Which is Better?

Time magazine compares some current and coming attractions with the books they're based on. See if you agree with their assessment. -- Amy

Julianne Moore in Alice Munroe Adaptation

Moore will star in a film version of Munroe's short story, "Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage," about a nanny who falls in love with her charge's father. (Comingsoon.net) --Kim

The Nose Knows

Alan Rickman and Dustin Hoffman are among the cast of a German English-language production of "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" based on the book by Patrick Suskind. The novel tells the story of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, a man with an extraordinary sense of smell and a dark obsession, set in 18th century France. Tom Twyker (of "Run Lola Run" fame) directs the film, which will be released in 2006. -- Amy

Between the Sheets

C.D. Payne's coming-of-age novel about a sixteen-year old trying to lose his virginity, Youth in Revolt, will begin production in '06 says Digital Spy. --Kim

Follow the Yellow Brick Road...

Think you know everything you need to about "The Wizard of Oz" after watching the movie 17,000 times growing up? "Studio 360" takes you over the rainbow to learn more about the life of Oz's literary creator, L. Frank Baum, the making of the film, and lots more. Click here to listen to the show, which includes reflections from Salman Rushdie, Neil LaBute and others. -- Amy

Pauper Production

A new adaptation of Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper is in the works from producer Mark Gordon and screenwriter Jeffrey Hatcher, reports ComingSoon.net. --Kim

Tiptoe through the Tulips

Dark Horizons reports that a Tom Stoppard adaptation of Tulip Fever will be rewritten by Peter Flannery and filmed in East Europe to save money. The adaptation was originally to star Keira Knightley but filming in Britian became too costly and production was halted. --Kim

Assault with a Dudley Weapon

Thanks to Amy's "VCR Alert" I caught Part 1 of Masterpiece Theatre's The Virgin Queen last night and it is sublime. The costumes, cinematography, and set decor are absolutely gorgeous. Anne-Marie Duff is magnificent as QE1, while Tom Hardy (Band of Brothers, Layer Cake, Marie-Antoinette) steals every scene as Robert Dudley, the queen's volatile and manipulative paramour. Frankly, if the Earl of Leicester had been half as hot in real life, he might've succeeded in his attempts to marry the queen. --Kim

"P&P" Naysayers....?

The Jane Austen Society apparently has their petticoats in a twist over the new "Pride & Prejudice" film starring Keira Knightley. Check out the controversy here.

I've seen the flick and I have to say I think they're way overreacting. Shocking yes, but even in Jane Austen's time, people DID think about sex and occasionally even engaged in it. Regardless, their ability to find lascivious sybolism in the film is a ridiculous stretch. Sometimes a pig is just a pig. -- Amy

VCR Alert

Is that the rousing cry of trumpets heralding the next Masterpiece Theater presentation? Why yes, indeed. Don't miss part one of The Virgin Queen this Sunday night at 9 p.m. on PBS. (Part two airs on Nov. 20th.) I'll be curious to see how this one rates next to the Cate Blanchett feature film. -- Amy