Category: Films

  • Iron Man 2 is Fun, but…

    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.

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  • The End of Plastic Surgery in Hollyweird?

    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.

  • To Watch Until They’re 35 – Michelle Williams

    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

  • To Watch Until They’re 35 – Rebecca Hall

    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.

  • Don’t Laugh at my Romance – Ship-Off!

    Bring it!

    Who does it better?

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

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  • To Watch Until They’re 35 – Abbie Cornish

    It’s time to begin with the ladies.

    Taking the #10 spot on the list of actresses to watch is none other than latest Australian  export Abbie Cornish. I know a few who are still not taken by Cornish screen charisma — I am one of them — but it’s hard to deny her success in different films.

    I mean, there is a reason why she had “the” buzz, right?

    Born in New South Wales, Australia on August 7th 1982, at only 27 years old, Cornish has already achieved a lot. In 2004, Cornish starred in the film Somersault which was well-received critically, even getting her the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress [Action It Boy Sam Worthington was in it too]. She followed that up in 2005 with Candy alongside Heath Ledger, for which she received more critical acclaim.

    Cornish finally broke into mainstream appeal by appearing on Ridley Scott’s A Good Year with Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard, where she played the appealing long lost relative not looking for inheritance. She followed up her appearance with Crowe by sharing the screen with yet another fine Australian talent in Elizabeth: The Golden Age with Cate Blanchett.

    And how do you top that off? Well, by working with famous director Jane Campion on Bright Star alongside fellow the 20 to Watch Ben Whishaw, and gather a lot of praise for her role of Fanny Brawne. And though that didn’t translate into the awards, she got our attention.

    What’s next on her plate? Well, how about two projects with Watchmen and 300 director Zack Snyder? First up, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole with Hugo Weaving, Geoffrey Rush, Helen Mirren Sam Neil, and Jim Sturgess. Then, Sucker Punch — described as Alice in Wonderland with machine guns — with Jon Hamm, Carla Gugino, and Jena Malone. Follow that up with  current work for the film The Dark Fields alongside Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper, and a possible project directed by Madonna with Vera Farmiga and Ewan McGregor? And well… we’re there!

  • To Watch Until They’re 35 – James McAvoy

    Crap, I’m gonna have to make an exception here, as James McAvoy has just turned 31 — about two days ago — but I had already added him to the list. I knew I was cutting it too close…

    Anyway, McAvoy places #5 on the list of the 20 to Watch, which marks the first 5 names to be added. Now, I will add my 5 additions to the Actresses list, and we’ll continue with one guy and a girl ;P

    Born in Port Glasgow, Scotland on April 21st 1979, James McAvoy is probably best known for playing Wesley Gibson alongside Angelina Jolie in the action film Wanted released in 2008. However, he shot to fame for playing opposite Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland in 2006. After it, he was cast as the male lead in films such as Penelope with Christina Ricci, as well as Becoming Jane alongside Anne Hathaway.

    He has also shared the screen in the well-received Atonement with Keira Knightley, Saoirse Ronan and fellow the 20 to Watch Jérémie Renier. He followed the project with The Last Station last year, which was also received well in critic circles.

    It’s true that he’s dropped out of projects due to personal reasons, but McAvoy still has a couple of projects for the next couple of years, starting with The Conspirator directed by Robert Redford, and sharing credits alongside Kevin Kline, Tom Wilkinson, Robin Wright, and fellow the 20 to Watch Evan Rachel Wood.

  • To Watch Until They’re 35 – Jérémie Renier

    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!

  • “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.

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  • To Watch Until They’re 35 – Ben Whishaw

    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.