Johnny Simmons

So I hear that Scorsese, my favourite living director, is planning on making a biopic on Frank Sinatra.

Read this article

This could be good. What would it be like though -
Coal Miner's Daughter, Walk the Line, La Vie En Rose? Scorsese is great. I like Leonardo DiCaprio too, so I wouldn't mind seeing him as Frank, but I don't know if he has the right look. If I had to pick someone off the top of my head, I'd probably go with Peter Sarsgaard

Who should be Frank?








Listen to Frankie

I have exams going on right now, but I continue to post on the net or reading Film Experience and The Awards Circuit. Oh well, whatever. Still celebrating the imminent release of Nine I have another list of nine. Nine films I want to see made, I don't have all nine though, just three. Bear with me... My premise is simple these works of fiction need to be made into movies now with top notch actors to win some Oscars.

Anybody Can Do Anything based on a novel by Betty MacDonald

CAST
Directed by Stephen Daldry
Written by
Betty Bard Kirsten Dunst
Mary Bard Emily Blunt
Sidney Bard Annette Bening
Dede Bard Natalie Portman
Allison Bard Scarlet Johansson
Cleve Bard Haley Joel Osment
Gammy Susan Sarandon

This is a sort of autobiography work of fiction. The author Betty struggles to survive during The Great Depression, actually struggle is the wrong word. This novel is a work of comedy. It is hilarious. If you have not read it, go out and get it. NOW!

I have put some serious thought into adapting this (obscure and largely unknown) novel. I even wrote about 30 pages of script for it, but that was a few years back when I thought Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger would be great in it. They still could, but they’d be too old –which sucks. I know this isn’t a real movie, but I would have loved to see them in this Depression era comedy. I have always felt that Kirsten Dunst was a much better actress than people give her credit for. She never got the chance to show us. Since her performance in Interview With the Vampire I’ve always felt that she was going to be a great actress – and now more than a decade after the fact there’s nothing. I am a fan of Stephen Daldry. I’ve loved each if his three films – and he can do both comedy and drama exceptionally. This film would be a cross between the two genres. Emily Blunt is good at lightweight comedy, and Mary is the most colourful character in the novel, she has the strongest lines – and is just a little caustic (not like The Devil Wears Prada though…). Annette Bening is good at playing mothers, and the role of Sidney is just the type of easy-but-tough maternal character that could become a strong supporting role on screen. Portman, Johansson and Osment seem like a good trio to round out the rest of the family, and Susan Sarandon as the tough-as-nails grandmother is pretty much a no brainer, although the role in the book is not that big. They could always flesh it out though. I assume that they’ll probably want to change the name of the film though… I don’t know to what. Would this be a big player at the Oscars? Costumes and Art Direction could be forthcoming, and I think music should be an important part of the film. In terms of acting Emily Blunt and possibly Bening would be likely contenders, Dunst would have most of the weight on her though and she could be a contender – the role is a bit like a Depression Era Bridget Jones. The AMPAS loves Stephen Daldry so I guess he would get his fourth consecutive Best Director nod for this…

PS. Everyone of the family members have red hair!


Will Emily Blunt get the Oscar nomination she deserved for Prada?



Crooked House based on a novel by Agatha Christie

CAST
Crooked House directed by Joe Wright
Screenplay – Julian Fellowes
Charles Hayward – Peter Sarasgard
Sophia Leonides – Rosamund Pike
Magda (Sophia's Mum) – Kristin Scott Thomas
Philip (her Father) – Ralph Fiennes
Police Commissioner
Clemeny Leonides (Mrs. Robert Leonides)– Michelle Pfeiffer
Roger Leonides – Daniel Day Lewis - I could not resist
Brenda Leonides – Sally Hawkins
Laurence Brown – James McAvoy
Josephine – Saiorse Ronan
Eustace - Freddy Highmore
Edith de Haviland – Miranda Richardson


I like Agatha Christie but generally I don’t like her movies (except for Murder on the Orient Express). I don’t really like murder mystery films generally, which is why I have such an unabated love for Gosford Park, which focused on the people more than on the murder. I think Crooked House would work as a film, if done in the same vein as Gosford Park. It’s one of the lesser known Christie novels and the plot is simple. It’s immediately after the World War II and the police commissioner’s son – somewhat of a lothario wants to marry this beautiful socialite, but when her grandfather dies – ostensibly murdered she says she won’t be able to marry him unless the murder is solved. The thing is everyone is hoping that his wife – a woman almost forty years his junior did it, because if it is anyone else it could cause a huge scandal. Naturally the cast – list of suspects – is extensive; The murdered man’s children, grandchildren, a tutor who was having an affair with the wife, etc. The cast will be mainly British – as expected. And key roles need to have real heavyweights in them. Edith de Havilland is not a flashy role, but it is the key supporting role and Oscar likes those (Helen Mirren in Gosford Park.
Who knows, this could be a real heavyweight come Oscar season. I predict that it will be a tough year and it gets seven nods. Art Direction, Costume Design, Score, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography (wins), Supporting Actress (Ronan or Richardson), Director. I predict that Kristin Scott Thomas and Peter Sarasgard give great performances, but are snubbbed by major award bodies.


Miranda knows more about the murder than she lets on... but is she the killer?

Fences based on a play by August Wilson

CAST
Fences directed by Kenny Leon
Screenplay –
Troy – Laurence Fishburne
Rose – Angela Bassett
Gabriel – Don Cheadle
Cory – Mechad Brooks
Jim – Mos Def
Alberta – Taraji P. Henson
Lyons - Keith Robinson

Why aren’t there any black period pieces? Granted, this is not really an actual period piece, but it is to some extent. This play won a Pulitzer Prize and a few Tony’s, I’ve never heard of a revival and I think it needs to be made into a film. Where has Angela Basset been all these years? I mean, she deserves more than having co-lead roles in Tyler Perry films. I know she could act the hell of this tour-de-force role (which won a supporting actress Tony for Mary Alice). It’s actually a leading role, but you know the Tony’s don’t care about category fraud. If this is made into a good film whoever gets this role will get some awards recognition, and then how could I not wax nostalgic and cast Laurence Fishburne as her husband. The role was originally played by James Earl Jones (he won a Tony for it) and Laurence Fishburne does remind me of Jones. This would be spectacular. Then there’s the role of Gabriel, his semi-retarded brother. Don Cheadle is one of my favourite actors period (he was the only thing I liked in Crash) and he is an Oscar nominated actor (he was second only to DiCaprio for his great performance in Hotel Rwanda). I know he can do this. The role of, the son is a big one and there’s no competent young black actor I could see in the role. Mechad Brooks had a few episodes on ABC’s Desperate Housewives as Alfre Woodard’s son and he delivered, I feel he could deliver as Troy. Lyons is Troy's other son, I don't know if Keith Robinson, but I like him. I think he showed some potential in Dreamgirls. I like the idea of a throwback casting for Mos Def as the best friend, if not him then Courtney B. Vance who was in the original Broadway Cast . I like the idea of Taraji as the other woman, just because I like Taraji, the role is unseen in the play – but they could meat it up for the play.
Kenny Leon showed promise and earned a DGA nod for her work in A Raisin in the Sun with Audra McDonald. I'll take a chance on him. Maybe Angela and Laurence could win Oscars. The role of Gabriel is prime Oscar bait.



So will Angie finally get that Oscar?

Which of these movies would you look forward to?

So I was looking at the legend Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl the other day and it occurred to me that she got her start acting on Broadway, and although she is regarded more as a singer than an actress, she has been successful in making the transition from stage to screen quite well along with another legend of her time the luminous Julie Andrews. So I compiled a list of 13 Broadway gems I would like to see make it big on the screen. I had to put some restrictions on the list because you’d have probably seen Bernadette Peters or maybe Chita Viera make the list. I mean, why hasn’t Bernadette Peters had a successful movie career? I’ll assume she doesn’t want one… not that that’s any consolation, but I digress. These women are too old (I know I lack tact) to break it into the business now. Anyhow, here’s the list continuing with my trend of Nines…

Sutton Foster (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Little Women, The Drowsy Chaperone)



She’s talented and she has unique features. That sounds like Ms. Streisand actually. And she has a weird name – it seems like that is a status quo for actresses these days.

Casted Roles She Could Have Done: Poppy in Happy Go Lucky
Don’t ask why. I just feel she would have been really good, granted she is not British – but nonetheless. I feel this would have been right up her alley.

Un-casted Roles She Could Do: Although I hate having Broadway stars come to big screen for only musical roles I will say I would love to see her do Clara from Stephen Sondheim’s Tony winning Passion. She has the chops, it’s a siren role and she goes nude. If that doesn’t get her an Oscar… I'd choose her for the Lead - Fosca, but I think she's too young.


Anika Noni Rose (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Caroline, Or Change)



She was introduced to mainstream audiences in Dreamgirls, and to be honest – if they really wanted to give someone in that talented ensemble an Oscar – why not give it to her? She was head and shoulders above Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson. She’s in her mid thirties – which she doesn’t look like – and she has a sweet personality. Where are the offers?

Casted Roles She Could Have Done: Queenie in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Granted Taraji owned this role, but I think she would (like Taraji) have had that innate comic timing necessary for this role. Oh, God, I can see it now!

Un-casted Roles She Could Do: Carmen Jones in Carmen Jones
Not sure if she has the right look for the movie, but damn can she sing. That’s why I want her to do a musical. The problem with her (and Beyonce to an extent) in Dreamgirls was that they had to undersing themselves, so we never saw the power she had. She can knock it out of the ballpark and I really want to see her do a movie musical.


Sheri Rene Scott (Aida, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels)



Casted Roles She Could Have Done: Ulla in The Producers
Uma Thurman was not the problem with this movie – it just wasn’t the type of film meant to be made into a movie. Sheri’s strong point is her sweet voice and it would have been perfect for this role.

Un-casted Roles She Could Do: Adelaide in Guys & Dolls
She’d be good at this. Enough said.


Lea Michele (Spring Awakening, Les Miserables)



Doesn’t she look like Idina Menzel? She has a sweet voice, but I think she needs to vere away from musical roles until she is older. I don’t want her to end up type-casted.

Casted Roles She Could Have Done: Johanna in Sweeney Todd
A musical yes, but this could have been good.

Un-casted Roles She Could Do: Fanny in Mansfield Park
This may be a bit too generic. I’m not sure what role she could do. I do not love this Jane Austen novel – but it could make a good film adaptation in the vein of Joe Wright’s Pride & Prejudice. Can she manage an English accent? Or maybe Jane Eyre.


Laura Benanti (Into the Woods, Gypsy)



Casted Roles She Could Have Done: Cristine in The Phantom of the Opera
Why exactly was the film version of this long running musical such a flop? Even though it had Miranda Richardson in it? I don’t know. I mean the bulk of the problem was not Emmy Rossum, but she wasn’t that much help either. And Laura Benanti has the voice of an angel.

Un-casted Roles She Could Do: Laura in The Glass Menagerie
These are two vastly dissimilar roles and I suppose she may be too old, but I always felt that she had the look for Laura. And considering that this is a Tennessee Williams play – there is so much that lends itself to a cinematic adaptation. Of course you’d have to have a good supporting cast – Susan Sarandon perhaps as her mother. I don’t know who’d play Tom… but it could work.


Jane Krakowski (Grand Hotel, Nine)





Do any of you look at 30 Rock? I don’t like it. At least that’s what I tell myself every Thursday while I look at it. Still, I think Jane Krakowski is the standout in the cast. She has perfect comedict timing and I am appalled at the Emmy Snubs she has received. They certainly need to apologise with a nomination and perhaps a win for her this season. Krakowski earned her Tony for her role in Yeston’s Nine.

Casted Roles She Could Have Done: Roxie Hart in Chicago
This is really a no brainer. As good as Renee Zellweger was Jane would have been superb. Of course having a Broadway star that was not bankable would have detracted from the entire point of Rob Marshall’s vision. I could also have seen her in the Naomi Watts role in King Kong – if only for the look. Still she would have killed as Roxie.

Un-casted Roles She Could Do: I’m actually stumped here… which probably means I have no imagination. I think more than Chenoweth Jane needs a project writer for her. But if I had to pick something I think Bernadette Peter’s Tony winning musical Song & Dance would be great for Jane. It’s not uber popular so it wouldn’t have tons of hype to live up to and what’s more it has Tell Me On A Sunday which (despite being a faithful Sondheim lover) is my second favourite Webber ballad (behind Memory of course).


Idina Menzel (Rent, Wicked!)





I like Idina Menzel. Her fans seem a bit rabid sometimes, but she is a great singer and wonderful actress and very sexy too, so there! She looks like a really gorgeous version of Nelly Furtado. She’s another surprising person that hasn’t done well in film. She was good in Enchanted.

Casted Roles She Could Have Done: Vivian in Pretty Women
This would be killer. I could just see her as the stripper – okay obviously she couldn’t have done it then, she would have been a child, but it could have / would have been great. Okay, maybe I cheated.

Un-casted Roles She Could Do: I don’t know if she can do Shakespeare (it’s not for everyone), but I would love to see her do Katharine in The Taming of the Shrew. I think that sort of shrewish character that needs to be tamed is her specialty – only now I have to think which male actor could tame her… I’m tempted to think Peter Sarasgard or maybe Billy Crudup… She’ll upstage whoever, it doesn’t matter.


Audra McDonald (110 in the Shade, Master Class, A Raisin in the Sun)




Oh how I love this woman – she has Four Tony Awards and an Emmy, so you know she has talent. Right now she’s starring in Private Practice which I hope will make her popular with audiences. She needs a big screen career… and fast.

Casted Roles She Could Have Done: Tatiana Rusesabagina in Hotel Rwanda
Nothing less for Audra than Sophie Okenodo’s Oscar nominated turn in this wonderful film. She has the dramatic chops to pull it off, although I do wonder what her accent would be like… She’d have good chemistry with Don Cheadle though.

Un-casted Roles She Could Do: Any of the leads in God of Carnage
This play is currently on Broadway with Hope Davis and the delightful Marcia Gay Harden. I’d like to see Audra take on either of these roles – although Marcia’s role seems more up her alley. I have not seen the original, but I have read snippets of the script. Of course if it comes to screen the original cast members are popular enough to get the roles. Still, I’d like to see Audra in this. A lot.


Kristin Chenoweth (Candide, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Wicked!)



I love this woman. I still find it shocking to believe that she is forty years old, and I will forever resent ABC (otherwise my favourite network) for cancelling Pushing Daisies, thereby stopping my weekly dose of Cheno. I think the reason it’s hard for her to get roles is because of her height (she’s a few inches below 5 feet), and her nasally voice, but like any actress she can change her voice. Apparently Wicked! will be made into a film, but I suppose she will be too old, and then they’ll probably recast it with stars.

Casted Roles She Could Have Done: Giselle in Enchanted
I think this would have been an obvious choice – and not because of her at the Oscars – but it is so reminiscent of her Tony Nominated role in Wicked! She would have rocked this, but Amy Adams was good too.

Un-casted Roles She Could Do: The Muse in Pygmalion
Not as a musical – or adaptation of My Fair Lady, but an actual adaptation of the original play. I think Cheno would be great, and if they do it as a comedy they could write her height (or lack thereof) into the script. It could be genius – cast Robert Downey Jr. or Johnny Depp as the male lead and get Lasse Hallestrome to direct.


Which actress could have a big film career?

Just had a gander at Down With Love...

Is it a good movie? Or is it a feeble attempt at one?



On good days, I love it... on bad days... I find it pretentious. It can be a little silly - and a tad bit unrealistic... but isn't that the point? Maybe. Still, Renée Zellweger and Ewan McGregor have fabulous chemistry and Sarah Paulson and David Hyde Pierce are very capable as the respective sidekicks. The costumes are a plus too... and the soundtrack warrants a listen including an original song Here's to Love!

I think this is a good film.
Am I wrong?

The last ten years in film have been good. Let’s look at the Actors who helped. It’s more or less the usual suspects. I think I need to single out the following who did not make the list – Paul Giamati (Sideways/Cinderella Man), Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain, The Dark Knight), Christian Bale (American Psycho, The Dark Knight, The Prestige), Jack Nicholson (The Departed, About Schmidt) and Ralph Fiennes (The Reader, The Constant Gardener). Brad Pitt was the runner up (Babel, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Oceans’ Eleven, The Assassination of Jesse James) and Benicio Del Toro (Traffic, 21 Grams) and Tom Wilkinson (In the Bedroom, Michael Clayton) barely missed it. Sorry, but it's only nine...


Jude Law - #9
Jude Law is my favourite living male British actor. He gave great performances in AI: Artificial Intelligence, and The Road to Perdition. He then gave a poignant performance as Inman in 2003’s Cold Mountain (Lead Actor nomination – Oscar) followed by an undervalued performance in Closer the next year. That same year he was also rewarded as an ensemble(SAG nod) for being a member of my favourite cast that year The Aviator. I heard that he may be coming to Broadway soon with his acclaimed portrayal of Hamlet, so maybe he could conquer the stage before returning to the screen to win his Oscar – sometime. He’s going to win eventually… right?

Russell Crow - #8
Crow won his first Oscar for his performance in Gladiator at the turn of the millennium then and was nominated the next year for A Beautiful Mind, which I still believe to be the best performance of that year, even though I was not a fan of the movie. His performance in Master & Commander and Cinderella Man were both Oscar worthy and he also gave a solid performance in American Gangster. I wonder if he will ever get that second Oscar. I don’t think it’s going to be for Nottingham – but who knows?

Ed Harris - # 7
Is this nepotism? Of course it is. It’s my list after all. In 2000 he directed and starred in Pollock earning a Best Actor nod – the second best of the year as far as I was concerned. Then he gave the best supporting performance in The Hours (Oscar nomination), but he was snubbed. He also gave solid performances in A Beautiful Mind and particularly in A History of Violence. He needs to get back to work and get that damned Oscar. It’s about time!

Johnny Depp - #6
He has become a star. From Chocolat, to The Pirates of the Caribbean (Oscar nomination) and its sequels, Finding Neverland (Oscar nomination) and Sweeney Todd (Oscar nomination) he has done well for himself. Some even call him the most due actor for an Oscar. I won’t go that far. But he is a cool guy. I don’t think Public Enemies is going to win him that Oscar – but it’s forthcoming. I think.

Philip Seymour Hoffman - #5
After years of being a character actor I gained respect for him in Cold Mountain where he managed to do some scene stealing opposite Jude Law. No awards buzz came until 2005 when he won the Oscar for Capote. He was nominated in 2007 for Charlie Wilson’s War, a year filled with great performances from him – Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead and his terribly comedic work as the best thing in The Savages. Last year he got nominated for his work in Doubt. Hoffman is also a stalwart on the Broadway stage. He deserves all the respect he gets. I wonder when he’ll get Oscar number two…

Sean Penn - #4
Which was the better performance? Mystic River or 21 Grams. Penn won the Oscar for the former and countless awards for the latter. 2003 was a good year for him. And last year he joined the elite club of actors with two lead Oscars for his turn in Milk. Along with Kate Winslet he has managed to gain awards’ nods after All the Kings Men. I’m waiting for Jude Law, Patricia Clarkson and Anthony Hopkins.

Daniel Day Lewis - #3
This was a tough one to have him so low. Is he the best working actor right now? Maybe. He was robbed of the Oscar for his astounding performance in Gangs of New York which earned him an Oscar nod. He then gave another riveting performance that earned him his second Oscar in 2007 in There Will Be Blood. He’s set to star in Nine this year, and I’m looking forward to that. After playing so many terrorising characters it will be nice to see him play nice!

Javier Bardem - # 2
He gave the best performance of 2000 in Before Night Falls (Oscar nomination), gave another spellbinding performance in The Sea Inside and then won his Oscar for No Country For Old Men. His commendable performance in Love in the Time of Cholera went unnoticed, but his performance in Vicky Cristina Barcelona earned a Golden Globe nod. I love this guy. I can’t wait to see what he does next!

Leonardo DiCaprio - #1
There wasn’t really any contemplation as to who would get this spot. He started his love affair with Martin Scorsese in Gangs of New York in a very undervalued performance. That year he also gave a good performance in Catch Me If You Can. He earned his second Oscar nomination for the best of the year performance he gave in The Aviator. Then his astounding performance in The Departed went unnoticed by the Oscars – despite SAG and Golden Globe nod. He was nominated for Blood Diamond – another good performance. He then gave his career best in Revolutionary Road – the best of the year I believe. He failed to even garner a Oscar nod – but that’s all blood under the bridge. It’s time to look ahead to his next date with Scorsese. Is it finally time for Oscar to come a knocking? F*** Yeah! Excuse my French.

These are what I think to be the best screenplays of the last 9-10 years. I think I need to put a qualifier here. I mean, these may not be the best screenplay of the past ten years. But I just think they’re some of – nine of – the most prolific. Although, those words may be too big. I don’t know… there may be what some may call obvious omissions – Almost Famous, In the Bedroom, The Pianist, Mystic River, Sideways and about a hundred more. These are just nine of the screenplays that I think about most when I think about the last few years in writing. Special mention goes to Pedro Alvodomar’s Talk to Her.
You're probably wondering... why nine? Well being a hopeless addict to Nicole Kidman, a devout follower of Judi Dench and a big fan of Daniel Day Lewis I probably don't need to explain further. So Nine is my favourite number this year...for the while at least.

9. Little Miss Sunshine
This Oscar winning screenplay was one of the freshest screenplays of recent years. There is only one screenplay that I think is more creative (see number 1). What makes it so good is that reading it you think you could have done that. It’s real dialogue, it’s funny but it’s not over the top – even though the directors would have us think so. It veers towards situational comedy, but right before it comes in for the big laugh it goes towards some intense level of poignancy. Genius.

Favourite Lines

Frank - Oh my God, I'm getting pulled over. Everyone, just... pretend to be normal.

Grandpa Are you kidding me? It was a fucking paradise. They got pool... They got golf... Now I'm stuck with Mr. Happy here, sleeping on a fucking sofa. Look, I know you are a homo and all, but maybe you can appreciate this. You go to one of those places, there's four women for every guy. Can you imagine what that's like?


8. The Departed
I guess most people would say this is ineligible, since for the most part it’s just a translation. But this was one of my favourite scripts of 2006. William Monahan did a great job of combining the three original films and adding an… an American flair to it. The script reads like a novel, there isn’t too much description – but it’s not just dialogue either. It’s just right… and this is only number eight.
Favourite Line – Mr. French “That’s not quite a guy you can’t hit, but it’s almost a guy you can’t hit, so I’m fucking ruling on it right now that you don’t hit him, understand.”

Costello “Tell Bruce Lee and the karate kids none of us are carrying automatic weapons because here, in this country, it don’t add inches to your dick. You get a life sentence for it.

7. Chicago
In some ways this was actually an original screenplay. Bill Condon’s (now legendary) idea of having the songs of the musical done through Roxie’s imagination was a smart idea and was a large part of the reason why Chicago worked so well as a film. From those flashes where she imagines herself singing All that Jazz to her imagining the death of the Hunyak. Condon shows us that he’s a hundred times better as a writer than a director – and he’s actually a really good director, so imagine that.


6. Babel
Most peoples hate this film, and its screenplays. In retrospect I suppose that the comparisons to Crash are permissible, but I think this film is way better and way more profound than Crash. It’s hard to talk about this screenplay without turning to the spiritual or the moralistic, but what’s really so good about this screenplay, is how the idea of fate and chance are so tied in with it. It really is not the most pleasant film (or screenplay), but that doesn’t make it any worse. It’s excellent.

Favourite Line –Yussef - I killed the American, I was the only one who shot at you. They did nothing... nothing. Kill me, but save my brother, he did nothing... nothing. Save my brother... he did nothing.

It doesn’t have a lot of quotable quotes to be honest…

5. Brokeback Mountain
I think short stories are great source materials for films. You can stick to the original, but still make way for your ideas. Brokeback Mountain is the epitome of this. It gained a deserving win for best screenplay. This is actually another sombre tale.

Favourite Line – Jack can't make it on a coupla high-altitude fucks once or twice a year! You are too much for me Ennis, you sonofawhoreson bitch! I wish I knew how to quit you.

4. Gosford Park
Julian Fellowes did a great job with this screenplay. Any film that deals with murder and secrets needs to have a good screenplay. Almost every

Favourite Line – Aunt Constance “I don’t have a snobbish bone in my body.”

Mrs. Wilson “I’m the perfect servant. I have no life.”

3. Atonement
I am in love with every Christopher Hampton screenplay (I still think Dangerous Liaisons is one of the best screenplays ever). Most people thought that Atonement was one of the most inadaptable novels, but he showed that it was not.

Favourite Line – Robbie - Dearest Cecilia, the story can resume. The one I had been planning on that evening walk. I can become again the man who once crossed the surrey park at dusk, in my best suit, swaggering on the promise of life. The man who, with the clarity of passion, made love to you in the library. The story can resume. I will return. Find you, love you, marry you and live without shame.

2. The Hours
This is another inadaptable novel that was a great screenplay. I really liked this movie and one of the real reasons it worked was because of the screenplay.

Favourite Lines
Virginia - If I were thinking clearly, Leonard, I would tell you that I wrestle alone in the dark, in the deep dark, and that only I can know. Only I can understand my condition. You live with the threat, you tell me you live with the threat of my extinction. Leonard, I live with it too.

Richard - But I still have to face the hours, don't I? I mean, the hours after the party, and the hours after that...

Laura - It would be wonderful to say you regretted it. It would be easy. But what does it mean? What does it mean to regret when you have no choice? It's what you can bear. There it is. No one's going to forgive me. It was death. I chose life.

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Yes, this is my favourite screenplay of the last ten years. It was actually a bit of a no-brainer. There was no competition that year at the Oscars, I wonder if any one even voted against this. It’s a love story, but it’s not particularly romantic – it’s witty, it’s funny, it’s realistic but it’s also fantastical. It’s just really great.

Favourite Lines – Joel - Today is a holiday invented by greeting card companies to make people feel like crap.

Joel - Why do I fall in love with every woman I see who shows me the least bit of attention?

PS I couldn't think about any one line for Chicago... forgive me.

I feel a bit literary today. I’m reading Wuthering Heights (for the umpteenth time) and Mansfield Park in unison. Here’s a poem to think about.

On Death
Then Almitra spoke, saying, “We should ask now of death”
And he said:
You would know the secret of death.
But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?
The owl whose night bound eyes are blind unto the day
Cannot unveil the mystery of light.
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death,
Open your heart wide unto the body of life.
For life and death are one, even as the river and sea are one.
In the depths of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.
Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands
Before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.
Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his trembling,
That he shall wear the mark of the king?
Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is to cease breathing, but to free from its restless tides…
That it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.


My next post title - My Nine Favourite Screenplays (2000 to present)