MovieChat Forums > Screamers (1996) Discussion > Screaners and Second Variety

Screaners and Second Variety

posted 15 years ago by squiike
24 replies | jump to latest

So, i finally got to read the mini story "Second Variety" and i was impressed what the movie did out of that book!

I think the same of this, as about blade runner where both the book, game, and movie had different aspects geniously thought out.
And while re-watching Screamers for the 3rd of 4. time, i feel the director were both a fan and a creative movie maker.

I have to say, that i was suprised, and may be a little dissapointed when i read the short story. I feel the movie actually had more to offer than the book. I liked the movie better. Tho the only thing i feel it missed were a intimate/sex scene with the screamer to make their relationship stronger. Tho i think they had sex, i sure would like to see it.

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[–] InfernoJones 15 years ago

I LOVE Classic Sci-Fi literature...

Especially the stuff written BEFORE space travel. If I may suggest to you (and others who might be interested) the books called THE SCIENCE FICTION HALL OF FAME collections. There is a one volume collection that has short stories, and a two volume set that has the longer novellas. BOTH ARE MUST READS, if you like Sci-Fi.

I see so much weak Sci-Fi movie making, usually because of TERRIBLE story writing, and I think of all the unmined gold in those stories. There have been a few movies that have been based on them, or used some story devices. I know on the AVATAR board some noticed the similarities with one of the stories from the books.

Now, I saw this movie first, years before I read the short story...and...

...like you, I was disappointed, just a little bit. I think the movie is better, more "fleshed out" (no pun intended).

I think the movie is fantastic. I used to tell people back in the days of Video rentals, to NOT read the back of the box. It was the most stupid description, so contrary to the quality of the movie.

Just wanted to let you know I felt like you, Squiike!

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[–] Spifflock_Holmes 15 years ago

If I may suggest to you (and others who might be interested) the books called THE SCIENCE FICTION HALL OF FAME collections. There is a one volume collection that has short stories, and a two volume set that has the longer novellas. BOTH ARE MUST READS, if you like Sci-Fi.

Hell, yes. Consider that motion seconded.

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The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

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[–] InfernoJones 15 years ago

LOL, I can see you've encountered them!

You know, after I read the Two Volume set, I was just so blown away, and would tell some friends about my new found love for that Classic Sci-Fi genre and the stories that moved me...

I would tell them I wouldn't trade those books for a bar of gold. If all the bar was going to do was be a door-stop, I'd rather have those books to cherish for the rest of my days...

It was kind of funny... It was some time after getting those Two Volumes that I found the Short Story collection in a musty attic of an antique store. A reasonably price hardback! I was ecstatic! And, after getting it home, I recognized the stories, and remembered reading it many...MANY...years ago in my youth.

Some of those stories, like SURFACE TENSION by James Blish, I've NEVER forgotten. What a masterpiece! Why someone hasn't "movie-ized" that, I'll never understand.

Hey Splifflock, have you read any of the works of Walter Tevis? The one that most are unfamiliar with is a collection of short stories called FAR FROM HOME. True Sci-Fi genius in some of those!

Of course, he wrote THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH, and the terrific MOCKINGBIRD, both I highly recommend, as well as the pool/billiards classics THE HUSTLER and THE COLOR OF MONEY. My very favorite novel of his (and much loved by many) is the book THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT. It has been solidly on my Top Ten Books list ever since I read it.

Please forgive my running on, I just don't get to talk "books" much any more, as time has taken my best book friends from me, and sent them on to other realms of existence...

But my love of books remains.

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[–] Spifflock_Holmes 15 years ago

LOL, I can see you've encountered them!

I certainly have; I read them about four decades ago. I still have my copy of at least one of the volumes and possibly more. Yes, some of the greatest and most unforgettable science fiction ever.

I haven't read any of Tevis's stuff, but on your recommendation I'll have a look. Thanks!

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The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

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[–] InfernoJones 15 years ago

If you would be so kind, if you do read some of his writings, would you drop me a line, on this thread or in a P.M., and let me know what you think?

No pressuring here, LOL, as I am somewhat jealous of my reading time and would understand if you have long "waiting to read list" already in place.

Take care, happy reading!

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[–] Spifflock_Holmes 15 years ago

I've already had a look at The Queen's Gambit on Amazon, and what I read was so good that I've already ordered a copy. It's on the way.

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The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

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[–] InfernoJones 15 years ago

I know this might sound strange describing a story with Chess as the vehicle...

...but there is pulse pounding excitement in that book. *Chills*

Please, let me know what you think!

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[–] Spifflock_Holmes 15 years ago

Please, let me know what you think!

I will. But from the first ten or fifteen pages, it looks like it's excellent.

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The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

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[–] InfernoJones 15 years ago

Go Beth, Go!

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[–] Spifflock_Holmes 15 years ago

Update: Got it, reading it, not done yet. So far it's very, very good. Thanks for the recommendation.

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The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

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[–] InfernoJones 15 years ago

I'm glad you're enjoying it, Spliff!

I was at a larger Foosball Tournament this past weekend and told an out-of-state acquaintance about the book, and kind of compared the two "sports" in their cult kindred-ness...

Love that book, and just about everything I've ever read by Walter Tevis.

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] InfernoJones 14 years ago

It's been a while, but isn't that also the story that ROBOCOP borrowed the line for repeated use on the DUMB TV game-show... "I'll buy THAT for a dollar!"

Har-har-har.... *Loved discovering that when I read the book years after seeing ROBO!*

I loved so many of those stories, so very, very much. You know, the one I think I've told the most people about is THE MOON MOTH by Jack Vance...

...The masks used for social rank (and the REASON for having them: strakh, which I've always found Klingon-ish) and the instruments used for accompanying the mood of conversation.

So many great stories... Science-Fiction *GOLD*

I recently purchased the well-known ADVENTURES IN TIME AND SPACE Collection of stories: can't wait to read 'em!

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[–] Spifflock_Holmes 14 years ago

It's been a while, but isn't that also the story that ROBOCOP borrowed the line for repeated use on the DUMB TV game-show... "I'll buy THAT for a dollar!"

It sure is. In the original story it was a quarter; that's inflation for you.

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Lazy + smart = efficient.

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[–] InfernoJones 14 years ago

"that's inflation for you."

LOLOLOLOL! Fur Shur!!!

Hey, did you finish, T.Q.G. ?

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[–] Spifflock_Holmes 14 years ago

Hey, did you finish, T.Q.G. ?

Not yet, I'm afraid. I typically have at least eight or ten different books in progress at once, so each one takes me a long time even when I'm not (as I've been lately) busy with having contractors work on the house and moving my wife's mother to the US from South Africa and taking business trips to Chicago and and and . . .

But I'm keeping at it and getting a little further every so often, and it's still very good.

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Lazy + smart = efficient.

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[–] InfernoJones 14 years ago

It's all good, Spliff! You sound like you're burning the candle at all three ends!

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[–] WalletGuy 14 years ago

I had read the short story before watching the movie and was surprised how close of an adaptation it was. Other than the economic aspect (which was also part of the reason it wasn't set on Earth) and the slightly softened ending it was pretty spot on.

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[–] Spifflock_Holmes 14 years ago

I've finally had some more time to get on with The Queen's Gambit, and it's still excellent. I'm maybe halfway through.

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Lazy + smart = efficient.

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[–] Spifflock_Holmes 14 years ago

Finished it. Excellent book. Go, Beth, go indeed.

Thanks again for the great recommendation!

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Lazy + smart = efficient.

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[–] InfernoJones 13 years ago

I'm glad you liked it, Spiff! *It's still an easy addition to any Top Ten Favorites list I make!*

Man, that ending...too cool!

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[–] 13 years ago

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[–] eyeonyouproductions 10 years ago

'Second Variety' is a great story. I love it. Dick is a minimalist and can say a lot in the space for a short story. I was rather impressed that I figured out what the story was based on the single sentence description on my DirecTV.

"Knife wielding mechanical creatures block peace talks on a 21st century planet ravaged by nuclear war"

I have no idea how I figure out that this was "Second Variety" from just that...

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[–] LucusNon 9 years ago

BTW ... a short film based on "Second Variety" is apparently in
development. This little project seems to have gone dark though,
with no news on their FB page since April.
- https://www.facebook.com/Secondvarietymovie
- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4514924/

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