Sahara

I finished the book Sahara this past week while on the road. It was a good Dirk Pitt novel and if you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time you know that I can’t wait for the movie that is coming out the day before my birthday, on April 8, 2005. I have seen the trailer and many other things that have to do with this movie. It is not going to be true to the book, this is good and bad. The bad, Steve Zahn as Al Giordino. Al is a bull of a man in the books and he can take alot of punishment, he is also short and stocky and very Italian. Zahn does not physically fit this bill. The good about Steve Zahn is his comic ability. Despite not being true to the physical characteristics of Al Giordino Steve Zahn can most certainly provide the sarcastic wit of Al Giordino, and I think I will be pleasantly surprised if the trailer didn’t put in all the jokes that we will be seeing. Matthew McConaughey as Dirk Pitt, Matt bulked up for the role but is still a lean guy and physically he can fit the bill of Dirk Pitt.

I just hope they get the eyes right, you see in every Dirk Pitt book when Dirk is introduced, within two sentences of the reveal of Dirk Pitt, you get the description of his opaline green eyes. You get the whole character from his eyes, Dirk is not a big talker, he is a man of action and his eyes reveal who he is I hope that they movie can convey that.

It looks like the novel was merely a jumping off point and the story was rewritten to “punch it up” for Hollywood. Dirk Pitt stories don’t need punching up, they are full of action and storytelling that doesn’t need much Hollywood help. The read like a movie and that is why they are so fun. The good thing about the movie being rewritten is that I get two stories instead of one. I’m looking forward to a great ACTION movie, Dirk Pitt is an ACTION hero in the vein of James Bond and Indiana Jones and I for one hope that this franchise takes off. I think we need some ACTION heroes again. They can be kinder gentler guys and whatnot but they should be accessible to the masses like Indiana Jones, but they should also kick some butt.

The thing I find so appealing about Indy is his humanness, he has many strengths and weaknesses and he’s like an everyman that we can relate to as a character, I hope that the world will receive Dirk Pitt as that kind of character and many more movies will be made.

Oh and the reason I posted this was because the Sahara Website is up.

And on a totally unrelated note last night my Dad and I saw In Good Company at the Route One Cinema Pub. Good movie, family friendly and just and all around good movie, Dennis Quaid is a good actor and I could see how is this movie was made back in the 80s the Topher Grace character could have so been played by Michael J. Fox. They both have that clean cut aw shucks look to them that made them likeable even when they plays characters who were emotionally flawed. You still root for them when they are cast in the light of being “the bad guy” even though they really aren’t bad at all just flawed.

Boston Marathon…

My sister Tara is running in the Boston Marathon for the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team (DFMC). She is running in memory of a teacher named Anita who was in one of the science programs that Tara runs. And Tara is also running in memory of our Great-Uncle Donny. Here is the letter that we received from Tara so that she can raise donations.

“Dear Drew and Allison

While most people have spent the winter hunkering down and staying out of the cold, I’ve found myself outside more than usual. You ask why? Well, long before the snow began, I joined the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team (FMC) to train for the 109th Boston Marathon happening on April 18th. I can say it is a small sacrifice to run 12 miles in -4 weather or snow shoe in waist-deep snow during cross training. I consider it a privilege to be able to do these activities. It is the least I can do to help the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute raise money for important cancer research.

One hundred percent of the funds raised by DFMC team members benefit the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Cancer Research. The Barr program allows scientists to begin researching important questions without waiting years to be awarded large grants. In the summer and fall of 2003, I had the pleasure of meeting and working with a number of researchers from Dana-Farber and arranging lectures for teachers and students. I was inspired by one particular teacher undergoing cancer treatments while in our program. Despite battling cancer, Anita was learning as much as she could to pass along to her high school students. Sadly, she lost he battle with cancer this past fall. In April, I will run in memory of Anita, my uncle Donny, and all my family members and friends who have shown courage in their own battles against cancer. I hope that you will consider making your contribution in support or memory of someone you know.

Together we can make a difference and there are several ways in which you could generously support my efforts. A form is included with this letter for you to indicate your choice. All donations are tax-deductible. Every donation, large or small, goes directly to much-needed cancer research and brings me one step closer to helping the DFMC team reach our goal. If your company has a matching gift program, I would appreciate the inclusion of a matching gift form.

You can track my progress in meeting this goal or contribute online at.

www.dfmarathon.kintera.org
(I have made this a direct link to Tara’s Page)

I am proud to be a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team. I hope that you will help me to reach my goal of raising $6,000 by making a tax deductible donation to the “Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge.” The motto of DFMC is that “it takes more than courage to beat cancer.” This is true, each and every contribution helps. Thank you for your generosity and support, and for being part of my team to make a difference.

Sincerely,
Tara”