"Curioser and curiouser!" cried Alice

Rocker Marilyn Manson is planning to play Alice in Wonderland author Lewis Carroll in the movie "Phantasmagoria - The Visions Of Lewis Carroll," which Manson also wrote. "'He didn't want to wait for Cannes to do this, he's ready now,' said [producer] de la Mata, who hopes to complete filming this autumn," reports BBC News. (via Return of the Reluctant) --Kim

Update: Manson wants Jolie in the picture too.

Harper Lee on To Kill a Mockingbird Adaptation

Lauren at Lux Lotus sends a link to a NYTimes article on To Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee and her involvement in an annual Alabama high school essay contest. About the 1962 adaptation of her novel starring Gregory Peck, Lee says, "I think it is one of the best translations of a book to film ever made." Sandra Bullock will star as Lee in "Infamous," an upcoming film about the author's childhood friend Truman Capote. An interesting side note: Lee lives with her 95 year-old sister who still practices law. --Kim

Striking While They're Hot: Depp and Jolie Co-Star in Wildly Romantic Adaptation

You might want to sit down for this. Beauteous megastars Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie are set to frolic on the moors as Heathcliff and Catherine in an adaptation of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, reports I Don't Like You In That Way.

"Depp, 42, who is a lover of the Bronte's literary works, once said during an interview: 'Am I a romantic? I've seen Wuthering Heights 10 times. I'm a romantic.'"

--Kim

Shandy Ain't Shite

Having seen a screening of Michael Winterbottom's "Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story" last night, I can definitely give it my recommendation. Best described as a cross between a traditional period film and BBC's "The Office," this cleverly devised film jumps back-and-forth between Laurence Sterne's 18th century comic novel and the story of the British actors who are trying (with much difficulty) to get the film adaptation of the novel made. Both of these elements are replete with laugh-out-loud moments, thanks in particular to Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, who play themselves as rival actors vying for top-billing in the film-within-the-film. (The dialogue between these two in the first and last five minutes of the movie is worth the price of admission alone.) Gillian Anderson (see our Bleak House review, below) also has a small part in the film, playing herself, and Brit-flick fans will surely recognize many more castmembers, including Mr. Knightly himself, Jeremy Northam. If you like "This is Spinal Tap" as much as you love costume dramas, this is the movie for you. -- Amy

Oh, Emma, No!

Am I the only one who finds the "Nanny McPhee" promos weird and disturbing? Yes, the kiddies need to be entertained, and yes, the film touts Emma Thompson and Colin Firth as its stars (normally a winning combo, right?)...But the warts, the fake-o looking "magic," the dancing mule...? Even a five-year old version of myself would be turning up her nose. I need to go rent Howards End now to restore my faith in Emma, and the world. -- Amy

And What WAS the Point Again, Woody?

Lauren and Emma provide a spot on review of Woody Allen's Match Point, which very loosely mines some of the psychological territory of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment. --Kim

Legally Bound: Bleak House Episode 1

Last night PBS's Masterpiece Theatre aired the first episode in a six-part BBC adaptation of Dickens' epic critique of the Victorian legal system. In just under two perfectly dark and thrilling hours, and seemingly without losing a beat, director Andrew Davies managed to adroitly navigate the complex legal and personal relationships without sacrificing character development or cinematography. Gillian Anderson is wonderfully cast as the woefully majestic Lady Dedlock, who has more than a passing interest in the Opium-related death of law-writer and mystery man who goes by the name of "Nemo." Anna Maxwell Martin is equally captivating as the "disgraced" Esther Summerson. But my personal favorite so far has to be Burn Gorman as Mr. Guppy, the eccentric (and dare I say Tim Burton-esque!) young law clerk who sets his cap for Esther. How lovely that there are five more weeks of Bleak to enjoy! --Kim