There is a Japanese animated movie called Tales of Earthsea, and it is done by the same studio which produced Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle.
Trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU-0g26feDA&mode=related&search=
Ch’wiz.
I think the Pern books could be translated fairly well into movies. And for some reason, I don’t have the “They’d completely ruin the books” fear over it that I usually get over the idea.
Taste.
Who are the people who determine what is good and what is not?
Those who disagree with their determination: wrong - naive - dumb?
Majority concensus doesn’t sway me - I like what I like.
I didn’t enjoy “A Game of Thrones”. I kept hoping that I would feel some type of empathy for the characters and was disappointed. I will not continue reading the saga. I’ve been told that G.R.R.M. is a “master”. Meh.
Does this make me less of “tasteful” person than some of you?
My favorite colors are black and tan. Do I have bad taste? If I were better educated would I like green more?
Mating flights could be interesting. 
Jali - The discussion of “taste” could make for a several page thread all on its own. Here, we’re discussing people’s opinions of Eragon, book and movie. It’s interesting to hear other peoples’ opinions - that’s why I like Cafe Society.
I strongly dislike Eragon (the book; won’t bother with movie). If you or anyone else likes it, that’s your right and I’m interested in those opinions too.
I view this forum to learn about arts I’m not so familiar with, as well as reading opinions expressed in interesting ways. I don’t expect to change others’ minds, and I know on many subjects (not all) no one will change mine. I’m old enough to accept & appreciate that people & their taste differ. Nor does what seems like “bad taste” to me reflect on the quality of the person involved.
I think it will fall to me to say yes, you do, and yes, you would.
MrDibble -thanks for the clarification. I have avoided SF (I have never even heard of the abbreviation SF for speculative fiction-have never heard of the category!) because I really didn’t want to read about machines taking over man and all that. So, looks like I need to read some more contemporary stuff. (that said, I did enjoy books like Fahrenheit 451 and other stuff by Bradbury, but you’re right-I stopped with him).
Again, I am no Paolini apologist–his book (I am reading it aloud to my 8 year old son) is tedious and derivative (my son is loving it). I have noticed that really good books are also good read aloud books-not so Eragon, but I digress.
I will have to look at EarthSea and some of the others mentioned here (in my copious free time of course! I will try to remember titles to check out–I like new things to read).
But it’s a bit like talking to wine people (oeniphiles-spelling?). Everyone’s an expert, everyone’s a critic. The film may well be shite-some how, I haven’t even managed to see a preview of it–and that’s a shame (what happened to that old saw re bad books make good movies and vice versa?), but AFAIAC, if Eragon gets my son to read more things like it–it’s all good. It’s nice that people are passionate about their interests, but it’s also a bit offputting when someone new to the genre is told that what they like is crap. That’s all I’m saying.
Taste is a whole nother thread–and what a can of worms that would be! 
No, not at all. I like a black and tan every once in a whle myself. 
In seriousness, though, of course there’s no accounting for taste. And, being a matter of opinion, there’s no real “right” or “wrong.” However, if I went to Baskin-Robbins with someone and they ordered a single scoop of vanilla, I’d probably at least ask (politely), “Um…have you at least tried some of these other 30 flavors?”
Thanks for that making the subtle point that your tastes and mine don’t match in the area of comedy, Cisco. I’m so glad you did it in a way that wasn’t openly dismissive.
Completely useless hijack: I DID this-in 1971. My aunt came to town and as a treat, took me to 31 flavors (I had never been before-one of my sisters was newly diagnosed with diabetes and my parents just removed all sugar and treats). I ordered vanilla. My aunt told me I couldn’t do that in 31 flavors. So I ordered Rocky Road–and never looked back…
Eleanorigby - if that isn’t the best post to read before I sign off for xmas then I don’t know what is.
Eh, get fucked. I’m sick of apologizing before and after every statement I make on these boards. Grow a sense of humor or at least stop pissing on other people’s.
have a happy Christmas.
I plan on checking out some Ursula LeGuin over break–but since I am taking young adult literature next semester, I may run into her again…
Sorry; Dr. Kevorkian isn’t writing prescriptions any more.
Whoa - I swear I thought this was the pit. I apologize for the personal insult.
Fox showed a ‘special preview’ clip during House before this came out that had me rolling. Big fancy expensive graphical dragon thing swooping around the melodramatic scenery, and the boy riding it opens his mouth and shouts:
‘Let’s finish this!’
Oh, how I laughed. Way to spend the money, guys. That in a nutshell is what’s wrong with the industry. ‘Let’s finish this!’ Jeez, why put a line there at all? For the shot. Might as well have been static coming out of his mouth.
It’s the first film by Hayao Miyazaki’s son. Due to some kind of rights conflict, it won’t be released in the US until 2009.
The trailer looks a lot different from the books. At least it’s nothing like how I imagined them.
It’s a good series. I think I liked either the first one or the second one best, but I don’t remember the third one. I’ve heard the fourth one isn’t worth reading. A lot of time passes between each book, which is a little disappointing when you connect with the main character. He changes so much between them.
Well, it’s not good fantasy either. I think it’s also being judged and found deficient to all fantasy books that have come before as well. Maybe that’s why people are contemptuous - it’s just a horribly derivative book all around, regardless of category.
I am off to see Eragon with #2 son soon.
Not sure if I’m looking forward to it or not…
Apology accepted. Clearly I need to stay away from the pit, sounds dangerous in there!