|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 12:14 pm
Have you ever wanted to go see a movie or read a book because the concept on the cover/reviews looked so cool, but when you actually got into it it was nothing like it was set up to be.
I picked up a copy of Storm Constantine's Wraeththu because a friend talked it up as this amazingly poetic sci-fi/fantasy vision of the future, and the cover speaks about how wonderful the book is as a speculation of the future.
Inside, yes it's well written but I couldn't get through even 1/4 of it as it mires itself in graphic sex and description (almost infatuation) with the created race that is conquering humanity. I couldn't get in touch with the main character's voices - it was like reading a story where the author was so wrapped up in her own fantasies of the characters that she forgot about the humans. But what really turned me off was being beaten over the head with explicit situations.
This came to mind because a co-worked just saw "Pan's Labryinth" a movie that by all accounts is excellent but usually misleadingly billed as a fantasy romp. Only a few in depth reviews warn about how violent and dark this movie actually is.
My point? Why can't authors/ publishers/ producers just tell you straight up "This book has sex. This movie has violence. alot of it" rather than charming the reader/audience into picking up something that if they were prepared for it might be a pretty good read, but unprepared just comes off as gratuitous.
Anyone else ever read a book that made them feel this way?
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 12:47 pm
I have a bit of a qualm with Pan's Labrynth. The commercials made it out to be a fantasy heavy movie, yet, a good 80% of it is set in the real world. Granted, I still love the movie, especially all its dark, gruesome scenes, but still, I was really hoping for more when it came to Faceless, the creature with eyes in its hands. I was kind of upset in that he didn't talk or even really do anything. I did expect him to be this suffisticated fantastical being that just happened to enjoy eating children, but I wrong.
Still a great movie.
I also went to see Ghost Rider, crap movie in my opinion. B-movie dialogue mixed with A-grade actors, funding but very lazy special effects crew.
Haven't had this experience with any books yet, if I get told about a book I'll go to the shop, pick it up, read the synopsis and a part from about 3/4 of the way through. That way I know if the writer has decent writing ability even if the beginning is shoddy I still have something to look forward to.
the Demon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 1:25 pm
I put a lot of time into researching books I think I'd like to read. I have a few places I go where the book is critiqued and reviewed. If it's good reviews I'll read it. If not... The book will never see the light of Crystal. I'm rarely disappointed in the books I read.
Movies, on the other hand are a entirely different story. rolleyes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 3:56 pm
I get stuck in the rut where if someone I know reccommends something I *hope* they will reccommend somthing good...
That doesn't always happen >.<
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 4:50 pm
*laughs awkwardly* sweatdrop
Uh, um.... I read ALMOST anything recommended to me, and I get these moods where I just splurge and buy a bunch of books just for the hell of it. It has only been a mistake once *wince* and even that turned out pretty well, now that I think about it.
I mean, Ms. Hobb was recommended to me, and I'm eternally glad that she was, because she doesn't get her fair share of publicity, and I probably would have never found her otherwise.
Vale,
-LD
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 8:24 am
*nod* agreedd... I have had some wonderful things reccommended to me that I would have never otherwise picked up. Hope Mirrlee's "Lud in the Mist" is a prime example.
And I can see how nooks like Wraeththu can be enjoyable... if you know what you're getting into and share the author's taste's. Storm Constantine writes a heck of alot better than many other authors out there...
I just don't share her taste in subject matter >.<
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 8:41 am
Well, I'm not so sure about reading anything about sex or too much violence, but I've definitely been reccomended books that look and sound better than they really are. xd
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 5:48 pm
I agree with the whole Pan's Labrynth thing, I too thought it more of a fantasy movie. But all in all it was still a great movie. I really liked it.
I know this has nothing to do with fantasy but the movie Primeval. Now that was a crap a** movie and serious false advertisment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:09 pm
I definitely understand what you're saying. I had an incident sort of like that, only in reverse. Susan Wright's trilogy: Slave Trade, Slave Masters, and Slaves Unchained. In this case they marketed the books as though a lot of time and development would have been given to the "slaves" of the aliens....but what we got, instead, was a lot of space battles and military hooha. Not really what I would have imagined to be in the story.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
