Wednesday, April 13, 2011

THE DARK TOWER FILMS


Yeah, I know that this is music unrelated, but I think my 7 or 8 frequent guests aren't going to mind too damn much me spending a few minutes discussing one of the best tales ever told being raised upon the talkies, both large and small.

Yes all, I am speaking of Stephen King's masterpiece The Dark Tower.

For those of you who know not what I speak of, I ask you to seek out the tale and immerse your mind into it. Do it now, please.

For those that do know, and have traveled many wheels with Roland Deschain, the Last Gunslinger of Gilead that was and the Ka-Tet of Nineteen, hear me now I beg.
The undertaking of transferring the epic tale to film is possibly impossible to begin with, despite the fact that every soul who has ever traveled it desires to see it done so. Those of us who believe that Sai King actually was the medium and pivot for its creation on this level secretly fear the slow destruction of its purity, yet desire to see its justice brought forth. Such an undertaking, in the hands of the wrong interpreters, would surely spell disaster for those who hold the tale so dear, including the author himself.

Unfortunately, most of the bard's tales transfer poorly to film due to the cerebral level he communicates on. With the few exceptions of personal interpretation (Kubrick's vision of The Shining is one), Stephen King's beautiful stories are usually lost on film. It is no fault of the author, yet I can give my opinion that it is the fault of the production.  Lame casting, poor editing and half-assed directing have plagued his devoted time and again, leaving us with empty feelings and hoping some good glorious day something might arise that could do justice to the tales we love.

The Dark Tower is not your typical King tale at all. If anything, it is his finest work. If it should fall into the wrong hands it could suffer beyond all measure.

Enter Director Ron Howard and his vision. 

Yes, he has been tapped to tackle the epic journey of The Last Gunslinger and his quest for the Dark Tower. NBC Universal announced that The Dark Tower will see the light of day as three films and two television series. The two television series will span the gap between the films and use to its advantage the extended time a serial provides.

So comes the first question on every one's minds.

 Who will be cast as Roland of Gilead?

The answer?
It is swirling around the halls of Entertainment that Oscar nominated actor Javier Bardem has been offered the role. My first thought was-  Yeah, that could definitely work.

So yes, I am now a little more hopeful that this really could work. Let us all who really care continue to hope and offer up our opinions as The Tower draws near. 
Long Days and Pleasant Nights to you and yours.
 

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