Geeky Fanboy: December 2007 Archives

So in the last few days we've seen Sweeney Todd and the Golden Compass -- both adaptations of works designed for another medium.

My personal opinion? Sweeney Todd was wonderful and entertaining and totally at home on the screen. The Golden Compass was annoyingly reminiscent of the fourth Harry Potter installment -- short-shrift summary, like a visual cliff notes version of the original text.

Now, I've heard from folks who haven't read the book, saw the movie, and really enjoyed it, so perhaps some of my impressions comes from having seen the whole cloth the shortpants suit was cut from, but that's my impression -- they could have done better than they did. I was particularly annoyed by an unnecessary inclusion toward the end of the movie that actually introduced a fairly obvious plot hole that doesn't actually exist in the book it's based on. That's just sloppy.

Still: armored bears, Sam Elliot, and clockwork technology -- there's a lot to like in what you get. (Even with Nicole Kidman and her distracting plastic face getting in the way.)

Though, in talking to the locals, it doesn't sound as though I could have gotten into a showing anyway.

I am Legend opened this weekend to record-breaking attendance. This TOTALLY NON-HOLIDAY MOVIE was the highest-grossing December release of all time, and the biggest opening week movie for Will "Mister Fourth of July Blockbuster" Smith.

I read the book a few years ago and really believe it deserves to be listed as one of the great genre classics. I can't wait to see the movie next week when Kate gets into town.