Sunday, 08 August 2010 15:43
It looks as if we'll be seeing more mystery novels coming to the big and small screen.
Zoë Sharp's Charlie Fox series has recently been sold to Twentieth Century Fox TV. This should make a great kick bad guys TV series, based on the source material alone.
The British author Sharp's novels explore the life of Charlotte 'Charlie' Fox, a self-defense instructor with a shady military background and a painful past. She often takes on jobs as a bodyguard or security consultant.
Charlie, who also is British, at least in the books, is a real action heroine, skillful with weapons, hell on wheels on a motorcycle. She also has a great coat that is similiar to the one the author herself often wears.
Charlie, who also is British, at least in the books, is a real action heroine, skillful with weapons, hell on wheels on a motorcycle. She also has a great coat that is similiar to the one the author herself often wears. So, the big question...actually two big questions: Will the TV series ever be made? Probably. Because it is being planned as a TV series and not a movie, the Charlie Fox novels have a better chance of actually going into production and then making it to the screen.
And who should play Charlie Fox? Someone mentioned recently on DorothyL that maybe the best person to play Charlie Fox would be the author herself. You know, I think Zoë Sharp might indeed be the best person.
Meanwhile, Sharp's novels, are being reprinted by Busted Flush Press. Killer Instinct is a good place to start and this reprint has an original introduction by Lee Child, which is more than appropriate as Charlie Fox has often been called the female Jack Reacher.
Tuesday, 03 August 2010 05:47
In the mystery genre, there have always been authors with a cult following so rabid that eventually they receive the recognition they deserve.
Daniel Woodrell is one of those authors.
Woodrell is a poet in prose, beautifully writing about hard-scrabble people living in the Ozarks of Missouri. Woodrell's words are authentic and his people realistic, hopeful for the future but limited in their abilities to reach for that future.
Although the Missouri Ozarks are not part of Missouri in which I grew up, I am well acquainted with southwest area of the state through family visits. (I am from the other part of the state -- Southeast Missouri.)Now Woodrell is gaining a bit more recognition for his work -- and deservedly so.
The film Winter's Bone, based on his novel of the same title, is now in wide release. Winter's Bone earned the 2010 Sundance Grand Jury Prize and has been highly praised for its authentic characters and setting. It is the story of modern poverty, the affects of methamphetamine on the community, and three siblings trying to survive.
And Woodrell's novels are being reprinted by Busted Flush Press.
Tomato Red (originally published in 1998) is in the stores now with an original foreword by Edgar Award-winning crime writer Megan Abbott (Bury Me Deep)
The Death of Sweet Mister (originally published in 2001, and a personal favorite of mine) comes out in March 2011 with an original foreword by New York Times best-seller Dennis Lehane (Mystic River, Shutter Island).
I am delighted to know that Woodrell's work are being reprinted.
Saturday, 31 July 2010 19:37
I had hoped -- and I admit this was a futile hope -- that Hollywood might decide not to redo The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo movies based on Stieg Larsson's very fine novels.
After all, the Swedish movies based on these novels have set a high standard already. I can't imagine any actress bringing as much depth and nuance to the role of goth, girl hacker Lisbeth Salander as Noomi Rapace. This Swedish actress is just one reason why the movies based on Larsson's novels have been so good. The third Swedish movie, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets' Nest, is set to be released in December 2010.
The other reason is Michael Nyqvist, above left, as journalist Mikael Blomkvist. Nyqvist has brought a thoughtful approach to this role.
After all, the Swedish movies based on these novels have set a high standard already. I can't imagine any actress bringing as much depth and nuance to the role of goth, girl hacker Lisbeth Salander as Noomi Rapace. This Swedish actress is just one reason why the movies based on Larsson's novels have been so good. The third Swedish movie, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets' Nest, is set to be released in December 2010. The other reason is Michael Nyqvist, above left, as journalist Mikael Blomkvist. Nyqvist has brought a thoughtful approach to this role.
But it appears that Hollywood is bound and determined to remake the movies with "known" actors.
But maybe I will be all right with who will be cast as Mikael Blomkvist.
That would be British actor Daniel Craig. Yep, the newest James Bond. 007. License to thrill. I think I could live with Daniel Craig, left, in this role. Actually, I can live with Daniel Craig in just about any role.
And director David Fincher also is an inspired choice. The director of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button also has shown he gets dark themes with his movies Zodiac, Panic Room, Fight Club and Seven. Fincher's version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is being planned for December 2011.
While Daniel Craig will no doubt do just fine in the remake of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, I don't have as high hopes for the actresses who are being considered: Ellen Page, Mia Wasikowska, Emily Browning, Sara Snook, Rooney Mara and Sophie Lowe. Fine actress, but no Noomi Rapace.
While Daniel Craig will no doubt do just fine in the remake of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, I don't have as high hopes for the actresses who are being considered: Ellen Page, Mia Wasikowska, Emily Browning, Sara Snook, Rooney Mara and Sophie Lowe. Fine actress, but no Noomi Rapace.
The latest word indicates the producers are leaning toward an unknown actress, which would probably be the best choice of all.
