Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman (Book Review)

Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman, by Maria Hamilton is a fantastic new Pride and Prejudice variation. This novel tells the story of what would have happened if Mr. Darcy set off to take care of the problems he caused. After Elizabeth Bennet's rejection of his suit, Darcy journeys to Hertfordshire to right his wrongs against his friend Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennet. Soon Elizabeth comes to see Darcy in a whole new light as he strives to be a true gentleman.

I loved this book. An interesting and fun twist, written extremely well. It was exciting, compelling, and had a great plot. It also had the perfect amount of romance. It started off small then built to the point of sheer bliss in a way that made me blush and giggle with glee! :) And the new characters fit perfectly. I also enjoyed Jane and Bingley in this novel. Often in Pride and Prejudice-based novels, there is either too much about Jane and Bingley or not enough. This book got it just right. And Darcy....wow. He was absolutely wonderful, swoon-worthy, and true to Jane Austen's original character. Make sure to pick this book up. You're in for a treat!

Rating: 5 stars

Watch trailer #2 for 'The Three Musketeers 3D' starring Matthew Macfadyen

Watch trailer #2 for the 3D reboot of Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers (the official website has launched too with the trailer, story, and gallery sections so far...) starring Matthew Macfadyen (Athos), Milla Jovovich (M'Lady De Winter), Logan Lerman (D'Artagnan), Ray Stevenson (Porthos), and Luke Evans (Aramis). Can't wait to see this movie!

UPDATE 6/29/11: According to Deadline: Summit has just announced that it is shifting the premiere date for The Three Musketeers back a week to Oct. 21. 

Watch "round two" of TTM3D trailer below...

(source: venummuk)

The Three Musketeers 3D is scheduled to open nationwide on October 14, 2011. October 21, 2011!

On DVD and Blu-ray Today: Barney's Version

On DVD and Blu-ray (in both U.S. and Canada) today (June 28th), is Barney's Version (an Oscar nominated film for Best Make-up, which was released in limited theaters across the U.S. since January 14th) starring Paul Giamatti (which he won a Golden Globe in the title role), Rosamund Pike, Scott Speedman, Minnie Driver, Rachelle LeFevre, and Dustin Hoffman.

Order your Barney's Version (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) on Amazon.com! Or you can rent it, watch it on X-Finity on Demand, or better yet watch it on Netflix!

More Blu-ray/DVD combo pack details for Barney's Version via Sony Pictures Home Entertainment:

On DVD and Blu-ray Today: Sucker Punch

Jena Malone's Sucker Punch film is available on DVD and Blu-ray today (June 28t). Go get your own copy or rent or watch it on Netflix!

DVD Active has the following DVD/Blu-ray details and artwork, which you can pre-order your copies here: Standard DVD, Blu-ray, and Blu-ray/DVD Combo and Digital copy ... 

Title: Sucker Punch (IMDb)
Starring: Emily Browning
Released: 28th June 2011
SRP: $28.98 (DVD)

Casting News: Emma Stone offered lead role for 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' film

Update 6/24/11: According to Deadline: Emma Stone Not Doing 'Pride And Prejudice And Zombies'
 
Variety reports that Emma Stone (Easy A, Zombieland, The House Bunny) has been offered the lead role: Elizabeth Bennet in the new film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies to be directed by Craig Gillespie (Fright Night, Lars and the Real Girl), which Lionsgate is releasing. The film is based on the tongue-in-cheek mash-up book by Seth Grahame-Smith, which is a re-telling of Jane Austen‘s “Pride and Prejudice” with a twist of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy fighting against zombies. So far, Stone's only been offered the part and is not confirmed to star in this film yet. We'll find out soon enough, if she is or not.

Watch the trailer for 'A Dangerous Method' starring Keira Knightley, Michael Fassbender, and Viggo Mortensen

A proper and first trailer for Keira Knightley's new film, A Dangerous Method has been released courtesy of UK distributors Lionsgate (via Empire Online). As previously posted here five days ago, it has just been acquired by Sony Pictures Classics for its US rights and distribution. There's still no theatrical release date yet. The film, according the official press release (via Deadline), is currently in post-production. It was said to be premiering at the Venice Film Festival sometime in late August or early September. Also, previously, The Playlist posted the cruddy-bootleg-of-A-Dangerous-Method-trailer here! 

Watch the trailer for A Dangerous Method below...

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my Dad and
to all the fathers around the world!

P.S. check out this beautiful father/daughter (Mr. Bennet/Lizzie) video: Cinderella.

DVD News: Jane Eyre coming to DVD and Blu-ray August 16th

According to Jane Eyre's official facebook page, Jane Eyre is coming to DVD and Blu-Ray on August 16th!

Jane Eyre Exciting news! Jane Eyre will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray on August 16th!

Focus Features (Pride & Prejudice and Atonement)' latest film adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre starring Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell, Judi Dench (Pride & Prejudice's Lady Catherine),  Sally Hawkins, (2007 Persuasion' Anne Elliot), and (Pride & Prejudice's Georgiana Darcy).

No DVD and Blu-ray details (though the cover artwork for both are now available) yet, but will post and update here as soon as it does...For now, you can pre-order the DVD or Blu-ray versions of this film at Amazon.com.

See DVD/Blu-ray cover artwork below...

Summer Group Reading: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

If you have Liked and been following our Devoted Fans of Pride & Prejudice (2005) facebook fan page for quite some time or even just recently, then, you probably noticed that it just turned a year older online this month (June 14th) and we just started reading the first chapter of our Summer Group Reading: Pride and Prejudice novel by Jane Austen. We, as in devoted (or not) fans of P&P, will be reading this novel all summer long and will discuss, analyze, and answer questions from each chapter we've read together on our FB wall/discussion tabs. It will be a lot of fun...Chapter 1 has been a lot of fun (and a very short chapter) to read, thus far (we already started the P&P Group Reading Discussion: Volume I ~ Chapter I)...

Sony Pictures Classics Acquires David Cronenberg's 'A Dangerous Method' starring Keira Knightley

Deadline reports that Keira Knightley's new film, A Dangerous Method has been acquired by Sony Pictures Classics for its US rights and distribution. However, no theatrical release date yet. The film, according the the official press release below, is currently in post-production. It was said to be premiering at the Venice Film Festival sometime in late August or early September. Also, The Playlist posted yesterday the cruddy-bootleg-of-A-Dangerous-Method-trailer here!   

Here's the official press release (via Deadline):

Then & Now: Pride & Prejudice Actors

Ok, I did not forget about our favorite P&P male actors. Of course not. Not when the handsome and darcylicious Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy leading the talented P&P men here. No, can't say that I would, lol.These wonderful men of the 2005 Pride & Prejudice film are as talented and incredible actors as their female co-stars, who dominated the P&P cast. Four  (including season veteran and legendary actor Donald Sutherland) of them have been working steady and continued to get recognized on their own in various stage plays, television and film projects they've done since their P&P movie.

Here are a compiled list of what our favorite P&P male actors are currently doing, which TV show or films you last seen them starred/appeared in, and what they will be doing next (via IMDB) to name a few...

Photos: Carey Mulligan at "Through A Glass Darkly" Opening Night - After Party

Carey Mulligan recently attended the after party for the opening night of her "Through A Glass Darkly" off-broadway play at the Chinatown Brasserie on June 6, 2011 in New York City.

Check out Carey Mulligan's opening night and Curtain call photos below....

Watch the new trailers for 'Neverland' featuring Keira Knightley as the voice of Tinker Bell

Coming this Summer (July) 2011 to Sky Movies in the UK and December 2011 to SyFy cable channel in the USA is the new original prequel (to Peter Pan) Neverland featuring the voice of Oscar Nominee Keira Knightley as Tinker Bell.

From Emmy winning Executive Producer Robert Halmi, Sr. comes this original prequel to author J.M. Barrie's classic Peter Pan.

Neverland is an original production for Sky Movies (and Syfy), revealing the never-before-told story of how Peter Pan became the Boy Who Never Grew Up. It's an enthralling fantasy adventure for all of the family, starring Rhys Ifans (Hook), Anna Friel (Capt. Bonny),  Bob Hoskins (Smee), with Charlie Rowe as Peter and Keira Knightley as the voice of Tinker Bell

Watch the first promo trailer (via Sky Movies), a teaser trailer (via Syfy.com)!

Watch trailer #2 below (also includes trailer caps and a production still)...

'The Three Musketeers 3D's First Poster!

Summit Entertainment just released the first one-sheet poster (via Yahoo! Movies) for the upcoming 3D reboot of Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers starring Matthew Macfadyen (Athos), Milla Jovovich (M'Lady De Winter), Logan Lerman (D'Artagnan), Ray Stevenson (Porthos), and Luke Evans (Aramis). 

Check out the full one-sheet poster below!

Then & Now: More Pride & Prejudice Actresses

The beautiful Bennet girls are not the only ones whose careers soared and have continued to be busy after their P&P film. Here are the rest of the best Pride & Prejudice supporting cast who are all wonderful, versatile, and amazingly talented group of actresses (from a few season veterans to breakout newcomers) and what they're up to now... 

Jane in June at The Book Rat!

Hello P&P Devotees!
Jane in June is currently in progress over at The Book Rat. Jane in June is an online tribute to Jane Austen, her novels, sequels with many fun activities planned throughout the entire month of June.

While you are there, be sure to check out contributions by a very popular author here at the Pride and Prejudice 05 blog...Sharon Lathan!

Did I mention that they are also having giveaways?

Among the many activities are Dear Jane Letters. I have written my own Dear Jane letter from a very unique perspective that you may read at: ChristyFarmer.wordpress.com. I hope you will enjoy it! While you are there, feel free to browse and read other posts relating to Darcy and Matthew Macfadyen! Your comments and feedback are welcome!

Is it just me or do you all think we could persuade the lovely Jeane to put up countdown clocks to the impending release of future Matthew Macfadyen films?

What do you all say? :-)

Then & Now: Pride & Prejudice's The Bennet Girls

As aforementioned here in this blog, these young and very talented actresses (Academy Award® Nominee Keira Knightley, British Independent Film Award winner Rosamund Pike, Young Artist Award Winner Jena Malone, Academy Award® Nominee and BAFTA winner Carey Mulligan, and Talulah Riley) who played the Bennet sisters brilliantly and quite convincingly in the 2005 Oscar and Golden Globe nominated film, Pride & Prejudice were, in my opinion, all great together as sisters and an outstanding ensemble cast in their P&P 2005 film as well as individually, in their own other films before, during, or after they co-starred in P&P movie.

This time I thought I'd update you all in what they're up to as these 5 P&P 05 Bennet actresses (with the exception of Keira Knightley and Jena Malone) as unknowns before P&P movie (ie. Rosamund Pike, Carey Mulligan, and Talulah Riley) and then, post-P&P movie each had started to get wide recognition and more TV & film projects as well as critically acclaimed for their other roles (Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan, and Rosamund Pike) as one of them had become an instant breakout star, it girl, and Oscar/Golden Globe nominee as well as BAFTA award winner (Carey Mulligan) in such as short time. The worldwide success of the 2005 Pride & Prejudice film sure got each one of them a lot of recognition and attention they never had before even for its lead star Keira Knightley, who was already a big name from Bend It Like Beckham and Pirates movies prior to P&P movie. Also, for Jena Malone, who is a well-known, young veteran actress in her own right. They each have done very well individually after they were all cast in this film (and will definitely always be remembered for it) and after its released back in 2005 to its worldwide success that this film has continued to be to this day. 

Anyway, if you're wondering what's new or what they're up to these days with their respective careers since P&P movie was released almost 6 years ago. Here's a compiled list of what they're doing now and what they'll be doing next to for their next TV/Film/Stage Play projects (with recent public appearances photos of each of the 5 Bennet girls along with links and additional info via IMDB)...

What Would Mr. Darcy Do? (Book Review)

Hello, fellow Devoted Fans of Pride and Prejudice! :) One of my favorite pastimes is reading P&P variations and sequels, and I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts on these novels with you.

This (my first post!) is a review of the P&P variation What Would Mr. Darcy Do? by Abigail Reynolds. This was an absolutely wonderful book! What Would Mr. Darcy Do? is an interesting variation on the classic P&P story asking, 'What if...Darcy and Lizzie had revealed their feelings for each other earlier in the story?' In the first chapter, we find Lizzie at the Lambton Inn, distressed over the news of Lydia's ruin. Mr. Darcy suddenly appears, and Lizzie tells him of all that has happened. But rather than Darcy leaving the inn after giving her his best wishes, he stays and reveals to Lizzie his love for her. And because of this one change, a completely different outcome is created. An outcome highly entertaining, sweet, and romantic! And Abigail Reynolds is simply the master of kissing scenes. She is an absolute genius when it comes to writing these romantic moments. So much so, I would find myself blushing and giggling as I read! So if you like to see a little heat between Darcy and Lizzie and lots of sweet romance, I hope you pick up this fantastic book! 5 stars! :)

- Ashley <3

P&P Blog update and announcement...

A lil' blog update and announcement to mention here. First of all, don't worry, I am not going anywhere nor am I moving this blog to a different host. Rest assured, I've only just been working on keeping this blog updated as best as I could as well as added new things to keep you all updated on all things P&P/Jane Austen related topics and, of course, the 2005 P&P movie version we love, which this blog is most devoted and dedicated to. I just want to let you all know that I've updated some side bar contents/sections and pages of this blog and a lil' announcement, which I will get to in a bit. For now, check out the following things I've been working on.

P&P Blog Exclusive: Watch The first trailer for 'A Modern Pride and Prejudice' starring Maia Petee and Caleb Grusing

Here's a big update for those of you who have been following and waiting for news and updates on the latest film version of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice...

Bonnie Mae, who wrote the screenplay, produced, and directed the new independent film, A Modern Pride and Prejudice starring Maia Petee and Caleb Grusing has not only sent me more production stills, promo posters, on set and behind the scenes photos of her cast and crew, but she also sent me a youtube link to...wait for it...the trailer!!! Yes, you read it right...the first trailer to her P&P movie and you get to see it here (before anywhere else) first! Also, the film is now completed and it's coming to DVD very soon!

Watch the first trailer below and view the movie's posters, production stills, and on set/bts photos...

On TV Tonight: Watch 'Red Faction: Origins' starring Tamzin Merchant

Switching gears and taking a break from PBS' Masterpiece to SyFy channel...

The new SyFy original movie Red Faction: Origins starring Robert Patrick, Kate Vernon, Brian J. Smith, and Tamzin Merchant (aka Georgiana Darcy in P&P movie) premieres tonight (June 4th), on SyFy channel at 9 PM ET and repeats at 1 AM (June 5th). See tonight's Syfy schedule here!

Movie News: Is Matthew Macfadyen joining Keira Knightley on Joe Wright's 'Anna Karenina' film?

UPDATE 6/3/11: It's official Matthew Macfadyen confirmed for Anna Karenina!!! According to Matthew Macfadyen News (over at Topix. Thanks ladies!!!) Matthew's agency Hamilton Hodell has just confirmed Matthew will indeed be playing Oblonsky in Anna Karenina.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Is our favorite Mr. Darcy, Matthew Macfadyen reuniting and re-teaming with his Pride & Prejudice co-star Keira Knightley and director Joe Wright in their upcoming film, Anna Karenina? If so, I think this will be the BEST casting news EVERRRRR!!! (well, at least here on this blog, lol)...Thanks to my friend and fellow P&P/MM fan, Sylvie Valente for the heads up on this wonderful casting news. Hopefully, this is true. It's not officially confirmed yet, but will find out soon enough.

For now, this will do as UK's Daily Mail reports in their newest article has more Anna Karenina casting info and said that Matthew is part of the cast and is playing the character: Oblonsky and get this he and Keira will be playing not lovers, but siblings! Wowza, this will be interesting to see and I don't know if I'll get used to seeing them play as siblings after playing our favorite P&P couple: Elizabeth & Darcy. I will always picture them as Lizzie & Darcy, lol...


Here's the article from the Daily Mail:

Oh boy! Jude and Keira are looking for an (on-screen) son

Keira Knightley and Jude Law are seeking a son, while Matthew Macfadyen and Kelly Macdonald would like an instant brood of five.

These are the screen relationships that will make up one big happy (or rather not-so happy) family in the film version of Anna Karenina that will shoot in Britain and Russia from September.

Photos: Claudie Blakley in Chekhov's 'The Cherry Orchard'

Claudie Blakley (aka P&P 05's Charlotte Lucas) currently co-stars in Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard at London's National Theatre. The play started its previews May 10th, with an official opening May 17th and runs through July.

Read the Playbill.com story

Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, presented in a version by Andrew Upton and starring the previously announced Zoë Wanamaker, who returns to the National to play Ranyevskaya, will open this year's Travelex £12 season in the Olivier Theatre, beginning performances May 10, prior to an official opening May 17. The cast also includes Claudie Blakley (as Varya), Mark Bonnar (Trofimov), Pip Carter (Yepihodov), Kenneth Cranham (Firs), Paul Dodds, Craige Els, Mark Fleischmann, Colin Haigh, Conleth Hill (Lopakhin), Gerald Kyd (Yasha), James Laurenson (Gaev), Tim McMullan (Simyonov-Pischik), Jessica Regan, Tim Samuels, Emily Taaffe (Dunyasha), Stephanie Thomas, Joseph Thompson, Rosie Thomson, Ellie Turner, Charity Wakefield (Anya) and Sarah Woodward (Charlotta). The production is directed by Howard Davies, with designs by Bunny Christie; they last collaborated on The White Guard at the National, for which Christie won the 2010 Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best Designer. Lighting is by Neil Austin, with music by Dominic Muldowney and sound by Paul Groothuis.

Check out the production shots of Claudie Blakley below (via Playbill)...

Jena Malone stars in three short films including 'I Think Bad Thoughts' and 'Rachel'

Jena Malone is a very busy young woman these days. Not only that she has her own music going on, she appeared in a few short films: Danko Jone's I Think Bad Thoughts (short) with Karated Kid actor Ralph Macchio (who was recently seen in ABC's reality show, Dancing with the Stars), Selma Blair, and Elijah Wood. Rachel (Jena as titled character) - The journey of a US girl willing to enlist in the Army, obliged to face a crude reality. And  David Goldberg (short) - as Vida, written and directed by Say Anything actress Ione Skye.

She also has four upcoming indie feature films: Family Tree (2012), The Wait (2011) (as Angela), Jack and Diane (2011) (as Susan), and For Ellen (2012) (as Susan)

Check out and watch the videos and trailer below...