No, I'm not trying to get the "real" Jack Reacher out of my head, I'm trying to get the movie version of Jack Reacher out of my head. I have enjoyed, loved, every single one of Lee Child's Reacher novels. When I read the first one of his books quite by accident (picked it up at a used-book sale in a rush thinking of Preston Child), I couldn't believe I'd missed the series. I went on a hunt and found all the ones I had missed and have not missed one since.
Now they've made a movie.
I made the mistake of watching the trailer.
It's like a bad taste in my mouth that no amount of gargling and brushing can remove.
Novel Jack Reacher is "an unkempt giant...", six foot 4 inches or so... maybe 220 pounds. He's not described as being good looking in any of the books, although, of course, he attracts his more-than-fair-share of attractive women. He's not flashy. I might picture Liam Neeson as a fairly good movie type to play Reacher (although Reacher's nose has never been broken and Neeson's nose may have been). Matthew Fox of Lost fame might fit the bill fairly well (I've never watched him in action so basing that purely on his photo and description). Daniel Craig, minus the British accent, looks the part although he's only 5 ft 10 in. (that's not short, but in comparison to Reacher it is). I know there are others who would fit the bill but they're not popping into my mind at the moment.
One of the LAST people I would choose to play Reacher would be Tom Cruise.
That's who they chose. Pretty boy, 5 ft 7 in., Tom Cruise.
I would accuse them of not reading the books when they cast the characters, but Lee Child is working with them. I "assume" he had some kind of discretion on vetoing the choice or that they pitched it to him with Cruise as the lead. However it happened, I'm sure Child is wanting the movie to be a hit and/or is legally constrained so he won't be dissing the lead in "his" movie.
The movie has Jack Duvall in it, which is good. Shoot, he might make a better Jack Reacher! They guy laying in the hospital bed in the trailer would make a better Reacher.
I've re-read three Jack Reacher novels since seeing the trailer. I'm trying to get the picture of Cruise as Reacher out of my head. I can't. I keep seeing this little guy acting tough instead of the strong, commanding, Jack Reacher I had always pictured. Cruise is absolutely nothing like any description of Reacher in any of the books.
They've also hyped Reacher up in the movie, hollywooded his dialogue up quite a bit, turned him into some action figure.
I'm guessing that those who have never read the books will probably like the bang-bang, tough guy who talks tougher, hot shot car driver in the movie. I keep seeing the scene in the trailer where Cruise is surrounded by five guys, all of them bigger than he is, the hokey comments he makes, and I flash back to the "real" scene in the book (One Shot) with BIG Jack Reacher, minimalist talker, heavy thinker, taking on the guys. I know in a movie you can't "read" the thought process so they have to make the character say the words and try to make them realistic, but oh, yuck. Not a thing like novel Reacher at all.
Based on the trailer I'm guessing they used "One Shot" as the basis for the script. I'm a little over half-way through re-reading the book and wish I had not re-watched the trailer so I could write about it. Mental mouthwash needed.
OK, here's the trailer. Judge for yourself. I know I will NOT be going to the movie and I guess I'll have to give up my Reacher reading if I can't get Cruise out of my brain.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Best-selling Author John Maxwell Headlines Benefit for The Children’s Village
John C. Maxwell, an internationally renowned leadership expert, coach, and author who has sold over 20 million books, will be the featured guest speaker for Christian City’s Annual Hopes and Dreams Luncheon. The event will be held May 3rd, at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park and is a benefit for the abandoned and abused children who live in the cottages at The Children’s Village at Christian City.
The Children’s Village cares for children who come through private placement and from the Department of Family and Children Services. With a focus on family, education and healing, they are well known and respected throughout the State of Georgia for providing a program of excellence. The Children’s Village ministers to those who are dealing with life crisis, such as the death of a parent, divorce, or sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. The program’s family environment allows children from every background to have access to a traditional family unit and support systems to help mend their wounded spirits. For many children, The Children’s Village may be the only home they will ever remember. Over 1,000 children have called Christian City “home” since the first cottage was opened on Valentine’s Day, 1965.
John C. Maxwell has led church ministries in Ohio, Florida, California, and Indiana for over 30 years. Dr. Maxwell received his Bachelor’s degree from Ohio Christian University in 1969. He also holds a Master of Divinity degree from Azusa Pacific University and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. After serving 14 years as a senior pastor in California, Maxwell decided to devote himself to speaking and writing about leadership. A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Business Week best-selling author, Maxwell’s The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, has sold over 2 million copies. Two other books, Developing the Leader Within You, and The 21 Indispensible Qualities of a Leader have sold over a million copies each.
Dr. Maxwell founded EQUIP and the John Maxwell Company, organizations that have trained more than 5 million leaders in 153 countries. Every year he speaks to Fortune 100 companies, international government leaders, and organizations such as the United States Military Academy at West Point, the National Football League, and the United Nations.
Tickets for the luncheon are $100 per person and include a copy of his new release, The 5 Levels Of Leadership, and a post luncheon book signing with Dr. Maxwell. VIP Tickets are $150 and include the luncheon, a signed copy of his latest book, entrance into a pre-event reception, and an opportunity to meet and have photos taken with Dr. John Maxwell. For more information about Christian City, The Children’s Village, or this event, please call 770-703-2636 or visit www.christiancity.org. To learn more about John Maxwell, please visit his website at www.johnmaxwell.com.
The Children’s Village cares for children who come through private placement and from the Department of Family and Children Services. With a focus on family, education and healing, they are well known and respected throughout the State of Georgia for providing a program of excellence. The Children’s Village ministers to those who are dealing with life crisis, such as the death of a parent, divorce, or sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. The program’s family environment allows children from every background to have access to a traditional family unit and support systems to help mend their wounded spirits. For many children, The Children’s Village may be the only home they will ever remember. Over 1,000 children have called Christian City “home” since the first cottage was opened on Valentine’s Day, 1965.
John C. Maxwell has led church ministries in Ohio, Florida, California, and Indiana for over 30 years. Dr. Maxwell received his Bachelor’s degree from Ohio Christian University in 1969. He also holds a Master of Divinity degree from Azusa Pacific University and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. After serving 14 years as a senior pastor in California, Maxwell decided to devote himself to speaking and writing about leadership. A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Business Week best-selling author, Maxwell’s The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, has sold over 2 million copies. Two other books, Developing the Leader Within You, and The 21 Indispensible Qualities of a Leader have sold over a million copies each.
Dr. Maxwell founded EQUIP and the John Maxwell Company, organizations that have trained more than 5 million leaders in 153 countries. Every year he speaks to Fortune 100 companies, international government leaders, and organizations such as the United States Military Academy at West Point, the National Football League, and the United Nations.
Tickets for the luncheon are $100 per person and include a copy of his new release, The 5 Levels Of Leadership, and a post luncheon book signing with Dr. Maxwell. VIP Tickets are $150 and include the luncheon, a signed copy of his latest book, entrance into a pre-event reception, and an opportunity to meet and have photos taken with Dr. John Maxwell. For more information about Christian City, The Children’s Village, or this event, please call 770-703-2636 or visit www.christiancity.org. To learn more about John Maxwell, please visit his website at www.johnmaxwell.com.
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