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Novelists are Not Screenwriters
evin
Fifield writes in
his letter "Only
Writers Can Create Great Films" that
"What we need is the writers of SF books and short stories to take a crack at writing original SF screenplays." That's not a bad idea--certainly
Harlan Ellison at least has expressed similar thoughts in the past. I don't
know that it will necessarily result in better SF movies though.
The example given in his letter is Clarke's work on 2001. This is
probably a special case though: that of a writer working closely with the
director of the movie. This is not the norm though, or at least that's what
I've always heard. Directors--and even actors--have been known to alter
scripts as they see fit. Normally it is the director's vision--not the
writer's--that is considered sacred. Having better scripts will help, but I
think we also need directors who are better versed in science fiction.
Also, just because someone can write books and short stories does not
automatically make them a scriptwriter. True, Clarke worked on the script
for 2001 and it was a masterpiece. But William Gibson wrote the script for
Johnny Mnemonic, a movie that falls somewhat short as far as masterpiece quality goes. Just because you've got a bona-fide SF writer doesn't
automatically make for a great movie.
And of course this all assumes that the SF writers have the time to learn
a new writing format. Even if we take it for granted that they'll collaborate
with an experienced scriptwriter this still leaves open the question of finding the time...
As I said: Interesting idea. I'm not sure if it will have the revolutionary effects that Mr. Fifield is hoping for though.
Stewart Tame
sbt@ans.net
Andromeda is Under Attack
or those who read the science fiction and fantasy genres with some discretion (Jordan readers can skip to the next mail now), and find themselves torn to knots with alternating winces and laughs at the large and small screen versions of both originals and adaptations, might I recommend the new TV series Andromeda? Sorry: Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda.
It is so thoroughly atrocious that it can be enjoyed with not a moment's guilt. Somehow, a television series has managed to combine the myriad wince-inducing traits of the hydra-headed Star Trek franchise with the sillier bits of Hercules, etc. Up to, and including, that syndicated show's star, not to mention the unexamined, oft-violated "humanism" of Star Trek with (seemingly unknowingly) the camp of innumerable other purportedly genre shows and movies.
What's not to love?
Finally, a series so bad, so unintentionally awful on so many levels, I can
unreservedly recommend it! I've not seen anything this bad since Legend
hit theaters. Good viewing, all, and I'll see those of you who read without
the assistance of pewter unicorns or life-sized Worf posters at the next Readercon.
Ethan Sicotte
garlic_imp@hotmail.com
Andromeda is Out of Uniform
just
wrote to say that I don't care for Gene Roddenberry's new series Andromeda.
If looks like a cheap rip-off of Star Trek: Voyager. If Gene Roddenberry were
alive today I think he'd be ashamed that somebody is making such a poorly done sci-fi
show with his name on it. Sci-fi fans don't want to see first officers out of uniform,
disobedient crew and just about every other thing that you see on other sci-fi
programs.
Jon Sumner
jon_sumner@hotmail.com
Judgment on Blish's Other Case
f you're going to review such a work as A Case of Conscience, you should review the related works, Black Easter, The Day After Judgment,
and Doctor Mirabilis. They are all part of an extended novel concerned with the theological question of whether the search for secular knowledge is
inherently sinful or not. By far, the best work is the wrenching Black
Easter, easily the most terrifying intellectual horror novel ever written.
The Day After Judgment, its direct sequel, is easily dismissable until its
enormous and startling ending. Doctor Mirabilis is almost unreadable, in my opinion, but deserves a reading by a better critic than I.
Greg Crider
criderjg@bellsouth.net
Roswell Continues to Tantalize
am
soooooooo MAD! I love the WB's Roswell. In the first several episodes of
the new season I've grown to love the addition of the new Renegade Skin
character "Courtney." She added flair, and edgy conflict towards Maria,
who shares the same love interest of Michael. (Max's second in command.) No
sooner did I fall for her than she killed herself off. I mean I'm glad
she sacrificed herself to protect the others (as well as the Granith),
but she rocked! I hope they bring her back. And can anyone explain what
actually happened to the Skins at the end of that episode? Did
they vaporize/blow up or what?
Theodore Wilczynski
toysoldiers2001@yahoo.com
The First Buffy Babe is Best
think if they are going to have another Buffy movie they should go back
to using the original Buffy. Kristy Swanson was so much better then Sarah
Michelle Gellar. Gellar is the most over-rated actress on TV. She can't act
and every teenage boy seems to think she is just so hot. Well she isn't. She
has no talent whatsoever.
Noah
iam2saxy@yahoo.com
True Martians are Misrepresented
ust thought you'd like to know that in Red Planet, the native life
forms were described as "nematodes" which are more commonly known as roundworms. The creatures [in the film] sure looked insectoid to me. Looks like more hacks do the writing and dialog than try to have some scientific consistency.
Marc Ehrenpreis
qpapc@aol.com
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