Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik

Elise and her family have just moved to Los Angeles for her mother's new job as principal of Elise and her sisters' new school. There they meet sweet Chase who falls for Elise's older sister Julianna. But it's Chase's best friend Derek that causes Elise the most trouble. As the son of two very famous movie stars, Derek seems proud and aloof though drawn to Elise for some reason. And she is determined not to fall for him because of those very reasons.

So this is a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice. If you know that story you know what happens in this one. I like how the names were translated and the characters were remade. I feel like the dialogue was too stilted in places and some of the plot points could have been polished more. I get that the author wanted to do Pride and Prejudice in high school. It's just it could have been done a little smoother. Still it was a fun book and I always enjoy retellings of my favorite classics. Elise and Derek have the same old problems with one being rich and, in this case, famous or at least fame adjacent, and the other determined to be above that all. I like how the Wickham/Lydia thing was translated with Wesley and the younger sister Layla. And how the Bennet were portrayed though Anne is once again left out. Why is she the Bennet sister most likely to not make it into an adaption? Anyway, this was a fun read and I liked it as a P&P retelling.

Pride and Prejudice - BBC mini-series (Based on a Book)

Well, this weekend I spent some a lot of time and watch the classic 1995 BBC mini-series of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. Oddly, I had never seen the whole thing, just bits and pieces. It is the most comprehensive version I've seen. It is basically the whole book with few changes. I enjoyed it. Colin Firth makes a most excellent Darcy and Jennifer Ehle is fun as Elizabeth Bennett. The thing that bothered me is that Jane is suppose to be prettier than Elizabeth, but personally I don't find Susannah Harker nearly as pretty as Jennifer Ehle. And everyone looked so old for their characters, especially Lydia (Julia Sawalha and yes I know she was like 25 at the time). And that bothered me.

The scenery and houses were beautiful. And I love that they include everything just as described in the book. It's like the book gave to life. Everyone did a great job with their characters. The Bennett house was nicer than I had pictured and Mr. Collins was a little more oily. The costumes were wonderful. I love the dresses so much. It was a really pretty and authentic movie.

I enjoyed Anna Chancellor's Miss Bingley. Lydia didn't aggravate me nearly as much as she usually does. But near the end I wanted to shake Mrs. Bennett and make her shut up. Her screeching make my ears bleed a little, I swear.
Something I also found awkward was the ending. When they declare their love for each other, it was so matter of fact. Yes, I love you. Well, I love you. Let's walk on. I know that's what happens in the book. But I've been involved at this point for a long time, people, let's see some action, a kiss or something!

Anyway, it was good and I will watch it again one day when I have a lot of time on my hands. (Ha!) But is it bad that I prefer the 2005 version and that Darcy and Elizabeth more? Because I do. I kept making comparisons between the two while I was watching and the romance tension is more believable between Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen. I like Colin Firth, but his Darcy does not invite the kind of yuminess that Matthew Macfadyen does with his bedroom eyes and earnestness. *sigh*

Pride and Prejudice - 2005 (Based on a Book)

I watched this one yesterday from about 1 pm to 8 pm. Yes, it took me 7 hours to finish a movie that is 2 hours long, but there was a lot going on. Anyway, I don't know why I'm telling you this, but kids and cars, you know? Something always needs to be fixed.

I won't summarize because it is Pride and Prejudice. I love this version. It is beautiful shot and the director made some interesting choices as far as lighting and location. It is definitely an abbreviated version with some supporting characters left out (Mr. & Mrs. Hurst, the Philips, etc) but they aren't really necessary. The location for some scenes were changed too. Darcy proposes outside by a lake instead of in the parsonage. Wickham is meet outside and they talk about his relationship with Darcy outside under a tree instead of at a party playing cards. I didn't have a problem with any of that. The only thing I questioned was why Lizzie was always staring in a mirror? I get that it showed passage of time, but I felt there was a deeper meaning than that.

The cast is perfect. I love Kiera Knightley's Lizzie, so proud and smart and quick-witted. And I love the little laugh when she first sees Pemberley. I love Matthew Macfadyen's Mr. Darcy. He is so awkward and delicious. Sigh. Rosamund Pike as Jane is so great. She is so beautiful and ethereal and sweet, like Jane ought to be. And I wanted to slap Lydia around a little. Jena Malone is good at playing annoying characters.

So all in all, a beautiful movie with a great cast. It skips a lot for time, but still retains the essence of Pride and Prejudice.

Bride and Prejudice (Based on a Book)

In this Bollywood-style adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, Lalita Bakshi meets William Darcy at a friend's wedding in her hometown in India. Darcy is uncomfortable and insulting and she does not like him. But his friend, Mr. Balraj, takes to her older sister, Jaya, and the two begin to fall in love. On a trip, Lalita meets Johnny Wickham and the two become very close while her younger sister Lakhi develops a crush on him.
Meanwhile, a distant cousin, Mr. Kholi, arrives with the hope of finding a wife among Lalita and her sisters. When he is rejected he marries her friend, Chandra Lamba. Darcy and Lalita become close when she goes to LA to visit Chandra, but rejects his proposal based on his attitude and treatment of her sister. But when Lakhi runs off with Wickham, Darcy comes to her aid and Lalita realizes that first impression are not always the best.

Ya'll I have to say how much I love this movie. It is such a beautiful colorful movie and Aishwarya Rai, who plays Lalita (the Elizabeth character) is so so beautiful. And Martin Henderson is a good foot-in-the-mouth Darcy. And Naveen Andrews (Sayid!!!!) is the Bingley character. My love for him knows no bounds and, since it has been so long since I have seen this movie, I didn't realize he was in it.

It is a very clever movie though. The characters are transformed perfectly from English to Indian and I love how they managed to modernize it and keep it traditionally at the same time. It is a little startling when they randomly burst into song especially the dancing in the first major scene. But it is awesome and the music is incredible. This is a complete music see movie. I highly recommend it!

*for the Everything Austen Challenge

Pride and Prejudice

Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy meet and dislike each other, then through a series of meetings realize that first impressions do not always make the kindest.

I haven't read Pride and Prejudice in a very long time so when the Everything Austen Challenge came along I decided to take advantage and do an all PandP list. Since it had been so long since I read it, it seemed only natural to start at the beginning. Oddly I found myself bored until Mr. Collins arrived (ironic). That's when the action started to pick up as much as it ever does in this book. The characters start moving locations and interacting in situations outside their normal places and then it starts to get good.

I love how natural the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy becomes and is, frankly, the archetype for this type of relationship. If this book was published now it would totally be considered chic lit. The meet cute, the fighting and misunderstanding, the declaration of love at the end, well, actually it has been made into chic lit through the Bridget Jones character. Anyway, P&P still holds up in my esteem and it was well worth re-reading.

Everything Austen Challenge

Honestly, who can resist a Jane Austen Challenge? Not me apparently. So I'm joining another challenge from Stephanie's Written Word!

Here are the details:

The Everything Austen Challenge will run for six months (July 1, 2009 – January 1, 2010)! All you need to do is pick out what six Austen-themed things you want to finish to complete the challenge.
What is considered Austen-themed? Obviously, any of the books Jane Austen wrote herself count, so if you’ve been contemplating reading one of her novels, now is the time! Or, maybe watch the different movie versions of Pride and Prejudice. You could even try reading one of the many sequels written by various authors or listen to one in your car on your way to work. Truly, the list can be endless! All you need to do is pick six Austen-themed items to read and/or watch to participate. Note that you can mix it up a bit – maybe commit to watching three movies and reading two books – or if your TBR pile is huge, pick out six movies you would like to watch – YOU DECIDE!

ETA: I've decided to go with the all Pride and Prejudice list. I think that it will be fun to see the different versions or takes on the quintessential Austen book. I'm going to have to read the original version first since it has been a long time.

although I should do an all Pride and Prejudice list...which would look like this:

1. Pride and Prejudice (Austen)
2. Pride and Prejudice (BBC mini-series)
3. Pride and Prejudice (2005 movie)
4. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (Grahame-Smith)
5. Bride and Prejudice
6. Enthusiasm (Shulman) which is a YA book based on P&P

My first list if you are interested:

1. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (Grahame-Smith)
2. Mr. Darcy, Vamprye (Grange)
3. What Would Jane Austen do? (Brown)
4. Pride and Prejudice (2005 movie)
5. Clueless
6. Emma

or 2. Pride and Prejudice (Austen)