8:00 a.m. stunts and SPFX meeting this morning with Bam Bam, Wray, and Scott during which we discussed candy glass, ratchets, and squibs. We’ve also finally set a time for our second fog test = 6:00 a.m. on Friday! The whole thing will take about three hours after which we should have a pretty good idea of how much actual fog we’ll need to make the scenes work. As John Smith pointed out, it can go one of two ways. The fog could prove a frustrating complication and slow us down, or it could prove incredibly forgiving and allow us to breeze through the shots.
This afternoon, I worked on the green pages for Whispers and took the time to field some calls from the various chocolatiers I’ve contacted. With my third annual chocolate party only a week away, I’ve started placing orders. On the menu so far: Rococo Chocolates from London, La Maison du Chocolat, Hevin, Richart, and Debauve & Gallais from Paris, and Wen Chocolates from my buddy Chef Poole in Colorado. New York’s Christopher Norman, Martine’s, and Vosges will also be included, as will Vancouver’s own Chocoatl and D.C. Duby. There are about ten top chocolatiers who don’t normally ship to Canada, but I queried them about making an exception for this extra-special occasion. So far, two have been in touch to let me know they’d be happy to send their delectable creations my way. Thanks to Christopher Elbow and Donnelly Chocolates. Now, if I can only convince Mariebelle, Teuscher, Chuao, Kee’s, Payard, Joseph Schmidt, and Michael Recchiuti, I’m all set.
This year’s chocolate soiree will be even bigger than the last and will include a dinner prepared by Fuel’s own Chef Rob Belcham. I’ve decided to skip the cakes this time around as they’ve never been a big draw, and am still undecided about the milk and dark chocolate fountains.
Today’s blog is dedicated to returning regular Anne Teldy. Welcome back, Anne. And best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Continuing comments on The Keep:
Robert C. Cooper writes: “I really loved The Keep. It was one of the books I read as a kid that inspired me to both read more and eventually write. My father recommended it. Like the time he took me to see Jaws at the tender age of seven, it’s not that he wanted to damage my psyche. He just wanted to share his own sense of excitement at being thrilled.”
Answer: Interesting. My father took me to see Jaws at an early age as well, but I suspect that he did so as a way of killing an afternoon while we were vacationing in Wildwood, New Jersey. He also took me to see Earthquake on the same trip. One of Ava Gardner’s most stirring performances.
Robert C. Cooper also writes: “ Not only did I love the story but I felt pretty good about facing my own fear and getting past it. That’s what the best scary adventure stories do for us as people. They allow us to explore our fears, imagine ourselves surviving terrifying situations, being a hero and triumphing over evil.”
Answer: Not unlike our work as executive producers. But go on.
Robert C. Cooper writes: “ My question to Joe and his blog-readers is: Do you think there has EVER been a movie based on a book that has been better than the source material? List and discuss if you like. I’m curious. I really love movies and I think not … except in one case with apologies to Peter Benchley who still deserves a massive amount of credit for writing the original story that has kept me out of the ocean my entire life.”
Answer: Yeah, Jaws is a great example. Damn, I was about to say The Princess Bride but, of course, the movie preceded the book. Never read The Shawshank Redemption or Children of Men, but the movies were pretty damn impressive. Also, the film version of Dude, Where’s My Car? was far superior to the G. K. Chesterton novel it was based on.
Astrumporta writes: “Very good point about Kaempffer’s stubbornness, and it was indeed explained. I guess I just can’t relate to staying someplace after zombies have fallen on you in your bed, no matter my level of ambition.”
Answer: True. To be honest, just talk of decapitated victims would be more than enough to convince me to steer clear of the place. But, of course, the circumstances for these players were very different, especially in the case of Dr. Cuza and Magda who had no choice in the matter. In the case of Woermann and Kaempffer, their careers were on the line but, beyond that, it was a matter of pride for both men. Given their bitter rivalry, neither was going to be the one to back down first.
Sparrow Hawk writes: “One of the things I like best about the novel is that it is not your average tale of good vs. evil. Those characters that are not irredeemably evil are very human and firmly in the moral “gray zone”. I prefer my characters there; they tend to be less predictable and more interesting. Even the hero, Glenn, is not entirely good…”
Answer: Exactly. At first blush, Glenn appears to be your typical hero. He says very little and you’re rarely permitted a glimpse into his inner workings, so he is in many ways unreadable and, on the surface at least, less colorful than some of the other characters. And yet, it is his actions that speak volumes, establishing the character as possessed of a dark side. His killing of the ship captain is particularly striking in that he secretly hopes the man not try to double-cross, and even gives him an opportunity to rethink his course of action. But the man gets only one chance and, when he doesn’t take it, Glenn proves merciless in dealing with him.
Sparrow Hawk also writes: “Looking back on things, I see a strong similarity between the way Germany embraced Hitler and his promises to restore them to glory and the way that Cuza succumbs to Molasar’s offer to cure his illness and rescue his daughter and his country.”
Answer: That’s very interesting. I didn’t even think of this but know that you mention it – yes, I see it.
The mailbag:
Cazz writes: “I just read on Gateworld that the IOA removes Carter because she’s military. This doesn’t make any sense. Why would she have gotten the job in the first place if the IOA doesn’t want the military leading the expedition. Rob Picardo says he doesn’t know why Woolsey is even on Atlantis yet either. Is that right? You guys are filming episode eight and haven’t even explained the change in command?”
Answer: You’re misunderstanding what was said in the interview. “At this point in the season the actor says Woolsey’s reason for taking the job has yet to be established.” This is true in that we have yet to reveal Woolsey’s personal reasons for accepting the command position. On the other hand, the reasoning behind the IOA’s decision to replace Carter is discussed in episode 2, The Seed.
Shawna writes: “Your comment about gun training raised a question for me: when you’re casting actors, what “special skills” can actors have on their resumes that will be most beneficial to them for this show? Gun experience, accents, stunt skills, etc.?”
Answer: Special skills are certainly an added bonus, but acting ability trumps all other considerations.
PG15 writes: “Any word on where Inquisition is going to fall on the airing schedule? Is it episode 512?”
Answer: That remains to be seen.
Chevron 7 writes: “Alan’s “extreme Shep whump” episode – if it’s not too much of a spoiler is it more physical, mental or both?”
Answer: If we move ahead with the idea, it will be both.
Tiger’s eye writes: “I think dovil presented the possible gender-stereotypes issue very reasonably..”
Answer: I agree.
Nathan writes: “ Alternatively perhaps Mr Cooper would mind waiting until more of the world has had a chance to see the movie?”
Answer: Well, it’s already aired in the U.K. When is it released in Australia?
Anne Teldy writes: “I’m back!”Answer: Finally! Great to hear from you and start reading. You’ve got a lot of catching up to do!
Dovil writes: “You’re more than welcome to keep this screened considering it a) may be belabouring a point at this stage and b) may end up sending people reading your blog into hysterical lags of frustrated crying.”
Answer: Hey, Dovil, I think this is a great discussion and I see no reason why I would need to screen your opinions.
Dovil also writes: 1. So I take it auditions were occurring at the same time as the script was being finalised. Good thinking with that kind of set up and I can see how that would make sense.”
Answer: Actually, there was a finished version of the script in place before the auditions, but changes are constantly being made up to and including the day on which a particular scene is shot.
Dovil also writes: “2. Women in the horror genre are generally portrayed as the victims – there are exceptions to this but that’s the thing with exceptions, they’re not the norm. Hell, if it wasn’t so prevalent in popular culture papers in Media Studies departments would have to be cancelled and even Academics have to buy groceries and get whisked off overseas to conferences. As long as one of the women isn’t a virgin, sleeps with Sheppard, and walks off by herself after hearing some suspicious noises, hopefully she shouldn’t get hacked to death with a carving knife/chainsaw/really sharp paper. Paper cuts, a gruesome way to go.”
Answer: True. I promise: no knife-wielding maniacs, no stupid victims, no running around screaming (unless it’s Sheppard).
Dovil also writes: “3. See, red shirts, every genre has its thing.”
Answer: Yep. I’ll admit that one of the reasons I wanted this team of potentially recurring characters for this episode is that the audience won’t know what to expect. They can be pretty certain that Sheppard and Beckett may survive the experience but as for any of other four… In this particular case, the fact that they’re female is less important than the fact that, as guest cast, there’s no telling who will make it out alive.
Dovil also writes: 4. They may be actors but actors should still look the part of what they play. The male scientists aren’t 25 year old part-time underwear models because it would stretch belief. All I think we have here is a difference of opinion on what may be believable in this instance.”
Answer: True, but how often do we see Dr. Lee heading off-world on a regular basis? All of the Atlantis off-world teams face potential hazards every time they head off-world, and they need to be prepared, both mentally and physically, to deal with any and all threats. They should be fit, yes. Do they need to be great looking? No, of course not. But then again, if you were to check out the personal websites of the various actors who have appeared as members of Major Lorne’s team in the past, I’m sure you’d find more than a few 25 year old underwear models in the bunch.
Dovil writes: “To be blunt I think you get a lot of crap thrown at you a lot of the time that is little more than tantrums from fans who haven’t had their shopping list of demands met (though since anon comments got canned funnily enough that appears to have gone down). But sometimes people really do just want a dialogue and sometimes conversing just in text is not the best way of getting people’s intentions across. And hey, at the end of the day I’m a huge fan of the show.”
Answer: Oh, I realize that – and you’re one of my most entertaining posters. Wouldn’t want to lose you.
AmmoMonkey writes: “What would be your personal preference for cast in a possible 3rd movie. Another purely SG1 movie or one that contained a mix of characters?”
Answer: If it were an SG-1 movie, then SG-1 characters. If it were an Atlantis movie, then Atlantis characters.
2shy writes: “So how much time do you spend on an entry here?”
Answer: Anywhere from 1-3 hours a day.
crazy mom writes: “What’s Kate Hewlett doing over there these days?”
Answer: Shooting her scenes for The Shrine. And almost running me down in one of those motorized golf carts.
Vinsfins writes: “Hey Joe, have you come up with suggestions for next months BOTM?”
Answer: Yes. Check out the right sidebar. We’ll be reading Joe Abercrombie’s The Blade Itself, John Scalzi’s The Android’s Dream, and John Shirley’s Crawlers.
Nika writes: “After reading the insanity that is your daily grind, I have to ask just how much coffee you consume on a daily basis? Or are you more of a red-bull caffine shooter? Tea? Single-malt? Bottle of vodka stuffed in the desk?”
Answer: Bottle of scotch stuffed in the desk = Paul. Red-bull caffeine shooter = Brad.
Coffee = Robert. I’m more of a green tea man.
Eva K writes: “If you begon shooting Whispers next Tuesday (or friday, depending on whether your ‘tuesday=friday’ thing keeps up) when can we expect pictures?”
Answer: I intend to be on set for the shooting of this episode so, yes, plenty of behind-the-scenes pics, video, and commentary coming your way.
Jenny S. writes: “Then I had to run like crazy to get my son to school, finish the proposal for Fox that I had apparently fallen asleep on top of, catalog the thumbnails for the site, capture the snake that had camped in front of our door, remind the nice manager that yes, yes, we DID turn in our rent check, pick up my son, play Stargate Atlantis with him (I get to be Shep), write up the requests for the 63 video clips we need, find out that the deck is corrupted, blahblahblahblahblah.”
Answer: And all worth it. You do a great job on the site: http://www.stargatehub.com/
Rebekah writes: “At the risk of appearing stupid, I have been so busy I don’t regularly visit your blog – so I was wondering, how do I find out what BOTM you are currently reading?”
Answer: Check the sidebar on the right. It lists the ongoing BOTM club discussions as well as any forthcoming discussions.
I am lusting after that knife! And the glowsticks. But primarily the knife.
Hey, I got nothing against 25 year old underwear models of any gender. The more the merrier. If they’re supposedly a scientist or hold a PHD, well, young and genius is hot! Although I think Dr. Lee modeling underwear would be interesting too. Alas, not gonna happen I think.
Do you like mole (I need a tilde there) the Mexican chocolate-chile sauce? Locally, there’s a place that does a killer chicken mole burrito. The best mole I’ve had was down in San Diego at the El Fandango in Old Town. Calamari steak, grilled, with mole. Damn I’m hungry now. And I want a Margarita.
So hi again!
I didnt know if you have already answered this question but I would really like to know! How would “one” go about trying to become an extra/person that stands around in the background, on the show?
All of the Atlantis off-world teams face potential hazards every time they head off-world, and they need to be prepared, both mentally and physically, to deal with any and all threats. They should be fit, yes.
Then why is Keller so out of shape and complaining about having to walk in Trio (gee, you would think Rodney would be doing that), and why does she scream, cry or whine in every other episode? Sheesh, she doesn’t even seem to be much of a doctor. How did SHE pass her mental and physical screening?
maggiemayday Said:
Do you like mole (I need a tilde there) the Mexican chocolate-chile sauce?
Mole sauce……MMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…..love it!
Robert C. Cooper writes: “ My question to Joe and his blog-readers is: Do you think there has EVER been a movie based on a book that has been better than the source material?
Dances with Wolves is one of my favorite movies; I didn’t think the book was all that great.
Mandy
It doesn’t say in the picture, but based on the fact that “glowsticks are go”, that flare is from Whispers, right?
Can’t wait for the running commentary! That’s definitely something you don’t see on other shows.
Anyways, glad to know Carter’s exit will be explained. Will Woolsey’s reasons for coming be revealed eventually then?
Robert C. Cooper writes: “My question to Joe and his blog-readers is: Do you think there has EVER been a movie based on a book that has been better than the source material?”
It rarely happens for me that I will like the movie more than the book, but I found this to be the case for Michael Ondaatje’s “The English Patient”. I picked it up, like many Canadians, because it won the Governor General’s Award for English fiction, so I thought it would be a great read.
Unfortunately, I had a very difficult time wading through it. I felt rather stupid, until I talked to a number of people (including many great readers with English lit degrees) who, like me, could not finish the novel.
When I saw the movie, I really enjoyed it, and thought — is *that* what the novel was about?? IMO, the movie is better than the novel, by a long shot.
Ah ha! I knew someone was going to pick that up.
Though thinking for a moment gave the answer instantly: Keller isn’t on an offworld team, which was the subject of Joe’s answer.
Simple, no?
Continuum on Blu-ray DVD July 29
need I say more?????!!!!!! *shooting off fireworks*
DD
“My question to Joe and his blog-readers is: Do you think there has EVER been a movie based on a book that has been better than the source material?”
Great question and my answer is yes. I think Tarkovsky’s “Solaris”, for instance, surpassed the orginal book in terms of shear artistic power. I also think the film version of “Gone With the Wind” if not surpassing, at least equalled the book.
I’ll have to ive this one some more thought,
Royal
Rob Cooper is tearing it up with the comments!!!!!! He is the man
joebags said: “Then why is Keller so out of shape and complaining about having to walk in Trio (gee, you would think Rodney would be doing that), and why does she scream, cry or whine in every other episode? Sheesh, she doesn’t even seem to be much of a doctor. How did SHE pass her mental and physical screening?”
I don’t agree with your opinion that she screams, cries or whines in every episode. The only time I’d said she was like that was in Missing, IMHO. And, once again in my opinion, it was justified considering what happened in the episode and her not having off world experience.
But back to your main point, I think you and Joe are talking about different things. In that answer, Joe was talking about off-world teams. Jennifer Keller is not part of any off-world team. Radek, Carson, Kate Brown, Chuck and many others are not part of any off-world team. Jennifer, Carson and Radek have been off-world occasionally, but that doesn’t make them part of an off-world team and therefore, I don’t think neither of them fits in the category Mallozzi was talking about. Jennifer doesn’t need to be fit for that in the same way neither Carson nor Radek need to be fit (and they aren’t). In fact both Carson and Radek have had those kind of reactions when taken out of their element most of the time, especially in the first couple of seasons, before they got used to it.
So I guess you think of Jennifer, Carson and Radek as part of the offworld teams and this complaint about whining, crying and screaming was meant to be about all 3 of them and not just Jennifer, right? Sorry if I’m misunderstanding you.
joe said: “[…]On the other hand, the reasoning behind the IOA’s decision to replace Carter is discussed in episode 2, The Seed.”
will it be explained what sam will be doing after she leaves?
sally =)
I thought “Stand By Me” was a pretty good adaptation of the short story but…a small few ever get close to the books. Keep promoting the BOTM–great reading. Love the pics and tidbits.
I also liked the movie Jaws much better than the book. Conversely though the book Jaws 2 was way better than the movie. Although maybe it’s just that the one I liked best was the one that I saw/read first also.
Nathan writes:
“ Alternatively perhaps Mr Cooper would mind waiting until more of the world has had a chance to see the movie?”
Joe’s Answer: Well, it’s already aired in the U.K. When is it released in Australia?
Ark of Truth has already been released in Australia – on April 9 to be exact.
Cheers, Chev
PG15 beat me. 😀
I don’t know the original poster. As I said, maybe he/she thinks of Keller, Radek, Carson,etc as being part of off-world teams, so maybe she was asking why people like these characters are part of off world teams and not fit at all…
But the point is that they are NOT part of these teams…
I’ve been lurking here for a while now but have never posted. Unless I am very much mistaken the book The Princess Bride preceded the movie. I have the book as being published in 1973 and the movie came out in 1987. Wiki backs me up http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Princess_Bride
So you might have a case for the movie besting the book. I have to agree with Jaws as an excellent example of that.
While here I will say I am very excited for Whispers. I love the idea of an all female team. I think Christina Cox is a brilliant choice. I think she is a fantastic actress. Crossing my fingers that her character doesn’t die a horrifing death so she can pop back up occasionally. Oh and if she must die can she whump Shep a bit before she goes?
Robert C. Cooper writes: “My question to Joe and his blog-readers is: Do you think there has EVER been a movie based on a book that has been better than the source material?”
For me the only one that comes to mind is Practical Magic. The book by Alice Hoffman is good, but not one that I’m willing read more than once, but the movie is excellent and one of many I have memorized. The movie has kind of a different storyline than the book for the most part. There are a few others that I own both the novels and the movies because both are good in their own little ways: Harry Potter by JK Rowling and A Walk to Remember and The Notebook (don’t currently own the movie but I have seen it) by Nicholas Sparks. I know Practical Magic, A Walk to Remember and The Notebook are more of “chick flicks” but what can I say, I’m a tomboy who just happens to like sappy movies sometimes.
Forrest Gump the movie is unequivocally better than Forrest Gump the book. Although, the tone of the movie is so different than the tone of the book, it’s difficult to say that the movie is even based on the book. But the characters and some of the plot are the same, and the book did come first.
Also, I have a crush on Major Lorne. Will he be back for more than just the first episode?
IggyMing Said:
I must say The English Patient is a film I will never ever see. When that movie came out everyone was running around saying to me “You’ve gotta see The English Patient” (seriously my life mirrors a Seinfeld episode sometimes). Well I refused to see it and to this day I still haven’t watched it. Also on this list of “never to be watched” is The Piano and Green Card.
Cheers, Chev
GREEN TEA? Are you naturally made of caffeine or something?!
Joe, this is my situation: It’s my first day off work during my mid-semester break and I’m snuggled in bed with some dark, dark, nummy chocolate. I have a million things to do (I have decided I need some new jeans for my dinner with Chris Judge on Saturday, I need to head to uni to print off the contract for the con I’m working at over the weekend and I want to head down to the library to see if they have Empire of Ice Cream).
The problem is, it’s pissing down with rain. It’s very warm in my bed.
What should I do? Make my decisions for me Joe!
Chevron 7 writes: “Alan’s “extreme Shep whump” episode – if it’s not too much of a spoiler is it more physical, mental or both?”
Answer: If we move ahead with the idea, it will be both.
Uh-oh. IF? Please Joe, what can I do to make you go ahead with the extreme Shep whump episode? Do you respond to bribery?
Cheers, Chev
Also, my on/off boyfriend has decided that if we are going to make a go of it, I have to stop calling him “Princess.” Is it worth the sacrifice?
First of all, though this is the first time I’ve commented on your blog Joe, I have been faithfully reading since August. First just to look at the Stargate pictures and reading about Stargate updates and teasers. Now I read everything. I find you very entertaining and witty. I love all the descriptions of food and everything. You also make me want to keep my blog updated, though I have nothing near as exciting to post about as you do.
About Rob C. Coopers question on whether we’ve ever seen a movie that was better than the book. I have seen plenty of movies that all I do is sit through them and comment how something was wrong or didn’t happen in the book or was left out completely. There have been a few movies that were close to the books, the only one I can think of is the De Vinci Code. I can’t think of any movie that I’ve like better than the book.
Can’t wait for season 5. I Love hearing about whats going on and seeing all the pictures you take. Keep’em coming Joe!
In books v movies – I think the Bourne movies were better than the books. The books were overwritten (and are now somewhat dated.)
And I think the Lord Of The Rings books are not better than the movies – they are different (of course), but I think the movies avoid some of the worst of the overwriting of Tolkien (don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the books, but the in the Council of Elrond chapter each character spoke for at least two pages!)
One. I hereby promise to cut down on mispellings from now on. Re-reading my last post was downright painful. Two. Do you plan to have treadmills in place at the party so people can indulge with less guilt? More seriously, do the guests know beforehand which chocolates they are tasting, or do you do some form of “blind” tasting, revealing the source after some judgement has been rendered? How many people attend this event? Between the party and progress reports on Whispers, next week promises to be some good reading on the blog. Three. In response to Mr. Cooper’s question on books/movies. I submit that the movie Contact is in fact superior to the book. This isnt a slam on the book. It’s excellent. But I believe that in the process of translating the book into a movie, that a lot of “fat” was excised from the original text, and the streamlining of the story in fact helped the narrative and resulted in a sharper story. Four. To Joebags. As far as Keller goes, let’s see.She was complaining in Trio, but notice that she was keeping pace in the scene. and when the need arose, she carried out her fair share of physical labor, indicating that she was indeed physically fit enough for offworld duty. As far as screaming, whining, or crying, we’ve seen McKay and Beckett both scream, complain or otherwise act in an ‘unmilitary” manner at inappropriate times. But like those characters, Keller eventually manages to pull it together enough to do whatever has to be done. “Sheesh, she doesnt even seem to be much of a doctor”. Where do you draw this conclusion from? The fact she a) performed difficult procedures and surgeries on Weir, and when they didn’t work, she came up with a viable alternative treatment, AND acted to recruit McKay so that it could be implimented? Or perhaps it’s because she didn’t cure the galaxy-wide plague caused by the Hoffan vaccine. Though she was able to identify it and is still working on it. In Missing and Trio Keller even manages some field medicine. Keller isn’t my favorite character. But have you considered looking for some positive features, so that you can enjoy the show even if she’s in some scenes? You don’t even have to like her. You can cheer when a relationship goes sour, or she flubs up. But there has been enough Keller-bashing over the last season that i’d just as soon not see that thread come back to life. please.
Robert C. Cooper writes: “ My question to Joe and his blog-readers is: Do you think there has EVER been a movie based on a book that has been better than the source material?
I thought Funny Farm with Chevy Chase was funnier than the book it was based on. I love the mailman and the yellow dog!
Ok Mr. Cooper, I think I may have one for you. Our family loves watching “A Christmas Story” (not the whole 24 hour marathon though). I was going to let my daughter read the book. We live not 30 miles from Jean Sheppard’s hometown!!!! The book is flowing with foul language. Not a book for a teenager to read. So, here is a movie that I feel exceeds the book.
Jen
from Indiana 🙂
PS JOE!!!! When is the Stargate MGM website going to start giving us tidbits (photos & videos) on Continium????
Answer: Interesting. My father took me to see Jaws at an early age as well, but I suspect that he did so as a way of killing an afternoon while we were vacationing in Wildwood, New Jersey.
😯
Uh…I, too, saw Jaws at an early age in Wildwood, NJ…only, I wasn’t on vacation…
Now THAT’S scary!
(Mom also took me to see The Godfather and other horrific and/or intense movies when I was a kid… unfortunately, it DID damage my psyche…as you can probably tell… :p )
das
Would you ever consider writing an episode of Atlantis based on a novel written about the series? For example “Casualties of War”?
30 X 20 foot totally enclosed tent weighted with sand bags including set pieces and actors. Errr claustrophobia anyone?
Do you have to check with the actors regarding medical conditions such as asthma etc before doing something like this or do you know that sort of thing anyway?
Cheers, chev
So Mr. Cooper a movie that is better then the book it is based… Don’t have one as of yet but I will give it some serious thought.
Oh Joe prob shouldn’t mention that I’m enjoying 3 whole days off work in the middle of the week while your hard at work. But that part when you mixed Tuesday with Saturday… uh yeah did the same thing, had to set my alarm ’cause even though I wasn’t going to work I had to train a volunteer at my local hospital and thought I had to set another alarm not the one that is pre-set to go off mon-fri.
Well have a great day tommrow and don’t get lost in the fog.
My question to Joe and his blog-readers is: Do you think there has EVER been a movie based on a book that has been better than the source material?
Well, off the top of my head, I’d have to say The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Now, I count C.S. Lewis among my three favorite authors, and I love the Narnia books. But I do think that the movie did somehow manage to improve upon the book, for the most part. As a story, anyway. There were a few lines/bits that I missed, but overall it was pretty true to the book. I’d say this is primarily because the book is so short, so nothing had to be removed for time, which isn’t the case with the vast majority of adaptations (nor was it so short that the story had to be stretched beyond reason, like The Cat in the Hat). Also, the people making the movie seemed to actually care about the source material and make an attempt to be true to it. So, I’d say LWW. And it gives me hope for the upcoming Prince Caspian.
I just saw the bit of the interview with David Hewlett on GW. Hmmmm. McKay gets a killer brainfart again. Really?
WELCOME BACK ANNE TELDY!! you have been missed.
In response to Robert Cooper:
Lonesome Dove. While the movie (technically a mini-series but I always think of each as one movie) I can’t say was BETTER than the book, it is one of the rare instances that I’ve equally appreciated and enjoyed both to the extent it is my favourite book as well as movie.
In response to Joe M:
Not to take anything away from Stephen King (I enjoyed Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption) but all the credit for that movie has to go to Frank Darabont in my opinion. What he did with that screenplay was magic. I can’t even picture the story without thinking of Brooks, so the movie definitely overshadowed the story, I had never really thought about it, but I do consider the movie better than the novella.
Well, I finally ran out of ways to ask for Shep-stuff, so I’ll just give it up…
On the other hand, I think I’d rather come in here every day and whine until your ears fall off (or eyes fall out in this case).
Where is Shep?
Where is Shep’s story?
Where is the love for Shep?
Where did my excitement go?
hey Joe,
you spend 1-3 hours on a blog entry? wow! I assume the second pic’s from Whispers right? I too read the GW article and am intrigued that Woolsey apparently wanted the job. so far I was thinking he only took it because of the IOA. I expect the IOA replaces Sam because they believe Atlantis does no longer require a military leader OR she makes a mistake and as a result loses her command. however I can’t see you guys “damaging” her character so I’ll go with option 1.
speaking of Sam, according to the GW article “Amanda Tapping is already scheduled for more appearances beyond the season opener…”. appearanceS, that’s plural :D. is it possible that we’ll get to see her in three or four episodes instead of just two? I know i know it depends entirely on her availability and your stories. sorry I’m just curious 🙂
I also read an article about The Shrine and it sounds like a very cool episode! Rodney losing his mind and becoming childlike should be a lot fun but I can see why it might also be a tear jerker. and we get to see Jeannie, yay!
regarding the new team, I think you’re right. Sheppard and Beckett will definitely survive but what about everybody else? personally I think Vega and Porter will be the only other survivors. why? because you guys like both actresses and characters and see potential for a return. also didn’t you say Porter will return in the back half? anyway those are my guesses
Okay…is it Friday NOW?
You know Friday is David’s birthday, right? And it’s a big one at that. So maybe a blog dedication to the man who does an excellent job of protraying Dr. Rodney McKay might be in store? Or not. It’s your blog after all. And only a suggestion.
As far as the whole “book” to “movie” thing goes… Can I tell you a really embarrassing story without you holding it against me? Promise you won’t think less of me?
*deep breath* and here goes…
I have a sister six years older than me. The best way to describe her is that she’s like Mallory from “Family Ties”. I’m hoping that makes sense. If not let me just say she’s smart in her own way.
Anyway, my beloved big sister came into my room one day while I was reading Mary Shelley’s novel about Frankenstien’s monster. It was an assignment for school.
And this is the converstation:
Big sis: WHAT are you doing?
me: Reading.
Big sis: I can SEE that! WHY are you reading THAT book?
me: Um, it’s for English class. But actually, I am enjoying it.
Big sis: WHAT? Why would they make you read THAT?
me: Your kidding right? It’s a CLASSIC. Didn’t you have to read it in school?
Big sis: No way!
awkward pause and then
Big sis: I had no idea they’d even made it into a book!
Oh yeah! The joy knowing I’m related to her! I just cannot help but think of this moment in time whenever the mention of books being made into movies comes up. My mom is going to be so proud of me for sharing this story. Love ya Mom! 😀
Humbly yours,
Trish
*hangs head in shame*
*Delurking to chime in*
I’ve always thought the film version of “A Time to Kill” was better than the book. I always thought it was an unwise decision for Grisham to have the turning point of the story take place off-screen…er…page. Show me, don’t tell me! The best change that was made was to give Brigance (McConaughey’s character) the moving closing argument that Grisham gave to a minor jurist. I don’t know, just my humble opinion :).
On a side note, can I be so forward as to ask for a blog dedication for my friend’s little boy, Blake? He’s six and newly diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBYGm_0fXlo ). He’s a great little kid and I think he’d really get a kick out of it. Team “Just Bete it for Blake” will be walking in the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes (www.walk.jdrf.org) on April 27th in Bethlehem, PA and could use all the cheerleading they can possibly get! Thank you so much for taking the time to read this 🙂
Green Tea, eh – that’s losing weight, right? 😉
Robert C. Cooper: “My question to Joe and his blog-readers is: Do you think there has EVER been a movie based on a book that has been better than the source material?”
Answer: Damn, I was about to say The Princess Bride but, of course, the movie preceded the book.
Actually, The Princess Bride movie IS based on the book, or actually the abridgement of the book: the movie was made in 1987, the book in 1973. I think. If I’m wrong… well, I’ll probably feel silly. But amazon said so 🙂 So, my point here: it IS a movie that was better than the source material. And that is the end of my ramble.
I know talk on ‘The Android’s Dream’ hasn’t started yet, but since this isn’t a question for the author, I thought I’d take a chance and ask now…
When I started reading the book, I have to admit that at the start of the book, I found it a little odd. I considered putting it down, but kept reading. By about two thirds through, I was totally hooked in and couldn’t put it down. It was like everything came together. Were you hooked from the start? Or did it take a while for you to get into it?
I read on John Scalzi’s blog that he’s writing a sequal and I’m really excited about it!
I think I’ve seen you post on his other work, so I’m assuming you liked it. Any recs?
~Amy
pg15 Said
joebags also said:
She doesn’t.
She has on one occasion, where she was in danger of being killed, acted like a normal frightened person.
Welcome back, Anne Teldy!
maggiemayday Said: Hey, I got nothing against 25 year old underwear models of any gender.
For some completely random reason that reminded me of sitting in a theater a few years ago watching Space Cowboys, surrounded by gray-haired ladies, wondering how long some of them had been waiting to see Clint Eastwood’s backside.
Books vs. movies: My general rule is to read the book first, then watch the movie, because I usually like the books better. Movies have to be simpler than books, or we’d be sitting there for a week, but too often they just dumb everything down and get silly. I actually was impressed that they were able to take a book as complex as Jurassic Park and make a coherent movie out of it. I enjoyed the movie just as much as I enjoyed the book. I liked both versions of The Hunt for Red October equally well, too.
Um, actually Joe, The Princess Bride was originally published in 1973 – I remember reading it in high school, and then when the movie came out in the mid-eighties I was highly skeptical that it could measure up to my most favorite book. I worried needlessly.
For Mr. Cooper – In my unhumble opinion, Movies Better Than The Book — Anything based on a Philip K Dick story. Dick puts me to sleep (ok that sounds bad, but… you know what I mean), there’s something about his writing style that I just can’t wade through. I am also one of those rare freaks who loves the original ’80s Dune movie (with [yum] a young Kyle MacLachlan). Again, the book bored me to tears.
On the other hand, I love John Campbell’s “Are You There?” and I think the Carpenter ’82 version of “The Thing” is a zillion times creepier and scarier than the story itself. And I have a pretty wild imagination.
On the third hand, I’ve yet to read Brian Garfield’s “Hopscotch” but the 1980 movie is one of my favorites. I hope that the book is at least half as good.
For Mr. M.: 1) Your chocolate party sounds like it’s coming together deliciously. I shall drool from afar.
B. Green tea? Chinese? Japanese? Korean? something/where else? Any particular type? I’m a huge Japanese Sencha fan myself.
PI] Stephen King’s novella collection “Different Seasons” contains “Rita Hayworth & The Shawshank Redemption” and three other novellas, two of which have been turned into movies (“The Body” was filmed as “Stand By Me” and “Apt Pupil” was titled the same.) The fourth novella is one of a small number of similar themed stories based around a group of older men who gather in a private (and slightly … odd) club and tell tales – true stories, they say – of the supernatural. “It is the tale, not he who tells it.” I highly recommend the book.
Hey Joe, not sure what Teuscher site you checked, but the San Francisco store seems to ship anywhere that FedEx does. Teuschersanfrancisco.com. I’d volunteer to shop there in person on your behalf but I’ll be in Vegas this weekend. Plus it looks like they know how to pack stuff right at the on-line store. 🙂
To Rob Cooper: I’ve felt sympathetic about your Jaws trauma ever since I first heard about it years ago. Clearly a lot of long-term effects there! My dad drove us to see it at the drive-in, then drove us right out once the first blood hit the water. But I’d already been traumatized at age 5 by The Incredible Shrinking Man, so I guess we all have something.
I think the Disney versions of the Grimm stories were done well to aim them at children. The originals are actually quite gruesome and perhaps kiddies shouldn’t read them. Other than that I think To Kill a Mockingbird transfered beautifully from book to movie. Plus Gregory Peck did a fantastic job as Atticus.
Oh and the chocolate fountain idea might be nice. I was at a banquet on Monday that was all deserts and the chocolate fountain was fun. Then again, we’re college students…if you threw a free hershey bar at us we would be thrilled.
Hey, just wanted to say thanks for bugging David Nykl about updating his blog. He made my day by mentioning that he was going to Dragon Con this year. If only we could talk you into reconsidering and to come along with him. Please think about it Joe, I’m sure you would have a ball and the fans would really love to see you. Thanks again and hope you Chocolate Party goes over well. I’m a diabetic so I’ll just think sweet thoughts about it!
Answer: Oh, I realize that – and you’re one of my most entertaining posters. Wouldn’t want to lose you
I second that. Love your posts Dovil 🙂
Nice designs on the fog illuminator thingies and the knife! Who does them? Same people who did the infamous Harmony painting? Can you let them know how talented they are?? Thanks!
Oh feeling very proud of myself Joe. I’ve lost (since Christmas) 20kg in weight from working hard in the gym and pool and healthy eating (AND I have one small piece of 70% dark choccie per day as it’s been proven good for the blood).
So yeah that’s about 48 lbs melted away. Still going strong.
Hey Joe, which exercise machine do you hate the most. Mine’s the bloody bike. ugh..
Welcome back Anne Teldy!
Answer: True. I promise: no knife-wielding maniacs, no stupid victims, no running around screaming (unless it’s Sheppard).
Hee! If he can run flailing and screaming through the rain while wearing a white shirt and then fall and twist his ankle a part of me will die inside from glee and hysterical laughter.
But then again, if you were to check out the personal websites of the various actors who have appeared as members of Major Lorne’s team in the past, I’m sure you’d find more than a few 25 year old underwear models in the bunch.
So what you’re actually saying is that there should be demands for more locker scenes. *takes notes* What double standard?
As for the last point I shall write you a large cheque. Not that I have any money, but it’s the thought that counts.
Movies vs Books: have to agree with Riley about the Bourne movies, and as much as I liked the novel High Fidelity I think the movie nudged ahead; same with Shawshank. But yup, it’s definitely books that win out most of the time imo.
Movie better than book…. PS I love you. Loved the movie (didn’t stop crying the entire time) but absolutely Loathed the book – still cried all through it but that was mostly to do with the terrible writing ruining a great idea. And I must agree with another poster too- I prefer the Lord of the Rings movies over the book (although I love the book too) the movies cuts all the fat and leaves the viewer with the meaty plot.
Although I will say that while I liked the movie, in no way did The Da Vinci Code get even close to the greatness of the book.
OHohoho…
Is that a light saber i see?
(looking at the cool US light image-that you have posted up for us)
Wait..
its a light…. (disappointed look)
I know what you mean about caffeinated beverages at work. I can’t stare at my computer screen much less type coherent sentences if I’ve had too much caffeine. I’m a coffee man myself, so I guess that puts me in the Robert Cooper camp of performance enhancing writing drugs.
I can’t stand Red Bull, plus I think it’s worse for you than drinking soda pop all day.
I read the spoilers for “The Shrine” another emotional, meaty, roller coaster episode for Rodney. You know I love the team, love McKay. But for some reason I’ve become a little biter that he always gets the high intensity, tear-jerker episodes.
I’m excited about “Broken Ties” because for once you’re giving Ronon a shot at breaking away from his typical persona.
Not trying to sound like a broken record with everyone else, but are we going to get equal treatment for Sheppard at all? Or is he stuck with another gun-toting action hero episode as his “tour de force?”
Of course that would mean he had an episode at all…from the looks of things, I don’t even see his standard fare.
Hey Joe,
Long time reader, first time poster.
I wanted to chime in on Rob’s question. As for me, one film example that I think was better than the book (and another Spielburg film oddly enough) is Jurrassic Park: The Lost World. While I think the first book was better than the first film overall, I think the second film was far better than the book it was based upon.
To me, The Lost World book is really slowly paced and just kind of plods along. It has more of a Discovery Channel feel than a Jurrasic Park feel. I really enjoyed the fact that the film kept the best scenes from the book, but included a lot of great new elements as well (i.e. Roland Timbo, The N.Y. invasion, etc.).
Ciao!
DanJack
Hi Joe (and Co.!)
Damn. After reading your blog, I want chocolate, a flashlight, and a big knife with “Wraith kill notches.” Guess I’ll just have to make do with snuggling w/ my sweetie in bed. 🙂
Not sure why an “all-female team” would cause so much more of a stir than an “all-male team.” As for the hotness of the actresses, as Joe said, on their personal websites, they’re trying to look their best. (It’s kinda their job, eh?) I always thought Amanda was cute, but didn’t know she could be so drop-dead gorgeous until I saw some pics from various non-SG-1 photo shoots.
“Robert C. Cooper writes: “ My question to Joe and his blog-readers is: Do you think there has EVER been a movie based on a book that has been better than the source material?”
I think the LOTR and Harry Potter movies were good adaptations, so I put them in the “Really Good, but Not the Same” category.
Jane Eyre and Dracula (Frank Langella) were better movies than books, IMHO. I had to put Jane Eyre down for a year after I’d read half of it because it was just toooooooooo much (boring? slow?) for me. I like Bram Stoker’s book, but it’s hopelessly caught in its own time, with the frail flowers of women who must be saved. *puts hand to head dramatically*
Many of the Sherlock Holmes movies/miniseries were as good as the A.C. Doyle stories.
The Perfect Storm was a good book and movie.
On a related note, Stargate is one of the few series based on a movie that was actually better than the movie. 🙂
eddy
Chevron 7 writes: “Alan’s “extreme Shep whump” episode – if it’s not too much of a spoiler is it more physical, mental or both?”
Answer: If we move ahead with the idea, it will be both.
Can I just say please oh please continue with the episode. Physical and mental shep whump in one show, let me just say that would make my year. my VCR is already twitering with excitment.:)
Joe: Is there any possibility you guys would consider doing both a movie and more seasons of Atlans? Meaning would you ever do a movie while the series is still geenlit for further seasons. Like x-files did and put it in the theaters. I must say that ark of truth was great and it was sad it wasn’t in theaters as I think it would have been super, plus the more people who go to see the movie the more interest in Atlantis, right? I’d love to see an Atlantis flick up on the big screen i’d go more than once, even might spring for popcorn. How come the sg-1 movies were release direct to DVD? Thanks again, Nicole.
Oh yes me again forgot to say, I’d even spring for candy and soda if there were shep whump in said fictional, not even a blink in somebodies eye Atlantis movie. 🙂 Nicole.
Chevron 7 writes: Uh-oh. IF? Please Joe, what can I do to make you go ahead with the extreme Shep whump episode? Do you respond to bribery?
Cheers, Chev
——————
I don;t know how to quote on here so this is gonna have to do…
Ne, bribery doesn’t work. The Shep-whumpers sent him a box of delicious chocolates a while ago and look what it got us… 😉
Welcome back, Anne Teldy!! 😀 We missed you!!
Re: movies based on books, The Wolfen. The Whitley Strieber book, in my opinion, was pretty terrible, but I loved the movie (obviously). Well, I don’t love it as well as I did when I was six, I confess, but I still think it’s much better than the book.
Lord of the Rings. Well, okay, I only read Fellowship, but I didn’t care for it much at all. Loved the movie, though.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Yes, the Disney version — love that movie, as well as the stage play they had at the Disney-MGM STudios for a while. Didn’t care much for the book at all — deperessing, often boring, and none of the characters were all that likable. (Did you know that Phoebus tried to rape Esmeralda in the original??) Oddly enough, though, the most likable character (of a cast of unlikable people, anyway) in the book wasn’t in the animated movie at all!
*Goes back to working on her present for David’s birthday …*
I’m glad to hear that a chocolatier from my native Colorado is good enough to make your illustrious list. I’m in central NY until June but I’ve already gooled Wen Chocoaltes for directions from my place back home!
“My question to Joe and his blog-readers is: Do you think there has EVER been a movie based on a book that has been better than the source material?”
Questions like these take me back to my Honors English classes in high school. “Jaws” may have kept people out of the water, but Honors English kept me from believing I had an intelligent thought in my head.
That being said, I liked the 1968 version of “Planet of the Apes” better than I liked the book. I also thought the “Of Mice and Men” movies (well, the three I’ve seen anyway…1939, 1981, and 1992 versions), were just as good as the book (but please do not ask me the significance of the deep green pool…I’m not kidding when I say that Honors English ruined me for life).
“Princess Bride” for the win, though.
Robert C. Cooper said: My question to Joe and his blog-readers is: Do you think there has EVER been a movie based on a book that has been better than the source material?
In short, NO!
There is no way that any movie adaptation could EVER be better than the book (unless the book was simply awful and didn’t deserve an adaptation to begin with!!!).
This is mostly because you can do things with books that you can’t do with film (show what a character is thinking and feeling explicitly, create creatures that could never exist in real life [or special effects], flesh out a fully formed new world and have events take place there with no time contraints, et cetera, et cetera….) and because, with a book, the reader is allowed to imagine the world created by the author… and, in a movie, the viewer is seeing the director’s (writer’s, producer’s, et cetera… haha don’t want to leave anyone out!) idea of the world….. and not as much is left up to the imagination, making them inherently not as good as the book!!! Also, when adapting from a book that is any longer than 100 pages, certain parts must be cut out in order to make the movie fit into the allotted time frame. And, without exception, this lowers the quality of the adaptation (although, admittedly, a word-for-word adaptation would be a bit long!).
Not to knock film or television in any way… just saying, the books are always better than the movies because you can have your own world in your head, and movies kind of stick you into their world. (Have you noticed that, if you read the book after you see the movie, the characters you see in your head have the voices, faces, and mannerisms of the actors who portrayed them???)
PS: Peter Benchley did co-write the screenplay of the movie, so even if the book was awful (I admit, I haven’t read it!), he made up for it with his involvement with the movie! But I don’t know whether to give credit to him or to Steven Spielberg…. hmmm….
ouch… apologies for the awful html mistakes!!!
I’m working on it, honest 😉
Hi Joe,
Just wondering if you ever read SG-1 or Atlantis novels?
Maybe reading those books would make you think of work and void it being entertainment..
I’m reading SGA: Exogenesis right now and enjoying it. McKay is acting extra snarky and Carson’s not quite himself.. I’m sure all will be revealed at the end though.
On April 16, 2008 at 5:01 pm KimberleeInBama Said:
So hi again!
I didnt know if you have already answered this question but I would really like to know! How would “one” go about trying to become an extra/person that stands around in the background, on the show?
OOOOOOOH, do tell!!!!
I wanna know, too!!!!!
NZNeep: find a boyfriend with a sense of humor or you’ll have to take back the tiara.
Books or movie best? Really I find it depends on which you see or read first 🙂 Children of Men was a great movie, totally different from the book which was also great. I couldn’t imagine liking the book better, but I did due to it being more detailed. Some books are crappola and someone makes a great movie. But most really good books I think are going to be better, imho, than a movie simply because of the person’s own ability to savor, input own visuals, etc.
So, have you ever read any of Terry Goodkind’s books?
Sorry for hi-jacking the blog there, Joe. Loved hearing the comments. Shawshank. Gump. Both great films. Obviously, sometimes a written story is literally untranslatable to the visual medium but still serves as the inspiration for a truly gifted screenwriter. In the case of Princess Bride — I love the book and movie each for taking best advantage of their respective delivery systems. And I enjoy the comparison because both were written by the incredible William Goldman. If you like movies and you’ve never read on of his books on screenwriting, you should. Adventures in the Screen Trade comes with a copy of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. One of the best screenplays ever written and while the movie is utterly brilliant you have to actually read the script to see what I’m talking about. It’s art on the page. Okay, I’ll shut up now.
Re: Robert Cooper’s challenge…
The Bridges of Madison County–Horrid Book. Ok, let’s face it, the movie was a chick flick high on estrogen, but it still bested the book.
Brokeback Mountain–with Ang Lee at the helm, how could it not overpower Annie Proulx’s short story?
Sense & Sensibility–another Ang Lee favorite of mine. I adore Austen’s work as depicted on the screen but cannot wade through her prose.
The Green Mile–while the marketing for this multi-part novel was masterful (one part was released each month over the course of a long period of time in 1996, the read was dull as compared to the film. And I thought the film was sluggish, so imagine my difficulty slogging through the book.
The Wizard of Oz–who wants to read a kids book on bimetallism? Forget the metaphors; gimme a rousing musical and I’m all yours.
Jumanji–I’m always amazed when feature length films can be made from a 10 minute-read kids picture book. Might as well throw in Zathura by the same author as well. Though Chris Van Allsburg’s work is exceptional, to be sure.
South Pacific–based on the Broadway musical which is based on James Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific. Ye gads, wading through Michener is like wading through a tar pit. The film is so in love with the use of colored filters that it fascinates my eyeballs.
L.A. Confidential–just my preference of the film over the book
Girl, Interrupted–Kaysen’s story plays better on the screen amongst the trendy triumvirate of Ryder, Jolie, and Murphy than in the pages of her book, though I enjoyed the book quite a bit as well.
Bridget Jones’ Diary–The screenwriter was able to pull more story from the novel than I had thought was there. And really, Colin Firth? Count me in, even with his donning a reindeer jumper.
And I think that’s enough from me.
My nephew is earning his way towards being a chef and works with some really interesting and talented folks here. To make a long story short… What’s your chocolate fantasy? If you’re interested, they might be able to create it for you.
On the book to movie question, “To Kill a Mockingbird”. It’s the closest to the book I think a movie could ever get. It captured my heart on so many different levels decades ago. Emotionally, politically and in just about every way, I think it’s timeless, and will always be my favorite film.
Will Walter be making any appearances in Season 5?
On April 16, 2008 at 11:07 am dignan50yp Said:
I think the poster was trying to make a sarcastic point that it’s very frustrating to see all the development and episodes this season for a new full time character, Keller, while being given no information on Sheppard except for the possible rumor that his character is being detracted from on the issue of the ATA gene. Of course if I’m wrong Freidag, please tell me.
It’s very frustrating to hear nothing on Sheppard despite all the pleas but if that wonderful “Flan off the menu” comment posted a couple of days ago by a fan didn’t get a response on Sheppard, I seriously doubt anything anyone says could do the trick.
I agree with you. Certainly that’s how I interpreted that part of Freidag’s post. It was a little tongue in cheek, me thinks. 😉
Sheppard and the ATA gene? I gave up learning about that about two seasons ago, so this news isn’t news to me!
It’s actually not very nice being a Sheppard fan at the moment, which is a shame when it was so great for me, having supported and been optimistic about the cast changes for season 4 when so many doubted them, seeing Sheppard so well serviced in season 4.
Frustrating really sums it up, and for the life of me, I just can’t understand the reasons for it. This is the first time I’m getting to the point where I’m not actually not looking forward to a new season. Why? Because every new spoiler or tidbit I read totally ignores Sheppard and is just about everyone else. That has never happened before in the four years I’ve been a part of this fandom, and though I’m a fan of all of the characters, but when I keep NOT hearing ANYTHING about Sheppard, my favourite character, the centre of the show for me, the leading man and the main reason I was attracted to the show and continue to love it, I reasonably start to feel there’s either a conspiracy going on, or that TPTB just don’t care about the character development of Sheppard, or can’t be bothered to write anything for him specifically when they can for other characters.
Despite my initial great anticipation for Search and Rescue, and my interest in Broken Ties, GitM, Whispers and Daedalus Variations particularly, I find myself viewing the upcoming season with concern and a sort of sinking feeling, with my usually optimistic outlook feeling like its glass is half empty, if not downright drained.
To keep hearing wonderful things about episodes for just about every other character (Oh GOd! McKay gets ANOTHER tear jerker, DH gets ANOTHER chance to flex his acting muscles) – and I’m not saying some characters don’t deserve wonderful things, they most certainly do, ALL the team do – but to hear nothing about my favourite, who’s also supposedly the leading man on the show… well, it is sort of LIKE having your favourite dessert taken off the menu of your favourite restaurant, isn’t it?
The problem with spoilers is that if they’re not handed out equally, certain fans start to feel ignored, hurt and suspicious that something is wrong, even if it isn’t. It might be amusing to initially tease, but after a while the joy you have for the show, the anticipation for the upcoming season, starts to fade – that’s a terrible shame, I think.
For me a big part of SGA and being a part of the fandom is to enjoy myself and have fun, whether I’m serious or not in my posts, musings and interaction with other fans – or ramble nineteen to the dozen like I am now. If my joy starts to wane, I have to ask myself why that is, and most importantly if it’s worth investing myself in it anymore?
The problem for this fan is at that I’m at the point where I actually am considering going elsewhere to sample a new dessert. Maybe somewhere where a new favourite dessert is given the advertisement on the menu it deserves – and is used to its full advantage so everyone can enjoy its delights?
Joe, I realise my posts aren’t entertaining, and there’s no reason you’d want to keep me as as regular contributor here, or indeed as a viewer of your show, but I am honestly at the point of thinking of moving on now, which is a shame for me as I’ve generally enjoyed myself so much both here and being a part of the fandom. I’ll be damned if I turn into a constant whiner whose posts start getting more and more bitter because I’m not hearing anything to keep me happy for the new season about the character I connect to. Maybe it IS time for me to quit while I’m still ahead?
On another note, I agree with the poster who said the LOTR films were wonderful adaptations from books. Yes, the films had some wonderful scenes edited out, but honestly 3 hours for each film was long enough for me.
Welcome back Anne Teldy!!! May you survive the Carnivorous Mutant Space Cows!!
[This is a public service announcement]
**Psst! Stay away from the well. It’s an interdimensional gateway that opens into the Space Cow universe and they’re just waiting for unwary travellers to step through into their dimension so they can eat them.**
[End of public service announcement]
With respect to Mr. Cooper’s question about books that have been topped by movies, I have to agree with wolfenm on the Lord of the Rings. I read the Silmarillion and liked it; I read the Hobbit and thought it was so so. Then I got to the actual Lord of the Rings trilogy.
I read the Lord of the Rings but had to struggle to finish it; I got about halfway through The Two Towers and couldn’t take it anymore. Never did get to The Return of the King. I also never could understand all of the raving about how great the books were, either, since I found them to be incredibly dull and tedious reads (as far as I got, anyway). The movie trilogy, on the other hand, I really enjoyed.
Overall, though, I find the books on which movies are based to be more enjoyable than the movies themselves.
NZNeep: The REAL Neep Said:
Also, my on/off boyfriend has decided that if we are going to make a go of it, I have to stop calling him “Princess.” Is it worth the sacrifice?
I say find a fella called Princess, maybe a hunky Jamaican just make sure he has his own frocks.
Movies and Books hmm, I guess I have to say that the movie of To Kill A Mockingbird stuck in my mind so much that it influenced the way I read the book and is a fantastic adaptation of a first class novel. Atticus Finch WAS Gregory Peck, his relationship with his children was captured perfectly on screen as he tries to do what he knows is right and to protect his children from the harsher realities of life, the story is beautifully realised in both media.
I haven’t expressed myself quite as eloquently as the story deserves here, I really must get to bed before 2 am in future.
Just read Robert Cooper’s comments about William Goldman. I have a first draft copy of a script he wrote called “Mr. Horn”. There were two scripts at the time vying for a theatrical release based on the story, “Life of Tom Horn, Government Scout and Interpreter, Written by Himself”. Goldman’s script wasn’t chosen, a victim of studio jousting at the time. Instead, the movie “Tom Horn” was released in 1980 starring Steve McQueen.
Goldman’s script became a TV mini-series starring Richard Widmark (an incredibly underrated and overlooked actor who I dearly loved) and David Carradine. Goldman’s narrative made you feel like you weren’t reading it, but actually living it. And Mr. Cooper, you are so right. Goldman literally paints with words.
Most of the time I do not compare the book to the movie. In general I like both unless they really srewed up the movie or I don’t like the story at all. Eragon is such an example. Way too hasty story telling in the movie. You don’t get the time to warm up to the characters when bang there is the big battle scene.
Reason for not comparing is that while reading I can let my own imagination run wild. While with the movie I can sit back and get hopefully entertained. I actually even like it when the movie differs from the book. It then doesn’t destroy my own imagination.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy I adore as book and I also adore the film adaptation. Both are different medias. What may work in a book may not work in a movie and vice versa.
I also think the Time Machine (the movie from 1960 not the new version) is a really good adaptation.
I wouldn’t say that the movie was better than the book…. but The Keep, having seen the movie first got me to pick up the book. So, yes I know, that doesn’t really answer the question the proper manner – in a frontal assault kind of way, it sort of sneaks around in a rear ambush sort of way. lolol
So that begs the question… have you ever seen a movie that you liked so much that it prompted you to pick up the book?
mmmm…chocolate fountains…(homer drool)…
They are opening a Moonstruck Cafe in my mall, which promises specialty chocolates and other such chocolate related foods. I thought of you today when presented with an overpriced ($24) chocolate heart that was pretty cruddy chocolate (not even as good as a reeses or kitkat) and wished it had been one of your gourmet chocolates. How did you initially find gourmet chocolate? I assume NYC has some of it’s own, but so far I still think Godiva is great, so obviously I’m missing out on something much bigger and better. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Have you visited New York before? If so any chocolate runs? Consider your advice an early birthday present (I’m 23 on Friday :O !!)
ps Welcome back to Anne Teldy, whose character ended up in a very bizarre dream where I was stuck in a very action filled episode (don’t eat strange things before bed)!
While i’m not so much of an avid book reader i do enjoy video games.
While Joe is a busy man with world domination, i’d still recommend checking out Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. For games with little to no voice acting, they still manage to deliver the story impressively well.
A movie based on either would be simply terrible. Then again, all movies based on video games are simply terrible.
Nathan writes:
“ Alternatively perhaps Mr Cooper would mind waiting until more of the world has had a chance to see the movie?”
It was indeed shown in the UK, but only on Sky which only half the population here has. The rest of us are waiting with baited breath for April 29th, so please don’t keep spoiling it for us! Thank you.
I bought the blade itself back in january. When I thought i would have time to read it. Though I never have time…bewtween television, girls, school, and other things that fill up my time. My friends stop by, by the tens. NO TIME. Well, I do read a bit on occasion. But no more than two or three pages.
no running around screaming (unless it’s Sheppard).
*raises hand*
Yes please! 😀
Tell me, how do you imagine the Logan guy??
I keep thinking of him as sorta of like the guys from Mel Gibson’s “Apocolypto.” But I am not usre whether I should. Is he that backward or should I picture him as something else?? When is this set anyway???? And hasn’t it been BOTM already???
Cooper’s question – Do you think there has EVER been a movie based on a book that has been better than the source material?
Blade Runner (film) was far better than Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep (book), but then again they are pretty different. Like Joe, I haven’t read Children Of Men, but the movie was pretty darn good. The Virgin Suicides is easily the best adaption of a book to film (at least for me).
I can fully understand your reason for wanting to keep the whole cast from one or the other show in any possible movie. I asked because for me some of the most exciting moments in SG1 seasons 8-10 and SGA seasons 1-3 were those crossover moments.
They really helped establish Atlantis as it’s own entity I think by being true to the source in SG1.
Now that SG1 doesn’t run concurrently Atlantis does stand very well by itself! It was just a desire to see that mix of old and new again.
I will have to be satisfied with seeing Jackson in the mid-season two parter instead 😉
Robert C. Cooper writes: “ My question to Joe and his blog-readers is: Do you think there has EVER been a movie based on a book that has been better than the source material”?
I agree with Riley…definitly ‘Lord of the Rings’. I loved the book but the movie added so much more to what I’d visualised. It was really creative and well done…and left out the boring bits!
Now…on to the subject of Sheppard!
I’m more than happy to see Dark Shep. Heck…I’d go for multi-coloured Shep and Shep with green spots (ooh! Whump potential!! :D) if it meant he got some meaty, wonderful storyline!
You see Joe, I’m pretty much an upbeat, positive, “looks for the good in all things” kind of girl but, well, I’m just not feeling the love for s5 right now…and I don’t think I will again until I hear of something interesting or exciting coming up for our Shep.
So, here’s hoping that there will be some good news that’ll get me squeeing again soon!
Robert C. Cooper said: My question to Joe and his blog-readers is: Do you think there has EVER been a movie based on a book that has been better than the source material?
In my opinion a movie can’t be better than a book (except the book is badly written). Sometimes as good as the book. A book has the advantage to show more character depth/describe more of the character and his feelings. A book can give more explanations for everything and isn’t as limited as a movie is. It plays more with your own imagination. On the other hand I don’t want to miss seeing a real person and real expressions. McKay is definite an example for that!
I like the LOTR-movies but my heart goes to the book (it’s my favourite book ever).
By the way, Ark of Truth has been released in Germany today (renting). Date for the sale copy: May, 2. I’m still waiting for my sale copy.
I’ve already pre-ordered SGA 4 and Continuum from the US since I want them as soon as possible.
Interesting, that fog can cause so much trouble.
I think, now it’s time for some chocolate 😉
A question about Whispers. On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being very high and 1 being very low/non existent, how much dramatic irony is there in the episode?
Robert Cooper:
For me, I’d have to say yes. Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy struck me as a much condensed and far more entertaining version of the original books.
Jane Austen novels usually work better for me on screen than on the page, including: Persuasion, Mansfield Park, Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. I also much preferred the BBC mini-series version of Charles Dickens’ Bleak House.
Films based on books that I thought were as good as the original:
The Princess Bride
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
The Shawshank Redemption
The Green Mile
First, Anne Teldy, (née Kelly Hurt) it is SO great to see you posting again. Thanks for letting us know what went on with you. I’m really glad you’re still with us, although I know you’ll be very happy when you can change your place of residence. I’ve got the link for the page with your address, and will be in touch, besides continuing to send prayers your way. And I sure hope your dial-up connection works well for you.
Hmm, movies better than the books on which they’re based. For me, that would include almost anything by Tom Clancy. In particular, the book Patriot’s Game had me gnashing my teeth; I never finished it, while I thought the movie was pretty good. I did get through The Hunt for Red October, but the movie brought it to life for me. Similarly, I often got lost in John le Carré’s The Russia House. The movie I think oversimplified some things, but at least now I know what the story was about.
I really, really like Philip K. Dick, but the excellent movie version of his short story Impostor left a much more lasting image in my mind than did the story. Some people think the movie changed too much, but I don’t remember the story well enough to have an opinion about that.
The George C. Scott version of A Christmas Carol was even more effective for me than what I thought was a very well-told tale as a book. – E.M. Forster’s A Passage to India was recommended to me as a very powerful novel. I couldn’t quite get into it, though, while I found the movie (or mini-series?) very compelling, and I got a view of history I otherwise would’ve missed. Likewise, I had trouble with finishing Thomas Hardy novels, and appreciated the movie versions of Far from the Madding Crowd and Tess of the D’Urbervilles.
The BBC mini-series of Pride and Prejudice (the one with Colin Firth) is another story I got much more out of than I did from reading the book. Same for the movie Sense and Sensibility. As well, a number of the Granada Sherlock Holmes stories were more interesting to me on screen.
And I guess this one makes me feel a little goofy, but I loved the movie The Black Stallion, and didn’t quite get the same thrill when I was old enough to read the book. 😉
Oops, missed Robert’s comment that seems to indicate the subject of books vs. movies was covered well enough. Sorry!
Hiya!! Thanks so much for the compliment, Joe, on our site. Chad Kula gets big KUDOS as our Creative Director (you didn’t get a chance to meet him the other night at the Fuel dinner, as he flew up later). We have lot of fun with the site, you all give us great stuff to work with, and because I am such an SG geek (the guys at Fox tease me about it all the time!) it is a dream to work on.
Robert C. Cooper writes: “My question to Joe and his blog-readers is: Do you think there has EVER been a movie based on a book that has been better than the source material?”
Such a subjective call! I am a voracious reader and also adore going to the movies. I am a fairly “easy” fan; meaning, I am open and willing to adaptations, and probably more laid back about those adaptations than most.
Having said that, here is my list of fave movies I think did a better job of storytelling than the book (which is the point in my worldview, all things considered!):
Rebecca
Gone with the Wind
Princess Bride
Stand By Me
The Godfather
Catch-22 (“Major-Major”, played by Bob Newhart? Come on, who would picture THAT in their head?!! That’s just gold.)
Fight Club
LOTR: series
300 (does this count? My husband the History teacher would say no, but I am counting it!)
A short list, there are more, but these are the top ones for me that I can think of off the top of my head tonight!
Jenny S.
Hello again Mr M!
Greetings from Tipperary! Firstly welcome back Anne Teldy!! Great to hear you are on the mend, and sorry you couldn’t have made the Fuel Dinner.
With regard to Mr C’s question, the only one adaptation which outshone the source material was a Channel 4 Mini Series of “Brideshead Revisited” by Waugh. This starred Jeremy Irons (amongst others) and the production values are second to none. (Worth getting Mr M if you haven’t seen it) Apparently there is a big screen adapatation being shot right now, interesting to see how it will fare.
Just remembered (!) …The Five Fingers with James Mason… what a fantastic film and easily out shone the rather dry original book (though it is based on a true story).
On the other end of the spectrum, I have yet to see ANY wothry adaptation of “The Count of Monte Cristo”, the closest was a 5 part mini series in original french with Gerard Depardieu which came close but still left out a lot the Cavalcanti storyline.
(pass on birthday greetings to Mr Hewlitt)
Thanks
Shirt’n’Tie
Hi Joe,
Totally off topic but do you have an E-mail address that I can contact you on as I have a personal request. Hope to hear from you.
Sam
Oh the Shep wump episode is both physical and mental..can’t wait for it! It soooooo has to go ahead pretty please. Shep wump is the best 🙂
As far as books vs movies. I honestly don’t think I have read a book I haven’t prefered to the movie – at least of the top of my head. I’m a big reader and one of the major things that bugs me lately is that SO SO many films are now ripping of books, for example one film out a few months ago “Jumper” – I read the book years ago and loved it but then I went to see the film and it is almost a completely different and really didn’t do it justice.
I just think its a pity that all the books I loved to read are being replaced with movies and its just making people see the movie version when really we should be encouraging kids to read more.
On that topic just started reading “The Androids Dream” on my way to work this morning and so far it seems awesome!
Hi Joe,
I’ve lurked for a while but this is my first time posting so…Hello! As for The Princess Bride I loved both the book and the film but the book wins for me. It got me reading again after I hadn’t had the inclination for a good few months; so I guess you could say it has a special place in my heart.
Oh and I was wondering is this new Irish character going to be killed off like the other British members of the Atlantis Team? It doesn’t really matter as long as you don’t do the British guest star turning out to be evil thing. It’s got to the point with some shows that I can spot the baddy by who’s accent sounds most English.
Hi ! How are you ?
I hope the weather isn’t too bad for you. Mine isn’t wonderful. First of all I hope my english isn”t too bad and I hope this is understandable.
I’m a fan of SG1 since the beginning and started SGA because I was fan of SG1. I’m waiting anxiously the Ark of Truth. The DVD will only be available the 23rd april.
I wanted to say that I always love what you all did with the show even if sometimes I have doubt. And I wouldn’t be a fan if I haven’t doubts lol so I have little doubts on certain eps for season 5. But the stories seem interesting so far.
So now that I was really nice if I ask a question you will respond ? lol I joke. I tried to find an interesting question which wasn’t too much oriented or spoiled but I know you will see throught so my question is
Will we see the team together (I mean the four of them) in eps, others than the one you told us already ?
Thank you and have a great day.
Do you think there has EVER been a movie based on a book that has been better than the source material? List and discuss if you like.
Not that I have seen. I am very attached to the Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and many other epic movies made from books, but they still can’t beat the books (partly because the movies aren’t 7 hours long). I thought, seeing the visual beauty Memoirs of A Geisha offered that it would be better than the book. My BFF who also has the opinion that books are always better, actually preferred the movie. But no way. Even the beautiful filmography couldn’t stand up to the wonderful imagery in the book.
Now that’s not to say in the future I won’t find one. For example, I haven’t read A Walk To Remember. I’ve never read The Princess Bride (though I did hear it as a speech once). And hey, there’s probably other movies I watched that come from books I don’t even know about. I wanted to like The Da Vinci Code, but was terribly disappointed with the casting.
The closest I’d say would be Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Hamlet. But considering it’s intended for visual performance and uses Shakespeare’s lines, I’m not sure it counts.
Your chocolate party sounds like it’s shaping up to be fantastic! Have you not sent out invitations yet, or did mine get lost in the mail? 😉 I can’t wait to see the pictures of all that chocolate.
*waves*
Mr M says: True. I promise: no knife-wielding maniacs, no stupid victims, no running around screaming (unless it’s Sheppard).
There ya go, that’s the spirit! See all it needed was the right motivation. 😉
You mentioned a few days ago when speaking to Dovil that fans seem to have preconceived notions with regards to unaired eps, based on a few spoiler bits. And you’re right, people will take a piece of text, dissect it, put their own spin on things based on what they read, it’s human nature. And the reverse of that is also true. When there is no information given, people based on past experiences worry. The whole no news is good news, is just poppycock. Sure, the majority of spoilers we get don’t reflect the episode as a whole, I understand that, but people do place weight on them, even though the ep may not have been written, screened etc, because it’s something tangible to hold onto during the hiatus and keeps people talking. That may be good or bad depending on your perspective. The thing is and this is about as subtle as I can get i’m afraid you’ve always been generous with snippets here and there about Shep in the seasons to come, so to suddenly have that, it becomes almost like an expectation; rightly or wrongly. So to then go from having all that yummy stuff to not having hardly anything is a concern. If it wasn’t for the couple of pics you posted, then I seriously would consider if you had taken ‘The Flan’ off the menu. 😉 I know in reality you haven’t, but the concern is still there for a few people, and at the end of the day you are the only one to alleviate that concert, be it unfounded or otherwise. 😉
So now that i’ve got that out my system, what about this extreme Shep whump ep then Mr M, maybe you can explain what the creative snafu is, or why it’s hard to find that particular ep a home. Is the ep too similar to something that’s in the works, it’s too expensive. You’ve whumped Shep enough this season? 😉
You know me, i’m not the most subtlest person in the world and tend to speak my mind, but I hope that i’m balanced in what I say and that you may on occasions enjoy reading my normally short posts. At the end of the day as Dovil says, I watch because I love the show and enjoy interacting with the fans. I explained in my email the reasons why I started watching and why I continue to watch… did you get that? I sent it to your Baron account. So you know why it means a lot to me, and I do have faith. I’ve never been disappointed before, and don’t expect to be in season 5, but it’s the niggles you see Mr M, they gnaw at you.
Anyway that’s my 2 long winded cents. 😛
SO as for Mr C’s question, although I don’t get the opportunity to read as much as I used to, i’ve got to say that the books for me are usually far better than the film versions. I think because you’re essentially seeing and hearing the characters how you think they’ll be, and as everyone’s perceptions of the characters can differ, when it finally does come to print it’s not the same. The voices don’t sound the same, they behave differently, things get cut out. Although with that said, I think the Harry Potter films have done a good job so far… apart from maybe the last film released. It seemed a bit choppy. But, I have to say that i’d take a book anytime over a film.
Okay i’m going now. Keep working on that homeless script. 😉
*hugs*
Oh and welcome back Anne. :)I have to agree with you on the food in nursing homes, bland, unappetizing and really a pile of crap. Get someone to make you a nice meal once a week and bring it in, and it’ll lift your spirits.
Rob, I don’t believe that there’s a movie yet that has been as good as the book. But, then again, they can never be, since the imagination is much more rich and fertile than film could ever be.
Plus, there’s always the need to cut for time that doesn’t allow a book to be fully explored.
Still, there are films that do a very solid job at capturing the essence of their predecessor. So there is hope.
As for this whole picture controversy, are people not understanding how headshots are used in the industry? They need to look “mighty fine” (as my brother says) to get in for many roles. They will change themselves, however, once they’re there. Have faith in the process!
(And go check out the current cast to see how their head shots compare to how they look on the series.)
Hey Joe. I love your blog and visit it just about every day.
I would like to ask a favor. I have been planing on building a Atlantean control panel computer case {Like the control panel Helia used to take control of atlantis} with a fully functional touch screen, However to do this properly I need some high quality source material. Would you be able to take some pictures of the control panel device and give me the measurements etc? Its something I really want to do and this will make things better for me. Also is it ok to do this or am I going against some law or something?
“Answer: Well, it’s already aired in the U.K. When is it released in Australia?”
In answer to that question, it was released last wednesday, on the 9th of April. In a very nice limited edition tin too 😀 .
Chevron 7 writes: Alans extreme Shep Whump episode. Please Jo go ahead and do this episode it sounds great also can we have some pics of Shep please i just love his Character.
Denise.
I never realised how much of a pain in the ass it is to set up fog…
Chevron 7 writes: “Alan’s “extreme Shep whump” episode – if it’s not too much of a spoiler is it more physical, mental or both?”
Answer: If we move ahead with the idea, it will be both.
If we move ahead with the idea?? Joe, do you realize what a emotional whump that answer is to a devoted Shep whumper? I have been longing for anyway word on a whump episode or a Shep centered episode since work on the season began and that’s the best you can give me? A maybe?
Joe, I’m asking you to move forward and make this episode in order to please the many Shep fans out there and to utilize the underrated and incredibly talented JoeF. In all fairness, Shep should have his day too and not just as a support to Ronon in Broken Ties, McKay in The Shine, Teyla in The Queen, Beckett and a female offworld team in Whispers.
Though thinking for a moment gave the answer instantly: Keller isn’t on an offworld team, which was the subject of Joe’s answer.
The way I look at it is, to be on this expedidation, in ANY capacity, one would have to be physically and mentally sharp. One never knows when they will be needed off world, and we have seen Keller off world several times and she really couldn’t handle the situations physically, and especially mentally.
We have also seen Atlantis invaded several times so she, again, would have to be physically and mentally alert and functional to deal with an invasion situation.
Finally, what young, healthy DOCTOR would be complaining about having to WALK? Hello? This just confirms what many of us have been complaining about since her introduction. . .SHE IS A CRUMMY DOCTOR WHO NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAD THIS JOB! There is no way this lady could have ever passed any mental or physical screening to get to Atlantis in the first place, let alone become a CMO!
Hmm…I’m definitely in the coffee camp. Bring it on! (Especially this morning.)
WELCOME BACK ANNE TELDY…*claps*!! Hope you’re feelin’ better soon. 🙂
Ooh, must say the chocolate party just sounds heavenly. How many people do you generally invite to this shindig each year, anyway? 🙂
Good grief *rolls eyes at all the carping over an all-female team*.
Just a curiosity: How is the decision made when it comes to actors doing their own stunts? How far, if an actor wants to do their own stunts, are they allowed to go with that?
Hey Joe, how do you feel that consumer reports rated Hershey’s Cacoa Reserve as a recomended buy for Dark Chocolate? Do you have any suggestions for a dark chocolate for a novice taster?
Rebekah writes: “At the risk of appearing stupid, I have been so busy I don’t regularly visit your blog – so I was wondering, how do I find out what BOTM you are currently reading?”
Answer: Check the sidebar on the right. It lists the ongoing BOTM club discussions as well as any forthcoming discussions.
Okay, now I really really feel stupid. They were there the whole time, weren’t they! If they were snakes, they would have bit me. Thanks!
Movie that was better than the book: the new “Sense and Sensibility” for the win!!!!
Don’t get me wrong, I love Jane Austen’s work, especially “Pride and Prejudice”, I loved the book and every movie variation that I’ve seen, whether true to the book (like the ’95 mini series) or further away from the book (1940s version FTW! I definitely recommend to any P&P fans who read this), I like them all.
I agree what was said about Narina, LW&W was a simple book, the movie added to that simplicity without taking away from it IMO 🙂 (and the music and artwork and stuff was just incredible, can’t wait for the next one!)
Harry Potter, I have enjoyed the movies for the most part. I feel bad, I wish I had seen the movies before reading the books (which was the case of the 1st 2). It’s like reading the books adds to the story that you didn’t know was left out (like deleted scenes). But I still really enjoy the movies, if nothing else for the fantastic music and the special effects (especially the *music*!)
As to why the new “Sense and Sensibility” movie far outdid the original classic book: ****warning**, extreme shipper rant ahead, but to Jane Austen fans who might read this, the summary is that I really recommend seeing the new movie that aired recently on PBS!!****
I had seen the other movie a while ago (the one with Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman and Kate Winslet) so I knew the story before I read the book for a book club last fall. I was disappointed with the lack of development for Brandon/Marianne! They were the interesting ship in the book, Edward/Elinor was just there, not as interesting, like Claudio/Hero in “Much Ado About Nothing”… definitely not as fun as Benedick/Beatrice 😛 (or Bingley/Jane vs Elizabeth/Darcy). Kinda like Sam/Jack, I loved them, they were what brought me into the Stargate Fandom, but now they’re basically established and I feel like “eh, let’s do something new now….” Don’t get me wrong, I adore established relationships! (Joe: here’s a plead for an established relationship in Atlantis!!) especially in Battlestar Galactica, my favorite pairings are the happily married couples, the Tyrols (not really looking forward to the next episode!), the Agathons, Roslin/Adama ;P or Wash/Zoe in Firefly was also a lot of fun!
Where was I? oh yes, Sense and Sensibility: when I read the book I felt like it didn’t have any of the Marianne/Brandon shipping I was looking for! Well, there was a good bit of Brandon trying to help Marianne but then all of the sudden at the end of the book Marianne decides “yeah, I guess I’ll marry him”. So then our book club pulled out the old movie and watched it again… It was better than the book, if only for Alan Rickman’s “go mad” scene alone (not true to the book), but still! I was disappointed in Kate Winslet, I wanted to see something more and I wasn’t getting it! I don’t care if it’s not true to the original novel! So PBS (well, my local station WETA anyway, I’m not sure if other PBSs did this) aired a series of Jane Austen movies, some old, and some new, like this new Sense and Sensibility http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0847150/ which added many delightfully shippy Brandon/Marianne or just angstalicious Brandon scenes which were NOT in the original book but I just adore! I love the movie! I don’t care if it’s not true to the book because I believe it out-did the book! It’s like Harry Potter but in reverse, I was watching the deleted scenes from the book in the movie 😛 (btw, in many respects, this new movie is more true to the book than the old one. In fact, there’s only one critical thing wasn’t true to the book was that Marianne said in the book that she would “Learn to love him” when in the movie she says that her feelings changed and that she did love him (ala Pride and Prejudice anyone?) but I would have been fine with the new movie if they had left it at “I’ll learn to love him”… it’s still so much better with all the extra little shippy scenes 😛
**end shippy rant**
Oh, another movie vs book: “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”. Readers of the book and watchers of the new movie complain about the differences but they don’t realize that the glory of the Hitchhiker’s tales is that they change a little every time. From the Radio Drama, to the Books, to the ’80s mini series to the new movie, I love how they’re all different, a new story each time, I love them all!!! (none necessarily better than another)
Welcome back, Anne Teldy! The comments just seemed to be missing something in your absence. Hope everything is going well!
“I was about to say The Princess Bride but, of course, the movie preceded the book.” As in the movie came before the book? I wouldn’t normally argue (but this is The Princess Bride we’re talking about here: it’s superlative) but I was pretty sure that the book was published about ten years before the movie was made. Correct me if I’m wrong, I may just have the wrong idea.
And those flares look awesome, like super-hyped-up-glowsticks! Are those going to be introduced in Whispers? It’s cool to see you guys updating your military equiptment every now and again. Gives it a connectivity to the real world while laso driving the point home that this indeed is sci-fi. (and we would have it no other way) But does the military actualy have anything like that? (Or are we not supposed to know…?)
Apolgies to Anne for not welcoming you back when I rambled earlier. I’m glad you’re doing well, and wish you a speedy recovery 🙂
“Robert C. Cooper writes: “My question to Joe and his blog-readers is: Do you think there has EVER been a movie based on a book that has been better than the source material?”
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro is one of my favorite books but I thought the movie was better.
Anthony Hopkins brought the character of Stevens the quintessential English butler to life. The movie like the book is told mainly in flash back to a pre war era.
At the end of the movie Stevens tracks down Miss Kenton (the housekeeper) presumably to tell her of his long standing affection for her.
The scene ends in torrential rain her getting on a bus to return to her life, him doffing his hat to her still unable to show any emotion what so ever.
And on the other hand we have The English Patient which is 162 minutes of my life I can never get back.
Pauline
LizB Said:”…It doesn’t really matter as long as you don’t do the British guest star turning out to be evil thing. It’s got to the point with some shows that I can spot the baddy by who’s accent sounds most English.”
I think you’re right. I call it Star Wars Syndrome. 🙂
I’m glad the female team members won’t be stereotypical horror movie chicks. And Shep can run around screaming as long as he does it in his very sexy, manly way. 🙂
I agree with those who’ve mentioned Rebecca and Hitchhikers as good books/movies.
I’m going to take a nap while fans are screaming about Keller. It’s very boring. Will someone please wake me up when they’re done? Thanks.
eddy
Aw crap, I seem to be stuck in balloon mode, trying to organise the decor for my daughter’s wedding reception, unfortunately she wouldn’t let me go with the Stargate Balloon theme I was planning, I reckon it would’ve been awesome myself, anyway that meant the balloon DHD and puddlejumper was also out of the running so it looks like its going to be on the more traditional lines. I presume that also means that the wraith-o-gram I booked for her hen night is also inappropriate, might have to rethink this!
WOW! How cool is that? I hit submit twice and got a message to say I’d already said that !
Apologies for extreme length, embarrassing emotion, and overuse of the word “we.” I certainly don’t use the word to imply that I speak for all fans, but although this is my first comment here, I think I speak for at least some.
It is a testament to your skills, and the skills of everyone involved in the show, that the characters of Stargate Atlantis seem real to us, and we care about them deeply. Sometimes we even love them, as deeply as if they were real. And, like so many people in love, our emotions are fragile. The tiniest hint of something wonderful coming up for our favourite character can make the world seem brighter and the sun more beautiful. Bad news can send us crying to bed, and turn the world to one of shadow. Stupid? Perhaps, but not much different from all the millions of people in this world whose happiness is tied up with the fortunes of a sports team.
At present, Sheppard fans are plunged deep in misery. You know the reason; others have said it repeatedly. Every week brings spoilers and hints about wonderful things afoot for other characters, but the one we love, despite the fact that he’s supposedly the lead, has barely been mentioned.
To you, it might seem like silly overreaction, but love is not rational. Our rational selves try to have faith. We remind ourselves of past episodes that we ended up adoring, despite low expectations. We remind ourselves that it is early days yet, and we certainly would never condemn something unseen. But we are also people in love, and it’s as if our loved one has gone away for weeks and hasn’t called us once. Our heads come up with rationalisations, but our hearts fear the worst. Some are on the point of ending the relationship, unable to put themselves through the heartache of waiting for that call that never comes.
It might be – and I hope it is – that, to you, it is self-evident that Sheppard will get lots of screen time next season, and some good meaty plots. You might think that it’s so obvious that it doesn’t need mentioning, but it isn’t obvious, not to us. All we have is what you tell us. When people ask if Sheppard is still a regular in season five, you might think they’re being facetious, but they’re not. It’s a genuine fear. No letters and no calls, and the irrational fears take over.
So we ask. We ask and we ask and we ask, and get ignored. Again, we try to rationalise. You get hundreds of comments, and of course you’re under no obligation to answer any of them, and the fact that you reply to any of them is hugely appreciated. But the emotional, irrational side of us feels hurt. “Why does he hate us?” it wails, and because we feel sidelined and hurt, we fear even more.
We don’t feel we’re being unreasonable. We don’t resent other characters their time in the sun; it’s an ensemble show, after all, and all the better for it. If we were clamouring for a huge character arc for the third redshirt from the left, it would be different, but all we’re asking for is confirmation that the supposed lead character gets a good share of screen time. We don’t even think we’ve been rude or obnoxious. Variously, we’ve been polite and we’ve been witty and we’ve been heartfelt, but we still get ignored.
It hurts; it really does. And because we’re only human, that leads to resentment, although we try hard not to let it. We so want to love the show, and we’re desperate to be its champions. We want to be counting the days until the premiere, but at the moment the hurt and the fear is drowning the joy. We’re easily pleased, despair turned to joy by one phone call or a single rose. Even if the news is bad, we’re rather hear it, so we know not to spend every night in waiting for that call. Just a couple of sentences is all it would take – and, hey, it would at least spare you from having to plough through the daily flood of “tell us about Sheppard” comments, so you’d win, too. 😉
Thanks for the pics, Joe. Since you’ll be on set for Whispers… Can I ask for some pics of Mr. Flanigan?
Welcome back, Anne Teldy! I missed your original post, but I’ve seen all the welcome-back messages, so I guess you’re back 😀 Hope you have a fast recovery.
@ gatelady (only part of your post quoted because I don’t want to make this too long). You said: “The way I look at it is, to be on this expedidation, in ANY capacity, one would have to be physically and mentally sharp. One never knows when they will be needed off world, and we have seen Keller off world several times and she really couldn’t handle the situations physically, and especially mentally.
We have also seen Atlantis invaded several times so she, again, would have to be physically and mentally alert and functional to deal with an invasion situation. (…)”
Based on your post, I feel you believe Jennifer is the only one who acts the way she does and all the other civilian members of the expedition have always shown to be physically and mentally fit, have courage, never whine, etc. I disagree. Many civilian members, including Rodney, Carson and Radek have shown the same qualities you’re complaining about Jennifer. They’ve changed with time, and not within one season, just as Jennifer will probably do. Maybe it’s me, because I love ALL the characters. But when I see these complaints, I can only think of “double standards”. What is OK/great for Carson, Rodney and Radek, seems to be awfully wrong for poor Jennifer. Why? I can’t understand the reasoning behind this double standard.
I guess you and those who see it that way will never agree with those of us who see it in a different way. We’ll have to agree to disagree.
—-
I was reading some interviews/articles from the official Stargate magazine (latest issue) and I chuckled because. having been in the fandom for 4 years, I bet some of this stuff will have some fans ranting to their hearts’ contents.
1) Martin Gero says that Keller is his new favorite character to write (oh boy, all those Keller bashers will have a field day…).
2) Different actors once again emphasize that the decision about what happened to Carson and Elizabeth in s3 was done first, and having Amanda and Jewell coming to play Sam and Jennifer in s4 came later, and not the other way around, despite popular misconception (I guess fans who think otherwise will never believe it despite many actors saying the same thing)
3) Many times in the past anti s4 fans have misquoted Joe Flanigan in this blog, twisting what he said at conventions to fit their own agendas. Well, I quote straight from the JF interview: “The show has changed pretty dramatically from where we started to where we are now – for the better“
Of course people who feel s1-3 are awesome and s4 is crap will once again twist his words so at the end of the day it’d seem as if JF had said the opposite.
Nathan writes: “ Alternatively perhaps Mr Cooper would mind waiting until more of the world has had a chance to see the movie?”
Germany has to wait until May 2nd…
Oh and Welcome back Anne Teldy 🙂
Ivana
“”I’m going to take a nap while fans are screaming about Keller. It’s very boring. Will someone please wake me up when they’re done? Thanks.
eddy””
You are in for a nice long nap, Rip Van Winkle!
Um, may I humbly request that Rob Cooper’s discussion of The Ark of Truth be delayed for a little while longer?
Sky may have broadcast the movie in the UK, but I haven’t had a chance to see it, and will not get a chance until the DVD version is released here on April 28th. I’m sure I can’t be the only UK fan/T&T, R&R reader in this predicament…can I?
I feel really sad that the extreme Shep whump episode is still an IF. I really fear that it wont happen now and it sounded like a dream epsiode!:(
If it gets scrapped will it at least be replaced by another Shepisode? Please say yes so that the Shep fans can stop being so really, really miserable!
Finally, what young, healthy DOCTOR would be complaining about having to WALK? Hello? This just confirms what many of us have been complaining about since her introduction
LOL! I work with a bunch of 20 something interns who complain all the time about having to walk from one floor to another to see a patient! Not a fan of the Keller character exactly, but docs are NOT perfect people, by any stretch of the imagination.
Av eddy said “I’m going to take a nap while fans are screaming about Keller. It’s very boring. Will someone please wake me up when they’re done? Thanks.”
Are you ready to sleep during the next 10,000 years? *searches for a handy stasis pod* 😛 *removes tongue from cheek*
Something off topic, were you the one who mentioned Clive Cussler not so long ago? I just did a blog search and nothing popped up, but I’d swear someone mentioned this author and his Dirk Pitt character and for some reason your nickname rings a bell :D. I love his books and Dirk Pitt and all the other recurring characters in his novels.
To Anne Teldy:
I totally live less than a mile from Westpark. Across the Lloyd, a couple blocks behind the Hollywood Video. Actually applied for a social work position at Westpark earlier this year and turned it down because it didn’t pay enough and I had a more lucrative offer. But if I hadn’t, I would’ve been your social worker. Crazy!
Anyway, I’m totally sending you a letter, and then you’re totally going to call me and then we’re totally going to hang out and watch Stargate together and I’m totally going to sneak you in correctly cooked food. And then we’re going to have a ‘Anne Teldy’ character on Stargate party where I’m come in dressed as a space cow!
Just delurking to say that in all the 14 years of being a Stargate fan this is the first time that I have felt so disillusioned with an upcoming season.
The characters make or break a show and throwing in endless new characters just causes a lack of development ultimatley for all of them and therefore a lack of interest, and that is where I find myself now. Season 4 seemed to find the perfect mix and Carter as leader was more suited to the position than probably Weir ever was. So as much as it was sad to see Weir go I could understand the reason behind it, but now each time I hear of new characters joining the cast I just shake my head and wonder why!!
Why the need for so many new characters when the ones we have are so underdeveloped. Teyla and Ronon still only get their one token episode per season and then are back to the odd one liner here and there. Teyla’s arc in season four turned out to be disasterous for her character with this sudden lover thrown in,who appeared from no where.
The noticable lack of team episodes in season four, I thought may be due to the casts baby boom, and Rachels pregnancy but what is the reason for even less team episodes in season five. Why is the team split up for almost every episode. Why is Sheppard with a different team for an entire episode and why is it the writers seem incapable of giving Sheppard an episode that doesn’t involve women. Why can’t Ronon get the episode with women for a change, he’s a hot single guy.
And now we have the Shrine for Rodney. How surprising that he gets a good meaty episdoe that will let him flex those wonderful acting skills of his again. We have already had the tearjerker where Rodney is dying episode where everyone was tearing up over him, Tao of Rodney, so wouldnt it have been more interesting to see another member of the team go through something like this. As much as I have prayed for some good emotional stuff for the rest of the cast, angsting over dying Rodney again just leaves me cold, been there done that.
And now to my biggest complaint. What has happened to Joe Flanigan. Have you reduced his role in the show. I thought he was the leading guy and that meant being the focus of most episodes. But unfortunately the guy is just used for eye candy and rarely gets anything to sink his teeth into at all. Dare I ask why Sheppard seems to be taking a back seat to McKay when Joe is an amazing actor. Do you feel he is not up to the kind of stuff that Rodney gets. I know he is the hero but the character still needs to grow and be allowed to show some emotion occasionally. I get the impression that the writers don’t really know what to do with Sheppard. Mckays character seems to have the writers jumping with glee. Sheppard seems to get depicted as the gun toting hero or the hot guy who attracts the hot babe of the week, or when you want to shake things up a bit,show him committing an act that wasn’t far off murder as in Millers Crossing.
The inbalance in becoming more noticable as the seasons progress and where I would expect Sheppard to be the focus, ie The Last Man, and now in the mid season 2 parter, it’s once again McKay.
This wall of silence concerning Shepppard in season 5 is not helping things so I’m wondering why the air of secrecy. It would be enough to say that there is some wonderful stuff in store for Sheppard in season 5 without even giving any details but the total lack of information seems odd. Up until recently I have tried to convince myself that of course we will get loads of Sheppard as he is the leading guy, but as time goes by I’m not so sure. With the influx of new characters, Woolsey, Keller, Vega, (Clone)Carson and
not counting the recurring characters, Lorne, Zelenka, Ellis and Caldwell, I am beginning to think when there will be time for our main cast, though I’m sure there will always be time for McKay.
So with all these new characters that I have no interest in at all, and before you say wait and see I can assure you that I won’t care whether all the female team get killed in Whispers or if they survive. This is because I have no connection to these characters at all and don’t care to form one. I care about the existing ones and that is why I tune in every week. If a red shirt dies I really couldnt give a stuff. If Sheppard is bonding with a hot babe of the week again I couldnt give a stuff, and it looks like I have to endure Carson bonding with the Redshirt of the week and Shep getting to interact with Larrin again or his ex wife.Wouldn’t it have been so much more interesting to have Sheps brother back, oh but he’s a guy and we can’t have Shep having any meaningful conversations with a guy now, its so much more intersting watching him fumble around with a woman.
So to sum up SGA is loosing what made it great. The cast changes of Weir and Carson were understandable to a degree and I never really felt Weir or Carson got a lot to do but at least we had great team interaction but now we seem to be loosing that. The dismal underuse of the leading man of the show and I don’t just mean screentime but good story telling for his character, as that is sadly very lacking, the obsessive overuse of McKay and the separation of the team are causing the show to loose what made it great and that is a shame. I’m hoping we get back to some team episodes in the second half of the season, and hope the writers don’t focus too much on these new characters, and most of all I hope to see some good stuff for Shepppard.
Robert C. Cooper writes: “ My question to Joe and his blog-readers is: Do you think there has EVER been a movie based on a book that has been better than the source material?
I really can’t think of a movie that did a better job than the book it was based on. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy comes close, but that’s mostly due my own inability to slog through the books. The written word is just too capable of all the nuances and second or third story lines that a movie just doesn’t have enough time to convey.
I’m glad someone else pointed out that The Princess Bride was published in the 70’s (when I read it). I was terrified that it would be ripped to shreds when I heard they were making a film from the book. Thank all the Gods that William Goodman got to adapt his own book, they got a SUPER cast, and Rob Reiner got to direct it. For me, it’s the movie I hold up to all others when it comes to book adaptation.
LizB Said:”…It doesn’t really matter as long as you don’t do the British guest star turning out to be evil thing. It’s got to the point with some shows that I can spot the baddy by who’s accent sounds most English.”
Yes, I’ve been noticing that a lot too, we obviously have a school for villains hey of course we do its where politicians get educated but I digress, maybe the British Branch of L.A.M.E?
About A Boy – possibly not your speed? 🙂 Anyway, the movie made a huge change in having RW’s character dump HG’s after learning he’d been passing off a friend as his son in order to get into a relationship with her. In the book, she just sort of…laughs it off. What the *?!&%# was with that? Both got to the same place in the end, but the movie had a much stronger arc for HG, with some real consequences (for a while, at least).
Robert C. Cooper Said: My question to Joe and his blog-readers is: Do you think there has EVER been a movie based on a book that has been better than the source material?
I agree that TO Kill a Mockingbird transferred well from book to movie. I like both formats as much as each other, and it’s one of my top ten favourite movies! Another book that transferred well to movie was The Color Purple. Excellent book and excellent movie. I don’t think that the movies were better than the books, but certainly as good as them – and that’s pretty good going these days!
Least favourite adaption? The Triffids movie – I remember hating it intensely! The TV series, however, I remember as being pretty good – though it might look dated by today’s standards and it’s years since I’ve seen it. I still think the book was better though.
Joe M – wow, you spend 1-3 hours a day on your blog – I feel so honoured that you would do that. Thank you. That chocolate party sounds great – if you like chocolate, like it would seem 99% of the world does and only a handful of us don’t – oh well, I quite like being a minority for once!!
Leesa Perrie
Since you nagged David N to update his Blog there is someone else that needs to be chased. Although I am pretty sure David Hewlett will do the honours. Kate Hewlett has not updated her Blog since Feb 15. So time to nag her.
That’s a shame about that Restaurant closing down my sister was looking forward to eating schnitzel there this August.
“The Shining” was a better movie than book. Or maybe it’s more that they were about very different things, so each has its own strength.
Someone else mentioned the Bourne movies, and I agree with that.
Peter Jackson’s Fellowship of the Ring had things going for it that the book didn’t, but I don’t know that I’d call it better than the books
The challenge for movies is that they have to be pared for time, so they sometimes lose the psychological complexity a book might have (the problem with many a Stephen King based film). Then again, that enforced brevity sometimes makes for a better movie than book.
Ok…I’ve thought about the “better than the book” movie list.
I have to reveal my totally girly-sappy side and say I love a lot of the Disney movies like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. I’m a *happily ever after* kinda girl, I suppose. I realize there are many versions of those stories but many of the originals are dark and end sadly.
I think LOTR was an EXCELLENT movie. However, the book is still better, to me. Same with “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” C.S. Lewis tells that tale best and I don’t see any movie doing a better job.
I’ve never read “The Princess Bride” so I’m curious to know if I would love the book more. I can’t imagine it, though. The movie is a classic IMHO. 😀
I’ve been pondering the spoiler poem this afternoon (sadly I really don’t have anything better to do with my time) and have a quick question for you. I know that last year there were a few things that didn’t pan out the way you initially planned them. So, I was just wondering if any of the episodes you alluded to have been dropped or reworked so that a line is no longer relevant? Or is everything roughly going to plan thus far?
On April 17, 2008 at 7:11 am LoA Said:
Apologies for extreme length, embarrassing emotion, and overuse of the word “we.” I certainly don’t use the word to imply that I speak for all fans, but although this is my first comment here, I think I speak for at least some…. (snipped for space)
My goodness. You’re more than welcome to speak for me! What a wonderful post, expressing exactly how I feel. Alas I don’t have the skills to write anything as eloquently as you. I don’t know if I know you, if you’re a person I’ve spoken to online or not, but you have my complete admiration for such a hearfelt and emotive post. Sniff…
You are enjoying all this Shep stuff, aren’t you, you evil dude, you! 👿
For me I liked the move Stardust over the book. I understand that the book and movie are really two different entities altogether. I had started to read the book around the time the move came out. I only got about 30 pages in before I got boarded and stopped reading. After seeing the movie I was jazzed to finish the book and then spent the rest of the time waiting for something to happen. I would also agree with others that the movie version of The Princess Bride was better then the book.
On April 17, 2008 at 7:11 am LoA Said:
Apologies for extreme length, embarrassing emotion, and overuse of the word “we.” I certainly don’t use the word to imply that I speak for all fans, but although this is my first comment here, I think I speak for at least some….
You made me snuffle and you know how I get when i’ve got no tissues…I want to give you a hug now, obviously you’ll have to let me put a clean sweater on first 😉 You said it perfectly for me. The show to me is like my extended family. Most of my family as some of you know, i’ve lost due to tragic accidents and cancer. My mom is the last I have left and she’s dying. I love SGA because it’s helped me cope with things that have gone on over the last 4 years. It allows me to escape and to be able to face what lies ahead with a little bit of hope in my heart that even when things are at their worst, there is always people who’ve got your back. I’ve found that in this fandom, a sense of family. And without them and the show, I might not have had the courage to stick around. LoA said it more eloquently than I ever could.
And now i’ve gone all mushy… thanks LoA. Can you send me over a box of tissues as i’m running out of sweaters. 😆
If you haven’t already tried them, might I suggest Moonstruck Chocolates? They are F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S, and local to the Pacific Northwest. In fact, I may just send you some samples! If I knew where to send them, that is….
Here’s the link to their website: http://www.moonstruckchocolate.com/
And now the cravings set in…sheesh!
Anne Teldy, it’s great to see that you’re back!
*sends smiles and hugs*
I’m still reading and enjoying the blog Joe!
Darling Eva K, sadly, no the military doesn’t have cool glow sticks. They have cheap lowest bid contractor glow sticks. We used to have old ones which came in metal tubes, but now they’re all foil packed.
http://tinyurl.com/4c9ck7
Well did we bog down the blog yet, how many are too many entries? Thanks for the interesting pictures and I hope your chocolate soiree is everything you desire! Is there such a thing as chocloate overload, I hope the heck not,,yummy!!
The wraith(one) did eat real food in Condemned, but I don’t think he really liked it,(couldn’t tell from the slobbering,,lol) this back to the conversation about changing their diet, but maybe like brussel sprouts or broccoli, they could learn to like it, or not…
I still hope that you will make a flash-back episode about an Ancient team, which met with the Iratus bugs. Maybe the puddler jumper’s crew could be the archetype of Wraith classes. I would like to see a similar Wraith’s history episode with some connection to the Atlantis expedition. Maybe Todd could tell something about his 10000 year long life, how the Wraith and the first Queen were created accidentally. Is there any chance that you make such episode in season 5? I hope we will hear something in 5×09 “The Queen”. 🙂
If the 100th episode’s story is going to be really huge surprise, than will you make a two-parter (5×19-5×20)?
Who could be the leading star in the Universe series? With which actor would you like to work?
Hey Joe…..Ok i’m more than a little worried about the plans for Teyla in S5,apart from mentioning The Queen being a Teyla ep there’s been absolutely no news on Teyla whatsoever….Is she gonna actually have anything to do in S5 or is she just gonna be in the background again as per usual….I mean S4 was supposed to be this big arc for Teyla and it was supposed to be a great season for her but it kinda crashed and burned and went out with a whimper..
And then i hear we have yet another emotional tearjerker of an episode for Rodney,couldn’t we at least have someone else have the tearjerker and life hanging in the balance episode for a change…Don’t the others deserve to flex their acting muscles..
I’m beginning to wonder if Teyla is even in S5 for the most part or if she’ll be missing for half of it like she was in S4..
I’m beginning to feel that all the others are is support characters for Rodney,Rodney gets most of the limelight and Rodney saves the day most of the time…I feel like all Ronon and Teyla are there to do is look pretty and shoot and hit folks occasionally..
What about the plan to turn Teyla dark,i know it was planned for S4 but there was a chance to do it in S5,i mean she’ll have been through alot by then and it’s gotta take a toll,right?
I’m sorry but that’s just the way i feel!
I really hope all of this is unfounded!
1)Will Lorne have any defining moments this season?
2)Are there any storylines coming that cause the core team to have a major disagreement?
3)Will some enemies this season be hard to spot at first glance?
Trish (aka whovian) Said:
“I’ve never read “The Princess Bride” so I’m curious to know if I would love the book more. I can’t imagine it, though. The movie is a classic IMHO.”
I’d definietly recommend it. The vast majority of the lines from the movie come directly out of the book (I love when they do that in adaptions) and I thought it was funnier, just cause there’s all these quirky little things he says in between actually telling the story.
maggiemayday: that’s unfortunate to hear. Our guys should have something cool, you know? I should have known, cause a military friend once gave me a few of those. Although to be far, they were bright enough to blind you in the dark and they lasted forever and a half.
Goodness! It just took me an hour to read all these postings LOL… and of course, now I have to add my own in to jam up the others coming in behind!
Just a quick note to say, while I’ve been reading this blog for a while now, I’ve only recently decided to start posting. I have to give it up to you, Joe – you’re my hero. 😛 The fact that you actually run this blog is incredible, and an awesome testiment to the support to you give us all. So a HUGE thank you!
**flouncy bow and applause**
I love the spoilers, the photos, book reviews, crazy discussions, arguements, freakouts, and food descriptions. It’s my entertainment after a nutty day in the world that is my life, and so I thank you!
-.-
Regarding the above posts, I have to agree with the first Lily and her fantastically awesome post on all things Keller. I really enjoy Jewel’s character, and can’t wait to see more of her with the team. And while I’d love to be a writer for the show, I’m not. So… I defer to those who are. We can choose to believe, or we can choose to be pissy. I’d rather see where it goes and enjoy the break from reality it provides each week.
After four seasons, I haven’t been disappointed yet, and am very, very much looking forward to S5!
Just my 2 cents tossed into the wishing well of SGA!
Nika
I personally prefer the movie The Silence of the Lambs to the book. In the book, we had to be told what Lector & Buffalo Bill were thinking; in the movie, we didn’t know which made it very creepy. That said, the book had two of the most touching passages I’ve ever read.
I also preferred the movie Toy Soldiers to the book. The book tried to cover way too much ground.
Thanks again for all the nice wishes and the blog dedication. I may not be able to get online every day, but it won’t be so long between postings.
Anne Teldy (my preference)
I prefer ALL movies to books. With books I have to read every single line and turn page after page and it’s freaking exhausting. With movies I just hit “play” and I don’t have to process any silly words or move a muscle, and it’s over in 2 hours regardless. Phew.
Hey Jo’ !
It made a long time…hope the shooting of Whispers run good.
I remember Stargate SG1 and Atlantis pubicity…who made it ? SciFi decided the little story or you were totally free ?
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x410ug_pub-pour-stargate-sg1-atlantis_ads
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x410wf_pub-stargate_ads
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x410qw_la-porte-des-etoiles-dans-ton-frigo_ads
Is it possible for you to post old drawing of SG1 ( like you posted today ) ?
I discovered Teryl Rothery, and Bill Dow in Kyle XY. I know it’s shooted in Vancouver like Stargate etc…
Are you going sometimes watch shooting of others TV Shows and movies in Vancouver ?
SGA question :
Will the 5th season be dark like season 4th end ?
Question : Do you think that Charlie Sheen and Joe Flanigan have the same face …a little ?
Dovil said:
Hee! If he can run flailing and screaming through the rain while wearing a white shirt and then fall and twist his ankle a part of me will die inside from glee and hysterical laughter.
Oh, please, yes! That would be the best thing ever! Sheppard as Gothic heroine!
Fran, I already put a nag in on Kate’s blog, letting her know that she needs to answer JM’s accusations of reckless behavior.
I have come to answer the question.. *cue epic music*
Alright.
The Lord of the Rings Movies.
Much better than the books, because you can have a digested version of the books in a few hours, where as itd take forever to get through them all.
Not to mention the action isn’t half bad.
So yes, The Lord of the Rings Movies are better than the books source material.
Boy, after reading comments here and on GW all day, this really must be a “let’s dump on McKay” day. He has one episode out of 20 where he gets to shine, and a huge cry erupts that he is overused. Maybe in seasons 2 and 3, but I quite frankly, imho, did not see that in season 4. I think everyone is overreacting, since only 6 episodes out of 20 have been filmed, and half the season hasn’t even been written yet.
I loved season 4, and am very excited about what I’ve read so far about season 5.
chevron7 Said: Oooh Das, that’s perfect. I’d love to see some emotional torment.
Thanks! I’m all for emotional torment, and JF does an extremely good job showing such torment on his cute li’l scrunchy rubber face. 😀 Inner conflict is what usually attracts me to a character – probably what attracted me to the Wraith, esp. Todd – the ‘conflict’ of wanting your cake (alliance with a human) and eating it too (self-explanatory 😛 ).
But I will say this to all the Sheppard fans who are in a panic right now…
First, I DO understand how you’re feeling. Hey – I like the Wraith, so how do you think that makes ME feel? I’m hooked on the guys who are supposed to be killed! AAARRGGHH!!! Extremely depressing…
So…just wanna say this about Sheppard. Just because there isn’t a specific Shepcentric episode doesn’t mean that Sheppard won’t shine in some way in the other episodes. He’s had his fair share of attention, and so perhaps now they need to center stories around the others…in this way, it gives a little extra attention to characters who haven’t been as well developed, and just might shed some additional light on Sheppard in the process. For instance, I think the Tao of Rodney – though it’s a Rodney episode, it gave some nice insight into Sheppard.
But see…sometimes I look for the little things. I think ONE good 3-minute Shep scene can be as good, if not better, than one ‘meh’ episode revolving around the same guy. So, even if there doesn’t seem – at this time – to be an episode specifically geared towards him in the first half of S5, it doesn’t mean he won’t have brilliant moments in the other episodes.
Not sure if I explained myself well there…but hey, at least you guys can be pretty sure Sheppard will make a showing in all (or most) of the episodes in S5. I only have a JM’s word that ‘Todd is scheduled for 3 episodes so far…’ Ugh. Only 3 episodes, and betcha not one is focused on him. So, I have to endure – week after week – humans…just hoping to get a glimpse of something tall, green and handsome… 😀
shutting up now….
das
*dozes on a comfy couch*
“hachi Said:
“”I’m going to take a nap while fans are screaming about Keller. It’s very boring. Will someone please wake me up when they’re done? Thanks.
eddy””
You are in for a nice long nap, Rip Van Winkle!
“
*mumbles* Yup, I’m not waking up til it’s allllll over.
Zzzzzzzz….
“the first Lily Said:
Something off topic, were you the one who mentioned Clive Cussler not so long ago? I just did a blog search and nothing popped up, but I’d swear someone mentioned this author and his Dirk Pitt character and for some reason your nickname rings a bell :D. I love his books and Dirk Pitt and all the other recurring characters in his novels.”
*opens left eye* Yup, that was me. 🙂 My hub is the huge CC fan, but I’ve read several of his books. I think Joe F. would make a nice Dirk Pitt. *closes eye and has happy Joe F. dreams*
*snork* Huh? What? Oh, LoA’s post wasn’t a dream? Still it’s a nice post. 🙂
Zzzzzzzzz…..
eddy
Yazid Said:
Sorry, not even a little. I was actually watching the end of Two and a half men last night and I thought “You know, Charlie Sheen’s head is too big for his body. Why do they boof his hair up and make it worse?” Anyhoo, apart from hair colour I don’t think there’s anything the same.
That’s my two cents.
Cheers, chev
JoeF is the leading man? You could have fooled me. Fingers crossed for more meatier roles for Joe.
Kudos and hugs to all the Shep fans. You took the words out of my head and did a fantastic job posting them.
Holy crow, its taken a whole half hour to read all the comments today! I LOVE the Shep/Flan Gimme Chorus! great singing guys, I’m keeping beat right along with youse! (you would NOT want to hear me sing.) Recently I decided that Sheppard is my Number-ONE fave from now on (after a FANTASTIC season 4) but here’s the kicker- he was the #1 reason I started watching Stargate Atlantis on Day 1! all the other characters are just icing (McKay is the sprinkles as well). But Shep is the showcake!
das says: I think ONE good 3-minute Shep scene can be as good, if not better, than one ‘meh’ episode revolving around the same guy.
I agree and why I thought s4 was a great Shep season. A lil here, a lil there all added up to some terrific character insights & moments. But I still want a couple full blown good Shep-eps. Two lines from Mr. M’s poem clearly hint we’re gonna get at least 2.
btw, my companion is with ya on Wraith support. Since the end of s1 he’s had lettered across the back of his pickup window “In memory of Steve the Wraith” but he refuses to call Todd “Todd” because that’s my ex’s name… he calls him “Ace” instead, for obvious reasons. Loves that character.
Debra said: So, have you ever read any of Terry Goodkind’s books?
I just wanted to comment on this, I LOVE his Sword of Truth series!!! Richard, Kahlan & Zedd are three of the best characters I’ve ever “met”.
DD
Beverly and Das’s posts on the subject say a lot of what I meant to, regarding McKay and Sheppard, perfecty already.
I would add that Rodney was not the center of attention on the Last Man, he was teh *narrator*, the storyteller, for the most part, and Shep was the Audience — they were equals, giving and taking to move the scenes. Sam had her bit where she was the center, as did Ronon, and Rodney’s history bit was as much Keller’s as it was his. And shep had the beginning segement where he was alone, so tyat all evens out.
Me, I’m all for another ep where Rodney’s hurt and people worry over him. 😉 But I’m fine with other characters getting that treatment too! And I think it’s a great disservice for people to ignore the episodes where other characters have playerd an equal or grater role as hero compared to McKay — Radek and Sheppard in “Quarantine”, for example? And even when Mckay is “saving the day”, he couldn’t fix the problems without others, like Ronon, Teyla, and Sheppard, protecting him! How are they not “saving the day” too?? Sheppard’s done some pretty heroic stunts that have nearly gotten him killed, like in “The Siege”. He and Zelenka saved Rodney in Grace Under Pressure. Teyla’s risked her life every time shes used her power to connect with the wraith to do things that have been vital to their missions. Carson saved Ronon at the end of Sateda — what did Rodney do? Ronon essentially saved everyone in Tabula Rasa, with help from Sheppard. Rodney didn’t really save the day in Miller’s Crossing — Todd did, and John did when he made the choice to feed Todd. Look a little deeper and give the other characters more credit! Don’t ignore their great deeds conveniently just create to more excuses to complain about McKay!
We *know* Sheppard is getting an ep of his own, where he is whumped and everything, so what’s the prob? He has a fairly prominent role in almost *every* ep, even ones that are supposed to be Rodney-centric (Grace Under Pressure, Tao, Miller’s Crossing, even McKay and Mrs Miller to an extent). Rodney was barely in Outcast or The Travelers, comparatively speaking! So buck up — I’m sure John’s got his usual prominent role, and that he will save Rodney’s keister just as much as Rodney saves his. 🙂
And I agree with whoever said that Keller’s no different in the complaints department from the other civilians — I *love* Rodney, but he outdoes her in complaints by a very wide margin! 😉 There’s a reason why they’re civilians, not military. kKller’s shown herself very capable as a surgeon and in running the infirmary, I think.
Jason said
Sure, Walter Harriman has decided to retire after a long and faithful service, and in conversation with general Landry he admits that he is sad that he never really got to go off world, and that he always wanted to see Atlantis. Landry pulls a few strings so that Harriman can spend his last few days in the service as a guest to Atlantis. Harriman arrives in a Hawaiian shirt and funny hat, treating it like a cruise ship, sipping drinks outside – everything is fine and dandy up until the moment where ….
😉
The hundredth episode is coming up, I find it very annoying that either Beckett, O’Niell, Weir, and Ford, could not be in it. Please, give us a little something. Please?? Coax out the fox in the actors. Give them a brilliant incentive.
I AM BEGGING YOU!! Or Can you atleast have a character named after me?? Major Meyers…please???
If you do bring Sheppard and Ford together(however unlikely), please make it a regrettful, emotionally broken Sheppard. Please?? You have tried to make him broken but you haven’t even scratched the surface. Come ON!!!!
I’ve been thinking over Robert’s question about when books are turned into movies and three that were at leats as good as the novels come to mind, The Lord of the Rings trilogy directed by Peter Jackson. To be honest every other time I’ve seen a movie after reading the book it was based on I have been disappointed. Even disappointed I could and have enjoyed the movies of the books I love.
Wildwood, NJ, really? Are you originially from the East Coast? I’m from Philly, and we always went down the shore to Wildwood for our summer vacations. Sadly, it’s changed quite a bit in the past few years. Condos galore, no more cheesey motels!
Amanda – I live in Cape May County – born and raised. So true what’s happened down here – place isn’t what it used to be at all. I miss the old Wildwood, and the old Cape May. I believe JM is from Canada – we used to get tons of Canadian tourists (mostly from Quebec) but I think the locals’ attitude kinda drove them away. Shame, because I’ve made a lot of Canadian friends over the years – especially a group of Portuguese folks who came here for years. Oh god! What fun!! Homemade wine and lupin beans around the campfire (after a while, I’d start calling them loopy beans… 😳 ) Such good times! Went to visit them in Montreal, and – again – just great people. But alas, they mostly vaca in New England now, though one of the boys married my friend, so we still get to see them quite often.
And don’t get me started on the condos. Ugh. They can’t even sell them, many in foreclosure – and it’s just a mess.
On a brighter note – we do have many excellent restaurants in Cape May, and there’s that whole ‘sea breeze’ thing that I just can’t live without…and best part – EVERYONE STILL GOES HOME AT THE END OF THE SEASON!! 😀 Sorry – but I love having the roads to myself.
Recently Robert Davi (Kolya) was at a favorite restaurant of ours – if I ever see him there again, I’m gonna yell out, “Kolya! I didn’t kill you last time, remember? You promised me points for that…” 😈
(don’t worry, I’m not THAT crazy….)
das
‘On the menu so far: Rococo Chocolates from London, La Maison du Chocolat, Hevin, Richart, and Debauve & Gallais from Paris’… Did you know that La Maison du Chocolat is our President Nicolas Sarkozy’s favorite ? You’ve got good taste !
Hi Joe 🙂 First time poster! I was wondering, did Asuran technology require the Ancient gene to operate? If so, how did the Asurans emulate this? If not, does that mean that anyone can fly the puddlejumper they stole from the Asurans at the end of Progeny?
– Daniel