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#1

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 8:12am

I watched the first episode on Monday night. Not impressed. Is it me, or is the acting pretty universally awful? Also, the severed cow didn't gross me out as much as I expected. HANNIBAL has pretty much set the bar high for truly horrific depiction of gore. I didn't finish the book out of boredom. I will watch again next week, but so far? Yawn.
#2

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 9:11am

I didn't think the acting was too bad, particularly the main roles. If the ensemble does not get stronger by the third or fourth episode, then I'll be worried.
#3

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 9:24am

I thought the acting was fine, although never exceptional. I'm not a fan of two-hour series premieres, but if ever a show needed one it was this. There were just too many characters and too much plot to cover for a 42 minute season opener.

I haven't read the book, but heard from someone that despite being over 1000 pages it only covers one week of time. Do you think this show will be 24-esque and all of this season cover a day or two, or do you think they will expand the time frame?

The premise is great (and truthfully makes me want to read the novel more than continue watching), but for 13 weeks in the summer I'll stick it out.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco. Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
#4

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 9:35am

The book was one of the worst books I ever picked up. I forced myself through about 400 pages as I enjoyed most of the older King novels and had hope that this would eventually lead somewhere. But this was so plodding and tedious in its minute descriptions of everything, its hundreds of characters and thousands of subplots that I eventually refused to waste any more time on it. This was a difficult thing to do considering how much time I had already invested in it. That should tell you just how bad it was.

I wouldn't go near this series with a ten foot pole.
Art has a double face, of expression and illusion.
#5

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 9:43am

"But this was so plodding and tedious in its minute descriptions of everything, its hundreds of characters and thousands of subplots..."

This is the exact reason I don't read King's novels. I can't do 40 pages of him describing what a tree looks like.
#6

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 9:47am

I didn't hate the book as much as scallion, but it was definitely longer than it needed to be.

The origin of the dome was kind of silly, but at least it wasn't one of those Stephen King endings where you have to know The Dark Tower to appreciate it (see Insomnia for example).

And yes, there were way too many sub-plots, most of which have similar arcs to other, better, King novels.
....but the world goes 'round

Updated On: 6/25/13 at 09:47 AM

#7

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 10:19am

What would you say are King's best books?
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco. Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
#8

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 10:30am

Of his stand alone novels (excluding short story collections and The Dark Tower) I love the following in no particular order:



Salem's Lot
The Stand
It
The Shining
Lisey's Story
Cell
Bag of Bones
Desperation/The Regulators
Misery
Carrie
The Dark Half
Pet Semetary

I really disliked The Tommyknockers and Insomnia.

Gerald's Game, Rose Madder, The Dead Zone, Cujo, Firestarter, Christine, Duma Key, Needful Things, and Delores Claiborne were all good, but not great.

The Richard Bachman stuff is pretty good also.



....but the world goes 'round
#9

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 10:33am

Based on some of his earlier works, I was expecting all the characters and subplots, which is probably why I enjoyed it.

I can't do 40 pages of him describing what a tree looks like.

I read almost everything by King (except Dark Tower) and I never noticed he did that. It's not like he's Victor Hugo or anything.

The origin of the dome was kind of silly, but at least it wasn't one of those Stephen King endings where you have to know The Dark Tower to appreciate it (see Insomnia for example).

I agree on both counts. The ending was a bit of a letdown for me and I had no idea it had a Dark Tower connection at all (nor did I realize Insomnia did as well). I tried reading the Dark Tower series and got through the first three way back when, but never felt the urge to start over when he went back to continue the series several years later.

Reading 11/22/63 now and loving it. I had no idea the beginning would tie closely to It.

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

Updated On: 6/25/13 at 10:33 AM

#10

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 10:37am

My favorites:

The Talisman (with Peter Straub)
Carrie
The Stand
The Shining
It
'Salem's Lot
Needful Things
Desperation
Lisey's Story
Duma Key
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#11

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 10:42am

I stayed up all night to finish THE STAND and haven't been able to finish any of his books since. Tried CELL and stopped about half way through, deciding I just didn't care.
#12

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 10:42am

I agree on both counts. The ending was a bit of a letdown for me and I had no idea it had a Dark Tower connection at all (nor did I realize Insomnia did as well)

Let me clarify Matt: Dome did not have a Dark Tower connection (besides the odd offhand reference). Insomnia's ending was intricately entwined with the Dark Tower.

I hadn't read the Dark Tower at the time I read Insomnia and was pissed off to find that after investing in an 800 page novel the entire thing was a set up for a Dark Tower character.
....but the world goes 'round
#13

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 10:56am

11/22/63 was my favorite book of last year. Can't wait for that movie.
#14

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 11:11am

taz - Ah, I misread your post. I do realize that by not finishing Dark Tower, I miss out on some stuff occasionally, but not too much. I'm almost halfway through 11/22/63 and very curious to see how it plays out. Next will be Joyland because I really did like The Colorado Kid (now expanded into the TV series Haven). Skeptical about Doctor Sleep, though. I was so disappointed by Black House, I couldn't get excited about another late sequel to an earlier work.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#16

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 11:21am

The summer airing during hiatus was smart, but I imagine the ratings in Illinois were pretty low last night.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#17

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 11:24am

I know it got good reviews. And I'll definitely watch it on dvd when it comes out.

I wonder if they are going to end it. They said they are leaving the door open for another "season" (or mini-series).

I'll stop there so as not to spoil anything, but I am curious how they will wrap this up and leave it open.
....but the world goes 'round
#18

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 11:30am

My friend and I were just saying that rather than try to drag this out for 4 or 5 seasons, they should treat it like a mini-series and then next summer give us another King story. It could be the mini-series version of Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco. Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
#19

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 11:35am

But what if they all turn out like Bag of Bones? God, that was awful.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#20

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 11:40am

I never saw Bag of Bones...who was in it?
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco. Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
#21

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 11:41am

Pierce Brosnan, Melissa George, Jason Priestly and Anika Noni Rose.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#22

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 11:41am

Pierce Brosnan.

Don't see it.

But I really enjoyed the novel.

But again, don't waste 4 hours of your life on the movie.

....but the world goes 'round

Updated On: 6/25/13 at 11:41 AM

#23

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 11:51am

It's not even worth it for Jason Priestley?

I haven't had much experience reading King, but have always wanted to explore more. The length of some of his books make me wary, and I fear they won't be accessible.

Mister Matt and Taz, If you had to recommend one book to get someone hooked which would it be?
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco. Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
#24

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 11:58am

I would recommend Salem's Lot or The Shining for starters. They're both classic King and and easy reads.
#25

Under the Dome

Posted: 6/25/13 at 12:03pm

Hmmm...to get hooked? That's a tough one. If you want to dip your toe in, perhaps Carrie (I've probably read it a dozen times at least). For more standard length, then 'Salem's Lot (my first King novel that started my obsession) or The Shining. But if you want to jump in the deep end, go for The Stand, his classic epic.

Honestly, if you just want to get a feel for his style, try Skeleton Crew. It's a short story collection that starts with The Mist, which I highly recommend (and much preferred the original ending to the film's ending). Night Shift is another fantastic collection with some of his classic tales including Jerusalem's Lot (the inspiration for 'Salem's Lot), The Mangler, Trucks, The Lawnmower Man (the film had virtually nothing to do with the story) and Children of the Corn.





"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

Updated On: 6/25/13 at 12:03 PM

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