iPad Pillars of the Earth Amplified Edition? - Page 2

DixieGal · 07-27-2010, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I've seen the first two episodes and they are really good.

Me too, on the 101 network. It is very good, but with such a complex book, they are cutting out large sections and dumbing it down. Even so, they are doing a good job with it.

This book and sequel tie with "Fire Upon the Deep" and sequel as my all time #1 books.

The Old Man · 07-27-2010, 04:23 PM

Watching the first two episodes I was very much disappointed.
The cast is good. The actors are good. The sets and scenery are good. The costumes are good.

So what’s bad?
The adaptation from book to movie! An excellent book is trashed in this screenplay. Perhaps I expected too much in condensing a long novel into six 50 minute episodes but I was hoping for better than this. Also missing with Netflix’s instant streaming are the subtitles which would have been a big help with some of the dialogue.

I bought the app for the $13 just to explore and see what can be done with the concept. Not too bad but features will be unlocked as I read the book (again) and new episodes are broadcast.

scottjl · 07-27-2010, 06:29 PM

Well come on, how many books ever make the transition to TV and Movie well?

The Old Man · 07-27-2010, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottjl

Well come on, how many books ever make the transition to TV and Movie well?

Gone With the Wind did pretty well as did The Eye of the Needle.

scottjl · 07-27-2010, 10:10 PM

that's 2 out of a few thousand..? not a very good return rate.

HarryT · 07-28-2010, 02:52 AM

The trouble is that there's just too much detail in a typical novel to be included in a movie, so almost inevitably people who like the novel end up disappointed. Short stories often make better movies than novels, for that reason.

Good adaptations? For me, the three "Lord of the Rings" movies (especially the "Extended Editions") were as good an adaptation as I think I could hope to see.

The Old Man · 07-28-2010, 08:12 AM

Very true that it is practically impossible to faithfully and fully transfer a book to film but there are many that have done a creditable job and to make blanket statements condemning all book/movie adaptations is just not fair. There have been many TV series of Dickens, Austin, Doyle, etc that are well done. The film "Gentlemen's Agreement" is almost an exact duplicate of the book and "To Kill a Mockingbird" comes close. Even the early 007 Bond films, Dr. No, Goldfinger, From Russia with Love, are close to Fleming.

Anyway, I was greatly disappointed in "Pillars" and was hoping for better. It's a great book!

I'll add one more: "Hondo" with John Wayne is an outstanding adaptation of the Louis L'Amour novel.

sakura-panda · 07-28-2010, 01:33 PM

This looks slick! I've not been tempted by any of the higher priced "show off" iPad apps, but this one looks like I might enjoy it more than just simply to "see what it can do". I'm intrigued by the idea of features that unlock as you read them, instead of having to save them until after you've finished the entire book.

I have a paperback copy of Pillars of the Earth and an epub of World Without End. It's been a while since I read the original -- I went into it knowing nothing except that it was a bestseller and whatever the blurb on the cover said. I was in a book buying mood and I was looking for something with a long and involved story. As I was reading, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I've been wanting to read it again since learning about the mini-series even though I have not finished reading the sequel. (I am having a hard time "getting into" it.

Not sure why, but I recently gave up again.)

DixieGal · 07-28-2010, 02:44 PM

Are they only previewing the first 2 episodes on the 101 network?

AnemicOak · 07-28-2010, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

Are they only previewing the first 2 episodes on the 101 network?

Yep, it's a 2 episode preview.

DixieGal · 07-28-2010, 04:41 PM

That six! Oh well, whatever.

The Old Man · 07-29-2010, 11:33 AM

My wife has acquired my iPad to read "Pillars."

Now what should I do?
Buy another iPad.
Buy a cheaper eReader? Which one?
Shoot myself?
Shoot my wife?

scottjl · 07-29-2010, 11:47 AM

give your wife her own ipad as a gift. it'll score the most points, and won't land you in jail.

JSWolf · 08-02-2010, 10:26 PM

Buy the paperback of Pillars of the Earth for your wife and take back the iPad.

The mini-series is actually eight episodes.

Over · 08-03-2010, 02:53 AM

I'm very disapointed with the series. I've only watched the first episode, and it's completely butchered and shuffled. Even those who didn't read the book, will notice something wrong, not know how or why this character appeared, joined or did this or that.

Of course, having 27 years old characters portrayed by 50+ year old actors, for example, doesn't help too. But that could be understandable.

But the book's story is really butchered.

Not recommended.

07-28-2010, 08:12 AM	#22
The Old Man Fanatic Posts: 525 Karma: 1300001 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Keene, New Hampshire Device: iPad Mini, iPad Pro, Fire 8", iPhone, PaperWhite 2	Very true that it is practically impossible to faithfully and fully transfer a book to film but there are many that have done a creditable job and to make blanket statements condemning all book/movie adaptations is just not fair. There have been many TV series of Dickens, Austin, Doyle, etc that are well done. The film "Gentlemen's Agreement" is almost an exact duplicate of the book and "To Kill a Mockingbird" comes close. Even the early 007 Bond films, Dr. No, Goldfinger, From Russia with Love, are close to Fleming. Anyway, I was greatly disappointed in "Pillars" and was hoping for better. It's a great book! I'll add one more: "Hondo" with John Wayne is an outstanding adaptation of the Louis L'Amour novel. Last edited by The Old Man; 07-28-2010 at 10:46 AM. Reason: Added Hondo

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07-27-2010, 04:23 PM	#17
The Old Man Fanatic Posts: 525 Karma: 1300001 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Keene, New Hampshire Device: iPad Mini, iPad Pro, Fire 8", iPhone, PaperWhite 2	Watching the first two episodes I was very much disappointed. The cast is good. The actors are good. The sets and scenery are good. The costumes are good. So what’s bad? The adaptation from book to movie! An excellent book is trashed in this screenplay. Perhaps I expected too much in condensing a long novel into six 50 minute episodes but I was hoping for better than this. Also missing with Netflix’s instant streaming are the subtitles which would have been a big help with some of the dialogue. I bought the app for the $13 just to explore and see what can be done with the concept. Not too bad but features will be unlocked as I read the book (again) and new episodes are broadcast.

07-27-2010, 06:29 PM	#18
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	Well come on, how many books ever make the transition to TV and Movie well?

07-27-2010, 10:10 PM	#20
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	that's 2 out of a few thousand..? not a very good return rate.

07-28-2010, 02:52 AM	#21
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The trouble is that there's just too much detail in a typical novel to be included in a movie, so almost inevitably people who like the novel end up disappointed. Short stories often make better movies than novels, for that reason. Good adaptations? For me, the three "Lord of the Rings" movies (especially the "Extended Editions") were as good an adaptation as I think I could hope to see.

07-28-2010, 01:33 PM	#23
sakura-panda Guru Posts: 923 Karma: 9558874 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southeast Michigan, USA Device: 2017 10.5" iPad Pro (Kobo, NOOK, Kindle, Google Play Books & Scribd)	This looks slick! I've not been tempted by any of the higher priced "show off" iPad apps, but this one looks like I might enjoy it more than just simply to "see what it can do". I'm intrigued by the idea of features that unlock as you read them, instead of having to save them until after you've finished the entire book. I have a paperback copy of Pillars of the Earth and an epub of World Without End. It's been a while since I read the original -- I went into it knowing nothing except that it was a bestseller and whatever the blurb on the cover said. I was in a book buying mood and I was looking for something with a long and involved story. As I was reading, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I've been wanting to read it again since learning about the mini-series even though I have not finished reading the sequel. (I am having a hard time "getting into" it. Not sure why, but I recently gave up again.)

07-28-2010, 02:44 PM	#24
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	Are they only previewing the first 2 episodes on the 101 network?

07-28-2010, 04:41 PM	#26
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	That six! Oh well, whatever.

07-29-2010, 11:33 AM	#27
The Old Man Fanatic Posts: 525 Karma: 1300001 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Keene, New Hampshire Device: iPad Mini, iPad Pro, Fire 8", iPhone, PaperWhite 2	My wife has acquired my iPad to read "Pillars." Now what should I do? Buy another iPad. Buy a cheaper eReader? Which one? Shoot myself? Shoot my wife?

07-29-2010, 11:47 AM	#28
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	give your wife her own ipad as a gift. it'll score the most points, and won't land you in jail.

08-02-2010, 10:26 PM	#29
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 74,037 Karma: 129333114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Buy the paperback of Pillars of the Earth for your wife and take back the iPad. The mini-series is actually eight episodes.

08-03-2010, 02:53 AM	#30
Over Wizard Posts: 1,462 Karma: 6061516 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cascais, Portugal Device: Kindle PW, Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2", OnePlus 6	I'm very disapointed with the series. I've only watched the first episode, and it's completely butchered and shuffled. Even those who didn't read the book, will notice something wrong, not know how or why this character appeared, joined or did this or that. Of course, having 27 years old characters portrayed by 50+ year old actors, for example, doesn't help too. But that could be understandable. But the book's story is really butchered. Not recommended.