The Gamer's Quarter

dhex

i was really impressed. an excellent transition to the screen. captures the spirit of paranoia. nice to see an anti-drug war film that's realistic; the dopehead patter, the unexceptionalism of everyday insanity.
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kuzdu · Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 2:40 pm Post subject:

How does it compare to the original book? By which I mean, which would you rather spend your time consuming?

Dracko · . Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 2613

First 24 minutes of the film.
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dhex · Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 4:53 pm Post subject:

a book is a book and a movie is a movie. never the twain shall meet.

that said, it's as good a translation as one could possibly expect, if not moreso. the first comparison that comes to mind is cronenburg's rendition of naked lunch. it's not a shot for shot, line for line remake, but it encompasses the feeling, setting, characters, and makes you feel it.

that said, i have no idea how the hardcore dick fans (har har) have taken to it.
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Dracko · . Joined: 10 Oct 2005 Posts: 2613

I'd imagine the hardcore Dick fans are too busy tearing down their walls in search of mics and microcameras.

Wasn't Cronenberg's adaptation more concerned with attempting a biography of Burroughs' life, however?
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"This is the most fun I've ever had without being drenched in the blood of my enemies!"

dhex · Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 5:23 pm Post subject:

sort of, which is why it works; burroughs is a biographical writer who just happens to populate his works with the unreal.
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helicopterp · . Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 1435 Location: Philadelphia

I was actually phoning people to see if anyone wanted to see it tonight.

Are any of you (metro) Atlantans? And are you up for a 9:45 showing tonight at the LaFont Sandy Springs? I can't bring myself to make the trek alone.
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Mr. Mechanical · Friendly Stranger Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 1276

OH SNAPS. I just found a theater here in Oklahoma that's playing this! Fuck yeah, I know what I'm doing tomorrow night.

dessgeega · Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 6:58 pm Post subject:

i watched the first 24 minutes a week or so ago.

i'd like to see it at some point, but i have to find a theater showing it i'm willing to trek to.
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GSL · Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:53 am Post subject:

I'm so jealous of all y'all that have the option of seeing it; apparently it doesn't open here until the 28th.

Mr. Mechanical · Friendly Stranger Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 1276

I finally saw this. It was... fuck yeah! I can't wait to see it again! Great performances from the main characters. The dialogue was so there, you know. It was like hanging out in a college dorm with a group of people all tripped out on acid all over again. Funny as hell, which made the ending that much more of a downer.

DaleNixon · . Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Posts: 179

This is good news. I was afraid this movie would be terrible.

OtakupunkX · . Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 730

There's only one theater in the Houston area that's showing this right now and it's a really expensive art house theater. If only I had money...

Shapermc · Hot Sake! Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6279

I don't know how I missed this thread. Yea, I saw this on the 22nd myself and it was really faithful to the original text. I was really shocked that they seemed to try to make a movie from the book, rather than using a "cool" aspect from the book as an excuse to make an "awesome" movie (I am looking at Paycheck here). Anyway, this movie is probably the best book to film translation I have ever seen.
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