July 31, 2008

Pyramid Scheme

Queen of de Nile, Nefertiti, is heading to the silver screen in the adaptation of Robert Zacco's "The Arms of the Sun." The film will be shot in Morocco and Dubai. Sounds like it could be cool. I'm wondering who they'll cast to play her. What's Angelina's schedule like these days? Or Jessica Alba?
Source: Hollywood Reporter

July 29, 2008

Ioan Alert

Click here for a brief glimpse of Ioan Gruffudd as Tony Blair in Oliver Stone's George W. Bush biopic, W.

July 25, 2008

More on 'Brideshead Revisited'

I just wanted to add my quick two cents to the discussion of the new 'Brideshead' adaptation. If the movie is anything like the trailer I watched the other day, they've completely removed all subtly--an important aspect of Waugh's novel that reflects the social mores of the time--and complexity from the characters and their actions. (And no, I don't think I'm just tasting sour grapes because Jude Law, Jennifer Connelly, and Paul Bettany are no longer in the film as originally rumored). Nevertheless, I'll be giving this film a chance for the same reasons Amy mentioned in her posts. I'm counting on you, Emma!! --Kim

Update: Now that's harsh. Reader Jen M. emailed us this Slate article, which gently calls the new Brideshead movie "vomitous stupidity."

Checking In...


My apologies for the radio silence this month. Kim and I are working furiously on another project, meaning this blog gets treated like the bastard stepson.

My thoughts for the day: Tim Burton doing Alice In Wonderland? Brilliant.

Also, I can't decide what to do about Brideshead Revisited. I absolutely abhorred the original miniseries. But I'm currently obsessed with the era of Bright Young Things: the clothes, the manner of speaking, the parties, the general insouciance.. So it makes me want to see the movie, for eye candy, if nothing else. But I think if i were to read the book first, it might give me better insight, thereby letting me appreciate it more. (Perhaps that was my problem in watching the original miniseries?) So I might need to head to the library this weekend before I make the pilgrimage to the cinema.

I just finished reading Evelyn Waugh's A Handful of Dust, and I absolutely loved it. I'm going to need to add the 1998 adaptation (starring Kiristin Scott Davis, James Wilby, Judi Dench and Rupert Graves) to my Netflix queue. Coincidentally, I'm also reading a fascinating biography of the Mitford sisters and can't help but wonder if Diana Mitford's first marriage was part inspiration for Waugh, since they were tight for a spell. In any case, the stories of those sisters put me in a panic about the possibility of ever having teenage children! Would definitely recommend the book, by Mary S. Lovell.

Speaking of the Mitfords, I'll probably put the adaptation of Nancy Mitford's Love in a Cold Climate in my queue while I'm at it.

July 3, 2008

Will and Sacha Tackle Sherlock...

I was just saying recently how Sherlock Holmes is the most-adapted literary character, right? Now comes the news that Will Ferrell will give the sleuth a spin, with Sacha Baron Cohen as his right-hand-man, Watson, no less! Box office gold, I'm sure. (Judd Apatow will produce). Apparently, this movie has nothing at all to do with the Guy Ritchie version, but I'm sure he's not thrilled.

From Dark Horizons