Crime Fiction Dossier

Author David Morrell comments on the new Rambo film

I talked to David Morrell (the creator of the character Rambo and author of many wonderful thrillers) last week and he mentioned that he was going to see Rambo later that day. I asked him if he'd like to report back after he saw it and he shared these remarks:

I saw the new Rambo movie yesterday. I took a chance and went to see it with a journalist so he could do a story about sitting next to the character's creator the first time I saw the new incarnation. With relief, I'm happy to report that it's excellent. The level of violence might not be for everyone, but it has a serious intent.

This is the first time that the tone of First Blood the novel has been used in any of the movies. It's spot-on in terms of how I imagined the character: angry, burned-out, and filled with self-disgust because he hates what he is and yet knows it's the only thing he does well.

The character spends a lot of time in the rain as if trying to cleanse himself. There's a nightmare scene involving vivid images from the three previous films (and a few glimpses of wonderful Richard Crenna, who is no longer with us). There's a scene in which Rambo forges a knife and talks to himself, basically admitting that he hates himself because all he knows is how to kill.

At the start, he is gathering snakes in the jungle, and he's so comfortable with them, it's as if the most developed part of him is his limbic brain. In the violent climax, he uses a machine gun that explicitly evokes the way William Holden uses a machine gun at the end of The Wild Bunch. Indeed a whole lot of the film has Peckinpah overtones while it also uses tropes from my novel. Again, for example, Rambo is being hunted by dogs.

It's not a 4-star movie -- the villains are too superficial. But this is a solid three stars. Even the New York Times treated it well.

I was surprised to discover that Stallone, who directed, gives me an additional credit. The contractual one is a single card "created by" credit before the names of the screenwriters. But then, at the end, after the final surprising, poetic, redeeming sequence, another credit says "From the novel First Blood by David Morrell." That's not the way Hollywood usually treats a novelist.

To say again, the violence is a solid R, but the intent in terms of the character is serious. I was blown away.

I'm definitely interested in seeing this now. I thought Rocky Balboa, the 2006 film where Stallone brought back his most iconic character, was well done, and it sounds like this is more of the same.

This has got to be a joke

From an AP item:

"Quantum of Solace" is the title of the new James Bond film, the 22nd Bond adventure.

The title was revealed to reporters Thursday at Pinewood Studios outside of London, where the movie is being filmed.

I think that is quite possibly the worst title I have ever heard. They should just call it "New James Bond Movie." That's all anyone cares about anyway.

Welcome back, Roger!

I'm very pleased to be able to report that my friend and colleague Roger Ebert is back on the job as the film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times. For those who don't know, Roger suffered severe complications following cancer surgery last summer and was very ill for a while.

Now, he reports, he's in rehabilitation for physical infirmaries, but his mental faculties are intact and he's raring to go. He'll only be reviewing on a limited basis until probably the first of the year, but it's great to have him back, even in a reduced capacity.

Roger was a key figure in my development as a critic, both through his superb body of work and through his generous personal advice. I probably wouldn't be a critic at all if it weren't for Roger, and I certainly wouldn't be writing for the Sun-Times. Sharing space with him at the paper has been one of my greatest honors as a writer.

A speedy recovery to you, my friend.

Steve Brewer reports on the Lonely Street movie

The following report is from author Steve Brewer, author of a whole passel of terrific, usually comic, mysteries and thrillers.

Well, I've had my first experience with Hollywood now, and thought I'd report in...

I spent Thursday and Friday in LA, on location with the film crew shooting my novel, "Lonely Street." I'm a big movie fan, so it was a blast to watch a crew in action. Everyone was really nice to me, the gawking visitor. It was unusually blustery for LA, so naturally we were outside the whole time, mostly shooting in a huge San Fernando Valley park that could stand in for many locations (tree-studded lawns, a lake, parking lots, etc...). I mostly stood around near the food.

Jay Mohr, who plays private eye Bubba Mabry in the movie, was hilarious, both on- and off-camera. I saw some of the dailies while I was there, and he's absolutely perfect as Bubba. Joe Mantegna, who plays the villain, was almost unrecognizable in beard and ponytail, but wonderful as always. Lindsay Price makes a wonderful Felicia, though they did away with Felicia's oversized eyeglasses. I didn't get to meet Robert Patrick because he wasn't on the shooting schedule the days I was there, but everyone says he's splendid as the mysterious Mr. Aaron.

Not surprisingly, the script differs from the book in some ways, but I think I'll be pleased with the final product. They're almost done shooting it, and post-production is scheduled to wrap in Jan. or Feb. After that, it's all about distribution deals, etc., so I don't know when the movie will actually hit theaters, but expect to see it sometime in 2007.

All in all, a terrific experience, so far, having my book made into a film. I recommend it.

(Although Steve doesn't mention it, there will be a new Bubba Mabry book out later this fall, titled Monkey Man. I'm looking forward to it! --DJM)