Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news.

Harry reports on THE DARK IS RISING in Bucharest!!!

Word by jimmy_009	May 15th, 2007 01:40:22 AM
Up.
2nd by hollywoodsummers	May 15th, 2007 01:41:03 AM
whatever
McShane and Ecclestone by Alonzo Mosely	May 15th, 2007 01:46:26 AM
are always interesting... Just wish I didn't have the feeling of dread that i am going to have to read through Harry lecturing us on things he found out about 20 minutes before like he is a world renowned expert... Oh well, such is the joy of visiting AICN...
actually by HEADGEEK	May 15th, 2007 01:53:57 AM
I'm not an expert on anything Romanian - but I've read quite a bit on Ceausescu, albeit, not since the early 90s. That said - I've learned a lot from going to dinner with a wonderful Romanian named Roxana, whom I've learned an amazing amount from just in the last 48 hours... and wait till I tell you about the Romanian donut desert... HOLY SHIT!
He's starting already... by Alonzo Mosely	May 15th, 2007 01:59:17 AM
You gotta love the big man, even as he makes you tear your hair out...
Ugh! by hargon27	May 15th, 2007 01:59:25 AM
Great, another dog-shit Walden production. Oh well, they will reap ton of bank from the christian conservative families looking for something non-offensive (like that god-awful Narnia). Us, net-nerds, we dont care.
McShane does, indeed, rock by charon	May 15th, 2007 01:59:42 AM
He can do no wrong in my book after the prolonged testament to acting known as Deadwood. Hopefully this Cunningham can make a skillful transition to create the best kind of fiction, one with a realistic air. Seems to have a lot of good talent behind it and some great locations and sets. No luck wished, that's for primitive screwheads. Use the time well, all, and I hope to see this on the big screen.
sounds pretty cool by the_shogun_gunslinger	May 15th, 2007 02:02:06 AM
pics are nice too. finally a fantasy movie i can look forward to :)
Harry - Quick Question...(while you are here) by jordangta	May 15th, 2007 02:07:28 AM
Harry, quick question...do you watch The Office? Yes/No? Just wondering...odd question I know.
Sounds cool by antonphd	May 15th, 2007 02:08:30 AM
What a list of talent. I'm looking forward to this. Don't know anything about the books, but, I liked Sahara and there's not much you can really do with Narnia books, so, I'm willing to give Walden another chance.
Walden makes such fine pictures by Evil Hobbit	May 15th, 2007 02:09:56 AM
Can't wait for this one, Ian McShane is brilliant.
Harry by antonphd	May 15th, 2007 02:16:51 AM
Thanks for the Spiderman 3 review. Nice to see that someone is willing to set aside nit picks and say that overall, while not brilliant, Spiderman 3 was fun. I don't know why people have to have their balls sucked just to consider a movie enjoyable. But... what do you say to people who's real complaint is that a Spiderman film isn't cool enough... other than accept that they just don't get the whole point of Spiderman to begin with. Which... is how I feel about people who like Venom, the one character that never belonged in Spiderman's universe to begin with. He belongs in Spawn's or at least Batman. What's a old school fan of Spidy supposed to do when he's forced to make a Spiderman movie with Venom. It's like trying to match Aliens with Star Wars... they don't belong together. Anyway, I'm glad you played your review smart and waited. And I'm really glad you were honest about it. Instead of just jumping on the Raimi backlash train.
Well, if it's got magical wizardy shit in it by Vern	May 15th, 2007 02:29:51 AM
I'm sure somebody will like it. I've noticed that kinda crap is popular: Harry Porter, Gymkata, etc.
WOW! Look at the set design! by Darth Fart	May 15th, 2007 02:33:08 AM
That's stunning. Very reminscent of Royal Flash design.
Speak for yourself hargon27 by critter42c	May 15th, 2007 02:41:59 AM
Have you actually read the books? When I read the books as a kid, I started to find out more about the druids of old England and English mythology than anything else - that and Arthurian legends as Merlin plays such a large part of the book series. This net-nerd absolutely DOES care and cannot WAIT for this film.
David Cunningham isnt "new "he's been shitty for years by Ravvy	May 15th, 2007 02:49:33 AM
"from a fairly new director named David Cunningham – with a lot of talent behind him." Harry I love ya man, but thats the most wrong statement ever. David L. Cunningham has been manufacturing lame movies for nearly a decade now. I'd be surprised if he cranked out a "decent movie" let alone a good movie, I'd say he's just slightly more talented to than Uwe Boll, but less talented than Ratner.
Errrr...is this a tv show or something? by Motoko Kusanagi	May 15th, 2007 02:59:44 AM
Because it looks like a crappy pilot.
Uh by AllieJamison	May 15th, 2007 03:08:28 AM
HA! I knew it. Well..I poorly speculated. GReat! but then i thought...it may be too much of a coincidence....to speculate on THE DARK IS RISING on a the dark knight is rising talkback. However. I'm confused. Isn't Cunningham the director of to end all wars? I love that film. Besides the strong story I think it's very well crafted. ....And..what about TINTIN with Spielberg and Jackson? I feel like I'm still dreaming.
The books... by JacenSolo	May 15th, 2007 03:10:36 AM
Read the books when I was younger and then reread them recently when I read an early draft of the script, really enjoyed them, though could be a risk in an over saturated genre...that being said the doors of the hall look awesome...
That IS cool news! by Womb2dooM	May 15th, 2007 04:18:13 AM
Thanks, Harry! I'll keep an eye out for this one. In return I shall recommend for you to see, um... uh... Chinatown!
Eragon Part 2 by Finklestone	May 15th, 2007 04:27:12 AM
The books were fantastic. It's a real shame that the source material has been completely butchered by the jesus brigade, Susan Copper deserves better. And Harry's sycophantic arse-kissing to Walden Media is disgusting.
Doesn't take much to get a whole bunch of advertorial.. by Sledge Hammer	May 15th, 2007 04:34:55 AM
...propoganda pieces here on AICN, does it? A free plane ticket, hotel and some food on top and I'm sure we can look forward to at least half a dozen of these puff pieces, followed by the inevitable glowing review upon release. Integrity. Look it up. It's in the dictionary you know.
These were some of my fave books when I was younger by Nezza	May 15th, 2007 04:41:59 AM
Really great Arthurian British fantasy storytelling, up there with Alan Garner. Those naysaying the story should read the books (though the first book is a bit lame). Of course the film may rape my childhood, but I'm happy to give it the benefit of the doubt.
Enough with fantasy series - for the moment? by Mr Gorilla	May 15th, 2007 04:42:42 AM
The Susan Cooper books are truly great, and that cast looks fabulous. But, you know, we already have Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Narnia, The Golden Compass... I just hope these guys are doing something significantly DIFFERENT here. And although it's great to have a fresh director, I do think it's better to have a proven one who can really author the film and make it distinctive - like Nolan with Batman or even Lee with Hulk.
Harry's Integrity by Finklestone	May 15th, 2007 05:10:33 AM
Harry could always help to restore his integrity by writing an editorial that looks into how Philip Anschutz insidiously forces his religious agenda into schools via the handy educational programs provided by Walden Media to teachers for their family films...nah, what am I thinking? Harry would never do anything to risk upsetting his paymasters.
Silly liberals by theBigE	May 15th, 2007 05:27:16 AM
Whenever a group with conservative ties makes a film, why do you wacky liberals freak out like society is coming to an end? Most of what comes out of Hollywood is supported by groups with liberal ties - some of them extreme - yet it doesn't ruffle many feathers. How about keeping an open mind and just judging the film on its artistic merits and entertainment value? Whoa, that would be a switch!
what is it with religious people? by kwisatzhaderach	May 15th, 2007 05:36:15 AM
do they walk through life with their eyes shut?
I hear they have some sexy hostels over there by BannedOnTheRun	May 15th, 2007 05:37:19 AM
P.S. Shallow Grave was amazing.
TO END ALL WARS by AllieJamison	May 15th, 2007 05:48:29 AM
Get yourselves a copy of TO END ALL WARS! Or...better not...because it actually deals with christian metaphors and themes. It will be great to use it in conspiracy accusations. While I'm catholic the fundamentalist's crap sucks. And I don't want them to gain power or something. Still Cunningham ist a very talented director and the story looks interesting. Really: Watch TO END ALL WARS!
judge the film on its artistic merits... by Finklestone	May 15th, 2007 05:55:07 AM
Good idea. Much easier just to bury your head in the sand and enjoy those cool special effects rather then think about what anti-homosexual or pro-censorship campaign your ticket money is indirectly financing.
love the book...movie looks lame by paragraphs	May 15th, 2007 06:32:36 AM
the mall? will's dad is a professor now? i'm sure these are just two in the many unnecessary changes by walden. this especially pisses me off because these books used to be some of my faves and have a ton of potential.
PS. The Grey King by paragraphs	May 15th, 2007 06:35:30 AM
The grey king, sequel to this book, is a fantastic young-adult book. it won the Newberry medal, i believe.
This series is awesome. by zb.brox	May 15th, 2007 06:58:57 AM
Seriously, was always one of my favorites, and I liked this one the best. They'd better not fuck it up. Everything looks good so far, though.
Please name this series of visits "The Dork Is Rising" by tonagan	May 15th, 2007 06:59:07 AM
Juvenile yes. Self-deprecating yes. I still like it, though.
Hope they don't screw up by Sprinky	May 15th, 2007 07:03:44 AM
I read Dark Rising years ago. I thought it was a great story.But my library didn't have the follow up books so i never read what happened then.This book was way before Harry Potter came along and i just hope they will do a good job.
great series by mthrndr	May 15th, 2007 08:40:06 AM
This is a great series of books. The problem is, since the movie is coming out after the Potter phenomenon most people will think this is just a rip-off like Eragon - even though these books have been out longer. Also, movies can lose a lot of nuance of the books. this is the main reason I've ignored the Lion, Witch,etc. I couldn't care less about the backer's political affiliation. give it a rest. Does anybody remember Bakshi/Zaentz's Lord of the Rings? What a piece of garbage.
SoylentMean-- by zb.brox	May 15th, 2007 09:17:31 AM
Yeah, if they make this an overtly Christian flick in the vein of Narnia, I will be pissed. This is a clearly pagan-influenced story. There may be Christian elements, but of the druidic-pagan-Christian mesh that was popular in the post-Roman Anglo-Saxon age in Britain.
Don't get me wrong-- by zb.brox	May 15th, 2007 09:47:44 AM
I enjoyed Narnia, too. I loved those books as a kid, practically learned to read off them. Just saying that if they try to turn these books into those books, it'll screw them up.
harry, either you messed up or... by occula	May 15th, 2007 09:58:11 AM
...the production did. will stanton starts his adventure on his 11th birthday, not his 14th. he is the 7th son of a 7th son and the number 11 is also important in the mythology. an 11-year old kid is entire different than a teenager, which could change the entire tenor of the movie. i am already pissed despite the nifty production pictures and the presence of heavy-hitting actors that they would do something like this. every time this happens i think of the mamet film 'state & main' where william h. macy says to philip seymour hoffman about his film 'the old mill,' 'does it have to be set at an old mill?' sigh
The Books are great by Lovecraftfan	May 15th, 2007 10:06:58 AM
Read them growing up.
Walden Media by m2298	May 15th, 2007 10:18:47 AM
I haven't seen any of these films, so perhaps someone can tell me how the following films promote a Christian fundamentalist/neoconsevative agenda?: Charlotte's Web,Amazing Grace, How to Eat Fried Worms, Hoot, Aliens of the Deep, Because of Winn-Dixie, Around the World in 80 Days, I Am David Holes, Ghosts of the Abyss and Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey.
They are pouncing on every kid's series that can find by Dashing Roger	May 15th, 2007 10:26:28 AM
Narnia. Bridge to Terabithia. The Dark is Rising. This sounds like a trip down my Scholastic weekly book order memory lane. You know who you can blame for this (if it pisses you off, not sure how I feel about it yet): HARRY. No, not Harry Knowles. Harry Fucking POTTER. You trying to be a writer in Hollywood? Write a kind series involving a new take on a magical force and a princess and a talking animal and a kid learning profound life lessons as he matures. Cha-ching!
anchorite-- by zb.brox	May 15th, 2007 10:40:58 AM
You're forcing hypocrisy where there is none. "Offensive" art and religious symbols can be placed in more or less the exact same places: Your home, a museum (public or private), private property of pretty much any stripe, etc. They can NOT be placed in the exact same places, as well: Court houses, schools, public parks, etc. etc. Freedom of speech applies to individuals, and individuals do have it: you can go to your city park and preach whatever you like. Can you set up a nativity scene? No, but you can't plant a tree without permission, either, because it's not your front lawn.
Whatever by sevenrivera	May 15th, 2007 11:12:20 AM
Go to hell Harry. I've lost all respect for you since your Spiderman sell-out review. Now because they flew you out there for this movie and gave you VIP treatment and donuts, you're gonna say this movie is awesome even if it's not. By the way, did you note how the Spiderman review went in the regular section and not on the lefthand side column? Because Harry wanted it to disappear as quickly as possible. Get bent Harry, you're dead to me.
This movie will be awesome if... by blckmgk13	May 15th, 2007 12:12:43 PM
Mcshane calls everyone C*cksucker every two seconds. Just saying.
The Dark is Rising by Crimean	May 15th, 2007 12:18:56 PM
I loved that book in middle school. Set in 1970's rural England it featured an 11 year old British boy from a close-knit large family, father was a jeweler. Story was a mix of Arthurian legend with some faux-Druidism and Christian themes. I wish they were making that one into a movie. If anyone knows why this is the second fantasy series from Walden Media that started with the second book in the series let me know.
I'm from Romania by DynamixRo	May 15th, 2007 12:19:23 PM
And I felt the earth trembling a few days ago. I guess that was just Harry getting off the plane.
so i just read an advertisement in disguise by Bongalongadingdong	May 15th, 2007 01:22:41 PM
thanks?
anchorite-- by zb.brox	May 15th, 2007 01:27:09 PM
The difference is that the Ten Commandments aren't a matter of historical record. Maybe they were given by Moses, who maybe existed, and maybe got them from God, who maybe exists. All that. Martin Luther King Jr, on the other hand, quite certainly existed. The government should have no opinion on the question of the validity of the Ten Commandments--don't forget that the first commendment is "Though shalt have no other Gods before me"--while the government can certainly have an opinion on the existence of Martin Luther King, Jr. The problem with your argument that this kind of thing could be considered censorship is that no one is saying, nor hopefully will ever say, that expressions of religious faith by individuals are inappropriate in public. You're talking about what the government expresses, and the government is not an individual, and it shouldn't express an individual point of view, only a point of view that respects all Americans equally.
Does Romania have a Starbucks on every other corner? by Pound Sand	May 15th, 2007 01:41:12 PM

I thought you went there to buy a dragon by CherryValance	May 15th, 2007 01:57:56 PM
close enough
I really want this to be good by freydis	May 15th, 2007 02:31:13 PM
but I'm a little worried. Seems like they changed every important detail so far... and some of the little stuff (Will's dad going from jeweler to professor) seems like nerdy nitpicking but it actually does impact the narrative. I hope they pull it off... my guess, though, is a halfway decent movie that bears no relation to its source material besides the title.
Crimean-- by zb.brox	May 15th, 2007 03:08:51 PM
What other series started with the second book?
The Dark is Rising is a great series of books by Jack Burton	May 15th, 2007 03:13:28 PM
Truly excellent series of books but how the hell does this movie fit? Wasn't the final book in the series called The Dark is Rising? I don't remember the series being Christian based either, it was kind of pagan if I remember right so I'm not sure what Walden Media is doing with it. Of course it's been years since I read them so I could be wrong. I remember The Grey King was the best in the series though.
Jack Burton-- by zb.brox	May 15th, 2007 03:26:07 PM
The Dark is Rising is the second book in the series. The last was called Silver on the Tree. My guess si that they won't bother making the first book (Over Sea, Under Stone) because it doesn't fit as well into the main thrust of the series. Totally different characters (with one exception), totally different genre (much more Hardy Boys (or Famous Five if you know what that is) than the more Fantasy-based second book), etc. etc. But, yeah, it's supposed to be much more Arthurian than Christian.
zb.brox by Crimean	May 15th, 2007 03:28:29 PM
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the second book of it's series following The Magician's Nephew. It's a bit of an arguable point as LLW was written first and MN was written I think fourth but it's still the official order. Also, thanks, it's good to see a debate in talkback that actually seem reasonable and thoughtful.
Crimean-- by zb.brox	May 15th, 2007 03:34:00 PM
That's only the "official" order in the last 10-15 years. When I had the books as a kid, they still had TLTWATW first. And I'm only 25, we're not talking aeons ago. I think just because they reorder them now to make them, what, less confusing for kids? doesn't make that the right way to do it. Wardrobe was the first written, it was the most classically appreciated, I'd call it the first.
Bullshit - Knowles as paid shill. Discuss. by palimpsest	May 15th, 2007 04:22:25 PM
This whole thing stinks. Cunningham has no pedigree whatsoever, and for him to claim so is retarded. Hodge is an interesting scripter, though that's no draw across the world when Del Toro is filming next fucking door. Chris Eccleston is always fun, but much better on TV then in the movies (his UK TV stuff is awesome, even his Doctor Who performances). Walden Media have money, but not sense. Questions: a) what the fuck and b) who paid for the trip and c) why should the AINC readership care about this movie? This is an unheralded production, and to assume that we're interested on someone else's say so is somewhere between hubris and sellout. Justify yourself, my man...
Ah, those were fun books. by epitone	May 15th, 2007 04:25:33 PM
They held me rapt when I was about 11 or 12, and I look forward to seeing them on the big screen. That said, I wonder if there's really enough room for them now that the "British-accented kid discovers magical destiny" genre has become so overly saturated.
zb.brox by Crimean	May 15th, 2007 04:25:53 PM
You are of course right, as that pretty much reflects my childhood when The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was still first. I only argue the opposite because of the reality that now when a 12 year old or whoever wanders into a bookstore and buys the 'now a major motion picture' collection of Narnia that LLW is 107 pages in from the front cover. Not a particularly important point anyway but I just wanted to be clear. I do want to see this, I'll just have to do it with the mental wall up that separates it from comparative judgement.
The books, they by VenkmanBurnInHell	May 15th, 2007 04:57:25 PM
Scared the fish fingers out of me. If this is good, and I'm not too hopeful, then I'll be there.
Hmmm.... by andrew1911uk	May 15th, 2007 05:11:35 PM
Just a hint in Harry's report that the Will Stanton character won't be English as in the books, but rather American? Wouldn't be surprised at this, given the need to drum up the film as the next HP-esque franchise, but it would be a shame. Incidently, the choice of casting for Ian McShane's character - Merriman Lyon (Merlin) - could be absolutely spot on, if he treats it with more of a Deadwood slant than Lovejoy! Excellent books tho - I can thoroughly recommend them if you'd like to give your kids a proper bed time story! Pagan magic, Welsh legends, King Arthur - the Welsh Tourist board will be upset it's filmed in Romania.
Books were amazing, bet the film will be trash. by Lilana	May 15th, 2007 05:27:55 PM
I loved this series of books when I was a child. Really great mix of English/Celtic mythology and strong story lines. I bet this movie wont do the books justice. That kid playing Will looks nothing like I imagined. Also some of the books had really creepy moments which I'd be surprised a movie like this will capture.
WTF? "The right actors for their characters"??? by Merriman Lyon	May 15th, 2007 05:39:25 PM
How could you possibly know, Harry - you haven't read the books. I have, and I can tell you right away that Eccleston and McShane are completely wrong for these characters as described in the books. Merriman is an old, lean, grey-haired wizard (pretty much an older, quieter, wiser version of Gandalf the Grey) - not a dark, "brooding" ham bulldog like McShane. Eccleston's dark rider is something more along the lines of The Mouth Of Sauron in LOTR - not a young fellow wearing black feathers!. And casting is just ONE of the errors made by this (clearly half-baked) production. Will is described in the book as being eleven years old - not fourteen. His age has a deliberate significance for the logic of the book - obviously that subplot will now have to be dropped, since they've decided that he's fourteen for some reason. His father is NOT a physics professor: he is a goldsmith/jeweller - also important to the story (another subplot that will have to dropped for no good reason). Will harbours no feelings of any kind towards girls in the book - he's too young at the start - and by the end has become an "Old One" who is on a level far beyond being interested in trivial romance. But this issue is never raised in the book - nor did it never need to be, because it's completely irrelevant to the story! Why are the film-makers bothering to say they are adapting TDIR at all? They clearly have no intention of sticking to the spirit of the book. They've decided to change it into another standard, boring "coming-of-age-with-magic" Hollywood movie. The Dark Is Rising is a chilling little novel, full of suspense, foreboding and black magic. It would make a great movie - but this clearly isn't it. Not the way you describe it, Harry.
Crimean-- by zb.brox	May 15th, 2007 05:42:02 PM
Fair enough, it's just one of those things that's a pet peeve of mine--Frankly, I think any kid who ends up reading The Magician's Nephew first is missing out, as the introduction to Narnia in Wardrobe is a really magical, mysterious kind of thing, and having all those questions answered in Magician's Nephew before you even know to ask them is a real copout, I think.
Oh. Dear. God. by Merriman Lyon	May 15th, 2007 05:45:31 PM
I've just realised: From Harry's post, it would appear that Will, the main character is now.......... American!!!! WTF?!!! This is an English book about a young English boy! Imagine if Harry Potter or Frodo had been played as American teenagers in their movies..... The mind boggles. This is clearly a movie to avoid if you liked the books.
Where's the Jerry Falwell talkback? by theBigE	May 15th, 2007 07:50:21 PM
Just wondering!
Anchorite-- by zb.brox	May 15th, 2007 08:02:59 PM
That was a pretty interesting article, and I'm impressed with the author for managing to come off as relatively objective while writing. However, I am as yet unconvinced that the fact that most of the founding fathers had some degree of respect for the ideas of the Judeo-Christian religion is good enough reason to present that religion as primary within the states. If nothing else, this article also proves that Deism was a strong influence on the founding of the country as well--should we present the idea that Judeo-Christianity is wrong and that nay God there is is removed and never revealed his will to anyone in the same light? Oh, and as for why creationism can't be taught alongside evolution in school: Because evolution is taught in science class, and creationism isn't science. I certainly learned about Christianity in my school, but it was in a class where we discussed comparative religion. That's where religion belongs, right?
Anchorite-- by zb.brox	May 15th, 2007 09:35:58 PM
The problem is that teaching creationism alongside evolution in a science class implies that creationism has a factual basis, which it doesn't. It also achieves the religiously-driven goal of weakening the argument for evolution in the minds of our children--when evolution is virtually iron clad, whatever creationists may try to say. You can't compare and contrast theories, because creationsim doesn't have any kind of "theory"--it's only idea is "things are too complex, someone must've amde them." Not science, not even related to science, and stands ins tark contrast to what we know about evolution. The comparison of Marxism to history class is pretty bad, no offense meant: Marxism was a philosophy that had a definite impact on history. Creationism isn't even realted to science--would you consider it appropriate for a teacher to teach a belief in how women should be treated according to Sharia law in a history class as an alternative to the Women's rights movement?
ROMANIAN DONUT DESERT by tailhook	May 15th, 2007 09:47:06 PM
Haven't heard of the Donut Desert yet. Does it have an Oasis in the middle creating a Hole? How are the temperatures there? Seriously.. Details man!
Who paid for the trip??? by Horace Cox	May 16th, 2007 01:13:24 AM
I know harry isn't a true journalist, but he should make clear who paid for this trip for Romania. If AICN paid for the trip I would respect his unmitigated praise for this project more. However, I suspect that as in the past this junket was paid for by the studio. That doesn't necessarily mean that Harry's opinions and objectivity can be bought if you give him the benefit of the doubt, but it gives the appearance of a conflict of interest - that conflict being his ability to give an unbiased and uncompromised report. Therefore, Harry should be obligated to be upfront in each atricle and divulge who paid for or sponsored tthe trip. The readers of AICN deserve a little respect. That said, I'm sure Harry will love the fuck out of everything because he always does no matter how miserable a piece of shit it is. Anyway, enjoy Romania big red and have a safe trip home.
This is a very PAGAN series by Sepulchrave	May 16th, 2007 01:25:19 AM
Only once does the Christian Church try to intervene in the whole Celtic battle between Light and Dark, and it fails miserably. The Dark is associated with mindless violence, selfishness, bigotry and fear. The Light with loyalty, community, artistic creation and learning. It's nice. But Walden...their movies have all been a little garish and shiny so far; they don't really have the feel for the Celtic colour palette; all that blue and gold in Narnia got quite wearing and nothing looked lived-in or worn. Shot in Romania? Very good. Trainspotting scriptwriter? EXCELLENT. Original books? Very finely written (NOT Eragon)? Constant babble about religion on every talkback to feature a fantasy movie? Fucking stupid and dead boring.
Oh and Ecclestone is Okay for the black Rider. by Sepulchrave	May 16th, 2007 01:28:37 AM
Who was NOT a monster with razor teeth and no eyes, but a tall raw-boned man with piecing blue eyes and red hair. He comes marching into the Stantons' house on Christmas Day, after all, without too much comment from the rest of Will's family. Ian McShane is not my idea of Merriman but he's become such a very good actor that I'll bend a point.
Sepuchrave... by Merriman Lyon	May 16th, 2007 05:30:07 AM
Sorry: should have made it clear that I was referring to the Mouth Of Sauron as written by Tolkien in the book - not the film version that Peter Jackson put together: and I was trying to explain to people who haven't read TDIR the type of nastinesss this character posesses. Eccleston is far too young - and I'm afraid that his feather Boa says more "Drag Queen" to me than Sinister Agent of Evil.
Eccleston's tooy oung for the Rider? by zb.brox	May 16th, 2007 06:49:44 AM
Funny, I thought he was too old for the Rider if anything. Him being immortal and all, I always pictured the Rider as more of a pretty-boy. But, y'know, whatever, Eccleston rules so I'm liking the idea of him playing the part.
Risky Business by BeyondStatic	May 16th, 2007 08:45:19 AM
Well, reading the books in jr. high I thought "could make a cool movie". Now, having studied and grown up I think "RISKY". A) McShane in big movie - can't wait! But don't know that this is the best place to start. B) Narnia, Terabithia, Zathura, Stardust, Golden Compass, Harry Potter, the youth-geared fantasy market is oversaturated right now. C) The books almost cry for a PG-13. This seems to be designed PG. D) Saving money on a director... RISKY! Sometimes gambles pay off. But a far-less-known-than-Narnia-or- Potter property is a tough sell to begin with. Throw it into an oversaturated market and you have a recipe for being overlooked.
Well, it'll probably do well in the UK... by zb.brox	May 16th, 2007 08:58:46 AM
What with being set in Britain and having Doctor Who as the main villain. Of course, they may well be annoyed by the bizarre decision to apparently have the main character and his family be American...
Hwaa? by Automaton Overlord	May 16th, 2007 09:05:58 AM
So, Harry flies to some place where every one talks like Dracula, wolfs down some "turkish delight" or something, and says this big budget fantasy film looks kind of cool. I don't see how that makes him a shill. please explain.
The most amazing part of this article by SithMenace	May 16th, 2007 09:11:28 AM
is that Harry went to college. Just kidding Harry.
Harry's objectivity.... by Merriman Lyon	May 16th, 2007 11:56:14 AM
Harry, you MUST declare which studio (if any) is paying for your trip as this impacts on the credibility of your reporting. Your report on The Dark Is Rising is unequivocally positive - for no good reason, as far as I can tell: you haven't read the books and you haven't yet seen the finished film. There's nothing wrong with receiving gifts from studios, but you must declare it if you want us to take your opinions at face value.
i didn't even realize... by occula	May 16th, 2007 12:40:08 PM
upon first reading that the main character is apparently not english. i have to say my disappointment at susan cooper OK'ing any of this is nearly epic. one of the great authors of my life, an inspiration for all the works i've done in illustration and film, and she thinks it's OK to have her work bastardized like this...it's giving me somewhat more respect for julie taymor's hissy fit about 'across the universe'. madeline l'engle allowing that ghey-assed MOW version of 'a wrinkle in time' was marginally less egregious but at least they didn't eliminate major plot points in the book. maybe i'll just pretend this adaptation isn't happening at all.
also by occula	May 16th, 2007 12:42:19 PM
i should qualify my pissiness at the author with the assumption that cooper permitted somebody to option her work with no provisos in the deal for her involvement in decision-making. she should have taken a meeting with j.k. rowling first!
Five books, one movie? by minderbinder	May 16th, 2007 03:19:03 PM
I've always wanted to see these made into movies, and Walden has done some OK stuff, but this one has me worried. I loved the first book, , are they just skipping it or combining multiple books into one movie? Greenwitch is a bit thin and could get rolled into a combo, but trying to do all five in one movie would be too much. I don't see Bran listed in the cast list, maybe they're planning on 3 or 4 movies, like Narnia. So which other series did Walden start with the second book? It's not Narnia, since LLW was released first, Magician's Nephew was a "prequel" released years later.
minderbender-- by zb.brox	May 16th, 2007 03:20:39 PM
My guess is they'll abandon the other kids almost entirely and do a 3-movie deal with TDISR-The Grey King-Silver on the Tree. It certainly seems like this film is only the second book.
I was in Bucharest for five minutes by MrCere	May 16th, 2007 04:28:03 PM
When a 19-year-old said to me, "Wanna fuck American man?" I declined. I bet Harry is having the time of his life! In all seriousness, I LOVED Romania and Bucharest. I am insanely jealous.
I should clarify . . . by MrCere	May 16th, 2007 04:35:09 PM
The street walker in question was addressing me as "American man" not giving me a option to be with one. Sadly, a 14-year-old offered to blow me the cold 3 a.m. morning I was leaving. I bought her a hamburger and fries at the 24-hour McDonalds. I suspect Bucharest has some social problems but all the wild canines are mostly gone now.
No shit given by The Artist FKA Vesuvio	May 16th, 2007 08:15:34 PM
to this movie, Harry or Romania.
Suspend judgement by Bibliographer	May 16th, 2007 09:00:28 PM
Just got back from Romania, and it's a terrific place -- beautiful country, nice people, lots of problems. The orginal Susan Cooper books are terrific -- hope the film doesn't get lost in an oversaturated genre market, but here's hoping it's worthwhile on its own terms. Bit early to tell, though.
Hold on. This guy directed "Path to 9/11" by Lighthouse	May 17th, 2007 11:05:35 PM
Didn't that suck?
Why make Will an American and 14? by john the brief	May 18th, 2007 09:52:22 AM
What possible purpose can it serve? Is it just a gratuitous piece of vandalism of the books? How can it not fuck up the material? It sound slike Walden have bought nothing more than the title and concept and are going to produce a travesty of their own design. If I'm wrong I'll be delighted, but I've loved these books for 25 years and I'm seriously pissed off to see them butchered like this
The only fantasy movie I want to see is... by Frank Black	May 18th, 2007 10:53:12 AM
One with hot sword wielding lesbians who take breaks slaying dragons to get hot and sweaty with each other. Seriously though, haven't the kiddies had enough fantasy thrown their way? I remember movies like Excalibur and Conan and a slew of horrible 80's sword and sorcery movies where tits and ass and violence shared the screen comfortably and there were movies like that for adults and movies like Dragon Slayer and Ladyhawke for us kids. I too like to watch where my money goes and Walden media gets ZERO dollars! I loved the Lion, witch, wardrobe books but after being dragged to the movie I finally put my foot down. No More! No f*cking More!!! Harry should enjoy a free trip on Walden Media so long as he doesn't soft sell how much this movie sucks if it ends up sucking. Wake me when there is a fantasy movie with a naked Jessica Alba riding a dragon while going down on Mandy Moore.
sad fantasy series news by m2298	May 18th, 2007 12:37:18 PM
Lloyd Alexander author of the Prydain books just died at age 83. http://tinyurl.com/2ber42
YES! Finally this fantastic series is being made! by TheGhostWhoLurks	May 18th, 2007 12:49:07 PM
Loved reading The Grey King when I finally got around to opening it as a teenager (My folks got it for me when I turned 10, but it sat on a shelf for years, while I read comics!). However, it's much less "Narnia" in feel, than it is "A Wrinkle in Time." Still, it's a phenomonal story, and hopefully, will be done justice in the theatre.
McShane is just awesome. by Stuntcock Mike	May 18th, 2007 03:06:42 PM
Where the Hell are the two 2 hour episodes of Deadwood season 4 dammit?
Frank Black by Stuntcock Mike	May 18th, 2007 03:10:19 PM
One with hot sword wielding lesbians who take breaks slaying dragons to get hot and sweaty with each other. ..............Dude, I've got that mural on the side of my van.
Stuntcock Mike... by Frank Black	May 18th, 2007 03:29:22 PM
Sweet!
Why? Why? by cherryofcupcake	May 20th, 2007 02:29:38 AM
Have they wrecked it? The Dark Is Rising is one of the greatest fantasy series going: dark, intelligent, fascinating. I don't understand why they've changed so many key elements. Nor have they bothered to get the casting right. Gutting. Oh, and it's one of the least Christian stories I've seen. In one key scene in the book, the Christian church is shown to be totally useless against the Dark.
I don't get it... by plastroncafe	May 20th, 2007 11:38:10 AM
...why decide to make a film of something and then totally ignore the source material?
o no!! by occula	May 20th, 2007 11:17:11 PM
i didn't see the bit about lloyd alexander until just now! like susan cooper, he was so seminal in this genre...but with a sense of humor...in fact, one of my most precious books is a new copy of 'the black cauldron' signed by him. i got it at the book expo last year - they said he was supposed to be there, but was too frail. so sad. i'm sure it's only a matter of time before somebody says 'let's butcher that guy's stuff too!' (begging the pardon of the goofy disney animation from the 80s) a truly marvelous author.
unseen footage? by thedark1srising	Jul 2nd, 2007 02:28:00 PM
Everyone already knows this movie will be over the top! Here's a link I found the other day while looking for some extra footage. Evidently the film makers and interns were being filmed there selves this entire time! http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/? name=movies&id=1563435&vid=159 178

Talkbacks

Harry reports on THE DARK IS RISING in Bucharest!!!

User login

Quick Talkback

Talkbacks