Koontzland - Dean Koontz discussion
This topic is about
Intensity
Stand Alone Novels 1991-1999
>
Intensity (Group Read - October 2011)
date
newest »
newest »
Mod
lol - I missed this one."
Gosh, Tom, I didn't think you missed much, but I guess it happens to the best of us once in a while ;-)
Agreed, the book could have done without the very last chapter, but still I gave it five stars because I liked it so much.
Someone mentioned a movie. I see segments of it on Dailymotion; does anyone know if it's available for rental?
I don't know about rental, but the full movie is availible on youtube.
Thanks, but . . . with dialup at home, it would take a week to watch :(
From what I know it was a TV movie...it was never released on DVD. You can either buy the TV recordings from people (yuck) or download the movie from the web - I got my copy from a torrent site.
Almost none of Koontz's movies are on DVD (Phantoms is and Watchers is, but it is very rare and expensive) and are virtually impossible to find, except maybe online. Did you watch Intensity yet, Mac? I don't recall hearing your thoughts about it, if so.
I didn't watch it yet. It's over three hours long, and I simply don't have the time now. I glimpsed through it and it seems to be really well made. John McGinley as Mr. Vess is an ideal casting choice, his performance is superb.
Maciek wrote: "I didn't watch it yet. It's over three hours long, and I simply don't have the time now. I glimpsed through it and it seems to be really well made. John McGinley as Mr. Vess is an ideal casting cho..."You could take 3 hours to watch it instead of taking 3 hours to read a book. :-O Oh, the evil thoughts I put in your mind. ;-)
LOL ! You want to make me a movie junkie ! ;DI'll watch it gladly, because from what I've seen and read it's propably the best Koontz adaptation ever made. I just have to find three hours...where could they be ?
Maciek wrote: "LOL ! You want to make me a movie junkie ! ;DI'll watch it gladly, because from what I've seen and read it's propably the best Koontz adaptation ever made. I just have to find three hours...where ..."
Sole Survivor is a pretty good Koontz movie too, don't forget.
This was an enjoyable read. I think it would have been even more suspenseful had I not seen the movie before reading the book. Vess certainly is a monster, but I found that I admired him on several occasions in the book: for his thirst for sensation at varying levels of intensity, how he combines and mixes sensations, his fearlessness, and his orderly manner. The movie is very faithful to the book and is the best adaptation of a Koontz book I have yet seen. The movie lacks the omniscient narrator of the book, so the viewer misses out on most of the thoughts of the characters, but the plot is almost identical, with the movie actually adding a few characters (one major) and plot elements, some of which, I think, enhanced the story considerably (I can discuss these with those who are interested). I would have enjoyed the book more had it ended with the escape, rather than describing the months and years that followed. I also think the story would have benefited from not including the ephemeral elk, as they really added nothing to the story, only serving to muddle it up with a completely unnecessary supernatural element.
I didn't like the ending that much either. It was very anticlimatic and cliched, completely not in par with the ride that preceeded it.
Ok, I know this is an old thread, but I recently started this book and I absolutely love it! What a ride! It starts immediately and gets your heart pounding! Wow! I'm only about 60 pages in and I can't wait to get back into it! Damn work!
Mod
I'm thrilled Intensity has been chosen. I've read it twice and was pleased both times. It's one of my top Koontz books, it could not put it down til I finished. I don't mind reading it again, it was that good.
Mod
Excellent! We will be happy to have you :-)
Jackie wrote: "I'm thrilled Intensity has been chosen. I've read it twice and was pleased both times. It's one of my top Koontz books, it could not put it down til I finished. I don't mind reading it again, it..."
Glad you'll be joining us for a group read again! Seems like it's been a while and as such a long time fan you add another dimension to our discussions :-)
Thanks for the compliment, Dustin, that was very nice. Many Koontz books are good for a one time read but I have a few that I can read over. This is one of them.
I have this one and plan to start as soon as I finish Twilight Eyes.
This book scared me. So Intense! I prefer to read the books that really can't come true so when I started this and found it was not a supernatural, or something like that, novel, I didn't know if I wanted to continue. I did enjoy the ending and finding out what became of the main characters unlike others who've commented. It was good to see the Chyna reconcile her future with her past, but, kinda creepy that her thoughts ended up being similar the the antagonist's.
Well this was not my favourite Dean Koontz book. In fact if it had not been the group read book I probably would not have finished it. I found it incredibly depressing and I did not feel empathy for the heroine; I feel that I should have but I didn't. The elk were the only part of the book that I actually enjoyed. I just finished reading "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy which is on the "Most depressing books of all time" list and actually found that less depressing than Intensity. I guess I am more of an Odd Thomas type of person lol. Looking forward to next month's read :)
Mod
Just finished today and the elk were my favorite part of the story, but not the only part that I enjoyed. I really like how the female elk are portrayed and like you, Tracy, I seem to enjoy more of the supernatural elements which we see in most of Dean's books. Intensity is a bit different and I've never counted it among my favorites, but I think it's a beautiful story.
I enjoyed all the references to literary children classics such as Narnia, Alice in Wonderland, Frog & Toad. Chyna used these stories to escape and isn't that what we continue to do when we read fiction as adults - it's what I do anyway and I think Dean has provided some great escapes :-)
I really like the ending lines which summarize : (view spoiler)
Mod
Me too. I'm starting Cold Fire today. This is one of my very favorites :-) this will be my 4th time reading this amazing book!
I haven't read many of his books yet...working on it...and I have to agree that I do like the supernatural elements that are in so many of his books best. But that being said, sometimes the scariest books are the ones that are the most human and most real! Like this one!
Shannon wrote: "...But Intensity was written in 1996 and we know Koontz is much more seasoned now with writing, so the time he wrote this should probably be taken into account."He had been writing for about 30 years by that point.
Shannon wrote: "True, but WTNK just came out last year, and I think it is far better...."Many think that his books in the new millennium are inferior to his books from the previous millennium. His writing in the new millennium certainly has changed a good bit from that of the previous millennium. I do really like some of his new millennium books, such as Relentless and From the Corner of His Eye.
Shannon wrote: "I'm new to Koontz (just started reading him in July) and I started with WTNK. I guess I'm a new millennium newbie!..."Ahh, then it will be interesting to see how your opinions form as you read more Koontz books, more of the older and the newer. :-)
Kinda skipping the posts, don't want the ending. About one third in. Is this dude bad or what? Man, I can't put the book down.
Mod
I thought it was a good mix. I thought there was a lot of Vess's views shared in the book including the same scenes as seen through the eyes and mind of Chyna. I got plenty from Vess and personally prefer Chyna :-)
Mod
yes. He is very bad. He is a very bad man.
Mod
I haven't seen neither of those movies and I'm in no immediate hurry to do so :-) although your post almost makes me want to.
I hope you're planning on joining us for COLD FIRE. I think you'll really like it. I'm on my fourth time and I can't get enough of it. Really hope to see you in the Cold Fire thread soon - I think you'll like it better than Intensity :-)
Mod
It's hard to convey what I feel and mean about that part of the book, but since you agree with what I wrote, I'm sure you know exactly the emotions running through me during those scenes.Intensity remains one of my favorite Koontz books. I can't wait til we do False Memories, I'll join in for a re-read of that, my #1 fav Koontz book.
Jackie wrote: "...I can't wait til we do False Memories, I'll join in for a re-read of that, my #1 fav Koontz book."We had False Memory as a group read 2 years ago next month.
Mod
Mod
I don't know about y'all but I have mantras that I use throughout the day. For example I don't like driving in traffic and after reading "The Secret" about the power of positive thinking, I started creating driving mantras like "Safe & Confident". At work during times I have had a lot to do in a short amount of time, I have used "Awake, Alert, Focused & Quick" I change my mantras as needed :-) saying the words helps me through situations. Anybody else do this or is it just me and Chyna?
Jason wrote:We had False Memory as a group read 2 years ago next month. Either I somehow missed it, or I wasn't in the group yet. Not a problem. I've read it already and can do so any time.
Dustin wrote: "Chyna Shepard Untouched and Alive"
I loved that, every time she said or thought it.
No, Dustin, I don't have any special mantras, but I never thought about it before. I may have some in me. I'll let you know.
Finished :) Great ride. Thought the first few chapters were the best, so intense and Vess just made my skin crawl. Loved the elk. Don't think the end was quite as hair raising as some of the other chapters. Gonna give it a strong 4. Looking forward to Cold Fire.
Mod
False Memory was our second group read in November 2009. Prodigal Son was our first group read in October 2009. Both of these were featured in our old Dean Koontz group before this one was created. Just a little history. I'm sure you were around at that time because it seems like you've been around since the beginning before I even joined goodreads :-)
Mod
I will also give it 4 stars.
Dustin wrote: Both of these were featured in our old Dean Koontz groupYes, I was with the old group and joined this group as soon as it was created.
Intensity was the first Dean Koontz book I read (12 yrs ago) and this was my second time reading it....LOVE this book!! Looking forward to next months group read!
Mod
Mod
I find no redeeming aspect whatsoever in Vess, but thought it interesting that Chyna dealt with aspects of emotional and physical pain in a similar way; i.e. it exists, and is to be accepted (esp. psychologically, evidenced in her conversations with the shrink). That is partly consistent with one of Koontz' themes, the blending of good/evil.
Recommended for those who want an engaging fast read.