Films | personal.amy-wong.com - A Blog by Amy Wong.

To Watch Until They’re 35 – Jérémie Renier

April 22, 2010 — 5 Comments

Steadily moving up our list of the 20 to Watch, this time around with a less mainstream face.

It’s Belgian actor Jérémie Renier, born in Brussels on January 6th 1981. At 29 years old, Renier has a prolific filmography. Probably first known worldwide by his performance as Thomas d’Apcher in Le Pacte des Loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf) alongside Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci.

He later starred as Bruno in the Dardenne brothers’ l’Enfant (The Child), which would eventually open the opportunity to play Claudy Moreau in the 2008 critically-acclaimed Le Silence de Lorna (Lorna’s Silence). Renier’s also had appearances in well-regarded films such as Atonement, starring Keira Knightley and Saoirse Ronan, , as well as In Brudges with Colin Farrell, Ralph Fiennes and Brendan Gleeson.

Last time we saw him on screen was on Olivier Assayas’ l’Heure d’Été (Summer Hours) alongside Juliette Binoche. The film was a favorite among critics in 2009, gathering a bunch of Best Foreign Film Awards. Hopefully, we will get to see him soon on Niki Caro’s The Vintner’s Luck alongside recently-nominated Vera Farmiga and Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider). Add to that his role on François Ozon’s Potiche with Gérard Depardieu, Catherine Deneuve, Judith Godrèche, and fellow the 20 to Watch Ludivine Sagnier… and well, we’re sold!

In Celebrity, English, Films, French, Photographs, Sharing actor, discovering new actors, rankings

“Super Dubbed” Films in Japan

Coming from an article over at Wildgrounds

What is this “super dub“? In fact, they’re trying to make the translation sounds more natural in Japanese.

…

what were you attempting with Super Dubbing to deal with this difference?
For example, Leonardo de Caprio, who plays Teddy, faces a woman working in the hospital and asks, “Were you a nurse?” If you change this to natural Japanese, just saying “Kankoshi?” However, in English when you say “Were you a nurse?” your lips move three times.

Posted on April 22, 2010 In Chinese, Clips, English, Films, Japanese, Reading, Sharing distributors, industry talk, japan, linguistic, only-dubbed films, translation

10 Comments

To Watch Until They’re 35 – Ben Whishaw

April 21, 2010 — 3 Comments

Moving from #9 to #8 on the list of the 20 to Watch, there’s another familiar face… even if the name doesn’t really ring a bell, unless… of course, you are already familiar with Ben Whishaw~

Born in Bedfordshire, England on October 14th 1980, this 29-year-old actor is probably most recognized for his starring role on Tom Tykwer’s Perfume: The Story of a Murderer. However, before his big break as smelling murderer Jean-Baptiste, Whishaw participated in the film Layer Cake alongside Daniel Craig, and Sally Hawkins.

In 2007, Whishaw became part of the cast of I’m Not There, the experimental film about Bob Dylan credited alongside the likes of Cate Blanchett, Christian Bale, and Heath Ledger. His last big hit on the silver screen was playing poet John Keats in Bright Star, directed by acclaimed director Jane Campion. The film garnered considerable buzz not only for him, but also his co-star Abbie Cornish.

Next up for him? A re-adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest by writer/director Julie Taymor (Across the Universe) alongside Djimon Hounsou, Alfred Molina, Chris Cooper, Alan Cumming and Helen Mirren.

In Celebrity, English, Films, Photographs, Sharing actor, rankings

Emma Watson’s New Site is Pure PicSpam~

April 21, 2010 — Leave a comment

Well, color me surprised.

Not only has Emma Watson had her website re-designed with a brand new and clean site, but also it seems she’s finally bought off the previously bought EmmaWatson.com – as you probably knew (or didn’t) Emma’s previous URL was EmmaWatsonOfficial.com, which now redirects you to EmmaWatson.com so someone probably made a bit of money there.

The new site has a lot of very-welcomed white space, really big pictures, and easier navigation. Stuff is easier to find, and it’s probably easier to Google. And did I mention the pictures? There’s a lot of slideshows with her editorials and photoshoots and film stills. Sure, you can’t save it, but you can totally “print screen” them xD

And HELLO? Exclusive commissioned photos? People will probably print screen those too, but it is still nice to know you can rely on the official site to deliver original content.

Emma is proving to have a savvy online presence.

And be very fashion.

And I’m glad she doesn’t tweet.

Now all she needs to do is release a photobook. RIGHT?

Because photobooks are totally pretty. And she can pull it off… release a PB, I mean.

In Books, Celebrity, English, Films, Jobs, Photographs, Screencaps, Sharing design, emma watson, interface, internet

To Watch Until They’re 35 – Nick Stahl

April 20, 2010 — 1 Comment

Continuing with our list of The 20 to Watch… in the actors category, comes perhaps a familiar face, but not really a name that sticks around. It’s none other than Nick Stahl~

Born in Texas, USA on December 5th 1979, Stahl barely cuts it with the age at 30 years old. However, with films in his filmography like the critically-acclaimed The Thin Red Line by Terrence Malick with heavy-weights like Sean Penn and George Clooney, or the fantastic In the Bedroom, sharing scenes with Tom Wilkinson, Sissy Spacek and Marisa Tomei… we can’t help but keep an eye on him.

He doesn’t stop with the heavy drama, since he also starred as John Connor on Terminator 3, as well as playing Yellow Bastard on Sin City. Moreover, he also played Ben Hawkins in the kind-of-short-lived but critically-acclaimed HBO series, Carnivale.

Stahl has a few projects on the works now, including On the Inside alongside the newest It Girl, Olivia Wilde, as well as Burning Palms with Zoe Saldana, Rosamund Pike and Paz Vega. However, we really REALLY think he should get a better agent… I’m sure there are a lot of interesting independent films that are much better suited for a fine actor than… let’s say, Mirrors 2.

In Celebrity, English, Films, Photographs, Sharing, Television actor, rankings

FLOWERS Trailer

I really, REALLY hate Japanese trailers.

[iframe width=”480″ height=”390″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/500Z8Z0KTmk?rel=0″]

Not tagging this as trailers yet.

The film, as it looks there, looks a bit rubbish. The black & white looks really dull, though I saw some of a sakura shot, and it look kind of interesting.

Posted on April 18, 2010 In Celebrity, English, Films, Japanese, Rants, Sharing, Trailers flowers film, yu aoi

10 Comments

To Watch Until They’re 35 – Eita

April 18, 2010 — 14 Comments

Guess who’s #10 on the list of The 20 to Watch Between 25-30?

But it’s, of course, Eita!

Born in Tokyo, Japan on December 13th 1982. He might be unknown to almost everyone, unless you are already familiar with Japanese films and series, but this 27-year-old actor has proven that you should keep on watching him.

His list of films include Aoi Haru (Blue Spring), Azumi, Densha Otoko, Su-ki-da and Memories of Matsuko. Of course, Matsuko as a film works because of so many different aspects including Eita’s ability to make you want to connect with the brilliant Miki Nakatani.

Last year, Eita worked on two films that seemed to be in many of the “best of lists” in Japan, including the acclaimed Dear Doctor — by famous director Miwa Nishikawa, who wrote and directed Yureru (Sway) — as well as the seemingly popular April Bride, directed by indie acclaimed director Ryuichi Hiroki.

Add to that his recurring role as Mine on the Nodame Cantabile franchise [headed by fellow 20 to watch Juri Ueno] which sprung not only an 11-episode series, and two television special, but also two theatrical films opening on December 2009 and this month.

There is a certain softness in Eita’s aura that translates well whenever he’s on screen, making him perfect to play the sensible young man. He doesn’t even need to speak a single word, even though you probably would need the subtitles to actually understand what he is saying [unless, of course, you speak Japanese], but whenever he’s in a dramatic scene… all of that doesn’t matter. He’ll deliver the goods in a way that language would really not be a barrier.

Very few [men or women] can captivate you like this.

In Celebrity, English, Films, Japanese, Photographs, Sharing, Television actor, eita, japan, rankings

Let Me In: The LtROi American Remake

April 14, 2010 — 8 Comments

The first time I saw Let the Right One in [LtROi], I was left with a shivering tingle. Obviously, it became my fave film of 2008, and I have seen it seven times already… loving the slightly unconventional love story, and presenting a wonderful character such as Eli.

This is why I don’t have to tell you how mad I was when I heard about the remake, right?

Well, not long ago… in fact, just after I commented on The Auteurs about watching it again, someone asked me what I felt about the remake. After a few minutes thinking about it, I concluded that I wasn’t as mad as I was when the news broke. I still don’t think Let Me In could be as good as LtROi and/or bring anything new to the genre.

Possibly, the best thing that could make me sway my decision is the casting of not only Chloe Moretz (Kick-Ass, (500) Days of Summer), but also Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Road). A moody and beautiful trailer would also help.

However, there’s still the fact that they probably won’t tackle certain topics by changing Eli’s name to Abbey, which makes her a full girl unless I don’t know any guy names that could be shortened to Abbey… you know like sometimes Ashley is a guy or girl name? Add to that the fact that Richard Jenkins’ character is called “The Father” – weird.

I’ll quote someone on IMDb who seems to explain it better…

By having Abbey being a girl, they’ve already killed one of the things I love about the original book, its not a conventional love story, it’s more about the idea of what love is and what it means. There is something so strangely touching about how Oskar is willing to still accept Eli in his life even after everything he finds out about Eli, I just found that really touching in the original novel. – damann861

I will probably watch the film… if it comes to local theaters, and if it doesn’t… well, I will probably take the time to download it. I mean, it all comes down to the trailer and the production stills. I want to see how it looks like before…

What are your thoughts on American remakes of foreign films?

Should they have waited a few more years to remake LtROi?

In Books, English, Films, Rants, Stills, Swedish

I don’t like the 13th, and it’s not the 15th…

April 14, 2010 — 2 Comments

but it sure is time for YAM009 =D

is the cover kowaii??? [scary??] I would love to hear your opinion on fansubbing, as well as distribution, which are two topics I always bring up one way or the other.

You are also welcomed to comment on reviews and give suggestions.

With no further ado, go over here for download.

20 Actors Between 25-30 to Watch until They’re 35

April 13, 2010 — 41 Comments

I’m starting out my list this week… with lack of visitor’s response.

No complaining from you then~~~

I’m gonna start out with 5 of the guys, followed by 5 of the girls like last time. Only properly.

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