so he's not an anger, cynical, arrogant, dismissive, contemptuous atheist? Not that all are, by any means, but i've certainly been accosted by unyielding atheists at least as obnoxious as religious fanatics. I think it's a reaction to years of feeling attacked by proselytizers
-------------- Original message -------------- From: "Amy Harlib" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have copies but have not yet read the books. I did meet Mr. Pullman at an author event and he's a very pleasant and dynamic guy and the excerpt he read was excellent. I am very eager to see this film. Cheers! Amy I'm actually looking forward to seeing this film. I know nothing about the books, but the trailer looks cool. Reminds me of "Narnia" or some aspects of "Lord of the Rings". For me, being able to see a scifi or fantasy film based on material that's completely unfamiliar is a really exciting thing, like discovering new treasure. I understand there's quite a bit of controversy because the auther is an avowed atheist who said his books are about "killing God". Christians are upset because they say the film has been watered down, the atheist stuff removed. But then, they say, kids will want to read the books, and then be subjected to the anti-religious slant of the author. Anyone read the books? Are they any good? Are they that overt in their preachments against spirituality and do the children indeed kill God--or a god--in them? *************************************** http://www.goldencompassmovie.com/blog/us/featured/story/lyras-world/ There is a world where witches rule the northern skies, where ice bears are the bravest of warriors, and where every human is joined with an animal spirit who is as close to them as their own heart. But this world is dominated by the Magisterium, which seeks to control all of humanity, and whose greatest threat is the last remaining Golden Compass and the one child destined to possess it. Twelve year-old Lyra Belacqua (Dakota Blue Richards) lives an extraordinary life as a ward of distinguished Jordan College. Tearing unsupervised through the streets on mad quests for adventure with her loyal friend Roger (Ben Walker), Lyra is accompanied everywhere by her daemon, Pantalaimon (voiced by Freddie Highmore) - a small, ever-changing animal that serves as a constant voice of reason. But Lyra's world is changing. Her uncle, Lord Asriel (Daniel Craig), is embarking on a trip to the Arctic Circle to investigate a mysterious element intriguingly called Dust, but the Magisterium would go to any lengths - including shutting down Jordan College - to stop him. At the same time, rumors of children mysteriously disappearing and being taken north become terrifyingly real when her best friend Roger goes missing. Lyra swears to go to the ends of the earth to rescue him, and when a new figure appears at the college - Marisa Coulter (Nicole Kidman), a beguiling scientist and world traveler - she sees her best chance to get away. But Lyra finds that she has been drawn into a trap designed to take from her the one thing she possesses that the Magisterium desperately seeks - the Golden Compass. Given to her as a gift by the Master of Jordan College (Jack Shepherd), it is a mystical, powerful device that can tell the truth, reveal what others wish to hide and foreshadow - and even change - the future. At that moment, Lyra realizes that she will have to break away from Mrs. Coulter and embark on her own journey to rescue Roger and stop the Magisterium. But fate puts her in the company and protection of a tribe of seafaring Gyptians led by Lord Faa (Jim Carter), Ma Costa (Clare Higgins) and Farder Coram (Tom Courtenay). Banding together an unlikely alliance with the Gyptians, the mysterious witch Serafina Pekkala (Eva Green) and Texas airman Lee Scoresby (Sam Elliott), Lyra is flung into an adventure that will take her over sky and ocean, to the wilds of the icy north, where she gains a powerful ally in a great armored bear named Iorek Byrnison (voiced by Ian McKellen), who pledges to serve her in her campaign until she prevails. A great war is coming - one that threatens not only Lyra's world but all the parallel worlds waiting just beyond the northern lights. With her band of friends and allies, and the power of the Golden Compass, Lyra will need all her skill and all her courage, to stop it. New Line Cinema presents The Golden Compass, an epic fantasy adventure starring Oscar® winner Nicole Kidman (The Hours), newcomer Dakota Blue Richards, Sam Elliott (We Were Soldiers), Eva Green (Casino Royale) and Daniel Craig (Casino Royale). Based on Philip Pullman's best-selling and award-winning first novel in his Dark Materials trilogy, the film is adapted and directed by Academy Award® nominee Chris Weitz (About A Boy). The Golden Compass is produced by Deborah Forte and Bill Carraro, with executive producers Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne. Toby Emmerich, Mark Ordesky, Ileen Maisel, Andrew Miano and Paul Weitz also executive produce. The distinguished cast also includes Academy Award® nominee Tom Courtenay (The Dresser), Derek Jacobi (Gosford Park), Jack Shepherd (Charlotte Gray), Ben Walker (BBC's "Sweeney Todd"), Simon McBurney (The Last King of Scotland), Jim Carter (Shakespeare in Love), Clare Higgins (Stage Beauty), Magda Szubanski (Happy Feet) and legendary actor Christopher Lee (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) The film also features voices of Oscar® nominee Ian McKellen (Gods and Monsters, The Lord of the Rings trilogy), Oscar® winner Kathy Bates (Misery, Titanic), Oscar® nominee Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient), Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and Golden Globe winner Ian McShane (TV's "Deadwood"). [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Yahoo! Groups Links -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.16.0/1139 - Release Date: 11/19/2007 12:35 PM [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scifinoir2/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scifinoir2/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
