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ragingfluff 
"Currently lost in Canada"
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 Posted - 03/22/2007 : 20:27:58
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quote:
Originally posted by BaftaBabe
I don't know who'd ever do it, but if it were handled properly - with compassion and lotsa humor - John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces would make a wonderful film. imho.
This was "in development" as they say for a long time, with at one point Stephen Fry rumoured to star!
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BaftaBaby 
"Always entranced by cinema."
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Posted - 03/22/2007 : 20:35:48
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quote:
Originally posted by ragingfluff
quote:
Originally posted by BaftaBabe
I don't know who'd ever do it, but if it were handled properly - with compassion and lotsa humor - John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces would make a wonderful film. imho.
This was "in development" as they say for a long time, with at one point Stephen Fry rumoured to star!
Well, I'm not sure about his starring, but he certainly was writing a screenplay. But, as we've seen by its absence, no film has yet been made. I think it was Soderbergh who'd optioned it - but it needs someone with an edgier sense of humor to direct. Maybe Tim Burton?
Do you know the book? It's amazing ... poor Toole died before it was published; it had been rejected countless times. After his death his mother discovered the ms and submitted it cold to a publisher.
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Edited by - BaftaBaby on 03/22/2007 20:37:06 |
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Sean 
"Necrosphenisciform anthropophagist."
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Posted - 03/22/2007 : 23:48:51
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quote:
Originally posted by ChocolateLady
Well, neither "The Fourth Hand" nor "A Widow for One Year" were as hard to read as "Son of the Circus", but none of those moved me - I didn't care enough about the characters to get emotionally involved with what happend to them. If an author can't get his reader to care about his characters, he'll lose the reader.
I liked Son of the Circus and found it an easy read. It may have helped that I've been to India (including Mumbai where it was set), it kind of felt 'familiar'. I could 'imagine' many of the characters. 
I haven't read Owen Meany, but it's on my list. Kind of hoping to stumble across a worn out copy in a bargain bin in a flea market somewhere. |
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ChocolateLady 
"500 Chocolate Delights"
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Posted - 03/23/2007 : 08:09:49
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quote:
Originally posted by Se�n
I haven't read Owen Meany, but it's on my list. Kind of hoping to stumble across a worn out copy in a bargain bin in a flea market somewhere.
To most Irving fans, it is considered his best book - one that they'd never let out of their collection. Because of that, you may need to buy it new.
It would be worth it, however. |
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ragingfluff
"Currently lost in Canada"
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Posted - 03/25/2007 : 21:12:03
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Why hasn't Martin Amis been given the big screen treatment? With the exception of The Rachel Papers, I don't know why his novels aren't filmed.
Ditto John Banville (exception, the Newton Letter, filmed for Channel 4). His books are...unfilmable, possibly, certainly difficult, and there isn't a lot of "plot"...
Also:
I Served the King of England by Bohumil Hrabal
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ragingfluff
"Currently lost in Canada"
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Posted - 03/25/2007 : 21:14:42
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The Secret History by Donna Tartt.... was this ever made into a film??? It had a real cult status for a long time....
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demonic
"Cinemaniac"
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Posted - 03/25/2007 : 22:45:05
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quote:
Originally posted by ragingfluff
Why hasn't Martin Amis been given the big screen treatment? With the exception of The Rachel Papers, I don't know why his novels aren't filmed.
Ditto John Banville (exception, the Newton Letter, filmed for Channel 4). His books are...unfilmable, possibly, certainly difficult, and there isn't a lot of "plot"...
There's an appalling version of "Dead Babies" with Paul Bettany in it. Not the easiest of books to film, but they missed the point entirely. I think "Time's Arrow" would be an incredible film, but almost certainly impossible to do.
I love Banville's fiction as well. Never really thought of them being very cinematic though. Peter Ackroyd is though - "Hawksmoor" would be a perfect film. "The House of Doctor Dee" and "Dan Leno and The Limehouse Golem" too. |
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BaftaBaby
"Always entranced by cinema."
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Posted - 03/25/2007 : 23:10:31
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quote:
Originally posted by demonic
Peter Ackroyd is though - "Hawksmoor" would be a perfect film.
This one has been "in development" by various indie UK producers on and off for decades! In the end I think the money-peeps wouldn't take the risk when the book was a best-seller and now ... well, they always want the next new thing.
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Chris C 
"Four words, never backwards."
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Posted - 03/26/2007 : 19:52:32
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I feel terribly un-intellectual looking at the list unwinding, cos I haven't read nearly all of the suggested books.
One I have read, and thoroughly recommend is Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks.
Despite various faults I enjoyed Master & Commander - The Far Side of the World. There's a lot more of Patrick O'Brian's books waiting to be moved to the big screen. |
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BiggerBoat 
"Pass me the harpoon"
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Posted - 03/27/2007 : 01:03:04
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quote:
Originally posted by BaftaBabe
quote:
Originally posted by ragingfluff
quote:
Originally posted by BaftaBabe
I don't know who'd ever do it, but if it were handled properly - with compassion and lotsa humor - John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces would make a wonderful film. imho.
This was "in development" as they say for a long time, with at one point Stephen Fry rumoured to star!
Well, I'm not sure about his starring, but he certainly was writing a screenplay. But, as we've seen by its absence, no film has yet been made. I think it was Soderbergh who'd optioned it - but it needs someone with an edgier sense of humor to direct. Maybe Tim Burton?
Do you know the book? It's amazing ... poor Toole died before it was published; it had been rejected countless times. After his death his mother discovered the ms and submitted it cold to a publisher.
Wonderful book - recommend it to anyone who likes off-the-wall stuff. Physically I could see Ethan Suplee playing the lead role (he's Earl's brother in My Name is Earl), but I don't know what his range is like.
I've read a lot of Haruki Murakami and think his books could make amazing films but I think he's reluctant to give up any of his rights. There is one film, Tony Takitani, which was based on a short story of his, that is absolutely spellbinding, but I think it would take a rare director to make a good translation.
Stone Junction by Jim Dodge would make for a cracking movie as would Shantaram by Gregory Daniel Roberts (it's the new Papillion don't you know?), although it may have to be a little long to fit everything in.
I read yesterday that Sunshine, the new pseudo-religous sci-fi film by Danny Boyle, was written by Alex Garland. He was the writer of The Beach, which I though was a fairly good book, but the film (also by Boyle) was awful, mainly because of the casting of Di Caprio. I hope the partnership is more sucessful this time round.
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Beanmimo
"August review site"
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Posted - 03/27/2007 : 09:16:27
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I see Ron McCLartys The Memory of Running is on the imdb but no cast yet. I could see Philip Seymour Hoffman in the role. |
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BaftaBaby
"Always entranced by cinema."
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Posted - 03/27/2007 : 09:29:29
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quote:
Originally posted by Beanmimo
I see Ron McCLartys The Memory of Running is on the imdb but no cast yet. I could see Philip Seymour Hoffman in the role.
Actually Hoffman would also be a great choice for Confederacy of Dunces ... doncha think, BBoat?
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BiggerBoat
"Pass me the harpoon"
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Posted - 03/27/2007 : 14:36:59
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quote:
Originally posted by BaftaBabe
quote:
Originally posted by Beanmimo
I see Ron McCLartys The Memory of Running is on the imdb but no cast yet. I could see Philip Seymour Hoffman in the role.
Actually Hoffman would also be a great choice for Confederacy of Dunces ... doncha think, BBoat?
You've nailed it Baffy, he'd be ideal. Although I almost wish that it was a role he played earlier in his career, before he became quite so well regarded. |
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ragingfluff
"Currently lost in Canada"
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Posted - 03/29/2007 : 16:20:12
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A great Hollywood satire, "The Deal", will be filmed this year starring William H Macy and Meg Ryan. The novel is hysterical, and if you thought The Player was scathing, get ready.
Also, whatever happened to "What Makes Sammy Run", the Bud Shulberg novel, which last I heard was to be filmed with Ben Stiller??
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randall
"I like to watch."
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Posted - 03/29/2007 : 22:54:50
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quote:
Originally posted by ragingfluff
quote:
Originally posted by BaftaBabe
I don't know who'd ever do it, but if it were handled properly - with compassion and lotsa humor - John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces would make a wonderful film. imho.
This was "in development" as they say for a long time, with at one point Stephen Fry rumoured to star!
Yeah, at one long-ago point John Candy was signed to play the lead. Done right, this would be an interesting movie -- nah, forget it, "unshootable" novels like A CLOCKWORK ORANGE and FORREST GUMP never make good movies. ULYSSES, anyone?
OTOH, be careful what you wish for. People's Exhibit #1: THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY... |
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Books that must be filmed
