Reviews And Opinions

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Dark Tower

Well-Known Member
Feb 27, 2008
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Has anyone else seen this? I watched the whole thing last night and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The only thing I would say is that from what little reading I did of the book I did not envision Pierce Brosnan as Mike Noonan at all. Don't get me wrong he did a great job but I did not picture a British guy as Mike Noonan.

So now that my two cents is in. What are everyone else's thoughts and opinions?
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Has anyone else seen this? I watched the whole thing last night and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The only thing I would say is that from what little reading I did of the book I did not envision Pierce Brosnan as Mike Noonan at all. Don't get me wrong he did a great job but I did not picture a British guy as Mike Noonan.

So now that my two cents is in. What are everyone else's thoughts and opinions?

I agree. Although I like Pierce Brosnan I could not picture him as the writer in that book. It was a TV series shown in two or three parts, when I saw Bag of Bones. Maybe if I had not read the book first I might have liked the movie more.
 

blunthead

Well-Known Member
Aug 2, 2006
80,755
195,461
Atlanta GA
Has anyone else seen this? I watched the whole thing last night and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The only thing I would say is that from what little reading I did of the book I did not envision Pierce Brosnan as Mike Noonan at all. Don't get me wrong he did a great job but I did not picture a British guy as Mike Noonan.

So now that my two cents is in. What are everyone else's thoughts and opinions?
Bag of Bones was the third sK book I read, which would make my reading 2006, and despite it begin one of my absolute favorites, I didn't remember certain aspects of the story which the TV series reminded me about. I'm always glad and excited when productions of sK works are realized, and it seems to me that for a long time filmmakers have taken him very seriously, not as a moneymaker only but a major talent. I felt that that attitude of appreciation for the story went into the series. My favorite part of sK's telling has to do with
the fire and why it was set - the unholy agreement made between the townspeople and the ghost - and the particular, subsequent sacrifice.
It's the chilliest thing I've ever read. But it was only mentioned and not described on film as it, imho, should have been. That was disappointing, as was
the final encounter with the ghost, whose evil was far better rendered in the book. I also prefer sK's version of what happens to Devore and his assistant.
sK's imagery had a much broader scope, I felt, too.

As for Brosnan, I had no problem with him in the role. In fact, I'm always most grateful when well-known actors are cast in sK productions, because as a general rule they are the most talented in their business and I want sK characters treated well and made most believable.
 

Dark Tower

Well-Known Member
Feb 27, 2008
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I guess I can agree with Stephen's books made movie/series deserving only the best in acting. I just could not imagine Brosnan in that roll. I do have to agree highly and with some degree of satisfaction with you on the fact that Hollywood seems to respect Mr. King as a talented writer rather than a moneymaker they can/will abuse.
 

blunthead

Well-Known Member
Aug 2, 2006
80,755
195,461
Atlanta GA
I guess I can agree with Stephen's books made movie/series deserving only the best in acting. I just could not imagine Brosnan in that roll. I do have to agree highly and with some degree of satisfaction with you on the fact that Hollywood seems to respect Mr. King as a talented writer rather than a moneymaker they can/will abuse.
Producers and directors almost never choose an actor who resembles whom I picture when I read a character. For me that's why a good actor can make up for the difference.
 

doowopgirl

very avid fan
Aug 7, 2009
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I saw this after several reads. Bag of Bones is one of my favorites for a good old fashioned ghost story. The TV adaptation was ok. Not crap and not great. Pierce Brosnan did a good acting job, but I felt enough was not explained about Maddie and her daughter and Mike. Also, some details were changed and while they really didn't matter that much, I didn't see the point. I'm glad I saw it, but wouldn't watch it again.
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
I liked the book quite a bit, so I was a bit disappointed by the movie--they left a hell of a lot out, and some of it seemed random without book context. However, my kids who have not read the book liked the movie (though they did ask me to explain a thing or two--can't remember exactly what), so I might have liked it better had I not read the book. :)

And I'll watch Pierce Brosnan in anything--good, solid actor.
 

!redruM

Semi-Well Known Member
Nov 15, 2010
444
1,231
I remember I watched it when it originally aired with my mom (another King fan) and we turned it off due to a certain graphic scene... Never attempted to watch it after that, as I have little interest in it now.
 
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bigkingfan91

Well-Known Member
Mar 1, 2014
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I enjoyed it quite a bit but liked the book much better. I enjoy most anything to do with King really, including most tv adaptations/movies, but there have been quite a few letdowns to be honest. And it's really painful too, as you really don't get a chance to see 10 different remakes of one story in your lifetime and sometimes it feels as if, if they mess it up the first go around that's it. I enjoyed it though, to answer the question lol.
 
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Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
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It should have been 6 hours, not 4. The audience needed more time to witness the soul of Mike's marriage and more of the sprawling storyline with Mattie and Kyra. I won't criticize it much more but I was very disappointed. I've still got the 'book movie' in my mind, so, there's that.
 
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Autumn13

Active Member
Feb 14, 2012
43
101
I have never seen Bag of Bones as a movie. It is one of my favorite King books. It is a good old fashioned ghost story as one other member said but, in King's inimitable way, it is also a time travel story. I love a good time travel story. I don't know who I would have cast a Mike in the movie but I usually don't like when someone very famous like Pierce Brosnan is cast in a lead role. It always seems to me that the producers want to capitalize on his popularity and at least bring in an audience who will be drown by the name. I know that is true of me as I will watch just about anything with Val Kilmer in it. Just saying.
 
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