Under Lens: Genesis From Paper To Screen - 3

This edition of genesis features movies that are hugely successful, and even we didn’t know many of these were based on books.

Short Story-“The Sentinel” Movie-“2001-A Space Odyssey”: This is considered to be the greatest science fiction movie by rottentomatoes. Directed by legendary Stanley Kubrick, “2001…” was based on Arthur C. Clark’s “the Sentinel”. The author and the director collaborated on the script; author came out with the complete novel “2001: A Space Odyssey” around the same period.


Short Story-“The Minority report” Movie-“Minority Report”: This Tom Cruise starrer, was loosely based on a short story by Phillip K Dick. This Science fiction set in 2054 where criminals are caught by Pre-crime system. Minority Report is touted as one of the smartest movies of Steven Spielberg had a thrilling script.



Short Story-“Memento Mori” Movie-“Memento”: This Psychological thriller was based on Memento Mori written by Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan’s brother. In the story protagonist manages to kill his wife’s murderer, the movie though is ambiguous about this. The movie is about what the protagonist becomes after his head injury, how he gets used and not about the killer’s discovery.



Novel-“The Silence of the lambs” Movie-“The Silence of the lambs”: This Pscyhological Horror flick directed by Jonathan Demme, was based on the novel by Thomas Harris. The novel is one of four novel of “Hannibal” series. The movie stars Sir Anthony Hopkins in his academy winning role of Cannibal “Hannibal Lecter”. The movie is one of the most chilling that Hollywood has to offer


Novel-“First Blood” Movie-“First Blood”(better known as Rambo): Definetly it is surprising to find Rambo based on a novel. This Ted Kotcheff movie propelled Sylvester Stallone to world wide fame. Stallone plays unstoppable Vietnam war veteran pushed to the edge. The book focused the effect of long wars had on the soldiers, their perspective and how Vietnam war turns Rambo into an efficient killing machine.
We’ll return next time with more novel-to-movie adaptations.


For The Reel;Written By: Ali ‘Rosebud’ Naqvi

Hammers High: Arnold - Stallone rivalry

Arnold Schwarzenegger versus Sylvester Stallone is every action lover’s wet dream. Well they already have had a face-off, albeit in real life. They have been bitter foes at one time. Want to know when? Why? Read on.
Both Arnold and Stallone tasted their first critical acclaim in the movie industry the same year. 1977 was the year when Stallone won Best Actor Award (Rocky), and Arnold won Best Debut (Stay Hungry) at Golden Globe Award.
In early 80’s Stallone had the initial edge, starring in two hugely successful franchisees Rambo and Rocky.
By 1982 (Arnold: Conan the Barbarian, Stallone: Rocky III, first Blood(Rambo)), both emerged as international action movies stars and started keeping an eye on each other, starting a fierce competition. By 1985 (Arnold: Commando Red Sonja, Stallone: Rambo II, Rocky IV) competition breached personal front. They both dated Brigitte Nielsen (star of Red Sonja). Brigitte married Stallone but was seeing Arnold behind Stallone’s back. Brigitte and Stallone later divorced for the same reason.

Both promoted any negative publicity regarding the other. Arnold would in his signature style make snide comments on Stallone, even mocked Stallone in his movie Twins when he sees a Rambo III poster and feels his arms an laughs over Stallone’s physique Stallone is reported to have promote a tell-all book on Arnold based on wild pre- stardom days.

In late 80’s Arnold edged out Stallone, delivering hits like Total Recall, Twins, Terminator II.
It was early 90’s that saw Arnold and Stallone becoming friends. They collaborated on the famous restaurant chain “Planet Hollywood” along with other biggies of Hollywood. Both of them are rumored to star in the movie "The Expendables" to be released in 2010. Can’t wait for them to kick some ass, again, together!!

For The Reel; Written By: Ali ‘Rosebud’ Naqvi