In this rather late episode, our hosts discuss the first Mortal Instruments installment by Cassandra Clare, City of Bones. They all seem to love the exact same characters, and find the others a little less than bright, while rolling their eyes at how none of them realize that they are stringing someone along. And the ending makes some love the book more, while others feel it’s too reminiscent of another beloved series.
Edit: Now available, check out the episode on the film!
Taking full advantage of another chance to moon over a Joss Whedon film, Jess and Kendyl rehash Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and reel at the depth of understanding the film presented, from the line delivery to the filming to the background action.
I recently came across the 1995 film The Scarlet Letter. Knowing that this is a story that is required reading in most US high schools, I was honestly surprised I had never seen it before (nor known about it). It stars Demi Moore as Hester Prynne, Gary Oldman as Rev. Arthur Dimmesdale and Robert Duvall as Roger Chillingworth (aka, Prynne). Overall, I enjoyed the film. The sex and birth scenes were a bit long, and I wasn’t keen on Pearl narrating, but as a film on it’s own it was pretty good. It sure made me wonder how well I knew the book!
At first, I thought that this was more of a prequel to the book because it starts with Hester arriving in Massachusettes, and the credits said that the film was “freely based on the book by Nathaniel Hawthorne”, but by the end I saw that it was the book’s story, just unraveled in a different way.
CAUTION: The remainder of this article contains book and film spoilers!
In anticipation of the new Percy Jackson film, the hosts talk about the second book in the series, what they thought of the first film and how its shortcomings could effect Sea of Monsters.
Edit: Check out our episode on the film, out now!
The Hunger Games, novel and film
Beautiful Creatures, novel and film
Quickly becoming zombie connoisseurs with our fifth zombie related podcast, the hosts discuss Marc Forster’s film adaptation of World War Z and whether it’s really an adaptation or just a zombie movie in its own right.
Don’t forget to check out our episode on the novel by Max Brooks!
In discussing Zach Snyder’s film Man of Steel, the hosts touch on the decidedly darker tone, how this Superman will fit into the future Justice League movie and how the characters compare to their previous incarnations.
Kendyl is accompanied by Jess, Jenn and Dorin’s extensive notes to discuss William Joyce’s children’s book The Leaf Men and the film Epic by Chris Wedge. The girls discuss the adaptation in terms of expanding on an already created world, matching voice actors to characters and the beauty of the animation.
In this episode, Kendyl and Dorin discuss World War Z by Max Brooks and applaud the plausibility. With everything from social politics to war tactics to black market organs, the girls agree that this book covers all the angles of a zombie apocalypse and it’s after-math. And then they discuss where they would run if the book became reality.
Jess, Ryan and Kendyl talk about Baz Luhrmann’s film The Great Gatsby. While the spectacle was enjoyable, they wonder if all the cinematography was in the film’s best interest. And even in concluding that it was a faithful adaptation, they wonder if seeing the characters on screen made them more likeable and question where Nick ends up.
Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre
I was scrolling through Tumblr today when I came across this pretty little screenshot of the IMDB page for Stephen Sondheim and Rob Marshall’s upcoming adaptation of Into the Woods.
Yep, that’s right! The page has exploded with new castings! And I don’t even know where to start! First of all, we’re clearly seeing another star-studded cast as in Mamma Mia and Les Miserables. It’s the price we have to pay for seeing Broadway on the big screen as a Hollywood production. The real question on everyone’s minds, though: The acting talent is clearly here, but can they sing? Or are we in for another Russell “And I am Javert” Crowe fiasco?
Well, James Corden at least has already been tested on the musical stage, with a Tony under his belt. So his casting as the Baker is one less thing to worry about. And according to her IMDB page, newly cast Baker’s wife Emily Blunt was briefly featured in ex-boyfriend Michael Bublé’s song “Me and Mrs. Jones” from his album “Call Me Irresponsible”. And if her bio page can be believed, is known as a “strong alto singer”. Johnny Depp of course had his day as Sweeny Todd, but what about Chris Pine? Or Jake Gyllenhaal? As far as we know, they have never hit a musical note…at least not professionally. And I know that I can’t be the only one with slight concerns.
But you know what? I’m still hoping for a positive attitude. I can’t bear to do otherwise. Because if Disney messes up Sondheim, I think I’m going to cry. Or turn back to Bernadette Peters for some serious Broadway therapy.
Comments? Commiseration? Concerns? Comfort? Post below.
To read our previous article about Into the Woods, click here.
Note: The artwork/poster associated with this article is not the official image for Into the Woods the movie. Adaptation was given permission to use this fan-made piece by its artist, Nathan, whose work can be found on his Tumblr page.
The hosts try to hold back the fangirling for as long as possible in this episode on JJ Abrams’ Star Trek Into Darkness. Dorin brings the Original Series knowledge as they compare the plot, tone and characters to the film, and then decide that Benedict Cumberbatch is everything.
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Finally the second part of the interviews that Kendyl did at the 2012 From Page To Screen festival are out! Olivia Hetreed talks about her work on Wuthering Heights (2011), an adaptation of the Emily Bronte novel and distilling the screenplay down to the very basic relationship in the story. Moira Buffini, screenwriter for Jane Eyre (2011) talks about the baggage that comes with the original Charlotte Bronte novel and the hosts discuss its feminist implications… and the dislike the Bronte’s had for Jane Austen.
Check out Adaptation Mini #1 for interviews with Corinna Wagner and Simon Beaufoy!
A special thanks to everyone at From Page to Screen for making these interviews possible!
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While mooning over Tony Stark and admiring Pepper’s bad-assery, the hosts discuss their favorite moments of Shane Black’s Iron Man 3. Going through the various story arcs, they compare the film to Marvel canon with the help of Adaptation’s resident Iron Man expert and the 2010 Extremis mini-series.
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It is a truth universally acknowledged that any post referencing Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice—no matter how minute the reference—should include some adaptation of said novel’s opening sentence.
There. Obligation fulfilled. On to the news, sure to please Janeites everywhere!
Those of us who are still basking in the happy glow that was The Lizzie Bennet Diaries might be happy to hear that yet another Austen-related film is looming on the horizon. This film, titled Austenland, is sure to hit home among Jane Austen fans, as it centers on the fans themselves for a change. Based on the book written by award-winning author Shannon Hale, Austenland tells the story of Jane Hayes, a self-proclaimed Janeite who is completely and utterly obsessed with the 1995 Colin Firth version of Mr. Darcy.
Sound familiar to some of you? Yeah, I’m guilty of the same, too.
To come to grips with her fantastic, albeit unrealistic expectations about love, Jane is sent to—get this—a Jane Austen-themed getaway vacation where women can live out their fantasies of being in a Jane Austen novel, complete with their own fabricated love story.
In other words, my dream come true…or is it? I won’t give away any spoilers, in case readers choose to search out the book for themselves, which I recommend. Enough to say that Austenland is a highly enjoyable read and, in my opinion, has the potential to be a great film as well—especially in light of reactions after the movie’s debut at the Sundance Film Festival.
Though purposed to be a romantic-comedy—a genre not normally seen among the films displayed—Austenland has been picked up by Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions and Sony Pictures Classics for distribution in the UK in September and the United States in August. Starring such familiar faces as Keri Russell, Jane Seymour and Jennifer Coolidge, Austenland will also mark the directorial debut of Jerusha Hess (co-writer of Napoleon Dynamite) and the first producing project of Twilight author Stephenie Meyer.
Though we have yet to be blessed with a full trailer for this film, an insider’s interview and two 30-second clips have been released to whet the appetites of fans such as me. With the monikers “Janie’s Got a Gun” and “Unmentionables”, these short clips display a subtle humor that I sincerely hope will be continued throughout the entire film. Enjoy them here, and let us know what you think in the comments below!
Some of the hosts had a few sleepless nights after seeing Fede Alverez’s Evil Dead, adapted from Sam Raimi’s 1981 film. With a few Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell superfans on the podcast, they have a long discussion of the new and old versions and a few words on the possibility of trigger warnings before films.
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Our hosts agree that Andrew Niccol’s The Host was a tough movie to make, with source material that had both too much and too little to fit into two hours. While they enjoyed the film, they also feel like it went too far in some areas and not far enough in others.
Also, check out episode #38: Mind, Host and Soul which covers the novel by Stephenie Meyer.
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Jess, Jenn and Kendyl get together to discuss Bryan Singer’s film Jack the Giant Slayer, which is definitely worth watching. Though unsure about Isabella’s character, they agree that the film blends Jack and the Beanstalk and Jack the Giant Killer well, while adding some new mythology to the mix.
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The new Catching Fire trailer teaser came out finally at the MTV Movie awards to a rapt audience all over the world. Catching Fire, the second installment of The Hunger Games Series, will be premiering on November 22, 2013. Check out the trailer below: Continue reading
After seeing Sam Raimi’s Oz the Great and Powerful, the hosts finally know which witch is which and some now have gloating rights. They also discuss the film from a visual standpoint, their opinions on the Wicked Witch’s transformation and the Land of Oz in comparison with the original novel and 1939 film.
Check episode #34: The Merry Old Land of Manipulation for our discussion on Baum’s novel and the 1939 film here!
We also have an episode on Dorothy of Oz and the film Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return that you can see here!
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Discussing Stephenie Meyer’s The Host gives our hosts plenty to analyze, from the difference between body and mind to the believability of Wanderer’s selflessness and Ian’s understanding. And of course, the Twilight comparisons are inevitable.
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Also, check out our episode on the film!
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