Remake News: Casting Mr. Miyagi and a Return to Eden

BuzzSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:30:19 PST

Two remake-related items making news today:

The makers of The Karate Kid remake have found their Mr. Miyagi in Jackie Chan.
The remake of East of Eden is really happening, as evidenced by the hiring of a director (Tom Hooper, who directed John Adams) and a screenwriter (Christopher Hampton, who wrote the Atonement screenplay).

Some thoughts:

My feelings about a remake of The Karate Kid starring Jaden Smith aside, Mr. Miyagi is many things Jackie Chan isn't: Calm, reasonable, wise, deliberate. Jackie Chan is an entertaining guy but let's face it, he's totally ~~spazzy~~ high energy. I mean, I might actually die of laughter if I find myself in a movie theater watching Jackie Chan seriously delivering the line, "Wax on. Wax off."
And East of Eden. I really like the book and I understand why a director would want to try his hand at bringing this tale to the big screen (again), but the original version, starring the beautiful James Dean, is pretty perfect. It's a little sad but totally expected from Hollywood at this point.

What do you think of this news? Disappointing? Exciting? A little of both?

Source and Source

Buzz in: What Classic Book Did You Recently Fall in Love With?

BuzzSugar — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 05:30:00 PDT

BuzzSugar community member pink-elephant posted the following review of East of Eden in The Book Club group, and it made me wonder if more of you have recently picked up and loved a classic read. Check out her post and share your own discoveries in the comments.

I first received this book as a birthday present a few months ago, and all I can say is wow! I have literally not been able to put it down! I have already finished with one reading and am now halfway through my second reading. John Steinbeck is really a gifted author, and this story is among his finest works. And in my opinion, it's his best. It is a story that takes a modern stance on the original Cain and Abel tale. It speaks of love, hate, jealousy, favoritism, sibling rivalry and love, sin, choice, and redemption. An excellent read!

Have you recently discovered a classic book? Tell us what it was in the comments below, and if you want to talk about more great reading, join The Book Club in the community.