BOOK AND MOVIE REVIEW: Austenland by Shannon Hale

“She was growing used to slippers and empire waists, she felt naked outside without a bonnet, during drawing room evenings her mouth felt natural exploring the kind of words that Austen might’ve written.” – Austenland (novel)

Like many Jane Austen fans, I sat on the edge of my seat awaiting Austenland to arrive on our screens. And then I quickly started reading the very negative reviews rolling in, and found myself hesitating to watch the film. In fact, by the time I got around to seeing it even friends of mine who only vaguely know who Jane was had seen it.

New Pride and Prejudice viral video… The Lizzie Diaries

So, we’ve seen a damn lot of popular youtube videos about Pride and Prejudice and Jane Austen (I’m thinking Jane Austen’s Fight Club to start), but this one seems to have got hits far more quickly. For example, the first episode currently has 117,385 hits (and counting) since April 9th when it was posted on youtube this month. I’ve been watching it with curiosity as it builds- there’s currently five episodes, each about three minutes long, that brings our 18th Century novel into the present day and tells it from Lizzie’s perspective.

Knightley and Macfadyen hit the screens again

A film that “powerfully explores the capacity for love that surges through the human heart“ – Official synopsis

It is Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen in the 1800s and directed by Joe Wright… but it’s not Pride and Prejudice. Don’t fear, if you loved the 2005 Pride and Prejudice adaptation, then you’ll most likely love this as the Jane Austen and Regency literature connections are never ending.

Pride and Prejudice first ever tv adaptation

Referred to as “little known” in a BBC 2004 news piece entitled “Jane Austen’s enduring appeal” (Caroline Westbrook), and the frustration of P&P fans worldwide, is the 1938 version of Pride and Prejudice that many have speculated has fallen off of the planet. Solely a “tv” adaptation, it is the first Jane Austen adaptation to ever hit the tv screens, and did so in the UK twice in May 1938. But information about the piece is limited, however a bit of hunting has revealed some interesting tidbits that I am hoping may lead to a video copy of the almost hour long production.

Plots and Proposals BBC Alan Rickman – a P&P Parody?

The supposed Pride and Prejudice parody, Plots and Proposals, is a funny sketch I stumbled on a while ago. It was originally broadcast in the UK on Christmas Day 2000 as a christmas special of ‘Victoria Wood with all the trimmings’ and has been broadcast for the last three christmases in the UK. With all the gorgeous set design and extras, it’s as good as it comes with the BBC hallmark quality but with a Blackadder-esque sense of humour attached. Written by Victoria Wood, and directed by John Birkin, the wordy screenplay is no doubt enjoyable for any Janeite.

P&P&Zombies movie… finally some solid information

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies- Craig Gillespie directing, David O Russell script

Apparently, Gillespie will be potentially asking Keira Knightley and Colin Firth to do cameos in PPZ.  His current intent is said to be to keep the love story between Elizabeth and Darcy as the platform for the film.

There will be “comic relief” he said.

Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth together again?

I hate to keep up with Hollywood gossip, and what actors/actresses are doing, but ever since the A&E/BBC ’95 Pride and Prejudice with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth, I have personally longed to see them both grace the screen together again.  My wish was granted, in a bizarre way, with both having returned to act in The King’s Speech (released 10 December 2010), which I have just seen at the movies.

New Director announced for Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

School of Rock writer Mike White has apparently been offered the job by Lionsgate to direct Seth Grahame-Smith’s Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (I’m waiting on confirmation, but web sources are fairly sure).  I won’t deny that School Of Rock was an epic movie that I have watched many times (there’s a trailer below if you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing it before).  But this choice has now solidified the film into the ridiculous as far as I am concerned- particularly when considering that Mike White even had a romp around the Zombieland film set.

Jane Austen’s Fight Club viral video

“After Fight Club, we were inclined to see the world differently”

If you’re as big a fan of youtube as you are of Pride and Prejudice (like myself) then you will have most likely come across the New Biggest Thing, a hit video, made this year, that parodies Fight Club (you know, that awesome film with Brad Pitt and Edward Norton) using Jane Austen’s leading ladies.  It’s had over 1,110,000 views at the time of me publishing this post.  And if you haven’t seen it, then prepare yourself for some laughs at the video below!  And get ready for my analysis of the Pride and Prej elements.

Was Taylor Swift’s ‘Love Story’ based on Pride and Prejudice?

I actually like this 2008 song.  It’s a bit too cheesy, a bit too country and a bit too girly-girly for my usual tastes, but something about it makes me sing along to the chorus and get a bit wrapped up in the fairytale.  (I also find watching Kanye West parodies very funny.) However, this post is based on a bit of a rumour I have heard being repeated around. Basically, friends of mine have mentioned that Taylor Swift used Pride and Prejudice as inspiration for her chart-topping song ‘Love Story’… but what truth is there in this?  And why does it range from people saying she has ripped off 2005 P&P to saying that it’s nice she included Mr. Darcy?