The Golden Compass has so far made a creditable $250M at the international box office, yet America hated it. Some of the other boxoffice figures make interresting reading. It seems that tastes in America and the rest of the world seem to be diverging.

The evangelical right did a real number on The Golden Compass here in the US-- they convinced us that just watching it makes you prey to Satan's wiggling fingers.

Haven't seen it, but I've read the (excellent) books, and will be going to Hell as a result.

This was strange because I found no evidence of atheism in the film. (I know the books' author is an atheist).

However, NARNIA's allusions to Christianity are unmistakable.

As someone who read the Pullman trilogy but still hasn't seen "The Golden Compass," I suspect that the film's lack of success here also has something to do with its timing. Considering the opposition of the Evangelicals, it was doomed as a holiday family film unless people had actually read the book, which is never something to rely on. And I'm bothered by the reports that the film cuts back on many of the book's elements--that story offers so much opportunity for fabulous drama and effects. But of course I still want to see it...

The Kite Runner tried way too hard to be dramatic and messed up a simple story set in the interesting and very dangerous recent history of Afghanistan (just prior to the Soviet invasion thru to the Taliban reign).

The acting and dialogue are mostly just okay. The land is pretty scenic, though they also try too hard to make kite flying beautiful and exciting. I did like the opening credit sequence and most of the music throughout.

Nothing special, but an entirely decent film, until it becomes clear where the plot is headed and you are powerless to alter the course. It also failed to deal with some moral issues which are raised by the head of the orphanage, choosing instead to become stupidly DRAMATIC.

Not sure many have seen this, but I'll go back and check out Mo's comments.

The Golden Compass has so far made a creditable $250M at the international box office, yet America hated it. Some of the other boxoffice figures make interresting reading. It seems that tastes in America and the rest of the world seem to be diverging.

The Kite Runner tried way too hard to be dramatic and messed up a simple story set in the interesting and very dangerous recent history of Afghanistan (just prior to the Soviet invasion thru to the Taliban reign).

The acting and dialogue are mostly just okay. The land is pretty scenic, though they also try too hard to make kite flying beautiful and exciting. I did like the opening credit sequence and most of the music throughout.

Nothing special, but an entirely decent film, until it becomes clear where the plot is headed and you are powerless to alter the course. It also failed to deal with some moral issues which are raised by the head of the orphanage, choosing instead to become stupidly DRAMATIC.

Not sure many have seen this, but I'll go back and check out Mo's comments.

Re. The Golden Compass and atheism: the first book (the one that was filmed) is not expressly representative of an anti-theist view. By the third volume (as noted by carrobin), all the characters are screaming "FUCK THE POPE! FUCK THE POPE!" and the dead carcass of God is barbecued and eaten by the protagonists. It'll be tricky to film with sensitivity.

My interest in the film is mainly the locations used in NW China (Xinjiang Province). I'd like to know more about the making of "The Kite Runner."