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| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| A Sequel To Master and Commander? |
| 2009-07-17 |
| In a discussion of recent underrated films go - and granted, my definition of recent may differ from yours - I would still bring up Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. I might be the only person who believes a movie that earned ten Oscar nominations and over $200 million around the world is underrated, I realize, but honestly, did you know it made that much and was so heavily nominated? Russell Crowe wants another Master and Commander movie, and in theory, I'm all for it. Crowe tells the AP (via USA Today) "there's still a long way to go" in adapting the Patrick O'Brian book The Reverse of the Medal into a film. O'Brian wrote over 20 novels based on Crowe's character, Capt. Jack Aubrey and Paul Bettany's low-key doctor, Stephen Maturin. At issue is acquiring the film rights to the novel. Now, I said that in theory I support this. A lot of it depends on who else is involved. Peter Weir knows a thing or two about directing movies, and while you don't need Weir, Crowe shouldn't settle for much of a step down. The best thing about Far Side in my opinion was the direction and the battle sequences. If they secure enough financing (although, let's be honest, the sequel can't cost $150 million like the first one), Crowe can attract a good director. That's key. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #7 Nay - I think Hollywierd would rather make another 'Pirates of the Caribbean: We be freedom fighters!' or some crap like that. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2009-07-17 23:00 |
| #6 Read all the books. Hard to make them into movies because things move .. slowly. That befits life in the early 19th century but it's hard to make work in a film. Note Mr. Crowe's comment about how there's a long way to go with the script. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2009-07-17 22:16 |
| #5 In the book, it was an American ship ... I guess that wouldn't have gone over well with an American audience. Are you kidding? It would have WON the Oscars rather than just being nominated! |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2009-07-17 22:08 |
| #4 I've read every one of the books in the Aubrey/Maturin series. Several of them would make fine movies. By the way, about the only connection between the book Far Side of the World and the movie was that Aubrey chased a ship. In the book, it was an American ship during the war of 1812. I guess that wouldn't have gone over well with an American audience. |
| Posted by: Rambler in Virginia 2009-07-17 21:50 |
| #3 I don't know exactly why this is on Rantburg, but...that was a terrific movie, and I never understood why there wasn't a sequel a year. Hollywood is re-vivifying the rotten corpses of ancient TV shows that weren't good when they were new; why not film O'Brian's novels instead? I picked this baby up at Costco the other day for something like five bucks. Haven't had a chance to watch it yet. Mmm, hot naval action. |
| Posted by: Angie Schultz 2009-07-17 21:25 |
| #2 The ship is still available - it's on loan to the San Diego Maritime Museum at the waterfront - for tours - until called back into "action". It receives constant maintenance. I think a sequel's coming someday |
| Posted by: Frank G 2009-07-17 21:12 |
| #1 On the subject of New Zealand entertainment. I've just watched a video of a NZ TV show called, Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby Not only is it laugh out loud funny. It has a very right wing hero and liberals are portrayed as clueless idiots. |
| Posted by: Phil_B 2009-07-17 20:40 |