The Official Golden Compass (Northern Lights) Thread - Pictures, News, Posters...

[Hunter Rider]

What about spitting on that dudes head ? that was the one i was wondering about more than the battle hock.

[danoyse]

Can't remember another clip of her spitting. But depending on who she spit on, it's totally within her character to do so.

[Dr. Watson]

What about spitting on that dudes head ? that was the one i was wondering about more than the battle hock.

In the book Lyra is know for being a tough and dirty fighter, even going so far as stealing a boat from the gyptians. The second spit is just another characterization of that

Seeing the spit has given far more confidence in her acting in this part I have to say :up:

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

^^^

The difference is that Chris Weitz made only American Pie and directed some TV pilots, while both Jackson and Adamson had experience in their worlds (The Frighteners; Shrek).

True, though the trailer looks good, i still have worries, but, who knows, he is supposedly a big fan of the book.

[Cinemaman]

True, though the trailer looks good, i still have worries, but, who knows, he is supposedly a big fan of the book.

Mark Steven Johnson also was Ghost Rider fan :o

Besides it became popular in Hollywood to say that you're a fan of something that is a source of your movie's story.

The important thing is you understanding the source, not just claiming that you're a fan boy.

[Dr. Watson]

Mark Steven Johnson also was Ghost Rider fan :o

Besides it became popular in Hollywood to say that you're a fan of something that is a source of your movie's story.

The important thing is you understanding the source, not just claiming that you're a fan boy.

I wouldn't worry about that. Chris Weitz went to Cambridge and studied literature there. He was also the one who approached New Line about taking on the project, not the other way around. Although I have my doubts about his ability to handle the CG and the action, I have no doubt that his respect and understanding for the material is there.

[Dr. Watson]

Hey all. Some new pics plus a video about how they plan to incorporate daemons in the film.

Concept art

http://www.bridgetothestars.net/videogame/screenshots/image/700/ragnar.jpg

http://www.bridgetothestars.net/videogame/screenshots/image/700/north.jpg


Eva Green in costume

http://www.bridgetothestars.net/movie/images/promotional-photos/image/700/green_2.jpg
Kidman in costume

http://www.bridgetothestars.net/movie/images/promotional-photos/image/700/kidman_2.jpg


The video

kXXBE4HLWK4

More at the sourcehttp://www.bridgetothestars.net/

[Hunter Rider]

Hey all. Some new pics plus a video about how they plan to incorporate daemons in the film.

Concept art

http://www.bridgetothestars.net/videogame/screenshots/image/700/ragnar.jpg



That's awesome:wow: thanks Dr. Watson :up:

[Hunter Rider]

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=38028

Golden Compass Trailer to Debut at Rockefeller Center
Source: New Line Cinema
October 3, 2007


New Line Cinema's The Golden Compass (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=7892) will have its exclusive worldwide trailer debut on October 9th at the opening of the celebrated Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center, officially kicking off the 2007-2008 holiday season.

The star of The Golden Compass (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=7892), Sam Elliott, will host the evening's festivities and lead a countdown to the unveiling of the worldwide trailer at 8:30 PM EST. The trailer will be displayed on two massive LED screens placed on either side of the world-famous Rink for guests to view for the first time.

Special events are also being planned for the same day in countries across the globe, including Italy, Japan, Germany and Holland, with a simultaneous debut of the trailer on Yahoo.com. As part of the promotion, party attendees will be eligible to win a trip to London (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=38028#) for the world premiere of The Golden Compass (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=7892) on November 27th.

"The global launch of the trailer will officially begin the countdown to the film's release, and it's a great way to embrace the excitement that has already been building for the film," says Rolf Mittweg, New Line Cinema's President and COO of Worldwide Distribution and Marketing. "'The Golden Compass' already has a huge fan base around the world, and these events will not only feed off that energy, but also introduce new audiences to the film who may not yet be familiar with the books."

Since it first opened on Christmas Day 1936, the Rink at Rockefeller Center has become a favorite city attraction. The first artificial outdoor skating pond to be built in New York City, today the Rink attracts more than a quarter-million people each day during the season, from October to April. The skating surface is 122 feet long and 59 feet wide and can accommodate 150 skaters at one time. The Rink is open Monday through Fridays, 9 a.m. until 10:30 p.m.; Saturdays 8:30 a.m. until midnight and Sundays 8:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. For more information on hours and fees, go to TheRinkatRockCenter.com (http://www.therinkatrockcenter.com/).

In addition to the debut of the trailer at the Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center, the Top of the Rock Observation Deck will feature The Golden Compass (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=7892) trailer on its large screens located on the Mezzanine Level during the holiday season.

Based on author Philip Pullman's bestselling and award-winning novel, The Golden Compass (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=7892) tells the first story in Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy. The Golden Compass (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=7892) is an exciting fantasy adventure, set in an alternative world where people's souls manifest themselves as animals, talking bears fight wars, and Gyptians and witches co-exist. At the center of the story is Lyra (played by newcomer Dakota Blue Richards), a 12-year-old girl who starts out trying to rescue a friend who's been kidnapped by a mysterious organization known as the Gobblers – and winds up on an epic quest to save not only her world, but ours as well. The Golden Compass (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=7892) stars an ensemble cast that includes Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliott, Eva Green and the voices of Ian McKellen, Ian McShane, Freddy Highmore, and Kathy Bates. The film is written and directed by Chris Weitz (Oscar nominated writer/director of About A Boy, writer of Antz) and produced by Deborah Forte and Bill Carraro (Frequency). It is executive produced by Andrew Miano and Paul Weitz (In Good Company).

[AndThePickles]

Like the photos. Still skeptical just because I love the book so much.

[Iron Fist]

I like the book aswell. But I have to say, everything looks great.

[Dr. Watson]

That's awesome:wow: thanks Dr. Watson :up:

No problemo :)

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=38028

Golden Compass Trailer to Debut at Rockefeller Center
Source: New Line Cinema
October 3, 2007


New Line Cinema's The Golden Compass (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=7892) will have its exclusive worldwide trailer debut on October 9th at the opening of the celebrated Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center, officially kicking off the 2007-2008 holiday season.

The star of The Golden Compass (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=7892), Sam Elliott, will host the evening's festivities and lead a countdown to the unveiling of the worldwide trailer at 8:30 PM EST. The trailer will be displayed on two massive LED screens placed on either side of the world-famous Rink for guests to view for the first time.

Special events are also being planned for the same day in countries across the globe, including Italy, Japan, Germany and Holland, with a simultaneous debut of the trailer on Yahoo.com. As part of the promotion, party attendees will be eligible to win a trip to London (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=38028#) for the world premiere of The Golden Compass (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=7892) on November 27th.

"The global launch of the trailer will officially begin the countdown to the film's release, and it's a great way to embrace the excitement that has already been building for the film," says Rolf Mittweg, New Line Cinema's President and COO of Worldwide Distribution and Marketing. "'The Golden Compass' already has a huge fan base around the world, and these events will not only feed off that energy, but also introduce new audiences to the film who may not yet be familiar with the books."

Since it first opened on Christmas Day 1936, the Rink at Rockefeller Center has become a favorite city attraction. The first artificial outdoor skating pond to be built in New York City, today the Rink attracts more than a quarter-million people each day during the season, from October to April. The skating surface is 122 feet long and 59 feet wide and can accommodate 150 skaters at one time. The Rink is open Monday through Fridays, 9 a.m. until 10:30 p.m.; Saturdays 8:30 a.m. until midnight and Sundays 8:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. For more information on hours and fees, go to TheRinkatRockCenter.com (http://www.therinkatrockcenter.com/).

In addition to the debut of the trailer at the Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center, the Top of the Rock Observation Deck will feature The Golden Compass (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=7892) trailer on its large screens located on the Mezzanine Level during the holiday season.

Based on author Philip Pullman's bestselling and award-winning novel, The Golden Compass (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=7892) tells the first story in Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy. The Golden Compass (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=7892) is an exciting fantasy adventure, set in an alternative world where people's souls manifest themselves as animals, talking bears fight wars, and Gyptians and witches co-exist. At the center of the story is Lyra (played by newcomer Dakota Blue Richards), a 12-year-old girl who starts out trying to rescue a friend who's been kidnapped by a mysterious organization known as the Gobblers – and winds up on an epic quest to save not only her world, but ours as well. The Golden Compass (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=7892) stars an ensemble cast that includes Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliott, Eva Green and the voices of Ian McKellen, Ian McShane, Freddy Highmore, and Kathy Bates. The film is written and directed by Chris Weitz (Oscar nominated writer/director of About A Boy, writer of Antz) and produced by Deborah Forte and Bill Carraro (Frequency). It is executive produced by Andrew Miano and Paul Weitz (In Good Company).

Glad to see that they're really pulling out all the stops to promote the film. Lets hope it lives up to it though...

[danoyse]

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=38028

Golden Compass Trailer to Debut at Rockefeller Center
Source: New Line Cinema
October 3, 2007


[FONT=arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000]New Line Cinema's The Golden Compass (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=7892) will have its exclusive worldwide trailer debut on October 9th at the opening of the celebrated Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center, officially kicking off the 2007-2008 holiday season.



And since it's been about 80 degrees in NY the past week and not looking to change much next week, it's really going to feel like the holiday season then. :oldrazz:

Looking forward to the trailer though... :yay:

[Hunter Rider]

http://uk.media.movies.ign.com/media/686/686290/vids_1.html

Teaser for the second trailer.

[C.F. Kane]

Wait, the trailers are getting their own teasers?

[Hunter Rider]

Wait, the trailers are getting their own teasers?

Looks that way, Is the Ian Mkellan doing the voice for the bear ?

[Dr. Watson]

No, the two main bear characters are being playes by Nonso Anozie (Iorek) http://imdb.com/name/nm1996829/ and Ian McShane (Iofur, although they changed the name to Ragnar for the film) http://imdb.com/name/nm0574534/

[04nbod]

this film doesn't look half as dark as it should be!

[AndThePickles]

I still hate the choice of casting for Lyra :down

[Hunter Rider]

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=38212

The New Golden Compass Trailer!
Source: New Line Cinema
October 9, 2007


New Line has revealed the new trailer for writer/director Chris Weitz's The Golden Compass (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=7892), hitting theaters (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=38212#) on December 7. The fantasy adventure is set in an alternative world where people's souls manifest themselves as animals, talking bears fight wars, and Gyptians and witches co-exist. At the center of the story is Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards), a 12-year-old girl who starts out trying to rescue a friend who's been kidnapped by a mysterious organization known as the Gobblers - and winds up on an epic quest to save not only her world, but ours as well.

Click here (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=7892) to watch the trailer!

[블라스]

I remember starting this book (it was a friend's) but then I started to do something else :confused:

Anyway, this trailer looks cool!

[Hoedowned]

It's better than the 1st trailer, but it still has this meh-ness to it. I don't know, maybe I've just seen too many fantasy movies.

[Dr. Watson]

I felt that trailer had waaay too much exsposition (although I know they need to do it in order to get people in). But some cool looking new scenes. Can't wait to see the bears in all their glory!!!

[AhabTheArab]

i thought it looked pretty cool actually, first trailer i saw of it. 3 minutes is a long ass trailer if you ask me, but hopefully this movie delivers. stardust was a mockery of all things fantasy.

[danoyse]

The bears look fantastic. And I'm liking the kid.

Are they going to be calling it "the golden compass" instead of the alethiometer? I noticed they replaced it in the scene with the Professor of Jordon giving her the compass from the first trailer. I don't remember it ever being called a golden compass in the book.

[Dr. Watson]

Hunter...You were right about it being Ian McKellan voicing Iorek. Sounds like it was a controversial decision to from the article.

Empire has learned today that Kristen Scott Thomas has joined the cast of The Golden Compass. The British actress will voice Stelmaria, the daemon of Lord Asriel (Daniel Craig). We have also had it confirmed by director Chris Weitz that Kathy Bates will voice Hester, the daemon of Lee Scoresby (Sam Elliott); Freddie Highmore will voice Pantalaimon, Lyra's (Dakota Blue Richards) daemon; and Ian McKellen is the new voice of Bear King Iorek Byrnison. The latter role had been voiced by newcomer Nonso Anozie, but New Line wanted a bigger name for the part.

"It was a studio decision...You can understand why you would cast Ian McKellen for anything," Weitz told us. "But letting go of Nonso was one of the most painful experiences on this movie for me. I need to say about Nonso that he is one of the most promising and soulful young actors I have encountered in England and I’ve worked here for quite a bit now and he’s actually in the next Mike Leigh...But it was, uh, that was kind of a dark day for me. I kinda wanna go out of my way to point out how much I love Nonso’s work. And that’s that".

As much as we feel sorry for Anozie missing out on his big break, these all seem like excellent choices. Scott Thomas has the right cutglass tones for the imperious Stelmaria; Highmore has the determined sweetness needed for Lyra's best friend; Kathy Bates is just 'down on the Prairie' enough for Hester; and, really, what can't McKellen do?

What do you think?

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=21229

So it seems they've replaced every bit actor they had doing the daemon voices with better known names...hmmm.

[블라스]

Guys, I've never read these books, but I'm becoming so interested that I'm thinking about going to Chapters tomorrow to buy that edition that has all 3 novels.
Are they really good? Good stories? Action? Dialogue?

I'm not really burned out on all these fantasy books/movies, cause I've only read/seen the LOTR ones. I can do with another series, if it's good.

[Dr. Watson]

I absolutely adore the books (obviously). I would warn though that they are in IMO wrongly thrown around as simple fantasy kids books. They are pretty dark at times and the later books especially deal with some heavy themes, religous and social. But they are incredibly engaging books, the kind that stay with you well after reading them. The story is well written, there is great suspense, and some awesome action sequences...let me tease you with this. Giant bears who are able to talk to humans kicking the ***** out of anyone who gets in their way. :up:

[블라스]

I absolutely adore the books (obviously). I would warn though that they are in IMO wrongly thrown around as simple fantasy kids books. They are pretty dark at times and the later books especially deal with some heavy themes, religous and social. But they are incredibly engaging books, the kind that stay with you well after reading them. The story is well written, there is great suspense, and some awesome action sequences...let me tease you with this. Giant bears who are able to talk to humans kicking the ***** out of anyone who gets in their way. :up:

And you just convinced me :up:
Seriously, they sound great, man....especially that thing about the books being dark, with social and religious themes, I can dig that.
Thanks for your answer.
I'll be sure to go tomorrow and get it :up:

[블라스]

For people who have read the books....is it possible to include the whole story (or most of it anyway) in a 2+ hour movie? :confused:

[Lady Stormcrow]

For people who have read the books....is it possible to include the whole story (or most of it anyway) in a 2+ hour movie? :confused:

Yes, but onlt the first book (which in England is called Northern Lights). It would've been impossible to fit the whole trilogy into one book.

I was about to post about that empire article too, because I saw it whilst on the computers at college today. Im not sure how to feel about Sir Ian being the new voice of Iorek (my favorite character), because Im a big fan of his work, but the previous voice wasnt recognisable, and so mightve been a better for me personally. Now I just might watch the film and think 'Oh, He's doing a good job on the CGI bear's voice', instead of 'Ioreks voice is perfect.'.

[Ratcrawler]

I have a bad feeling about this film if only because I saw the trailer and, beautiful eye candy aside, it left me with no clue as to what it's about.

[AndThePickles]

For people who have read the books....is it possible to include the whole story (or most of it anyway) in a 2+ hour movie? :confused:

I'm sure a lot will be left out :csad: We shall see!

[Mr. Socko]

Do they think hiring Ian McKellen is going to guarantee big bucks for every fantasy film now? His voice didn't seem to help Stardust much.

Anyway, great cast and trailer looked fantastic, well all except the CG animals, most of which looked rather fake.

[AndThePickles]

I actually don't know that I'll like Ian McKellen as Iorek at ALL...he's a fantastic actor and I like him a lot, but I don't see his voice as Iorek's :csad:

[Cinemaman]

Trailer looked like another adaptation of some fantasy bestseller, hated that girl :down

[Dr. Watson]

Do they think hiring Ian McKellen is going to guarantee big bucks for every fantasy film now? His voice didn't seem to help Stardust much.

Well it seems that they've tried to pack as many big names into this as possible as a draw of sorts. However I agree with ATP, and think his voice may be too recognizable. If you find the original trailer Nonso was still doing the voice for the bear and I think he sounded much more gruff, younger, and regal...qualities Iorek is supposed to have.

I don't know though, maybe the studio thinks having Ian McKellan in it gives it some sort of fantasy street cred.

[danoyse]

Trailer looked like another adaptation of some fantasy bestseller, hated that girl :down

Well, it is an adapatation of a fantasy bestseller, so....well spotted.

They're great books. I'm about a third of the way through Amber Spyglass now, and I cannot get over how complex the stories are (especially since I found them in the childrens section at Borders). I hope this one does well so they're able to adapt the other 2 books. Looks great so far.

[Cinemaman]

Well, it is an adapatation of a fantasy bestseller, so....well spotted.

They're great books. I'm about a third of the way through Amber Spyglass now, and I cannot get over how complex the stories are (especially since I found them in the childrens section at Borders). I hope this one does well so they're able to adapt the other 2 books. Looks great so far.

My problem is that all today's fantasy adaptation are same :(

[Dr. Watson]

My problem is that all today's fantasy adaptation are same :(

Although I can't speak for the movies (yet), I would strongly recomend giving the books a chance. They are something else when it comes to fantasy.

[danoyse]

My problem is that all today's fantasy adaptation are same :(

You could argue the same thing about all the superhero adaptations going on too.

I've read LOTR, I've read all seven Harry Potter books, I'm nearly done with Golden Compass (His Dark Materials) series, and I'm making my way through all of the Narnia books now. They all take place in a fantasy environment, but they're vastly different stories.

There some clunker fantasy films out there, but when adapted from a great story, they can be great films.

[Electrix]

New Posters!

http://filmonic.com/final-golden-compass-posters/

[Dr. Watson]

http://filmonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/gc1.jpg


drrooooooool...so cool

[블라스]

Yes, but onlt the first book (which in England is called Northern Lights). It would've been impossible to fit the whole trilogy into one book.

I was about to post about that empire article too, because I saw it whilst on the computers at college today. Im not sure how to feel about Sir Ian being the new voice of Iorek (my favorite character), because Im a big fan of his work, but the previous voice wasnt recognisable, and so mightve been a better for me personally. Now I just might watch the film and think 'Oh, He's doing a good job on the CGI bear's voice', instead of 'Ioreks voice is perfect.'.

Yeah, sorry, only the first book....that's why I meant.
I do know this is going to be a trilogy :up:
Thanks :woot:

[Hunter Rider]

Much to catch up on, i dug the new trailer, each one has been a bit more polished and I'm liking the more of the bears we are seeing.

Dr. Watson, good find on that article, i can see what you are all saying about having someone so familiar as the voice, big shame for Nonso Anozie:csad:

Oh and Dr. Watson, top marks again on the find :up: that poster is awesome:wow:

[TNC9852002]

The 3 min trailer looked pretty nice. I know very little about the books, but the movie actually seems interesting now.

-TNC

[C.F. Kane]

My problem is that all today's fantasy adaptation are same :(

Do you mean in terms of production and design or in terms of story. And I highly recommend the books. It's not just fantasy; it also covers religion and hard science as well.

[Iron Fist]

I really like that poster.

[Dr. Watson]

Much to catch up on, i dug the new trailer, each one has been a bit more polished and I'm liking the more of the bears we are seeing.

Dr. Watson, good find on that article, i can see what you are all saying about having someone so familiar as the voice, big shame for Nonso Anozie:csad:

Oh and Dr. Watson, top marks again on the find :up: that poster is awesome:wow:

Credit for the poster find actually goes to Electrix, I just stole the pic out of the link he so kindly provided.

But thanks!!! I get most of my info from http://www.bridgetothestars.net (http://www.bridgetothestars.net/). They're very good :up: (not as good as SHH! though, haha)

[Hunter Rider]

Credit for the poster find actually goes to Electrix, I just stole the pic out of the link he so kindly provided.

But thanks!!! I get most of my info from http://www.bridgetothestars.net (http://www.bridgetothestars.net/). They're very good :up: (not as good as SHH! though, haha)

Haha!:woot:

Good stuff, keep it up :up: I actually missed the link Electrix posted :O the other poster there is also superb IMO

http://i22.tinypic.com/29lxvfn.jpg

[danoyse]

Much to catch up on, i dug the new trailer, each one has been a bit more polished and I'm liking the more of the bears we are seeing.

The bears look amazing. I'm just a little worried people will start comparing Iorek to Gandalf now that Ian McKellen is doing the voice (no offense to Sir Ian, he's one of my favorite actors). But it looks like like they captured the bear scenes from the book perfectly, which means it's going to be awesome.

[TNC9852002]

Awesome poster.

-TNC

[Rac]

http://i22.tinypic.com/29lxvfn.jpg

He, I think Daniel Craig looks like Captain Haddock in that poster.

http://www.korlipara.net/images/blog/haddock.jpg

I didn't like the new trailerThe CGI looked too much like CGI and the blurry image was awful. :csad:

[TNC9852002]

I can't believe that people are still not getting used to what's called a "work-in-process" CGI that are always in a movie trailer.

-TNC

[Rac]

I get it that it's WIP CGI, but there ain't much time to improve it...

[Cinemaman]

You could argue the same thing about all the superhero adaptations going on too.

I've read LOTR, I've read all seven Harry Potter books, I'm nearly done with Golden Compass (His Dark Materials) series, and I'm making my way through all of the Narnia books now. They all take place in a fantasy environment, but they're vastly different stories.

There some clunker fantasy films out there, but when adapted from a great story, they can be great films.

I am also not so positive about what's going on with superhero flicks like Ghost Rider and Elektra. But there were some masterpieces like Superman: The Movie, Batman Begins, The Incredibles, Spider-man 2. So far I saw only three fantasy films, which actually became classic for me, and all of them are LOTR.

What I hate is simple concept of kid having a great power to change his destiny and that he is chosen by Dues-Ex Machina. Lyra, Harry Potter, Frodo and etc. They are all similar to each other. I mean I loved the last Potter film and I think LOTR is one of the greatest trilogies ever. But the problem is filmmakers, who try their best to turn their child into something that has already been done several times.

[Cinemaman]

Although I can't speak for the movies (yet), I would strongly recomend giving the books a chance. They are something else when it comes to fantasy.

I have been interested in this project since the first announcement of New Line buying rights for adaptation. But I right now I am feeling this film will be lackluster like Eragon :(

[Cinemaman]

I can't believe that people are still not getting used to what's called a "work-in-process" CGI that are always in a movie trailer.

-TNC

Actually, it's October already, so post-production should be finished by the end of month or earlier, what doesn't mean they would get enough time to change everything.

[danoyse]

Well, I'm surprised it took them this long to start complaining...




http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/critics/blog/2007/10/preemptive_strike_on_the_golde.html

Pre-emptive strike on 'The Golden Compass'

The folks at the Catholic League for Civil Rights, who are never shy about attacking films they believe promote an anti-Catholic agenda, have November's release of The Golden Compass directly in their sights.

The film is based on a book by Philip Pullman, part of a trilogy known collectively as His Dark Materials. According to the New York-based league, the books were "written to promote atheism and denigrate Christianity, especially Roman Catholicism."

A press release from the organization, sent out last week, quotes Catholic League President Bill Donohue as saying the problem isn't so much the film, which is "based on the least offensive of the three books."

"It is clear," he adds, "that the producers are watering down the most despicable elements -- so as to make money and not anger Christians."

The real problem, he says, is that seeing the movie might prompt youngsters, or their parents, to read the books.

The Golden Compass stars 12-year-old Dakota Blue Richards as a young girl who tries to rescue her kidnapped friend from an alternative world, filled with witches and talking bears, where people's souls exist outside their bodies and manifest themselves as animals. Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Eva Green and Sam Elliott also star.


Oh no...it might prompt them to read. :whatever:

Apparently you can order this release they sent out...for $5. They're actually charging for copies of this "agenda".

Pathetic.

[The Dark Defender]

Well I knew nothing of the Golden Compass prior to this production, but from the plot outline I don't see how it's even remotely promoting atheism and/or bashing Christianity/Catholicism.

[danoyse]

That's OK, the Catholic League clearly knows nothing about the books, either.

Phillip Pullman wrote it to be the anti-Narnia, because he didn't like all of the Christian allegory in that series, so his series goes into the opposite direction. There are no lions rising from the dead, no prodigal sons. I don't want to get into too many spoilers, but the "church" in this story are really the villians, and a lot of common Christian beliefs are debunked as fantasy or lies that this all-powerful church has forced people to believe.

Now I've heard that a lot of the direct shots at the church have been watered down for the movie (Nicole Kidman is a Catholic, and said she wouldn't have done the movie if she felt it was anti-Catholic). The Catholic League is afraid that kids will read the book and find all that stuff anyway.

I'm Catholic, but I was in no way offended by it. It wasn't a story that called Catholics or Christians bad people. It didn't attack people's beliefs or tried to hurt people for having them. It was more a statement on organized religion and it's stranglehold on people at whatever cost for their own good.

It doesn't promote atheism, I have no idea where they're getting that. If anything, people are fighting to practice their own beliefs and not be constrained by the restrictions of the church.

I'm sure Bill Donahue loves this movie...gives him another excuse to rant about something. He does that a lot. :whatever:

[The Dark Defender]

Now I've heard that a lot of the direct shots at the church have been watered down for the movie (Nicole Kidman is a Catholic, and said she wouldn't have done the movie if she felt it was anti-Catholic).

Yeah, I was just thinking that.

[Dr. Watson]

Bunch of stuff to add.

http://www.bridgetothestars.net/news/beyond-the-golden-compass-the-magic-of-philip-pullman/

Follow the link for a trailer for a new documentary about the Golden compass. Features interviews with Pullman, as well as info about the movie.

Trading Cards coming this November!

http://www.bridgetothestars.net/merchandise/card_pack.jpg

http://www.bridgetothestars.net/merchandise/card_ad.jpg


http://www.bridgetothestars.net/merchandise/card5.jpg

Now some spoilerish stuff. Chris Weitz has chosen to change the ending of the film. Underneath you will find some info about what changed (although it may not mean much unless you're familiar with the series). Both Weitz and Pullman comment.

The Golden Compass director Chris Weitz sends this message directly to all Sraffies
“Dear fans of His Dark Materials,

For the past three years I (and a gigantic cast and crew of fans of the books) have been working to adapt The Golden Compass (aka Northern Lights). As you can imagine, the process can be both exhausting and exhilarating, and full of both challenges and surprises. Sometimes you discover reasons to modify the chronology or narrative path of the books in a way that serves the movie and the trilogy better.

I have decided, along with Scholastic and New Line and, most importantly, Philip Pullman, to shift the concluding three chapters of Book I of His Dark Materials to the beginning of the second film of our trilogy, The Subtle Knife.

To me, this provides the most promising conclusion to the first film and the best possible beginning to the second.

It has always been my main concern to portray Lyra’s world and her adventures with integrity. Throughout this process I have been in close contact with Philip Pullman; and I would not be doing this without his approval. As Philip has said, His Dark Materials is not three stories but one story - the story of Lyra. And where we pause to take a breath in the telling of it is a matter of choice and taste. But I hope that when fans see the film they will find their fears put to rest and their hopes fulfilled. For the film to be judged on its own merits is all that I can ask for.

Many thanks for your time. I believe you will find The Golden Compass a fit tribute to His Dark Materials when it comes out in December; and in the meanwhile promise to work diligently on burnishing its details and providing a solid footing for the launch of The Subtle Knife.

Very Best

Chris Weitz”

Philip Pullman has responded with this message of his own:

“The ending makes every kind of narrative sense. The National Theatre production ended the first part plumb in the middle of The Subtle Knife, and nobody minded that because in the only terms that mattered it worked brilliantly. Every film has to make changes to the story that the original book tells - not to change the outcome, but to make it fit the dimensions and the medium of film. I’m very happy with the work the filmmakers have done, and no-one wants this film to succeed more, or believes in it more firmly, than I do.”


I am not hugely happy with this, but I am willingly to wait it out before I judge :dry:

[Lady Stormcrow]

I dont really mind about the changes to the end. They did it with LOTR, and it worked out great. Some plot timings make more sense narritivly then they would in film, so if it's for the good of the film version then its ok by me.

Wow, I just saw a new and shiney 3 minute trailer on YouTube. Im guessing this has been out a while, and just went over my head. I love that there's so much focus on the bears, though it made me uneasy about the girl's acting quality. There were some dodgy moments, she seems a wee bit flat, but im willing to postpone judgement it until I see the whole film.

[Dr. Watson]

Golden Compass in Empire Magazine!

http://www.bridgetothestars.net/movie/empire.jpg

Empire’s tour of the Shepherton sets on that cold January day reveals a world vastly different from the misty, rough-hewn landscapes of Lord of the Rings, or even the crisp, preternaturally Christmas-y otherworld of Narnia. Weitz insist TGC couldn’t be more different to Rings or Narnia. Pullman’s vision is unique.


In terms of coming up with the visual style of the film, Weitz says that Pullman isn’t really about the visual specifics and details of his world - he’s not like Tolkein who probably had in his mind the design of what the elvish codpiece of the third age looked like, hence all the drawings throughout his book. Pullman did at first say that the look would probably be steampunk, but that has been done before in League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Van Helsing. They wanted to take a more original approach and some of the elements are really quite sci-fi.


Weitz notes that the biggest challenge has been to imbue humanity and spirit into the digital daemons and polar bears. For the daemons it’s very important in the film that they represent each person’s soul and act in concert with what the human actors are doing. This proved a challenge for the actors too.


They then come to the religious elements of the story and question Weitz on the rumours that it has been very much toned down in the movie. He had this to say: “The pressure of the domestic market is really financial, in terms of actually just making a movie that enough people will want to go and see. My interest in the books is with all their wonderful intellectual content. The fans will want to kill me for two things: if I don’t capture the sense of the world, and if they feel I’ve betrayed the intellectual conceit of the books. New Line doesn’t want to make the biggest art film ever, and in some ways they’d be glad if the whole religious thing just never happened. But that’s not the way I want to do it. Here is my honet answer to watering down the religious elements: first I think the people who see Pullman’s work as a kind of atheist fantasy are wrong. I think that Pullman has major problems with ANY form of organised oppression, be it a religious hierarhcy or Soviet rule. The Magesterium in the movie does without a doubt represent an oppressive rule in Lyra’s world. I have taken great pains to interweave those elements so that the people who read the books for their philosophical content will be satisfied. Yes there are risks, but I dont think people are going to lose their minds over this quite as much as one might think.”



More at the source http://www.bridgetothestars.net/news/the-movie-that-will-reinvent-fantasy/#more-334

[Darren Daring]

I still hate the choice of casting for Lyra :down

How can you hate the casting of an unknown?

[AndThePickles]

How can you hate the casting of an unknown?

I've seen enough of her from the trailers to know that she's not what I pictured Lyra as at ALL :csad: Maybe I'll end up being pleasantly surprised, but for now, my pre-film judgment is negative.

[Darren Daring]

Oh come on, you know you can't tell squat from trailers. Don't be a negative Nellie:mad:

[AndThePickles]

Oh come on, you know you can't tell squat from trailers. Don't be a negative Nellie:mad:

You don't understand, these are some of my favorite books in the world :csad: I'm going to be overly critical as HELL on this film.

[Darren Daring]

Then the movie has already failed.:(

P.S. I'm halfway through The Golden Compass, it's yum!

[AndThePickles]

Then the movie has already failed.:(

P.S. I'm halfway through The Golden Compass, it's yum!

Wait til you've read the whole trilogy, it just keeps getting better :heart:

[Darren Daring]

Here's hoping!

[terry78]

Nicole Kidman, I want that ****ing monkey. That monkey is badass, that's right, I said it. I'd train him to maul people.

[Dr. Watson]

You don't understand, these are some of my favorite books in the world :csad: I'm going to be overly critical as HELL on this film.

As much as I'm repping this film, I feel the same way. The book was so nuanced and wonderful, and I am skeptical that this can be recreated.

However the bears look badass :word:

Nicole Kidman, I want that ****ing monkey. That monkey is badass, that's right, I said it. I'd train him to maul people.

You don't even need to train that monkey...by nature the golden monkey is vicious :ninja:


Anywho...check it out. TV spots and new stills

http://www.bridgetothestars.net/news/golden-compass-tv-spot/

http://www.bridgetothestars.net/movie/images/stills/image/700/001485536698.jpg

http://www.bridgetothestars.net/movie/images/stills/image/700/001484680263.jpg


http://www.bridgetothestars.net/movie/images/stills/image/700/001485536440.jpg

http://www.bridgetothestars.net/movie/images/stills/

[Hunter Rider]

Thanks for the pics and the TV spot Dr. Watson, whatever else this film brings i know i am gonna love the Armoured Bear action. :hyper:

[Lady Stormcrow]

Last Night at the cinema they played the original trailer. It made me wish they'd kept the original voice for Iorek.

Those stills are groovy though.

[Dr. Watson]

Thanks for the pics and the TV spot Dr. Watson, whatever else this film brings i know i am gonna love the Armoured Bear action. :hyper:

No prob :up: and yea, the armoured bears just look spectacular.

Last Night at the cinema they played the original trailer. It made me wish they'd kept the original voice for Iorek.

Those stills are groovy though.

Me to :(

[Iron Fist]

I saw the tv spot again, man Craig looks badass in this.

[Hunter Rider]

http://i8.tinypic.com/80vr2xh.jpg

http://i17.tinypic.com/8awcy9v.jpg

http://i11.tinypic.com/73opefq.jpg

http://i9.tinypic.com/6sjdzjr.jpg

http://i16.tinypic.com/7ymlq40.jpg

[Hunter Rider]

http://i15.tinypic.com/89lq5xd.jpg

http://i15.tinypic.com/86pbrxz.jpg

http://i12.tinypic.com/7xbn8dl.jpg

[Iron Fist]

Awesome. :up:

[Dr. Watson]

Those are so awesome. But...



http://i16.tinypic.com/7ymlq40.jpg

Fader Coram is supposed to be very elderly (like a, and sorry for the comparison, Dumbeldore type). The fact that he is plays very much into the plot. I'm not so happy with the choice here...

[Lady Stormcrow]

Until I saw that Nicole Kidman poster, it never even occured to me that you never hear her daemon's name.

[Dr. Watson]

Interesting to that they didn't feature Serafina's Daemon. I wonder if they are going to get into how witches daemons are different?

[AndThePickles]

Fader Coram is supposed to be very elderly (like a, and sorry for the comparison, Dumbeldore type). The fact that he is plays very much into the plot. I'm not so happy with the choice here...

I agree. And he's sposed to have a beautiful, long-furred cat.

[Dr. Watson]

Yea I noticed that to. it's not supposed to be a lynx or whatever that thing is.

[Hunter Rider]

http://uk.media.movies.ign.com/media/686/686290/imgs_1.html

Concept art.

[Superhobo]

T3h GOLDEN COMPASS IZ ATHIEST PROPGANDA !!!!11!!1

"Phillip Pullman is the author of the His Dark Materials trilogy, a children’s fantasy series that has sold more copies in England than Harry Potter. Pullman is also an outspoken atheist who has announced his intention to be a kind of anti-Lewis.

This December, the first of the three books has been made into a big budget spectacle starring some high profile stars (Nicole Kidman for one). And what do you know, on the cusp of the film opening in theaters Pullman isn’t really hocking atheism anymore! It’s almost as if he’s had a conversion experience:

In his appearance on the “Today” show Thursday, Pullman implicitly denied that his work is selling “atheism for kids” when ”Today” host Al Roker brought up the accusations made by the Catholic League.

“Well, you know, I always mistrust people who tell us how we should understand something. They know better than we do what the book means or what this means and how we should read it and whether we should read it or not,” said Pullman.

I’m trying to undermine the basis of Christian beliefInstead of guessing what the book is about, how about we just take Pullman’s word for it. As it happens, he was very clear about it in an interview with the Washington Post in 2001. Here’s what he said:

“I’m trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief,” says Pullman. “Mr. Lewis would think I was doing the Devil’s work.”

That should be clear enough but in case it’s not, here’s how the Post article summed up the trilogy:

The epic story, which was inspired by Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” subverts fundamental Western religious principles and is populated by compassionate witches, malevolent theologians and a feeble, disingenuous God.

Still not convinced? Here’s how the late (and missed) Cathy Seipp described the end of the trilogy for NRO:

The big reveal in the Pullman series is a former nun’s loss of faith: A character named Mary Malone tells Lyra and her friend Will that flirting with a man in a café reminded her how much she enjoyed kissing a boy when she was 12 (about Lyra and Will’s age, as it happens). This makes Mary understand that the Christian religion is nothing more than “a very powerful and convincing mistake.”

More proof? Andrew Stuttaford, in his review of the trilogy for National Review, notes how the level of Pullman’s hatred for the church often turns his prose preachy:

So, for example, in The Subtle Knife a speech attacking the sinister Church of Lyra’s world becomes an attack on all churches everywhere: “Every church is the same: control, destroy, obliterate every good feeling.” There is plenty more of the same, crude, nagging, and bombastic, its form objectionable, whatever one might think of the content. In writing his tales of Narnia, C. S. Lewis may also have been a man on a mission, but at least he had enough respect for his readers to prefer allegory and parable to assertion and propaganda.

In short, this absolutely is atheism for kids and Pullman absolutely is lying his ever-lovin’ ass off about it. Say what you will about him, Phillip, but Lewis would never have lied about who he was or where he was coming from to flog a movie.Pullman it seems to me is the worst kind of sell-out and coward. Anyone who lies about his life’s work in order to deceive unsuspecting parents into paying for the privilege of having their cherished beliefs ridiculed is simply not an admirable fellow in my book. I have the same distaste for him as I would the junior high counselor who passes condom to 13 year olds and promises not to tell mom and dad. And in fact, that’s very much what Pullman is doing since the trilogy ends with the 13 year old (or thereabout) male and female leads having sex with one another. Has the film been endorsed by Planned Parenthood yet? It should be.

Pullman has also become the go-to guy for CS Lewis bashing in recent years. The media have given him ample opportunity to describe Lewis as a racist and sexist, though obviously Lewis isn’t around to defend himself or his work. Say what you like about him, Phillip, but Lewis would never have lied about who he was or where he was coming from to flog a movie. I guess it’s really true that atheists have a different understanding of truth.

I’m not recommending that anyone protest or send angry letters about the film. A reaction like that only plays into Pullman’s hands. However I would suggest, if you’re a Christian and have kids that are looking to see a movie this Christmas season, skip Phillip Pullman’s Golden Compass and just choose another film. So long as we’re Christians we’ll get this kind of treatment from people like Phillip Pullman. But, so much as possible, let’s not reward them financially for insulting us." - Some dumb-ass right wing Christian blog, Verum Serum.

[The Apocalypse]

Never read the book, but I remember seeing this trailer a few times and I'm looking forward to this. Plus, it has a talking polar bear and you can never go wrong with that.

[danoyse]

T3h GOLDEN COMPASS IZ ATHIEST PROPGANDA !!!!11!!1


Isn't it amazing how these religious watchdog groups slamming the movie (that they haven't seen, not to mention the book they haven't read) sound like the villians from the book whenever they do this? :dry:

Bill Donahue from the Catholic League is actually charging $5 for a booklet against the movie. You'd think if they were really worried about the affect the movie would have on kids, they wouldn't be charging for the warning. :whatever:

Snopes has been collecting some of the emails that have been going around to parents...it's unreal.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

[Agentsands77]

Wait til you've read the whole trilogy, it just keeps getting better :heart:
I don't think so.

NORTHERN LIGHTS/THE GOLDEN COMPASS is a phenomenal book. THE SUBTLE KNIFE is a good-but-not great one. THE AMBER SPYGLASS is just plain awful.

[Symbiotic]

Geez. You think they made enough character posters?

[terry78]

Geez. You think they made enough character posters?

That's the trend, giving each character their own poster. That way you know they're special. :o

[AndThePickles]

I don't think so.

NORTHERN LIGHTS/THE GOLDEN COMPASS is a phenomenal book. THE SUBTLE KNIFE is a good-but-not great one. THE AMBER SPYGLASS is just plain awful.

I'm sorry you feel that way, I completely disagree lol. The books get more mature and in-depth as they go along, IMO. Much "darker" too, which is really the whole point.

[Agentsands77]

The books get more mature and in-depth as they go along, IMO. Much "darker" too, which is really the whole point.
The tone shifts as they go along, sure, and they do go into more depth, but they don't hold up as well as storytelling ventures. THE AMBER SPYGLASS crumbles under the weight of its own philosophical import. He develops his philosophical ideas intricately, but neglects to take care of the plot and characters.

THE AMBER SPYGLASS just kind of ambles on and on, as many interesting plot developments are brought up, but they're never fulfilled or given true significance (Lyra as an Eve figure, for instance). The carefully-crafted storylines just seem to fall apart in a giant jumble, as unnecessary and boring events occur. Characters appear, fill a space, and then vanish, without any of the complexity Pullman gave them in earlier installments (some of them are even given ridiculous motivation). And as a climax, it entirely falters with a remarkably anticlimactic battle, and ultimately very actually changes.

I was very, very disappointed. The first two books were really great (THE GOLDEN COMPASS is probably the best single children's novel ever written). But on the third, he just doesn't deliver on the momentum the first two had built up, instead producing a disjointed mish-mash of storylines.

[Dr. Watson]

I'm going to have to go with ATP on this one as well. Although Amber Spyglass was definitely the weakest of the three IMHO, I thought he really hit the mark as far as concluding the saga. And the end...well it was the first book I ever read that made me openly sob.

[Lady Stormcrow]

I'm going to have to go with ATP on this one as well. Although Amber Spyglass was definitely the weakest of the three IMHO, I thought he really hit the mark as far as concluding the saga. And the end...well it was the first book I ever read that made me openly sob.

In the entire trilogy only one point made me cry, and it was where they meet the boy in the first one who has had his daemon taken away, and he keeps calling its name.

[Dr. Watson]

Another TV spot...a little odd, but new bear and asriel footage

http://www.bridgetothestars.net/news/second-golden-compass-tv-spot/

Here are some articles about the controversy surronding the film. (In spoilers as its long)

How Hollywood Saved God (http://www.bridgetothestars.net/news/how-hollywood-saved-god/)

Posted by abc on November 9, 2007 in The Golden Compass movie (http://www.bridgetothestars.net/news/category/golden-compass-movie/)

This month’s Atlantic Monthly (http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/prem/200712/religious-movies) has an excellent article on the controversy surrounding The Golden Compass movie, featuring new quotes from New Line and Philip Pullman. It sheds light on the decisions the movie studio have had to make about the book’s (anti-)religious content and the deliberations over how much of it should be removed. The article is only able to view through subscription, so we’ve summarised the contents here. It’s worth reading in full and addresses with clarity many of the issues fans of His Dark Materials have been concerned with for the past four years, so we haven’t tucked it behind a link.

Toby Emmerich, New Line’s president of production, explained how the religious Magisterium have been changed to “feel vaguely kind of like a fascistic, totalitarian dictatorship, Russian / KGB / SS.” AM write rather damningly that, “with $180 million at stake” [the figure has in fact risen (http://www.bridgetothestars.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=205501) to $205 million +], that “the studio opted to kidnap the book’s body and leave behind its soul.”

Philip Pullman has remained resolute in his defence of the film-makers and became involved in the film much more than he expected or initially professed a desire for. The status of a living author is one New Line were understandably nervous about, however - if he spoke out against the film, Pullman could put a dent in its box office takings. AM asked Pullman if “New Line would prefer he were, well, the late author of The Golden Compass.” The author responded, “Dead? Yes! Absolutely!” If something happened to him, there “would be expressions of the most heartfelt regrets, yet privately they would be saying, ‘Thank God.’”

The article reports that Pullman has been to a screening of the film and that he “praised many specific scenes”; extolling the virtues of Dakota Blue Richards and saying that Nicole Kidman has the “exact quality of warm and cold, seductive and terrifying” to portray Mrs Coulter. When discussing the film, AM say “he chose[s] his words carefully, acknowledging that his role now is to be ’sensible’ so that the next two films get made. Nonetheless, he was honest about what was missing:

“They do know where to put the theology,” Pullman said,
“and that’s off the film.”

Pullman goes on, “I think if everything that is made explicit in the book or everything that is implied clearly in the book or everything that can be understood by a close reading of the book were present in the film, they’d have the biggest hit they’ve ever had in their lives. If they allowed the religious meaning of the book to be fully explicit, it would be a huge hit. Suddenly, they’d have letters of appreciation from people who felt this but never dared say it. They would be the heroes of liberal thought, of freedom of thought … And it would be the greatest pity if that didn’t happen.”

“I didn’t put that very well. What I mean is that I want this film to succeed in every possible way. And what I don’t want to do, you see, is talk the other two films out of existence. So I’ll stop there.”

Moving on to more familiar territory for long-time followers of the film, the article recounts the lengthy and troubled history of the production beginning with Tom Stoppard’s commissioned adaptation, through the unsolicited proposal of an enthusiastic Chris Weitz (and his hiring as director) through BridgeToTheStars.net’s interview with Chris Weitz that sparked such negative publicty for the film and led to The Times running an article, “God Is Cut From Film of Dark Materials”.

Weitz recalls his feelings upon reading the newspaper piece: “Why am I doing this?”, he thought. “I’ll end up being hated by the fans and ripped into by the press. And this is a huge, huge endeavor. Maybe this isn’t for me.” Weitz was of course then to leave the production, citing those “technical challenges”. With the film’s new director, Anand Tucker, leaving due to “creative differences”, Weitz came back on-board: “I’d started to care less about what people might think of me.” He also took heart from email correspondence with Philip Pullman in which the author revealed he wouldn’t mind a version of the story that didn’t include a critique of organised religion.

Script Alterations
The clearest expression of religion in The Golden Compass is the scene where Lord Asriel reads Genesis to Lyra in the North and explains the concept of Original Sin, a crucial part of His Dark Materials. This scene, says AM, “was in the earliest versions of the movie script, but over time it has been slowly erased. As Pullman points out, it “comes at the point in the story when we most need that explanation.” But no $180 million movie is going to trash the first book of the Bible, so the movie will have to do without it.”

The earlier scripts are also reported as having made passing reference to the Fall: “In the Stoppard script, Asriel, in a rage about the Authority, mocks the “apple of desire” and the “fig-leaf of shame”; a few scenes later Coulter, the evil Nicole Kidman character, yells at Asriel, “You can’t conquer God!” ”

Weitz originally wrote along similar lines, with the opening scene featuring Lyra in a college chapel listening to a sermon about the alternative Genesis. The director relates, however, “that movie was not going to get made.” By December 2004, references to Genesis were gone. What remained was Dust and its theology: Lord Asriel’s powerful speech telling Lyra how Dust is sin and that he will destroy Dust, bringing an end to death, was still present. By the final script, this too was gone. No mention of sin or death remain.

Quotes on Dust instead include Mrs Coulter telling Lyra that Dust is “evil and wicked” and makes people “sick.” Asriel says, “They taught themselves to fear Dust, instead of master it. They’ve ignored a tremendous source of power … That is what it all comes down to, Lyra. That is what Dust is. Power. Without it, we are like children before the might of the Magisterium.”

AM make a damning assessment of how this all fits together:

“What’s left of Pullman’s story is a string of disconnected proclamations that obscure not just his original point, but any point at all.”

” “Master Dust!” “Freedom is at stake!” “We’re not alone. We’re never alone! We have each other.” They satisfy, but they don’t really explain. Or perhaps they offer explanations so familiar and straightforward that they don’t invite questions. This is Hollywood at its most hazily indignant and self-congratulatory, recycling the generic themes of countless other films - a band of grubby, half-crazed heroes takes on the System and wins.”

Chris Weitz has done what he can to keep mentions of religion in the film. He tried to keep in Asriel’s line “Dust is sin,” a line which he says “didn’t make it. What can I say?” Hollywood, he says, “is just terrified that anything that brings up religion or anything controversial will be disastrous.” Weitz reiterates that some religious imagery will be in the movie, but it seems it will be much much less than obvious: it will be so far into the background as to require “a DVD player and working knowledge of Latin to decipher the symbols.” Visible in the trailers, icons of Orthodox saints will be on the outside of some Magisterium buildings, with Latin inscriptions from the Bible sprinkled around the film.

This certainly isn’t the message New Line have been putting out. AM allege that at Cannes, “the studio had delivered a sheet of talking points to the hotel room of at least one cast member, Sam Elliott, who plays a Texas aeronaut in the film. According to Elliott, the talking points instructed that if the question of Pullman’s religious views came up, the actors should just “avoid it and play stupid.” The message they all agreed on was something along the lines of, “How can I possibly tell what Pullman had in mind?”

The publication concludes:
“Marketing plans aside, New Line executives likely believe they were doing Pullman no great disservice by stripping out his theology and replacing it with some vague derivative of the Force. Values such as obedience, religious devotion, and chastity are so rare in Hollywood’s culture that they probably seem archaic and quaint - courtly rules that no one lives by anyway. Certainly not something to get exercised over.”

and Chris Weitz's response to the article (he wasn't too happy I take it)

A Response from Chris Weitz to Atlantic Monthly (http://www.bridgetothestars.net/news/a-response-from-chris-weitz-to-atlantic-monthly/)

Posted by abc on November 12, 2007 in The Golden Compass movie (http://www.bridgetothestars.net/news/category/golden-compass-movie/)

The director of The Golden Compass, Chris Weitz, has forwarded us his written response to the Atlantic Monthly regarding their article we reported on (http://www.bridgetothestars.net/news/how-hollywood-saved-god/) last week.

Dear sir or madam:

Hana Rosin’s hatchet-job on my film of Philip Pullman’s novel The Golden Compass (and by extension, me) is so comprehensive in its disdain, one might go so far as to imagine she had seen the movie!

She hasn’t, of course, though that fact was not mentioned in her assemblage of carefully cut-and-pasted quotes and surmises pumped up with paraphrase. One is put in mind of a line from the Good Book: “Thou shalt not bear false witness.” For example: it is true that I said that clerics and religious people had been presented as boobs and hypocrites in many Hollywood films in the last few decades. But her statement that this was to me a “solid explanation for why [I’m] not selling out” is entirely her own invention. We were talking about entirely different things at the time during our interview, and the notion that I somehow regard myself as doing the religious right a solid is grotesque.

Elsewhere she simply seems not to have finished her background reading. If she had, when she got to the end of my script she might have noticed that the Genesis story she says I have stricken from the movie is addressed, though in the mouth of the villain Mrs. Coulter. “A long time ago, one of our ancestors made a terrible mistake. They disobeyed the authority. And that is what brought Dust into the world. And ever since then, we’ve been sick. Sick with evil - sick with Dust.” It shouldn’t take much for somebody with half a brain to understand this, and Rosin, who writes about theology, ought to be able to catch it, but evidently it didn’t suit her thesis, which is that I “sold out” the book I happen to love. What did I sell? Who sold the rights to the books? Not me.

From the article we discover all sorts of new and interesting information - Hollywood studios are afraid of controversy! Actors sometimes don’t have an easy time answering press questions! — and, indeed, some fascinating paradoxes. A page after a lengthy description of religious imagery in the film, we find that one of the characters, “flies over a land denuded of religious imagery”. Eh? I suppose one can blame an overenthusiastic caption-writer for that one.

It has been an interesting experience to be accused of forwarding the aims of a stealth-atheist conspiracy and of selling out the secular ideals of a great work of literature in the same month. Thank you for expanding my sense of the absurd!

Yours,

Chris Weitz
Los Angeles, California
November 11th, 2007

[Iron Fist]

Sweet, thanks.

[Agentsands77]

Very interesting.

It seems that THE GOLDEN COMPASS is going to make Pullman's anti-religion more of a subtext than something really overt. We'll see if that works or not.

[Dr. Watson]

Kate Bush Records Original Song 'Lyra' for the New Line Cinema Fantasy Epic The Golden Compass

Tuesday November 13, 3:25 pm ET

Song Will Be Featured Over The Film's End Titles And On New Line Records' Golden Compass Soundtrack

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Acclaimed British singer/songwriter Kate Bush will contribute an original song titled "Lyra" to the end title credits of New Line Cinema's upcoming epic fantasy adventure The Golden Compass, which is scheduled for a Dec. 7 worldwide release. The song will also be available for download as part of New Line Records' The Golden Compass soundtrack, which will be released Dec. 11.

The song, named for Lyra Belacqua, the lead character in The Golden Compass, is written and produced by Kate in her own studio, and features the Magdalen College Choir, Oxford. The song will be available for digital download as part of The Golden Compass soundtrack on December 11th.
Over the course of her career she has released eight albums, earning three Grammy nominations and was recognized with an Ivor Novello Award for "Outstanding Contribution to British Music" in 2002. She has previously had songs featured in the films Castaway and She's Having a Baby.

Based on author Philip Pullman's bestselling novel, The Golden Compass tells the first story in the "His Dark Materials" trilogy. An exciting fantasy adventure, the film is set in an alternative world populated by talking bears who fight wars, witches, Gyptians, and daemons. In the world of The Golden Compass, a person's soul lives on the outside of their body in the form of a daemon, an animal spirit that accompanies them through life. At the center of the story is Lyra (played by newcomer Dakota Blue Richards), a 12-year-old girl who starts out trying to rescue a friend -- and winds up on an epic quest to save not only her world, but ours as well. The Golden Compass stars an ensemble cast that includes Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliott (Ghost Rider), Eva Green (Casino Royale) and the voices of Ian McKellen (The Lord of the Rings), Ian McShane ("Deadwood"), Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Kathy Bates (Charlotte's Web), and Kristin Scott Thomas (Gosford Park). The film is written and directed by Chris Weitz (About A Boy, Antz) and produced by Deborah Forte and Bill Carraro.



http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/071113/latu196.html

[danoyse]

I saw a billboard for the movie in NYC today, looks like they're getting major advertising in gear. I'll try to get a picture this week--I was on the bus when I saw it this morning. :oldrazz:

[Dr. Watson]

^sounds sweet :D

[gkokujin]

I will watch this movie alone before i take my kids to see it.
(IF i take them to see it.)

I was one of the ones who bought into the "hype" about "The Last Temptation of Christ" then MANY years later I finally watched it and it was NOTHING like what the Catholics made it out to be. Its now one of my favorite films of all time.


from what I am reading in various articles and about the book, its more of an anti-Catholicism(take that how you want to) idea to me.



which doesn't bother me one bit.

[Agentsands77]

from what I am reading in various articles and about the book, its more of an anti-Catholicism(take that how you want to) idea to me.
I wouldn't say it's just anti-Catholicism. He certainly takes a broader slam at Christianity in its entirety. At one point, there's even an attack on reformer John Calvin (with an entirely baseless, nasty accusation which is really quite insidious).

[danoyse]

^sounds sweet :D

Here you go: :woot:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e8/JenM512/goldencompass.jpg

[terry78]

So it is rated PG-13 for extended sequences of fantasy violence. Guess that will solidify a lot more teens and people that assume it would be another kiddie flick will go. The fact that it stars a little girl would be enough for most young boys to be turned away, but they should definitely check this out.

[Tanin]

Well I just finished the first book and it was really good.


How are they ruining the adaption?

[A Dark Knight]

I need some help, my 2 nephew's want to see this, they love the giant bears, now as someone who has never read the books I need to know what happens to Iorek (?) the "Good" bear, does he live, get hurt, or die, because if he does I need to be ready to handle that situation, so anyone who can help me out with this I would be very thankful.

[terry78]

I need some help, my 2 nephew's want to see this, they love the giant bears, now as someone who has never read the books I need to know what happens to Iorek (?) the "Good" bear, does he live, get hurt, or die, because if he does I need to be ready to handle that situation, so anyone who can help me out with this I would be very thankful.

If he does die, how would you handle it?

[Rac]

How old are your nephews?

[A Dark Knight]

If he does die, how would you handle it?

It would depend how it happens, if it is protecting or saving the girl or something like that then it won't be so bad, I think that they could handle it because it would be for a good reason, but still I just want a heads up to know. They liked Narnia, Harry Potter and LOTR, so they like these types of films.

But after reading some of the posts on this board and how so many people were very upset at the end of the entire series of books I am starting to wonder what the he** I am going to do if they like the first one and want to see the rest :woot:

[A Dark Knight]

How old are your nephews?

8 and 10.

[Darren Daring]

no dead Iorek

[A Dark Knight]

no dead Iorek

Thanks for the info :up:

[The Storm]

I'm almost peeing myself with excitement for this film. I'm glad LOTR opened the doors for the fantasy films, it works well with the Xmas period IMO. Not read the books, I think I will after the films otherwise I tend to pick on what they've changed.

[terry78]

I suspect they are trying to capture both the Harry Potter and LOTR crowd with the PG-13 rating. I know the material is pretty intense, but they could have pulled a Narnia.

[The Storm]

I think people have now come to expect a fantasy epic around Xmas!

[Dr. Watson]

TONS of updates over at http://www.bridgetothestars.net (http://www.bridgetothestars.net/). However here are some of the highlights.

http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/11/14/golden-compass-director-chris-weitz-answers-your-questions-part-i/

http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/11/21/golden-compass-director-chris-weitz-answers-your-questions-part-ii/

MTV interview with Weitz about the film

http://www.bridgetothestars.net/news/clip-lyra-talks-to-iorek-and-lee/

Clip of the movie from when Lyra first meets Iorek

WtDiEMPi4fM

ET exclusive on Craig as Asriel. He has some action scenes that were specifically added for the film.

http://www.bridgetothestars.net/news/when-armored-bears-attack/

IGN exclusives of the armoured bears!

[Agentsands77]

I'm not crazy about Iorek being voiced by Ian McKellen. It's the same problem I had with Liam Neeson voicing Aslan in NARNIA... too recognizable. We need a good voice actor who we won't recognize, so the voice naturally connects to the character.

[04nbod]

How are they ruining the adaption?

they cast nicole kidman as mrs coulter:o

[terry78]

they cast nicole kidman as mrs coulter:o

How should she look?

[Dr. Watson]

^well shes supposed to have black hair for start. And I would have prefered someone who is less exsposed (and less box office posion as it seems she is).

But Pullman has stated on more then one occasion she was his choice for coulter from when the movie was first discussed. I guess we'll see...

[AndThePickles]

I suspect they are trying to capture both the Harry Potter and LOTR crowd with the PG-13 rating. I know the material is pretty intense, but they could have pulled a Narnia.

Honestly, the movie could easily be R-rated, and I think it should have been to capture a lot of scenes in the book.

[Tanin]

they cast nicole kidman as mrs coulter:o

Just promise me her deamon has no name!!!!

[Dr. Watson]

Just promise me her deamon has no name!!!!

They'll call him Mr. Muggles

[PaulGilbert]

Hope Eva has a good part ;)

[Lady Stormcrow]

Thanks for the clips! Very exciting! Hmm, Im still not convinced about the girl playing Lyra though, some of her lines are a wee bit cringy. However, I'll reserved judgement till Ive seen it all the way through. They just seem to be making it a bit too lighthearted. I dont want it to be dark, gloomy and depressing, I just imagined the scenery be a bit more intimidating. Where the bear fight was looked like something out of happy feet.

[terry78]

Thanks for the clips! Very exciting! Hmm, Im still not convinced about the girl playing Lyra though, some of her lines are a wee bit cringy. However, I'll reserved judgement till Ive seen it all the way through. They just seem to be making it a bit too lighthearted. I dont want it to be dark, gloomy and depressing, I just imagined the scenery be a bit more intimidating. Where the bear fight was looked like something out of happy feet.

Actually they were fighting over bottles of Coke.

[WorthyStevens]

^well shes supposed to have black hair for start.

That'll surely ruin the movie.

[Lady Stormcrow]

Actually they were fighting over bottles of Coke.

hehe:woot:

On second viewing, Im getting more used to Sir Ian being Ioreks voice. I think he's trying to disguise it, and it works.

[Iron Fist]

Did anyone catch the exclusive behind the scenes look for this on HBO?

[Dr. Watson]

That'll surely ruin the movie.

Oh absolutely

:dry:

[Primal Slayer]

maybe I was just imagining things but I could have sworn when they first started to promote this movie, there was a little boy that they kind of centered the trailers around...

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

^There is a boy that is central to the story, he is Lyra's friend, and he is the one she goes looking for at the start of her adventure, but he didnt have much of a part in the book.

[Secret_Riddle]

Running time 114 minutes on Yahoo.
http://movies.yahoo.com/holiday-movies/The-Golden-Compass/1808718640

Isnt that a bit short for a film of this scope?

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Running time 114 minutes on Yahoo.
http://movies.yahoo.com/holiday-movies/The-Golden-Compass/1808718640

Isnt that a bit short for a film of this scope?

Its terribly short, i heard it was going to be 150 mins. Thats dissapointing to say the least, no doubt plenty of essential scene's have been cut, and New Line will release 'Extended Editions' a year after each movie is released.

[Dr. Watson]

Its terribly short, i heard it was going to be 150 mins. Thats dissapointing to say the least, no doubt plenty of essential scene's have been cut, and New Line will release 'Extended Editions' a year after each movie is released.

they actually cut the ending and it will now be the beginning of the second film, which would explain the shortness.

I am not to pleased with that though...

[Mr.E.Nygma]

hmmmm, interesting

[Tanin]

Where will they make this cut at the end?

[Dr. Watson]

^supposedly they have cut the last two chapters of the book, and those will be added to the next film. Really wrecks the sense of mystery the first book had to it at the end IMO, but I will wait and see to judge fully.

[AndThePickles]

they actually cut the ending and it will now be the beginning of the second film, which would explain the shortness.

I am not to pleased with that though...

:cmad: This film continues to give me reasons to dislike it before I've even seen it.

[Tanin]

I can sort of understand the cut. If they don't make another it would leave a lot of people hanging as to what happens.

[AndThePickles]

I can sort of understand the cut. If they don't make another it would leave a lot of people hanging as to what happens.

But that's the thing, the end of the first book is a MASSIVE cliffhanger!!

[Tanin]

But that's the thing, the end of the first book is a MASSIVE cliffhanger!!

But the author had always intended to continue the story. The film may tank and a sequel never made. Movies don't do well as cliffhangers.

I think the studio is just playing it safe :(

[AndThePickles]

But the author had always intended to continue the story. The film may tank and a sequel never made. Movies don't do well as cliffhangers.

I think the studio is just playing it safe :(

Probably :csad: I just loved the way the first book ended, it was so perfect.

[Dr. Watson]

But the author had always intended to continue the story. The film may tank and a sequel never made. Movies don't do well as cliffhangers.

I think the studio is just playing it safe :(

I wonder though if the studio has been playing it so safe on these films-toning down the religous elements, replacing voice actors with more bankable predictable ones-that the film will loose what made the book so engaging. In which case the studio is just creating a self-fufilling prophecy of failure.

[daywalker2007]

this movie is going to flop hard.

considering the last daniel craig and nicole kidman movie "the invasion" tanked at the box office.

i doubt this one is going to make its budget back

they must be nuts to spend so much money.
this looks like another eragon type failure

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

they actually cut the ending and it will now be the beginning of the second film, which would explain the shortness.

I am not to pleased with that though...

Yeah i know they cut the ending, but the movie should still be longer 114mins IMO, it doesnt even make the 2 hr mark!

[Superman_]

I was going to see this movie but after hearing that the guy who wrote this series wrote it to bring down God. I will stay as far away from this movie as I can.

[TheJaberwock]

I was going to see this movie but after hearing that the guy who wrote this series wrote it to bring down God. I will stay as far away from this movie as I can.

OR, you can watch it, and read the book, so you know what people are hearing and seeing in the hopes of showing them a different way...

you know, like the apostle paul did...


anyway, i think the movie looks great and i want to pick up a copy of the book to see how they compare.

[danoyse]

I was going to see this movie but after hearing that the guy who wrote this series wrote it to bring down God. I will stay as far away from this movie as I can.

Congratulations, you're now about as informed on the subject as most of the watchdog groups warning people to stay away from the movie. :cwink:

[Dr. Watson]

Press reviews pour in (http://www.bridgetothestars.net/news/press-reviews-pour-in/)

Posted by jessia on November 27, 2007 at 10:25 pm

After three days of press screenings and roundtables, reviews by members of the press have begun to appear online and in print. Like our own (http://www.bridgetothestars.net/index.php?d=movie&p=tgcreview), most praise writing, set pieces, and performances especially. The Sun (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/film/article506717.ece) describe Dakota Blue Richard’s debut portraying Lyra as “enchanting,” predicting that sequels are sure to follow. The film itself is called “a well-written, beautifully delivered adventure.” The Guardian (http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featurepages/0,,2217698,00.html)’s Peter Bradshaw gives The Golden Compass four stars, praising Kidman’s take on the villainous Mrs. Coulter (who could out-evil Darth Vader any day and “may come to dominate our children’s nightmares the way Robert Helpmann’s Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang once did ours”). Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,313103,00.html)‘ Roger Friedman describes the film as a success with Oscar worthy visual effects and production design: “a large-scale thoughtful fantasy, something to get lost in during (the) holiday film season.” Performances are “spot on” and Kidman and Craig’s on screen chemistry is redemptive the turnout of The Invasion. Meanwhile, James Christopher of the Times (http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/film_reviews/article2956068.ece) gives the film only two stars. While once again praising performances and special effects, he laments on the film’s pacing and claims, “the magic is missing.”

There will certainly be more reviews in the next few weeks. Keep and eye on BridgetotheStars for more reviews as the wider release approaches.



http://www.bridgetothestars.net/news/press-reviews-pour-in/

Premiere photos

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/78111055.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193BBABBA93317D8B5FD32EBF53D022254D

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/78110940.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193BBABBA93317D8B5F883654222219FD10

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/78110917.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193BBABBA93317D8B5FC608D8D6F935DFA6

More at http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?query=z.i.H4sIAAAAAAAEAO29B2AcSZYlJi9t ynt_SvVK1-B0oQiAYBMk2JBAEOzBiM3mkuwdaUcjKasqgcplVmVdZhZAzO2d vPfee--999577733ujudTif33_8_XGZkAWz2zkrayZ4hgKrIHz9-fB8_In7dfLn91etf49f4NX6PX_dskV3kvyb9-pj-_2v8miP82nvw4Sev86yezr8oZrMyf1Pk9fhVfl4s80W-bL1fT5dtff2b63u_wYMH-3u7n-7vffL5k1eP0jfzPP28Kmf5Mj2pFqusadLvVnU5S58V5SJ9WecL AptbDMwvv2ZSV1X7MquzRfNr6Wf4-Wvt7uDX38zv6Mfoj1_v3evr5vSdAfFr6t_mVTT5tR_s7Hm_32O Q2bm2-DV-Tf0dr_za2fnUomT-wP9_bfzcYUQWrXvT_f7rUOPSfmH_wnu_Lv1RL-wAwz9_fXy0i79-Pf58YmF0_ubXzkMo9k-GsmOhnHeguL_5tTqEYv9kKHsWSt2B4v4mytiZ-zXxx6-tfzCZdvHbb2ja_sbmc6JJvjKf_prBX79W7rryfv-18sb72P7-azcr--aviT8MKr-VffFy6l50v_86Ve1xiv2Lv5rk_lf4y4yJ2ebhzo73-673O7PWrz27WhpQv6b549fB_5v1xA0i-OvXzjOHpf8H_b7yv7B__LpNAC3889d-9-y54dZf0_yB57el___6-btpuZ7l3DCrPVy9P370_Oj50fP_u-f_AaouOjwACAAA#2

[AndThePickles]

Yikes, what an ugly group photo.

[Drizzle]

Yeah, they look like the Addams Family. Why does Eva Green insist on dressing like a goth chick? She looks way better without all that eyeliner.

[Dr. Watson]

Watch The Golden Compass: Tomorrow (http://www.bridgetothestars.net/news/watch-the-golden-compass-tomorrow/)

Posted by Will on December 1, 2007 at 12:21 am

New Line are putting The Golden Compass movie in 800 theaters around the USA on Saturday, November 30th - a week earlier than the fullscale national release date of December 7th. You can check IMDb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0385752/cinemashowtimes?location=map;date=2007-12-01) to see if a cinema nearby is showing the film.

So far getting mixed reviews, though more on the positive side.

[Rac]

Yeah, they look like the Addams Family. Why does Eva Green insist on dressing like a goth chick? She looks way better without all that eyeliner.
Goths are hot. :o

Though in that particular picture she ain't pretty. Too much eyeliner.

[Red Mask]

Yeah, they look like the Addams Family. Why does Eva Green insist on dressing like a goth chick? She looks way better without all that eyeliner.

Lol!:woot: Addams Family, eh? Smashing idea, drip! Somebody call their agents!

[danoyse]

So....who else went to the sneak preview tonight?

Just got back from the movie. It was about 90% full (I guess the religous groups haven't scared them all off yet) and the audience applauded twice--once after the ice bear fight and again at the end. Although I'm guessing most of them were fans of the book already, I'm hoping that bids well for the movie because I'm really hoping they do get to make The Subtle Knife now, because this was very well done.

SPOILERS AHEAD:







It stayed mostly close to the book, with things obviously condensed for time. They combined Tony Makarios and Billy Costa into the same character (Billy is the boy Lyra finds without a demon), and two major sequences are switched: Lyra is kidnapped and taken to the ice bears, then they go to Bolvangar. They've taken out the part where Lyra was held captive there completely, although the last part up to the fight is there. She also finds out about her parents from Mrs. Coulter, not the Gyptians.

It felt like they used a lot of the LOTR framework: the opening narration by Serafina Pekkala reminded me of Galadriel's opening narration from FOTR. What was really cool about the opening sequence if you've read the later books--you do get a brief glimpse of window cut by the knife.

Also the ending felt like the end of FOTR--where it seemed like it wasn't ending at all, it just stopped with all the characters heading off to the next place, with Serafina laying out what's to happen next. I wasn't sure what I thought of the last two chapters missing...and, argh. I can't see why they did it, but still...I wished they hadn't been cut from this movie.

I thought the casting was great, the kid was particularly good. The scene where she's lying through her teeth to Iofur was great. Nicole Kidman was a perfect Mrs. Coulter. Daniel Craig doesn't have much screentime, but he was also good, as was Sam Elliot as Lee Scoresbee (the audience got a big laugh out of Hester).

The Iorek/Iofur fight...awesome. I don't want to give too much of that scene away. As was the battle at Bolvangar, especially the witches, who I always loved from the books, looked amazing here. The daemons looked fantastic too. Especially Pan, the way he always changed looked so natural.

So, as a fan of the books I was impressed. I'm just hoping we get the other two movies now. :up:

[Dr. Fate]

Do you fans who have read the book recommend reading the book before seeing the movie?

[batfan1028]

who ever saw the screening today can u please tell me what previews they had with the movie?

[danoyse]

Do you fans who have read the book recommend reading the book before seeing the movie?

You don't have to. It's a really good book, so I recommend reading it...but the movie is for the most part the exact story from the book, and I didn't notice anything radically changed other than condensing parts of the story and switching some sequences around.

They did tone down some of the religious aspects of the book, but they didn't softball it nearly as bad as I was afraid they might. I saw it with my folks, and my mom was able to pick out all the religious symbolism without having read the book.

And neither of my parents had read the book, and they both enjoyed it. My dad asked to borrow them after we left the movie tonight.

[danoyse]

who ever saw the screening today can u please tell me what previews they had with the movie?

There were two: Inkheart, with Brendan Fraser and Andy Serkis, which looked ok. The other was Will Ferrell's Semi-Pro, which looked pretty dumb.

[Dr. Fate]

You don't have to. It's a really good book, so I recommend reading it...but the movie is for the most part the exact story from the book, and I didn't notice anything radically changed other than condensing parts of the story and switching some sequences around.

They did tone down some of the religious aspects of the book, but they didn't softball it nearly as bad as I was afraid they might. I saw it with my folks, and my mom was able to pick out all the religious symbolism without having read the book.

And neither of my parents had read the book, and they both enjoyed it. My dad asked to borrow them after we left the movie tonight.
I actually grabbed the complete edition of the Dark Materials trilogy from Wal-Mart, and I intend to read it as soon as I finish Lloyd Alexander's last installment, "The Chronicles of Prydain: The High King". Philip Pullman has been recommended to me before, it was just a matter of deciding what to start with.

[danoyse]

I actually grabbed the complete edition of the Dark Materials trilogy from Wal-Mart, and I intend to read it as soon as I finish Lloyd Alexander's last installment, "The Chronicles of Prydain: The High King". Philip Pullman has been recommended to me before, it was just a matter of deciding what to start with.

You'll like them. I'm still in the middle of the third book, which drags a bit, but they're really good.

[블라스]

I have a feeling this movie will benefit from an extended cut on DVD.

[Timstuff]

I don't get what the big controversy here is. Man already killed god for real 2000 years ago, so who gives a flip about some kids' book? :dry:

I have not been very impressed with what I've seen of this movie so far though. It looks kind of like Chronicles of Narnia's retarded half-sibling in a lot of ways. I might rent it on DVD, but I'm probably going to save my theater-going money for National Treasure 2.

[Cinemaman]

The movie is getting negative reviews right now, nice start :D :down

[Dr. Watson]

So....who else went to the sneak preview tonight?

Just got back from the movie. It was about 90% full (I guess the religous groups haven't scared them all off yet) and the audience applauded twice--once after the ice bear fight and again at the end. Although I'm guessing most of them were fans of the book already, I'm hoping that bids well for the movie because I'm really hoping they do get to make The Subtle Knife now, because this was very well done.

SPOILERS AHEAD:







It stayed mostly close to the book, with things obviously condensed for time. They combined Tony Makarios and Billy Costa into the same character (Billy is the boy Lyra finds without a demon), and two major sequences are switched: Lyra is kidnapped and taken to the ice bears, then they go to Bolvangar. They've taken out the part where Lyra was held captive there completely, although the last part up to the fight is there. She also finds out about her parents from Mrs. Coulter, not the Gyptians.

It felt like they used a lot of the LOTR framework: the opening narration by Serafina Pekkala reminded me of Galadriel's opening narration from FOTR. What was really cool about the opening sequence if you've read the later books--you do get a brief glimpse of window cut by the knife.

Also the ending felt like the end of FOTR--where it seemed like it wasn't ending at all, it just stopped with all the characters heading off to the next place, with Serafina laying out what's to happen next. I wasn't sure what I thought of the last two chapters missing...and, argh. I can't see why they did it, but still...I wished they hadn't been cut from this movie.

I thought the casting was great, the kid was particularly good. The scene where she's lying through her teeth to Iofur was great. Nicole Kidman was a perfect Mrs. Coulter. Daniel Craig doesn't have much screentime, but he was also good, as was Sam Elliot as Lee Scoresbee (the audience got a big laugh out of Hester).

The Iorek/Iofur fight...awesome. I don't want to give too much of that scene away. As was the battle at Bolvangar, especially the witches, who I always loved from the books, looked amazing here. The daemons looked fantastic too. Especially Pan, the way he always changed looked so natural.

So, as a fan of the books I was impressed. I'm just hoping we get the other two movies now. :up:

Good review Danoyose! I have to wait till saturday to see it but I'm getting excited.

[danoyse]

I think you'll enjoy it. I would see it again just for the bears. I was pretty impressed with the adaptation, particularly how they handled the religous themes--it's toned down, but they didn't softball it either, which I was glad to see. It's very exposition-heavy for an under-2 hour movie, but it was a fantasy movie that didn't insult your intelligence. My parents saw it too, they both loved it and my dad asked to borrow the books from me.

I was really happy when we got to the theater and found a big crowd of people waiting to get in. New Line seemed to quietly sneak the preview out this weekend, so I wasn't sure a lot of people knew about it, but it was practically sold out and everyone applauded at the end. :woot:

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

The movie is getting negative reviews right now, nice start :D :down

Funny, i have read 3 reviews now and all gave it 4 out of 5 stars, doesnt sound negative to me :woot: .

[danoyse]

Funny, i have read 3 reviews now and all gave it 4 out of 5 stars, doesnt sound negative to me :woot: .

And it's at 57% at Rotten Tomatoes with only 8 reviews so far, so I'd say it's split almost down the middle.

What was interesting was when I was looking on Fandango for tickets to the sneak preview, their ratings system had it at "So-So," which would be negative, but when I read the reviews, they were all written by religious groups who hadn't seen the movie, they were just putting in negative reviews to keep the rating down.

So I went back today just out of curiousity, and the rating is now at "Go," and the reviews from the screening this weekend are almost overwhelmingly positive. I hope that's a good sign.

[Hunter Rider]

The Golden Compass - UK Review (http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/839/839429p1.html)
A disappointing adaptation of the fantasy epic.

[Hunter Rider]

Exclusive Clip: The Golden Compass (http://uk.media.movies.ign.com/media/686/686290/vids_1.html)
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[Dr. Watson]

Down to 38% rotten...:down:

[JTStarkiller]

I don't get what the big controversy here is. Man already killed god for real 2000 years ago, so who gives a flip about some kids' book? :dry:

I have not been very impressed with what I've seen of this movie so far though. It looks kind of like Chronicles of Narnia's retarded half-sibling in a lot of ways. I might rent it on DVD, but I'm probably going to save my theater-going money for National Treasure 2.

Besides that...

Doesn't the killing of "God", however it happens, not occur until book three? From what I've read, even though there are some anti-religion themes in the book, the meaty stuff isn't in The Amber Spyglass.

[04nbod]

Empire gave it 2 stars :eek:
http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?FID=134647

[Bastila]

Woh only two, but then again it is Empire, I go by SFX reviews, Empire hate most films.

[danoyse]

Down to 38% rotten...:down:

Edit: back up to 52%. That's a little better than 38%.

Wonder what the reviews would have been like if they kept the ending in.

[Hunter Rider]

A butt-load of GOLDEN COMPASS reviews come flying in!! (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/34983)

[Agentsands77]

I got to see this film. While it's mostly faithful, it's not all that great. It just doesn't work... it's clunky and mostly dull. Even the visuals aren't that impressive. Shame.

[Avalanche]

I went and watched the film yesterday evening with a group of friends. The majority of us had read the book beforehand and we were incredibly annoyed.

For the most part the changes are forgivable. Lyra's father isn't imprisoned by the bears at all. Lyra goes to the bears before she goes to Bolvanger.

The ending however is completely unforgivable. The entire end of the book isn't present. It ends with Lyra off to find her father up on the moutain to, with Roger, Serafina and Iorek. All in a balloon, all heading off into the sunset when it ends.

There's no opening of the other world. No sacrafice of Roger. No meeting between Coulter and Azriel on the top of the mountain. We felt cheated. Like they'd taken out the end of the movie.

[Galactus]

.

The ending however is completely unforgivable. The entire end of the book isn't present. It ends with Lyra off to find her father up on the moutain to, with Roger, Serafina and Iorek. All in a balloon, all heading off into the sunset when it ends.

There's no opening of the other world. No sacrafice of Roger. No meeting between Coulter and Azriel on the top of the mountain. We felt cheated. Like they'd taken out the end of the movie.

It is possible that the missing part might be in the sequel (if they make it), just like they made changes with the LOTR-trilogy, having the end of part 2 appearing in the beginning of part 3.

[Rac]

Saw it yesterday. Haven't read any of the books.

It felt like it was missing pieces from here and there, and like there were no destination. Characters just went to places and stuff. It was kinda boring at times. I say kinda because it wasn't boring boring, it was just slow paced and I hadn't sleep in last 48 hours so that affected me.

Dakota Blue Richards is surprisingly good child actor. Sam Elliot was cool as always. There were no bad acting in the movie. Though the kid who played Roger still need some practice.

Chris Lee cameo was cool. Didn't know he was in this. I laughed at the end credits when his name appeared befoe Daniel Craig and some others, while his role didn't even last a minute and he had like one line. Didn't know that Ian McShane was in this either. That was a nice one.

The polar bear fight was cool. Jaw-dropping (pun intended, you get it when you see it).

There were quite a lot names taken from Scandinavia. Pekkala, Trollsunden, Iorek etc. And Norroway is Norway of course. Plus the law or something were speaking Russia (or at least it sounded like Russia). Quite nice stuff for us Scandinavians.

The movie wasn't crap like Eragon or The Dark Is Rising (haven't seen this one, but I trust people), and certainly not the next LotR. More like Narnia: LWW. Though LWW is a little better than this, imo. I hold my judgment til I see the Extended DVD (Weitz said that it is coming). But for the theatrical cut: 3 out of 5.

[The_Vision]

Who was Christopher Lee in this? Dose he have a big role?

[Avalanche]

Who was Christopher Lee in this? Dose he have a big role?
No. A very small role. He's one of the heads of the Magisterium with his owl Daemon and he's only in one relatively small scene if I remember right.

[Dr. Watson]

The ending however is completely unforgivable. The entire end of the book isn't present. It ends with Lyra off to find her father up on the moutain to, with Roger, Serafina and Iorek. All in a balloon, all heading off into the sunset when it ends.

There's no opening of the other world. No sacrafice of Roger. No meeting between Coulter and Azriel on the top of the mountain. We felt cheated. Like they'd taken out the end of the movie.

It is possible that the missing part might be in the sequel (if they make it), just like they made changes with the LOTR-trilogy, having the end of part 2 appearing in the beginning of part 3.

That is exactly what they are doing. But as I suspected it doesn't work out as well.

If anything, I hope that the negative reactions will wake the studio up and get them to take more risks if they make the next one. And as much as I like Chris Weitz maybe a different director would be able to have a stonger take with it.

However I reserve total judgement till I see it in two days.

[Drizzle]

Empire gave it 2 stars :eek:
http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?FID=134647

Empire gave "Superman Returns" 5 stars. I don't trust their judgment.

[Bastila]

Empire gave "Superman Returns" 5 stars. I don't trust their judgment.

Good Point, I can't believe they gave it 5.

[chamber-music]

Empire gave "Superman Returns" 5 stars. I don't trust their judgment.

I saw Superman Returns in a bargin bucket for 5 pounds and I still didn't wanna buy it :o

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

This has me a little worried because i mostly agree with Empire's reviews, its rare that i dont, and yes i totally agree with them on Superman Returns before anyone asks.

[Rac]

This has me a little worried because i mostly agree with Empire's reviews, its rare that i dont, and yes i totally agree with them on Superman Returns before anyone asks.
They're not totally wrong. Though three stars would'v been nicer, two ain't "wrong" for TGC either. A for effort.

[Episode29]

Roger Ebert just proclaimed GC to be better than the Potter and Rings films. He has truly lost it...

[Dr. Watson]

hrmmm. Seems like the reviews really go across the board.

[Kahran Ramsus]

I got to see this film. While it's mostly faithful, it's not all that great. It just doesn't work... it's clunky and mostly dull. Even the visuals aren't that impressive. Shame.

Bingo. Plus I think my theatre was missing the final reel or something because it just fades to black with them off to rescue Asriel. It would be like if Empire Strikes Back ended with Han about to be frozen in carbonite and Luke arriving at Bespin in his X-Wing.

It wouldn't be so bad if the big bear fight was at the end and they had more building to it, but there is no real climax here at all.

It is possible that the missing part might be in the sequel (if they make it), just like they made changes with the LOTR-trilogy, having the end of part 2 appearing in the beginning of part 3.

Except in LOTR the changes were made because the real ending would seem anti-climatic after a larger event. It would extremely difficult to intercut Shelob with Helm's Deep and not lose the audience. Also, it would give Frodo & Sam nothing to do in ROTK. TTT still ended after Helm's Deep. The Golden Compass is like ending right before it.

[Dr. Watson]

A reason to go see the movie, care of Best Week Ever--->http://www.bestweekever.tv/2007/12/07/please-go-see-the-golden-compass-this-weekend/

Spoilers inside*

Please Go See The Golden Compass This Weekend (http://www.bestweekever.tv/2007/12/07/please-go-see-the-golden-compass-this-weekend/)
http://www.bestweekever.tv/bwe/images/2007/12/Compass_1.jpgListen up, film-goers. If you’re planning to take in a movie at some point this weekend, I humbly request you make The Golden Compass your movie of choice. I’ve not yet seen the film myself, and judging by early accounts (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/his_dark_materials_the_golden_compass/), it actually may not be all that good. But that is of no matter, because what’s important is that the film makes enough money at the box office for New Line Studios to reasonably justify adapting the two subsequent novels in Phillip Pullman’s epic fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials into for the big screen as well. You see, I’ve just finished reading the trilogy myself (Warning: SPOILERS AHEAD), and while I found it to be to be a pleasant-enough though not-life-changing read, I am dying for these books made into major blockbusters. It’s not that I particularly want to see these movies so much as I want to see how hilariously pissed off conservative Christians get when they get wind of the news that the godless heathens in Hollywood have gone and made a kid’s movie about a girl and her “daemon” who - along with the help of witches, gypsies, talking polar bears, flying creatures from hell and two gay angels who’re pissed about being cast out from God’s kingdom on account of his intolerant attitude towards their angelic homosexuality - are trying to kill God and destroy the Catholic church for the betterment of all human existence. Can you imagine how steamed those lunatics who protest Harry Potter as “witchcraft” are going to be when their kids are begging them to go see a movie with major stars that’s literally about killing God? Oh man, they’re gonna be so peeved, and boy is it going to be hilarious for the rest of us to watch the steam exploding out of their ears as they try to wrap their brains around the fact that a bunch of Hollywood types (Jews probably) took what is perhaps the most heretic story imaginable, had Nicole Kidman star in it, and released the film in thousands of theaters across the country, just in time for Christmas. It warms my cockles just thinking about a scenario so hilariously awesome, so please, skip seeing sissy movies like Enchanted and put your ten bucks into buying a ticket for a film about God-slaying and bad-ass polar bears, because that’s also a ticket for a whole country’s worth of seriously pissed off evangelicals. And you know how funny they can be when they get good and riled up.



*this is supposed to be taken humourously :grin:

[Drizzle]

Roger Ebert just proclaimed GC to be better than the Potter and Rings films. He has truly lost it...

Wow. Ebert's off his meds.

I just saw the movie. It was alright. The only things I really liked were the daemons and the polar bear fight. That was badass. But since I didn't read the book, I didn't interpret any anti-Christian overtones. Maybe I just wasn't looking at the bigger picture. But anyway, the movie was "good, not great". On the overall list of fantasy films adapted from books that I've seen, here's how I would rank it:

1. Lord of the Rings trilogy
2. Harry Potter films
3. Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
4. The Golden Compass

At least it's much better than that piece of crap "Eragon".

[The Dark Defender]

A moderately entertaining fantasy flick that isn't nearly the grand, sweeping epic that it tries to be and considering the talent involved and a budget in surplus of $200 million, it should've been alot better.

Good visuals, competent performances, and a cool polar bear fight though

[Lord Blackbolt]

wow...it really cost 200 mill. did it look like it cost that much?

[zhulok]

A reason to go see the movie, care of Best Week Ever--->http://www.bestweekever.tv/2007/12/07/please-go-see-the-golden-compass-this-weekend/

Spoilers inside*

Please Go See The Golden Compass This Weekend (http://www.bestweekever.tv/2007/12/07/please-go-see-the-golden-compass-this-weekend/)
http://www.bestweekever.tv/bwe/images/2007/12/Compass_1.jpgListen up, film-goers. If you’re planning to take in a movie at some point this weekend, I humbly request you make The Golden Compass your movie of choice. I’ve not yet seen the film myself, and judging by early accounts (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/his_dark_materials_the_golden_compass/), it actually may not be all that good. But that is of no matter, because what’s important is that the film makes enough money at the box office for New Line Studios to reasonably justify adapting the two subsequent novels in Phillip Pullman’s epic fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials into for the big screen as well. You see, I’ve just finished reading the trilogy myself (Warning: SPOILERS AHEAD), and while I found it to be to be a pleasant-enough though not-life-changing read, I am dying for these books made into major blockbusters. It’s not that I particularly want to see these movies so much as I want to see how hilariously pissed off conservative Christians get when they get wind of the news that the godless heathens in Hollywood have gone and made a kid’s movie about a girl and her “daemon” who - along with the help of witches, gypsies, talking polar bears, flying creatures from hell and two gay angels who’re pissed about being cast out from God’s kingdom on account of his intolerant attitude towards their angelic homosexuality - are trying to kill God and destroy the Catholic church for the betterment of all human existence. Can you imagine how steamed those lunatics who protest Harry Potter as “witchcraft” are going to be when their kids are begging them to go see a movie with major stars that’s literally about killing God? Oh man, they’re gonna be so peeved, and boy is it going to be hilarious for the rest of us to watch the steam exploding out of their ears as they try to wrap their brains around the fact that a bunch of Hollywood types (Jews probably) took what is perhaps the most heretic story imaginable, had Nicole Kidman star in it, and released the film in thousands of theaters across the country, just in time for Christmas. It warms my cockles just thinking about a scenario so hilariously awesome, so please, skip seeing sissy movies like Enchanted and put your ten bucks into buying a ticket for a film about God-slaying and bad-ass polar bears, because that’s also a ticket for a whole country’s worth of seriously pissed off evangelicals. And you know how funny they can be when they get good and riled up.



*this is supposed to be taken humourously :grin:

LOL, that basically just summed up how i feel about the movie. I basically dont even care about the movie itself, I would just see it to piss people off and see how they react. It would make my day if I went to see it and there were people outside the theater telling them not to go see it.:grin:

[Sandman138]

I got to see this film. While it's mostly faithful, it's not all that great. It just doesn't work... it's clunky and mostly dull. Even the visuals aren't that impressive. Shame.

It wasn't faithful in the least. No mention of original sin, they don't deal with Billy (who isn't supposed to be Billy) dying and they got rid of the dead fish which was pretty ****ing integral to that entire episode, everybody was white (I guess some of the Gyptians looked Roma, but not really; and the Tartars didn't look Turkik at all), experimental theology is never mentioned, and the entire ending is cut out. The film has only the most superficial ties to the story that I read and fell in love with back when I was eleven. My friend summed it up rather nicely: His Dark Materials was written under the presumption that children are smart and can grapple with complexities and abstracts, this movie was created under the presumption that they are idiots.

[Agentsands77]

Roger Ebert just proclaimed GC to be better than the Potter and Rings films. He has truly lost it...
No kidding.

It wasn't faithful in the least.
It's reasonably faithful to the basic story elements. It's not faithful to the things that make those basic story elements work, but it still bears enough resemblance to the book of the same name. The problem with the film is that it makes the wrong alterations to the story, and fails to make the right ones.

[TNC9852002]

Saw the movie yesterday. Never read the books.

I thought the movie had great production value, but at times, it was kinda all over the place. Cluttered with a lot of pacing problems from multiple subplots that sort of seems to add little to the overall story. The movie holds up mostly due to the visuals and the dialogue, though. It'd say it's worth watching at least once.

I gave the movie a 6.5/10, but I can completely see how IGN would give it 2 and 1/2 stars.

-TNC

[Secret_Riddle]

I loved the world..but the movie felt like it had a lot cut out..and I think they only cut out the end..which means it's just poor film making.

6.5/10

Probably going to read the books, and I hope it gets an extended cut and a good sequal.

[Big Lob]

Honestly, I thought it was the worst fantasy movie I had ever seen (granted, I haven't seen Eragon). When the CGI is the best that can be said about it, that's a bad sign.

If the theme of the movie is supposed to be overcoming an oppressive theocracy and gaining free will... well, that theme was lost on me.

The Magisterium villains were of the mustache twirling variety. Over the top and obviously evil, it's a wonder they could suppress anyone when they are so transparent.

The concept of the daemons is rather interesting, but it doesn't save the film.

The story was hard to follow. Many characters appeared out of no where supporting the little girl with little or no motivation explained, like the witches.

I'd say... maybe 2.5 out of 5. Some decent stuff buried in alot of bad stuff.

[terry78]

The polar bear fight was the high point for me, and you already know why. Jaws away. :eek:

[Knives122]

Does the polar bear talk?

[terry78]

^Every animal in the thing talks.

[Sandman138]

The polar bear fight was the high point for me, and you already know why. Jaws away. :eek:

That was the high point for me as well. I was surprised, with all the things that they changed, that they kept that in.

[terry78]

That along with Lord Asriel's fighting more than likely earned the PG-13 rating.

[Drizzle]

^Every animal in the thing talks.

The monkey didn't talk. :csad:

Actually, a lot of the daemons didn't talk. The only ones that did were Pan, Asriel's daemon (the snow leopard), Scoresby's daemon (the hare), and the two boys' daemons (the dog and the mouse). The king polar bear and Iorek round out the last of the talking animals.

[Dr. Watson]

The polar bear fight was the high point for me, and you already know why. Jaws away. :eek:

They kept that in?! Shaweet :up:

[Kahran Ramsus]

The film wasn't great, but it wasn't that bad. The characters were shallow and I didn't care much for the visuals (Stardust looked much better), but there was some good acting and the plot kept me interested enough so I was prepared to give this film a 6/10 and probably could have been talked up to a 7/10 if I was in a good mood.

But the ending ruined it. I haven't read the books (although I had the ending explained to me afterwards), but here it isn't just a matter of me disliking the ending and more that the film is lacking an ending of any type. There is no climax at all and as such I don't feel I got a completed film. Now I'm not interested in seeing the second film at all. Very disappointing. 4 out of 10.

[Xn0o0cl3]

The polar bear fight was the high point for me, and you already know why. Jaws away. :eek:

It was awesome that they kept it in but they left out the eating of the heart. Of course they couldn't have had that in there but it still would've been awesome to see. The jaw was epic enough though.

And yea this was definitely the best part of the movie. The end was extremely irritating. I mean, ten minutes, give or take, and it would've been done just right! Well...close enough. Did anyone get the feeling that they were going to keep Roger in and replace Will with him? It seems really far fetched but the way Lyra was talking at the end of the movie I kind of got that feeling.

[Val]

Saw the movie yesterday. Never read the books.

I thought the movie had great production value, but at times, it was kinda all over the place. Cluttered with a lot of pacing problems from multiple subplots that sort of seems to add little to the overall story. The movie holds up mostly due to the visuals and the dialogue, though. It'd say it's worth watching at least once.

That pretty much sums up my opinion of the movie. I did like the animals and especially the bear but it is a clear book adaptation and a lot of the times, things felt out of place or rushed because of it.

[PhotoJones]

I just got back from the movie. I haven't read the books, but I did enjoy this movie a lot. Any news on when production starts on the sequels?

[Iron Fist]

I'll go see it tomorrow.

[Val]

The monkey didn't talk. :csad:

Actually, a lot of the daemons didn't talk. The only ones that did were Pan, Asriel's daemon (the snow leopard), Scoresby's daemon (the hare), and the two boys' daemons (the dog and the mouse). The king polar bear and Iorek round out the last of the talking animals.

Is there a particular reason the monkey didn't talk? Does it talk in the books?

[Arkady Rossovich]

How much money has the film made?

[Galactus]

How much money has the film made?

According to Box Office Mojo it made an estimated $8,8 million on Friday.

Personally I felt the movie was okay. Better than Eragon, for example, but not up there with the best fantasy-movies. And out of this year's fantasy-movies both Harry Potter and Stardust beat this.

[Spider-Man Luvr28]

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/golden-compass-2007s-biggest-bombs/

[chaseter]

Just got back from seeing the movie and I have not read the books so here is my review:

The world they create is visually stunning and absolutely beautiful IMO. It starts off a bit slow and if you aren't paying attention there are a lot of WTF moments. The daemons of children ability to change shape is one of those WTF-ers if you don't pay attention. Nicole Kidman is absolutely creepy and does a great job and so does Sam Elliot, playing the same character he does in every movie. I was hoping for a lot of Daniel Craig in this movie and he's not in it very much and the parts he does get he doesn't do a great job. The story is good and I was damn near joyful and suprised when the polar bears fight and the king gets his jaw ripped off and beaten down:wow: [that was my face]. It also really doesn't explain the lethiometer, if that is how you spell it, very well (as in its origin). There was a good deal of fighting and it was a good movie to go see and was by far not anywhere close to an all kids movie. I really enjoyed it but it is still no where near Harry Potter or Narnia. I hope the next installment is just as good or better. 8/10 (one of the better movies of the year full of lackluster and crap).

I also had no hint of an atheist undertone but calling people's souls "DEMONS" is how it sounded was quite a bit off putting, but easily overlooked.

[Wilhelm-Scream]

Roger Ebert just proclaimed GC to be better than the Potter and Rings films. He has truly lost it...I just read his review, on his own site.
Here's the quote:
"The Golden Compass" is a darker, deeper fantasy epic than the "Rings" trilogy, "The Chronicles of Narnia (http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/classifieds?category=REVIEWS01&TITLESearch=The%20Chronicles%20of%20Narnia&ToDate=20071231)" or the "Potter" films.

"Darker" and "Deeper" does not equal "Better".
It means, "darker"....and "deeper".

[Venomfan]

I just read his review, on his own site.
Here's the quote:


"Darker" and "Deeper" does not equal "Better".
It means, "darker"....and "deeper".
yah but giving it a high rating then LOTR and Narnia does

[Wilhelm-Scream]

yah but giving it a high rating then LOTR and Narnia doesThe guy didn't mention Narnia.
He said the LOTR films and the Potter films.

Ebert gave GC the exact same rating that he gave Chamber of Secrets and Sorcerer's Stone. He only gave Return of the King a half a star less.
His issues with LOTR are more about the difficulty in adapting it to film and he admitted that he didn't like it just because it didn't line up with the way he imagined the books.

A star less because you wish the Hobbits didn't seem like supporting characters hardly sounds like he's "lost it" to me.
Sounds to me like he's just more emotionally involved with LOTR than he was with GC.

[04nbod]

How should she look?

Black hair and her trademark red fox hair coat that is nowhere to be seen.

as for the movie it was sort of flat. I never really got swept away in the action or suspense. It was squeamish about the deaths of the children and it ended prematurely! The bears however where jaw dropping :hehe:

[Lord Blackbolt]

well it looks like this movie will bomb. I just saw the friday numbers, its way too low considering how much money it cost to make. I think we can count on not having a sequel now? With 200 million budget....they should be pulling in Spiderman type box office weekends.

[Mr. Socko]

well it looks like this movie will bomb. I just saw the friday numbers, its way too low considering how much money it cost to make. I think we can count on not having a sequel now? With 200 million budget....they should be pulling in Spiderman type box office weekends.

I just saw the Friday numbers, and I've always said you should never put such a budget and especially leave a film open ended when a sequel isn't guaranteed. It may possibly make it's money back(could do good overseas) but doesn't look like it will be a blockbuster.

[terry78]

I guess it's just not as popular a franchise as they thought it would be. Most of the trailers before this all seemed to be similar "child goes off to fantasy land to fight/meet mystical creatures." I suspect people are starting to get burned out.

[terry78]

I confess I did like Dakota Blue Richard's take on Lyra. She had some Eliza Doolittle/Charles Dickens **** going on.

[Sandman138]

I guess it's just not as popular a franchise as they thought it would be. Most of the trailers before this all seemed to be similar "child goes off to fantasy land to fight/meet mystical creatures." I suspect people are starting to get burned out.

If they had actually stuck to the book and made a good movie they would have at least had good word of mouth.

[Val]

SATURDAY AM: Friday night only $8.6 million from 3,528 theaters with anemic per screen average. Weekend estimate for $27 million. Cost of movie: $200+ million. Wildly expensive flop should sink New Line Cinema chairman Bob Shaye's chances to stay on when his contract expires in 2008... Full report coming...

Source: http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/golden-compass-2007s-biggest-bombs/

[Sawyer]

Source: http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/golden-compass-2007s-biggest-bombs/

Well, surprise surprise. I guess these epic movies have gone as far as they can go. I'm not shocked at all.

[Hunter Rider]

Wow, this is a bomb burger with extra bomb on the side. :csad:

[Dr. Watson]

Source: http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/golden-compass-2007s-biggest-bombs/

Ouch.


Well I saw it yesterday. I had prepared myself for the worst and thus was pleasantly suprised when I found myself enjoying the film. It was well cast and well acted for the most part. As many have said the production values are outstanding (I felt that they especially captured the scenes in the North as I had always imagined them). The bears were awesome and the bear fight/smackdown was hands down the best scene in the film :up:.

I think what this movie suffered from the most was the poor pacing. Weitz tried to pack as much in as humanly possible, but it meant that the movie simply went from action scene to action scene without any quiet moments to even it out. I think the film could have been greatly helped if even an extra 10 minutes had been tagged on with some more fillerish quiet scenes.

I do hope that it will do well enough to warrant a sequel because IMO The Subtle Knife lends itself far more to being a film since it follows a more thrillish style plot structure. New Line may also want to consider moving it to the hands of a more experienced director. I think many of the pacing problems might be accounted for by nerves on the part of the director (who has never done something on this scale before). I also think the films overall would be more sucessful if New Line through caution to the wind a little regarding the subject matter. Court controversy in order to create more buzz for the film, rather then promoting it as Spiderwick chronicles v 2.0.

But as for TGC I rate it a (generous) 7/10.

[Hudson]

talking Bears though is awesome.

[BloodyWolverine]

They opened this film a week too soon. I give it a 8/10 for its better then Narnia in my book. And it was a hit. Prince Caspin by the way looks loads better then Wardrobe.
Back to The Golden Compass it was Character wise done very well and a good bit of cgi effects on the creatures. Dissapointed it fell from grace without getting anywhere.
Bummer but not unexpected cause i don't think the books were as well known as Eragon even.
It will take a fantasy movie like Dragonlance to ride the fan base wagon to make much money at box office.
Or maybe Warcraft.
I will buy the dvd even if there not another sequel
Too bad it bombed cause i would have like to seen a sequel.

[BloodyWolverine]

People are expecting Rings, Potter and Narnia for every fantasy story and its not always gonna happen. Is the book big enough and obviously it is not. They should have done the 3 books like rings and that way the movies were made and might as well release them. Should have made it a tad bit longer.
I wasn't dissabpointed cause i never read the books but liked the world i was in. I also thaught Stardust was better then its box office.
And That In McShane fantasy film with the bad guy who played the fist Dr Who.

Fantasy movies are just not as magical as when Rings and Potter came out.

[A Dark Knight]

I just saw the Friday numbers, and I've always said you should never put such a budget and especially leave a film open ended when a sequel isn't guaranteed. It may possibly make it's money back(could do good overseas) but doesn't look like it will be a blockbuster.

I agree, the US weekend numbers are not good, maybe it will do ok during the Christmas season, but if a movie costs between $150 and $200 million and is based on a series of books you better make it worth the money and with the movie going public WOM saying it was rushed and had a bad ending things are not looking good.

Why NL didn't go with the ending from the book which a friend told me they finished is beyond me. It will have to make a hell of a lot of money overseas for a sequel to be green lit.

The Polar Bear fight was amazing.

[Val]

http://e.photos.cx/-1e0.boxoffice

[Venomfan]

The guy didn't mention Narnia.
He said the LOTR films and the Potter films.

eh i was just going off your post where you quoted Ebert about Narnia. anyway his reviews of LOTR are pretty awful

[Iron Fist]

I thought it was pretty great. The scene with the bears was well done, but the story didn't grasp me that much.

6/10.

[Galactus]

I wonder why New Line sold the international rights to this movie. Seems like a crazy thing to do, considering that fantasy-movies always makes a lot more money overseas than domestically

[C.F. Kane]

Shame this movie isn't being so well-received. The meatiest parts of the story are in the second and third parts of the trilogy. The first is all just set-up.

[Wilhelm-Scream]

Sounds like they should've made it a TV miniseries.

[BloodyWolverine]

Anyone see Tin Man that was good. This could have worked as a mini series i guess but is still liked the casting here.

[deathshead2]

I wonder why New Line sold the international rights to this movie. Seems like a crazy thing to do, considering that fantasy-movies always makes a lot more money overseas than domesticallyThey sold them in order to pay for this movie. This movie wasn't like rings where they paid alot of money and got 3 movies. They made this for $180+. Thats alot for one movie. They needed money bad in order to fund it since everything else this year for them hasn't done that hot.

[Lady Stormcrow]

I went to see it last night, got stuck in traffic, and missed the showing.

Damn.

[Hunter Rider]

http://www.comingsoon.net/blog/2007/12/will_smith_sets_a_legendary_re_1.php

With the entrance into the market with two strong movies, the fantasy epic The Golden Compass (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=7892) (New Line) crashed in its second weekend, dropping 65% to $9 million, bringing its total to $41 million, a far cry from its production budget of $180 million.

[Dr. Watson]

Ouchx100

I strongly begin to doubt a second and third. Although if this motivated the creative folks involved to try for a miniseries, I would be fine with that :up: