Warning: There is a spoiler in this review.

As I mentioned last post, today’s Book-To-Movie (BTM) review is actually for September because I was going to postpone it from its usual fourth Monday time slot. So, there will be an October BTM at the end of this month. For those of you who are new to my blog, in a Book-To-Movie we review a work of prose fiction and its movie adaptation. During the past summer, we reviewed in two BTMs H.G. Wells' novel, "The Island of Dr. Moreau", and its movie adaptations starting with the original 1932 film, then continuing with the 1977 one. Today, we're reviewing the 1996 version. This last one released during the 100th anniversary year of the novel’s publication and was intended to be a blockbuster but was, in the eyes of both audiences and critics, a flop. I don’t consider it a flop, but the problem I had with it is that it doesn't convey the horror or dark prophetic story-telling that both the novel and the two previous movie adaptations do. 

To reiterate, Wells' 1896 novel is about the sole survivor, Pendrick, of a sunk ship, who is rescued by the titular character's assistant and taken to the doctor's island where he becomes stranded. While there, he learns that Dr. Moreau is an exiled criminal who cruelly experiments on animals making them into human beasts. "Dr. Moreau" is a story about physically and psychologically surviving the terrors of a mad doctor and his subhuman creatures on a remote island. Wells does a great job conveying those terrors.

Sadly, the terror is not conveyed as well as it could be in director John Frankenheimer's 1996 cinematic version of the story. Much of this problem is due to Moreau (played by Marlon Brando) coming across as too comical and friendly, as creepy as he looks in his white makeup and priestly robes. In one scene he wears a tall ice-bucket-looking headpiece that ice is poured into to keep himself cool from the tropical heat. Because of campy acts such as this, Brando falls short of convincing audiences of his villainous role, a problem opposite of that of Charles Laughton’s portrayal of the character in the 1932 film in which he came across as too typically villainous. 

One of the biggest changes in the 1996 movie from the original story is actually more of an attempted one. The story's time setting is reset from the 1800s to the then near-future of 2010 according to IMDB, but there is no apparent indication of this in the film itself. But this flaw kind of works to an advantage since it helps raise the concern and tension of modern day's genetic engineering potentially going too far. That brings us to the other big change in the story: Moreau's experiments are based in that kind of engineering, a growing issue of the 1990s, rather than in surgical sculpting and grafting. 

Even though 1996's "Island of Dr. Moreau" does not live up to the terror and prophetic dark message of both the novel and preceding two movie adaptations, the tension and action is still enough to keep a viewer's attention. However, they may not be enough to compel the viewer to watch it a second time, especially if he/she has already read the novel. 

‘Fool’s Illusion’ 10th Anniversary Giveaway Deadline Extended

Yes, yours truly has decided to extend the deadline for entry into the Giveaway for my book’s 10th anniversary! There were not near enough entrees by the original deadline needed to select a winner. You can see how lacking of entrees there were by checking out the original entry form. So, I’m extending the deadline to October 8th! 

To enter the giveaway, simply fill out the new form below. No purchase is necessary to enter. All that’s required is that you are a US citizen 18 years of age or older. If you have not done so, please be sure to read the Terms and Conditions (which can be found below and on the form) for other important details such as when the winner will be contacted and privacy statement. 

Now take advantage of this chance to win a free copy of “The Fool’s Illusion” and a gift card to Half Price Books!

Be here Wednesday for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group blog hop! Have you seen the 1996 movie adaptation of “The Island of Dr. Moreau”?

Until next time . . . 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

‘The Fool’s Illusion’ 10th Anniversary Giveaway - OFFICIAL RULES (Terms & Conditions)

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. MAKING A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. 

1.  PROMOTION DESCRIPTION: ‘The Fool’s Illusion’ 10th Anniversary Giveaway (\"Giveaway\") begins on OCTOBER 2, 2023 at 12:00 AM PST and ends on OCTOBER 9, 2023 at 12:00 AM PST (the \"Promotion Period\"). 

    The Sponsor of this Giveaway is Steven Arellano Rose ("Sponsor"). By participating in the Giveaway, each Entrant unconditionally accepts and agrees to comply with and abide by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor, which shall be final and binding in all respects. Sponsor is responsible for the collection, submission or processing of Entries and the overall administration of the Giveaway. Entrants should look solely to Sponsor with any questions, comments or problems related to the Giveaway. Sponsor may be reached by email at [email protected] during the Promotion Period. 

2.  ELIGIBILITY: Open to legal residents of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA who are a MINIMUM AGE of 18 YEARS OLD (the \"Entrant\"). Sponsor, and their affiliates, distributors, retailers, advertising and promotion agencies (the \"Promotion Entities\"), are ineligible to enter the Giveaway or win a Prize. Household Members and Immediate Family Members of such individuals are also not eligible to enter or win. "Household Members" shall mean those people who share the same residence at least three months a year. "Immediate Family Members" shall mean parents, step-parents, legal guardians, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, or spouses. This Giveaway is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited or restricted by law. 

3. PRIZES:

The winner will get to choose one of two sets of prizes: 

First Set: a signed print/paperback copy of “The Fool’s Illusion” by Steven Arellano Rose (writing as Steven Rose Jr.)  (approximate retail value or ARV: $9.24) and  a $20 gift card (choice of physical or electronic) for Half Price Books

or    

Second Set: an ebook copy of “The Fool’s Illusion” by Steven Arellano Rose (writing as Steven Rose Jr.) (approximate retail value or ARV: $4.99) and a $25 gift card (choice of physical or electronic) for Half Price Books 

    Gift cards and gift certificates are subject to the terms and conditions of the issuer. Prizes cannot be transferred, redeemed for cash or substituted by winner. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to award a substitute prize of equal or greater value if a prize described in these Official Rules is unavailable or cannot be awarded, in whole or in part, for any reason. The ARV of the prize represents Sponsor's good faith determination. That determination is final and binding and cannot be appealed. If the actual value of the prize turns out to be less than the stated ARV, the difference will not be awarded in cash. Sponsor makes no representation or warranty concerning the appearance, safety or performance of any prize awarded. Restrictions, conditions, and limitations may apply. Sponsor will not replace any lost or stolen prize items.    

    This Giveaway is open to legal residents of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and Prize will only be awarded and/or delivered to addresses within said location. All federal, state and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. Failure to comply with the Official Rules will result in forfeiture of the prize.

4. HOW TO ENTER: Enter the Giveaway during the Promotion Period online by visiting the entry form.

    Automated or robotic Entries submitted by individuals or organizations will be disqualified. Internet entry must be made by the Entrant. Any attempt by Entrant to obtain more than the stated number of Entries by using multiple/different email addresses, identities, registrations, logins or any other methods, including, but not limited to, commercial contest/giveaway subscription notification and/or entering services, will void Entrant's Entries and that Entrant may be disqualified. Final eligibility for the award of any prize is subject to eligibility verification as set forth below. All Entries must be posted by the end of the Promotion Period in order to participate. 

5. WINNER SELECTION: The Winner of the Giveaway will be selected in a random drawing from among all eligible Entries received throughout the Promotion Period. The random drawing will be conducted about THREE DAYS after the Promotion Period by Sponsor or its designated representatives, whose decisions are final. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible Entries received.

6. WINNER NOTIFICATION: Winner will be notified by email at the email address provided in the Entry Information approximately TWO DAYS after the random drawing. Potential Winner must accept a prize by email as directed by Sponsor within TWO WEEKS of notification. Sponsor is not responsible for any delay or failure to receive notification for any reason, including inactive email account(s), technical difficulties associated therewith, or Winner’s failure to adequately monitor any email account.

    Any winner notification not responded to or returned as undeliverable may result in prize forfeiture. The potential prize winner may be required to sign and return an affidavit of eligibility and release of liability, and a Publicity Release (collectively \"the Prize Claim Documents\"). No substitution or transfer of a prize is permitted except by Sponsor.

7. PRIVACY: Addresses and email contacts supplied by you will only be used for Giveaway purposes and will never be sold or shared except for passing on information for source(s) to send the prizes. By entering the Giveaway, you grant Sponsor permission to share your name and/or username on a publicly available announcement of the Winner.

8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: Sponsor assumes no responsibility or liability for (a) any incorrect or inaccurate entry information, or for any faulty or failed electronic data transmissions; (b) any unauthorized access to, or theft, destruction or alteration of entries at any point in the operation of this Giveaway; (c) any technical malfunction, failure, error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or communications line failure, regardless of cause, with regard to any equipment, systems, networks, lines, satellites, servers, camera, computers or providers utilized in any aspect of the operation of the Giveaway; (d) inaccessibility or unavailability of any network or wireless service, the Internet or website or any combination thereof; (e) suspended or discontinued Internet, wireless or landline phone service; or (f) any injury or damage to participant's or to any other person’s computer or mobile device which may be related to or resulting from any attempt to participate in the Giveaway or download of any materials in the Giveaway.

    If, for any reason, the Giveaway is not capable of running as planned for reasons which may include without limitation, infection by computer virus, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which may corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this Giveaway, the Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Giveaway in whole or in part. In such event, Sponsor shall immediately suspend all drawings and prize awards, and Sponsor reserves the right to award any remaining prizes (up to the total ARV as set forth in these Official Rules) in a manner deemed fair and equitable by Sponsor. Sponsor and Released Parties shall not have any further liability to any participant in connection with the Giveaway.

9. SOCIAL NETWORK DISCLAIMER

A Facebook account may be required to enter. If you don’t already have a Facebook account, visit www.facebook.com to create one. It is free to create an account. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. You understand that you are providing your information to the Sponsor and not to Facebook. By participating via the Facebook platform, participants are also subject to Facebook’s data policy and terms of use, which can be found at https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy and https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms/update.

10. WINNER LIST: For accessing a Winner List online, visit http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/45e1c7ba2/? . The winner list will be posted after winner confirmation is complete.

11. SPONSOR: STEVEN ARELLANO ROSE, PO BOX 8481, WOODLAND, CA 95776,  [email protected]