The Escapist

I recently saw the Escapist and absolutely loved it! The film came out two years ago. It stars Joseph Fiennes, Liam Cunningham, Brian Cox, Dominic Cooper and Seu Jorge as five convicts hoping to escape a prison in London. Each man has a unique skill that makes him necessary for the plan to work. The only thing standing in their way is the convict that basically runs the prison and his junkie brother (Damian Lewis and Steven Mackintosh).

This film was definitely thrilling, but was also very much a psychological drama. The entire cast was really good, but Brian Cox was especially good. Without his performance, I do not think that the film would have been nearly as good. It is through his performance, that all of the others seem to work. He really holds them together. I would definitely recommend this film. It is a must-see!

Dream Cast Thursday! Blue Bloods

Today's Dream Cast Thursday will be the Blue Blood's novels. The Blue Bloods Series is by Melissa De La Cruz. The series so far consists of Blue Bloods, Masquerade, Revelations, and The Van Alen Legacy. So far, there are no films in the works, but this is a really good series, and with pop culture's sudden obsession with vampires, it is only a matter of time.

Schuyler or Sky Van Alen is originally from Manhattan. She has blue, black hair, bangs and bright blue eyes. Schuyler was startingly pretty, with a sweet heart-shaped face; perfectly upturned nose; and a soft milky skin--but there was something almost insubstantial about her beauty." She is a student, a model, and a committee member. For my adaptation, I would cast Alexis Bledel.

Oliver or Ollie Hazard-Perry is originally from Manhattan. He has chestnut brown hair and hazel eyes. "Oliver was tall and slim, with a fair, elfin face that was framed by a shag of brilliant chestnut hair. He had sharp cheekbones and a sympathetic hazel eyes." She is a student and a conduit. For my adaptation, I would cast Dominic Cooper.

Madeleine or Mimi Force is originally from Manhattan. She has platinum blond hair and green eyes. "Mimi was popularity personified. She had golden girl good looks and tanned, Pilates-toned limbs that came with the Queen Bee position..." She is a student and a Committee member. For my adaptation, I cast Amanda Seyfried.

Benjamin or Jack Force is originally from Manhattan. He is Mimi's twin brother. He has platinum Blond hair and green eyes. "The two of them [Mimi and Jack] shared the same pale, platinum blond hair, the same creamy, translucent skin, the same hooded green eyes, and the same long, slender limbs." He is a student and a committee member. For my adaptation, I cast Hunter Parrish.

Bliss Llewellyn was born in Houston, Texas. She has big, red hair, green eyes and "equine good looks." She is a student, a committee member, and works as a model. For my adaptation, I cast Anna Lutoskin.

Dylan Ward is originally from Connecticut. He has black, shaggy hair. He is a "sad faced boy with long lashes, smoldering eyes, and a tarnished reputation." He is a student and a committee member. For my adaptation, I cast Nicholas Hoult.

Kingsley Martin has dark features. He is a venator and a committee member. For my adaptation, I cast Steven Strait.

So what do you all think? Have you read the novels? Who would be in your perfect adaptation?

Currently Reading for Pleasure:
Deadly Little Lies by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Currently Watching:
Berkeley Square

Currently Listening to:
Amanda Palmer

Dream Cast Thursday! Wuthering Heights

Today's Dream Cast Thursday is Wuthering Heights. It was originally published by Emily Bronte in 1847 under the pseudonym of Ellis Bell. Since it's original publication, there have been many film adaptations. I have focused only on the earliest adaptation of Wuthering Heights and the three other adaptations that I have seen. One version of Wuthering Heights (1939) was directed by William Wyler. Another version of Wuthering Heights (1992) was directed by Peter Kosminsky. A third adaptation of Wutehring Heights (2003) was directed by Suri Krishnamma. The last adaptation of Wuthering Heights (2009) that I will be looking at was directed by Coky Giedroyc.

The characters of Cathy and Heathcliff are the two most important characters in the films. Cathy has been played by Merle Oberon (1939), Juliette Binoche (1992), Erika Christensen (2003 - in this updated version, she is known as Cate), and Charlotte Riley (2009). In my recast I would cast Ruth Wilson. She is a young and relatively unknown actress. I have loved her since I saw her in the most recent adaptation of Jane Eyre with Toby Stephens.

Heathcliff has been played by Laurence Olivier (1029), Ralph Fiennes (1992), Mike Vogel (2003 - in this updated version, he is known as Heath), and Tom Hardy (2009). In my remake, I would cast Dominic Cooper.

In the past, Edgar has been played by David Niven (1039), Simon Shepherd (1992), Christopher Masterson (2003 -In this updated version, he is known as Edward), and Andrew Lincoln (2009). In my remake, I recast Matthew Goode.

In the past, Isabella has been played by Geraldine Fitzgerald (1939), Sophie Ward (1992), Katherine Heigl (2003- in this updated version she is known as Isabel), and Rosalind Halstead (2009). In my remake, I cast Romola Garai.

In past adaptations, Hindley has been played by Hugh Williams (1939), Jeremy Northam (1992), Johnny Whitworth (2003- in this updated version, he is known as Hendrix), and Burn Gorman (2009). In my remake, I recast Sean Biggerstaff.

So what do you all think? Who would you recast in your adaptation? Have you seen any really good adaptations that have not been mentioned?