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Post by TRK on May 24, 2010 16:46:14 GMT -5
I know a few of you guys on the forum are Blood Meridian fans. I'm 2/3 of the way through a re-read of it and just became aware of a critical look at the book, Notes on Blood Meridian (Southwestern Writers Collection) by John Sepich. For a long time Sepich's book was a rarity, but it was reissued by University of Texas Press and is currently available. Have any of you read it, and does it contribute much to the understanding of the novel?
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Post by sloanrodgers on May 24, 2010 20:35:15 GMT -5
I wouldn't exactly say I'm a fan of Blood Meridian. I loved the writing, imagery, history, characters, but it also shocked and disgusted me at times. I think I saw the demonic visage of the denuded Judge Holden in the faces of innocent bald men for a few weeks after reading McCarthy's masterpiece. I would like to check out Sepich's anaylsis sometime. I hear some crazy screenwriter and director are trying to bring Blood to the big screen. I don't believe a faithful adaption of this book will get very far with the studios and censors, but I might be underestimating the writer and director's tenacity. Here's an interesting link on Sepich's Notes. www.utexas.edu/utpress/excerpts/exsepnot.html
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Post by Hiram on May 25, 2010 0:34:30 GMT -5
RangerRod,
Thanks for the link to the Sepich notes, I'm going to read them manana. I'm sure most Blood Meridian readers are familiar with the Modern Library edition w/ the Harold Bloom introduction. That's how I was introduced to Cormac.
BTW, the film rights to Blood Meridian belong to Tommy Lee Jones. I think the Coen Brothers might be the only ones in Hollywood that could pull this one off, cinematically that is. Todd Field is rumored to be involved in the development project, but Jones will have the final say. Field's only critical success as a director is Little Children, which was not seen by anyone except the critics themselves. The producer involved is Scott Rubin (No Country for Old Men).
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Post by Wade Dillon on May 25, 2010 8:46:20 GMT -5
I just got done reading Cormac's The Road. A haunting, post apocalyptic tale. I loved it. The film, starring Viggo Mortensen, was released today on dvd.
I'll have to give Blood Meridian a look.
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Post by TRK on May 25, 2010 9:18:54 GMT -5
Thanks for the link to the excerpts from Sepich's book, RR. I think I'll order a copy; would like to see his take on some of the more impenetrable passages and imagery in the book.
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Post by sloanrodgers on May 26, 2010 15:54:03 GMT -5
Yer welcome Tom and Hiram. I'd like Sepich's take on a lot of things, especially the identity of the historical and mysterious Judge Holden. A movie involving Jones and the Coen Bros. would definitely be interesting.
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Post by TRK on May 26, 2010 17:32:45 GMT -5
A movie involving Jones and the Coen Bros. would definitely be interesting. I agree the Coen Brothers could be a great match for this project, provided they don't condense and edit the final cut like they did with "No Country for Old Men," where you almost had to have read the book to understand the plot line.
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Post by sloanrodgers on May 27, 2010 14:03:41 GMT -5
It helps that Blood Meridian isn't a thick book, but some things would probably be lost in the translation to film. Hopefully the producers wouldn't decide to give the kid a name or something really stupid that could undermine the whole film for McCarthy fans.
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Post by Jim Boylston on Jun 27, 2010 22:32:28 GMT -5
Have any of you guys seen a 2005 Australian film called, "The Proposition?" I just saw it, and it's about as close in atmosphere to "Blood Meridian" as any film I've seen. It's a western with a script by Nick Cave, and stars Guy Pearce. Very good, though unsettling. Worth checking out if that kind of thing is your cup of tea. Jim
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Post by Jim Boylston on Jun 27, 2010 22:34:14 GMT -5
Regarding the Coens, I see they're directing a new version of "True Grit," this one starring Jeff Bridges. Should be interesting. Jim
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Post by sloanrodgers on Jun 27, 2010 23:24:03 GMT -5
Yea, I saw The Proposition a couple years ago. Good, but strange movie. They were filming True Grit north of Austin recently. I don't know if Wayne will be topped in that role.
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Post by Jim Boylston on Jun 28, 2010 7:46:39 GMT -5
The new "True Grit" is reportedly closer to the Charles Portis novel than was the Wayne film. New one co-stars Matt Damon and Josh Brolin.
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Post by sloanrodgers on Jun 28, 2010 16:13:30 GMT -5
The new "True Grit" is reportedly closer to the Charles Portis novel than was the Wayne film. New one co-stars Matt Damon and Josh Brolin. And of course Jeff Bridges as good ol' Rooster. On another note, I found the best candidate yet for the historical Judge Holden from Blood Meridian. There is supposedly a nice reward for anyone who can attach a complete name and history to the mysterious judge that later became McCarthy's demonic character.
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Post by Jim Boylston on Jul 2, 2010 18:11:38 GMT -5
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Post by Jim Boylston on Jul 3, 2010 17:25:19 GMT -5
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