Books Into Movies
Some upcoming movies from beloved books...
Pride and Prejudice
Starring Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet. I have mixed feelings about this. It has an "interesting" cast, including an American playing Lydia (Jena Malone) and a Canadian playing Mr. Bennet (Donald Sutherland). The 1995 TV miniseries starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth was so perfect, I am therefore skeptical of any other serious version that may follow. Although, I imagine this can't be any worse than the Laurence Olivier version, which I would just like to pretend never existed.
Bride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice Bollywood style. A bizarre idea to me! Again, an "interesting" cast that includes Ashanti and Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls) of all people! Directed by the woman who brought us the rather enjoyable Bend it Like Beckham. I'm intrigued! I'm frightened! I'm amused!
The Rotters' Club
Apparently this is being made into a 3-part TV miniseries. I happened to hear about it because an actor, Chris Rankin (who plays Percy in the Harry Potter movies) talks about it on his website. He's been cast in a minor role. This is the first I've heard of the project, but I will be keeping my eyes open as there is no info on IMDB yet.
Fierce People
Not necessarily a "beloved" book of mine, but I did read it late last year and enjoyed it for the most part. I came across some pictures of this movie, having no idea it was being made a couple months ago. The plot outline that IMDB gives is a little different than the book and frankly I hope they're wrong (they often are).
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
It's been ages since I read this. I must refresh my memory before I can comment on the casting. I only hope it does justice to the books and is as hilarious as it should be. I have high hopes for this one. Probably more than I should though.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Well, of course I'm very excited about this. The cast just gets more amazing every film too (Ralph! Miranda!). I'm also looking forward to seeing Gary Oldman (Sirius) and Jason Isaacs (Lucius) again. I'm not nearly as excited about Mike Newell as I was when Alfonso Cuarón was first announced for Prisoner of Azkaban, but I'm sure he'll do a fine job. I am interested to see how they manage fitting a 750 page book into one movie.
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
Again, I wouldn't call this beloved to me. I've read the first book and am not quite as enchanted by the series as others seem to be, but it was enjoyable enough that I do plan on reading at least a little more before I totally make up my mind. I've seen bits and pieces on this movie, which is apparently based on the first few books. Jim Carrey seems to be way over the top in this, which is not a good thing in my opinion. Despite the over-acting Carrey and the American accents (I thought they were supposed to be European of some sort) most of the cast looks impressive. However, from the previews alone, I'm likely to avoid this one.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
I'm quite excited by this. It stars Amber Tamblyn as Tibby and Alexis Bledel as Lena. This is one of the few intelligent YA chick-lits I've read in a long time, I hope they keep the same spirit of the book. Besides the casting news, I have seen or heard nothing else on the movie in quite awhile, but apparently it's still filming.
As far as movies from books I haven't read yet...
Vanity Fair
I am very intrigued by this movie. For those that have read the book, what is your opinion on what you've seen as far as early publicity for the movie? It's a stunning looking film for sure. I'm not a big fan of the Witherspoon, I'm in the opinion that she should stop playing English girls as she's not very convincing as one. But hello, Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Mmmmm.
Brideshead Revisited
This is something that has gotten me excited. Screenplay by Andrew Davies who was responsible for my favorite Pride and Prejudice production (*points up*)... starring Jude Law and from articles I've read, Paul Bettany. I didn't see the miniseries starring Jeremy Irons but the book is on my to-read list.
Pride and Prejudice
Starring Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet. I have mixed feelings about this. It has an "interesting" cast, including an American playing Lydia (Jena Malone) and a Canadian playing Mr. Bennet (Donald Sutherland). The 1995 TV miniseries starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth was so perfect, I am therefore skeptical of any other serious version that may follow. Although, I imagine this can't be any worse than the Laurence Olivier version, which I would just like to pretend never existed.
Bride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice Bollywood style. A bizarre idea to me! Again, an "interesting" cast that includes Ashanti and Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls) of all people! Directed by the woman who brought us the rather enjoyable Bend it Like Beckham. I'm intrigued! I'm frightened! I'm amused!
The Rotters' Club
Apparently this is being made into a 3-part TV miniseries. I happened to hear about it because an actor, Chris Rankin (who plays Percy in the Harry Potter movies) talks about it on his website. He's been cast in a minor role. This is the first I've heard of the project, but I will be keeping my eyes open as there is no info on IMDB yet.
Fierce People
Not necessarily a "beloved" book of mine, but I did read it late last year and enjoyed it for the most part. I came across some pictures of this movie, having no idea it was being made a couple months ago. The plot outline that IMDB gives is a little different than the book and frankly I hope they're wrong (they often are).
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
It's been ages since I read this. I must refresh my memory before I can comment on the casting. I only hope it does justice to the books and is as hilarious as it should be. I have high hopes for this one. Probably more than I should though.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Well, of course I'm very excited about this. The cast just gets more amazing every film too (Ralph! Miranda!). I'm also looking forward to seeing Gary Oldman (Sirius) and Jason Isaacs (Lucius) again. I'm not nearly as excited about Mike Newell as I was when Alfonso Cuarón was first announced for Prisoner of Azkaban, but I'm sure he'll do a fine job. I am interested to see how they manage fitting a 750 page book into one movie.
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
Again, I wouldn't call this beloved to me. I've read the first book and am not quite as enchanted by the series as others seem to be, but it was enjoyable enough that I do plan on reading at least a little more before I totally make up my mind. I've seen bits and pieces on this movie, which is apparently based on the first few books. Jim Carrey seems to be way over the top in this, which is not a good thing in my opinion. Despite the over-acting Carrey and the American accents (I thought they were supposed to be European of some sort) most of the cast looks impressive. However, from the previews alone, I'm likely to avoid this one.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
I'm quite excited by this. It stars Amber Tamblyn as Tibby and Alexis Bledel as Lena. This is one of the few intelligent YA chick-lits I've read in a long time, I hope they keep the same spirit of the book. Besides the casting news, I have seen or heard nothing else on the movie in quite awhile, but apparently it's still filming.
As far as movies from books I haven't read yet...
Vanity Fair
I am very intrigued by this movie. For those that have read the book, what is your opinion on what you've seen as far as early publicity for the movie? It's a stunning looking film for sure. I'm not a big fan of the Witherspoon, I'm in the opinion that she should stop playing English girls as she's not very convincing as one. But hello, Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Mmmmm.
Brideshead Revisited
This is something that has gotten me excited. Screenplay by Andrew Davies who was responsible for my favorite Pride and Prejudice production (*points up*)... starring Jude Law and from articles I've read, Paul Bettany. I didn't see the miniseries starring Jeremy Irons but the book is on my to-read list.