Golden Compass?

[Kraft]

Alright, before I say anything, I would like to say that the Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and the Amber Spyglass (books 1, 2 and 3 of the Series "His Dark Materials" written by Phillip Pullman) are among my favorite books that I have ever read.

And they are coming out with a movie now! I cant wait to see it (out theater in town takes about 1-2 months to get new movies... Yes I live in a small town ^_^)

Anyways, I have been hearing on the radio, and reading on the internet, and watching on TV that everyone is saying that the Golden Compass Promotes Atheism, and bashes God and what not...

I would like to see what others think of this...

I personally think that this is another "Harry Potter" thing all over again, where the Catholic church tells everyone not to read them because they promote witchcraft and what not... (yes, this whole thing about the God bashing and Atheism originated from the Catholic Church again...)

The book is 100% Fiction, and I believe that anyone can write anything in fiction. That is the beauty of it! You can make anything up that you wish!

I hate it when people say that the book is Devil Worshiping, and God Bashing because it is not! And if there was anything like that in there, it is still Fiction!

So, what are your views on the book, the movie, and what others are saying?

I would really like to see what other people who have read the books think of this.

~Kraft

 

[Fafnir]

Think of it like this: There are hundreds of books out there that are 'pro Christian,' and they take no flak. As soon as an 'atheist book' comes out, the entire religious community falls to pieces over it. Remember Da Vinci Code? Yeah, same thing here. So just don't give a crap about what the hypocrites say, and watch the movie.

I mean, it's a movie about POLAR BEARS IN MOTHERFUCKING ARMOUR! What could be cooler then THAT?

 

[Prexus]

The Catholic church always has an opinion about anything that isn't Pro-Christian. The Golden Compass is a best selling novel, and the movie looks absolutely fantastic. You are combining a great story with great visual effects. Short of a poor book-to-movie transition, this is a guaranteed hit.

 

[Despain]

Short of a poor book-to-movie transition, this is a guaranteed hit.

A poor book-to-movie transition is certainly possible. I've read that they wanted to take out a of of the Christianity references to avoid offending people--which is pretty much the entire storyline of the trilogy.

I really fear that they're going to be dumbing down the trilogy into a generic fantasy special effects feast. From the advertising I've seen so far, that's exactly what they are doing.

I mean, it's a movie about POLAR BEARS IN MOTHERFUCKING ARMOUR! What could be cooler then THAT?

I think that this comment pretty much proves the point I'm trying to make.

But then again the advertising campaign doesn't always properly show off a movie. I mean, look at Bridge to Terabithia.

 

[Kraft]

But then again the advertising campaign doesn't always properly show off a movie. I mean, look at Bridge to Terabithia.

Good Point ^_^

I read that book a long time (7+ years) ago and when I got to the ending, I hated the ending. It made me so sad when I read it...

So when I saw there was a movie coming out, I was like Oh great... but I went and saw it, and would have to say it is one of the better movies that I have seen in a long time. Everyone in the theater was crying (I asked a ton of people ^_^)

Anyways, yeah, I forgot about Davinci Code (really great book AND movie BTW ^_^)

I just dont like talking to people who havent read the golden compass series about the book or movie, because all they have heard is that it is satanic and atheism...

Anyways, I am glad that I am not the only one who is thinking this ^_^

~Kraft

 

[Bogus]

I've never read the books, I heard of the movie through a steampunk themed site I visit regularly. I really enjoyed the short clips I saw online and now the trailers. If it's based on a book though, which I hadn't known until now, I'll be picking those up. I'm only going to watch the movie for the steampunk theme it seems to have.

The bit of fantasy and sorcery also helps. I'm a sucker for witchcraft, flying machines and general zaniness.

That and Michelle Pfeiffer is in it, I've yet to see her in a bad film.

It looks incredible and I'm hoping it at least meets my expectations.

Now I'm going to go find those books. = )

 

[Despain]

How can you mix up Nicole Kidman and Michelle Pfeiffer?

 

[Sles]

I go to a Roman Catholic church. I got up in front of it today and told them that the rumors about the series were complete garbage. I wish you all could've seen the priest's face. Imagine a little 15 year old kid getting up in front of a really big church and telling everyone that what their church leaders are saying is stupid.

 

[Venetia]

I've never heard of the books nor the movie until I just IMDB'd it after reading this. Heh, shows how up to date I am on culture >_>

For someone that doesn't know squat about the series(?), it looks like a Lord of the Rings/Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe knockoff. Interesting to know the books have religion-related undertones, but not really interesting enough for me to actually go and see it.

If only the religionuts of the world became more apathetic, the world'd be a much quieter place B)

 

[Despain]

For someone that doesn't know squat about the series(?), it looks like a Lord of the Rings/Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe knockoff.

vcdfdsf vdvdsk fucking fuckcfda
fuck movie advertising.....vfd

fuck them all.

these books have infinitely more depth and fucking GOODNESS compared to lotr and fucking narnia.

i fucking if they mess up this fucking movie they are getting a VERY ANGRY EMAIL.

 

[Venetia]

lol, jeebus!

Forget I said anything O_O;;;

 

[Fafnir]

I think that this comment pretty much proves the point I'm trying to make.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

 

[OS]

I mean, it's a movie about POLAR BEARS IN MOTHERFUCKING ARMOUR! What could be cooler then THAT?

I know something; those bears can TALK as well!

I am reading the Golden Compass at this very moment, actually (4rth time, though). It is my favorite book in the world, and of the three it is the most fantastic.

To take religion out of the movie adaptations would be to kill the trilogy. And to compare these books to Narnia and LOTR is completely ignorant (no offense, Venetia). This trilogy is a whole other level... (imho)

Anywho...

I don't entirely approve of their choice of actors/actresses. An English woman told me their choice for Lord Asriel was excellent (I haven't seen 007 or anything else with him as far as I know), but we both agree that Mrs. Coulter (who has LONG DARK HAIR, and is EXTREMELY BEAUTIFUL) is played by someone who is not beautiful enough (in my opinion) and has shorter, blond hair. And Lyra is supposed to have SHORT BLOND HAIR, but the girl who plays her has LONG DARK HAIR. Hmmm...

I hope they play the roles well, however. That's all that really matters.

Wait, you mean to tell me that Coulter's Hell Bourne Monkey doesn't have a black face or black hands, but some pale/tan color instead? WTF!? WTF is wrong with you people!?

I guess I just have problems with inconsistencies in my adaptations...

The only thing that I have seen religious wise that has upset people in my school is the series of events in the final book, especially the death of the cooky old man (if you read the books, you know who I mean, and not Grumman.)

 

[Despain]

You say that like it's a bad thing.

Um...it is.

You probably have no idea how amazing these books are, kid. They should definitely not be transformed into COOL BEARS WITH ARMOR!! WOW SPECIAL EFFECTS because they are so much MORE.

Daniel Craig is an AMAZING choice, and I think that Nicole Kidman will really be able to pull off her role. Appearance inconsistencies don't bother me so much as long as the actors do a good job. And Nicole Kidman is a good actress and from the trailers she really seems to project the right kind of AURA for the role.

I have high hopes for the performances, I'm mostly worried about the writing (or lack of).

 

[OS]

Yeah, I know what you mean.

Well, I just saw an other commercial for the movie, and I realized, I haven't seen anything about the Gyptians, Bolvangar, and barely any Daemons (I saw the Golden Monkey and Pan in Mouse form).

Oh, something I think is silly, though; there's such a fuss 'bout the Religion thing, but the worst the first book does is Contradict the theories and practices of the Church, while at the same time shedding light to the way the Church has handled things in the past (which is evident through their actions concerning the movie).

Nothing really destructive is aimed at Catholicism until the second book, and especially the third. Seems like they are just fighting for attention. Pitiful children.

 

[Fafnir]

Um...it is.

You probably have no idea how amazing these books are, kid. They should definitely not be transformed into COOL BEARS WITH ARMOR!! WOW SPECIAL EFFECTS because they are so much MORE.

Daniel Craig is an AMAZING choice, and I think that Nicole Kidman will really be able to pull off her role. Appearance inconsistencies don't bother me so much as long as the actors do a good job. And Nicole Kidman is a good actress and from the trailers she really seems to project the right kind of AURA for the role.

I have high hopes for the performances, I'm mostly worried about the writing (or lack of).

I'm not saying the special effects have anything to do with it. Hell, they could be wearing cardboard(actually, that would be even more awsome...). It's just that polar bears+armour=awsome.
Anyway, I just can't wait to read about the controversy this brings up. The churches are so nitpicky these days. Then again, they always were. I've alread read an article about a British church boycotting it. Hilarious shit.

Who cares if he kills Yahweh in his story, it's a freaking adventure novel.

 

[Kraft]

based on this commercial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj61Q5KPues

I would go and watch it, even if I wasnt a big fan of the books.

The commercial looks very good, although there are a few things that are weird to me (I imagined the characters and places a little different ^_^) but it looks good anyways.

The big thing that I hope carries throughout the film is the connection between the human and daemon. (yes, it is spelled like that)

One of the most memorable parts of the book, one of the most emotional parts of the first book is the part in the north where Lyra is almost cut from pan (intercission thing, in Blovanger)

If the link between the human and daemon isnt strongly emphasized in the movie (as much as it was in the book) that part will not present the right thoughts and emotions as it did in the book.

~Kraft

 

[Prexus]

This Daemon/Human relationship reminds me of the Bird/Mage relationship in the Tobyn-Ser Chronicles Trilogy by David B. Coe

 

[Ellie]

The Northern Lights is a way better name IMHO.

I haven't read them, but I have all his books, and am going to see the film. I suppose I should read them some time.

 

[Xilef]

I only just found out that the American version of Northern Lights was renamed to Golden compass. When I first saw the adverts I was like: That's so much like Northern Lights, so I wiki'd the film to find out it is northern lights. Why the re-name? Is it the same story with Harry Potter and the Philosophers stone (Everyone was worried that people were too un educated to know what a philosopher was, pfft, I think the people who renamed it were uneducated)
Back to the Norther Li-, I mean golden compass, I skipped out that book entirely because i found it so dull compared to subtle knife and amber spyglass, I will get hold of it and read it though probably after I see the film.
That's all I have to say about this.
EDIT: Oh yeah, they also renamed a character, one of the Polar Bears, so no one will get confused between them and Iorek.