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bryce_is_a_librarian's review
5.0
Read it and weep literally.
Don't expect to stop imagining what could have been.
Don't expect to stop imagining what could have been.
blevins's review
3.0
This collection of essays on science fiction films that were "almost" made has some great chapters in it--David Lynch's never filmed "Ronnie Rocket," the story behind all the "Alien" films and the "Star Trek" chapter were my favorites. Some I didn't care for at all simply because I'm not into the source--"The [b:Watchmen|472331|Watchmen|Alan Moore|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1175041710s/472331.jpg|4358649]" or "Dune" for example.
Still, the interesting thing was to read about the failed attempts to make a few of these films and how different screenplays or a different director would have drastically changed the final product.
Still, the interesting thing was to read about the failed attempts to make a few of these films and how different screenplays or a different director would have drastically changed the final product.
jobby's review
3.0
A fascinating look at all the work that can go into getting a film made only to have the studio execs say "Nah, we're not going to give you the money to make that. we want to make X instead", or to have all the good stuff changed so the resulting film is awful.
Makes you wonder what could have been. :(
Makes you wonder what could have been. :(
watchingpreacher's review
4.0
An interesting look behind the curtains of several failed Hollywood productions.
markk's review
3.0
As a longtime film fan, one of the things that has always intrigued me is the uncompleted film project, the idea that for some reason stalls out and never makes it to fruition. This fascination is what made David Hughes’s book such an interesting read for me. Using a mixture of firsthand interviews and exploitation of fan and film literature he chronicles numerous projects, drafts, and proposals for science fiction movies. While many of the projects he chronicles never saw the silver screen, he also describes some of the abandoned drafts and visions for some of the most enduring franchises of the genre, such as the Star Trek and “Alien” series.
Some of his chapters will be heart-breaking for fans of the novels and franchises that underwent the process, yet reading the book offers insight into the convoluted process of film making. Reading it can often be saddening, as Hughes often succeeds in firing the imagination with description of unrealized projects that could have been breathtaking. Though true fans of these various franchises may be familiar with many of details Hughes describes, the book serves as a good overall account of Hollywood’s often awkward relationship with the genre and a nice gift for the sci-fi film fan in your life.
Some of his chapters will be heart-breaking for fans of the novels and franchises that underwent the process, yet reading the book offers insight into the convoluted process of film making. Reading it can often be saddening, as Hughes often succeeds in firing the imagination with description of unrealized projects that could have been breathtaking. Though true fans of these various franchises may be familiar with many of details Hughes describes, the book serves as a good overall account of Hollywood’s often awkward relationship with the genre and a nice gift for the sci-fi film fan in your life.
rednikki's review
4.0
This was a fascinating look at the world of moviemaking in general and genre moviemaking in particular. I was especially interested in some of the stories of films that did get made, such as Supernova and The Island of Doctor Moreau. Both films seemed to be even more painful to make than they were to watch.
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