Lost in Adaptation: A Series of Unfortunate Events

I would have put some dashes in there just for variety's sake, thus: "This is a film, as you put it--like Percy Jackson was--at best, alright." Also, I will totally go halfsies with you on a Doof Wagon. You take it for the Spring semester, I take it for the Fall? Yeah, Snicket's certainly not for everyone--I loved it to tiny bits because of it's sheer metatextuality and complete divergence from anything I'd read up to that point, but I can definitely see how it wouldn't really grab everyone. (I feel rather the same way about Wurthuring Heights--I admit it's a work of complete genius, but I simply can't stand it.) One of the things, though, that I feel the film really did capture was the overall TONE of the books, the feel of them. You gotta admit that the cinematography, lighting, and set design were all top-notch. I get a sense of real effort from this movie--not competence or consistency, perhaps, but effort.

Amy Reynolds

I think, ultimately, this may be the case of a very well written, entertaining series that is just not for me. That being said, I think this shows a great more sophistication in your work. I loved your opening and would very much like to know where I can purchase a flamethrowing ukelele. To be honest, I think all teachers should be driven to school on the speaker truck while they play the flamethrower guitar. (sigh) I can dream. Awesome opening aside, you did a great job in your analysis and I have to say that I truly agree with you about Jim Carrey. Personal beliefs aside, he still remains an actor that can have considerable chops given the right material. While I don't believe Olaf was out of his range, I do think, as you mentioned, his likeability got in the way of truly showcasing the character. Imagine if they had chosen John Malkovich for the role! Ultimately the film suffers from mediocrity. Perhaps the greatest sin a work of art can have. This is a film, as you put it, like Percy Jackson that was, at best, alright. (could I possibly put more commas in a sentence? Amy, did I do that right?) As was pointed out by one of the commenters that the movie was forgettable. All things the same, I would rather make a movie that was a complete off the rails disaster like the Room than a movie that was "ok". Still, the new camera is awesome and the vid looks better than ever. Keep up the good work and really interested in your next video!

David Perez

I know what you mean, its very much a series thats more than just the words in the books.

Dominic Noble

If its handled right it could be awesome. Its going to be interesting to see how many episodes there are per book. 1 would be far too little but a whole series would be far too much.

Dominic Noble

There may be a few mistake like that as I wrote most the episode after just reading the first 3 books. Read more after being completely flummoxed by the VFD stuff.... Also I think you earned your request 100 times over, being my longest running highest tier Patron and all XD

Dominic Noble

I kinda wish id read them as a kid. Might have actually liked them that way. Just made me saaad now.... :(

Dominic Noble

Tim Curry does some of the audio books for this series and he's fucking awesome at it. I listened to him narrate the reptile room on a drive to london ^_^

Dominic Noble

Quick question, did I use juxtaposition right? I kept thinking I should have said Juxtapose but google wasn't helpful.....

Dominic Noble

Yeah. Still trying to figure out the best spot to put the microphone stand but its nice being able to film in 1920/1080 finally.

Dominic Noble

..... I was not aware of the vaccination thing... Also 14 is sorta mid puberty isn't it? Is there a word for that?

Dominic Noble

Just realised I forgot Draco Malfoy.... XD

Dominic Noble

You make that sound dodgy dude....

Dominic Noble

Rocking the original Red on a gameboy lite. Partly retro partly I didn't want to risk dropping my DS....

Dominic Noble

Wonderful job the Dom! I particularly liked how you depicted the book following you around at the beginning since that's how I ended up reading the first book (everyone around me was reading it lol). In the end it turned out to be too depressing to hold my interest, but you perfectly captured how creepy Olaf is with your familial/social circle of villains. I can't wait to see what you review next!

Nicely done! I love your Lost in Adaptation videos! The film was... not very memorable for me but I didn't hate it. I tried listening to the books (I've been a book listener for more than 15 years) but I didn't enjoy the first few chapters at all and I just stopped. Somehow to book never popped up during any of the terribly interesting things I do every day like it happened to you :)

Which Pokemon were you playing, Red or FireRed? Hmmm, I love me some Pokemon.

Dominic Ford

I absolutely loved how you framed how much of an ass Olaf was in the book using hated characters from other franchises/mediums. Another job well done!

awesome work Dom :) and the opening my fav lol haha and I totally agree with on the movie cant wait for the Netflix series :D

Tj Kiszka

Now that Jim Carrey is another moronic anti-vaxxer I have a strong dislike for him. I just want to punch him in the face repeatably while screaming "VACCINES DO NOT CAUSE AUTISM YOU FUCKING MORON!" Also technically Olaf is an ephebophile, not a pedophile. Pedophiles want to rape kids who haven't gone through puberty yet. Ephebophiles are people who want to rape kids who have gone through puberty.

When shall we see your new...secret weapon?

GAAAAAH THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS!!! I can't even begin to describe how much this video was full of awesome! (If I tried I'd reach my character limit.) My only nit-pick is that the Littlest Elf was a real reference to something Lemony Snicket actually did discuss but only for a little bit he never made more references than that, just like one sentence where he recommended it as something else to read. (One of those "dull books " where the author's name was just an anagram for Lemony Snicket.) Only in the film it was made into a cartoon instead of a children's book. Other than that, the review was spot-on and it's once again a job well done! This really made my week! Thank you so much!!! :D I'm fan-gushing right now dude! The world is enlightened! (Er-at least in terms of what went down in some children's books.) Definitely my favorite episode so far! X3

EXCESSIVELY LOVE that opening, Dom--easily my favorite of yours yet. I also badly want a gif of you with the flaming ukulele. Overall a really great review; I completely agree that what they DID keep they did extremely well--I like your point that, scene-for-scene it's a very faithful adaptation. You also make a good point I hadn't considered before--that Jim Carry's likeability make him such a bad choice for Olaf. That makes sense, but on the other hand, the extreme degree of loathsomeness inherent in the book character would, I rather think, have completely tanked this film's watchability if it'd been done on screen as well. As always, a million thanks and well done! P.S. No typos! :D

Amy Reynolds

This was a fascinating episode. While I've not read the books or watched the film I heard enough about the books from people who had read them to wonder how their particular charm could be translated into film. The books were such a uniquely complete package (down to the reversible cover I saw on at least one volume that was meant to hide what you were really reading) that I wondered if a film could really capture the self-referential mood of the books. No? Oh well, I'll keep a close eye on Netflix then.

Kim Huett

Great work again the Dom. When do you go from Obscure reviewer to "relatively" obsure reviewer? This is the first video with the new camera?

LS Greger