I can't read a book twice. I can't watch a movie twice. I remember every thing from the first time, I just can't do it again.

I started reading 'The Tomb' again three days ago. I am almost intrigued as the first time and I can't put the books down. I already finished 'The Tomb' and I'm about a third of the way threw 'Legacies.'

This time I'm reading them in order.

I remember a few months ago, there was a thread of people's favorite disturbing scenes. I just finished Dydeetown World yesterday and have to tell about one that has definitely climbed up into my top 3 and vying(?) for first place.

Kyle's punishment from The Man From Mars. Lying on the floor of that cave with nothing but his nerves, spinal cord and his head. With a lung machine keeping him alive. That was told so well. It kept replaying in my head throughout the rest of the book. Oh my God! The pain!

The only thing that MIGHT top that is the kid (whose name escapes me at the moment) being buried alive and in pain all those years in REPRISAL.

Sorry. I just wanted to announce that after 4 years, I have finally completed my F. Paul Wilson collection. A collection of perfect-to-near-perfect copies of all of his books in hardcover. (Finally got an unopened copy of "Soft and Others" last weekend). I've been getting the Borderlands Adversary Cycle, but have also managed to track down (or been given) first printings of Keep, Reborn and Reprisal. I'm not sure of my Nightworld is the first printing, but it is a nice hardcover nonetheless.

Words cannot describe how proud I am of my completed collection.

But now, the search is over. And I have no choice but to wait until FPW writes more!

...I'm bored out of my gourd at work today and so I decided to troll imdb until I had a solid list of those working actors born in 1978. (This would make them 26 back in October.)

The following actors (in a semblance of chronological order) would be eligible (given the parameters) to play Jack. (I've probably missed someone important who actually will play the part.)

Eddie Cahill (CSI: NY)
Ashton Kutcher (the anti-Jack)
Jensen Ackles (late of "Veronica Mars")
Jason Biggs ("American Wedding")
David Krumholtz (Numb3rs)
Shane West (ER)
Ethan Embry ("Sweet Home Alabama")
Joshua Jackson (Dawson's Creek et al)
David Kopp
Adam Busch ("Point Pleasant")
Topher Grace ("In Good Company")
Josh Hartnett ("40 Days and 40 Nights")
Nick Wechsler (Roswell)
Wes Bentley ("American Beauty")
Devon Sawa ("Final Destination")
Benjamin McKenzie (The O.C.)
Will Estes (American Dreams)
Nathan West ("Miracle")
Jesse Metcalfe (Desperate Housewives)
Gael Garcia Bernal ("The Motorcycle Diaries")
Cameron Douglas (son of Michael)
Ian Somerhalder (Lost)

And now, these people are eligible, but unlikely:
Randy Spelling (90210)
Justin Guarini ("From Justin to Kelly")
Clay Aiken
Ruben Studdard

but I really think if there have to be a ton of rewrites, it is one of the following two people:

Kobe Bryant
Sisqo

both of whom would need copious rewrites (how to explain Kobe's height and still have him blend into the crowd! Why Sisqo looks like he's going to break out in rap immediately!)

In all seriousness, I believe the list above does contain the potential Jack. When the number 26 showed up (not as cool as 42, but what can you do?), a face popped into my head. This person would need rewrites galore, but could probably carry the movie. I also think that Benjamin McKenzie would be inspired casting, and he could carry the darker points of Jack's personality without problem. Having said that, I'm not sure he's actually the actor in question. (Wes Bentley would also be inspired casting. Why has no one tapped into this kid like Sam Mendes did?)

Okay, you may start yelling, or just go back to your regular bandwidth.

Today, I went to see The Phantom of the Opera.

This is gorgeous! Music and songs, costumes, set design, camera work, everything were great.except actors and actress. Gerard Butler is...Phantom? Gimme a break! He doesn't look like Phantom. Well, I must forget that awful actor. If I can forget him, this movie is perfect.

Anyway, this is worthy to see opening scene...and, songs and music. I bought soundtrack.

Ever since I joined, I have seen a lot of buzz around here about a possible RJ movie. Plainly, the fans are excited. Certainly, fpw is excited: you get to see your creations on the big screen, big payday of course, etc. However, I would prefer not to have an RJ movie. Why?
1- I am not a movie buff. Hollywood in general makes bad movies since the blockbuster mentality took over after Star Wars . Oh sure, I'll watch them at home sometimes, but I hate the theater.
2- I prefer books. You can't curl up with a movie. Also, I imagine the books I read my way. I don't like confusing my mental picture with someone else's.
3- Call me petty, but while I don't mind the RJ fan base expanding, I'd hate for it too include the part of the public that doesn't know what a book is. It may not feel as special to me.
4- Hollywood does poor with SF movies in general, and does a horrible job turning the genre of fantastic fiction into movies. Let's recap a bit:

Asimov- Bicentennial Man- yawn
I, Robot- puh-lease
Nightfall- Oh the horror of it all. Worst movie ever!

Bradbury- Martian Chronicles- who knew Mars could be so boring?

Clarke- 2001- Well, here is an exception. Not a favorite movie of mine (too slow), actually, but I'll admit it is a cut above the rest, and a critic's darling.

Dick- Do Androids Dream- OK- another exception- SF book turned into classic movie.
We can Remember It For You Wholesale- The movie should have been titles "How Ahnold and Sharon Stone ruin movies in 3 easy steps".
Minority Report- Great Story, awful movie

Heinlein- Puppet Masters- this is a joke right? Could this movie have been worse? And such great material to work from. A shame.
Starship Troopers- aka "How to take a sophisticated SF story, and turn it into a killer-bugs-from-space movie."

Herbert- Dune- The best thing about this movie was Sting naked.

Tolkein- animated Hobbit, LOTR, ROTK- Wow, these were bad.
LOTR (Peter Jackson version)- one of the best movies ever.

So here is my scorecard- 12 classic stories, 3 good movies. And this is not even counting the movies that are so bad I have never seen (Moon is a Harsh Mistress, the Keep, etc etc etc).

I expect a lot of flak, so start firing...

Just finished Crisscross. Excellent, like all the other RJ novels. After reading about the butterfly bandages (admittedly not on Jack) I was thinking he (Jack) really ought to carry around a little tube of super glue for those cuts he is bound to get. The stuff works great, stops the bleeding and opposes the edges of the wound.

xxxxxxxxxx

fpw Wrote:In The Exorcist -- when Fr. Merrin steps through the front door and we hear the demon call his name.

I just thought of this one:

Jack Nicholson yelling at Ann Margaret in Carnal Knowledge. 'I'm taken by me!'

Someone delete this