...so I was pleased when I heard that "Magic Kingdom For Sale--SOLD!" was being made into a movie.
These are NOT great works of fantasy. But...so help me...I like them. They're fun, and even manage a genuine emotional involvement...because I'm a sentimental softie who loves stories about bitter, lonely people learning to love again.
I was not so pleased when Brooks posted on his web-site that the latest script involved Ben Holiday (the protagonist of the series) being accompanied to Landover by two reluctant, wise-cracking teenage offspring.
....
....
....
....which, if you've read the book, will require a complete revamp of the lead character and his impetus for going to Landover in the first place.
Suddenly, the reason why OSC is so adamant about creative control being kept with the original author becomes more clear.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I like those books, too, although I don't like his other stuff.
But, um, that sucks about the movie.
Posted by starLisa (Member # 8384) on :
No way! It's cool that they want to make it a movie, but the revision they're talking about is horrible.
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
I like the books, but the movie sounds appalling.
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
Oooh. I was about to do a happy dance! I love those books!
But teenage offspring?
Wisecracking?
You've got to be kidding me.
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
I liked the first several of the Landover series; but I thought Tanglebox just messed things up. Too serious.
Posted by starLisa (Member # 8384) on :
I loved the first three. I haven't been able to read the others. They just didn't interest me.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
I thought it got much better the later in the series it got.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I didn't...
Posted by Shmuel (Member # 7586) on :
To the best of my recollection, I'm with Dagonee.
Posted by Bean Counter (Member # 6001) on :
Why a guilty pleasure? These books prove that Brooks can write not just steal Tolkien and build on his work. I loved them, they have tremendous potential that could be built on still.
BC
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen: I like those books, too, although I don't like his other stuff.
I have yet to read a non-Landover Brooks book all the way through. I like his style for light-hearted fantasy, but his attempts at heavier stuff just don't hold my interest.
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
My one consolation is that it's still so early in the development stage that they may well change the script again.
They'd better. It would change the entire tone, characterization, and plot.
EDIT: The IMDB has the film for a 2006 release. According to the author's own site, the only thing definite in 2006 is that'll be the year they decide whether to make the film or not.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
quote:I have yet to read a non-Landover Brooks book all the way through. I like his style for light-hearted fantasy, but his attempts at heavier stuff just don't hold my interest.
His Shanara books started out dreadful and didn't progress to "good" until the Scions series - although Wishsong was almost there. There was a little backsliding in First King, but it was mostly good.
Unfortunately, it's hard to enjoy the rest of the books without having read the first two books.
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
quote:His Shanara books started out dreadful and didn't progress to "good" until the Scions series -
Yeah. I tried to read Sword of Shannara several times back in JHS. Just kept giving up in the early chapters.
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
The director is Stephen Sommers.
Okay, I kinda liked The Mummy...but there's the memory of Van Helsing before me... Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
quote:It's cool that they want to make it a movie, but the revision they're talking about is horrible.
That's exactly what I meant. It sucks that they're going to ruin it...
Posted by Bean Counter (Member # 6001) on :
They are forseeing the end of the Harry potter books and now everybody wants to do cool Fantasy. AS long as nobody strats the Wheel of Time...
BC
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
Dagonee--
Interesting. I really enjoyed Elfstones and Wishsong, and thought that Scions was horrid.
Diff'rent strokes.
Posted by james01 (Member # 8863) on :
I read the Landover series awhile ago, but I always thought that his Shannara series was a rip off of LoTR. The Landover series was good though, the movie should be cool.
Posted by Tinros (Member # 8328) on :
Am I the only one who adores the entire Shannara series? seriously, I'm in love with the books. They rank up there almost next to Ender's game. I made myself finish the Landover series- but those books seemed kind of empty compared to sword of Shannara.
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
Judging by the book sales: Nope, you aren't Tinros.
I'm not saying no one should like Shannara...just that I couldn't get into it (or rather, the first book) when I tried it out.
Posted by james01 (Member # 8863) on :
Oh I didn't mean I didn't like the Shannara series, just that parts of it were so similar to LOTR that I was like whoa.
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