Terry Posted June 20, 2001 Share Posted June 20, 2001 Hey Henry, It's been years (decades? yikes) since I read that book, but I don't remember it it creating an atmosphere that was duplicated in the movie. And from my recollection of the book, the troopers entered the planet atmosphere in personal egg-like pods, not in multi troop transports. I also recall training in some methane atmosphered ice moon around one of the outer planets. And the expression "on the bounce" sticks in my mind. As I remember, the overall tenor of the book was more gritty, the troopers fought more as individual units, and the rah rah s*** got left behind once boot camp was over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkey Posted June 20, 2001 Share Posted June 20, 2001 Henry & Terry, I don't think I've ever seen a movie based on a novel that really did a bang up job. I think it has something to do with what I think is important may not be to someone else and vice-versa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry Posted June 20, 2001 Share Posted June 20, 2001 Actually, there are plenty of movies that do their books justice. The Princess Bride immediately comes to mind. October Sky and The Shining are a few others. And then there are some, such as Clear and Present Danger and Interview with the Vampire which may not be completely consistant with the book but are still entertaining movies. (Fans of Killer Angels should check out the movie Gettysburg. It's a four hour movie with PG gore, but a great adaption of the novel.) Starship Troopers doesn't even come close. Special effects were cool though. ------------------ Hail to the Redskins! [ by Henry on June 20, 2001.] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kefka Posted June 20, 2001 Share Posted June 20, 2001 Has this post become the longest one yet? longer than BOC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TennesseeCarl Posted June 20, 2001 Share Posted June 20, 2001 It's destined to, Kefka. Apparently this one's grabbed the hearts, minds and egos of us off-season fans. And if we're talking about movies as good as the book, how about films that exceed the written version? Stand By Me comes to mind (based on the King Novella The Body). I agree that Starship Troopers lacked some needed character development, but I'd also agree a Wild Things scene with Denise would have enhanced the film's artistic integrity considerably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redman Posted June 20, 2001 Share Posted June 20, 2001 The Silence of the Lambs novel was clearly outdone by the movie. But I agree, it's hard for an excellent novel to be overshadowed by its movie counterpart. ------------------ "Loosen up, Sandy baby. You're just too damn tight!" - John Riggins to Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montilar Posted June 20, 2001 Share Posted June 20, 2001 I've got it Terry. I said I have a mini library of the stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogeyMan Posted June 20, 2001 Share Posted June 20, 2001 TennesseeCarl: Good call on Stand By Me/The Body. I think the Shawshank Redemption was the best movie adaptation of a novel (novella in this case) ever. I also thought that Apt Pupil from Steven King's Four Seasons was also a great story. A movie was made of it a couple of years ago, but I didn't see it - it didn't create much of a buzz when it came out. ------------------ If you can't be good, be good at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryman of the North Posted June 20, 2001 Share Posted June 20, 2001 sorry i got it for a birthday present and its at my regular house 800km away. om i lmao when i read your post does anyone else have trouble posting? i never did before. also stranger in a strange land by heinlen is great if you grokk it. ------------------ HAIL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montilar Posted June 20, 2001 Share Posted June 20, 2001 Another good one is Armor by Steakley. An author I'm shocked hasn't been mentioned yet but who many people (including some well known authors) consider one of the best if not the best is harlan ellison. One attempt to rank the best sci-fi/fantasy works of all time had more (many more) of his works listed than any other author. Works include "I have no mouth and I must scream". He's not light reading at all but he's good. One of his collections I have has a preface by him, stating "It is suggested the reader not attempt to read this book in one sitting. The emotional content of these stories, taken without break, may be extremely upsetting. This note is intended sincerly and not as hyperbole." And he's right. He's a very dark author. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin West Posted June 20, 2001 Share Posted June 20, 2001 One film that I think outdid the novel is "LA Confidential." I was going to recommend James Elroy's LA Quartet, but his stuff can get quite harsh and I didn't want to lead any one into an unpleasant surprise. The book, "LA Confidential" was the 3rd and best installment, but the film did a fantastic job of focussing the plot without changing too much of what was in the book. The only major change that stands out is that Dudley Smith doesn't die in the book. And while the movie has been played to death lately on TNT, I still recommend both, highly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TennesseeCarl Posted June 21, 2001 Share Posted June 21, 2001 Bogeyman, Thanks for reminding me of the Shawshank Redemption - I watched it the other night (for about the third time). No special effects...no nekkid women...just outstanding acting and character development along with a can't-miss theme (the indomitable human spirit). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted June 21, 2001 Share Posted June 21, 2001 Shawshank Redemption is a great movie and comes on USA again tonite. My other half likes the Rocket Gibraldta and being in my temp whipped state I bought it and must say it was ok. ------------------ Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted June 21, 2001 Share Posted June 21, 2001 Shawshank Redemption is a great movie and comes on USA again tonite. My other half likes the Rocket Gibraldta and being in my temp whipped state I bought it and must say it was ok. ------------------ Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All In Posted June 21, 2001 Author Share Posted June 21, 2001 http://www.redskins.com/story.asp?ContentID=10257 Speaking of reading. Future posters to the board and possibly season ticket holders. "Washington Redskins players Chris Samuels, Eddie Mason, Lloyd Harrison and Josh Symonette officially kicked-off the Redskins Read Summer Reading Program by reading to children at the Cleveland Park Branch Library on Wednesday afternoon. The Redskins Read program is designed to encourage reading and promote literacy among area youths..." I'll always remember the Redskins in the past that have visited my school. Great to see players involved in programs like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryman of the North Posted June 21, 2001 Share Posted June 21, 2001 montilar is that the sci fi armor where the guy was an elite armor pilot and lives on some back water world as a drunk rancher or something if so i read it 5 years ago and it was great. ------------------ HAIL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montilar Posted June 21, 2001 Share Posted June 21, 2001 That's the one Ryan. I'd never heard of it until a friend suggested it. I think it might be about the only thing Steakley did that was any good or was even published. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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