CS Lewis “absolutely opposed” to live-action films

A letter by CS Lewis has emerged indicating that the author of the Narnia books was “absolutely opposed” to live-action adaptations of his works.

In the letter, dated December 18 1959, Lewis made clear he approved of the radio version of the book produced by Lance Sieveking, a pioneering BBC radio and television producer. But in letters written shortly before the death of his wife, Joy, Lewis also said he was “absolutely opposed – adamant isn’t in it! – to a TV version” of any of the books. “Anthropomorphic animals, when taken out of narrative into actual visibility, always turn into buffoonery or nightmare. At least, with photography,” he wrote.

A cartoon version would be “another matter”, he said. But Lewis, who died in 1963, added: “If only Disney did not combine so much vulgarity with his genius.” In conclusion, he said that “a human, pantomime Aslan would to me be blasphemy”.

It’s sad Lewis won’t be here to see it. Perhaps he’d have changed his mind.

Cooking for Geeks

Because I can’t stop laughing, I must share this description I found of Alton Brown:

I first became aware of Good Eats a few years ago when I was clicking through the channels and came upon his show. The only reason I paused to watch it was because I thought Alton Brown looked like Luke Skywalker. And honestly, who wouldn’t watch a cooking show by Luke Skywalker? Except maybe those damn Sand People.

Many more valid reasons to watch Good Eats at TVgasm.

Crafty corner: Knitting, Falcon Mac

Star Wars-themed Fairisle knitting patterns for those who’ve moved beyond the ubiquitous Hogwarts scarves. The stormtrooper and TIE Bomber patterns seem to be crying out for the Stitch and Bitch wrist cuff treatment. Or maybe one of our more knit-literate CJers could make up a Vader or Clonetrooper pattern?

For those proficient with a dremel tool, MacMod has a step-by-step on inserting a Mac Mini and iSight camera into a Playskool Millennium Falcon. Nifty!

Zombie Thanksgiving Film News

Cinematical has seven really, really bad films for you to watch for the holiday, headed up by Howard the Duck. Personally, turkey day just hasn’t been the same since Mystery Science Theatre 3000 bit it.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire broke Spider-Man’s Friday release record.

Peter Jackson is trying to get director’s credits for two of King Kong‘s lead animators.

See a clip from The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe.

Fan of the Arthurian legends? Check out the trailer for Tristan and Isolde. Sadly, the trailer contains an Evancesance song, but the movie does star James Franco (Spider-Man) and the smokin’ hot Rufus Sewell (A Knight’s Tale) so there’s hope. I have the sinking feeling that I’m going to come out of this one wanting to smack Isolde, though. (But hey, what’s new?)

And finally, I thought a new X-Files movie was a long shot… Now there’s a slim chance for the show’s David Lynch helmed precursor Twin Peaks to get another shot at the big screen. (Fire Walk With Me, a prequel to the series, died a quick death back in 1992.)