tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193515647780472827.post5487177724858140492..comments2017-05-04T19:50:28.181-07:00Comments on We Who Watch Behind the Rows: We Who WILL Watch: The Dark Tower (2017)Rik Tod Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903694670356107788noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193515647780472827.post-8173382668122276782017-05-04T19:50:28.181-07:002017-05-04T19:50:28.181-07:00That's actually an interesting point about his...That's actually an interesting point about his writing improving while his stories have declined in quality. I haven't thought of it in those terms, but I can see a case for it. Several of his post-2000 novels rank among my favorites, but often his recent novels feel a bit like writing exercises to me. I can totally see him reading stuff about wireless technology and some articles on neuro-biology, and then throwing that info together and coming up with Cell (which is now over over a decade old and not that recent, but I think my point stands). He's always been a writer who loves creating a story based on some new information he's learned and found interesting, but I think that trait has won out over his more character-based tendencies in a lot of his recent output.WorkingDeadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17423048309685084902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193515647780472827.post-43776374060817251582017-05-04T11:21:50.438-07:002017-05-04T11:21:50.438-07:00It is still one of my favorites, definitely!
I'...It is still one of my favorites, definitely!<br />I've formed an opinion of Stephen's works...he is a better *writer* now than when he was younger, but his *stories* were better then than they are now.<br />That's a generalization, of course. Cujo is one of my least favorite novels of his, and I *loved* 11/22/63. But I've often found that statement to be true in my own substandard mind :) Tony(me)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02300231368485132239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193515647780472827.post-78470181595166416942017-05-04T09:56:49.028-07:002017-05-04T09:56:49.028-07:00I sure agree with you on Firestarter. Oy, what a s...I sure agree with you on Firestarter. Oy, what a stinkburger! Watched it again in the past two years or so, and it held the same position with me. Honestly, I can't wait to have our We Who Watch Behind the Rows discussion on Firestarter for the very reason you stated: because of how close it actually is to the novel, at least how I remember it. (I quite enjoyed the book, and if I recall correctly, Tony, it was one of your favorites back then?)Rik Tod Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12903694670356107788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193515647780472827.post-29533274658068795452017-05-04T09:29:41.281-07:002017-05-04T09:29:41.281-07:00I am working hard to change my mindset, so as to b...I am working hard to change my mindset, so as to be able to watch and enjoy The Dark Tower for what it is, not what it's "supposed" to be.<br />Although I am still a firm believer in "don't mess with my story!" Rik and I have had this discussion several times over the years. He views books and movies as two separate individuals that should be treated as such. While I've held the opinion that "Why bother to make a movie from the book if you're not going to use what's in the book?"<br />Intellectually, I understand why this is so, of course. But I still maintain my belief that the person who reads a good book, then goes to see the movie from that book, goes with the expectation to see what they read transferred to the screen.<br />Arguing against myself, sometimes that doesn't work. Firestarter was a pretty dreadful movie and it was extremely close to the novel (George C. Scott was a great actor, but he is no Indian)<br />So I will do my best to divest myself of that attitude before I sit down in the theatre. But I *will* say that, if Eddie and Odetta are *not* anywhere in this movie or the upcoming series, I will be highly upset!<br />**Spoiler warning for the novel ahead**<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />When Eddie is shot, that was one of the worst scenes for me in a King novel that I'd ever read. I literally put the novel down and said "No!!" to myself the first time I read it.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />**Continue reading**<br /><br />To not have either of those *extremely* important characters in the story would be an unforgivable sin, I think.<br />But now, there's nothing left to do but wait, and see what's in store for Roland and Jake and Marten.<br />And Oy better be Bumbling around somewhere, too! :)Tony(me)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02300231368485132239noreply@blogger.com