Author Archives: Sarah Sommer

About Sarah Sommer

Sarah is a journalist and an artist who lives in the city. She loves movies and television. She reads early and often. Sarah also helps out over at BSCkids.com and our other sites!

3 Great Book Couples Who Faltered On Screen

I can’t help but love a good love story. Even if it is in the middle of a bad-ass sci-fi thriller or violent horror film I can’t help but root for love to win out. It may not be my main focus for watching something, but if it is there, I support it. I do this especially when it comes to novels. I don’t know if it is because it takes so long for a resolution when reading (say a few days to finish the book rather than 2 hours to finish a movie) but when reading, I become incredibly emotionally invested in the lives and loves of the characters.

That is why I hate when a character I have loved and invested in is ruined when brought to the big screen. Lovers, couples, burgeoning crushes, and heartfelt lifetimes together mean nothing if the actors playing those characters suck (or even the writing sucks in some cases.)

So here are three book couples that were ruined when brought to the silver screen.

Emma and Dexter – One Day

“Do you want to awkward almost kiss for this whole movie?” “Yes!”

I’ve written on here before about how much I hated the movie adaptation of the novel One Day by David Nicholls. In my mind it was terrible, losing all of the charm and wit on the novel. However, one of the big reasons I disliked it were the lead actors. Normally I love Anna Hathaway, she is incredibly talented and gorgeous. Same with Jim Sturgess, I mean he was FANTASTIC in Across the Universe. But the two of them together? NO CHEMISTRY.

The lives of Emma and Dexter were twisty and complicated with missed opportunities and sexual tension that was interlaced with comedic moments/ heartbreak and clever conversation. The Emma and Dexter of the film were awkward, clunky, and full of uncomfortable moments where I wished it would hurry to the conclusion.

“No one is ever going to believe we are a couple…”

I blame part of this unfortunate casting choice on the director who was easily bribed into hiring Hathaway who is not british and who’s accent was unwieldy and cumbersome. The director initially wanted a british actress to play the british character but Hathaway insisted on the part despite his reservations going so far as sending him a mix tape on why she should get it. Clearly she wouldn’t give up and he gave in. It seems this forced casting might have been a mistake.

Overall, the lack of chemistry between these actors have pushed this fictional couple from cute to unpleasant.

If only Dexter and Emma’s robotic love was as cute as this.

Clare and Henry – The Time Traveler’s Wife

“What year is this? Are you old enough to bone yet?”

I want to get this straight right off the bat. This is one of my favorite books ever written. I have probably read it 12 times. But the movie version? AWFUL. I have seen it once and probably never will again.

Honestly, this book is long, with ever changing point of views, years, and settings. I never thought it would become a movie because of its complex nature, and when it did, I wasn’t surprised by how many people felt it was convoluted and illogical. It really does not translate well to the big screen and because of that neither does the romantic nature of Clare and Henry.

This one has nothing to do with the actors, unlike the top entry. This has to do with the nature of the storyline. Clare knows Henry since she is 6 years old, but he only meets her when he is 28 and she is 20 – that alone would be difficult to transfer to a visual medium but also take note that the book is several hundred pages long, and constantly switches between her point of view at various ages, and his at various ages. To get depth and inherently loveliness and heartache of their relationship, nothing should be glossed over. Unfortunately not everything could be added into the movie, and to compensate several scenes were added into the film making it even worse.

As a fan I felt like the characters I loved and rooted for were nonexistent in the film and replaced with standard characters in an a standard romantic drama. And maybe I actually hated Eric Bana as Henry.

“I’m so torn on marrying you because I just saw you as a 6 year old and I naked… awkward.”

Katniss and Peeta – The Hunger Games Trilogy

“Ugh is he still staring at me?”

Everyone who has seen the film adaptation of The Hunger Games after reading the novel knows they left A LOT out. They also could probably tell that Katniss went from a resourceful smart heroin to merely a lucky survivor with emotionally cold tendencies.

The whole time I read the trilogy I was all about some Peeta and Katniss. I loved them together and I wanted so badly for them to be happy together. Through out the first book, we know Katniss is confused about her feelings, we know she feels something for Peeta that she can’t define or refuses to define yet (which honestly does continue till the end of the series). Yet the film made her seem cold and manipulative. We don’t see her struggling over Peeta and Gale internally but we do see her playing up her feelings for the camera.

I mean yes, in the book she also plays up her feelings for sponsors and help, but there are several instances where she acts because she wants to and because she cares, not just because the cameras are watching. And much of it has to do with the writing. I know that it is difficult to adapt a first person narrative in to a third person film. However, much of the underlying psychological issues of Katniss are lost in the film version making her seems superficial and selfish when book Katniss is not.

“Do you think he bought it?”

It is hard to be “Team Peeta” based on the movie when the film lacks any allusion to her having even the tiniest bit of real feelings toward him. However, we have two/three more movies to go, lets hope for the best. And lets face it I’ll always be Team Peeta… who’s arms smell of bread…

First Trailer For Les Miserables Adaptation Released

Have you been yearning to see Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway in the new adaptation on Les Miserables? Probably not, but it is still pretty cool. Universal Pictures recently debuted the first trailer for the Tom Hooper directed project which you can see below.

Based on the novel by Victor Hugo and that globally renowned stage show, the story of  Jean Valjean has been seen by more than 60 million people in over 40 countries while being presented in over 20 languages.

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, the film tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption–a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Jackman plays ex-prisoner Jean Valjean, hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe) after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever. It begins in 1815 and culminates in 1832 during the June Rebellion.

Les Miserables was published in 1862 by Hugo and has remained widely considered one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century. The novel and story are considered a “historical fiction” because it contains both a real setting and factual/historical events while containing fictional aspects.

You can see the brand new trailer below:

The cast of the upcoming adaptation is pretty lengthy with more than several main and supporting cast members. It includes:

  • Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, a Frenchman released from Toulon prison after 19 years of imprisonment for stealing bread and failed attempts for escaping from the prison.
  • Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert, a police inspector who releases Valjean on parole, then later dedicates his life to imprisoning him again.
  • Anne Hathaway as Fantine, a struggling factory worker and mother of her illegitimate child, Cosette. She is eventually forced to turn to prostitution.
  • Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, the illegitimate daughter of Fantine who has grown into a beautiful teenager under Valjean’s care and falls in love with Marius.
    • Isabelle Allen plays the younger version of Cosette.
  • Eddie Redmayne as Marius Pontmercy, a student revolutionary who is friends with the Thenardiers’ daughter, Éponine, but falls in love with Cosette.
  • Samantha Barks as Éponine, the destitute daughter of the Thénardiers who is friends with and secretly pines for Marius
  • Sacha Baron Cohen as Thénardier, a common thief who is also an innkeeper. He is also the father of Éponine.
  • Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thénardier, the unscrupulous Innkeeper’s wife who, along with her husband, houses and abuses Cosette until Valjean “buys” her from them after Fantine’s death. She is also the mother of Éponine.
  • Aaron Tveit as Enjolras, the leader of a student revolt and a friend of Marius.
  • Daniel Huttlestone as Gavroche, a streetwise urchin who helps the revolutionaries. He is the abandoned son of the Thénardiers.
The supporting cast includes Colm Wilkinson, Frances Ruffelle, George Blagden, Killian Donnelly, Fra Fee as Courfeyrac, Alistair Brammer, Gabriel Vick, Bertie Carvel, Iwan Lewis, Adam Pearce, Marc Pickering, Michael Jibson, Hadley Fraser, Ashley Artus, Lynne Wilmot, Kelly-Anne Gower, Julia Worsley, Jonny Purchase, John Barr, Nikica Markot, Emmy Misheva, Ryan Laskey, Stevee Davies, Jos Slovick, Mary Cormack, Linzi Hateley, Sara Pelosi, Alice Fearn, Alison Tennant,Josef Altin, Caroline Sheen, Gemma Wardle, Katy Secombe, Gina Beck, Adebaya Bolaji, Alexia Khadime, Hannah Waddingham, Daniel Evans, Katie Hall, Adam Searles, Nancy Sullivan, Tabitha Webb, Jacqui Dankworth, Clare Foster, Adrian Scarborough, Kerry Ellis, Alison Jiear,Mark Donovan, Robyn North, Matt Harrop, Jackie Marks, Alea Young, Sophie Hutchinson, Matthew Corner, Lily Laight, Olivia Rose Aaron, Victoria Melanie Ryan, Kerry Ingram, Jamie Muscato, Mike Johnson, Jason Rowley and Andy Coxon.

Sophie Turner Talks Sansa’s Feelings Toward Joffrey And Others

We all know that Sansa no longer harbors those fantastical fairytale feelings of love for Joffrey on the hit series “Game of Thrones.” Beginning when he had her father publicly beheaded last season, her ill feelings are hard to not see and feel (especially after all the cruel things he does to her this season.) Unfortunately Sansa has to deal with it being an incredibly valuable tool as a political marriage pawn as she in confined to King’s Landing awaiting her wedding day to the new mad king.

The actress who plays Sansa, Sophie Turner, recently sat down with TVGuide and answwered some questions about her character during season 2.

On last nights episode we saw the epic Battle of the Blackwater take place between Joffrey’s loyals and those loyal to Stannis, his uncle. During this, Sansa was left to deal with other challenges.

She’s at Maegor’s Holdfast while the battle is going on,” Turner says. “She’s strong, and I think she’s quite strong-willed, but she’s also incredibly frightened. I can tell you that you’ll see sides to Sansa that would seem very queen-like. She takes quite a leadership role.”

Some may wonder where Sansa gets all her strength to deal with the repeated mental and physical abuse in King’s Landing. Turner reveals just what keeps her going.

I think she gets strength from thinking how her mother and father would cope. She also thinks of her sister Arya because Arya is so strong, and she would usually fight back. We never really saw it last season, but we’re seeing it now.”

Knowing that Sansa hates Joffrey – now – her feelings toward his mother, Cersei, are less cold.

It’s quite a bizarre relationship because at first she kind of felt Cersei was a second mother until … she realizes that the Baratheons and the Lannisters aren’t all they seem to be. And now she really hates Cersei, but … she can’t help feeling that Cersei has been through this before, because she went through the exact same thing with King Robert. Although he wasn’t as bad with Cersei as Joffrey is with Sansa. But they’ve got something in common, and they’ve got some sort of connection.”

Turner also spoke about the actor behind Joffrey and what he is like on the set.

He’s one of the most lovely people I’ve ever met, and I can’t stress it enough to the fans of the show because I’m scared people are going to come up to him and say horrible things to him. They shouldn’t because he’s lovely.”

When watching the show, fans can see a definite connection between Sansa and The Hound. Turner spoke about their relationship and why they are close.

Well, I think it kind of mirrors Sansa and Cersei in the way that The Hound has been a victim of bullying by his older brother. And that kind of mirrors Sansa’s story line with Joffrey. And so he feels very protective of her, I think, and he doesn’t want anything like what happened to him to happen to Sansa, because she’s still very vulnerable in terms of physicality.”

Tyrion, despite being a Lannister, is much less cruel and overall mean. He had previously helped Sansa from the abusing hands of Joffrey. It is hard to see whether or not Sansa will trust him or not.

Tyrion does care for Sansa although Sansa knows she has to be very, very wary. Her main focus is to stay alive, to survive to see her family again, and I don’t think she’s willing to trust anyone at this point except for her maid Shae (Sibel Kekilli). Which is quite ironic, because she’s not actually who she says she is. She’s Tyrion’s whore.”

You can see the rest of the interview with TVGuide here.

Silence of the Lambs Character, Clarice Starling, Gets Own Series

With the series “Hannibal” greenlit already, it seems fitting that FBI Agent Clarice Starling would get her own series as well. Only this time it comes from Lifetime rather than NBC with its sister series, or should I say its rival series?

Lifetime has confirmed that it is in the early stages of developing a new drama series called, “Clarice,” based on the character from the Thomas Harris novel, Silence of the Lambs, and famously portrayed by Jodie Foster in the film adaptation.

According to Lifetime, the show would follow the life and actions of the young agent soon after she graduations from the FBI Academy.

As originally created by Harris, Clarice grew up in West Virginia until she was 10, when her father, a police officer, was shot and killed. She moves to her uncle’s farm in Montana, but later runs away and winds up in an orphanage. After college, she applies to the FBI academy. This is where the series will pick up.

The Silence of the Lambs was published in 1988, and the movie adaptation hit theaters in 1991. Ten years later, Foster declined to reprise the role in 2001’s Hannibal. Instead, Julianne Moore took over as the character.

While this show comes on the heels of the NBC series, it is important to note that Bryan Fuller’s “Hannibal” will not be featuring the character of Clarice and rather will focus on the relationship between FBI criminal profiler Will Graham and the titular character.

MGM is producing “Clarice.” Lifetime boss Nancy Dubuc has recently been focusing on creating more original series programming that feature small female leads which has already including the hit series, Jennifer Love Hewitt’s The Client List. Dubuc is definitely trying to overhaul the channel away from the similar original movies that has been their focus in previous years.

6 New Character Posters For The Dark Knight Rises

The Dark Knight Rises is almost here and fans are waiting relatively patiently. In order to satiate our thirst for the upcoming final chapter, 6 new high res character posters were released yesterday.

The film is the sequel to last years massively popular film, The Dark Knight. It is definitely one of the most anticipated films for the upcoming year. The film is being directed by Christopher Nolan.

The film is set to open in theaters on July 20, 2012. The film will star Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, MorganFreeman, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Juno Temple, Josh Pence, Daniel Sunjata, Nestor Carbonell, Matthew Modine, Tom Conti, Joey King, Brett Cullen, Chris Ellis, Josh Stewart, Christopher Judge, Adam Rodriguez and Rob Brown.

In the film, after the death of District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman assumes responsibility for Dent’s crimes in order to protect Dent’s reputation and is subsequently hunted by the Gotham City Police Department. Eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, Batman returns to Gotham where he must discover the truth regarding the “enigmatic” Selina Kyle while stopping the villain Bane’s plans to destroy the city.

The Dark Knight Rises will feature the clever and sexy Selina Kyle (played by Hathaway) better known as Catwoman.

You can see the rest of the posters below:

 

 

Jason Gedrick Joins Season 7 of Dexter

More casting news has been released for the upcoming season 7 of “Dexter.” Showtime announced that Jason Gedrick has joined the cast of the series for a multi-episode arc. He will be playing at the role of a Miami-area gentlemen’s club that becomes linked to a high-profile murder case.

Gedrick joins already confirmed appearances from  Calista Flockhart who will be guest starring in the opening episode of the seventh season. Also confirmed to appear is Ray Stevenson who is set to play as the head of a Russian crime syndicate who arrives in Miami determined to find out who killed one of his associates.

It has also been revealed that there is a possibility fans will be treated to expanding character development for Louis Greene’s character.

Gendrick is a veteran actor who has had several leading roles including Iron Eagle, Stacking and Heavenly Kid. He also co-starred with Meg Ryan and Kiefer Sutherland in Promised Land and in Ron Howard’s Backdraft, as well as starring in Crossing the Bridge. His stage work includes starring in the Broadway production of “Our Town” with Don Ameche and Helen Hunt, as well as recently appearing in the production of “Wrongturn at Lungfish,” directed by Gary Marshall. He most recently starred in the television series “Luck.” His other television credits include “Murder One,” “EZ Streets,” “Falcone,” “Boomtown,” “Ally McBeal” and “Desperate Housewives.”

“Dexter” stars Michael C. Hall with other main cast members including Jennifer Carpenter, Desmond Harrington, C.S. Lee, Lauren Vélez, David Zayas, and James Remar.

Production of the new season began in May in L.A. Season 7 will premiere on Sunday, September 30th.

Game of Thrones Actress Rose Leslie Talks Ygritte and Jon Snow

Rose Leslie currently plays the willing Ygritte in the powerfully awesome series, “Game of Thrones.” In a recently interview she revealed some information regarding her character’s relationship with Jon Snow as well as her character overall and filming in Iceland.

We have seen her character Ygritte flirting up a storm with the sexy Jon Snow. Leslie confirms that we will definitely see a different side of her and her relationship with Jon Snow.

You start to see a change within the relationship,” she continues. “I think she looks upon him in this episode in a different light, no more like the stupid-but-brave boy, but she’s beginning to see where he’s coming from and kind of sympathizes with him. He takes quite a beating, so she’s beginning to like him also. She softens towards him.”

We can all agree that while the costumes in “Game of Thrones” are incredibly awesome. Leslie describes just how comfortable she felt in her clothes while shooting her scenes.

I was hugely comfortable in my Ygritte costume. I was so nice and warm, and it was furry with many layers on the inside. There was no way I was going to freeze in that costume.”

When she was asked what originally drew her to play the role of Ygritte, Leslie discussed her first impressions of the character.

I love that she was so extremely strong-willed and tough. That really struck a chord with me. I’d pictured her in my mind as ruthless, but she also has a lovely playfulness to her as well when she’s teasing Jon Snow and mocking him to his face. When I was reading the sides, I totally fell in love. I thought, “This girl is brilliant! She’s incredibly intelligent, she can play this guy.”  She’s cocky. She doesn’t necessarily rule the roost, but she doesn’t take orders from anybody unless it’s Mance Rayder [the wilding “King Beyond the Wall”]. She gets on very well with her wilding crew.”

If you haven’t read the books, you have noticed the sexual tension between Ygritte and Jon Snow. Leslie spoke about whether their flirtation is just teasing and strategy or if secretly really does like him.

I think it’s strategy. In that episode, there’s a scene where she seduces Jon and takes his mind off the fact that his hand is on the hilt of his sword. She distracts him and he slackens his hold on the rope, so she’s able to run away. I think it’s very practical. That’s another thing I love about her, that she’s constantly double-playing him. At the moment, all she wants to do is get away and not be his prisoner anymore. She’s aware that her wildling friends are close by, and that’s why she gets away and then he’s captured and snared in a little trap.”

Leslie also divulged into what her character thinks about Jon Snow and why is different than anyone Ygritte has met before.

She’s never come across anybody like Jon Snow before. He’s incredibly honorable, he hasn’t tried to come onto her. There they were, snuggling up on the rock and nothing really happened. He just let her be. I don’t think she’s ever come across that before in her life. I’m patently sure that’s she’s lost her virginity and has gotten pretty far with a man and for him not to try to seduce her, I don’t think she can figure it out. And then later it’s like, “I’m bored of this. You’re phenomenally dull, so I’m going to escape. I’m going to leave you. Bye!”

Off the topics of her relationships with other characters, Leslie also made note of the best and worst parts of filming in Iceland.

I think the best thing has to be the scenery. It’s epic and simply breathtaking. So many times when we were shooting or when there would be a little break, you’d lift your head and look around and think, “I can’t believe that I am here!” It was sensational. I’ve fallen in love with the country. I think the downside, understandably, is that it was very, very, very cold. We were stuck in minus-30 conditions. There wasn’t a lot you could do. You could stand still or huddle like penguins. We got through it. We were all given several layers of thermals in the costume. The wardrobe department was incredible and had these amazing hand warmers that kept you alive out there.

Ender’s Game Filmmakers Talk Visual Style And Ender/Graff

Director Gavin Hood as definitely taken on a challenge when he agreed to adapt Orson Scott Cards classic sic-fi novel, Ender’s Game. The book was published back in 1985, and since then has had a handful of people attempt to make it into a film. However, Hood is the first to make it happen.

The book and film follows young child, Ender Wiggin as he is taken to Battle School to train to become a military leader in the fight against an alien threat known as buggers.

What makes this story hard to adapt is it setting. Most of the book takes place in space agasint the backdrop of war. Between the anti-gravity battle room, and the interstellar travels and incredibly technology, creating the world has proved tricky.

During a recent Q&A with fans, producer Roberto Orci revealed a bit about the upcoming adaptation.

The very few photos from the set that have been released haven’t showed much of anything yet. Regarding the visual effects we haven’t seen yet, Orci said,

One thing I can tell you is that Gavin Hood is a gigantic Stanley Kubrick fan, and it shows. And yet, in some of the Zero G battles, things are going on that Kubrick never had a chance to tackle.  The technology and advancements in film making available to us allowed us to realize a vision that is totally unique and modern while also being, as Harrison Ford calls it, one of the most emotional science fiction movies he has ever seen.”

Orci also went on to describe the importance of the relationship between Ender and Colonel Graff.

The relationship between Colonel Graff (Harrison Ford) and Ender (Asa Butterfield) is key to the movie’s success.  Graff would love nothing more than to be Ender’s friend, yet Graff can’t always show it because he has to make it clear to Ender that in the event of another alien invasion, there will be no one available to help him.  Their relationship is simultaneously heartbreaking and fun.”

He also answered questions regarding the general tone of the film which feats children going to war.

Like the book, the movie Ender’s Game is about young protagonists dealing with one of the most adult situations known to man: WAR.  We don’t soft peddle it, yet we don’t shy away from the fun of being in space and learning amazing new skills that we would all want to learn at any age.

The project is currently filming, and is scheduled to be released November 1, 2013.

The cast, which includes several award winners, is as follows:

  • Asa Butterfield – Ender Wiggin
  • Harrison Ford – Colonel Hyrum Graff
  • Abigail Breslin – Valentine Wiggin
  • Hailee Steinfeld – Petra
  • Aramis Knight – Bean
  • Moises Arias – Bonzo
  • Jimmy Pinchak – Peter Wiggin
  • Suraj Parthasarathy – Alai
  • Conor Carroll – Bernard
  • Khylin Rhambo – Dink
  • Brandon Soo Hoo – Fly Molo
  • Ben Kingsley – Mazer Rackham
  • Viola Davis – Major Anderson
  • Caleb J. Thaggard – Stilson
  • Stevie Ray Dallimore – John Wiggin
  • Andrea Powell – Theresa Wiggin
  • Nonso Anozie – Sergeant Dap

Full Trailer For Harley Quinn Released

Highly anticipated Batman: Arkham City Game of the Year edition from Rocksteady Studios is almost here but satiate your needs by releasing the latest trailer.

Newcomers to this Dark Knight adventure can pick up “Batman: Arkham City Game of the Year Edition” beginning May 29 in North America. The game will include on-disc all previously released downloadable content (“Catwoman Pack,” “Nightwing Bundle Pack,” “Robin Bundle Pack,” “Challenge Map Pack” and “Arkham City Skins Pack”), as well as the new “Harley Quinn’s Revenge” content. Fans who already own the original edition of Batman: Arkham City will be able to download “Harley Quinn’s Revenge Pack” beginning May 29 on PlayStation®Network ($9.99) and the Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for Xbox 360 (800 Microsoft Points).

You can watch the new trailer below:

The Hunger Games… Minecraft Edition

Even if you haven’t seen the movie or read the massively popular trilogy, The Hunger Games, you at least know its central premise. Children, thrown into an arena, fight to the death for one victor. While that is definitely not something most would like to be apart of in real life, the idea of the strategic survival in a game with a multiplayer capacity seems …. well fun.

So when Minecraft, a giant vital sandbox of a game, merged with one of the most violent and popular stories, we get possibly one of the coolest custom experiences ever. Since there isn’t (yet) an officially licensed Hunger Games title out there, this one of best ways to get a piece of action and chaos that is the Games.

The servers that host the Games within Minecraft are called “Survival Games” with the players called “Tributes.” Even the opening of each session mimics the opening scene of the Arena from the books and movie. Tributes stand in a large circle around a cache of supplies and when a time hits zero, you better run.

Very similar to the original story, most run for the supplies in the center, being killed quickly, fighting over the best supplies and weapons. Then tributes can run into the woods to begin the strategic battle of survival as they begin hunting each other down throughout the map. The session ends when only one player/tribute is alive.

Even alliances form during the sessions to help hunt down those left by themselves or unprepared. Just beware, because betrayal is always an option as it gets to the last few players.

If you want to take part, a dedicated Minecraft Survival Games website has been established that includes links to servers hosting the games as well as leader boards to track the progress of the best tributes playing the games.

You can watch a player taking place in one of the Survival Games matches below: