Quoting Steve

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Jordan

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stephenking.com
Near the end of his life, and long after his greatest novels were written, James M. Cain agreed to be interviewed by a student reporter who covered culture and the arts for his college newspaper. This young man began his time with Cain by bemoaning how Hollywood had changed books such as The Postman Always Rings Twice and Double Indemnity. Before he could properly get into his rant, the old man interrupted him by pointing to a shelf of books behind his desk. “The movies didn’t change them a bit, son,” he said. “They’re all right up there. Every word is the same as when I wrote them.”

I'll add that this is worth a read:
You're Not Entitled to a Faithful Adaptation
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
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Cambridge, Ohio
...I understand that the books are always there, and the images I have created from Steve's words won't change for me-but I REFUSE to be labeled as "entitled" for simply wanting a faithful adaptation of the Opus......you can put lipstick and baby powder on it, but a pig is always going to be a pig-and this project straight up "oinks".....
 

Jordan

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...I understand that the books are always there, and the images I have created from Steve's words won't change for me-but I REFUSE to be labeled as "entitled" for simply wanting a faithful adaptation of the Opus......you can put lipstick and baby powder on it, but a pig is always going to be a pig-and this project straight up "oinks".....
It's not a label to say that a person is not entitled to something.

entitle (verb): give (someone) a legal right or a just claim to receive or do something.
 

weezergirl

Well-Known Member
May 13, 2011
96
187
...I understand that the books are always there, and the images I have created from Steve's words won't change for me-but I REFUSE to be labeled as "entitled" for simply wanting a faithful adaptation of the Opus......you can put lipstick and baby powder on it, but a pig is always going to be a pig-and this project straight up "oinks".....
I'm with you on this one. I don't want to be that person shouting maniacally in the theater throwing popcorn and nachos for $17 (and probably in 3D even oy vey...). After the mental damage The Hobbit movies did to me, I'm gonna sit this one out!!
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
It's not a label to say that a person is not entitled to something.

entitle (verb): give (someone) a legal right or a just claim to receive or do something.
...then I shall say I'm not entitled to having the Hollygoof folks dip into my wallet.....and I mean no offense to you man, just cheesed about the whole thing....
 

Takoren

Well-Known Member
Nov 25, 2015
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If I watch this at all, it will be on NetFlix so that my hard-earned dollars will not be spent supporting the blatant maiming of books that I love.

I'm not even talking about casting Elba at this point. For the script they've developed, Elba is perfect. Because this movie, whatever it's calling itself, isn't The Dark Tower. And I will not be seeing it in theaters.

Mark my words, Howard and company are cooking up a gigantic bomb. The good news is that this means a few years later, someone can do it right.

But what really bothers me is how much King seems to be okay with this. This is his baby; he should be as upset as a majority of his fans are (and I really think the ones upset are the majority, as anywhere I go most responses to this whole thing are negative).
 

Moderator

Ms. Mod
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Jul 10, 2006
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If I watch this at all, it will be on NetFlix so that my hard-earned dollars will not be spent supporting the blatant maiming of books that I love.

I'm not even talking about casting Elba at this point. For the script they've developed, Elba is perfect. Because this movie, whatever it's calling itself, isn't The Dark Tower. And I will not be seeing it in theaters.

Mark my words, Howard and company are cooking up a gigantic bomb. The good news is that this means a few years later, someone can do it right.

But what really bothers me is how much King seems to be okay with this. This is his baby; he should be as upset as a majority of his fans are (and I really think the ones upset are the majority, as anywhere I go most responses to this whole thing are negative).
Stephen has the benefit of having seen the script and heard the direction the producers and screenwriters want to go with this which we have not. At this point there are a lot of rumors floating around on the 'net. From my conversations with him, I can say he is genuinely fine with them. It is not going to be an exact adaptation, obviously, but if you read the EW article (assuming you haven't already) it might give you more insight as to his thoughts on the film. Here is one quote from that interview:

“[The movie] starts in media res, in the middle of the story instead of at the beginning, which may upset some of the fans a little bit, but they’ll get behind it, because it is the story,” King says.
 

Takoren

Well-Known Member
Nov 25, 2015
242
815
46
Stephen has the benefit of having seen the script and heard the direction the producers and screenwriters want to go with this which we have not. At this point there are a lot of rumors floating around on the 'net. From my conversations with him, I can say he is genuinely fine with them. It is not going to be an exact adaptation, obviously, but if you read the EW article (assuming you haven't already) it might give you more insight as to his thoughts on the film. Here is one quote from that interview:

“[The movie] starts in media res, in the middle of the story instead of at the beginning, which may upset some of the fans a little bit, but they’ll get behind it, because it is the story,” King says.
Meaning no disrespect to Sai King, what I do know about this project (such as the character "Jack", the son of a firefighter who died in 9/11), no, it is not the story.
 

raggedyman79

Well-Known Member
Sep 6, 2013
126
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Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
It's a bit presumptuous to think you know all about the script from reading some internet report which may or may not be accurate, and may not even represent the current version of the script. I daresay Ms. Mod probably has more accurate info on the situation than you do.

From what SK has said in the past, his definitive version of the story is the one in the books; if the movie doesn't gel with your vision of the Tower, read the books. I, for one, am curious to see what the movie will be. If SK says it reflects the essential story then I trust him to ensure that it does. It helps me to look at the film as just another level of the Tower, or perhaps a new cycle of the same quest. (Wouldn't it be cool if movie-Roland is carrying the Horn of Eld?) Both film and novels involve SK's participation in some fashion, and I doubt he would let them go too far off the rails. Have faith, and remember the face of your father.
 
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Patricia A

ReMember
Jul 10, 2006
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I'm going to see this movie. I want to see how the stories are interpreted by other creative visionaries and know it's a labor of love. If Stephen King is supporting this effort, so am I.
Now, after saying all that, am I going to like how it turns out? I don't know. All I know is I'm going to go see it. I'm going to buy a large bucket of popcorn with butter and a large lemonade. I'm going to watch a dream unfold. That's a good night out in my book.
 

Sigmund

Waiting in Uber.
Jan 3, 2010
13,979
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In your mirror.
I'm going to see this movie. I want to see how the stories are interpreted by other creative visionaries and know it's a labor of love. If Stephen King is supporting this effort, so am I.
Now, after saying all that, am I going to like how it turns out? I don't know. All I know is I'm going to go see it. I'm going to buy a large bucket of popcorn with butter and a large lemonade. I'm going to watch a dream unfold. That's a good night out in my book.

I'm with you!

I don't know why but I read the book and watch the movie without a lot of preconceived notions. I may not like the movie but I'm glad it was made based on the book.

BASED/ADAPTED from the book. I understand the idea.
 

HollyGolightly

Well-Known Member
Sep 6, 2013
9,660
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Heart of the South
I'll most definitely go see it. I'm imagining a week long epic in my mind. How can they possibly tell that story in 1 movie? Maybe in 4 three hour stints, but so much will be left out. I'm warming to Elba. I think I always had Clint Eastwood in my head because SK put him there. I don't know how I would have seen him otherwise. But I like the article Jordan posted. It's true. Those words, those books are forever. And I bet a million people who wouldn't have ever read the books will see the movie and everyone who already loves the books will tell them to read them, and the DT series will live on and on with more people. Long days and pleasant nights for all!

I'm going to see this movie. I want to see how the stories are interpreted by other creative visionaries and know it's a labor of love. If Stephen King is supporting this effort, so am I.
Now, after saying all that, am I going to like how it turns out? I don't know. All I know is I'm going to go see it. I'm going to buy a large bucket of popcorn with butter and a large lemonade. I'm going to watch a dream unfold. That's a good night out in my book.
Our theatre doesn't do buckets anymore - they're all bags. It makes me sad. You know what I love to take to the theatre in my purse? A roll of cookie dough and a flask - depending on the time of day. It can't be too close to med time, but a nice flask of Jager with some cookie dough is perfect movie food.
 

Patricia A

ReMember
Jul 10, 2006
12,887
13,846
63
Puget Sound
I'll most definitely go see it. I'm imagining a week long epic in my mind. How can they possibly tell that story in 1 movie? Maybe in 4 three hour stints, but so much will be left out. I'm warming to Elba. I think I always had Clint Eastwood in my head because SK put him there. I don't know how I would have seen him otherwise. But I like the article Jordan posted. It's true. Those words, those books are forever. And I bet a million people who wouldn't have ever read the books will see the movie and everyone who already loves the books will tell them to read them, and the DT series will live on and on with more people. Long days and pleasant nights for all!


Our theatre doesn't do buckets anymore - they're all bags. It makes me sad. You know what I love to take to the theatre in my purse? A roll of cookie dough and a flask - depending on the time of day. It can't be too close to med time, but a nice flask of Jager with some cookie dough is perfect movie food.
I always sneak stuff in my purse when I go to the movies too, that is including the flask, when appropriate. I hadn't thought of cookie dough though. Brilliant!
It's been so long since I've been out to a movie that I don't even know what they put popcorn in now.
I am such a cheapskate that I can't make myself spend money on a movie night out. It's just too dammit expensive to justify. I love movies, but my landlord loves it more when I pay the rent.
I'm going to make an exception for the Dark Tower movies though, at least the first one for sure. I'm going full out too. I'm even going to buy stuff at the concession stand... If they still have concession stands that is LOL.
As a matter of fact some of the people I work with want to go see it when it comes out. We've made tentative plans to all go together. I'm all about this happening.
 

staropeace

Richard Bachman's love child
Nov 28, 2006
15,210
48,848
Alberta,Canada
I have to say that Uncle Steve just does not get it. He wrote the series. He created the characters and put word into their mouths. He created situations where they re-acted. He gave us their dreams...their ouchies...their bared hearts and souls. He did this and created the best series that was ever written...IMHO. There is no way that he can put himself into our shoes. He cannot open the first page and read to the last as a constant reader. While he was working on technique, we were involving ourselves into the lives of these characters. How can a writer realize just what an effect he can make on his reading public? I have been reading since my salad days when I was learning to place the alphabet into something that made sense. I read at least a book a day if normal life does not infringe too much. I stopped watching tv over a decade ago. The written word is what makes me happy.

I do not wish to sound like a crybaby because things did not turn out the way I wanted. I know that there are more important things in my life to worry about than a story casting in a movie. Shame on me and everyone who thinks differently.

The friction about this movie casting stems from all the years that our readers have been following the journey of the Ka-tet. Please understand that they have been a part of our lives for two decades. We were standing with them against the wolves of the Calla. The lobstrosites gave us a run for our money, but we managed. We knew love in the form of a billy bumbler. Our hearts broke and were mended again and again. We met old friend in the Calla and cherished the new ones.

I think it is sorta like worried parents when it comes to us in our Ka-tet. This is the greatest series ever written. Out characters have been sitting on our bookshelves for so long. Now it is time for them to stretch their wings and go to seek their fortunes on the big screen where smarmy directors and producers will not cherish them as much as we do. This is empty nest syndrome of mega proportions.

I am not happy with the casting but what can I do? All I ask is that they are treated gently. They are my people and have been for many years. HANDLE WITH CARE........love, Estelle.
 

Patricia A

ReMember
Jul 10, 2006
12,887
13,846
63
Puget Sound
I have to say that Uncle Steve just does not get it. He wrote the series. He created the characters and put word into their mouths. He created situations where they re-acted. He gave us their dreams...their ouchies...their bared hearts and souls. He did this and created the best series that was ever written...IMHO. There is no way that he can put himself into our shoes. He cannot open the first page and read to the last as a constant reader. While he was working on technique, we were involving ourselves into the lives of these characters. How can a writer realize just what an effect he can make on his reading public? I have been reading since my salad days when I was learning to place the alphabet into something that made sense. I read at least a book a day if normal life does not infringe too much. I stopped watching tv over a decade ago. The written word is what makes me happy.

I do not wish to sound like a crybaby because things did not turn out the way I wanted. I know that there are more important things in my life to worry about than a story casting in a movie. Shame on me and everyone who thinks differently.

The friction about this movie casting stems from all the years that our readers have been following the journey of the Ka-tet. Please understand that they have been a part of our lives for two decades. We were standing with them against the wolves of the Calla. The lobstrosites gave us a run for our money, but we managed. We knew love in the form of a billy bumbler. Our hearts broke and were mended again and again. We met old friend in the Calla and cherished the new ones.

I think it is sorta like worried parents when it comes to us in our Ka-tet. This is the greatest series ever written. Out characters have been sitting on our bookshelves for so long. Now it is time for them to stretch their wings and go to seek their fortunes on the big screen where smarmy directors and producers will not cherish them as much as we do. This is empty nest syndrome of mega proportions.

I am not happy with the casting but what can I do? All I ask is that they are treated gently. They are my people and have been for many years. HANDLE WITH CARE........love, Estelle.
As a lover of the Dark Tower epic, I totally understand this. I do. But no matter what they do with the movie, it cannot take away, or even change the Dark Tower journey I have created in my mind. I own it and it is, and always will be exactly what I want it to be. It's precious to me.

We each have our own personal vision, or "mind movies" of Roland's journey and no two of them are the same. Ask a room full of people what the Dark Tower is about, or what it means to them and you will not get two answers that are exactly the same.
This movie is one unique flake in a vast rolling field covered in snow.
 

Out of Order

Sign of the Times
Feb 9, 2011
29,007
162,154
New Hampster
As a lover of the Dark Tower epic, I totally understand this. I do. But no matter what they do with the movie, it cannot take away, or even change the Dark Tower journey I have created in my mind. I own it and it is, and always will be exactly what I want it to be. It's precious to me.

We each have our own personal vision, or "mind movies" of Roland's journey and no two of them are the same. Ask a room full of people what the Dark Tower is about, or what it means to them and you will not get two answers that are exactly the same.
This movie is one unique flake in a vast rolling field covered in snow.

Why..yes............yes she is.......;)