MovieGeekette

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (oh, my)

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:17:49 GMT

I love the works of Jane Austin, but my favorite by far is Pride and Prejudice. Be it the original novel, one of a dozen films (2005 version is my absolute fave) or even TV series (the classic 1995 BBC version rules over most others).

I also started loving zombie films a few years ago. My top fave zombie films are: Shaun of the Dead (2004), Fido (2006), Zombieland (2009), Undead (2003) [Wiki] and 28 Days Later... (2002). I also liked the Resident Evil series of movies, specially when Oded Fehr come into the series playing Carlos Olivera. There was a great British series called "Dead Set" (2008) (official site) and if you can track it down it's well worth it. The series starts off on the set of a reality show fashioned after Big Brother and soon London and the studio get over run with zombies.

I prefer the slow moving zombies since I would have a slightly better chance of outrunning them and surviving for a bit longer then with the fast ones. One of the things I loved and appreciated from Zombieland (2009) was Columbus's rules (Wiki) of what to so to survive a zombie attack. His #1 item was cardio and unfortunately my cardio wouldn't get me too far from a chasing zombie so I have to hope that if it ever comes down to it (I doubt it will and I hope it never comes close) that zombie-like creatures end up being really slow :)

Earlier this year I heard about an upcoming novel and movie called "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" and I thought 'no way they can't be serious', but 'they' were. It's true Seth Grahame-Smith smooshed together Austin's Pride and Prejudice story with zombies. I'm in the process of reading it and once I'm done I'll give a mini review.

So back to the movie version of this story and why I'm making an entry. I just came across an article today stating that Natalie Portman will lead the cast of the movie. I guessing that she will play Elizabeth Bennet since Elizabeth is the female protagonist of Austin's novel.

This is the funny part. Keira Knightley played Elizabeth Bennet in the 2005 version of Pride & Prejudice.

Natalie Portman was cast as Queen Padmé Amidala (Luke and Leia's mom) in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) and Keira Knightley played Sabe, the Queen's handmaiden and decoy.

It's been said that when the two actresses were in makeup there were many people who had problems telling them apart even their own mothers. (links and quotes about this below)

All that to say that choosing Natalie Portman to play Elizabeth Bennet is fantastic since she looks very similar to Keira Knightley who already played that role. Brilliant if not a total coincidence, I doubt the casting company or anyone making the decision took any of that into consideration. If they did then bonus points for them :)

---

"It quickly became obvious that Jane [Austen] had laid down the blueprint for a zombie novel," said Grahame-Smith."Why else in the original should a regiment arrive on Lizzie Bennet’s doorstep when they should have been off fighting Napoleon? It was to protect the family from an invasion of brain-eaters, obviously.” "About 85% is the original Jane Austen text," said Grahame-Smith. "I hated her when I was forced to read Austen in school, but when I started rereading I realised she was a brutal, but very funny, satirist. I can only aspire to be as mean-spirited as she could be." source

"In scenes where Padme and Queen Amidala appear together, Natalie Portman is Padme, while Keira Knightley is Sabe, one of the handmaidens disguised as the Queen." (source of quote)

"At the time of the film's release, the producers ran a disinformation campaign to suggest that Natalie Portman played both Padme and The Queen at all times. In fact, they are not always the same person. For many sections of the film, notably those where The Queen is wearing the black outfit with the huge feather headdress, she is actually a decoy, played by Keira Knightley. The real queen, Portman, is actually disguised as a handmaiden. Various conflicting public statements make it extremely difficult to figure out who is who. Whole websites are devoted to figuring out which actress is playing which handmaiden or The Queen at any given point." (source of quote)

"Natalie Portman vs Keira Knightley" Do they look alike? This article compared pics of the two side-by-side, you decide.

Natalie Vs. Keira: The Resemblance is More Than Skin Deep

Tough enough: Keira Knightley has overcome childhood challenges

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2011) (IMBD)

'Pride And Prejudice' takes on zombies (@digitalspy.com)

Portman signs for 'Pride, Prejudice & Zombies' (@digitalspy.com)

Pride, Prejudice, Zombies and Portman

Natalie Portman to slay zombies: Actress takes on 'Pride & Prejudice' adaptation (@Variety.com)

THREE Jane Austen Science Fiction Movies In The Pipeline? (@)io9.com)

Complete Zombie Movie Listing From A to Z

Maps of Zombie Outbreaks Throughout History (@io9.com) [AlternateHistory.com via Metafilter]

A year later...

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:26:55 GMT

I can't believe that it has been nearly a year since I last posted anything on this blog. Wow, that's too long. I've been posting tidbits on my Facebook page and now need to come back to this blog.

I finally got to see Zombieland (official site, Wiki) last night and I just LOVED it. I heard about the rumor going around that the suits are thinking about coming out with a 3D sequel which will raise the scare and ick factor. BTW, Columbus's rules (Wiki) are fantastic and too true. Cardio is so #1 on any survival list and it's something I'm sorely lacking. I guess in a zombie attack I'm one of the first to go, but not without a fight.

Check out the new British series Misfits (official site) about 5 juvenile delinquents that while on community service get superpowers during a freak storm. Interesting take on superpowers and what to do with them once you have them. Talk about reluctant heroes.

Another great 2008 British series called Being Human (official site) about a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost that share a flat. No, really. Great series and well worth tracking down. It has been renewed for a second series and will be made into a US version. As always I'm skeptical about any America remake, but maybe, just maybe they will get this one right. [They botched Red Dwarf, HHG2TG to a point and many other series.]

Some TV Premier Dates

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 00:57:07 GMT

WINTER PREMIERES
* Denotes series returning from a winter break, rather than season or series premiere.

Monday, Jan. 5
True Beauty (ABC)

Wednesday, Jan. 7
Damages (FX)
Knight Rider (NBC)*

Thursday, Jan. 8
30 Rock (NBC)*
My Name Is Earl (NBC)*

Friday, Jan. 9
Flashpoint (CBS)
Psych (USA)*

Sunday, Jan. 11
24 (Fox)

Wednesday, Jan. 14
Wonderland (DTV 101)

Thursday, Jan. 15
Bones (Fox)*

Friday, Jan. 16
Battlestar Galactica (Sci Fi)

Sunday, Jan. 18
Secret Diary of a Call Girl (Showtime)
The Simpsons (Fox)*
United States of Tara (Showtime)

Tuesday, Jan. 20
Fringe (Fox)*

Wednesday, Jan. 21
Lie to Me (Fox)
Lost (ABC), two-hour premiere

Thursday, Jan. 22
Burn Notice (USA)*

Monday, Jan. 26
Trust Me (TNT)

Wednesday, Jan. 28
Life on Mars (ABC)*

Thursday, Jan. 29
Hell's Kitchen (Fox)

Monday, Feb. 2
Chuck (NBC),* 3-D episode
Heroes, Vol. IV: Fugitives (NBC)*

Friday, Feb. 13
Dollhouse (Fox)
Terminator (Fox)*

Sunday, March 8
Breaking Bad (AMC)

Monday, March 9
Castle (ABC)

Tuesday, March 17
Reaper (CW)

Thursday, March 19
Kings (NBC)

Tuesday, March 24
Cupid (ABC)

Wednesday, April 8
The Unusuals (ABC)

Thursday, April 9
Harper's Island (CBS)

EXACT DATES TBD

* Amy Poehler, Beyond Thunderdome premieres on NBC in April.
* Life returns to NBC in February.
* Rescue Me returns to FX in March or April.
* Rules of Engagement returns to CBS in the spring.
* Saving Grace returns to TNT in March.
* The Tudors returns to Showtime in April.

Happy Holidays!

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 04:41:43 GMT

Happy Holidays and New Years everyone!

Wishing you a year full of joy, love and laughter.

New 'Dollhouse' video

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:24:10 GMT

It's a short clip and Dushku is in only the first bit. You can tell they spent quite a bit of money on the look and sets. Feb. 13 (series premiere) seems quite a while away, I hope it turns out well.

Exclusive 'Dollhouse' video: Watch Eliza Dushku's memories vanish!

Wolverine trailer

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:03:54 GMT

I manged to see the new trailer for X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) this weekend and it looks fantastic.

ABC Develops Fables

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:17:52 GMT

I am looking forward to this upcoming production. I have read several issues and like the series. One of the things I liked about the first Shrek movie is it's take on fairy tales, loved it, so this is up my alley.

"DC Comics' fantasy comic series Fables is being adapted for a pilot by ABC, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The fantasy project, based on the comic book created by Bill Willingham and published by DC's Vertigo imprint, deals with characters from fairy tales and folklore living in exile in modern-day New York. Six Degrees creators/executive producers Stu Zicherman and Raven Metzner are writing the script for the hourlong drama for Warner Brothers TV. David Semel has come on board to direct Fables. Zicherman and Metzner wouldn't elaborate on which fairy-tale characters will be featured in the TV series, but noted that Big Bad Wolf and Snow White, who are central to the comics, will have a similar role on the show."

Twilight: The Puppet Saga

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:03:34 GMT

Twilight: The Puppet Saga

You know you want to see it, just admit it. (Warning: plot spoilers for the movie and book)

Too funny. I liked Puppet Angel in season 5 as well. Maybe we need a puppet face-off between Edward and Angel to see which puppet vampire rules. [warning: this is tongue-in-cheek, so please don't take it seriously]

New Battlestar Webisodes and catch-up teaser

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:49:43 GMT

New Battlestar Webisodes!

"SCIFI.COM announced the launch of a new 10-part series of Battlestar Galactica webisodes, "The Face of the Enemy," starting Dec. 12 at noon ET. Two webisodes will debut weekly, leading up to the on-air return of the series on Jan. 16, 2009. Each of the three- to four-minute chapters will complement and enhance the action broadcast on SCI FI and give viewers more insight into characters and events from the fourth and final season."

You know when there is an up and coming season of BSG when the webisides start playing. Hurray!

Battlestar Catch-Up Teaser!

"Watch this 13-minute recap of everything BSG, leading up to the premiere of the final episodes, starting at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Jan. 16, 2009."

A slightly violent Punisher*

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:38:27 GMT

I checked out Punisher: War Zone (2008) this weekend and gads it was violent to the point of almost being comical (it did make me laugh at a couple of spots due to the insanity of it). I still haven't seen AVPR: Aliens vs Predator - Requiem (2007) [I was suppose to catch it with a friend, but we never managed to get our schedule to atch up so I missed it on the big screen, ugh] which judging from the trailers is uber violent. I don't have anything against non- gratuitous violence if it moves the story along or adds to it, but this latest installment of the Punisher franchise goes a bit beyond plausible.

The Transporter franchise (I've only seen 1&2) has also become non-plausible (even more then the Bond series at times), but at least it's a bit of a roller-coaster ride.

* Yes, that was sarcasm.

New T4 trailer

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:20:39 GMT

Wow! Check out the new Terminator 4 trailer and be ready to drool. I'm just happy to at least have TSCC TV series until T4 gets released. They are suppose to be of different time-lines which is just fine by me. That is one of the great things with this franchise, anything goes, any direction, idea or spark since you can have unlimited time-lines.

Animated movie poster, I just finally got a browser to play this file, I have been having technical difficulties for a while now. I really doubt that this is an actual shot of LA, but stranger things are true. So just in case it's real could someone who either knows LA well or can track down the ariel shot on Google Earth drop by and tell me if it happens to be a strange coincidence and be real.

TSCC fanfic

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 20:24:54 GMT

I just discovered some excellent TSCC fanfic authors:

Nyah (@ FanFiction.net) and (@ her blog)

indie (@ FanFiction.net) and (@ her TSCC site)

Their work is dark, original, deep and exceptionally well written. They both have written stories for other series that are also worth checking out.

If you have any other authors to suggest or specific stories, please leave a comment.

Caprica gets a 20 hour order!

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:42:40 GMT

Yup, after nearly a year+ of hearing about the highly anticipated prequel to Battlestar Galactica it finally gets the go ahead, hurray! SCI FI Channel has ordered 20 hours of Caprica including a two-hour pilot. Production is scheduled to start next summer, 2009 once again in Vancouver, which should have it out for the 2010 season.

Eric, the 'other' Viking

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 05:45:35 GMT

Alexander Skarsgård plays 'Eric Northman" a thousand year old vampire in Alan Ball's new TV series True Blood. There is a great Q&A video on Uinterview.com with him speaking about his role. He is the son of well known Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård.

I enjoy his understated approach to playing Eric, I think many other actors would have played him over-the-top, vicious and over bearing. AS has a quite yet deadly way of being Eric and the character's charisma, self-confidence and power shine through.

In the interview we see some of his own sense of humor which is great to see since Eric has a great sense of humor starting in the 2nd book.

I can't wait to see how Alan Ball continues to develop the world since it is based on a widely popular book series. The TV series has stayed true to several plot points of the novels & characters, but it has made some very interesting changes as well so I am never sure where they will go which is a great thing to have to keep it fresh and interesting to those of us who have read all of the books.

A couple of week-ends ago I got to finally watch Generation Kill and AS plays the main character, Sgt. Brad 'Iceman' Colbert. It's a great series that also makes you think about what's going on in the world around us and what our troops are going through right now.

(Yup, the blog title is a Monty Python reference, it sounded funnier in my head.)

Twilight hits a home run

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:48:51 GMT

I just got back from the first regular showing of Twilight in Montreal. I loved it. It's always hard to take a med. to long novel and make a screenplay out of it, but Melissa Rosenberg adapts Stephenie Meyer novel very well I look forward to her adapting the 2nd and 3rd novels.

I really liked the fact that the casting department didn't hire an all caucasian cast. The movie theater was packed with mostly female teenage fans and boy did they scream and swoon.

comics into flicks & franchises continued

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:53:42 GMT

75 comics being made into films

14 film franchises brought back after more than a decade away

Burn-E

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:43:54 GMT

BURN-E is Pixar’s latest DVD/Blu-ray-exclusive short film available on the WALL-E disks and runs just over 7 minutes and full of belly laughs. It follows a service droid out trying to complete its task, but due to Wall-e's antics he just can't get a break. Track it down.

'The PIxalr Blog' on Burn-E

Monsters vs. Aliens

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:18:37 GMT

I just saw the trailer for DreamWorks' upcoming 3D animated feature "Monsters vs. Aliens". Oh, my gads it's TOO funny. It looks as good as Pixar/Disney's The Incredibles. It's slated for a March 2009 release and I can't wait.

Groovy Early Art from 'The Incredibles'

MORE from THE INCREDIBLES

I'm curious if they will ever make a sequel of The Incredibles, I would just love that.

Twilight Sequels already being developed

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 05:25:25 GMT

A few months ago I heard about a new vampire film that was coming out this fall, Twilight. It was the first time I ever heard of the film let alone that it was based on a well selling book series by Stephenie Meyer. Needless to say the trailer got my attention and I knew I would see it. I like vampire stories and this sounded a bit different then most. I like different.

Two weeks ago I got to see more about the movie and it got my full attention. Then I made a big mistake, I started to read the first novel and I couldn't put it down. Really, I couldn't and finished it in a day. Luckily I started it on a Friday or Saturday, that saved me. Then my second mistake, I started the next novel and I couldn't put that down either. I didn't get much sleep between reading and work. Within a week I had read all the novels including the incomplete final novel's leaked chapter. This got leaked online while it was still being written. Stephenie Meyer released a statement on her website about the leak and provided the leaked chapter on her site. For a while she didn't want to complete the series (see her statement), but I recently read that she's thinking of doing so again (hurray).

Twilight is being released this week (I'm counting down the days until I can see it) and so I was pleasantly surprised to read this evening that the next 2 books after Twilight have their rights purchased and that a writer, Melissa Rosenberg, has been attached to the projects, but no one for the 4th novel.

Wow, that was fast. This either means that they know they have a well put together movie that will do well or they are trying to save and make money in hope that it does well regardless of the 1st film's quality. I hope they feel Twilight is a good film and that it should do well.

While reading the sequels I thought they could be very difficult to make into movies since they are mostly written from Bella's point of view (occasionally someone else's) and in a movie that would need a great deal of voice over work so that we get that perspective. Ouch! A tough job, good luck Melissa Rosenberg. I really hope the films do justice to the novels which I loved.

I've been good for two weeks and haven't written a dozen entries for Twilight so here are all the links in one clump:

Twilight Sequels Developing         Twilight Sequels Optioned, More vampire love for Meyers books

Empire Magazine's exclusive Twlight photo shoot and video

Empire's Guide To Twilight

Q&A: Twilight's Rob Pattinson          Q&A: Twilight's Kristen Stewart

Q&A: Twilight Sequels And Stunts          How Twilight's Kissing Scene Got Shot

Twilight's Edward Speaks!          Stewart Reluctant To Read Twilight

New Twilight Trailers Here     New Watchmen, Twilight Footage!

Clarke Has Twilight Reunion

Interview: 'Twilight' Director Catherine Hardwicke

Bond 22 (or 25)

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:51:02 GMT

I really enjoyed watching Quantum of Solace this afternoon. I had forgotten to get around to rewatching Casino Royale (2006) before seeing the sequel so a few details where fuzzy for me when they came up in the film, but overall I was able to keep up.

Daniel Craig makes a great James Bond. Back when he was first mentioned as being the next James Bond I wasn't surprised and I knew he could pull it off since I had just seen him in Layer Cake. Many people couldn't see him in the role and were rather upset. I was so glad to see that he did slip into the role and make it his own. He is a different Bond then those before him, but with a pinch from a few of them to makes his version work with the franchise.

I'm looking forward to the next film and I hope Daniel Craig sticks around for at least another couple before he leaves the franchise.

I was looking forward to seeing the new Trek trailer which had been mentioned recently online as being released with QoS, but it wasn't played. Although I have a great deal of issues with the re-boot Trek film I was looking forward to seeing something with something more then just welder's working on a ship's exterior.
Star Trek Trailer Leaks Out

Craig Credits Moore With Bond Success
...
Craig says, "He (Roger Moore) said very nice things. It's reciprocated because I grew up watching Roger as James Bond and I watched the old movies specifically because I think they hold really good keepings that we need to have in our movies."

Moore's Fatherly Feelings For New Bond Craig

...Moore says, "I supported him all the way through, from the time they were saying he's too short, he's too blond, he's not right for Bond. I said 'Wait and see - he's a hell of a good actor'.
"I was quite surprised when I met him three weeks ago in London... He's a gentle soul, he's really nice. I felt so bad his arm was in a sling I wanted to take him home and dress it for him."

Push

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:13:38 GMT

I just watched the trailer for PUSH, starring Dakota Fanning and Chris Evans, release date February 6, 2009. It looks very interesting and I'm looking forwarded to seeing it when it plays.

When I was watching the trailer I couldn't help thinking about the TV series Heroes, and or course various comic book superheroes. Even though several of my friends like or love Heroes I just can't get into the series. The first season took too long to introduce the huge cast of characters and get to a juicy part of the story ("save the cheerleader, save the world" which for me was anticlimactic). Then there was at least one long pause during the first season and the shortened 2nd season due to the writers strike. Maybe if I had watched both seasons back-to-back on DVD I might have been able to get into the story, but right now I just can't.

Edit Bay Visit: Paul McGuigan's Push

Let the Right One In

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 01:42:13 GMT

Let the Right One In, seems to be an unusual Vampire film from ~~Norway~~ Sweden. I'm curious to see it and see how they tackle the subject matter.
trailer

Update: Nov. 8th

So I was lucky enough to be able to see this little gem since my original posting. This is a charming, sweet, unnerving and disturbing film*. Yes, it's all of those things and very much worth the effort to track it down and watch it if you either enjoy vampire films and coming-of-age stories. I look forward to watching it again now that I know the story and how it works together. It tackles some disturbing topics that are rarely touched in vampire films or stories, one being children that have been turned**.

*Another film with a similar mix of descriptors (that is not a vampire film) and worth watching is a 1996 Canadian film by Lynne Stopkewich called "Kissed" starring Molly Parker.

**Ann Rice's series The Vampire Chronicles does touch on this disturbing topic as does Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series(Breaking Dawn 2008).

Sci-fi costumes

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 01:26:29 GMT

I've seen the Darth Vader, Leia and Stormtrooper ones before, but the Alien one is new to me.

Hulk Smash(-ingly good)

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 03:21:02 GMT

I finally got around to seeing The Incredible Hulk with Edward Norton as Bruce Banner. I love Norton in general and even though I've only seen the streamlined and butchered version of the film, a.k.a. theatrical version, I still really like it. Norton brings so much depth, pain and struggle to Bruce that we haven't really seen before or at least I haven't from the live action 1977 TV series or what not. True I haven't managed to see Ang Lee's 2003 Hulk, but with the scathing reviews I just can't bring myself to sit down and watch it yet. I've liked several of Lee's past films and since I liked the Incredible Hulk I will try and finally see his version (yes, I know it's not a sequel, but a reboot like the 4 actors who played Batman on screen and kept giving Bruce a new origin).

Any who, I love Norton, Tim Roth and even Liv Tyler (who I generally don't enjoy watching except for this film and her role in LotR of course) in this dark tale. I really, really hope that a longer, unbutchered version of the film will get released on DVD so I can see more of Norton's performance.

Gale Anne Hurd on the Future of The Hulk

Downey Jr., Favreau & Cheadle Suit Up for The Avengers!

So a Hulk sequel first with Norton or will he be in the possible Avengers movie sooner? Just like Robert Downey Jr., who has a '4 picture movie deal' , Norton has a multiple picture deal as well. Norton and the The Incredible Hulk's team had a creative disagreement that got leaked. Will the damage be too much so that Norton won't either want to reprise his role or won't be allowed? Will either be considered breach of contract. I have no clue. I do hope that things get patched up and fixed so that Norton returns in any movie as Bruce.

IRON MAN will be released in theaters on May 7, 2010 and THE AVENGERS will be released July 15, 2011.

Iron Man Extended/Deleted Scenes & More!

Underworld without Beckinsale

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 02:57:37 GMT

By filming a prequel to Underworld I &II Len Wiseman gets around the tiny problem of not being able to get his wife, Kate Beckinsale to once again play Selene. I understand her reasons, but I think there is more character development possible for our Death Dealer if they actually write it. There is so much to learn about her and for her to grow, but we will most likely never see that.

Michael Sheen, who plays the Lycan Lucian, should be the one having problems acting in the series seeing as he lost the mother of his child to the director, Len Wiseman when they met during the first flick and fell in love. OUCH!

The trailer looks interesting, but I'm not holding my breath for a stellar flick, just pretty, dark, twisted fun :) My January movie card has 1 flick to go catch.