RKMBs Forums .::Robegories::. Media where the fuck are the pictures? Atlas Shrugged

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rex said:
Since this thread is about Nietzsche also, what would be a good book to read of his?

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Cowgirl Jack said:

Dagny is probably the greatest female protagonist in literature.

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magicjay38 said:
I just love to annoy libertarians! They get so excited when you desecrate
St. Ayn.

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First, I do admit that Atlas Shrugged is a good read, certainly more coherent than her non-fiction.

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The book is an apology for 20th century capitalism and elitism. ' If only we had given the entrepreneurs the freedom to build, all would be for the best in this best of all possible worlds!'. Sounds very similar to 'If only we had given the wealthy a larger tax cut under Reagan' .

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The view expressed in the book is paternalistic. Dagny, Hank and John (with the big schlong) are better than the ordinary people. We are the ones who should be greatful for their benevolence and productivity. Did anyone notice that the protaganist are all quite wealthy?

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Finally, there is in the book an underlying philosophy of social darwinism. Natural selection as the arbitor of who should live and prosper, and those who should perish because of their inferiority.

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magicjay38 said:
Did anyone notice that the protaganist are all quite wealthy? Shall we follow the Calvinist idea that God shows his favour on this elite by granting them material wealth in this life? Anyone ever hear of class structure? Ask a Brit. They can tell you all about it.

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Oh my God!

.....It's all so clear now......Batman's not a protagonist!! He's a villain! All this time, I've been cheering him on, but he's the FUCKING BAD GUY!!

I s'pose it's my own fault. I mean, I knew from day one that he was wealthy....

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Pariah said:

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magicjay38 said:
Did anyone notice that the protaganists are all quite wealthy? Shall we follow the Calvinist idea that God shows his favour on this elite by granting them material wealth in this life? Anyone ever hear of class structure? Ask a Brit. They can tell you all about it.

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Oh my God!

.....It's all so clear now......Batman's not a protagonist!! He's a villain! All this time, I've been cheering him on, but he's the FUCKING BAD GUY!!

I s'pose it's my own fault. I mean, I knew from day one that he was wealthy....

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If you're a Mac user you should check out that Sherlock icon sometime. That way you could look up the meaning of words so you wouldn't misuse them and make yourself look like a dumb ass. I had no idea that protagonist was a pejorative

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Joe Mama said:
But what's your problem with Librarians? You're awfully critical of them...

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magicjay38 said:
I love librarians! Haven't you ever had the urge to lift those glasses off her nose, untie that hair and take you for a roll in the stacks? Ahhh...the college library. If those walls could talk!

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magicjay38 said:
If you're a Mac user you should check out that Sherlock icon sometime. That way you could look up the meaning of words so you wouldn't misuse them and make yourself look like a dumb ass. I had no idea that protagonist was a pejorative

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If you're a Mac user you should check out that Sherlock icon sometime. That way you could look up the meaning of words so you wouldn't misuse them and make yourself look like a dumb ass.

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James_Fantastic said:
I will admit that I respect Ayn Rand's philosophy about as much as I respect Reagan or Thatcher (to wit: not at all, but that's not why we're here), but I didn't much mind the book. Read it through, didn't mind it too much, never read it again. A 1 read book, but not a bad one by any standards.

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rex said:
How far did you get? It picks up after the first 100 or so pages.

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Ayn Rand's most ambitious novel may finally be brought to the bigscreen after years of false starts.
Lionsgate has picked up worldwide distribution rights to "Atlas Shrugged" from Howard and Karen Baldwin ("Ray"), who will produce with John Aglialoro.

As for stars, book provides an ideal role for an actress in lead character Dagny Taggart, so it's not a stretch to assume Rand enthusiast Angelina JolieAngelina Jolie's name has been brought up. Brad PittBrad Pitt, also a fan, is rumored to be among the names suggested for lead male character John Galt.

"Atlas Shrugged," which runs more than 1,100 pages, has faced a lengthy and circuitous journey to a film adaptation.

The Russian-born author's seminal tome, published in 1957, revolves around the economic collapse of the U.S. sometime in the future and espouses her individualistic philosophy of objectivism. The violent, apocalyptic ending has always posed a challenge but could prove especially so in the post-9/11 climate.

Howard BaldwinHoward Baldwin said some people have pigeonholed "Atlas" as better suited for a miniseries. That's why he sometimes pondered turning "Atlas" into two movies. In fact, a two-part script penned by James V. HartJames V. Hart ("Contact""Contact") for the Baldwins envisions "Atlas" as two pics, although it's likely to be reworked.

For years, producer Al Ruddy tried to make Rand's definitive book into a movie, attracting the interest of Clint EastwoodClint Eastwood, Robert RedfordRobert Redford and Faye Dunaway at one point.

But while Rand was still alive, she had script approval, complicating the process. After the author's death in 1982, Ruddy continued his efforts and, in 1999, he inked a pactpact to produce "Atlas" as a miniseries for TNT. Ultimately, the deal faltered.

In 2003, the Baldwins acquired the film rights to the novel from Aglialoro, a New York businessman, after launching Crusader EntertainmentCrusader Entertainment with Philip AnschutzPhilip Anschutz. Hart was hired at that time to adapt.

Anschutz, however, ultimately decided not to make the movie.

The Baldwins then took the project with them when they left Crusader and formed the Baldwin Entertainment Group.

"What we've always needed was a studio that had the same passion for this project that we and John have," said Baldwin,

Generally speaking, Lionsgate keeps production budgets below $25 million. "Atlas" is likely to cost north of $30 million, but the studio will reduce its exposure through international pre-salespre-sales and co-financing partners. Actors would likely take less money upfrontupfront -- a common practice for the indieindie.

Rand's individualistic and character-driven stories have captured the imagination of Hollywood before. Warner Bros. made "The Fountainhead," starring Gary Cooper as the maverick architect Howard Roark, in 1949.

Oliver StoneOliver Stone was attached to direct a remake of "Fountainhead" for Warner Bros. and Paramount, but the project has languished in development. Along the way, Pitt expressed interest in playing Roark.

Rand's classic heads to the movies at last.
by Paul Davidson

September 21, 2006 - Lionsgate Films is serious about turning the novel Atlas Shrugged into a feature film, and Angelina Jolie — who counts the book among her favorites — is indeed coming aboard the project.

Jolie is eager and looking forward to starring in Atlas, according to Variety. She'll naturally be playing the story's feminine protagonist, Dagney Taggart — a powerful female character driven to succeed in her job as the operator of a national railway during a time of recession and national crisis.

Adapting the huge novel, which runs more than 1,100 pages in length, is sure to be a challenge. The story follows two characters, Taggart and maverick steel magnate Hank Reardon, as their respective industries are threatened by growing government interference and the mysterious disappearance of key industrial leaders. What happens when the country's thousand smartest, most productive, and most inventive people are removed from society? What happens to the world if Atlas shrugs?

The book was a tour-de-force for Russian-born author Ayn Rand and her Objectivist philosophy. It's not the first time a movie has been attempted; previous proposals attracted the interest of Clint Eastwood and Robert Redford, and a TV miniseries very nearly got off the ground at TNT a few years back.

Brad Pitt, Jolie's significant other, has previously been suggested as a candidate for the part of Reardon or the mysterious John Galt. That remains a rumor at best for now.

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magicjay38 said:
I just love to annoy libertarians! They get so excited when you desecrate
St. Ayn. I'm more of a libertine myself.

First, I do admit that Atlas Shrugged is a good read, certainly more coherent than her non-fiction. But like libertarians in general she has a tremendous grasp of the obvious and none for subtelty.

The book is an apology for 20th century capitalism and elitism. ' If only we had given the entrepreneurs the freedom to build, all would be for the best in this best of all possible worlds!'. Sounds very similar to 'If only we had given the wealthy a larger tax cut under Reagan' .

The view expressed in the book is paternalistic. Dagny, Hank and John (with the big schlong) are better than the ordinary people. We are the ones who should be greatful for their benevolence and productivity. Did anyone notice that the protaganist are all quite wealthy? Shall we follow the Calvinist idea that God shows his favour on this elite by granting them material wealth in this life? Anyone ever hear of class structure? Ask a Brit. They can tell you all about it.

The author also bites the hand that feeds this elite class - the US government. It is through government largess and the threat of violence that a stable society is mantained. Since railroads wre the subject of the book a look at the huge subsidy granted by gov. was essential to their development. They also enforce private property rights through legal and military systems that allow the accumulation of capital to begin with. No cops, no elites.

Finally, there is in the book an underlying philosophy of social darwinism. Natural selection as the arbitor of who should live and prosper, and those who should perish because of their inferiority. The Indians were inferior because they hadn't developed the means to produce repeating rifles. So let's slaughter them like the buffalo and take their land. They're inferior anyway. Kind of an odd philosophy for one who grew up in Stalin's Russia.

BTW, the Magic comes from the Goddess. Glad so many people like me here!

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riter-director Randall Wallace wasn't about to shrug off the chance to adapt Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" for the bigscreen.

Wallace, the "Braveheart" scribe known for taking on epic themes, will begin penning the script immediately for Lionsgate.

Angelina Jolie has already signed on to star in the film, which is being produced by Howard and Karen Baldwin ("Ray") -- who hold the rights to the classic book -- and Media Talent Group topper Geyer Kosinski.

Wallace, who last wrote and directed "We Were Soldiers" for Paramount, said he and his college-age son made a deal last year to read each other's favorite books. His was C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity," which runs around 100 pages; his son's was "Atlas Shrugged," which runs more than 1,100 pages.

"I was fascinated by Rand's book. It was original and provocative," Wallace told Daily Variety.

Wallace intends to finish the adaptation before he starts production next year on Catherine the Great epic "The Mercenary," another collaboration with Jolie.

"Mercenary," previously titled "Love and Honor," will be produced by Wallace's shingle, the Wheelhouse, which is in the final stages of closing a slate financing deal with a Wall Street private equity fund. "Mercenary," set in Russia during the time of the American Revolution, would be financed by the fund.

A movie version of "Atlas Shrugged" has been long in the making. Producer Al Ruddy tried for years, attracting the interest of Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway along the way.

Jolie is another longtime fan of Rand's, and she was eager to play the role of Dagny Taggart, the most powerful female character in any of the Russian-born author's books.

Wallace is repped by William Morris Agency. Jolie is managed by Kosinski.