Category Archives: Movie Adaptations

Focus Features – 2012 Fall Preview

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Focus Features has released their 2012 Fall film slate and it includes a film adaptation of the amazing novel, Anna Karenina, which I am personally very excited about.

You can see the releases below.

ANNA KARENINA

Nov. 16 (select cities); Nov. 21 (add. cities); Nov. 30 (more cities)

Story: Screening at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. Acclaimed director Joe Wright’s bold, theatrical new vision of the epic story of love is stirringly adapted from Leo Tolstoy’s great novel by Academy Award winner Tom Stoppard (“Shakespeare in Love”). The film marks the third collaboration of the director with Academy Award-nominated actress Keira Knightley and Academy Award-nominated producers Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, and Paul Webster, following their award-winning box office successes “Pride & Prejudice” and “Atonement.” The creative team also includes cinematographer Seamus McGarvey (“The Avengers”), three-time Academy Award-nominated production designer Sarah Greenwood (“Sherlock Holmes”), film editor Melanie Ann Oliver (“Jane Eyre”), hair and make-up designer Ivana Primorac (“Hanna”), Academy Award-winning composer Dario Marianelli (“Atonement”), and two-time Academy Award-nominated costume designer Jacqueline Durran (“Pride & Prejudice”). The timeless story powerfully explores the capacity for love that surges through the human heart while illuminating the lavish society that was imperial Russia. The time is 1874. Vibrant and beautiful, Anna Karenina (Ms. Knightley) has what any of her contemporaries would aspire to; she is the wife of Karenin (Jude Law), a high-ranking government official to whom she has borne a son, and her social standing in St. Petersburg could scarcely be higher. She journeys to Moscow after a letter from her philandering brother Oblonsky (Matthew Macfadyen) arrives, asking for Anna to come and help save his marriage to Dolly (Kelly Macdonald). En route, Anna makes the acquaintance of Countess Vronsky (Olivia Williams), who is then met at the train station by her son, the dashing cavalry officer Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). When Anna is introduced to Vronsky, there is a mutual spark of instant attraction that cannot – and will not – be ignored. The Moscow household is also visited by Oblonsky’s best friend Levin (Domhnall Gleeson), an overly sensitive and compassionate landowner. Levin is in love with Dolly’s younger sister Kitty (Alicia Vikander). Inopportunely, he proposes to Kitty but she is infatuated with Vronsky. Devastated, Levin returns to his Pokrovskoe estate and throws himself into farm work. Kitty herself is heartbroken when, at a grand ball, Vronsky only has eyes for Anna and the married woman reciprocates the younger man’s interest. Anna struggles to regain her equilibrium by rushing home to St. Petersburg, where Vronsky follows her. She attempts to resume her familial routine, but is consumed by thoughts of Vronsky. A passionate affair ensues, which scandalizes St. Petersburg society. Karenin is placed in an untenable position and is forced to give his wife an ultimatum. In attempting to attain happiness, the decisions Anna makes pierce the veneer of an image-obsessed society, reverberating with romantic and tragic consequences that dramatically change her and the lives of all around her.

Director: Joe Wright (“Atonement,” “Pride & Prejudice,” “Hanna”)

Writer: Tom Stoppard (“Shakespeare in Love”); Based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy

Cast: Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Kelly Macdonald, Matthew Macfadyen,

Domhnall Gleeson, Ruth Wilson, Alicia Vikander, Olivia Williams, Emily Watson

MPAA Rating: R

You can get more information about the film by visiting their official website.

FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL…

Aug. 31 (select cities); Sept. 7, 14, 21 (add. cities)

Story:  Love and friendship are on the line in “For a Good Time, Call…,” directed by Jamie Travis from an original screenplay by Katie Anne Naylon & Lauren Anne Miller. The contemporary comedy world-premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, lifting audiences to their feet and lifting their spirits. Ms. Miller stars in the movie opposite Ari Graynor (“The Sitter,” “Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist”). Two young women come up short on the funds needed to live in New York City. Lauren Powell (played by Ms. Miller), a reserved overachiever, is suddenly on her own after boyfriend Charlie (James Wolk) abruptly breaks up with her. Katie Steele (Ms. Graynor), an irrepressible free spirit, is about to forfeit a dream residence unless she finds an apartment-mate. Their mutual best friend Jesse (Justin Long) has the bright idea that they room together, even though he well knows that they are polar opposites who haven’t spoken since they met in college and then fell out within minutes. When Lauren and Katie meet up anew at Jesse’s behest, they’re still an at-odds couple…but, without options, Lauren reluctantly moves in. With nothing in common, she and Katie barely speak – until Lauren discovers that Katie is working as a phone-sex operator. This is, Lauren reasons, a good business opportunity; together, they will buy a land line and start up their own answering service. Katie is – it would seem – already in her element, and Lauren catches on quick; it’s not long before the blushing subsides and the candid chatting becomes second nature to her. It’s a long, hot summer for the newly minted team and their callers; Lauren puts her job hunt on hold while Katie considers the courtship ministrations of caller Sean (Mark Webber). But as their business partnership takes off, Lauren and Katie’s newfound friendship finds unexpected challenges that may leave them both, as they say, hanging on the telephone.

Director: Jamie Travis

Writers: Katie Anne Naylon & Lauren Anne Miller

Cast: Ari Graynor, Lauren Anne Miller, James Wolk, Nia Vardalos, Mark Webber, Justin Long

MPAA Rating: R

You can learn more information about FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL… by visiting their official website.

City of Bones Film Adaptation Begins Filming

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City of Bones, the first big screen adaptation of Cassandra Clare’s massively popular “The Mortal Instruments” series has begun filming in Toronto and a picture of star Lily Collins as main character Clary Fray has been released (and can be seen above.)

I appears Collins is working on the first few scenes in the book on the streets of the city. With the incredible popularity of the novel, it seems we will have several production photos released over the next few weeks as people are staking out the area.

The novel and film follows follows a young teen girl, Clary Fray, who discovers she is the descendant of a line of Shadowhunters, a secret cadre of young half-angel warriors locked in an ancient battle to protect our world from demons. After the disappearance of her mother, Clary must join forces with a group of Shadowhunters, who introduce her to a dangerous alternate New York called Downworld, filled with demons, warlocks, vampires, werewolves and other deadly creatures.

City of Bones will be directed by Harald Zwart. Collins leads the all-star cast that includes Jamie Campbell Bower as fellow main character, Jace Wayland,  Robert Maillet, Robert Sheehan, Godfrey Gao, Lena Headey, Jared Harris, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

The film has a projected release date of August 23, 2013.

Jim Carrey Sought For Role In Kick-Ass 2

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Deadline recently reported that Universal Pictures is attempting to gain Jim Carrey for a new role in the upcoming sequel, Kick-ass 2. Carrey, who admitted to being a fan of Matthew Vaughn’s original film, would be playing the part of Colonel Stars, a military-themed superhero who founds the super-team Justice Forever.

While this is far from a sure thing, this could be the perfect next role for Carrey. If he signs on, Carrey will join Aaron Johnson, Chloe Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, John Leguizamo, Donald Faison, Robert Emms, Yancy Butler and Morris Chestnut in the adaptation of the Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr. comic.

As for the film’s story, part of the plot will revolve around someone discovering the hero’s identity, with both Dave and Mindy possibly being found out.

Much of the storyline will also focus on Hit Girl and what happens to her after the events of the first movie. After her identity is released, she begins to be teased and bullied and given a less than classy nickname of “Captain Muffin-Muncher.” But don’t expect Hit Girl to cower in the face of the teasing. She is always ready to take charge in confrontation and self defense.

The sequel will be directed by Never Back Down helmer Jeff Wadlow and will feature a script by Vaughn.

Taking A Look At The Hobbit In 48 FPS – Guest Post

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Whether it’s turning the shorter prequel to “Lord of the Rings” into a trilogy or filming the story in 48 frames per second (fps) there is no end to the spurious speculation surrounding the much-anticipated live film rendering of “The Hobbit.” What fans hope will be a cinematic masterpiece may end up being better known for its pioneering use of 48fps technology. When it was finally settled that Peter Jackson would once again be at the helm bringing J.R.R. Tolkien’s world to life, it seemed like all the drama would die down. But dear Bilbo and his ilk are getting no free passes – and fans who got a sneak peek at the high frame-rate footage were less than enthusiastic.

Jackson, who originally planned a mass release of “The Hobbit” in 48fps, changed his mind after the response to a 10-minute 3D preview at CinemaCon in April. The high frame-rate version will now be a limited release, in order to give people time to get used to the sharper, more life-like images. According to James Cameron, who is a proponent of 48fps and even plans to shoot future “Avatar” sequels in as many as 60 frames per second, “If watching a 3D movie is like looking through a window, then [with this] we’ve taken the glass out of the window and we’re staring at reality.”

That doesn’t sound too bad, so what’s got everyone’s knickers in a twist? Since 1927 movies have been shot in 24 frames per second, and that is what our eyes and minds are used to seeing when we watch a film. The biggest difference in the 48fps world is that everything looks smoother – so smooth that some viewers think it looks fake. High frame-rate eliminates the strobing and flicker that we have become so accustomed to in 24fps. When those interruptions are missing, the action looks wrong to us. Another complaint is that the high definition provides too much reality, making sets look like sets and exposing every flaw of man, prop or beast.

Some who saw the CinemaCon sneak peek felt the reality captured in 48fps made the movie seem less magical, less of an escape into a different world. Others found the footage similar to what they’d seen in IMAX 3D nature documentaries – at least on the big, expansive shots of Middle Earth that fans came to expect from Jackson in “The Lord of the Rings.” Those appreciative fans sang a different tune when it came to intimate scenes of dialogue, saying that everything looked different and jarring. The conclusion being that 48fps looks awesome on wide, capacious shots but our eyes and minds have a hard time processing it on close-ups.

Jackson kind of agrees. He has stated that he doesn’t’ think high frame-rate technology is right for all movies, and that smaller, character-driven movies might not be the best fit for 48fps. And even he admits that viewing 48fps film can take some getting used to.

“It does take you a while to get used to,” Jackson said, later adding that “you get used to it reasonably quickly. We have obviously seen cuts of our movie at 48 and in a relatively short amount of time you have forgotten (the frame rate change). It is a more immersive and in 3D a gentler way to see the film.”

In consideration of the difficulty some audience members may have adjusting to the new technology “The Hobbit” will be released in 48fps, 24fps, 3D and 2D. For such an anticipated movie, it was a risky choice for Jackson to jump into the future of cinema, but it may be the perfect way to ease moviegoers into the next age. And, for those diehard fans out there, trusting Jackson’s judgment goes a long way. It will be interesting to see which format of the film sells the most tickets and how audiences react to a complete, polished 48fps version of Bilbo and Gollum mooning over their so-real-it-looks-fake “Precious.”

About the Author:

The author, Lisa Forester, has been enamored with The Hobbit since elementary school.  When she isn’t making her way through middle earth, she is a professional blogger.

Josh Hutcherson Talks Catching Fire

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The Hunger Games official DVD was released this week and recently the star of the film and subsequent films, Josh Hutcherson sat down and answered questions about the world phenomenon series.

Hutcherson plays Peeta Mellark, the fellows District 12 tribute alongside Katniss Everdeen. But just because he has been in the media for a while already doesn’t mean he isn’t still nervous.

“I was really nervous about it to be honest,” Hutcherson said about embarking on the film franchise, based on a trilogy of best-selling books by Suzanne Collins. “It’s crazy because living up to ‘The Hunger Games‘ coming out, everybody was talking about how it’s going to change everything, your whole life — it’s going to be so different,” he explained. “I like my life! I didn’t want that to happen and it didn’t… I’m still me and I’m still doing my normal things that I have always done.”

Hutcherson also spoke about the fans of the series and their passion.

“‘Hunger Games fans’ are ravenous and extremely passionate.  They’re the absolute best,” he said.

And when he says passionate, he isn’t lying.  Hutcherson remembered a time when fans showed up at his home in Kentucky.

“I had a couple of fans who showed at my doorstep in Kentucky,” he said, adding that they arrived the day after Christmas last year. “They just wanted to meet me and say ‘hi.’ They were freaking out and crying.  They drove eight hours on the chance that I might be home…  That was intense.  I was like, ‘Whoa!  This is my home in Kentucky.  Why are you here?’  It was crazy.  There are some crazy fans out there.”

Now that the DVD has been released, Hutcherson is looking toward the future and the filming of Catching Fire, the second film in the series.

I’m so excited it’s finally here, the time to start making it is finally here. I can’t wait to get shooting.” Given that a script didn’t exist just a few short months ago, it’s hard to believe everything is, in fact, prepped. But it is, according to Hutcherson: “I do have a script in hand and it’s awesome.  I love it so much,” Hutcherson confirmed, revealing that he met with newly-installed director Francis Lawrence (“I Am Legend,” 2007, “Water for Elephants,” 2011) to discuss the film’s vision. “We talked about how important it was to really make the movie version of the book and that was Francis’s goal from day one — and the script definitely portrays that.  It’s a very true-to-the-book rendition of the movie.”

Hutcherson also confirmed that fans will see a bigger and buffer Peeta this time around.

 “I’ve been working out a lot, getting back in the right shape for the role — because this last year, I sort of split my time and enjoyed myself — so I’ve been paying for that for the last month-and-a-half or so, getting back into the gym and eating healthy,” Hutcherson said.

One of the most enticing subplots of the series is the love triangle between the lead characters, Peeta, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence), and Gale (Liam Hemsworth).

“It’s such a tough position that I know Peeta is put in where he is in absolute love with this girl and she acts like she’s in love with him, but he knows that she isn’t — and that is heartbreaking. As an actor, it’s something that I’m really excited play because it’s such a a conflicting emotion… It’s a very conflicting, confusing kind of thing and I can’t wait to play it out.  It’s really, really intense and exciting, I think.”

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is set to be released in theaters November 22, 2013. Filming will begin soon and will see all the lead characters returning.

New Stills From Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2

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Several brand new stills have been released from the upcoming final installment of the Twilight Saga. The photos were released by Summit Entertainment and you can see them below.

Despite being amidst a cheating scandal between stars/ former lovers Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, the film is expected to still do extremely well in the box office. The Bill Condon-directed adaptation opens in theaters on November 16.

Based on Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” series, the film’s large cast includes:

Main cast
  • Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan/Cullen
  • Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen
  • Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black
  • Peter Facinelli as Carlisle Cullen
  • Elizabeth Reaser as Esme Cullen
  • Ashley Greene as Alice Cullen
  • Kellan Lutz as Emmett Cullen
  • Nikki Reed as Rosalie Hale
  • Jackson Rathbone as Jasper Hale
  • Billy Burke as Charlie Swan
  • Sarah Clarke as Renée Dwyer
  • Julia Jones as Leah Clearwater
  • Booboo Stewart as Seth Clearwater
  • MyAnna Buring as Tanya
  • Maggie Grace as Irina
  • Casey LaBow as Kate
  • Michael Sheen as Aro
  • Jamie Campbell Bower
  • Christopher Heyerdahl as Marcus
  • Chaske Spencer as Sam Uley
  • Christian Camargo as Eleazar
  • Mía Maestro as Carmen
  • Mackenzie Foy as Renesmee Cullen
Part 2 adds new cast members:
  • Dakota Fanning as Jane
  • Cameron Bright as Alec
  • Charlie Bewley as Demetri
  • Daniel Cudmore as Felix
  • Noel Fisher as Vladimir
  • Guri Weinberg as Stefan
  • Lee Pace as Garrett
  • Joe Anderson as Alistair
  • Judi Shekoni as Zafrina
  • Tracey Huggins as Senna
  • J.D. Pardo as Nahuel
  • Rami Malek as Benjamin

Concept Art Released For Cancelled “The Sandman” Project

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One of the world’s most celebrated comics of the past 25 years, Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman, has been on a long and tedious journey to the silver screen. However, the project has repeatedly fallen through much to chagrin of it’s devoted fans. Gaiman had originally pitched the project to studio executives only to have it not pan out with Warner bros.

The Sandman was published by DC Comics, however, beginning with issue #47, it was placed under the imprint Vertigo. It chronicles the adventures of Dream (of the Endless), who rules over the world of dreams. It ran for 75 issues from January 1989 until March 1996. Gaiman’s contract stipulated that the series would end when he left it.

For fans who are well acquainted with the Sandman world, they will notice that the concept art released from the failed project covers virtually the entire run of the comic. Fans can also now OWN the exclusive artwork as Gaiman himself tweeted a message regarding the cancelled project and concept art:

“Some years ago, I had to pitch/explain SANDMAN to Warners. Jill thompson illustrated the pitch. That art’s for sale.”

You can see some samples of the original art below:

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Casts Another Tribute: Cashmere

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Lionsgate has been having a field day releasing the names of each new tribute one by one. Today they have announced that Stephanie Leigh Schlund has been cast in the role of Cashmere, the former female victor from District 1 who is reaped along side her brother Gloss.

Cashmere and Gloss are both tributes for the 75th Hunger Games Quarter Quell, a special anniversary Games in which all the tributes are former victors. Cashmere and Gloss ( to be played by Alan Ritchson) had won their games fairly recently as Katniss remembers watching them when she was younger. Both are in their mid twenties and a part of the career pack. On Day 2 of the Third Quarter Quell, both are killed by Johanna and Katniss. Katniss shoots an arrow into Gloss’ right temple, while Johanna Mason throws an axe into Cashmere’s chest.

Stephanie Leigh Schlund is best known for appearing in several television series including “Drop Dead Diva,” and films including The Last Song. She can next be seen in the upcoming Fox series “The Following,” premiering this fall.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire picks up right after the first novel as Katniss and Peeta deal with the aftermath of returning home both as Victors. However, 6 months after returning home, they must embark on a victory tour throughout all the Districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) – a competition that could change Panem forever.

The film will be directed by Francis Lawrence, and produced by Nina Jacobson’s Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. The novel is the second of the series written by Suzanne Collins.

Lionsgate will release The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on November 22, 2013.

New Walking Dead Season 3 Photo And An Update From Robert Kirkman

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While fans await the premiere of season 3 of AMC’s hit series “The Walking Dead,” creator, Robert Kirkman has released a set photo as well as offered a short update for the newest season.

The series started out with a six-episode first season, which was followed by a thirteen-episode second season. And coming this fall, we’ll see the first eight episodes of what will go on to be a sixteen-episode third season. As of last week, production on the midseason finale has wrapped.

He recently tweeted,

We wrapped on the mid-season finale of @WalkingDead_AMC a few hours ago. Amazing work from all involved, this Georgia crew kicks ass!

Kirkman also shared the following photo, which gives us a look at the Woodbury welcome center.

Woodbury may seem like a welcoming safe haven for Rick and the gang, but anyone who knows whats in store for the crew, Woodbury is anything but. The band of survivors have a tough season ahead of them, between the walkers and the other’s still alive. This new season will also see the introduction of the highly anticipated character, The Governor.

The Walking Dead returns to AMC with new episodes October 14. Those looking for a way to pass the time between now and then might check out the Walking Dead Facebook game.

Ender’s Game To Be Released In IMAX

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With production wrapped up earlier this summer, and the release date not set till next year, news regarding the film adaptation of Orson Scott Card’s sci-fi novel Ender’s Game has been scarce. But one peice of information released this past week is that the film will indeed be released in IMAX.

Ender’s Game is set in the future (and mostly in aboard a space station)  when man is preparing for war against an alien race referred to as the Buggers. The first book in Card’s series follows Ender Wiggin, a young boy who’s recruited to join a fleet of children preparing for battle by playing strategy games and undergoing other forms of training. While Ender is smaller and younger than most of the other recruits, he soon proves to be something of a tactical genius.

The film adaptation is the first after several attempts since the novel’s release in 1985. The film, directed by Gavin Hood, stars Asa Butterfield as Ender, with Harrison Ford playing Colonal Graff, and Ben Kingsley playing Mazer Rackham.

During the production, the producer  Roberto Orci, provided fans with weekly updates on their official production blog that included glimpses of the set and actors and information regarding the project.

Releasing the film in IMAX will be a good movie on the part of Lionsgate. Given the setting of the novel, fans are excited to see the famed Battle Room ( a room where the kids train while battling in zero gravity) which has the potential to look amazing on a larger screen such as an IMAX screen.

While we wait for more information regarding the upcoming adaptation, you can always remember: The enemy’s gate is down.