Up on Brokeback: Adapting a Wyoming Story

The Age has an interesting essay by author Annie Proulx on her involvement in the story-to-film adaptation of Brokeback Mountain, which I saw for the second time yesterday. She provides a look at the adaptations that didn't happen and hones in on some of the details that make Brokeback better than she could've imagined. (via The Morning News) --Kim

The Bronte Brother: Reviewed

A couple weeks ago I mentioned my interest in the new novel Branwell. If nothing else, I know you'll remember the gloriously grim cover pictured at left. Well, I've since read the book and the review is up at KimSaid, if you're so inclined.--Kim

Psych Ward: When Nietzsche Wept

Millinnium Films will adapt psychotherapist Irvin D. Yalom's bestselling When Nietzsche Wept. Here's a description of the novel from Amazon: "Freud's mentor, Josef Breuer, attempts to cure Friedrich Nietzsche of suicidal despair in the clinics, cemeteries, and coffeehouses of 19th-century Vienna." --Kim

Western Sizzler

While Pitt won't be playing a gay outlaw just yet (unreliable word is he's trying to find the right role), he will be portraying gunslinger Jesse James in the adaptation of Ron Hansen's novel The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Casey Affleck, Sam Rockwell, Mary-Louise Parker, Zooey Deschanel, and little Brooklynn Proulx costar. And, oh yeah, there's this nude scene "everyone's" talking about.

I've met Ron so perhaps I can wrangle some behind-the-scenes info for you in the near future. He also penned the bestselling and critically-acclaimed National Book Award nominee Atticus and the wonderful Mariette in Ecstasy.--Kim

Isabel Allende Trilogy in the Works

Yes, you read that correctly. Pixiepalace reports that Allende's trilogy of children's books was purchased by the same studio that produced Chronicles of Narnia and the upcoming Charlotte's Web. More info here. --Kim

Holy Hitchcock! Ewan to Star in Thriller Bio-Pic

Hot Scot with a sense of humor Ewan McGregor has signed on to an untitled bio-pic about the early years of Alfred Hitchcock's life as an Eastender. "Little Britain" star Matt Lucas will play the chubby director with the memorable profile. I'm still trying to dig up a copy of Ewan's "The Scarlet and The Black," a BBC adaptation of Stendhal's novel that isn't available on DVD. More on that (and a petition!) here.--Kim

A Good Woman...Gone Bad?

I've seen plenty of lackluster reviews for A Good Woman, an updated version of Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan, which hits theaters on Friday. Helen Hunt (mistake No. 1 I'd say), Scarlett Johansson and Tom Wilkinson star in this adaptation, which is set in the Italian Riviera. The scenery and costumes look stunning, even if that's all that can be said in its favor. -- Amy