So...The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe movie is coming out this December.
Here’s hoping this studio manages to pull it off. I grew up on the old BBC/Wonderworks series – and while those movies aren’t too great in terms of cinematography, they actually do a very good job hitting the tone of the story. Something I’m a bit leery about Disney doing. So I’m looking forward to December with a bit of hopeful pessimism.
The trailer looks pretty cool, though -- hope the acting is as good as the music and the New Zealand landscape.
However! The truly fun thing is that, a year or so later, Phillip Pullman's trilogy is going to hit the American mainstream. (If you want an even more detailed summary of the plot and characters of themes, look here.
Anti-Narnia!
I mean, how cool is that? Lewis and anti-Lewis, Narnia and anti-Narnia, coming out within a year of one another. And both really great series of books. I personally can’t wait. Forget the hullabaloo about Harry Potter. This is going to be one hell of a ride.
First, some more background:
-- A very good interview here, with questions to Pullman about his religious views and intent in writing the books.
-- And another very long interview.
-- Here's Pullman's article entitled"The Dark Side of Narnia."
-- A look at the books by Catholic Cutlure.
-- Check out some REAL hyperbole here: "The most dangerous author in Britain"!
And DO NOT neglect to read Jeffery Overstreet's take on the upcoming movies. Probably one of the more reasoned and rational piece around.
"Christians are undoubtedly going to be upset about the films. But how should we respond to such a problem? Should we start picketing? Should churches host book-burnings in their parking lots? Should we start making videos criticizing Phillip Pullman? Should we read the book to our children, explaining the problems with the author's worldview? How will you prepare your family for the imminent wave of Golden Compass-mania?"
And me? I'm just going to enjoy the show.
Maybe it’s just that I’ve got a morbid sense of humor. I’m really looking forward to Hillary Clinton to running in 2008. Even though I hope she loses horribly. I wanted the electoral votes to tie in the last election, so that the thing could get thrown into the house and senate. (How often in your lifetime is that even a possibility?). It would be a mess. It would be a VERY bad mess. But it would be COOL!!
And I’m looking forward to people running around like chickens with their heads cut off over the Pullman movie.
The Pullman Movies
There’s no official Pullman movie site, yet, but these are pretty good hubs of information.
-- His Dark Materials.org
-- Bridge to the Stars.net
And some stuff about the upcoming movie's religious tone, and expected reaction:
--This article -- "God cut from Dark Materials film" -- is very good. And has the understatement of the year --"there may be some modification of terms."
--And this one at His Dark Materials.org -- "I won't care if God snuffs it. But the church will."
--The "Spiritual or Literal" musing here also has some good stuff.
And, finally, for a bit of comic relief, check out The Pantalaimon Perplex by Ceres Wunderkind. With great stuff like this:
H: Whoa! Demon? We don't do Satan pictures. Not after Lost Souls tanked.
J: No - daemon. With an A. It's like a talking pet. Like… Mister Ed. C3P0. That sort of thing. It's great comedy relief.
H: OK. I dig. Go on.
J: And they're engaged in this life-and-death struggle with the Church. It's really exciting. There's Zeppelins and warrior hordes and those hot witches I told you about and…
H: Struggle? Against the Church?
J: Yes. They're evil. In the end the kid's mom and dad kill the Angel who's taken over from God. Oh yes, God dies too.
H: (Holds his right hand up) Jim. Watch me. I'm counting off the states where we're not going to be able to open this sucka. You know what I'm sayin'?
And other stuff like that. :-) Great fun. And I'm looking forward to it.
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