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Bored of the Rings

 
High Plains Drifter
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I've just seen a few commercials and a preview/infomercial on cable for the picture, and already I'm tired of it. The whole Harry Potter business must have sucked out any energy I had for the "smash movie of the season."
It did not help to see Elijah Wood in the cast; sci-fi/fantasy pictures work best with unknowns playing the lead roles (Star Trek and X-Files are exceptions but already had a large on-screen following). To really get into a fantasy film, it's easier if there are no expectations of how characters will be played. I can't think a good fantasy/sci-fi film that had an already well-established actor playing the lead.
 
Wanderer
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Philistine!
I went to see it last night, and loved it. Will definitely see it a few more times in theaters.
> To really get into a fantasy film, it's easier if there are no
> expectations of how characters will be played.
For LotR, my expectations had little to do with the actors involved - the characters we already well-defined by the books. And I was pleased with how they were realized.
> I can't think a good fantasy/sci-fi film that had an already
> well-established actor playing the lead.
Hmmm... Galaxy Quest, 12 Monkeys, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon come to my mind. I'm tempted to add The Matrix and the original Planet of the Apes, but I think they were good despite their lead actors, so they don't really counter your point very well. In fact I will agree with you in general - not counting sequels and such, it generally helps a fantasy/SF movie to have unknowns in the lead roles. In the case of LotR, I personally was not that familiar with Elijah Wood, so it didn't bother me. Anyway, I never liked the hobbits quite as much as most of the other characters, so I didn't care as much how they were portrayed. Most of the name actors I was familiar with - Ian McKellan, Christopher Lee, Ian Holm, Cate Blanchett, Sean Bean, John Rhys-Davies - were exceedingly well-suited to their roles, in my opinion. Ian McKellan in particular.
What did other folks think? Cindy and Jane thought it might be too much of a "guy flick" - was it? (I mean, some of us like that sort of thing, of course.)
 
Sheriff
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I haven't seen the movie yet, maybe this weekend. I'm glad to hear that everyone seems to like it. Although I haven't seen the movie yet, but from the trailers Elijah Wood looks like a Frodo to me, so that at least is good. Having read the actor bios of some of the people playing the other Hobbits, with some of them being in their 30's, they strike me as being too old for the parts, at least as they were written in the books. Can anyone who has read the books and seen the movie confirm or deny this?
As far as good sci-fi/fantasy movies with established actors in leading roles... Some others that come to mind just off the top of my head are City of Lost Children, Dark City, Alien and Aliens, Event Horizon, Pitch Black, Big Trouble in Little China, Escape From New York, The Thing, The 13th Warrior, Blade Runner, Screamers, and Total Recall. Okay so some of those are subjective, but I think they're good anyway.
TRIVIA: Can anyone tell me what Blade Runner, Screamers, and Total Recall all have in common?

[This message has been edited by Jason Menard (edited December 21, 2001).]
 
Ranch Hand
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It is a good movie. Don't listen to someone who hasn't saw it.
 
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TRIVIA: Can anyone tell me what Blade Runner, Screamers, and Total Recall all have in common?


Other than the fact that they all have an r in their title?

 
Jason Menard
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Originally posted by Dave Vick:

Other than the fact that they all have an r in their title?


Heh, yeah, other than that.

[This message has been edited by Jason Menard (edited December 21, 2001).]
 
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All three were written by Philip K. Dick.
Thank you IMDB.com!!!
 
Jason Menard
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Cheater!
Well technically it's all three are based on stories written by Phillip K. Dick, but close enough.
[This message has been edited by Jason Menard (edited December 21, 2001).]
 
Michael Ernest
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For bonus points, give the title of the nove on which Blade Runner is based. Googlers et al, no biscuit.
 
Jason Menard
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Originally posted by Michael Ernest:
For bonus points, give the title of the nove on which Blade Runner is based. Googlers et al, no biscuit.


Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep
 
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And I'm really stretching my memory, but didn't that make it into Blade Runner as a line of dialog ?


p.s LOTR was a spectacular movie, and all actors did superb jobs. Though I admit, I was expecting Elrond to raise an eyebrow and say " I'm... disappointed.. Mr. Baggins" or "Miiiiister Baggins!". Anyone who saw The Matrix will get that.
 
Jason Menard
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Total Recall: "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale."
Screamers: "Second Variety"
I did have to look those up to make sure I had them right though (I was close with Total Recall, way off on Screamers).
 
Jason Menard
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If you are a Blade Runner fan, the Director's Cut significantly changes, or maybe just clarifies, part of the story from the theatrical version regarding Harrison Ford's character, but handles it subtely enough that you might not get it if you don't tie the pieces together. It's worth another look if you haven't seen that version.
And if you like that kind of stuff and haven't seen Screamers, I cannot recommend it enough. One of the best Sci-Fi movies that nobody has heard about.
 
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