CLOUD ATLAS - Jim Sturgess, Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving & more

OMG!! You know how I love a good book adaptation and think that there should be more of these instead of crappy remakes (stupid Kenny Ortega!) and this is promising to be yet another good one!

Already boasting a stand out cast including Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Susan Sarandon and Hugo Weaving (go team OZ), one of my fave boys has been confirmed for a role in this adaptaion of David Mitchell's novel CLOUD ATLAS. YES!!!

This adaptation has a modest budget so it's surprising to see so many big names attached, they must seriously believe in this picture which is always a good sign for the viewer! The Wachowski siblings (who brought us THE MATRIX) and German filmmaker Tom Tykwer (RUN LOLA RUN) have co-written and will be co-directing this film set to be shot in Germany's Studio Babelsberg. Word on the street is that each actor will play a variety of characters in each of the six worlds of the story and id that's not excitement enough here's what Jim Sturgess had to say about it to The Playlist:

"[All the actors] play a few characters, it’s very clever what [the directors are] gonna try and do. I’m really really really excited about it. I think it’s going to be bonkers, it’s either going to work or it’s not. I’m really excited to see if we can pull it off, because it’s ambitious what they want to do. And it’s nice, you feel like no one’s ever done that in a film before, it’s like rep theater on a sort of giant movie scale.”

I've not read the book yet, but I will be rushing out tomorrow to grab myself a copy and add it to the pile of books on my bedside table that I have to read before the film comes out (including WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN). The story apparently follows six plot threads across time including a bisexual musician in the 30s, a clone in a futuristic dystopia and a female journalist in a thriller in 1970s California.

I will let you know how I go with the book, but what I've read of the plot so far and the cast that's attached to this project I am very excited!!

ONE DAY - Review

Sometimes I can't believe how lucky I am. This film doesn't release in Australia until September 1st and I got a sneak peek at it last night and let me just say WOW. If you haven't already fallen for Jim Sturgess you will now!!

A couple of weeks ago I showed you a clip where the David Nicholls himself said lovers of the book would not be disappointed, and you know what he was right. I was not disappointed. In fact I was delighted!

There was only one thing I didn't love and that was Anne Hathaway as Emma, which was something I had predicted. I'm not sure who I would have cast as Emma, but she definitely wasn't it and I wasn't the only one who thought that. I went in with an open mind about her, but it just didn't work and the few moments where her American accent slipped through didn't help her case!

Jim Sturgess on the other hand was a perfect Dexter. He had the arrogance, the selfishness and the brokeness all down, plus not hard to look at which is a bonus! I'm pretty sure he will fulfill everyone's dreams of how Dexter should be, both in character traits and looks!

The film was beautifully shot in segments of the 15th of July, the anniversary of Dexter and Emma's first meeting. Everything else that falls between those days in the book is basically left out, but that did not alter the magic of the story or the development of the characters. I was a little concerned about how they were going to pull off 20 years of stuff in under 2 hours, but they did it! Nicholls' script was great and direction by Lone Scherfig was incredible, which I suppose was to be expected from this acclaimed director. Just look at AN EDUCATION.

This is a good week for films 4 out of 5! Watch the link below for a serious indication of just how good Jim Sturgess is as Dex.

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810197449/video/25911716#25761620

ONE DAY - Jim Sturgess & Anne Hathaway

Another amazing book that's been converted into a film. David Nicholls wrote this one and he's also written the screenplay so those of you who have read it can rest assured it won't be too far from the truth of the book.

Loving the casting of Jim Sturgess as Dex, but not yet convinced on Anne Hathaway as Emma...She doesn't quite seem to have the accent down, but she might change my mind once I see the film. Hitting screens September 1st as well.