Don’t Panic! July 6, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Books & Movies, Fiction, Humor.trackback
Always on the cutting edge of science, art, literature, and technology, and determined to remain there, we watched The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy last night.
Just 42 days (and 8 years) after it’s release in theaters.
But time is nothing if not relative.
And it’s certainly not the only yardstick for a life well lived.
If you’ve seen the movie, which character did you like best?
I rather enjoyed Marvin, that perpetual naysayer of doom and gloom voiced by Alan Rickman. Imagine Eeyore as an paranoid Android and you’ve got the general idea.
If you haven’t seen the movie yet, here’s a trailer that might (or might not) pique your interest:
Aah . . . that’s better!
Illustration: Wikipedia ~ Marvin the Paranoid Android (Fair Use)
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Spirit Lights The Way 
Have you seen the BBC TV series Nancy? It’s great in that ‘wobbly cardboard sets’ Sci-Fi kind of a way.
I haven’t seen the TV series. (Oh, no. Does that mean that I’m NOT on the cutting edge, after all? Oh, bother.) We’ve been enjoying the BBC Series, Sherlock ~ with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. I checked to see what other movies they’d been in and saw this one with Martin Freeman.
Gosh, I read that book 30(?) years ago. I remember laughing a lot but that’s about it.
I believe I flipped through the book years ago, but don’t recall that I read it cover to cover. Some of the lines/scenes in the movie last night had me laughing out loud at “absurdities.”
I still need to see this, Nancy.
When I looked for movies starring Benedict Cumberbatch or Martin Freeman and saw this one, that’s exactly the thought I had. It’s a fun movie if you don’t set your expectations too high.
You’re one step ahead of me, Nancy. I didn’t even know that there was a Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy movie!
Well, there ya go! It’s my PSA of the day. 😉
I’ve never seen the film, Nancy, but I did read the book – an absolute classic! 😀
Definitely a book with lots of faithful fans. I would never have been able to visualize some of the aliens, or even Marvin, with as much humor as the movie makers.
Off to the DVD shop!
It’s a FUN movie . . . and Marvin is priceless. 😀
I think I enjoyed that trailer better than I enjoyed the movie 🙂
It’s clever, isn’t it? The movie suited my mood last night, in a Monty Python-ish sort of way. But it wouldn’t make my Top 100 list.
I still havent seen the movie, maybe an idea for next week
I’m glad I watched it. Some scenes were over the top (or underdone), but the totality suited my mood at the time ~ i.e., not interested in serious reflection on the “why” of it all.
it is like so much sci-fi, so many ways to read and find emphasis, no wonder the movies are often not at all what we imagined
Most of the time, I prefer books to movies to allow my own imagination to create the scenes and settings . . . but I’m not great at visualizing Wookies and other alien beings.
So, for Sci Fi, I generally watch the film first before deciding whether to read the book.
I have to confess i do more of the dog patting than human patting. I guess the tail wags are reassuring, whereas humans….
Tail wagging, especially with T.H.B.A. (total hydraulic butt action), is a reassuring sign ~ since I have no tail, I smile (or sigh) in satisfaction.
Aah . . . that’s better!
To read more:
https://nrhatch.wordpress.com/2013/07/05/i-brake-for-dogs/
yes,it is reassuring, but a human doing that sends out alarm messages
Yes. Canines and felines engage in behavior that no human should attempt to emulate. 😛
CH is ordering it up!
It’s a bit of silly fun with a few stunning laugh lines.
Douglas Adams was a teen hero for me, Nancy. I knew much of his stuff by heart. There’s a fair amount of wit in the books, and the old TV series; I’ve never seen the film. Time to track it down.
Given your history, I expect that watching this film will be like hanging out with a good friend. Enjoy!
In many ways I enjoyed the wobbly-set BBC TV series more than the film (‘film’: see, the term gives my nationality away) but by far the best dramatization, if you can get it, is the original BBC radio series from the late seventies. Here you can remain blissfully unaware of wobbly sets, animatronic heads that work intermittently or that Bilbo bloke by relying on the images produced in your mind’s eye. Much more satisfying!
For those adept at visualization of alien beings and galaxies far, far, away . . . listening to the radio series is probably a delight.
I did see it, but it was a while ago. Although, I thought I saw a newer version. Has it really been 8 years?
Didn’t they have large ocean mammals dropping from the sky? Or has my memory been warped by my imagination?
Good memory! The film makers did have a sperm whale pondering impossible questions as it descended from outer space to land with a resounding *THUNK* on Terra Firma.
Maybe Lumosity is helping after all.
Something’s working. 😀
Is it possible to put Alan Rickman in the cast and NOT have him be the best character?
I’m going go with “no.”
His voice stole the show.
I really enjoy your reviews, Nancy. No, I haven’t seen this, but I will! You haven’t led me astray as of yet. 🙂
It is NOT a movie for everyone, but it suited my mood and I got a kick out of Marvin ~ I’ve met him in “real life.” 😉
What sold me on it was the BBC RADIO version! That was up to the standard of the book. It has gone downhill from there. In the movie, I was eagerly waiting for Arthur Dent to get one of the house demolishers to lie in front of the bulldozer for him while he went to the pub with Ford Prefect. Didn’t happen. Lots of those lovely little touches didn’t happen.
Marvin is, of course, just marvellous in any medium.
Thanks, Col. I need to track down the book and get the full benefit of Douglas Adams’ humor (humour, if you prefer).
I am very comfortable with American spelling and vernacular, having translated some of my books into it!
I would recommend you do that if you can. Worth it.
I added it to my Library queue. Thanks!
I missed this post
I haven’t watched the movie….BUT I loved the book…Douglas Adams was totally an awesome author.
I’ve added the book to my library list . . . but I’m glad I saw the movie first since it will help me to visualize the lay of the land and I’ll hear Alan Rickman whenever Marvin has a speaking role. 😀
You know, I read the book years ago but I don’t think I ever saw the movie. I don’t remember all the book details so it might be fun watching the movie indeed.
I found it quite amusing . . . in parts, anyway. Marvin, especially. What a “Debbie Downer.” 😛
He definitely is! I bet he’s hilarious in the movie. I need to get it from the library. I could use a laugh or two.
Alan Rickman’s voice is the PERFECT manifestation of Marvin’s pessimistic bent.
Will be checking to see if the library has it. Thanks for the heads up.
Judging from the comments, the book is probably better than the movie. So if your library doesn’t have the movie, you might request the book. Enjoy!
The trailer is as funny and clever as the movie and the book! 😆
Having youtube as a searchable database for movie trailers, songs, and classic TV shows is great ~ fast, easy, and efficient.
It is great! 🙂