04:11 AM

7) "Ian McShane as Merriman?? Now, I know he's a brilliant actor, but I bet he can't play tall and thin....."

Why am I thinking William Wallace who was reputed to be well over six feet tall, and a certain short arsed Australian hypocrite of an actor [allegedly]?
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: To all Dark is Rising Fans
From: Tig
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 09:10 AM

You need all the books since each of the early ones introduces a separate group of characters which are needed to come together to complete the final tasks.

Maybe they just didn't get that....

Subject: RE: BS: To all Dark is Rising Fans
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 08:44 AM

Dunno about the rest Mr Fox but I think I can answer -

7) Ian McShane as Merriman?? Now, I know he's a brilliant actor, but I bet he can't play tall and thin.....

I bet none of the hobbits can realy play 3' tall either:-)

8) And they are starting the series at book two - WHY??

I asked the same question of the Lion, Witch and Wardrobe. Maybe they don't realy need it for the plot?

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: To all Dark is Rising Fans
From: MBSLynne
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 08:11 AM

Don't like films which change the books apart from when it's obviously necessary to fit it in. Nor do I like the Americanisation of things which are intrinsically British. And these books are most definitely British. I won't bother to go and see it.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: To all Dark is Rising Fans
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 07:36 AM

or even re-read the series!

sandra

I wonder what Preview does? I might check it out one day

Subject: RE: BS: To all Dark is Rising Fans
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 08:48 PM

not for me.

Time to read read the series - 5 books have been added to the pile of 20 library books.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: To all Dark is Rising Fans
From: Mr Fox
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 05:15 PM

Blowzabella, you asked for examples (GUEST at posting two was me, BTW)- Now I'm getting this at second hand from somebody on IMDB who has seen the casting call, so it MAY just be nasty rumours, but:

1) Will Stanton is bookish and awkward, but realising his innate 'coolness'

2) James is obsessed with girls and with very little time for Will

3) Robin and Paul are 'grungy kids' who bully Will

4) And that's it for the brothers. Will is no longer a seventh son of a seventh son.

5) Will's father is (an American) college physicist and a professor (NOT a jewller)

6) The Rider poses as the village doctor

7) Ian McShane as Merriman?? Now, I know he's a brilliant actor, but I bet he can't play tall and thin.....

8) And they are starting the series at book two - WHY??

Oh, and finally, I hear the company making the film has a Christian agenda. There goes Merriman's speech at the end of the final book - the message of the series (if it can be said to have a message) -

"For Drake is no longer in his hammock, children, nor is Arthur somewhere sleeping, and you may not lie idly expecting the second coming of ANYBODY now, because the world is yours and it is up to you. Now especially since man has the strength to destroy this world, it is the responsibility of man to keep it alive, in all its beauty and marvellous joy."

FAR too new-agey and anti-apocalyptic!

Subject: RE: BS: To all Dark is Rising Fans
From: MBSLynne
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 04:45 PM

I almost always find films a pretty poor shadow of the books anyway, especially books I really love like the Dark Is Rising set. I did think the Lord of the Rings was pretty well done though and that is the best book of all time.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: To all Dark is Rising Fans
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 04:12 PM

I reserve judgement until I see it. I wasn't too upset by the treatment they gave the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but neither was I overly impressed.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: To all Dark is Rising Fans
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 01:30 PM

Looks good to me. Eccleston and McShane are both fine actors - I think they should be able to handle whatever Hollywood throws at them:-)

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: To all Dark is Rising Fans
From: Blowzabella
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 01:21 PM

more info please

Subject: RE: BS: To all Dark is Rising Fans
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 11:31 AM

I can. Look at the Internet Movie Database entry on it. It's going to be dumbed-down americanised crap.

Subject: BS: To all Dark is Rising Fans
From: Blowzabella
Date: 15 Apr 07 - 10:23 AM

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz/s/1004/1004240_eccleston_lands_fantasy_role.html

Can't wait ......