Posts Tagged ‘adaptation’

  • 06 Aug

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    DiCaprio A Busy Man: Little Red Riding Hood & Brave New World

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    Goth Little Red Riding HoodLeonardo DiCaprio is on a roll.

    Earlier today it was announced that DiCaprio’s production company Appian Way has been developing a new take on “Little Red Riding Hood.” David Leslie Johnson, who recently wrote the script to Orphan, has been brought on board to adapt the story and take it in a darker, Gothic direction. It’s still early in production but the thought of a dark take on Red Riding Hood which doesn’t end in Disney fashion is deeply appealing and considering how dark the original takes on this tale are, it shouldn’t be too much of a stretch.

    Hot on the heels of those great news, comes another announcement regarding Mr. DiCaprio and his production company.

    You may recall that early last year news broke that DiCaprio and Universal Studios were in talks with Huxley’s estate to purchase the rights to Aldous Huxley’s novel “Brave New World.” In the end, Universal and DiCaprio were successful in their bid and rumours abounded that Ridley Scott was on board to direct while DiCaprio would star in the role of John the Savage. In an interview a few months later, Ridley Scott commented on the status of the production essentially confirming what we already knew, that in a production of this magnitude, things will be taken slowly and it didn’t sound like the film had even attached a writer. Now, nearly a year since the last update, we have more news.

    Brave New World Book CoverTHR’s Risky Business Blog reports that the production has brought Apocalypto scribe Farhad Safinia onborad to adapt the story. I’m a bit concerned about this announcement. Yes, it would have been nice to see a more established writer take on the duties but it’s not as if this is Safinia’s first job on the other hand, that first job was for a film which was mostly silent and I can almost guarantee that when anyone thinks of Apocalypto, the last thing on their minds is the story (hello breathtaking chase sequences through the jungle!). I’m not writing him off but I also don’t think this is news to jump up and down about.

    This is only the first writer. For all we know, this project could go through a few more before it even begins shooting, which will be when exactly? Pick a number between 1 and 100: at the moment Scott has so many films in development this one could be ten years away.

  • 05 Aug

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    Jackson’s The Lovely Bones Trailer

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    The Lovely Bones Movie Still

    With all this Hobbit talk, I’d almost forgotten that Peter Jackson had made another film. Almost.

    Adapted from Alice Sebold’s novel by regular Jackson writers Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh, The Love Bones is part part mystery and part drama; a story of a murdered girl who helps her family solve the mystery of her death from “heaven”. Go ahead and read that sentence again if you’d like – I had quite the time putting my head around this one. The casting is excellent: Saoirse Ronan in the lead role as Susie, Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz as her parents, Michael Imperioli as the cop investigating the murder, Susan Sarandon as the grandmother and Stanley Tucci as the murderer. If the cast isn’t enough of a sell, the inclusion of Jackson should certainly help but nothing about this trailer is speaking to me. Nothing.

    Susie’s heaven looks strung together, wildly beautiful yet unimaginative, the acting looks stilted and to make matters worse, it looks like we may have to rely on Wahlberg’s performace for a part of the story (not to say he can’t be good but here he sounds more like The Happening Wahlberg than Three Kings Wahlberg). The best parts of these two minutes of video are the retro clothes, Imperioli playing the cop rather than the mobster and Tucci looking nothing like his usual self.

    I’m not ready to completely write this off in hopes that this is Jackson in Heavenly Creatures mode but truth be told, I’m not feeling it.

    The Love Bones opens on December 11th.

    Trailer is tucked under the seat or see it in HD at Apple.

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  • 05 Aug

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    Time Traveler’s Wife Clips

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    Right. I know I said I don’t like to watch more than one trailer for a movie and even more so do I try to avoid clips for films I already know I’m going to be seeing. The Time Traveler’s Wife is a notable exception to that rule however. I so SO love the book that I can hardly contain myself with excitement for the movie… even though I fully expect it to be awful terrible. Because I expect it to be garbage, I couldn’t resist checking out these clips in hopes that my fears can be laid to rest. Well, these clips don’t really provide much evidence either way. It shows Bana and McAdams can do drama. There’s a big news flash Mr. Cronkite.

    I guess it isn’t fair to judge a film before seeing it, but knowing the depth and intricacies of the novel and all of the plot that it dives into therein, I just can’t expect all that emotion and heart will be conveyed too well in a 100 minute screen production. But still I have hope. And like I said, these clips don’t really smash that hope to pieces; but then again, they don’t help bolster my expectations either. The film should hit theaters on August 14th, but if you’d like to take an early look, here’s one of the clips and there are three more under the seats…

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  • 24 Jul

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    Dorian Gray Trailer

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    Some time ago I posted an epic entry regarding the cast for Oliver Parker’s adaptation of Dorian Gray. This incarnation of the Oscar Wilde classic stars Ben Barnes as the ageless Gray and Colin Firth. I had thought Firth would be cast as the painter who falls in love with Gray but it appears that he’s instead portraying Lord Henry Wotton the man who appears to lead Gray down the road of debauchery.

    The film’s UK release is quickly approaching (September 9th) and a trailer has surfaced which shows a dark, moody film apparently heavy on effects and style. Not sure how I feel about that as a whole but I do love the look of the film and both Firth and Barnes look fantastic. Not sure when we’ll have a chance to see it this side of the pond but the trailer is well worth a peek.



  • 24 Jul

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    Where the Wild Things Are SDCC Update

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    Where the Wild Things Are Movie Still

    I‘m sure the last thing anyone around these parts is interested in is an update from the year’s biggest geek gathering but SDCC isn’t all screaming fangirls and fat guys in Princess Leia outfits. Oh no, there’s a whole lot more going on and aside from the orgasmic crowd response to yesterday’s New Moon panel, the woos and ahhhs from the Tron Legacy and Avatar (mark August 21st on the calendar!) panels and the District 9 screening (of which I saw only positive comments) this is where it’s at.

    The Where the Wild Things Are presentation just wrapped and the footage/featurette which was screened garnered more than a handful of heartfelt tweets. The best of the bunch from CHUD’s Devin Faraci: “Holy crap. WTWTA looks ASTONISHING. I kept choking up at the footage.” And that, dear readers, seems to be a common response.

    Now don’t go sulking in the corner before I get to the best part. You don’t even have to wait to see that featurette because it has premiered online. Want a peek? I know you do! Head to Apple to check it out.

    Where the Wild Things Are opens on October 16th.

  • 24 Jul

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    Magdalena Saved by Director Announcement

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    The MagdalenaIt may come as a surprise to a few people around these parts that I’m not a complete noob when it comes to comics (I wonder how many people recognize my comment avatar?). I may not read the popular stuff but that doesn’t mean I’ve never picked up a series and thoroughly enjoyed myself. That was the case with Top Cow’s “The Magdalena” and when, almost exactly a year ago today, it was announced that the production had cast a few characters, including the lead role, I was not a very happy camper.

    I take it back. Every bad word.

    Earlier this week Screen Daily reported that Japanese director Ryûhei Kitamura has signed on to direct the project. Kitamura isn’t exactly a big name but I was thoroughly impressed with the work he did on the highly under seen (and underrated) Midnight Meat Train and though I haven’t seen anything else from his catalog, his work on that project alone is enough for me. Honestly, it’s just reassuring to know that the project won’t be tainted by any of the usual suspects.

    All that’s left to do now is wait for production to begin. Hopefully, sooner rather than later!

  • 24 Jul

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    Denzel Goes Badass in Book of Eli Trailer

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    It’s hard to believe that we’re nearly a year to the first time I brought up The Book of Eli. At the time, the project had just cast Denzel Washington in the lead as a survivor in a post-apocalyptic world, charged with protecting a book which will save humanity. The really exciting news about that announcement was the fact that The Hughes Brothers (Menace II Society, Dead Presidents and From Hell) would be directing the project. That was the true bit of excitement.

    Nearly six months away from the film’s release, we now get a look at the first teaser and though it doesn’t tell you much about the story, it’s enough to show the film’s great looking visuals and, as a teaser is supposed to do, generate buzz for what is shaping up like a promising production.

    The Book of Eli opens January 15, 2010.

  • 22 Jul

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    Burton’s Alice Gets a Teaser

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    Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland Art Image

    “Alice in Wonderland” has long been one of my favourite children’s stories. From old tattered copies of Lewis Carroll’s novel to Disney’s brilliant 1950s adaptation, I longed for the days when I too could go down the rabbit hole.

    That trip down the hole is still a few months away but good news! Disney has seen fit to share more of the excitement (those images from a few weeks ago simply aren’t enough) and the result is this teaser for one of my most anticipated films in some time.

    Alice In Wonderland Teaser

  • 15 Jul

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    Review: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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    HP6 One Sheet

    Director: David Yates
    Screenplay: Steven Kloves
    Producers: David Barron, David Heyman
    Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, David Bradley, Jim Broadbent, Jessie Cave, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Frank Dillane, Tom Felton, Michael Gambon, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, Helen McCrory, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Natalia Tena, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Julie Walters, David Thewlis, Bonnie Wright
    MPAA Rating: PG
    Running time: 153 min.

    (4/5)

    Harry Potter tends to sneak up on me. The films come at regular intervals, they look good, have a great cast of actors I can get behind and a story I like but I’ve never walked away from a new Potter film feeling wowed. My Harry Potter experience can and will now be divided into two: before Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and after.

    HP6 Movie StillThe sixth entry into the franchise, Half-Blood Prince is a little darker, a little more comfortable in its skin and a film that knows exactly where it fits into the cannon. More than its predecessors, this one feels like part of a bigger story, a starting point for something important, urgent and dangerous which is likely to unfold in the final two instalments. The previous films were all entertaining enough but none managed to create an air of impending doom and gloom something this one does so in spades. Perhaps it’s the fact that this feels like a “set-up” film but there’s a definite sense that something big is brewing and as the closing credits rolled, I couldn’t help but wonder what is in store for the next one. So much so that I seriously considered giving the books a chance and reading ahead.

    As someone who is largely unfamiliar with the minutia of the Potterverse, Half-Blood Prince starts off a little abruptly. I couldn’t recall how the previous film left off, what Harry was up to or why he was doing what he was doing and this film doesn’t hold your hand. It drops you in, assuming you know the details but also taking care to provide a little information for us ludites to follow along without feeling like I was wondering through a dark maze. I like the fact that writer Steve Kloves and director David Yates don’t feel the need to fill the opening few minutes with flashbacks or a retelling of what we’ve seen up to now and the opening beautifully sets up the rest of the film: hold on tight and don’t look away otherwise you’re going to be one lost muggle.

    » Read the rest of the entry..

  • 10 Jul

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    Brothers One Sheet is Beautiful Simplicity

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    Last week Andrew posted the WTF? trailer for Jim Sheridan’s upcoming Brothers starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Tobey Maguire (let the confusion begin!) and Natalie Portman. A remake of a Danish film, it’s the story of man whom comforts his older brother’s wife and children after he goes missing in Afghanistan.

    The trailer has disappeared (though not completely) and I can relate to Andrew’s response but I can’t help but feel that there’s more to this than the trailer and this new one sheet seems to support that. It’s beautiful; simple but gorgeous and the break in the image is subtle but speaks volumes to what we can expect from the film.

    Take a peek below or head over to Cinematical for the super-sized version.

    Brothers opens on December 4th.

    Brothers One Sheet

  • 09 Jul

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    From Swedish Vampires to English Spies

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    Tomas AlfredsonLast year, director Tomas Alfredson worked his magic and brought to audiences one of, if not the best, vampire film in years. Let the Right One In was praised (for good reason) and much loved around these parts. The film didn’t just breathe new life into a genre which has recently lagged under the weight of the teen vampire craze, it did so while also introducing a talented visionary. Now it looks as though said man will be putting his stamp on a another genre which, to me, is a little stale: the spy thriller.

    Empire has news that Alfredson has signed on to direct his first English language film and it happens to be an adaptation of a John le Carré spy novel: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. This isn’t the first time this particular story has seen life beyond the page. In the late 70s the BBC produced a version starring the one and only Alec Guinness and in the late 80s there was a radio play version of the story but this will be the first film adaptation and so far, it’s shaping up quite nicely. Aside from Alfredson the production also has Oscar nominated screenwriter Peter Morgan on board.

    So what’s it all about? Empire explains it as:

    Set in cold war London, Lisbon and behind the Iron Curtain, le Carré’s novel centers on the hunt to uncover the Russian spy at the heart of British Intelligence. The hunter, MI6 agent George Smiley, is a careworn but brilliant spy whose implacable drive leads him out of retirement and into the middle of a labyrinthine conspiracy.

    There’s a whole lot more information on the novel on the wiki.

    Spies aren’t usually my thing but this production has my full attention.

  • 03 Jul

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    Quick Thoughts: Confessions of a Shopaholic

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    Confessions of a ShopaholicAfter a long day at the office, nothing helps me unwind as well as the prospect of an evening on the couch with either a book or a DVD. Tonight I opted for mindless entertainment in the company of Hugh Dancy and Isla Fisher. I’ll admit it: I was looking for an escape – a trip down perfection road complete with prince charming at the other end. How things ended so badly is beyond me.

    A little perspective. Yes, I’ve read Sophie Kinsella’s novels and no, I didn’t take anything from them beyond a few hours of entertainment. If you’re looking for a message about controlling your spending and how debt can ruin your life you’re climbing up the wrong tree – you may want to book those tickets to Dr. Phil though I doubt he’ll be any more helpful. Kinsella created a tragically comedic character which we shake our heads at because we’ll never be as bad off as she is (or so we hope). I guess if you really stretched it, you could dig a message out of the stories but frankly, they’re not worth the bother. I had hoped the same to be true of the movie adaption but somewhere in the middle of Confessions of a Shopaholic‘s 100 minute run time, I went from complacency to anger. Why is it always the apparently harmless stuff that presses my buttons?

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