Michael Crichton

[Jimmy Carter]

It's too bad that none of the movies based on his books have been that great. i think his technical style has a hard time translating to a screenplay.

Agreed. I don't think people are quite able to convert it to film. Every book of his translated to film (I haven't seen The Andromeda Strain) has sucked.

[Despair]

Andromeda Strain was pretty good, from what I remember(I read it like 12 years ago). I havent read any other Crichton books though.

Movie adaptations of his work range from good( Jurassic Park, 13th Warrior) to bad (Sphere).

Most recent one Timeline will be hitting theaters this Fall.

[Jimmy Carter]

I saw the Timeline preview. It's going to suck, I just know it. Anytime you get that no-talent guy from The Fast and the Furious, you know you're going to lose.

[Despair]

Well, Richard Donner is a competent director, so hopefully he will keep things going, but if I will go see it, I will try to have low expectations

[BioMechanic]

Agreed. I don't think people are quite able to convert it to film. Every book of his translated to film (I haven't seen The Andromeda Strain) has sucked.

What about The Great Train Robbery? Crichton directed that himself, as I recall, and it was pretty good, in both book and movie forms.

I think his books don't translate well to film because his writing isn't very visual at all. How exciting would a film be based on pages of tech jargon?

Disclosure is probably my favorite book of his - although I'm not a big fan and haven't read everything he's written. His writing style is too bland for my taste.

[Jimmy Carter]

Well, Richard Donner is a competent director, so hopefully he will keep things going, but if I will go see it, I will try to have low expectations

Well, I'm not sure what sort of faith you have in Ain't It Cool News, but one of their readers reviewed the movie, and apparently it sucked. But I'll probably see it anyway. The idea/story is cool.