Happy Atheist Forum

Getting To Know You => Laid Back Lounge => Topic started by: Velma on October 12, 2015, 06:50:14 AM

Title: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: Velma on October 12, 2015, 06:50:14 AM
Have you read it? Have you seen the movie?

If you haven't then you should do both.

If you have, what did you think (book and/or movie)?
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: Tank on October 12, 2015, 08:26:02 AM
I'm sure I started a thread on this a while back. I've read the book and I'm off to see the film this week. Excellent read highly recommended.
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: OldGit on October 12, 2015, 09:43:52 AM
Thanks for the reminder, Velma.  I've just loaded it onto my Kindle and will report back.
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: Sandra Craft on October 12, 2015, 09:51:05 AM
I read it because Tank recommended it, and I loved it.  Haven't enjoyed a SF book that much in years.  Look forward to seeing the movie if I can get around to it.
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: xSilverPhinx on October 12, 2015, 12:18:11 PM
I haven't read the book but I have watched the movie. It was OK I think, I enjoyed it.

I liked how his solutions to various problems were plausible enough, could be that in the future it would be considered less science fiction and more factually possible.
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: Biggus Dickus on October 12, 2015, 04:04:03 PM
Should I read the book first and then see the movie, cuz' if the book is that good I'd rather read it somewhat unbiased. (Few movies in my option outshine the book, The Godfather comes to mind, or A Charlie Brown Christmas.)
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: Velma on October 12, 2015, 04:33:07 PM
Being a bibliophile, I always recommend reading the book first. The movie is good, but like all movies, it leaves things out and changes others. In my opinion, however, this is one of the very few times that the movie lives up to the book.
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: Firebird on October 12, 2015, 04:39:04 PM
Haven't read the book yet, but I plan to after seeing the movie last night. Really enjoyed it. Beautifully shot, great acting, and funny.

***** SPOILER********









Calling the project "Elrond" was funny enough, but the fact that Lord of the Rings was being mocked while Sean Bean was in the room made it even more perfect to me. I will bet that was half the reason they cast him :)
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: xSilverPhinx on October 12, 2015, 04:43:39 PM
^  ;D

That was priceless!
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: Velma on October 12, 2015, 06:17:05 PM
My husband and I both nearly fell out of our seats trying not to laugh too loudly at that.
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: Velma on October 14, 2015, 06:46:20 AM
My husband and I have decided to go see the movie again this weekend.
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: OldGit on October 14, 2015, 10:23:28 AM
I'm reading it now.  So far I've learned lots of ingenious technical ideas, the most interesting of which is that you can draw a pair of titties like this:  ( . Y . )
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: joeactor on October 14, 2015, 02:43:51 PM
Quote from: OldGit on October 14, 2015, 10:23:28 AM
I'm reading it now.  So far I've learned lots of ingenious technical ideas, the most interesting of which is that you can draw a pair of titties like this:  ( . Y . )

Uh, I guess it's good you're still learning... something!

I read the book, and we may see the movie.
The book was very good. Nothing glaringly wrong about the science, interesting characters and plot - worth a read for sure.
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: OldGit on October 16, 2015, 07:53:37 PM
I've finished it.  I liked it: good old-fashioned technical SF with no new-fangled arty stuff.  I just wonder if it was written with a potential film in mind.
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: Ecurb Noselrub on October 16, 2015, 10:29:54 PM
Quote from: OldGit on October 16, 2015, 07:53:37 PM
I've finished it.  I liked it: good old-fashioned technical SF with no new-fangled arty stuff.  I just wonder if it was written with a potential film in mind.

I understand that the guy was quite surprised when it took off and got so popular.

In the movie Damon was pretty good, but he's almost getting type-cast.  Like John Wayne is always John Wayne, Matt Damon is always Matt Damon.  To me, anyway.  Jason Bourne in space. But I did like the movie.
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: Crow on October 16, 2015, 10:47:03 PM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on October 16, 2015, 10:29:54 PM
I understand that the guy was quite surprised when it took off and got so popular.

In the movie Damon was pretty good, but he's almost getting type-cast.  Like John Wayne is always John Wayne, Matt Damon is always Matt Damon.  To me, anyway.  Jason Bourne in space. But I did like the movie.

It's why the British, Irish and the Australians take a majority of leading roles.
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: Firebird on October 17, 2015, 12:41:10 AM
Give Damon room to stretch though, and he shows some serious acting cops. He was perfect in The Talented Mr. Ripley.
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: OldGit on October 17, 2015, 09:47:06 AM
I took a lot of trouble hunting down a free copy and converting it to Kindle format, so I am now pissed off to find that Amazon are giving it away free anyway.
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: Tank on October 17, 2015, 10:10:41 AM
Serves you right. Copyright thief!
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: OldGit on October 17, 2015, 10:16:38 AM
True, but other Kindle owners can now benefit. ;)
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: Claireliontamer on October 17, 2015, 10:28:08 AM
Have you a link to get it free on kindle?  I've had a look on the amazon site and can't find it.
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: Tank on October 17, 2015, 10:28:22 AM
Quote from: OldGit on October 17, 2015, 10:16:38 AM
True, but other Kindle owners can now benefit. ;)
Hmmfffff.
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: OldGit on October 17, 2015, 01:50:15 PM
Sorry, Claire, what I noticed must have been one of several books about The Martian; the book itself costs £3:66.  Or there is another book with the same title by George Du Maurier- I've just downloaded that one to see what it's like.  Apologies.
Title: Re: The Martian by Andy Weir
Post by: joeactor on October 17, 2015, 02:14:07 PM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on October 16, 2015, 10:29:54 PMIn the movie Damon was pretty good, but he's almost getting type-cast.  Like John Wayne is always John Wayne, Matt Damon is always Matt Damon.  To me, anyway.  Jason Bourne in space. But I did like the movie.

There a lot of actors at all levels that stick to one basic type. It can be an easier path to success since it's easier to sell. Branding versatility is much harder.

I did a blog on the topic a while back:
http://www.joesdump.com/2014/10/20/branding-versatility/