The Great Gatsby

Next month the latest film adaptation of  F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel The Great Gatsby, will be in theaters:

It appears to be filmed with 21st century panache, over-the-top special effects and 3D, but Ravenous fondly remembers the 1974 incarnation with Mia Farrow and Robert Redford, filmed at the Newport (RI) Mansions:

There have been other Gatsby films according to Wikipedia and Open Culture includes a “trailer” from the 1926 silent film version.

If you’d like to read the book before the premier on May 10th try this crisp ebook version from the University of Adelaide in Australia. Or next time you’re in borrow our copy!

 

Elementary

Sherlock Holmes is flourishing these days, not that he ever went out of favor, but the current incarnations based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s 19th century detective are great fun.  The latest is the CBS television show Elementary set in contemporary New York with a female Watson, an incredulous premise, but it works. Here’s the trailer:

Before the show started there were reports that Benedict Cumberbatch, Ravenous’s favorite Sherlock Holmes, had been upset by this American interloper. Of course these comments were recanted.

 

The above are both contemporary interpretations of Holmes. The traditional-ish representation is Guy Richtie’s movie versions. Ravenous likes these too! Maybe we just can’t get enough Sherlock.

 

But these alas are passive, non-participatory, venues for Holmes enthusiasts. If you join one of the Sherlock Holmes Societies you can assume a character and become a reenactor. Edward Docx recounts the latest gathering at the Reichenbach falls here.  What a lark, Sherlock would disapprove.

 

 

 

 

Moonrise Kingdom

Moonrise Kingdom is a period piece filmed in RI and directed by Wes Anderson. It is currently playing in selected theaters. Here’s the trailer:

What is interesting to Raven-ous, besides the Rhode Island connection, is the books that were created for the movie. There are six books that one of the main characters periodically reads from during the film. The book cover artists were asked to work with animators to create a short film for each of the titles.  They can be viewed here.  Rather elaborate movie props, don’t you think?

Thanks to the Fine Books blog

RMS Titanic Returns

April 14th 1912 at 11:40 pm. the RMS Titanic hit an iceberg in the North Atlantic and in the early morning of April 15th, sank. Next week we celebrate the hundredth anniversary of this  devastating shipwreck. The planned events are extensive, the TV programs, games, and of course the movie  are everywhere you look. Titanic is back.

Here at the Providence Athenaeum we will take a moment to remember our member, Engelhart C. Ostby and his daughter Helen, passengers on the Titanic.  The Encyclopedia Titanica has brief biographies.Helen survived but her father went down with the ship. He was a renowned jeweler, congregant at Grace Episcopal Church, and well respected member of the community.

The Raven

We have known for awhile that John Cusack will play Edgar Allan Poe in a movie titled The Raven. Collider has the official synopsis and here is the trailer:

The plot and title are not related to the poem The Raven.

The movie has been classed as a thriller, EAP appears to have a love interest, and it looks like yet another 19th century romp, a la Robert Downey Jr.’s Sherlock Holmes. Nevertheless, looking forward to the release which is set for March 9, 2012.

 

Harry Potter Comes to an End

Had to post this promo for the last film. It includes the actors first screen test and clips from the previous films.

Thanks to Galleycat

Jane Eyre, the Movie (2011)

If you’re a fan of Charlotte Bronte, you are in luck.  The latest film incarnation is out and receiving good reviews.  NPR’s Tom Ashbrook interviewed the film’s director, Cary Fukunaga, and now I can’t wait to see it.

Alas, the Athenaeum doesn’t have a first edition of this classic work, but we do have the 1899 Thornfield edition from Harpers.

The final tease:

 

Poe’s Raven, Anon

How many times has this piece inspired a film adaptation? Well hang on another one is on the way with John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe:

The Huffington Post calls it “a psychological thriller” about the end of Poe’s life.  Will it reference the poem, I know not.

Simultaneously, there is a film in production by Mark Wahlberg called “The Raven” that has no relation to our hero Edgar. It is a remake of a short film about Los Angeles. Confusion abounds.

“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary…” E.A.P. 1845

The Steward of Narnia

The movie adaptation of C. S. Lewis’s, Voyage of the Dawn Treader will be getting released in a few weeks. In that light, here’s an interview with Douglas Gresham, who is Lewis’s stepson and current guardian of his estate, regarding the upcoming movie and his experiences with the Lewis legacy. I was surprised to find out that the third movie was getting made, as the last film was reported to have underperformed in theaters. AB

Tolkien’s Geography

With news of a new film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit gearing up to begin filming, there is no better time to pick up a copy of the classic novel. While Tolkien’s works were influential all over the world, the reverse is also true. The world of Middle-Earth was closely based on the Europe of Tolkien’s time, which maps in this study indicate. As a long-time fan of the genre, it’s always nice to see how the fantasy is grounded in reality. AB

Image from Frank Jacobs, Where on Earth was Middle-earth?