Hang on a sec....

You mean some people don't read the book? --Kim

Nana: The Maneater

Just finished reading Emile Zola's Nana (chosen to coincide with my recent trip to Paris...totally apropos.) While from the title it might sound like a boring novel about someone's grandmother, let me assure you: This tale of a bodacious courtesan in Belle Epoch Paris is completely scandalicious! Nana tears through men like an allergy sufferer does Kleenex. Men cannot resist her (she's the Paris Hilton of her day) and by the time she's done with them, they are either dead, financially-ruined or emotional wrecks.

The descriptions of the ladies' outfits are worth the read alone, and tales of outrageous parties, life in the theater, and, of course, Nana's exploits (with both men AND women) are equally riveting.

"A ruined man fell from her hands like ripe fruit, to rot on the ground."

On IMDB, there appear to be loads of movie-versions and mini-series (albeit mostly foreign.) The most promising may be this 1968 version directed by John Davies.

Still, I'm ready for another big remake...maybe starring Kate Winslet or Angelina Jolie? -- Amy

Fair is foul, and foul is fair.

Jennifer Connelly will play Lady Macbeth to Philip Seymour Hoffman's Macbeth in an upcoming adaptation. (via PINK)

Lucky Girl

Here's a pic of Kirsten Dunst in costume from the set of Sophia Coppola's movie about Marie Antionette. (via Pink Is the New Blog)

Have a Little Turkish Delight

You must check out Disney's lovely website for the Chronicles of Narnia. Tilda Swinton and Anna Popplewell (Daniel Deronda, Girl with the Pearl Earring, and Mansfield Park) are among the cast members of the adaptation, which is scheduled for release this year. Be sure to mouse around the 360 view inside Narnia (look for the lamppost, then go right). Plus: Take the Chronicles of Narnia quiz. --Kim

Prairie Rant

I know there is a generation of little girls who aren't so fortunate to have grown up with Michael Landon calling Melissa Gilbert "Half-pint." Maybe I'm just being bitter in my old-school devotion to the original version of "Little House on the Prairie," with that bitchy Nelly Olsen always shaking things up and the "let's frolick in the meadow!" closing credits. Yet curiosity prompted me to check out ABC's new version of "Little House on the Prairie" on Saturday night. (Nevermind why I was home at 8 p.m. on a Saturday night...)

Within the first few minutes of the show, I was immediately taken with the ruggedly handsome sexpot plowing the field, all scruffy-bearded and muscular as if he had just stepped off a Harlequin romance cover. "Who is thaaat?" I wondered. When two little braided girls ran up to this hunk and called him "Pa," i gasped out loud. Was I just -- dare I say it -- lusting after PAAAAA!!!!!?????

Frankly, I felt dirty. I checked out the actor (Cameron Bancroft) again and realized that he might actually be younger than me. Now I just felt annoyed. Laura Ingalls Wilder's epic installation of life on the American frontier certainly hasn't aged since I devoured every book in the third grade. But apparently, I HAVE aged enough to have the hots for a prairie dad. (Next, I'll be smitten with the Ingalls' aging neighbor, Mr. Edwards).

The episode I watched was part of a three-part presentations, which could get picked up for a regular series if it does well in the ratings. If I were 8 years old again, I might have been more jazzed about the episode. As it was, I was too busy wondering how people in the 19th century (including the Native Americans) had access to Crest White Strips. The cast's gleaming white teeth distracted me from their attempts to recreate history on the frontier. Has Michael Landon rolled over in his grave yet? -- Amy

Love Walks In

According to Hollywood Reporter, Sarah Jessica Parker will star in the adaptation of "Love Walks In," a novel by poet Marisa de los Santos. Marisa is also a contributor to my friend Nicki's upcoming collection of essays, The May Queen. --Kim