Hyperion, book to movie

Moz and CoKeXpdX are in with some news, about books. Before the riots begin, have a read. . .

Atomicans love their movies -- especially the good ones.

The last couple of years have heralded a new trend in film making with the advent of an unusual and unorthodox approach -- the process of actually thinking about the movie before making it. Funny how it improves the final product, hey?

The two classic examples of this are the stunning LoTR series and the revolutionary Matrix trilogy. . . pardon the pun.

These movies have not only redefined the art of movie making, but have finished the job that George Lucas' Star Wars had begun -- making sci-fi/fantasy fashionable and acceptable and placing it squarely in the main stream of entertainment.

It would appear that we are in for more of the same if rumours are to be believed. Emerging from the internet are some titillating whispers of a new mega movie series in the works.

Sci-fi, fantasy and horror fans may well have heard of the writer Dan Simmons in their literary explorations. An accomplished author, Mr. Simmons is responsible among other things, for the magnificent Hyperion Cantos, an epic, four-book sci-fi extravaganza.

You guessed it – Someone wants to put it on the big screen. 'Pffft, big deal,' I hear you say.

What will make this any different from the countless other 'paper-to-celluloid' attempts that have left satisfied readers in an advanced state of 'being pissed off' when their favourite novel has been raped by the money-hungry movie moguls?

Let's list some reasons for you.

For starters, these novels are seriously screwed up. In a really cool way that is. Screwy things are cool. True. Take thumbscrews for example. . .

No one has attempted to film anything this crazy since Darkkon videoed the destruction of a rapidly descending PC.

The screenplay will be written by Dan Simmons himself, thereby guaranteeing at least some semblance of similarity and continuity, and hopefully retaining the 'feel' of the books.

The director interested is none other than the cinematic genius Martin Scorsese. He has filmed such classics as Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Casino, and Cape Fear. The list really does go on.

There should be lots of really cool special effects including epic space battles and bizarre new worlds. The CGI dude will be working overtime on this one.

The Priest's Tale and The Tesla Trees are alleged to be included. (If you've read the book, you'll be unashamedly drooling right now.)
The Shrike. The coolest, most frightening monster ever. Guaranteed to give you big, scary nightmares.

There are seven damn good reasons. Eight if you include that cinema popcorn rocks, and nine if you have a hot partner you'd like to spend time in the back row with.

Whatever reasons appeal to you, this will certainly be one movie to keep your eyes, ears and any other orifices open for. In the meantime, do yourself a favour and track down a copy of Hyperion and get yourself a taste of what's in store.

-- Moz and CoKeXpdX