sth@rayssd.UUCP (05/02/85)
My uncle was formerly the vice chairman of the board at Twentieth Century Fox,
and is currently looking for a project after losing a power struggle. I am
trying to convince him that Canticle would be a surefire money maker, as many
people consider it the finest science fiction ever written (myself included).
My question to the net is this: would you gentle movie goers go see a pro-
duction of Liebowitz? If there is sufficient response, I will go to my uncle
with evidence of popular support. Many thanx in advance for your time and
effort.
Steve Hirsch, {allegra, decvax!brunix, linus, ccieng5}!rayssd!sth
Raytheon Co, Submarine Signal Div., Portsmouth, RIschatz@bambi.UUCP (Bruce R. Schatz) (05/04/85)
the problem with most good science fiction novels is that the interesting parts are the philosophical and sociological observations which don't necessarily translate well into cinematic terms. that is, they appeal to intellectuals who like rich worlds and slow pacing not flashy pictures and fast pacing. Canticle for Liebowitz was boring even to this intellectual and, i suspect, quite unappealing to today's audiences. a much better suggestion would be Alfred Bester's The Stars My Destination. this has breathlessly fast pacing and vivid imagery as well as considerable intellectual depth. it is a retelling of the classic revenge novel The Count of Monto Cristo in a futuristic setting where thought-controlled teleportation is the social norm. it has been optioned for a movie several times but never completed. my personal favorite is Olaf Stapledon's Odd John. this tells of the infancy and youth of a Homo Superior, a human of the next level of intelligence. it is told in a matter of fact fashion with many sharp comments about human nature and society. its puckish perspective and spiritual awakening may well appeal to today's counterculture, the rebellious teenagers who constitute a large portion of the movie-going audience. the movie rights were owned by the late George Pal, who produced such sf film classics as The Time Machine and War of the Worlds.
jbuck@epicen.UUCP (Joe Buck) (05/07/85)
> From: sth@rayssd.UUCP > Date: 2 May 85 13:46:59 GMT > > ... Canticle would be a surefire money maker, as many > people consider it the finest science fiction ever written (myself included). > My question to the net is this: would you gentle movie goers go see a pro- > duction of Liebowitz? > Steve Hirsch I'd go, but I doubt if he can get the movie made. There are no female characters and no sex (there are a lot of places where some might be inserted, but then we'd all flame your uncle), and the viewpoint isn't very Hollywoodish. I'm afraid all the post-Holocaust movies come out looking like Mad Max. Don't hold your breath. -- Joe Buck Entropic Processing, Inc. 10011 N. Foothill Blvd. Cupertino, CA 95129 (408) 973-9800 {amd,intelca,nsc,resonex,twg,forward,alien,krent}!conejo!epicen!jbuck
kimery@wdl1.UUCP (Sam Kimery) (05/10/85)
> My question to the net is this: would you gentle movie goers go see a pro- > duction of Liebowitz? without a doubt.