Archives For Films

To Watch Until They’re 35 – Anne Hathaway

May 4, 2010 — 4 Comments

Well, talk about timing~

Someone else is using Anne Hathaway as their actress of the month… and she is placing #6 on our list of actresses to Watch Until They’re 35. This also marks the half of our list of actresses, which only means… we are doing guys and girls at the same time from now on!

Born in Brooklyn, New York on November 12th 1982, this 27-year-old actress burst into the pop culture scene for playing Mia Termopolis in 2001 for Disney’s The Princess Diaries alongside Julie Andrews. Starting your career with a Disney would-be short-lived franchise isn’t bad, but it proved to be a tough image to shed when you wanted to be considered a serious actress. This is why Hathaway had roles on films like The Other Side of Heaven, and Nicholas Nickleby… though moving away from the “princess” image was a little difficult with roles like Ella on Ella Enchanted, and The Princess Diaries 2.

Lending her voice to Red (Riding-hood) on Hoodwinked! in 2005 didn’t do the trick, so Hathaway did what actresses who want to branch-off do, and pulled a 360 by participating on Havoc, the rated-R film of suburban troubled youth, though critically-panned, the film did seem to do the trick since she followed that up with films like Brokeback Mountain directed by Ang Lee with fellow the 20 to Watch Michelle Williams, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, and perhaps her biggest box office hit The Devil Wears Prada alongside Meryl Streep.

Suddenly, she was everywhere getting gigs playing Jane Austen on the film Becoming Jane with fellow the 20 to Watch James McAvoy, and giving a new face to Agent 99 on the film adaptation of the series Get Smart alongside Steve Carell, which gave her even more exposure to the masses. However, it was in 2008 when she received the most praise when she played Kym on the critically-acclaimed Rachel Getting Married for which she was nominated for the first time for Best Female Actress at the Oscar, as well as the Indie Spirits, Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild. She even tied for a Best Actress win with Meryl at the Critics Choice Awards!

After that, yes. She followed that up with crap like Bride Wars and Valentine’s Day, so hopefully she’ll decide to be more choosy next time. Luckily, however, she made up for that by playing the White Queen on Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland.

What’s next for Hathaway? Hopefully, not more insipid romantic comedies [non-negative connotation], but how about Love and Other Drugs by Edward Zwick (Defiance, Blood Diamond, The Last Samurai) alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, Hank Azaria, Judy Greer and Oliver Platt? Or Rio an animated film by Carlos Saldanha (Ice Age) alongside hottie Rodrigo Santoro, and funny guy George Lopez?

Okay, not very exciting, but she’s got over half a dozen of films “in development” on her IMDbPro page, which I can’t access… unless you wanna buy me an account. No? I didn’t think so. One of those projects is bound to be good, right? Worth keeping an eye…

In Celebrity, English, Films, Photographs, Sharing , ,
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Korea Loves Them Gays on Prime Time

May 3, 2010 — 8 Comments

Well, the Korea Herald article is specifically talking about Korean prime time television, but we all know Asia is big on the gay… being with Fan Service on promos, or by actually putting these pretty people on screen.

Min’s own film, which featured a gay pastry chef, serves as a case in point. According to Min, “Antique” drew an audience that ended up being around 86 percent female.

This might explain why the vast majority of homosexual or potentially gay characters are played by attractive actors like Zo In-sung (who starred in “A Frozen Flower”) or “Coffee Prince” heartthrob Kim Jae-wook (who starred in “Antique”).

Oh, and this topic is so totally Julz, who’s disappeared. I know she’s got a lot to comment about this topic. As for me, well… if everyone [at least in America or the UK] seem to exploit girl-on-girl — the last one to do so was Christina Aguilera on her NSFW video Not Myself Tonight, courtesy of Tudou because no one else would let me stream officially… SO SUCK IT, Aguilera’s record label — I’m all for boy-on-boy. I say it, if you’re going to be exploitative, then be exploitative with all.

And that thing about it being a trend? Well, Yaoi and Yuri have been around for what feels like forever. It doesn’t matter if it’s a trend or not, as long as it’s finally normalized.

Funny thing, I don’t know if it is because most my friends follow male groups, but I’ve never seen girl-on-girl kissing in Asia… seen a lot of boy-on-boy from everywhere there though. Having that, it was so weird to have Adam Lambert dude being criticized so badly on this side of the world.

I’ve seen a lot of girl-on-girl romantic tales of friendship that never went there… maybe because that’s what girls dream about a lot. Wonder why girls read so much Yuri and Yaoi xD

In English, Films, Korean, Manga, Music, Sharing, Television , , , ,
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The Invention of Dr. Nakamats Trailer

OMG. I am obsessed with Dr. Nakamats.

I am so totally smelling cameras next time.

Posted on May 3, 2010 In English, Films, Japanese, Sharing, Trailers , , ,
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To Watch Until They’re 35 – Eva Green

May 2, 2010 — 1 Comment

Okay, since I have no idea when my computer will be back up, I decided to try to remember all the names that were on my non-back-up list of actors, in order to not delay my choices and ran into more names that are no longer 30. I am pretty sure that I have got all my names down, I just don’t know if I placed them in the correct order… but it will have to do.

So in the #7 position of our list of actresses to watch is none other than Eva Green.

Born in Paris, France on July 5th 1980, this 29-year-old actress shot to stardom by starring on Bernardo Bertolucci’s NC-17 film The Dreamers alongside Michael Pitt and Louis Garrel. However, she’s probably most recognized for playing Bond Girl Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale with Daniel Craig… or playing witch Serafina Pekkala on the fantasy film The Golden Compass, based from Northern Lights from the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman.

Green’s Silver Screen career isn’t even over 10 years, but with a start as Bertolucci, we can only expect the best from her, considering she’s stated she has no plans to go to Hollywood to get typecast as a femme fatale, instead she will be searching for the perfect script. Sure that shuts the door from getting exposure, but after working on films like Casino Royale, Kingdom of Hearts by Ridley Scott, and The Golden Compass — that’s like half her filmography — we think she doesn’t need it any more.

A self-confessed nerd — whom we have a weakness for — Green admires Tim Burton, Lars Von Trier, David Lynch, David Fincher, Cate Blanchett, Juliette Binoche and Helena Bonham Carter, so name-dropping doesn’t hurt her a bit. Top that off with a small commercial shooting alongside Wong Kar-Wai, which smells like good opportunity.

She speaks French and English, and is working on perfecting her American accent… and wait for it, she’s also apparently learning Japanese, which you know… would open doors there, since Japan loves anything French. And have I mentioned how exciting the Japanese film industry is? She seems to like intense directors, so could I see an Eva Green collaboration with Tetsuya Nakashima? Please, make that happen.

Sorry, I digress —  What’s next up for her? How about The Last Word directed by David Mackenzie, who also directed Young Adam and Hallam Foe (aka. Mister Foe) alongside Ewan McGregor.

In Celebrity, English, Films, French, Japanese, Photographs, Sharing , , ,
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Blue finally getting fansubbed?

May 1, 2010 — 5 Comments

Well, according to visitor Bill in this comment, his team is working on it.

Of course, me being one of the most vocal fans of Mikako Ichikawa — if not the most… seriously, you probably google her name and find my posts or images from the website — have been wanting to watch this since I got it. One afternoon, I tried watching it, but I felt the film was very dialog-driven, so I decided to stop the film and wait for someone to be kind enough… so thank you, Bill, for accepting my subs request.

I have seen a bunch of people, on my search for subtitles, that have been talking about the lack of subtitles for this film. Let me tell you, Mikako Ichikawa… so underrated.

Sure, she IS kinda creepy as lil’ sis Kumi in Memories of Matsuko, but in the end she wins us over with that final Okaeri — or is that just me? — as Matsuko goes up the stairs. *sighs* However, did you get to see Ichikawa as Tamaki Hiroshi’s wife in those few episodes of Atsu-hime starring more than rocking Aoi Miyazaki and lovable Eita?

Can I just say she’s got the most beautiful profile when she pulls her hair up? Such striking features, and so SO interesting. So much more than many other generic-looking and average-talented actresses that are much more popular.

So I wonder, why wasn’t this project much more popular?

In Celebrity, DVD/BR, English, Films, Japanese, Posters/Artwork, Sharing, Stills , , , ,
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Iron Man 2 is Fun, but…

April 28, 2010 — Leave a comment

is not really that memorable.

It’s funny, it’s got loads of moments for laughs — my dad even said so while saying it’s just a film to watch for fun with the kids.

My favorite – most surprising – moment was actually with Scarlett Johansson playing Russian-non-Russian super heroine Black Widow (aka. Natalie Rushman, aka Natasha Romanoff) taking on a dozen or so guards as Happy Hogan (played by Jon Favreau, who directed the film) was taking one of his own. But then again, it was because I literally burst out laughing, not because I thought it was the coolest thing ever… this is the best Johansson has looked on screen in a really LONG time.

Iron Man 2 – for the ones who don’t follow anything about superhero films – follows Tony Stark after he’s announced to the world that he is Iron Man, and that he’ll be the keeper of world peace, as he cockily says that he’s managed to privatize it. However, as he keeps using the Iron Man suit, his body begins a toxic transformation as the material used to power it is… well, toxic.

So as Stark processes the idea of dying, he begins setting his business affairs in order, and living a self-destructive last-days. Little did he know that an enemy is ready to use the Stark’s Iron Man tech to disrupt “world peace”.

Visual effects were their usual top-notch selves, except when Rhodey (played by Don Cheadle, replacing Terrence Howard) was using a suit… there was something funky with his moving and flying… maybe because it’s meant to not be as cool as Iron Man.

Continue Reading…

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The End of Plastic Surgery in Hollyweird?

April 27, 2010 — Leave a comment

From the New York Times comes an article that talks about how some casting directors and directors are reacting to butchered surgery jobs on actors…

Independent casting directors like Mindy Marin, who worked on the Jason Reitman film “Up in the Air,” are urging talent agents to discourage clients from having surgery, particularly older celebrities who, she contends, are losing jobs because their skin is either too taut or swollen with filler. Said Ms. Marin: “What I want to see is real.”

Even extras get the once-over. Sande Alessi, who helped cast the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, said she offers to photograph actresses in their bathing suits, telling them they can keep the photo for their audition books.

Professional courtesy? Not exactly. Moviemakers prefer actresses with natural breasts for costume dramas and period films. So much so that when the Walt Disney Company recently advertised for extras for the new “Pirates” film, the casting call specified that only women with real breasts need apply. By taking a photograph, Ms. Alessi said, “we don’t have to ask, we will know.”

Because…

Talent > Plastic Looks… right?

Please someone tell that to Reality TV not even worth mentioning here.

And I love photos with wrinkles… of course, not MY photos with wrinkles, but I do love my movable face… even though my mother keeps telling me to stop making faces. So I’m kinda taking the Sally approach to limit of facial expressions hahahahaha.

In English, Films, Rants ,
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To Watch Until They’re 35 – Michelle Williams

April 26, 2010 — 4 Comments

Moving on with our list of the 20 to Watch, placing on #8 is none other than Michelle Williams. I mean, who would have thought that troublemaker Jen Lindley, ex and friend of Dawson Leery in that show about high school days during my school years, would end up where she is now.

Born in Montana, USA on September 9th 1980, this 29-year-old actress established herself as this generation’s new talented Hollywood in 2005 when she participated in Ang Lee’s critical-acclaimed film Brokeback Mountain. She wasn’t only nominated for an Oscar (and other awards) for Best Supporting Actress in that film, but she also met the father of her child, Heath Ledger and Mathilda’s — we’re all family here, right? — godfather, Jake Gyllenhaal. Obviously, Brokeback Mountain changed Williams’ life professionally and personally… and that is basically what every Hollywood legend has gone through in their lifetime.

Like any young starlet, Williams started out with small appearances on shows like Baywatch, Lassie and Step by Step, when in the late 90’s she shot to teen pop culture stardom on The WB’s Dawson’s Creek, which ended in 2003 after more than 100 episodes. While everyone was thinking about the future of the idols now that they were grown up, Williams made appearances in films like The United States of Leland alongside Don Cheadle, Kevin Spacey, Lena Olin, Jena Malone and Ryan Gosling, as well as the acclaimed film The Station Agent written and directed by Tom McCarthy alongside Patricia Clarkson.

She followed that up with smaller films like Imaginary Heroes with Jeff Daniels, Sigourney Weaver and 20 to Watch fellow Emile Hirsch, and starred in the even smaller Land of Plenty, for which she earned her first Indie Spirit nomination for Best Female Lead. After her Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Academy Awards for Brokeback, Williams decided to be part of the film I’m Not There alongside 20 to Watch fellow Ben Whishaw.

By the year 2008, she had decided to participate in the independent films Wendy and Lucy, which was well-received by critic circles and earned Williams her second nomination for Best Female Lead at the Indie Spirits, as well as Synecdoche, New York the directorial debut of scriptwriter Charlie Kaufman, alongside the likes of Philip Seymour Hoffman, Samantha Morton, Hope Davis and Jennifer Jason Leigh — they all, by the way, won the Robert Altman Award at the Indie Spirits.

The impressive filmography doesn’t end there, as Williams next film was Mammoth written and directed by Lukas Moodysson (Fucking Åmål), and also starred Gael Garcia Bernal… topping it all off with this year’s Blue Valentine fresh off great buzz from Sundance alongside Ryan Gosling. Add to that Shutter Island by Martin Scorsese… no Scorsese film, as bad as some could be, would be a real negative on anyone’s resume, right?

Next up for her? Well, how about a project written and directed by Sarah Polley? I’m talking about the romantic comedy [non-negative connotation] Take this Waltz. Following that up? Possibly, The Emperor’s Children by pseudo indie fave Noah Baumbach — fresh off with the Greenberg buzz. Yeah? Worth another 5 years watching her, right?

Woah, could this write-up be a little girl-crush right there? xD

In Celebrity, English, Films, Photographs, Sharing , ,
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To Watch Until They’re 35 – Rebecca Hall

April 25, 2010 — 1 Comment

Continuing with the ladies countdown, placing at #9 on our list of the 20 to Watch is none other than actress Rebecca Hall. And let me tell you, she’s one tough subject to find. Even though you can find her often named in various lists about rising stars and talents to look out for, you’ll find it difficult to find any decent sized photograph of her.

You know, when someone captures a fan’s attention, websites will begin to appear about their work and life. More often than not, these fans would get the best image archives an artist could hope for. They somehow manage to find any high resolution, un-watermarked photograph and put it to the disposition of other fans, who in turn deliver fanart. It’s a delicious and vicious cycle of image and graphics.

Rebecca Hall is hard to find, but oh she’s got the charisma.

Born in London, England on May 3rd 1982, this 27-year-old actress shot to fame and is probably most known by playing Vicky in Woody Allen’s 2008 film Vicky Cristina Barcelona opposite Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johansson. The role didn’t only rivaled Cruz’s performance — which earned her the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress — but also earned Hall her first Golden Globe nomination.

However, before that, Hall also played a role in Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige with Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, and Michael Caine. She accompanied her performance in VCB with a small appearance in Ron Howard’s Frost/Nixon with Frank Langella, Michael Sheen and Sam Rockwell. In 2009, she continued her streak with a role in Dorian Gray credited alongside Colin Firth, Ben Chaplin, Emilia Fox, Ben Barnes and Rachel Hurd-Wood.

This year she will be starring on Please Give, alongside Catherine and Elizabeth Keener, as well as Amanda Peet. However, what’s in store for her? Well, the film The Town, directed by Ben Affleck and sharing the screen with Jeremy Renner, Jon Hamm, and Chris Cooper. With her on-screen charisma, that’s enough for us to keep an eye on her and the roles she chooses.

In Celebrity, English, Films, Photographs, Sharing , ,
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Don’t Laugh at my Romance – Ship-Off!

Bring it!

Who does it better?

Mirume/En-chan? or Domoto/En-chan?

Continue Reading…

Posted on April 25, 2010 In Clips, English, Films, Fun, Japanese, Sharing , , , , , , ,
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