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Post by janetcatbird on Apr 30, 2005 10:14:37 GMT -5
I saw it last night, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Different from the book, but I am consoled by the fact that 1)the different forms of Hitchhiker (radio, novel, BBC) are notorious for contradicting one another and 2) They were working with Douglas Adams' ideas.
I was slightly disappointed with making Trilian Arthur's soul mate, they seemed to be combining Tricia McMillan with Fenchurch from "So Long and Thanks for All the Fish". However, it worked with the new storyline. I just wish they'd had her British, and they left out a couple of my favorite bits. Never been a big fan of Marvin.
However, the special effects were fantastic without overwhelming the movie, the dolphin number at the beginning was terrific, and overall it was just great fun. Anybody else seen it?
--Catbird
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Post by trisha on Apr 30, 2005 17:58:56 GMT -5
I never read this book, but I've heard it's very good. Do you think it's one to read before seeing the movie?
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Post by janetcatbird on Apr 30, 2005 20:11:07 GMT -5
Eh, dunno. I read the book and enjoyed it, but I'm nowhere near as diehard as a lot of fans. I haven't seen/heard any fo the other mediums, I just know what they are.
What I love about Douglas Adams' writing is how he arranges his words. Narrative and coherent plot aren't his strong point, the movie had to tweak so that it would be workable on a visual screen. The movie is, I think, fine as a stand-alone. Of course you miss a lot of the great lines and brief scenes form the book, but even I enjoyed it and had fun. (And you've hear me rant about movies deviating from the book!) "Hitchhiker" is true to the spirit, if not the letter, in my mind at least.
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Post by LOCIfan on May 30, 2005 0:09:48 GMT -5
trisha,
I'm a big fan of the Hitchhiker's Guide books, but agree with catbird that it's not necessary to have read any of them in order to enjoy the movie. The movie IS entirely faithful to the spirit of the books. Though, you might enjoy the movie more if you've read the first book.
A sort of odd suggestion, as I'm not one to recommend books on tape over the actual hard copies... BUT, before he died, Douglas Adams himself narrated all five of the Hitchhiker's Guide books, and they are truly FANTASTIC. He's an amazing actor, and it's such a treat to hear the author bring his words and characters to life. I've both read and listened to them all, and if I had to choose just one format, I'd go with the audiobook.
I understand that, with the release of the movie, a new audiobook of the first book has been issued with Stephen Fry doing the narration (he does the narration for the movie). While I enjoy his work, and have read that he was a good friend of Adams', I've heard that his narration of the audiobook doesn't hold a candle to Adams'.
So, if you commute to work, treat yourself to the audiobook version narrated by Adams. It'll make the drive fly by!
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Post by LOCIfan on Jun 4, 2005 9:15:20 GMT -5
trisha, just curious to know if you saw HHG or if you decided to wait and introduce yourself to the series in a different way...
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Post by Metella on Jun 4, 2005 10:19:43 GMT -5
sorry, I'm just getting authenticated! on the upgraded board .... I disagree, I think the backstory ect is convoluted enough that if you haven't read the book, you may spend too much time digesting what is going on and miss out on the entertainment feeling of just watching it. If you have read the book - then so much is not new and needing processing; like having two heads or being a couch.  |
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Post by trisha on Jun 4, 2005 12:27:32 GMT -5
Locifan, I'm going to wait until I have time for the books. I know that means I'll end up missing the theater version, but after watching the previews, I think I agree with Metella that I'll have a hard time immersing myself in the fun if I'm trying to figure out what the hell's going on ;D
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Post by domenicaflor on Sept 7, 2005 16:26:37 GMT -5
I'm going to try the books first and then the film.
FYI on Stephen Fry and Douglas Adams: According to IMDB and other sites, Adams bought the first 2 Apple macintosh computers available for purchase in the UK. Fry bought #3 and continues to be a big Mac enthusiast/evangelist. Apparently the Apple logo is found on the central computer in the film. :-)
I have never heard Adams speak, but I am a big fan of Stephen Fry's work. I would listen to him read the phone book! LOL :-)
D.
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Post by LOCIfan on Sept 7, 2005 22:17:51 GMT -5
dom & trisha,
perfectly good option you've both chosen! do post when you've had a chance to read, as i'd love to hear your thoughts!
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Post by Sirenna on Oct 12, 2005 17:40:17 GMT -5
Rebel Dom
the books are terrific -very satirical without being preachy. I hope you'll enjoy them. check out the BBC series too. It's a cult classic but still very entertaining.
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Lilee
Silver Shield Investigator
Posts: 190
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Post by Lilee on Mar 4, 2006 1:15:29 GMT -5
I may just drive you all nuts, bumping all these older threads, but I wanna catch up.
Haven't read any of the series in many years and was probably stoned when I did... so of course I appreciated it in a tongue-in-cheek kind of way. Sounds like the movie is worth renting.
Anyone who liked Sam Rockwell might like the movie, "Box of Moonlight". It's probably not available everywhere since it's more of an 'indie'. I saw it on IFC. John Turturo co-starred and the entire movie is pretty much just the two of them. They meet on a road where Rockwell's character's car has broken down and Turturo almost smashes into him. Two completely different men, one serious, boring...the other just OUT THERE and they end up becoming friends.
It's not fast-paced, not action-packed, just a good story. I know netflix has it for rent and I liked it enough to put it on my list. I guess I'll be adding The Guide next time I log on there.
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Post by Metella on Mar 8, 2006 16:32:48 GMT -5
yes, add The Guide - I think you will really get a kick out of it.
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Lilee
Silver Shield Investigator
Posts: 190
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Post by Lilee on Mar 8, 2006 21:31:29 GMT -5
done. I'll probably get it next weekend. This week is "Big Fish". Still feeling anti-social and I know neighbor-lady won't like it!!
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Post by comedykicks on May 8, 2006 16:34:42 GMT -5
Oh!! I loved this movie!! The only nit picky thing I have against it is Aurther and Trillian getting together in the end. But it worked for this movie as was brought out.
I LOVED all the books and I agree that you do NOT need to read the books to see the movie. All you need is an open mind, a silly sense of humor and a love for corny slapstick.
The poetry reading/torture was my favorite. I loved the actor that played Aurther Dent too.
I bought the DVD and I love the extra stuff on there too.
Anyone up for Resturaunt at the End of the Universe? ;D
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Post by janetcatbird on May 16, 2006 15:22:16 GMT -5
I am currently reading Wish You Were Here a friend's biography of Douglas Adams written recently. It's pretty good, neat little tidbits about the author. Pictures of Adams with his daughter Polly (a baby) just melt me--I'm a sap, I know. Don't Panic, a companion's guide, is also fun and informative.
I heartily reccomend the Dirk Gently books, as well. Those have the potential to be cool movies too,but again you have to be careful they don't screw it up.
Back to the movie, it's been a while since I've seen it, but I remember watching it with a friend and we declared just how utterly awesome it would be if we could have been in the choir for the opening ditty.
By the way, a lot of the actors from "Hitchhiker's" also appear in "Love, Actually"--a terrific movie which I adore, and for being all about romance it avoids the flaky chicks. Alan Rickman (voice of Marvin) is a husband who's torn about having an affair with his secretary, and Emma Thompson as his wife is fantastic. Martin Freeman (Arthur) is a stand-in for a porn actor, vry sweet and shy with the female stand-in--they're nude and groping each other, but he's embarassed to ask her to a movie or anything. And Bill Nighy (Slartibartfast) steals the show as the aging rocker who's suckered into making a sappy Christmas song for the charts; just terrific, and he gave me my new favorite string-of-cussing for when frustrated beyond belief.
My parents and I had rented "Love Actually" before going to see the movie at the dollar-fifty theatre, so we were pointing and nudging all through the thing. My mother and I just about jumped out of our seats when we saw the barkeep, actor Albie Woodington is affectionately referred to in my family as "Blondie!" from his days as Seargeant Warden on the Cadfael mysteries.
I need the DVD. And the BBC adaptation is also quite fun. That one gets in more of the narration, plus a couple cameos from Douglas Adams himself. By the way, in the scenes where the earth is getting destroyed, the producers arranged for Douglas's family to be seen in the crowds: widow, daughter, brother, sister, and I want to say his mother was in the pub but I'm not sure of that. I thought that was a neat touch.
--Catbird
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