Rating: 
Summary: We Are Such Stuff As Dreams Are Made Of
Review: . . . and our little life is rounded with a sleep." This snippet of Prospero's from Shakespeare's The Tempest, was beautifully ad libbed by Humphrey Bogart during the filming of The Maltese Falcon. It pretty much sums up the experience I took out of reading Terry Pratchett's Moving Pictures. Life in Holy Wood, like life on Prospero's island is one where magical events occur encouraged by a host of spirits. Since these magical events unfold in that piece of the universe known as Discworld, they unfold with wit, humor, and more than a bit of thought.
As the title suggests, Moving Pictures is Pratchett's take on Hollywood. In a manner similar to his approach to Men at Arms, The Truth, and Going Postal, Pratchett takes the development of the motion picture industry and through the literary equivalent of time-lapse photography compresses it so that the reader experiences in a brief time span that which occurred over decades on our slower-moving planet. The result is hilariously funny and made me shake my head and murmur, how did we let this nonsense happen.
CAST OF CHARACTERS: As a click trailer might say: Introducing Victor and Ginger (think Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers) as the leading man and lady of this epic. Also new to Discworld is Thomas Silverfish (think Samuel Goldwyn of MGM fame), the first big producer on Discworld. As in Casablanca, Pratchett has also rounded up the usual suspects. Cut Me Own Throat Dibbler (can't think of a character on earth that remotely resembles Dibbler!) and Gaspode (think Oscar Levant as played by a stray dog) are featured prominently and hilariously. This is a big step up for these two contract players in the Discworld series! Rounding out the featured players is that zany group of performers known as the wizards, led by their fearless librarian (think the Keystone Kops meets Planet of the Apes). And, as they say, a cast of thousands, including assorted trolls, an overly obsequious dog known as Laddie (think Lassie) and other delightful diverse denizens of Discworld.
THE PLOT: The plot is simple. It is about the power of dreams in a world, as Dibbler might say, "gone mad". Dreams, particularly the dreams of Ginger, play a critical role in the book. A group of alchemists have invented movies or clicks as they come to be known on Discworld. Fearing that such magic might anger the wizards of Unseen University the alchemists move out of Ankh-Morpork to a strange and wondrous place called Holy Wood. In what seems like only days, clicks become the next big thing. People from around Discworld come to Holy Wood for no apparent reason other than a strange compulsion. Perhaps mysterious forces are at work? The excitement level gradually builds, the outlines of an evil, dark plot by the spirit world reveals itself as in a dream, until all heck breaks loose. Victor strives valiantly to save the universe with the wizards following close behind in a manner reminiscent of the Keystone Kops. The climactic fight scene is both dramatic and hilariously funny. Of course, the fun in any Pratchett novel is not the ending but the journey. Hollywood references abound. It is always fun trying to spot some, even those which Pratchett may never have intended. Dibbler's hilarious product placements and his `invention' of subliminal advertising were worth the price of admission.
Some have suggested that Moving Pictures is not as `good' as his other Discworld books. There is an inference, perhaps, that it does not address profound issues relating to life, the universe and everything as was the case in Mort, Small Gods, or Thief of Time. For me, however, the profusion of cultural gods (from Valentino to Pacino) created by Hollywood and its enormous impact on popular culture throughout the world seems just as worthy of the typical Pratchett treatment as small gods in the form of a turtle. I also have to add that it was a pleasure seeing both Gaspode and Dibbler in more prominent roles.
All in all, as I finished Discworld I kept coming back to Bogart looking wistfully at the worthless Maltese Falcon that so many people had died in pursuit of their dreams. Perhaps for his next click, Dibbler can have Victor close by reminding the audience that, like Prospero:
Our revels now are ended: these our actors
As I foretold you, were all spirits, and
Are melted into air, into thin air:
And, like the baseless fabric of this vision
The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yes, and all which it inherit, shall dissolve,
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a wrack behind: We are such stuff
As dreams are made of, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.
Th-th-th-that's all folks!!!
Rating:
Summary: Illusions of grandeur . . .
Review: . . . are best accompanied by some "banged grains", which, with butter and salt added, taste just like "salted butter". What better typifies the role of moving pictures in our lives? Terry Pratchett performs literary vivesection on the film industry in this classic parody. He has reached through time and space, exposing the hidden world of film making. The unreal lives of actors and actresses and the hype accompanying movies in our many local Bijou and Rhoxie Theatres is vividly conveyed in this superb novel. The film industry has always been an unlikely marriage of art and business. Yet even the clash of culture and commerce pales against the strength of what "popular appeal" can invoke.
Moving Pictures follows individuals from the population melange of the Discworld's greatest city. An unseen force entices them from reasonably comfortable lives in Ankh-Morpork to a realm of uncertainty and confusion. Victor Tuglebend, aspiring almost-wizard, is inexplicably lured to a desolate desert site. The trees have but one real side, and houses are one type in the front, something else at the back. He's not certain he wants to stay, but the life is too compelling to leave. How do you build a career in a new form of communication? Especially one built on the most unsubstantial foundation of fantasy - and film that explodes. What actually happens before an imp-inhabited box that transforms a chaos of people, contrived scenery and improbable stories into something we willingly - no, eagerly, shell out hard-earned money to watch?
Victor's becomes immersed into the "clicks" industry as he deals with all these improbabilities. As Pratchett builds his story, his expressive genius is given full rein. He draws cliches from the film industry's giants - Producer Thomas Silverfish is derived from Samuel Goldwyn [born Samuel Gelbfisch] among innumerable others. In a narrative rich with imagery - exotic dancer Ruby, a Troll, moves around the stage "like continental drift with curves" - Pratchett traces Victor's increasing awareness of the industry. An inexplicable force is drawing people to Holy Wood. It changes the lives of everyone as it's influence permeates the Discworld. This force builds in vigour and influence. Its effect seems stronger with actresses. Victor's co-star, Ginger, is even more vulnerable to its call. She wants to be the "most important person in the world". Who will consider her "important"? You?
There's a positive side to Holy Wood's mystical powers. On the Discworld there are many species - trolls, gnomes, dwarves. Many of these would battle each other on sight. In Holy Wood, however, they mingle and cooperate. Getting the click finished, on time and over budget is the commonly held goal. Tradtitional animosities are set aside to complete the project. Is the price worth entering the world of delusional images and the admiration of millions? You must decide that for yourself. Pratchett will help you settle the question. And in doing so, will keep you chuckling and reflecting. An amazing and captivating story.
Oh, yes. That'll be ten A-M cents for the bag of banged grains. Thank you. Enjoy the show. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
Rating: 
Summary: Not Discworld's best...
Review: I have been reading the Discworld novels in order, and sadly found this book to be the least entertaining one. These doesn't mean that it's not a good book, just that it's below level in comparison to the previous ones (I haven't read the ones that follow Moving Pictures, so I can't compare it with them).The whole deal of poking fun at the movie industry seemed like fun, but seemed to grow old very quickly due to too many references and inside jokes, instead of the usual smart humor Pratchett has us used to. The characters aren't really interesting, save from Gaspode, and maybe some of the trolls, but as for the other new ones (Victor and Ginger), I didn't like them. I have to say I'm biased because my favorite characters (DEATH and the librarian) had little to do this time around. Also, the backstory at the Unseen University seemed out of place and not really connected with the whole Holy Wood theme (at least until the end). Well, I guess I can't really complain. This would be a great book for any other author, but when compared to the rest of the series, it seems a bit off.
Rating: 
Summary: Great, but far from the best
Review: I've read most of the Diskworld novels and just finished this one. Frankly, I am a little bit disappointed. The biggest disappointment with it is that the characters just lack the liveliness and originality of all other Diskworld books I've read. The only great character this time around is Gaspode The Wounder Dog. Victor and Elaine are just too bland, and don't have anything interesting going on for them (not Rinsewind fear of everything, not Cohen ridiculous selfesteem, nor Vimes cool strong lead.) They just lack any special quality(except Gaspode that is.) It is still really really funny and I've enjoyed it more than most non-Terry Pratchet book I've read but I think it is the weakest one of the diskworld series.
Rating:
Summary: Good for Those Familiar With Pratchett
Review: Moving Pictures, like all of Pratchett's work, is entertaining, satirically funny, and very poignant, containing all the finer elements of the early books and some unexpected twists from the Disc as it warps our view of reality into the Discworld view. All manner of delightful Hollywood lore ends up in this tale of Holy Wood, including A Night at the Opera, Gone With the Wind, The Little Rascals, Lassie, King Kong (my favorite passage in the book) and Ben Hur. There are way too many wonderful parodies to list, and each one contributes a bit of a gem to this book, which like many of Pratchett's, causes the reader to think while he is engaged in reading.
The Alchemists awaken a great evil beneath Holy Wood, and it's up to a student wizard who never graduated, a farm girl, and Gaspode the Wonder Dog to save the day as the fate of the Disc hangs in the balance. There's romance, action, and a thousand elephants, all Discworld style. This book also contains the most scenes with Windle Poons, the Disc's oldest known wizard, and for me that was worth the price of admission.
If you are a Pratchett fan, you will naturally read this book in your progression from title to title, but if you've never read Pratchett, start your journey on the Disc elsewhere, like in one of the series. This stand alone is good, but only superb to the truly devoted. I liked it, and I never stopped smiling during my sit through with it. Essentially it is a "dog book," but it contains wizards, trolls, eldritch boding, and dwarves. Not many other dog tales can boast that loud.
Rating:
Summary: Not the best Discworld book
Review: Once again, the Discworld's alchemists are getting themselves into trouble. This time they've created moving pictures. Their short "clicks" immediately gain attention throughout the land and soon after people are mysteriously finding themselves drawn to a place called Holy Wood, a location out in the middle of nowhere. Soon, a huge movie industry spurts up and more and more people are coming to Holy Wood to be a part of this. Included in this group are: Victor, a wizard-in-training who would purposely fail his exams to not become a full-blown wizard; Ginger, simple milk-maid; Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler, a former sausage salesman about to take Holy Wood by storm; and Gaspode the Wonder dog, a flea-bitten, diseased old mutt who can actually talk. What the people of Holy Wood don't know is that by making these moving pictures, they are actually creating a whole in the fabric of the already thin reality of Discwork. In the process, they are opening the gate for some not-very-nice creatures to come right in. I have read most of Pratchett's books and I found this one the most disappointing. Pratchett plays too much on poking fun at the real motion picture industry than developing the characters or inserting his own brand of humor into the story. There were some classic scenes in the book, like when Gaspode tries to get some trolls to help rescue his friends Victor and Ginger from a collapsed cave by talking to them, but instead the stupid, overly trained dog, Laddie, manages to get their attention instead. However, these are few and far between. Too many times Pratchett just makes obvious connections to the film industry that are funny at first but get rather predictable towards the end of the book. The only thing I did enjoy about the book was Gaspode. This poor dog is given the capability of speech from the Holy Wood magic floating in the air and his side comments are just hysterical at times. He is the best developed character in the book.
Rating:
Summary: Not the best Discworld book
Review: Once again, the Discworld's alchemists are getting themselves into trouble. This time they've created moving pictures. Their short "clicks" immediately gain attention throughout the land and soon after people are mysteriously finding themselves drawn to a place called Holy Wood, a location out in the middle of nowhere. Soon, a huge movie industry spurts up and more and more people are coming to Holy Wood to be a part of this. Included in this group are: Victor, a wizard-in-training who would purposely fail his exams to not become a full-blown wizard; Ginger, simple milk-maid; Cut-Me-Own-Throat Dibbler, a former sausage salesman about to take Holy Wood by storm; and Gaspode the Wonder dog, a flea-bitten, diseased old mutt who can actually talk. What the people of Holy Wood don't know is that by making these moving pictures, they are actually creating a whole in the fabric of the already thin reality of Discwork. In the process, they are opening the gate for some not-very-nice creatures to come right in. I have read most of Pratchett's books and I found this one the most disappointing. Pratchett plays too much on poking fun at the real motion picture industry than developing the characters or inserting his own brand of humor into the story. There were some classic scenes in the book, like when Gaspode tries to get some trolls to help rescue his friends Victor and Ginger from a collapsed cave by talking to them, but instead the stupid, overly trained dog, Laddie, manages to get their attention instead. However, these are few and far between. Too many times Pratchett just makes obvious connections to the film industry that are funny at first but get rather predictable towards the end of the book. The only thing I did enjoy about the book was Gaspode. This poor dog is given the capability of speech from the Holy Wood magic floating in the air and his side comments are just hysterical at times. He is the best developed character in the book.
Rating:
Summary: both clever and dumb in equal measure, but certainly funny
Review: Terry Pratchett is not a man associated with fine literature. In his Discworld series he has carved out a niche in the massive world of science fiction/fantasy novels: absurdist science fiction. His alternative world, which sort of resembles Earth (complete with humans), contains a wealth of nutty creatures. And Pratchett's narrative, while very simple, has many funny bits. But for this reader, and probably many others as well, his works are way over the top ... and tiresome. Fortunately 'Moving Pictures' seems to be amongst his better efforts. 'Moving Pictures' is the story of how Hollywood (in this case 'Holy Wood') comes to Discworld. The author takes tremendous liberty in poking fun at show business, often to good effect. Double entendres abound. At no time does the author take the story seriously, which eventually make this reader lose interest before the end. But kudos to Mr Pratchett for taking on a delicious subject matter and making the best use of his talent (ie, humour). Bottom line: perhaps one of the few Pratchett books that will appeal to his detractors.
Rating:
Summary: Second-tier Discworld
Review: This Discworld novel is a spoof of the early days of Hollywood, with lots and lots of movie references. Gaspode the talking dog, who was introduced here, is a big asset to the book. Peripherally tied to the Rincewind stories via the wizards, and the Night Watch stories via "cut me own throat" Dibbler, it is primarily a standalone, and not one of the better ones: when the most interesting character is a dog, you know something is not quite right.
Rating:
Summary: Hilariously funny!
Review: This is the tenth book in Terry Pratchett's series on the Discworld--a flat world, supported on the back of four massive elephants riding on the back of a planet-sized turtle, anything hilarious can happen here, and eventually does. When the last Keeper of the Door dies, there is no one left to remember, and the idea must be remembered. So, the idea seeks to break back into the Discworld, the idea of Holy Wood. First the alchemists of Anhk-Morpork discover a way to make moving pictures, and then "Cut-me-own Throat" Dibbler discovers the idea of being a movie mogul, then Victor Tugelbend and Ginger Withal discover the idea of being a star. And so, the dream of Holy Wood begins to awaken...but, could that dream be a nightmare beyond anyone's understanding? As always, Terry Pratchett is the master of telling a story that is both gripping and hilariously funny. Indeed, while reading this book I woke my charming wife up several times, laughing out loud! The author succeeds in keeping multiple storylines on track and easy to understand, and the book zooms along to its finale, and boy is it a funny one. I loved this book, and highly recommend it to you!
|
