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The Reel Stuff
Editor Brian Thomsen admits that film was his entrée into the world of science fiction. After watching classics such as Fantastic Voyage and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, he discovered that many of the most dramatic presentations were based on written stories. So he sought out the authors, read their works, and became enthralled by the golden word as well as the silver screen. Years later he decided to compile an anthology of stories that were translated to film, and the result is The Reel Stuff. The book contains 12 works by writers such as Philip K. Dick and John Varley; some writers are well known and others are not as readily recognizable. Included in the anthology are Dick's "Second Variety" and "We Can Remember It for You Wholesale," which turned up on screen as Screamers and Total Recall, respectively. Also included, but less well known, is Robert Silverberg's "Amanda and the Alien," which was turned into a made-for-cable movie of the same name. There's even an H.P. Lovecraft story here, "Herbert West: Reanimator," which Hollywood made into Re-Animator, a campy SF horror classic. --Craig E. Engler
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
2 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Brian M. Thomsen
60 books10 followersBrian Thomsen was a founding editor of the Questar Science Fiction line of books, and served as managing fiction editor at TSR, Inc.; he also wrote over 30 short stories, and collaborated with Julius Schwartz on Schwartz's autobiography. He also worked as the publisher for TSR's Periodicals Department at one point. He was a consulting editor at Tor Books; as an author he was a Hugo Award nominee.
He died on September 21, 2008, at his home in Brooklyn at the age of 49. He was survived by his wife, Donna.
He died on September 21, 2008, at his home in Brooklyn at the age of 49. He was survived by his wife, Donna.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 18, 2020
Great collection of stories at nagustuhan ko ang unique style ng bawat author. Ang top two stories ko dito ay parehas na sinulat ni George R.R. Martin: Sandkings at Nightflyers. I was expecting na walang makakatalo sa Herbert West - Reanimator (Lovecraft) for the top place pero I must admit although sobrang fun ng Herbert West, mas superior ang mga kuwento ni GRRM. Basahin ko kaya yung Song of Fire and Ice in the future? Siguro pag natapos na niya yung series. Another favorite is Enemy Mine by Barry Longyear. Sana hindi ko napanood yung movie bago ko binasa ito, alam ko na kasi ang mangyayari but the story is still touching and I loved the characters at yung message ng kuwento. Pansin ko nga yung top three ko dito, hindi ko pa napapanood yung movie, so mukhang isang factor din yung spoilers. I think yun ang tricky sa ganitong book, alam mo na ang mangyayari so medyo predictable ang ibang kuwento. Still there are stories na ok pa rin kahit napanood ko na like Minority Report and Mimic. Medyo na-disappoint ako sa Who goes there? kasi gusto ko yung The Thing na movie ni John Carpenter. Dragging yung kuwento para sa akin. Same with The Forbidden, mas maganda yung Candyman na movie. Tingin ko, dahil sa link between movies and book, ok itong anthology na ito para sa taong naghahanap muna ng patikim or intro into sci-fi stories before diving into longer works.
P.S. May isang Amazon review ng book na ito na nagrerecommend na basahin siya in combination with Reel Future by Forrest Ackerman and Jean Marie Stine. So naghanap din ako ng kopya ng book na yun for more more of these kinds of stories in the future!
P.S. May isang Amazon review ng book na ito na nagrerecommend na basahin siya in combination with Reel Future by Forrest Ackerman and Jean Marie Stine. So naghanap din ako ng kopya ng book na yun for more more of these kinds of stories in the future!
July 16, 2024
Science Fiction has always been a difficult genre for me to read; I very much like it, and the stories capture me in a way I cannot find in other books. However, probably because of their power of influence, I find a lot of sci-fi very melancholic, and do not usually read it. This collection has outstanding stories; I’m glad I read them! Many are horrifying, many are adventurous, some are hilarious, and some are brutally heartbreaking.
September 11, 2012
It's hard to review a book of short stories by different authors.
It's like any set of short stories, some you like, some you do not.
The theme of this book was short stories that had been turned into movies.
So let me give a yes or no on which ones I have seen out of this list.
Mimic-Haven't seen the movie, but based on the ads, I would have to say it was a terrible movie. I enjoyed the book, 6 feet tall roaches and all.
Second Variety-Called Screamers in the movie. I liked the story, it was a little bit of a downer, the movie was all right typical 90's sci-fi Action fair. It changed the setting from Earth to another planet.
Amanda and the Alien- Never saw this movie or heard of it. Story was so so, felt it could have had more info about the time it takes place in.
Sandkings- Have not seen the movie, but I like the story. Note it is by the same writer who now has a t.v. series, a little thing called "The Game of Thrones"
We can remember if for you Wholesale- Total Recall, the movie, Arnold Swartchnager version, was better than the story. While cheesy I don't think it went way off to left field, and there were three boobed aliens. Still the story wasn't bad.
Air Raid- This became a terrible movie, can't remember much of it but the final line. "This is not the beginning of the end, but the end of the beginning" Story was a downer and didn't really like it.
The Forbidden-I believe this was called the candy man, some Clive Barker movie and book. I didn't care for the short story, haven't seen the movie.
Enemy Mine- I have not seen this movie. I think this is one of the better stories in the book. Really enjoyed it and was nice to see a more humane treatment of alien species at war.
Reanimtor- I didn't realize who wrote this at first, but i was guessing that it was a serial, something written for multiple issues of a magazine. It was by H. P. Lovecraft. Besides the redundant recaps of what has happened, an artifact of serialization, it was a decent tale.
Some versions of this book have three extra stories. Nightflyers, Who Goes There, and the Minority Report. Mind didn't.
It's like any set of short stories, some you like, some you do not.
The theme of this book was short stories that had been turned into movies.
So let me give a yes or no on which ones I have seen out of this list.
Mimic-Haven't seen the movie, but based on the ads, I would have to say it was a terrible movie. I enjoyed the book, 6 feet tall roaches and all.
Second Variety-Called Screamers in the movie. I liked the story, it was a little bit of a downer, the movie was all right typical 90's sci-fi Action fair. It changed the setting from Earth to another planet.
Amanda and the Alien- Never saw this movie or heard of it. Story was so so, felt it could have had more info about the time it takes place in.
Sandkings- Have not seen the movie, but I like the story. Note it is by the same writer who now has a t.v. series, a little thing called "The Game of Thrones"
We can remember if for you Wholesale- Total Recall, the movie, Arnold Swartchnager version, was better than the story. While cheesy I don't think it went way off to left field, and there were three boobed aliens. Still the story wasn't bad.
Air Raid- This became a terrible movie, can't remember much of it but the final line. "This is not the beginning of the end, but the end of the beginning" Story was a downer and didn't really like it.
The Forbidden-I believe this was called the candy man, some Clive Barker movie and book. I didn't care for the short story, haven't seen the movie.
Enemy Mine- I have not seen this movie. I think this is one of the better stories in the book. Really enjoyed it and was nice to see a more humane treatment of alien species at war.
Reanimtor- I didn't realize who wrote this at first, but i was guessing that it was a serial, something written for multiple issues of a magazine. It was by H. P. Lovecraft. Besides the redundant recaps of what has happened, an artifact of serialization, it was a decent tale.
Some versions of this book have three extra stories. Nightflyers, Who Goes There, and the Minority Report. Mind didn't.
February 6, 2016
It's hard to review a book of short stories by different authors.
It's like any set of short stories, some you like, some you do not.
The theme of this book was short stories that had been turned into movies.
So let me give a yes or no on which ones I have seen out of this list.
Mimic-Haven't seen the movie, but based on the ads, I would have to say it was a terrible movie. I enjoyed the book, 6 feet tall roaches and all.
Second Variety-Called Screamers in the movie. I liked the story, it was a little bit of a downer, the movie was all right typical 90's sci-fi Action fair. It changed the setting from Earth to another planet.
Amanda and the Alien- Never saw this movie or heard of it. Story was so so, felt it could have had more info about the time it takes place in.
Sandkings- Have not seen the movie, but I like the story. Note it is by the same writer who now has a t.v. series, a little thing called "The Game of Thrones"
We can remember if for you Wholesale- Total Recall, the movie, Arnold Swartchnager version, was better than the story. While cheesy I don't think it went way off to left field, and there were three boobed aliens. Still the story wasn't bad.
Air Raid- This became a terrible movie, can't remember much of it but the final line. "This is not the beginning of the end, but the end of the beginning" Story was a downer and didn't really like it.
The Forbidden-I believe this was called the candy man, some Clive Barker movie and book. I didn't care for the short story, haven't seen the movie.
Enemy Mine- I have not seen this movie. I think this is one of the better stories in the book. Really enjoyed it and was nice to see a more humane treatment of alien species at war.
Reanimtor- I didn't realize who wrote this at first, but i was guessing that it was a serial, something written for multiple issues of a magazine. It was by H. P. Lovecraft. Besides the redundant recaps of what has happened, an artifact of serialization, it was a decent tale.
Some versions of this book have three extra stories. Nightflyers, Who Goes There, and the Minority Report. Mine didn't.
It's like any set of short stories, some you like, some you do not.
The theme of this book was short stories that had been turned into movies.
So let me give a yes or no on which ones I have seen out of this list.
Mimic-Haven't seen the movie, but based on the ads, I would have to say it was a terrible movie. I enjoyed the book, 6 feet tall roaches and all.
Second Variety-Called Screamers in the movie. I liked the story, it was a little bit of a downer, the movie was all right typical 90's sci-fi Action fair. It changed the setting from Earth to another planet.
Amanda and the Alien- Never saw this movie or heard of it. Story was so so, felt it could have had more info about the time it takes place in.
Sandkings- Have not seen the movie, but I like the story. Note it is by the same writer who now has a t.v. series, a little thing called "The Game of Thrones"
We can remember if for you Wholesale- Total Recall, the movie, Arnold Swartchnager version, was better than the story. While cheesy I don't think it went way off to left field, and there were three boobed aliens. Still the story wasn't bad.
Air Raid- This became a terrible movie, can't remember much of it but the final line. "This is not the beginning of the end, but the end of the beginning" Story was a downer and didn't really like it.
The Forbidden-I believe this was called the candy man, some Clive Barker movie and book. I didn't care for the short story, haven't seen the movie.
Enemy Mine- I have not seen this movie. I think this is one of the better stories in the book. Really enjoyed it and was nice to see a more humane treatment of alien species at war.
Reanimtor- I didn't realize who wrote this at first, but i was guessing that it was a serial, something written for multiple issues of a magazine. It was by H. P. Lovecraft. Besides the redundant recaps of what has happened, an artifact of serialization, it was a decent tale.
Some versions of this book have three extra stories. Nightflyers, Who Goes There, and the Minority Report. Mine didn't.
December 10, 2010
Mimic (Donald A Wollheim) **** Interesting idea. Have not seen the movie
Second Variety (Philip K Dick) ***** I have seen Screamers and this is pretty true to the movie. Some slight changes but it doesn't change the plot at all.
Amanda and the Alien (Robert Silverberg) */ Interesting idea, but couldn't get into it.
Sandkings (George R R Martin) ***** Loved the idea. I have not seen the Outer Limits movie, but will have to look for it.
We Can Remember It for You Wholesale (Philip K Dick) *** "Total Recall" The movie's loosely based on it, but as a short story you get the whole movie. I just kept seeing Arnold as Quaid though.
Air Raid (John Varley) ** "Millenium" I vaguely remember the movie, but the story seemed incoherent at times. Were they killing some of the passengers and saving some, or trying to save them all?
The Forbidden (Clive Barker) "Candyman" *** Kind of creepy, but interesting inclusion in the book
Johnny Mnemonic (William Gibson)** Some interesting ideas, but it didn't function well for me.
Enemy Mine (Barry Longyear) ***** Have not seen the movie, but really loved the idea of the book and getting to know and love one's enemy
Nightflyers (George R R Martin) ***** Creepy and cool. I liked it though it does have a familiar plot that most movies tend to have. Haven't seen the movie.
Herbert West - Reanimator (H P Lovecraft)*** Lovecraft loves creepy and this is no different. The details are quite lasting. It is somewhat repetitious though in rehashing West's background every chapter. Haven't seen the movie.
Who Goes There? (John W Campbell) "The Thing" ***** Awesome movie (Carpenter's version) and it is nice to see where the idea came from. Slightly different adaptation, but some similar scenes. I believe I like Carpenter's ending better.
The Minority Report (Philip K Dick)***
Second Variety (Philip K Dick) ***** I have seen Screamers and this is pretty true to the movie. Some slight changes but it doesn't change the plot at all.
Amanda and the Alien (Robert Silverberg) */ Interesting idea, but couldn't get into it.
Sandkings (George R R Martin) ***** Loved the idea. I have not seen the Outer Limits movie, but will have to look for it.
We Can Remember It for You Wholesale (Philip K Dick) *** "Total Recall" The movie's loosely based on it, but as a short story you get the whole movie. I just kept seeing Arnold as Quaid though.
Air Raid (John Varley) ** "Millenium" I vaguely remember the movie, but the story seemed incoherent at times. Were they killing some of the passengers and saving some, or trying to save them all?
The Forbidden (Clive Barker) "Candyman" *** Kind of creepy, but interesting inclusion in the book
Johnny Mnemonic (William Gibson)** Some interesting ideas, but it didn't function well for me.
Enemy Mine (Barry Longyear) ***** Have not seen the movie, but really loved the idea of the book and getting to know and love one's enemy
Nightflyers (George R R Martin) ***** Creepy and cool. I liked it though it does have a familiar plot that most movies tend to have. Haven't seen the movie.
Herbert West - Reanimator (H P Lovecraft)*** Lovecraft loves creepy and this is no different. The details are quite lasting. It is somewhat repetitious though in rehashing West's background every chapter. Haven't seen the movie.
Who Goes There? (John W Campbell) "The Thing" ***** Awesome movie (Carpenter's version) and it is nice to see where the idea came from. Slightly different adaptation, but some similar scenes. I believe I like Carpenter's ending better.
The Minority Report (Philip K Dick)***
June 20, 2016
Thematic SF short story collections are always a risk. The theme limits the pool of stories pretty dramatically, and there are often not enough good ones to fill a volume. This collection of stories that were turned into movies most definitely suffers from that problem.
It might be appealing to read the stories that inspired Total Recall, or Johnny Mnemonic. But not all movies are blockbusters, and the stories that triggered 1990s made-for-cable movies are not exactly classics.
As far as the stories themselves go, William Gibson's "Johnny Mnemonic" was the standout for me, and both of George R. R. Martin's stories—"Sandkings" and "Nightflyers"—were good enough that I'll keep an eye out for the movies they inspired.
It might be appealing to read the stories that inspired Total Recall, or Johnny Mnemonic. But not all movies are blockbusters, and the stories that triggered 1990s made-for-cable movies are not exactly classics.
As far as the stories themselves go, William Gibson's "Johnny Mnemonic" was the standout for me, and both of George R. R. Martin's stories—"Sandkings" and "Nightflyers"—were good enough that I'll keep an eye out for the movies they inspired.
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March 6, 2015Snagged this for George R. R. Martin's 'Sandkings' - the rest of the fine stories are pure bonus. Pity that Joe Haldeman's superb 'Hero' (which he later expanded to be The Forever War) is not among these, but Ridley Scott (who owns the filmrights) has yet to make the film (!) - while turning out a lot of less-than-inspired crap in the meantime, but hey, I digress. It's what I do. That, and bitch and moan...
August 10, 2014
A great collection of the horror end of classic scifi. This book contains a number of scifi short stories and novellas from authors such as Clive Barker, George R.R.Martin, and Philip K. Dick, each of which ended up influencing a at least one screenplay. For fans of the horror side of scifi, this sampling of the subgenre is a must. [another great collection by Martin Greenburg, who has been responsible for editing many a story collection in my own library]
July 1, 2015
This was a pretty good read. It was interesting to read these original stories and see how they compared to the movies. Some of the stories are quite different from the movies. Total Recall and Minority Report actually bare little resemblance to the movies that are based on them. If you are fan of any of the movies that were made from these stories then the book is worth checking out.
September 23, 2008
Excellent compendium of the basis for a dozen or so successful (and unsuccessful) sci-fi films. Especially of note: Gore-meister Clive Barker (Candyman) is an exceptional writer, and "Enemy Mine," basis of the forgettable 1984 film of the same name, is surprisingly touching. Well worth the time.
November 2, 2015
There are a bunch of mixed reviews for this, and no wonder. There are a lot of stories in here, some better than others. Pick it up, and you'll likely find something you enjoy. My favorite was the Sandkings by George R. R. Martin.
Want to read
February 1, 201112/383
September 26, 2011
I loved this collection, but Sandkings was really outstanding and a great way to close the book. I haven't actually seen most of the movies/shows that these stories became, but I'm going to try!
January 23, 2016
Besides a couple of clunkers, everything else in here is gold.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews