Comments on: On Hollywood, Narnia, and the Nature of Stories

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 03:27:44 +0000

OMG. Spot on. Car chase, indeed. And on top of that, one of my favorite movies, going back all the way to my childhood in the colder regions of northern Europe. Love you, Pat.

By: April (BooksandWine)

April (BooksandWine) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:40:30 +0000

I saw a link today to an article about how Spielberg is remaking Harvey. I then thought of this post, since after I read Name of the Wind (fantastic, BTW) I had to come check out your blog. Here’s to hoping he doesn’t cast Keanu Reeves.

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:21:33 +0000

I don’t know, Pat. I went back and re-read Prince Caspian after I saw the movie, and that story stank like old socks. I’m a big fan of Lewis (especially Mere Christianity), but Prince Caspian… The characters were secondary to the story. If Aslan was just going to show up and put a smack down on the Calormenes, why did he make four lil’ Brits walk across a whole country to do it? How can those people keep feeling good about snuggling with large cats while other people are fighting and dieing?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 10:57:16 +0000

You are totally right, I hope you won’t let one of this idiot from hollywood make a movie of the “Name of the wind” look what they did to Harry Potter, what a shame the only thing they did good out of a best-seller book was The Lord of the rings it diserves every penny they payed for it.

By: mama.thunder

mama.thunder — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 15:48:05 +0000

I also grew up with the Narnia books, but reading them as a child - did not see the "christian-ness" of the books. As an adult - reading them again two years ago, I did. It didn't bother me. You can take it any way you want. Just like in the Golden Compass Books. My neighbor won't let her 6th or 7th grade kids read those books, because of what she's "heard" about them. (that's a whole other blog topic, I'm sure). I won't see PC now for sure. TLTWATW wasn't a bad adaptation. But the Golden Compass!?!?!?!?!? How dare they!!! I was sooooo MAD when I got to the end of that movie. They did so so the first 1/3 to 1/2 and it just went into a totally different story after that. If they could manage to put Harry Potter onto screen in the same basic outline as the books - why couldn't they do it for these cherished (or sometimes hated) books we read as young adults?If you want to read a book then see a movie that I personally felt was like taking the story out of my imagination and putting it onto the screen...then first read, then watch, "The Green Mile" (with Tom Hanks and I forgot the big burly black man's name) I was so thrilled to see a movie that was THE. BOOK. Period. There was another one I was going to mention, but now I can't remember it.Harvey has been my grandfathers' FAVORITE movie forever and ever. I didn't get the Harvey jokes and references till I was about ten or so - but he can watch that movie every day and still laugh as hard as the first time he saw it.BTW - did the monkey in GC seem anything like the one you had imagined from reading the book? I think they got the Polar Bear right - and the Texan Air Balloon Pilot - but the story they put together for the movie and how they changed things that certain characters did - just ruined it for me.Make a movie out of a book - and leave out details that you don't have time for - or imply it from certain scenes, but don't create something totally different and call it the same exact thing. (or give it a new name, and say it was inspired by a certain story....then we know to expect something different) I don't even think the Golden Compass itself was what was described in the books. Who knows what they will make the Amber Spy Glass look like!Pat - I can't wait for your next book. And now my mom can't either. She just returned my TNOTW. I'm not big on re-reading anything, but I think I should re-read this one. (after I finish the Lord of the Isles series I'm reading). Thank you for writing something so wonderful, entertaining and page turning.(and I will not be seeing twilight, no matter how handsome that young vampire man is, I loved the story and I want it to stay that way in my head.)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:25:08 +0000

have to agree, caspian was terrible, especially since Reepicheep was my favorite character, and this movie ruined that. BUT, Harvey has been my favorite movie of all time since I was about 6. Definitely recommend seeing the play. Want new book now please, can't wait till April.

By: logankstewart

logankstewart — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:04:12 +0000

Just curious. Does Sarah talk in purple?

By: Likana

Likana — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 03:43:37 +0000

Your post reminded me of when I went to see Prince Caspian in the theater–the dollar theater of course, I’m a cheap grad student. Luckily I have the habit of always bringing alcohol with me to the movie theater. Unfortunately, this particular time I choose to bring beer without the bottle opener. About 20 min. into the film I was in a panic because the movie was lame and I couldn’t get to my alcohol! I finally figured out a trick to the get the cap off and more or less enjoyed the movie after that from a drunken (and at times dizzying) haze. After all, it was pretty and I had plentify libations!

By: Vicki McLeod

Vicki McLeod — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:49:03 +0000

glad you enjoyed Harvey, Jimmie Stewart made some terrific movies.

By: sammy

sammy — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:21:30 +0000

Thank you Pat! Thank you for writing this blog. It saved me the time it would have taken from writing it myself (as I was planning to as soon as I HAD the time in my relatively semi-busy/lazy schedule) since watching Prince Caspian earlier in the week.I have always been a fan of alot of older movies because I feel people have settled for amazing special effects in exchange for poor acting and poor presentation.I am glad you liked Harvey. I saw it first on stage in high school and when I found out it was a movie it went in my top 25 movies of all-time. Well, definitely in my top 50. heh. anyway, thanks again.