To the delight of many fantasy fans and classic children's book lovers, the trailer for the newest film adaptation of Road Dahls, The Witches, was released on October 22nd, 2020. However, Warner Bros portrayal of the defining characteristics of witches (detailed in the original book by Luke's grandmother as having claw-like fingers and square feet) has garnered backlash and criticism.
On the 32nd anniversary of the beloved 'Matilda' I chose to celebrate by writing an open letter to the writer, Roald Dahl, which I now invite you all to read.
Two years ago, word got out that Netflix had been planning to release adaptations of a few of Roald Dahl’s works. However, up until now, there had been radio silence. There is still a lot that’s unknown, like when the project will start or when the shows and/or movies will be available, but we do know some of the important stuff.
First, we know that everything will start with Oscar-winning director, Taika Waititi. For the few who don’t know, Taika Waititi is the New Zealand mastermind behind JoJo Rabbit and the comedic Thor: Ragnarök. So far, we know that Waititi will be writing, directing, and executive producing two projects based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The first, with the same name as the beloved book, will center around the story’s main characters and locations.
The second project, however, is a true attention grabber. We will finally be getting an explanation for the Oompa Loompas. In a project titled Oompa-Loompa, we get to see Waititi’s take on the little orange people that make the Chocolate Factory what it is. And viewers who worried about the wonder and whimsy of the original tale shouldn’t be scared. Waititi is known for his quirky, hilarious, and surprisingly emotional pieces.
These projects are the first of Netflix’s deal with the Roald Dahl Story Company. In total, there will be 16 stories being used as Netflix’s inspiration. According to Netflix’s Media Center, “The list of titles in the agreement between Netflix and the Roald Dahl Story Company includes Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, The Twits, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, George’s Marvellous Medicine,” and many more. These titles will be the inspiration for animated series and one-offs that should delight any Dahl fan.
Feature Image via @Netflix on Twitter.
Last week, news of Wes Anderson’s latest movie hit Twitter. The movie, The French Dispatch, accompanied by Anderson’s screenplay of the same name, will be released in July of this year. However, in the meantime, it’s best to prepare yourself for the wonderfully quirky vibes Anderson will be dishing out with some equally quirky books.
While we all love Anderson’s take on this story, the original is just as fun. The children’s novel follows the sly but funny Mr. Fox. As a means to feed his wife and children, Mr. Fox resorts to stealing livestock from three cruel farmers. He and his other burrowing friends hatch a plan to steal as much food as they can from the evil farmers. The story is a tale of adventure and friendship, two things everyone should experience.
The Post Office Girl gets a spot on this list because of its author. In a conversation with Paul Holdengräber at the New York Public Library, Anderson revealed that Zweig’s works were the main inspiration for “The Grand Budapest Hotel”. Zweig tells the story of Christine, an Austrian woman who is a poverty-stricken post office worker and her struggle with depression and financial exclusion.
The story of Bernadette and her disappearance is quite an adventure. On the brink of a breakdown, all the wrong things happen to Bernadette Fox. Unable to cope with the build-up of stress and the blame for her daughter’s failed school fundraiser, Bernadette disappears. With her mother gone, Bee is forced to piece everything together and uncovers years of her mother’s secrets. The book has recently been adapted into a movie and it is entertaining in any form.
It’s always best to reacquaint yourself with the witty, wild worlds Wes Anderson has created. What better way than to go behind the scenes of it all. In his collection, movie/tv critic Matt Zoller Seitz gives readers an insider view of Anderson’s work. There are behind-the-scenes photos and artwork from Anderson’s movies as well as original illustrations and images for each production.
Feature Image via Polygon
The Witches have made a comeback! It’s hard to believe, but it’s been 30 years since Roald Dahl’s masterpiece book was first adapted into a movie back in 1990, starring the fabulous Anjelica Huston!
You’d think we’d be safe this time around, but the clan of evil women have joined forces with the fabulous Anne Hathaway as the The Grand High Witch and Octavia Spencer as additional cast! Spooky, we know!
Director Nicolas Roeg did a spectacular job with the movie in 1990, because it still has a cult following to this day. But rumor has it, Roald Dahl did not approve of the film, as the ending was changed from the book, so lets see how things turn out this time around.
Even though the book came out in 1983, I remember reading it as a kid much later and being downright terrified. And the movie was perhaps one of the single most horrifying and equally thrilling children’s movies to have ever been released, in my opinion!
So, safe to say, we are quite excited and thrilled for the upcoming adaptation, and hope it does justice to the previous fantastic 1990 movie, as well as the timeless book. And maybe this time around, Roald Dahl would finally be content!
