Rand was masterful even when choosing the names of the characters. Look what he did with MOUCH. Please help, I am writing a novel about a religious leader of the extreme right. Will you suggest me a good name?
And, I have just found that 'A Tale of Two Cities' has sold an impressive 200 million copies. We must also consider the Wizard of Oz's 85 million copies, the 450 million copies of Harry Potter, and the 85 million copies of 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'. I love the review, it's just that what was presented as a key fact is so incorrect.
@2u4ria My statistics were of all time. You think that Harry Potter sold 450 million copies in a year? Even for a series that large, it would be incredibly hard. It takes years to build up sales.
@theantiochisalive I knew they were of all time read what I wrote that book has been out for a long long time and who even took records back then .....could be even a higher number sold and counting what is being sold today ...huge ! It was a Great movie review you did!
The figure in the beginning is incorrect, as the works of Shakespeare and Agatha Christie have most certainly outsold Atlas Shrugged. I think this movie is under appreciated by the general public.
@666or999 In fact, the source I got my information from stated that the only works that have outsold Agatha Christie were the Bible and the combined works of Shakespeare. I am an Agatha Christie mega-fan.
Mr. Kim referred to this film as douche baggary, yet the simple matter of the fact is that his review was more an example of douche baggary. This piece of work totally failed to understand the central philosophy of Objectivism, and that is the right of the individual to exist with coercian against his efforts to live life and succeed. Mr, Kimmy seems to think that forces like the Govt., and unbridled thugs and criminals should have aright to our property, including our mind.
Interesting review but I'm afraid our claim about book sales at the beginning is incorrect. According to the Ayn Rand Institute they had sold a total of 7 million copies of Atlas Shrugged in the United States. While this is an impressive amount it doesn't come close to 150 million copies of Lord of the Rings and still falls below a long list of other successful books. While the book is successful and influential, it is not the second best selling book of all time.
Anyone who loves ayn rand should look up her relationship with william Edward hicks. She called him a "superman" and said people should aspire to his ideals. He was a murderer who abducted, killed, and dismembered a 12 year old girl. Rand didn't like the way society was outraged at this man. And atlas shrugged is very popular because of it's ideals. It was also incredibly poorly written. Its hard to read a book in which the protagonists are all greedy smirking assholes.
In a world already dominated by objectivism and increasingly devoid of altruism of any form; why are so many crying foul? The youth of this country aren't forced to do community service, we have no draft, the welfare system is crumbling into oblivion, and our taxes are lower than they've been for 60 years. We even had the markets deregulated by her disciple, Greenspan. Rand points out problem areas within society, but she also inspires many herself. Zero sum gain.
I like the objectivity in this man's review. A critical point that this reviewer makes is the notion that this is a story for thinking people - it is not a story for a purely crash, boom, bam audience.
I also like his suggestions for additional scenes in the movie. Maybe the producer will shoot these scenes and included them in a directors cut in a future DVD release?
Unlike Jonathan Kim's shitty (Yes, Kim used that word, so I am throwing it back at him.), communist review, Nick's review clearly illustrates that he has a full understanding of the principles of liberty.
Nick, this is one of the BEST reviews I have heard in my life. It is so good, I think you ought to work with the scriptwriters and producers of parts 2 and 3.
@BookofNick Yes Ron, this is very good review! Everyone should like Ayn Rand! There is so much about her to admire. If you like Ayn Rand, you should check out the teachings of Rev. Sun Yung Moon! Like Rand, Rev. Moon looooooooves America! And capitalism! American capitalism is the best! Hurray for Ayn Rand! Hurray for Rev. Moon! Ron, you are a very gifted review person! Perhaps you can write your kind words for Rev. Moon! Like Rand, Rev. Moon does not like homosexuals! No sir.
"Twelve days after opening "Atlas Shrugged: Part 1," the producer of the Ayn Rand adaptation [John Aglialoro] said Tuesday that he is reconsidering his plans to make Parts 2 and 3 because of scathing reviews and flagging box office returns for the film."
L.A. Times 4-26-2011
Seems like the American movie-goers went on strike.
Great review ... "the movie version of Atlas Shrugged is everything it needed to be and much much more" ... i agree!!! Thanks so much. Loved this movie, and am doing all I can to get the word out there ... helping indie film get noticed in the huge hollywood money making machine. Please share about this review / trailer / movie ... GO SEE ATLAS SHRUGGED!!!
@zoegolightly I would LOVE to see it, but there is a problem. I can't find it in theatres. I can't find it on DVD. I can't even find "bootleg" copies. Somebody is censoring the Hell out of this movie.
A brief scan of the Wikipedia article on the top selling single volume books does not include Atlas Shrugged. Yet you claim that only the Bible has outsold it. So do you have a source?
Incidentally, I haven't seen the film, but the book is unbelievably dull and pompus.
@cis4aber According to a press release from the Ayn Rand Institute, over 7 million copies had been sold by the US publishers as of January 2010,
So it may not be the single biggest selling novel in history. But that doesn't change the fact that you are a dullard if you don't understand the message of the book. Liberals seldom see beyond their own noses anyway.
@Skymanfoob The assumption being that the Ayn Rand institute can be trusted to provide accurate figures; doubtless like you they are impressed by appeals to popularity . As noted, I have yet to see a reputable, sourced, list which places the book on its all time top selling lists. As for calling me a dullard, you're the one attacking the scope of my intellect because I personally don't see the subjective artistic merits of a book you have an ideological affinity for. So, who's the fool really?
@Skymanfoob So let's just recap, the book didn't sell anything like as much as was claimed and I was correct. Thanks for clearing that up. As for not understanding the sophomoric message of the book, you are mistaken. The book contains no concepts that require any great intellectual leaps to grasp. I just disagree with them and, worse still, find the book dull. Unlike say Starship Troopers which I like, despite being a highly reactionary bank of ideas, because it is a good read. Jog on.
You're being a little too generous in your review. Having said that, many reviews have savaged this movie excessively - probably because of personal disdain for Rand and her philosophy. I thought this movie was very average but for the money spent to put it out, it is actually pretty good. If you had to compare this movie to other attempts to bring popular fiction to the screen, like Fellowship of the Rings, for example, you have to take your hat off to the producers of AR...
So, Yes I'm looking forward to the next installment. I think it would be hard for this movie to garner the interest to get people to read the book. Not enough, tension, was built up, no sense of gravity showed. A series of scenes involving the char.'s but no palpable sense of peril. James Taggart was physically miscast. Actually the guy who played Mouch should have been him and vice versa. maybe thats just my minds eye of who they were.
Batman '89 vs. TDK. In the comics Batman/bruce thinks aloud or speaks alot, it fits the medium. In '89 Keaton internalizes those thoughts into ACTING. Bale speechifies too much. Same with A.S. How do you get around that problem since the book is rife with speeches? 1. Better screenplay 2. Better actors. I've read the book 7x, I love the book. I am and not dissappointed in the movie at the same time. Is that possible? Its what I expected b/c I knew it would be very hard to do this movie.
just saw it. Well, I thought the acting was...bad. Pacing...bad. Actually the Akston scene was closest to the book mood in its cutting down the exposition and instead leaving the subtext to acting. One often lost in adaptations is MOOD. Mood will tell on the screen what the book writes, characters 'say'. The inherent prob. w/ A.S. is all the speeches. To transfer it to film and do it well, you must cut away all the speeches and let the acting do the speaking. INRE: Batman '89 vs. TDK....
Out sold? Pretty sure that's wrong. Influential? I'd probably go along with that. At least in the west. That said, I think they did a great job of casting. You're right about Eddie. I think (hope) they'll build up Francisco's role in part two. I understand that things get glossed over when putting a book on film, but I felt jipped by the lack of the conductor volunteer and the watered down diner scene. The bit I liked best was Dagny and Ellis at Wyatt's Torch at the end.
0:30 "There is only one book in history that has outsold Atlas Shrugged, and that's the Bible"
Bullshit. According to The Ayn Rand Institute, "more than 7,000,000 copies" have been sold. To Kill a Mockingbird has sold over 30 million copies and there are many books that have outsold it.
@MAJORdorMo1992 actually that would probably make it the second best selling novel, because I'm pretty sure the not-so-holy Bible sold MANY more copies. Just sayin'
@MAJORdorMo1992 actually that would probably make it the second best selling novel, because I'm pretty sure the not-so-holy Bible sold MANY more copies. Just sayin'
and his argument was that they said that it sold MORE than 7 million copies. 40 million is MORE than 7 million, so it IS a possibility. Highly unlikely, but POSSIBLE
@TheBludgeoningEffect I'd say impossible considering in 2009 they were claiming that more than 6,500,000 have been sold. Once they sold book # 7,000,001, they probably switched to 7,000,000 and will continue to do so every 0.5-1 million they sell.
Publishing companies aren't stupid. They will try to make sales seem as high as possible without lying.
Hi Nick, I liked your review. I have yet to see the movie but I am reading the book right now and your review will surely push the curious to take a look for themselves.
What are you using for a mic? That's the only thing I would improve about your review.
That was a pretty good review. The movie sounds great. It sounds like the movie makers have done a pretty good job of things.
Lots of low budget movies can turn out very well. Maybe the making of the movie shows similar ingenuity that is portrayed in the book. Thanks very much for doing the review Nick. You drew a fairly good picture. - Cheers
The movie really doesn't live up to the book at all but hopefully it will lead people to the book.
mrrobotica 2 months ago
Loved the movie.
casinohijack 3 months ago
Rand was masterful even when choosing the names of the characters. Look what he did with MOUCH. Please help, I am writing a novel about a religious leader of the extreme right. Will you suggest me a good name?
ArmandoOrtegaM 3 months ago
@ArmandoOrtegaM Rev. FallWell?
GQ5577 2 months ago
This movie made me watch Unstoppable because of all the trains!
MovieMaster0001 3 months ago
And, I have just found that 'A Tale of Two Cities' has sold an impressive 200 million copies. We must also consider the Wizard of Oz's 85 million copies, the 450 million copies of Harry Potter, and the 85 million copies of 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'. I love the review, it's just that what was presented as a key fact is so incorrect.
theantiochisalive 3 months ago
@theantiochisalive Thanks, I've added an annotation correcting my mistake
BookofNick 3 months ago
@BookofNick It should of been up there and who took count in the 1960's 1970's It was a great review Thank you !
2u4ria 3 months ago
@theantiochisalive Think he meant of all time not just for the month, year or day. Just assuming !
2u4ria 3 months ago
@2u4ria My statistics were of all time. You think that Harry Potter sold 450 million copies in a year? Even for a series that large, it would be incredibly hard. It takes years to build up sales.
theantiochisalive 3 months ago
@theantiochisalive I knew they were of all time read what I wrote that book has been out for a long long time and who even took records back then .....could be even a higher number sold and counting what is being sold today ...huge ! It was a Great movie review you did!
2u4ria 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Best movie ever!!!!!!!!!!
topshot203 3 months ago
The figure in the beginning is incorrect, as the works of Shakespeare and Agatha Christie have most certainly outsold Atlas Shrugged. I think this movie is under appreciated by the general public.
theantiochisalive 3 months ago
@theantiochisalive Indeed last time I checked it was actually a book Mao wrote and forced people to buy that was in second.
666or999 3 months ago
@666or999 In fact, the source I got my information from stated that the only works that have outsold Agatha Christie were the Bible and the combined works of Shakespeare. I am an Agatha Christie mega-fan.
theantiochisalive 3 months ago
@theantiochisalive I've made an annotation correcting that, thanks!
BookofNick 3 months ago
Better review than Kim's little douche bag rant. Kim needs to attend a real school where he can learn to really think properly. What an ass wipe.
sickofyou60 5 months ago
Mr. Kim referred to this film as douche baggary, yet the simple matter of the fact is that his review was more an example of douche baggary. This piece of work totally failed to understand the central philosophy of Objectivism, and that is the right of the individual to exist with coercian against his efforts to live life and succeed. Mr, Kimmy seems to think that forces like the Govt., and unbridled thugs and criminals should have aright to our property, including our mind.
sickofyou60 5 months ago
Interesting review but I'm afraid our claim about book sales at the beginning is incorrect. According to the Ayn Rand Institute they had sold a total of 7 million copies of Atlas Shrugged in the United States. While this is an impressive amount it doesn't come close to 150 million copies of Lord of the Rings and still falls below a long list of other successful books. While the book is successful and influential, it is not the second best selling book of all time.
vcelloho 5 months ago 5
@vcelloho I believe he meant the second most influential novel of all time.
Laxanii 4 months ago
@Laxanii Perhaps that's what was intended. I just wanted to set the record on the direct interpretation straight.
vcelloho 4 months ago
William Edward Hickman. Sorry. John galt was supposedly based on him.
Brownbagit1 5 months ago
Anyone who loves ayn rand should look up her relationship with william Edward hicks. She called him a "superman" and said people should aspire to his ideals. He was a murderer who abducted, killed, and dismembered a 12 year old girl. Rand didn't like the way society was outraged at this man. And atlas shrugged is very popular because of it's ideals. It was also incredibly poorly written. Its hard to read a book in which the protagonists are all greedy smirking assholes.
Brownbagit1 5 months ago
I loved the movie! very good analytically review of the the film. Well done!
pjshr 6 months ago
Loved the movie and I think you did a very fair review. seeing the movie did make me and my husband want to read the book. and I'm so glad we did.
lehcarhael 6 months ago
i sleep with atlas shrugged under my pillow so if a burglar comes in ill read it to them, looters!
maxrieser 7 months ago
@maxrieser lol No need, just pulverize them with that massive thing.
comehithershesays 6 months ago
"Gun point Altruism." LOL
In a world already dominated by objectivism and increasingly devoid of altruism of any form; why are so many crying foul? The youth of this country aren't forced to do community service, we have no draft, the welfare system is crumbling into oblivion, and our taxes are lower than they've been for 60 years. We even had the markets deregulated by her disciple, Greenspan. Rand points out problem areas within society, but she also inspires many herself. Zero sum gain.
greg0879 8 months ago
I like the objectivity in this man's review. A critical point that this reviewer makes is the notion that this is a story for thinking people - it is not a story for a purely crash, boom, bam audience.
I also like his suggestions for additional scenes in the movie. Maybe the producer will shoot these scenes and included them in a directors cut in a future DVD release?
ComputerSleuth2 8 months ago
Unlike Jonathan Kim's shitty (Yes, Kim used that word, so I am throwing it back at him.), communist review, Nick's review clearly illustrates that he has a full understanding of the principles of liberty.
Nick, this is one of the BEST reviews I have heard in my life. It is so good, I think you ought to work with the scriptwriters and producers of parts 2 and 3.
ronpaulvoter 8 months ago 5
@ronpaulvoter Wow, I really appreciate the kind words, thank you!
BookofNick 8 months ago
@BookofNick Yes Ron, this is very good review! Everyone should like Ayn Rand! There is so much about her to admire. If you like Ayn Rand, you should check out the teachings of Rev. Sun Yung Moon! Like Rand, Rev. Moon looooooooves America! And capitalism! American capitalism is the best! Hurray for Ayn Rand! Hurray for Rev. Moon! Ron, you are a very gifted review person! Perhaps you can write your kind words for Rev. Moon! Like Rand, Rev. Moon does not like homosexuals! No sir.
librarianeric 5 months ago
Ayn Rand saw what's happening today 50 years ago.
jme6141994 8 months ago
"Twelve days after opening "Atlas Shrugged: Part 1," the producer of the Ayn Rand adaptation [John Aglialoro] said Tuesday that he is reconsidering his plans to make Parts 2 and 3 because of scathing reviews and flagging box office returns for the film."
L.A. Times 4-26-2011
Seems like the American movie-goers went on strike.
TheGunpowderTreason 8 months ago
@TheGunpowderTreason PUBLIC OPINION BE DAMNED!
natritious1 8 months ago
Great review ... "the movie version of Atlas Shrugged is everything it needed to be and much much more" ... i agree!!! Thanks so much. Loved this movie, and am doing all I can to get the word out there ... helping indie film get noticed in the huge hollywood money making machine. Please share about this review / trailer / movie ... GO SEE ATLAS SHRUGGED!!!
zoegolightly 10 months ago
@zoegolightly I would LOVE to see it, but there is a problem. I can't find it in theatres. I can't find it on DVD. I can't even find "bootleg" copies. Somebody is censoring the Hell out of this movie.
Only a few fragments can be found on YouTube.
Can you find it anywhereDo you know a source?????
ronpaulvoter 8 months ago
@ronpaulvoter I've had same problem. Doesnt look like the film's going to be released in the UK so i'm hoping the DVDs will!
caversmill 7 months ago
I'm waiting for John Gault to tap ME on the shoulder!
KeithMcElwain 10 months ago
A brief scan of the Wikipedia article on the top selling single volume books does not include Atlas Shrugged. Yet you claim that only the Bible has outsold it. So do you have a source?
Incidentally, I haven't seen the film, but the book is unbelievably dull and pompus.
cis4aber 10 months ago
@cis4aber According to a press release from the Ayn Rand Institute, over 7 million copies had been sold by the US publishers as of January 2010,
So it may not be the single biggest selling novel in history. But that doesn't change the fact that you are a dullard if you don't understand the message of the book. Liberals seldom see beyond their own noses anyway.
Skymanfoob 10 months ago
@Skymanfoob The assumption being that the Ayn Rand institute can be trusted to provide accurate figures; doubtless like you they are impressed by appeals to popularity . As noted, I have yet to see a reputable, sourced, list which places the book on its all time top selling lists. As for calling me a dullard, you're the one attacking the scope of my intellect because I personally don't see the subjective artistic merits of a book you have an ideological affinity for. So, who's the fool really?
cis4aber 9 months ago
@Skymanfoob So let's just recap, the book didn't sell anything like as much as was claimed and I was correct. Thanks for clearing that up. As for not understanding the sophomoric message of the book, you are mistaken. The book contains no concepts that require any great intellectual leaps to grasp. I just disagree with them and, worse still, find the book dull. Unlike say Starship Troopers which I like, despite being a highly reactionary bank of ideas, because it is a good read. Jog on.
cis4aber 3 months ago
You're being a little too generous in your review. Having said that, many reviews have savaged this movie excessively - probably because of personal disdain for Rand and her philosophy. I thought this movie was very average but for the money spent to put it out, it is actually pretty good. If you had to compare this movie to other attempts to bring popular fiction to the screen, like Fellowship of the Rings, for example, you have to take your hat off to the producers of AR...
WRHIX1967 10 months ago
I enjoyed the movie and your critique is accurate.
theropingeffect 10 months ago
So, Yes I'm looking forward to the next installment. I think it would be hard for this movie to garner the interest to get people to read the book. Not enough, tension, was built up, no sense of gravity showed. A series of scenes involving the char.'s but no palpable sense of peril. James Taggart was physically miscast. Actually the guy who played Mouch should have been him and vice versa. maybe thats just my minds eye of who they were.
TheDissident77 10 months ago
Batman '89 vs. TDK. In the comics Batman/bruce thinks aloud or speaks alot, it fits the medium. In '89 Keaton internalizes those thoughts into ACTING. Bale speechifies too much. Same with A.S. How do you get around that problem since the book is rife with speeches? 1. Better screenplay 2. Better actors. I've read the book 7x, I love the book. I am and not dissappointed in the movie at the same time. Is that possible? Its what I expected b/c I knew it would be very hard to do this movie.
TheDissident77 10 months ago
just saw it. Well, I thought the acting was...bad. Pacing...bad. Actually the Akston scene was closest to the book mood in its cutting down the exposition and instead leaving the subtext to acting. One often lost in adaptations is MOOD. Mood will tell on the screen what the book writes, characters 'say'. The inherent prob. w/ A.S. is all the speeches. To transfer it to film and do it well, you must cut away all the speeches and let the acting do the speaking. INRE: Batman '89 vs. TDK....
TheDissident77 10 months ago
Out sold? Pretty sure that's wrong. Influential? I'd probably go along with that. At least in the west. That said, I think they did a great job of casting. You're right about Eddie. I think (hope) they'll build up Francisco's role in part two. I understand that things get glossed over when putting a book on film, but I felt jipped by the lack of the conductor volunteer and the watered down diner scene. The bit I liked best was Dagny and Ellis at Wyatt's Torch at the end.
Anakha13 10 months ago
the acting was terrrrible
0Adamska 10 months ago
0:30 "There is only one book in history that has outsold Atlas Shrugged, and that's the Bible"
Bullshit. According to The Ayn Rand Institute, "more than 7,000,000 copies" have been sold. To Kill a Mockingbird has sold over 30 million copies and there are many books that have outsold it.
MAJORdorMo1992 10 months ago
@MAJORdorMo1992 "More then 7,000,000 Copies" It could be more then 40,000,000 copies. Since she said it sold MORE. Dumbass.
MrTinkotin 8 months ago
@MrTinkotin Why would they say over 7,000,000 if the book sold over 40,000,000 (which it would have to to be the best selling book in the world)?
Use your noggin. :3
Also, you should watch your grammar. When you make stupid mistakes like using "then" instead of "than" you really discredit yourself.
MAJORdorMo1992 8 months ago
@MAJORdorMo1992 actually that would probably make it the second best selling novel, because I'm pretty sure the not-so-holy Bible sold MANY more copies. Just sayin'
TheBludgeoningEffect 8 months ago
@TheBludgeoningEffect The Bible isn't a novel.
MAJORdorMo1992 8 months ago
@MAJORdorMo1992 actually that would probably make it the second best selling novel, because I'm pretty sure the not-so-holy Bible sold MANY more copies. Just sayin'
and his argument was that they said that it sold MORE than 7 million copies. 40 million is MORE than 7 million, so it IS a possibility. Highly unlikely, but POSSIBLE
TheBludgeoningEffect 8 months ago
Comment removed
MAJORdorMo1992 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@TheBludgeoningEffect I'd say impossible considering in 2009 they were claiming that more than 6,500,000 have been sold. Once they sold book # 7,000,001, they probably switched to 7,000,000 and will continue to do so every 0.5-1 million they sell.
Publishing companies aren't stupid. They will try to make sales seem as high as possible without lying.
MAJORdorMo1992 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I came across a great movie review.
tinyurl(.)com/43yhffr
jepense 10 months ago
I completely disagree with you. The film was horrible, and I'm an Objectivist.
qtutoringhelps 10 months ago
Hi Nick, I liked your review. I have yet to see the movie but I am reading the book right now and your review will surely push the curious to take a look for themselves.
What are you using for a mic? That's the only thing I would improve about your review.
napamike 10 months ago
Are there girlb00bs in this movie?
dunklersoldat 10 months ago
@dunklersoldat its pg-13 So problem not, but dagny tagart (sp?) yum yeah
badgerattoadhall 10 months ago
Wow! I did not expect that! Usually when one's favourite book is adapted to the screen, the viewer is usually disappointed.
Not sure if it's out in the UK but I'll keep an eye out for it.
BlunderCity 10 months ago
Nice review. Am in South Africa and not sure if we will get to see the movie. Might have to purchase DVD direct. Enjoy.
Karbouchard 10 months ago
I liked the movie. Hoping for a longer director's cut. Looking very forward to part 2.
mustang607 10 months ago
That was a pretty good review. The movie sounds great. It sounds like the movie makers have done a pretty good job of things.
Lots of low budget movies can turn out very well. Maybe the making of the movie shows similar ingenuity that is portrayed in the book. Thanks very much for doing the review Nick. You drew a fairly good picture. - Cheers
zalida100 10 months ago