For those of you who watch ABC’s LOST you may have been surprised to find out that “the others” were, aparently, classically educated! This was a great little tid-bit that came up on the 2nd episode of season 6 when we find out that all of “the others” know and speak Latin. What a great way to show the benefits of a classical education! Great job LOST writers!!
For anyone interested in Classical Education check out Oak Grove Classical Academy here in Albuquerque, NM.
So apparently Walden Media — the guys who made the Narnia movies, as well as City of Ember — have bought the rights to produce The Screwtape Letters into a motion picture. This is both good and bad I think. Good because I’m glad it’s going to be made into a movie… bad because I’m afraid they will try and make it a narrative with some sort of “plot” that’s not in the book.
The truth is that there is no need for make-up or special effects of any kind in this film. There’s no need to show Screwtape, Wormwood, or ANY demons at all for that matter. In fact, the If they want to do it correctly then they should focus on Wormwood’s “patient”… the focus of the book.
My idea for how this film should be done came to me years ago and has come up in my mind many times since. If it were up to me the film would be void of any and all natural audio. The only sound would be Screwtape & Wormwood’s voices reading their letters. The visuals would be of the “patient”… going about his days, filmed in almost an “old home movie” dream like way… edges of the screen burned out, as if watching him through a hell anchored periscope.
This would, in my opinion, be such an eerie, and honestly disturbing, way of converting this great book into a motion picture.
The book makes you want to drop to your knees in fear and repentance numerous times. It’s “voice” is overwhelming true and cuts anyone who reads it to the heart. The film should do no less. Yet, if it’s all make-up and screaming and CGI and loud “ominous” music, I’m afraid it will not only flop in the theaters but lose its bite and claws as a work.
So, my hope is that Walden Media reads this and takes note.
An Open Letter to George Lucas & Lucas Films LTD.
Dear Mr. Lucas,
There are reports that you’re going to be producing a live action Star Wars shows in the next couple of years. This is incredibly exciting for me as not only a life-long Star Wars fan, but as a member of the 501st Legion because it’s said that the show is going to take place between Episode III – Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV – A New Hope… in other words the glory days of the Empire.
If this is true it means lots of stormtroopers… not clone troopers (which are cool in their own right) but the good, “old fashioned,” tried and true stormtroopers I grew up loving, wanting to be, and now am one of!
My hope is that you will use this series to show more than just the “rebellions” side of things. Show some of the stormtrooper’s point of view. Being out in the galaxy, fighting for a cause they truly believe in, following orders that are sometimes hard to understand, but always unswerving in their loyalty… or at least torn about it when they’re not.
If you do this there’s one actor that I believe you should do all you can to get to play the part of one of these stormtroopers… Kevin McKidd!
Mr. McKidd has already played Legion member Lucius Vorenus (of Caesar’s 13th Legion) in HBO’s ROME and his acting in that — not to mention other roles I’ve loved him in such as Topsy Turvey and now Grey’s Anatomy — is exactly what could send a live action Star Wars drama through the stratosphere!
I hope that you’ll consider both focusing on a few stormtroopers — maybe even a squad — and that you’ll especially consider using Kevin McKidd as one of those!
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts,
Noel
Dear Matt,
I never thought you were stupid. I never thought you were a “schmo” (for lack of a better word). In fact, I thought you were an amazing guy… a guy that I honestly wish there were more of in the world today.
I recently read a little blurb in Entertainment Weekly (I believe) where you told what you thought of “The Joe Schmo Show” and what you did afterwards… going to California and “blowing” your money on stuff and feeling bad about yourself… I just want to say that’s fine with me. In fact, it only shows more of your wonderful nature. Your sincerity. Not just with life, but with yourself.
I know that I may be saying a bunch of non-sense… and why you would care what I have to say I don’t know… but I want you to know that there are hundreds of thousands of people that agree with me on this. I’m just sure of it!
I really enjoyed the show… I’ve shown it to my wife (after we were married) and friends, and anyone that I can get to watch it I tell to watch it. The reason is simple… YOU! It’s not the fact they “tricked” you. Heck, who wouldn’t have been tricked? It’s the fact that you were so genuine… so friendly… so amazingly honest and humble and happy. You obviously have a solid moral center, and I thank God that they chose you for the show, and I pray that your life, wife and kids, and all you do are blessed. You were a blessing to me.
Dear Neil Patrick Harris, Joss Whedon, or anyone else involved in the brilliant Dr. Horrible films online… we want you to know that YOU are invited to our Halloween party this year!
The theme is “Villains” and, Neil, if you make it then we would be glad to rearrange our schedule of the night’s events to fit you (a.k.a. Dr. Horrible) in as a keynote speaker.
Your room, board, and food could all be taken care of while you’re in Springfield, MO. And, since the party is on the 18th of October you should be free from all other obligations both contractual and familial. (I’m guessing of course.)
So, please oh please come! We’re not ones to beg, but saying please twice with an “oh” between it hardly qualifies as begging.
You can contact through the Halloween page form… of course we’ll have to verify its you, and not Patrick Neil Harrison. We do NOT want him at the party. Fuzz ball.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
P.S. Plus we live in Albuquerque now… I mean come on.
