How many here are old enough to remember reaction about Michael Keaton as Batman?

[afan]

Really? I've read Tarzan of the apes, I've also read Starship Troopers and that also has nothing to do with the movie either. The thing is , a movie isn't a novel, and shouldn't have to be exactly like a book. I remeber in the 90's there was a syndicated TV version of Conan that was supposed to be more in line with Howard's novels, but it didn't work in live action.

Forgive me for an inaccurate presumption.
You must understand my point then; Tarzan as written by Burroughs has very rarely been realized on film. Tarzan of the Apes is a marvelous tale and would make an incredible film! (As would Tarzan at the Earth's Core!)

That miserable Conan TV series was nothing like the Howard books at all. It(as most Tarzan efforts are influenced by the Weissmuller films) adopted the Schwartzeneggar realization of the character, and then added a dash of the feel of the popular Hercules and Xena series to boot.

 

[C. Lee]

The movie (both of them) also craps on everything that the original Robert E. Howard Conan was about. In fact, Milius nearly slanders Howard in the DVD commentary, too.

Oh...I agree it wasn't an accurate adaptation of the Howard stories (Conan raised from a child to adulthood as a slave....yeah, right).....but it is the best sword and scorcery movie made (in my opinion of course) and darn fun to watch (Sandahl Bergman ) with some great battles.

 

[SolidSnakeMGS]

Oh...I agree it wasn't an accurate adaptation of the Howard stories (Conan raised from a child to adulthood as a slave....yeah, right).....but it is the best sword and scorcery movie made (in my opinion of course) and darn fun to watch (Sandahl Bergman ) with some great battles.

Wasn't Conan smart in the books?

I remember as a kid watching the movie on TV, and then renting it and almost crapping my pants at all of the stuff that had to be *edited* for the TV version.

Everything about the movie rocked, except for the lame director's cut that came out a few years ago. I remember the TERRIFIC Basil Poledouris soundtrack was the second soundtrack I ever bought, and one of the best scores ever.

And Sandahl was hot, even though she really hurt some people on the movie.

 

[afan]

Yeah...people who grew up with the old movies without reading the books (and just for the record...I grew up with the old movies...then read the books)....don't realize that Tarzan winds up an articulate gentleman (he learns to speak French before English for example) who will turn into an avenging beast at the drop of a hat.

Mike Henry, Jock Mahoney, and Ron Ely did some of the adaptaions that were closest to the character of the books...at least in my opinion. What do you think afan?

For me the closest in modern film history(never saw the Elmo Lincoln silents) was "Tarzan's Greatest Adventure" with Gordon Scott.

Just to expound a bit; in Tarzan of the Apes, by the time Jane arrives Tarzan had taught himself to write in English, from books that he found in his parents cabin, but his spoken language was that of the great apes.

Tarzan would leave food at the cabin for Jane and her group along with well written notes, however when later he rescues Jane in the jungle he speaks to her in the language of the great apes.

When she recalls her experience with this amazing "forest god" to her group they assume they have two mysterious protectors the obviously educated benefactor who is leaving them the food, and the wild untamed apeman.

 

[roach]

my local comic book shop had a petition to stop Batman from being made. I signed it and then was blown away by Keaton's performance. After that I will never let an actors past affect my views of them being cast. I will judge Routh when I see the movie.

 

[C. Lee]

Conan wasn't a scientist in the books....but he wasn't monosylabic either. He starts out, in the stories, not wise to the ways of big cities (he was raised in the wild forests and mountains of the north country)...but he quickly learns to adapt.

The TV versions of the film have to be cut up pretty bad...it was fairly graphic with the bloodletting for it's day.

And yes, Basil's music is fantastic....I still put the soundtract on about once a month.

The stories of the number of stunt men that Sandahl hurt are legendary....it's one of the reasons she and stunt man Terry Leonard got together during the movie....he figured they could handle each other.

Did you ever read the "Cinefantastique" story on the making of the movie? It has a lot of interesting tales....like where Sven Ole Thorsen (Thorgrim) bent a horseshoe with just his hands to show the reporter how strong he was.

 

[C. Lee]

For me the closest in modern film history(never saw the Elmo Lincoln silents) was "Tarzan's Greatest Adventure" with Gordon Scott.

That's one of the best Tarzan films made (even has Sean Connery in it as one of the bad guys).....Scott was really good, but for his other movies he reverted back to a less articulate Tarzan, but not as simple as Weismuller's was.

I would absolutely love to see a true adaptaion of the books made.

 

[SolidSnakeMGS]

Haha, in the movie, when they're escaping from the orgy (I believe-- been a while since I've seen it), you can see her hit one of the bad guys in the chin with her sword. Looked very painful.

I didn't read that magazine, but it sounds interesting. Thorsen is cool and he's in a lot of Arnold movies, and has parts in other great movies, like Hunt for Red October. I didn't even know he could talk until I saw him deliver lines in The Sum of All Fears.

 

[C. Lee]

Sven is the best.....He finally got some good recogonition a couple of years ago for playing the gladiator that fought Russell Crowe with the tigers in Gladiator.

In the early 80's he played the character named "Tank" on the TV series "Captain Power"....there was a scene where he was supposed to run into a brick wall (like a football player) and knock it down...the FX guys made it real as a joke....and he really ran through it.

 

[Nightwing1977]

Wizard Magazine didn't exist until 1992. Nice try though.

Actually, it was Sept. 1991.


And people who positive reviews about SR are paid off? Couldn't those who post negative one are: A) Hate Superman B) People who are paid off by FOX or Marvel or C) Hardcore crazy X-fans

 

[afan]

^One of the overriding themes in the Howard books is the purity of Conan's heritage and the fundamental code of honor that it instilled in Conan vs the abberant nature of civilization and the deviant behaviors of it's various kingdoms and inhabitants.

That the existance of the "barbarian" is natural and pure, from that premise Conan possessed an inate intelligence un-prejudiced by society's mores and restraints. He was keen witted and very quick to learn.

 

[KrypJonian]

I was a kid when Batman was released but I used to read Wizard Magazine at the time so I had my full blown comic book nerd stage going.

I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure Wizard Magazine was not out in '89...


But yeah, I was just a kid then too, but I remember the backlash from the media. I didn't really have an opinion on Keaton beyond Mr. Mom and the Dream Team....

The trailer did leave me in a state of awe though

 

[KrypJonian]

Actually, it was Sept. 1991.


And people who positive reviews about SR are paid off? Couldn't those who post negative one are: A) Hate Superman B) People who are paid off by FOX or Marvel or C) Hardcore crazy X-fans

Oh, there we go...

 

[Nightwing1977]

Oh, there we go...

Like the old saying go: You gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[C. Lee]

^One of the overriding themes in the Howard books is the purity of Conan's heritage and the fundamental code of honor that it instilled in Conan vs the abberant nature of civilization and the deviant behaviors of it's various kingdoms and inhabitants.

That the existance of the "barbarian" is natural and pure, from that premise Conan possessed an inate intelligence un-prejudiced by society's mores and restraints. He was keen witted and very quick to learn.

Have you read all of Howard's work (I have...although it has many years since I did)....I was really surprised by the humor in the Breckinridge Elkins stories (funny as hell)....he's still a very underrated writer.

Also...did you ever see the movie where Vincent D'Onofrio played Robert E. Howard? It was an interesting movie.

 

[KrypJonian]

Oh, oops, I must have gone into the Conan forum....my mistake

Hey C.Lee- What book would you recommend as a good starter for the world of Conan? I've been moderately interested for a long time, but now I really want to check some stuff out.

 

[afan]

Yup read all the Howard books, the Decamp and Carter books and some of the recent efforts; Perry, Jordan etc.
Like you C.Lee I read the Howard works a while ago, during college(early 70s, yikes). Personal favorite is "A Witch Shall be Born". Eagerly anticipating the "Red Nails" animated film. Hope it delivers.
Haven't seen the film you mention. What's the title?

 

[ultimatefan]

First of all, thanks a lot for a thread that makes me feel like five hundred years old... cough, cough...

Second, yeah, I remember the noise around Keaton´s casting, I can only wonder what it would have been if the Internet existed back then, it would make these arguments on organic webs and red on the suit seem like two old ladies discussing mittens on tea time... I ended up liking Keaton in the role, but even then he never felt to me like an ideal choice for the part... Let´s say he was probably the best choice back then (Bale was just a kid, hehe...)

 

[C. Lee]

Yup read all the Howard books, the Decamp and Carter books and some of the recent efforts; Perry, Jordan etc.
Like you C.Lee I read the Howard works a while ago, during college(early 70s, yikes). Personal favorite is "A Witch Shall be Born". Eagerly anticipating the "Red Nails" animated film. Hope it delivers.
Haven't seen the film you mention. What's the title?

The movie is "The Whole Wide World" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118163/

I started reading Howard in the early 70's too...we must be close to the same age (I'm about to turn 49).

KrypJonian....just grab any of the Howard originals to start off (as you can see from above, it's been a loooong time since I read them, and I'm not too sure of the titles).

 

[KrypJonian]

The movie is "The Whole Wide World" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118163/

I started reading Howard in the early 70's too...we must be close to the same age (I'm about to turn 49).

KrypJonian....just grab any of the Howard originals to start off (as you can see from above, it's been a loooong time since I read them, and I'm not too sure of the titles).

Sounds gravy. Thank you sir

 

[afan]

The movie is "The Whole Wide World" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118163/

I started reading Howard in the early 70's too...we must be close to the same age (I'm about to turn 49).

KrypJonian....just grab any of the Howard originals to start off (as you can see from above, it's been a loooong time since I read them, and I'm not too sure of the titles).

Fifty...cough...four

 

[Showtime]

Fifty...cough...four

I'm half your age.

 

[SpiderMarc]

I hated Keaton as Batman....I also hated Burton's style for the first 2 movies. Then we got Shumukitup. He was EVEN worse.

Bottom line, I like Singer's work (X1 and X2), and what I've seen and heard on Routh, I LIKE HIM. I didn't want Welling or a Chris Reeves clone.

I can't wait for this movie.

 

[Steelsheen]

I hated Keaton as Batman....I also hated Burton's style for the first 2 movies. Then we got Shumukitup. He was EVEN worse.

Bottom line, I like Singer's work (X1 and X2), and what I've seen and heard on Routh, I LIKE HIM. I didn't want Welling or a Chris Reeves clone.

I can't wait for this movie.

but isnt Routh a Chris Reeve clone (physically anyway)?

 

[Cinemaman]

Well, critics have already changed their opinion about Routh, they says he is great.

The same will be with people.