more about the Marvel Universe - and finds it fascinating!! Between the new Avengers: Age of Ultron trailer(s) [here, in case you're not one of the 50 million viewers thus far], yesterday's Marvel event, more rumors of Cumberbatch playing Dr. Strange [he was a rumored choice even before Joaquin was selected], and getting to know comic-obsessed MA students [one fellow student is even doing his Thesis project on the rhetoric of the comic format]... she has been learning a lot more! Her most recent exciting discovery is learning a bit about the new pair of faces in the upcoming Avengers sequel: Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor Johnson) and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen). They're the twin children of Magneto (from X-men), though both casting and creative decisions have all but ruled out a MCU / X-men crossover. In the comics, Scarlet Witch marries Vision, who will played by the brilliant Paul Bettany in Ultron even though he heretofore has voiced JARVIS for the IronMan suit. Annnyway... she's really enjoying making these connections and getting super stoked for the next Avengers film.
Also, based on a conversation she had with a fellow student today, it is safe to say that after Lana Del Rey's "Once Upon A Dream" and Marvel's eerie adaptation of Pinocchio's "I've Got No Strings" - the film industry (which seems to now be half owned by Disney) is moving to re-examine the darker, ironic side of our childhood experiences. Just wait till you hear a dark rendition of "The Circle of Life" on Disney's Star Wars: Episode VII.
Showing posts with label film adaptations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label film adaptations. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Adaptation Week: Nothing Much To Do
My favorite of all Shakespeare comedies is Much Ado about Nothing. I've reviewed it, talked about the Josie Rourke production, and immensely enjoyed Joss Whedon's take on it last year. But when I heard about a web-series adaptation of it over a month ago, I was a bit skeptical [Ok... I think I always start out a bit skeptical about these things].
But after following Nothing Much To Do for several weeks now, I have to say that it's one of my favorite current webseries!
"Let me explain. No there's no time; let me sum up." Here's the synopsis:
Thanks to Shakespeare's source material and many of the simply genius maneuvers by the Candle Wasters, there is much to love about this adaptation. For Starters, Americans like myself can't help but love the New Zealand accents! And I have to say that the "international" feel makes the classic Shakespearean names more palatable.
On top of that, the casting is top notch and the setting of "Messina High" works perfectly! Beatrice, played by Harriet Maire, is a perfectly believable vlogger - witty, part self-deprecating, more-parts confident of her own perspective. Benedick, Jake McGregor, is both odd-ball British Whovian and someone desperate to get a laugh from his friends, Pedro and Claudio. Leo becomes Hero's older brother. Dogberry and Verges have their own Sherlock-styled channel, "The Watch." And after a successful "Vote for Pedro" campaign (yes!), Pedro Donalson becomes Student Body President of Messina High. So, of course, he hosts a costume party at his place - cue the masquerade!
Like other successfully transmuted adaptations, NMTD walks the fine line of being self-referential without being self-absorbed. In one early video, which also serves as the cast's introduction, they have Balthazar quote a line from Mumford and Sons which is in fact inspired by... Much Ado. They've worked in several of the original lines or at least original arguments - most notably in Benedick's episode "Olives" based on the original lines from II.3.209-210 "but doth not the appetite alter? A man loves the meat in his youth that he cannot endure in his age." This is the type of adaptation that causes Shakespeare devotees to flip back through their yellowed paperback and still inspires new-comers to maybe look into what all this "ado" is about.
One of my favorite things about any adaptation is how they will portray "gray areas." For example, in Much Ado, Pedro famously asks Beatrice, "Will you have me, lady?" - which some play as a jest and others as an honest proposal. Either way, Beatrice laughs off the question, though, again, her lines can be read either way. The team on NMTD plays this out excellently in one of my favorite episodes of the series: "All Around Great Guy." In so doing, they encourage me to think they will handle other moments well.
Another strength of the show thus far has been the high-school depictions. Up until now, the majority of web-series I've been following feature all post-high school characters with post-high school problems (Lizzie Bennet Diaries, Autobiography of Jane Eyre, Emma Approved, Classic Alice, New Adventures of Peter and Wendy). But NMTD features intelligent, rather emotionally developed teenagers - which is a refreshing representation. But it also captures little ticks about teens in a current way: Beatrice admires pictures of Benedict Cumberbatch, Hero is caught reading The Fault in our Stars, the characters reference several contemporary bands, the slang feels natural, and where Hero wears Top Shop, Beatrice sports a Grumpy Cat T-shirt. These are tumblr-ific teens. They are smart. They are aware. And they have wonderful character arcs ahead of them.
So is Nothing Much To Do all "hey nonny nonny"? Well, yes. But while I love it, I have to mention that - being Shakespeare - this adaptation is far from PG. But for more mature audiences, this is an incredible take on a classic tale. I look forward to seeing how they tackle certain plot points like Hero's "death" and the "weddings" as those will prove to be tricky. But I have been loving everything so far. Cheers and keep up the excellent work.
If I've sufficiently peaked your interest, start here:
And if you're looking for something slightly different, consider one of the other web-series adaptations I've reviewed: Classic Alice and Emma Approved.
But after following Nothing Much To Do for several weeks now, I have to say that it's one of my favorite current webseries!
 |
| [Via their Facebook] |
"Let me explain. No there's no time; let me sum up." Here's the synopsis:
Set in a contemporary New Zealand high school. 'Nothing Much To Do' follows the life of Beatrice as she navigates her way through a new city with the help of her best friend and favourite cousin Hero, her school friends, and her ever frustrating rival, Benedick.The show's creators are "The Candle Wasters" - a team of four young women: Claris Jacobs, Elsie Bollinger, Minnie Grace, and Sally Bollinger. They write, direct, and produce while their talented and colorful cast carry out the show brilliantly! Using a very realistic vlogging style, this team is telling the story of Much Ado about Nothing across 3 YouTube channels and some transmedia content - particularly Beatrice's twitter. But you can catch the whole thing in this one playlist, which makes it delightfully easy.
 |
| [Hero and Beatrice - via] |
On top of that, the casting is top notch and the setting of "Messina High" works perfectly! Beatrice, played by Harriet Maire, is a perfectly believable vlogger - witty, part self-deprecating, more-parts confident of her own perspective. Benedick, Jake McGregor, is both odd-ball British Whovian and someone desperate to get a laugh from his friends, Pedro and Claudio. Leo becomes Hero's older brother. Dogberry and Verges have their own Sherlock-styled channel, "The Watch." And after a successful "Vote for Pedro" campaign (yes!), Pedro Donalson becomes Student Body President of Messina High. So, of course, he hosts a costume party at his place - cue the masquerade!
Like other successfully transmuted adaptations, NMTD walks the fine line of being self-referential without being self-absorbed. In one early video, which also serves as the cast's introduction, they have Balthazar quote a line from Mumford and Sons which is in fact inspired by... Much Ado. They've worked in several of the original lines or at least original arguments - most notably in Benedick's episode "Olives" based on the original lines from II.3.209-210 "but doth not the appetite alter? A man loves the meat in his youth that he cannot endure in his age." This is the type of adaptation that causes Shakespeare devotees to flip back through their yellowed paperback and still inspires new-comers to maybe look into what all this "ado" is about.
 |
| [Much Ado - Mumford - Nothing Much To Do] |
Another strength of the show thus far has been the high-school depictions. Up until now, the majority of web-series I've been following feature all post-high school characters with post-high school problems (Lizzie Bennet Diaries, Autobiography of Jane Eyre, Emma Approved, Classic Alice, New Adventures of Peter and Wendy). But NMTD features intelligent, rather emotionally developed teenagers - which is a refreshing representation. But it also captures little ticks about teens in a current way: Beatrice admires pictures of Benedict Cumberbatch, Hero is caught reading The Fault in our Stars, the characters reference several contemporary bands, the slang feels natural, and where Hero wears Top Shop, Beatrice sports a Grumpy Cat T-shirt. These are tumblr-ific teens. They are smart. They are aware. And they have wonderful character arcs ahead of them.
So is Nothing Much To Do all "hey nonny nonny"? Well, yes. But while I love it, I have to mention that - being Shakespeare - this adaptation is far from PG. But for more mature audiences, this is an incredible take on a classic tale. I look forward to seeing how they tackle certain plot points like Hero's "death" and the "weddings" as those will prove to be tricky. But I have been loving everything so far. Cheers and keep up the excellent work.
If I've sufficiently peaked your interest, start here:
And if you're looking for something slightly different, consider one of the other web-series adaptations I've reviewed: Classic Alice and Emma Approved.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Adaptation Week: Emma Approved
Hello! So... "Adaptation Week" got hijacked earlier - sorry about that. But I am really excited to jump back in with a few more. The types of adaptations I am highlighting will be the actual focus of my Master's research. I've started following quite a few adaptations and keeping tabs on others. In this digital renaissance, there are so many exciting possibilities in storytelling. So, back to it:
See previously featured adaptations: Mansfield Park and Classic Alice.
Ok, so if you haven't started watching Emma Approved yet, it's time to get on it! Pemberley Digital's 2nd full-length series recently returned from hiatus and 57-episodes in feels stronger than ever,
This series, even according to its creators, started a little weak for a couple reasons. The biggest issue was fans adjusting to a very different format than it's predecessor, the Lizzie Bennet Diaries. Where Lizzie shot vlog-style videos & knowingly posted them on the internet where other characters could find them & viewers could interact with them, Emma Approved videos (minus the Q&A) are told almost "mockumentary" style. While the in-world reasoning for this didn't make much sense, anyone familiar with the story will know that telling Emma the way PD told Pride & Prejudice wouldn't work. Aside from the risk of in-world characters viewing the episodes, it would be highly implausible for high-society Emma Woodhouse to vlog.
One of the stronger parts the show has been Brent Bailey's Alex Knightley. He is the perfect Knightley - counteracting Emma's (sometimes misplaced) enthusiasm with doses of reality and delivering his lines with a blend of humor and care.
And there's just something to love about a grown man who can still look like a five year old when the occasion calls for it:
They've done rather well with the rest of the casting, too, with highlights being Harriet Smith, Bobby "B-Mart" Martin, Annie Taylor-Weston, and Maddie Bates. In addition, Frank Churchill has made a few appearances and Jane Fairfax just re-joined Highbury.
Thus far, Emma Approved has taken 2, month-long hiatuses (hiati?). Though it's sad to go a month long without Monday and Thursday pick-me-ups, both times the team has returned to take their game up a notch. After January's hiatus, they achieved an Emma Approved-Lizzie Bennet Diaries crossover that just blew me away by combining/replacing the character of Mrs. Augusta Elton with the LBD's Caroline Lee. Brilliant move! And following the May hiatus, they had not only the long-awaited reveal of Jane Fairfax but introduced a both in-world and real-world charity drive to fight modern day slavery. These kind of game-changers combined with the heightened anticipation have made the hiatuses more than worth it! So, Pemberley Digital, while I hate to be without you, take all the time you need to make it awesome!
The show has had a few detractors - mostly the ones I mentioned early on. Some things, like Jane Fairfax's character development, will just take time or others like myself, who initially disliked Emma, will have to be won over. Personally, the two biggest obstacles for me have been the format and certain production choices. As I mentioned earlier, I understand that vlogging wouldn't work for this story, but full-time surveillance in an office doesn't make sense either. I also felt that the strength of LBD's transmedia was really missing from the first 1/3 of this story, though I feel that's improved recently with twitter conversations about Knightley offering to carpool with Jane Fairfax and especially with the charity drive.
My second - and even bigger - frustration has actually been with the costume department for Emma herself. I understand that she is in event planning and that she's supposed to be trendy. But more often than not I inwardly cringe at her costumes because they are so not office appropriate. Short shorts, mini dresses, and midriff just do NOT belong in her world of high-profile clients. I know they are working with sponsorships from trendy places like mod cloth - which is great! But even Harriet looks more trendy-but-appropriate than Emma does and honestly I find it distracting. Okay. Personal rant over.
Overall, I do love the show, but not nearly as much the Lizzie Bennet Diaries. That is probably due to the fact that I love Pride and Prejudice far, far more than Emma. But if the LBD was a 5/5, this is still 4.5. I really enjoy the interaction between these actors and several of the modernizations they have made with Bobby Martin, Mr. (Senator Scum-bag) Elton, and especially with the Caroline Lee - LBD crossover.
And I can't review it without mentioning that the show has received an extra spark thanks to a very "Emma Approved" real life pairing: Joanna Sotomura and Brent Bailey, who play Emma and Knightley in-world, are in a real-life relationship.
I told you he was perfect. :)
Be sure to check out Emma Approved and in the mean time, I'll leave with a recent video from the stars goofing around on the Tonight Show.
See previously featured adaptations: Mansfield Park and Classic Alice.
Ok, so if you haven't started watching Emma Approved yet, it's time to get on it! Pemberley Digital's 2nd full-length series recently returned from hiatus and 57-episodes in feels stronger than ever,
Emma Approved is: "A lifestyle brand and documentary of life coach and matchmaker Emma Woodhouse." When the series begins, Emma & her long-time family friend Alex Knightley have recently formed a subdivision of the "Highbury Group" to focus on match-making, event planning and lifestyle excellence.
This modern day Emma is no Cher Horowitz. She's more a combination of ruthless Kardashian business skills meets Mary Fiore's event coordination. She is talented but unwilling to compromise one ounce of her vision of the world. She goes to great (questionably illegal) lengths to accomplish her plans.
This series, even according to its creators, started a little weak for a couple reasons. The biggest issue was fans adjusting to a very different format than it's predecessor, the Lizzie Bennet Diaries. Where Lizzie shot vlog-style videos & knowingly posted them on the internet where other characters could find them & viewers could interact with them, Emma Approved videos (minus the Q&A) are told almost "mockumentary" style. While the in-world reasoning for this didn't make much sense, anyone familiar with the story will know that telling Emma the way PD told Pride & Prejudice wouldn't work. Aside from the risk of in-world characters viewing the episodes, it would be highly implausible for high-society Emma Woodhouse to vlog.
And there's just something to love about a grown man who can still look like a five year old when the occasion calls for it:
They've done rather well with the rest of the casting, too, with highlights being Harriet Smith, Bobby "B-Mart" Martin, Annie Taylor-Weston, and Maddie Bates. In addition, Frank Churchill has made a few appearances and Jane Fairfax just re-joined Highbury.
Thus far, Emma Approved has taken 2, month-long hiatuses (hiati?). Though it's sad to go a month long without Monday and Thursday pick-me-ups, both times the team has returned to take their game up a notch. After January's hiatus, they achieved an Emma Approved-Lizzie Bennet Diaries crossover that just blew me away by combining/replacing the character of Mrs. Augusta Elton with the LBD's Caroline Lee. Brilliant move! And following the May hiatus, they had not only the long-awaited reveal of Jane Fairfax but introduced a both in-world and real-world charity drive to fight modern day slavery. These kind of game-changers combined with the heightened anticipation have made the hiatuses more than worth it! So, Pemberley Digital, while I hate to be without you, take all the time you need to make it awesome!
The show has had a few detractors - mostly the ones I mentioned early on. Some things, like Jane Fairfax's character development, will just take time or others like myself, who initially disliked Emma, will have to be won over. Personally, the two biggest obstacles for me have been the format and certain production choices. As I mentioned earlier, I understand that vlogging wouldn't work for this story, but full-time surveillance in an office doesn't make sense either. I also felt that the strength of LBD's transmedia was really missing from the first 1/3 of this story, though I feel that's improved recently with twitter conversations about Knightley offering to carpool with Jane Fairfax and especially with the charity drive.
My second - and even bigger - frustration has actually been with the costume department for Emma herself. I understand that she is in event planning and that she's supposed to be trendy. But more often than not I inwardly cringe at her costumes because they are so not office appropriate. Short shorts, mini dresses, and midriff just do NOT belong in her world of high-profile clients. I know they are working with sponsorships from trendy places like mod cloth - which is great! But even Harriet looks more trendy-but-appropriate than Emma does and honestly I find it distracting. Okay. Personal rant over.
Overall, I do love the show, but not nearly as much the Lizzie Bennet Diaries. That is probably due to the fact that I love Pride and Prejudice far, far more than Emma. But if the LBD was a 5/5, this is still 4.5. I really enjoy the interaction between these actors and several of the modernizations they have made with Bobby Martin, Mr. (Senator Scum-bag) Elton, and especially with the Caroline Lee - LBD crossover.
And I can't review it without mentioning that the show has received an extra spark thanks to a very "Emma Approved" real life pairing: Joanna Sotomura and Brent Bailey, who play Emma and Knightley in-world, are in a real-life relationship.
I told you he was perfect. :)
Be sure to check out Emma Approved and in the mean time, I'll leave with a recent video from the stars goofing around on the Tonight Show.
Monday, December 9, 2013
Reading: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
"We only
live once... Or do we?"
- Walter Mitty
*By the way, trailers like this one make me think we really need a "Best Trailer" award at some award show or another.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Just finished Sense and Sensibility (BBC, 2008) with Miss Charlli =)
Seriously, this film is my favorite Jane Austen adaptation. Period.
I love Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. Of course, I love both of the contemporary Pride and Prejudice adaptations--but this is SO well done and just beautifully cast.
I highly, highly recommend seeing it if you get the chance.
[Love these two as Elinor and Marianne... aka my sister and me]
[Colonel Brandon (David Morrissey), Mariane (Charity Wakefield), and Willoughby (Dominic Cooper)]
and then of course... these two =)
[Elinor (Hattie Morahan) and Edward (Dan Stevens)]
Of course I think he's brilliant in Downton
(see yesterday's post)
But I saw him in S&S first... and actually like his hair darker.
But they're all fabulous!
Also making an appearance in the adaptation: the brrrilliant Mark Gatiss--Sherlock co-creator, writer, and actor.
[Gatiss as Mycroft Holmes]
And to wrap up marvelous British adaptations in a neat package, I give you a little surprise from Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
There I was, enjoying the film and its incredible cast (Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, etc) when this little scene gave me a nice shock.
Peter Guillam (Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock) walks into a room and the secretary is played by Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith Crawley, Downton Abbey).
I turned to my friend and said, "My favorite BBC worlds just collided." haha
All that to say... I just love how intertwined British film/tv/stage is!
Cheers ;)
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