Westworld

[Mel]

I watched Westworld (1973) last night. I hadn't seen it in ages. It was very enjoyable, and it held a surprise (probably something I had forgotten). The brothel madam was played by Majel Barrett.  It was fun to see her in the role.

I didn't realize that Michael Crichton wrote the screenplay, his first not based on a novel.  He wrote it just two years after The Andromeda Strain. Crichton got the idea from the Pirates of the Caribbean animatronic characters at Disneyland.  I also didn't realize he directed Westworld. The film was the first to use digitized computer images as a major part of a movie.

We're watching Futureworld tonight. Crichton isn't credited anywhere, but there's a dream sequence made from gunslinger footage in Westworld; I suppose someone had to give permission to use it.

[TrekBeatTK]

Feb 20, 2016 11:34:54 GMT -5 Mel said:

I watched Westworld (1973) last night. I hadn't seen it in ages. It was very enjoyable, and it held a surprise (probablyy something I had forgotten). The brothel madam was played by Majel Barrett.  It was fun to see her in the role.

I didn't realize that Michael Crichton wrote the screenplay, his first not based on a novel.  He wrote it just two years after The Andromeda Strain. Crichton got the idea from the Pirates of the Caribbean animatronic characters at Disneyland.  I also didn't realize he directed Westworld. The film was the first to use digitized computer images as a major part of a movie.

We're watching Futureworld tonight. Crichton isn't credited anywhere, but there's a dream sequence made from gunslinger footage in Westworld; I suppose someone had to giver permission to use it.

Wasn't someone working on a remake for TV recently?

-TK

[Mel]

You're right. I hadn't heard, but there's an entry at imdb.com for Westworld, the TV series. It's slated to begin sometime this year. The cast is set and there will be ten episodes. Sir Anthony Hopkins plays the brilliant creative director of Westworld. The The Man in Black (think Yul Brenner) is played by Ed Harris. As good as it sounds, I was disheartened to see that JJ Abrams listed is an executive producer; I had hoped his involvement with Star Wars meant he wouldn't dabble in TV anymore. Oh well.

The co-creators and co-directors of WW are Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan (spouses). Jonathan is Christopher Nolan's brother. Jonathan is the creator and main writer of Person of Interest, which is highly rated SF. Of the show he said, "It's maybe the only show I can think of that started out science fiction, and then by season three was basically a documentary." Interesting comment! I've never seen the show.

[Mel]

I wondered how JJ Abrams is fairing.  According to Celebrity Net Worth and TheRichest, Abrams has a net worth of $95 million.  That made him, according to those sites, "the 71st most powerful celebrity in 2014."  Before Star Wars! I'll probably be dead before his popularity fades.