Showing posts with label Brandon Sanderson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brandon Sanderson. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Book Reviews: Mistborn - The Final Empire
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Book Reviews: Alcatraz Versus The Evil Librarians
Alcatraz Versus The Evil Librarians is actually the second book of Brandon's that I've read. I first read his very first novel Elantris, before I knew who he was. I'll review Elantris at a later date, but needless to say after reading it, and figuring out that it was Brandon who was going to finish The Wheel of Time, and that he teaches a creative writing class at my school, I decided that I wanted to try out the rest of his books. I already knew that he could do Epic Fantasy, so I decided I'd find out if his YA books were any good (or is it middlegrade?).
Alcatraz Versus The Evil Librarians is about Alcatraz Smedry, and how he's suddenly thrown into a world shaking conflict against a society of evil librarians. The premise is silly enough to make a good comedy, but what really sells this book is the fact that Sanderson actually manages to have it make sense. What really makes it click for me is the big plot twist of the book, where we realize that the series is set in the real world, but it's unlike our world in a major way.
Obviously the tone is very different from Elantris, Alcatraz is written in first person, a trend that I've been noticing is very common in YA literature. While I'm not a huge fan of the viewpoint, I can see why it would be very effective for the genre. In Alcatraz's case it is perfect for conveying Alcatraz's personality, which in my opinion is both a positive and a negative thing.
For one, we get a good understanding of who Alcatraz is, which is a necessary strength of the book, as a lot of what makes it so good is the fact that Alcatraz is in a typical young adult story, where the stranger comes and tells you about your magical heritage, but he's too sensible to do the stupid, and common thing, that most YA characters do, which is follow the obviously deranged person.
The downside is, and this is something that really bugged me, I don't know how much it would bug other people, throughout the book Alcatraz repeatedly alludes to a tragic ending, which works for some, but not so much for me. Personally I'm not a huge fan of depressing story telling, and the overall sense in Alcatraz is that no matter how big the victory, there is still a dark underbelly, waiting to be found. I will admit though, that it is pretty good character development, the way Alcatraz continually repeats that he is not a good person, which adds to the overall dark presence in the book.
I apologize for this review being a little lack-luster. It's been a few months since I read this book, and I guess I'm once again learning that writing a review of something I didn't just finish reading is not a good idea. Well, I hope my review for the next book is better, which it should be, since I just got my hands on a copy of it and plan to read and finish it soon.
If you liked my review, buy the book here: Alcatraz Versus The Evil Librarians
Friday, February 5, 2010
Brandon Sanderson Mistborn Movie Interview
A few weeks back I posted about the Mistborn movie deal being announced. Since I'm in the creative writing class that the author, Brandon Sanderson, teaches, I decided to talk to him after class a little, and find out what I could about the new movie deal. Keep in mind, that the movie is still in the early stages, so details about the production are still forthcoming.
Maybe I'll bug him later when I hear more.
Derek Bown: Okay, I think my most important question is; what do you have in your books that you know will have to be cut? So, in other words, what's your Tom Bombadil?
Brandon Sanderson: Great question. What's my Tom Bombadil? I think there's a lot of things that I kinda like. I think that to streamline into a movie you generally have to take some time away from side characters and focus on main characters. That's generally whatt happens in film, and I think that the Mistborn books would have that happen in film, by necessity. I think that by necessity allomancy isgoing to feel very different. We can't do some of the conceptual things, it's going to turn into a more visual type of combat. It's going to look more like Kung Fu, and less like wacky, screwy magic system. I think that's a necessary change. We'll see what they do. I mean, there are definitely some things that will need to be cut, I don't even know right now from the Mistborn books specifically what would have to be cut. What else you got?
DB: Does the contract cover the whole trilogy, or just the first book?
BS: The contract covers the entire trilogy.
DB: Who would your ideal director be for the movies?
BS: Who would my ideal director be? I've long thought that I would absolutely love to get Brian Singer. I think that he would be my choice, mainly because I've liked - across various different genres he's done - his ability to blend action with characterization. I love his ability to do that, and I was one of the people who loved the Superman Returns movie, and I've liked his X-Men a lot. Something about the feel of how he uses his action sequences works very well for me.
DB: Who would you like to compose the soundtrack?
BS: It's going to depend on the feel of the movie, I mean, every composer has their own concept. I've really liked Harry Gregson Williams recently, and he's one of my favorites. But, you know, there's also the perennial favorites. I'm not as much a John Williams fan as everyone else seems to be for some reason. I prefer James Horner more. I prefer...umm...what's his name? The one who did all the soundtracks for all of Shyamalan's movies? Newton something? No.
DB: Newton...Howard?
BS: Newton Howard? Maybe. James Newton Howard, that's it. I like his soundtracks a lot. However, I don't know if they'd mix with Mistborn that well.
DB: Do you have any favorite actors you would like to see in the lead roles?
BS: You know, the girl from Juno, I think would be a great Vin. If they did the right sort of things. I've never been able to cast Kelsier in my head, but the girl from Juno - Ellen Page - I think she would be great for Vin.
DB: Is there any talk of your non-Mistborn books being adapted into movies?
BS: Besides Alcatraz? Alcatraz has been sold to Dreamworks animation. I've only had occasional little pings about Elantris, but nothing substantial. And that only leaves Warbreaker, and we haven't had any substantial movie offers. I mean, I do occasionally make my way to Hollywood, and I do get to talk to people and pitch ideas and things.
DB: What's the limit to the number of changes that you feel should be made? For example, what are your feelings about the changes made in the Prince Caspian movie versus the book?
BS: I think that a Director must be given complete artistic freedom to adapt as they feel necessary. I feel that generally more changes are better. For instance, my feeling is that the first two Harry Potter movies didn't change enough, whereas the third and fourth ones did. I didn't agree with all the decisions he made, but I liked Peter Jackson's adaptation of the Lord of the Rings. He had to adapt. That is why I feel that the Golden Compass is a great example of not adapting. They filmed scene by scene, and it made for a boring movie. A great book turned into a boring movie, and I feel that any book taken and filmed scene by scene would be boring. So, I'm a believer in adaptation, and I wouldn't put any requirements on a director.
DB: Are there any movies that you think have the closest feel to Mistborn?
BS: I mentioned Brian Singer. I think his X-Men 2 does a great job of melding action and character, that's one of the ones that I like. So, you know, there are a lot of movies out there that...you're putting me on the spot...that blend fantasy... The first Lord of the Rings is my favorite. It's a great blend, but it's not a good match for these types of movies. I think something like X2, or some of the other Superhero movies are a better beat by beat feel for how a Mistborn movie would go.
DB: How long do you expect the movies to be?
BS: I have no idea. I would anticipate that the screenplays will be standard film screenplays. So, Alcatraz would be 90 minutes - about 90 pages - and Mistborn would be 120. But who knows what the director will do once they actually start making a shooting script.
DB: Are there any release dates yet?
BS: Nope, nothing. Alcatraz is being considered for 2013. Mistborn doesn't even have a consideration yet. Is that all?
DB: That's all, thank you very much.
BS: Thank you.
Maybe I'll bug him later when I hear more.
Derek Bown: Okay, I think my most important question is; what do you have in your books that you know will have to be cut? So, in other words, what's your Tom Bombadil?
Brandon Sanderson: Great question. What's my Tom Bombadil? I think there's a lot of things that I kinda like. I think that to streamline into a movie you generally have to take some time away from side characters and focus on main characters. That's generally whatt happens in film, and I think that the Mistborn books would have that happen in film, by necessity. I think that by necessity allomancy isgoing to feel very different. We can't do some of the conceptual things, it's going to turn into a more visual type of combat. It's going to look more like Kung Fu, and less like wacky, screwy magic system. I think that's a necessary change. We'll see what they do. I mean, there are definitely some things that will need to be cut, I don't even know right now from the Mistborn books specifically what would have to be cut. What else you got?
DB: Does the contract cover the whole trilogy, or just the first book?
BS: The contract covers the entire trilogy.
DB: Who would your ideal director be for the movies?
BS: Who would my ideal director be? I've long thought that I would absolutely love to get Brian Singer. I think that he would be my choice, mainly because I've liked - across various different genres he's done - his ability to blend action with characterization. I love his ability to do that, and I was one of the people who loved the Superman Returns movie, and I've liked his X-Men a lot. Something about the feel of how he uses his action sequences works very well for me.
DB: Who would you like to compose the soundtrack?
BS: It's going to depend on the feel of the movie, I mean, every composer has their own concept. I've really liked Harry Gregson Williams recently, and he's one of my favorites. But, you know, there's also the perennial favorites. I'm not as much a John Williams fan as everyone else seems to be for some reason. I prefer James Horner more. I prefer...umm...what's his name? The one who did all the soundtracks for all of Shyamalan's movies? Newton something? No.
DB: Newton...Howard?
BS: Newton Howard? Maybe. James Newton Howard, that's it. I like his soundtracks a lot. However, I don't know if they'd mix with Mistborn that well.
DB: Do you have any favorite actors you would like to see in the lead roles?
BS: You know, the girl from Juno, I think would be a great Vin. If they did the right sort of things. I've never been able to cast Kelsier in my head, but the girl from Juno - Ellen Page - I think she would be great for Vin.
DB: Is there any talk of your non-Mistborn books being adapted into movies?
BS: Besides Alcatraz? Alcatraz has been sold to Dreamworks animation. I've only had occasional little pings about Elantris, but nothing substantial. And that only leaves Warbreaker, and we haven't had any substantial movie offers. I mean, I do occasionally make my way to Hollywood, and I do get to talk to people and pitch ideas and things.
DB: What's the limit to the number of changes that you feel should be made? For example, what are your feelings about the changes made in the Prince Caspian movie versus the book?
BS: I think that a Director must be given complete artistic freedom to adapt as they feel necessary. I feel that generally more changes are better. For instance, my feeling is that the first two Harry Potter movies didn't change enough, whereas the third and fourth ones did. I didn't agree with all the decisions he made, but I liked Peter Jackson's adaptation of the Lord of the Rings. He had to adapt. That is why I feel that the Golden Compass is a great example of not adapting. They filmed scene by scene, and it made for a boring movie. A great book turned into a boring movie, and I feel that any book taken and filmed scene by scene would be boring. So, I'm a believer in adaptation, and I wouldn't put any requirements on a director.
DB: Are there any movies that you think have the closest feel to Mistborn?
BS: I mentioned Brian Singer. I think his X-Men 2 does a great job of melding action and character, that's one of the ones that I like. So, you know, there are a lot of movies out there that...you're putting me on the spot...that blend fantasy... The first Lord of the Rings is my favorite. It's a great blend, but it's not a good match for these types of movies. I think something like X2, or some of the other Superhero movies are a better beat by beat feel for how a Mistborn movie would go.
DB: How long do you expect the movies to be?
BS: I have no idea. I would anticipate that the screenplays will be standard film screenplays. So, Alcatraz would be 90 minutes - about 90 pages - and Mistborn would be 120. But who knows what the director will do once they actually start making a shooting script.
DB: Are there any release dates yet?
BS: Nope, nothing. Alcatraz is being considered for 2013. Mistborn doesn't even have a consideration yet. Is that all?
DB: That's all, thank you very much.
BS: Thank you.
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