Celebrity Pics Without the Bloodshed!
Celebrity Pics Without the Bloodshed!
When I hear an extra cheesy stage name, I can’t help but wonder what real-life moniker it replaced.
For your reading pleasure, here’s a list of some of my favorites:
Ryan Seacrest – John Renold Aufenstein
Bono – Paul Hewson
Dido – Florian Cloud De Bounevialle Armstrong
Ellen Burstyn – Edna Gilhooley
Ice Cube – O’Shea Jackson
Ben Kinglsey - Krishna Banji
Michael Caine – Maurice Joseph Micklewhite
Walter Matthau – Walter Matuschanskayasky
George Michael - Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou
And the big winner….
Akon - Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam
One film I’m looking forward to seeing is the new Sherlock Holmes, starring Robert Downey Jr., currently filming in England. Though the Holmes gig has been done before, I have no doubt that RDJ, being the firecracker of talent that he is, will bring something fresh to it. Holmes’ assistant Watson is played by Jude Law, who is pretty good when he’s too busy being in love with himself. Guy Ritchie is at the helm of the project, and now that he’s just won the divorce settlement jackpot, I’ll bet he’s feeling extra confident to take some risks here.
All in all, it’s shaping up to be a fun ride.
In her new flick, Plan B, Jennifer Lopez plays a woman who becomes pregnant via artificial insemination because she can’t bag a man. Of course, Mr. Perfect shows up the day she finds out she’s pregnant.
It’s pretty ironic that Plan B is the name of the Morning After Pill, which prevents conception the day after an Oopsie.
Imagine Mr. Perfect showing up when you’re buying that. Awkward…
You know that the creative juices have officially been drained from Hollywood when they start coming out with more remakes and sequels than they do original material. And the originality drought has spread to Broadway, which is crammed with adaptations of hit films like Shrek and Legally Blonde.
It’s really embarrassing.
Right here and now, I am predicting that there will be either a remake, sequel, prequel or a musical adaptation of Back to the Future. I can’t tell you when it will happen, but I just know.
I hope it’s soon. I need more Christopher Lloyd in my life.
This week, I saw Happy-Go-Lucky, which stars Sally Hawkins (who is being showered with nominations for her performance) and is directed by Mike Leigh (Secrets and Lies). It’s the story of Poppy, a primary school teacher who is a perpetual optimist.
Hawkins’ character is delightful and she’s a lot of fun to watch. Plus, her wardrobe is completely zany and fantastic. I will say, though, that this film is more a slice of life/character study than an exciting story, but if you’re into that sort of thing I would recommend it.
Enjoy!
The 66th Annual Golden Globe Award Nominations are out! Here’s the list of nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Frost/Nixon (2008)
The Reader (2008)
Revolutionary Road (2008)
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
The thing about a Best Picture is that it needs a full deck–acting, story, visual effects, music, and star power–in order to win big, so my money’s on Benjamin Button. The rest of them have literary cred (The Reader and Revolutionary Road), strong performances (Frost/Nixon) and unique scripts (Slumdog Millionaire) but none fuse them all into a winning film experience.
Burn After Reading (2008)
Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)
In Bruges (2008)
Mamma Mia! (2008)
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
The Hollywood Foreign Press masks their indecision by dividing films into two categories: Drama and Musical/Comedy. It’s great because more people win, but only after the awards are given out can you get a real sense of who will be on the Oscar ballot. In this case, I think the huge international success that was Mamma Mia! will earn some recognition here, and if it is nominated for an Oscar, it will be more for the box office returns than film quality.
Leonardo DiCaprio for Revolutionary Road (2008)
Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon (2008)
Brad Pitt for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler (2008)
Sean Penn, no question. Despite his stormy nature, everyone loves him. Brad Pitt’s transformation into Benjamin Button will probably get credit where it deserves: makeup and visual effects. However, there is a potential left-field winner in Frank Langella, who gives a brilliant turn as former Prez Dick Nixon in Frost/Nixon and getting rave reviews.
Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married (2008)
Angelina Jolie for Changeling (2008)
Meryl Streep for Doubt (2008)
Kate Winslet for Revolutionary Road (2008)
Toughie. Though I am completely biased and am rooting for Kate Winslet, I think she’s likelier to win for The Reader, a much more controversial and transformative performance. Everyone loves Meryl, but it’s almost obligatory to nominate her now. I think it’s between Hathaway and Jolie, who the critics have both loved this year. If Jolie takes it, it will be because her star power outshone the competition. Either way, it will be nice to see her and Brad there in all their gorgeousness.
Javier Bardem for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Colin Farrell for In Bruges (2008)
James Franco for Pineapple Express (2008)
Brendan Gleeson for In Bruges (2008)
Dustin Hoffman for Last Chance Harvey (2008)
Dustin Hoffman is a perennial favorite and always brilliant, but this is James Franco’s year. His turn as a high-as-a-kite pot dealer in the summer romp Pineapple Express was convincing enough to earn some critical attention for a film that would have otherwise been overlooked.
Rebecca Hall for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Sally Hawkins for Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)
Frances McDormand for Burn After Reading (2008)
Meryl Streep for Mamma Mia! (2008)
Emma Thompson for Last Chance Harvey (2008)
It’s between newcomer Sally Hawkins and Meryl, who managed to make you think deeply about ABBA. Hawkins’ performance as a perpetual optimist in Happy-Go-Lucky is being loved-up by critics this year, and rightfully so; she’s completely charming. I won’t be surprised if Hawkins takes it.
Tom Cruise for Tropic Thunder (2008)
Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder (2008)
Ralph Fiennes for The Duchess (2008)
Philip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt (2008)
Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight (2008)
Heath.
Penélope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Viola Davis for Doubt (2008)
Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler (2008)
Kate Winslet for The Reader (2008)
Kate Winslet can consider this one hers. Although she deserves to win, it will also serve as a consolation prize if she doesn’t win for Revolutionary Road.
Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Stephen Daldry for The Reader (2008)
David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon (2008)
Sam Mendes for Revolutionary Road (2008)
Again, I’m leaning toward Button. David Fincher’s attention to detail and creative visual storytelling (see Seven and Fight Club) has yet to get the recognition it deserves. If the film delivers critically and financially, he’s as good as gold.
Doubt (2008): John Patrick Shanley
Frost/Nixon (2008): Peter Morgan
The Reader (2008): David Hare
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Simon Beaufoy
Slumdog Millionaire will probably take this one. Screenplay is a great category because it’s all about the writing and nothing else. In this case, it doesn’t matter that no one has seen the film; if the script is solid, that’s all that counts.
Bolt (2008)(”I Thought I Lost You”)
Cadillac Records (2008)(”Once in a Lifetime”)
Gran Torino (2008)(”Gran Torino”)
WALL·E (2008)(”Down to Earth”)
The Wrestler (2008)(”The Wrestler”)
Bruce Springstein for “The Wrestler”. Hollywood loves him.
Changeling (2008): Clint Eastwood
Defiance (2008): James Newton Howard
Frost/Nixon (2008): Hans Zimmer
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): A.R. Rahman
An awards show is not an awards show if Clint Eastwood goes home empty-handed. He’ll get this one because he wasn’t nominated for anything else.
Bolt (2008)
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
WALL·E (2008)
‘Tis the season of going green, and WALL-E is the poster boy. Pixar rocks.
Der Baader Meinhof Komplex (2008)
Gomorra (2008)
Waltz with Bashir (2008)
Foreign films are always tricky because they have a much different audience than American cinema. In this case, however, I’m voting for Waltz with Bashir.
“Dexter” (2006)
“House M.D.” (2004)
“In Treatment” (2008)
“Mad Men” (2007)
“True Blood” (2007)
Mad Men, a nostaligic look at the world of 50’s advertising, was a huge success this year and will probably reap the rewards for it.
“Californication” (2007)
“Entourage” (2004)
“The Office” (2005)
“30 Rock” (2006)
“Weeds” (2005)
Again, a toughie. After Tina Fey rocked it Sarah-Palin-style on SNL, everyone is in love with her. 30 Rock, which she created and stars in, could ride on her coattails.
Bernard and Doris (2007)
“Cranford” (2007)
“John Adams” (2008)
A Raisin in the Sun (2008) (TV)
Recount (2008) (TV)
John Adams. Huge critical success produced by Tom Hanks. It also happened to be awesome.
Ralph Fiennes for Bernard and Doris (2007)
Paul Giamatti for “John Adams” (2008)
Kevin Spacey for Recount (2008) (TV)
Kiefer Sutherland for 24: Redemption (2008) (TV)
Tom Wilkinson for Recount (2008) (TV)
It’s all about Paul Giamatti this year. Even though he was amazing as John Adams, he should win as an apology for not getting the Oscar for Sideways. Robbery.
Judi Dench for “Cranford” (2007)
Catherine Keener for An American Crime (2007)
Laura Linney for “John Adams” (2008)
Shirley MacLaine for Coco Chanel (2008) (TV)
Susan Sarandon for Bernard and Doris (2007)
This is John Adams year. Congrats, Laura Linney!
Alec Baldwin for “30 Rock” (2006)
Steve Carell for “The Office” (2005)
Kevin Connolly for “Entourage” (2004)
David Duchovny for “Californication” (2007)
Tony Shalhoub for “Monk” (2002)
Who doesn’t love Steve Carell? His performance on The Office as a corporate blowhard is so good it makes me uncomfortable. Tony Shalhoub is fabulous in Monk, but he’s won already. David Duchovny killed his chances with the whole sex addiction thing; Californication is all about sex, so it’s probably not too much of a stretch for him. Give it to the 40 year old virgin!
Christina Applegate for “Samantha Who?” (2007)
America Ferrera for “Ugly Betty” (2006)
Debra Messing for “The Starter Wife” (2008)
Mary-Louise Parker for “Weeds” (2005)
Applegate vs. Fey. As mentioned before, Fey could coast on her SNL merits, but Applegate is a success story after beating cancer this year.
Gabriel Byrne for “In Treatment” (2008)
Michael C. Hall for “Dexter” (2006)
Hugh Laurie for “House M.D.” (2004)
Jonathan Rhys Meyers for “The Tudors” (2007)
The Tudors was huge this year, so the award could go to Meyers. However, Michael C. Hall, who was so brilliant in Six Feet Under, has a shot at it. And I’m not just saying that because my husband loves Dexter.
Sally Field for “Brothers & Sisters” (2006)
January Jones for “Mad Men” (2007)
Anna Paquin for “True Blood” (2007)
Kyra Sedgwick for “The Closer” (2005)
January Jones can count on Mad Men’s success to get her up to the podium. She can be the pretty young thing this year.
Neil Patrick Harris for “How I Met Your Mother” (2005)
Denis Leary for Recount (2008) (TV)
Jeremy Piven for “Entourage” (2004)
Blair Underwood for “In Treatment” (2008)
Tom Wilkinson for “John Adams” (2008)
Denis Leary killed his chances with a stupid comment about Autism in his new book, so it’s between Piven and Wilkinson. Ari Emmanuel, brother of soon-to-be Presidential Chief of Staff Ram Emmanuel, is the basis of Piven’s character. Since this is the year of Obama…But Wilkinson rocked it as Benjamin Franklin in John Adams, so we’ll see what the foreign press has to say.
Eileen Atkins for “Cranford” (2007)
Laura Dern for Recount (2008) (TV)
Melissa George for “In Treatment” (2008)
Rachel Griffiths for “Brothers & Sisters” (2006)
Dianne Wiest for “In Treatment” (2008)
Dianne Wiest is awesome, and HBO’s In Treatment was a critical success. Congrats, Diane!
Walt Disney must be turning over in his cryogenic freezer.
The Disney Company’s latest release, Tinker Bell, is the latest in a string of unoriginal sequels that seriously suck. Considering the creative and financial resources that company has (they freakin’ own Times Square), it’s embarrassing that they’re being wasted this way.
Not to mention dangerous. Raising children on half-assed sequels leads to underachievement and low self-esteem.
Consider the era of The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King, in which there were solid storylines and original music (don’t tell me you don’t know every word to “Be Our Guest”). Although Disney may be making serious cash from this straight-to-video shlock, if they want to maintain some integrity they need to return to their roots.
And don’t give me that song and dance about it costing too much time and money to complete an animated feature. I want a song and dance about Springtime!
I was mildly encouraged by “Enchanted”, a cutesy throwback to their original glory, which featured an animated sequence with singing forest animals, music by Alan Menken (who also composed the music for TLM, B&TB and AL) and Jodie Benson, who played the voice of Ariel.
Here’s hoping someone gets the hint before they start making sequels to the prequels of sequels.
And the makers of Milk can celebrate, earning the most nominations (8) to tie with The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Some other highlights:
-Kate Winslet was nominated for her role in The Reader, but was relegated to the Best Supporting Actress category. What the heck is that? She’s only the centerpiece of the whole movie. Sadly, Revolutionary Road was completely overlooked.
They just love to torture me.
-Sean Penn and Brad Pitt are the big contenders for Best Actor. Penn will win it because Hollywood hates giving awards to pretty men.
-Critic’s pet Clint Eastwood got two nods, one for Best Actor in Gran Torino and the other as composer for Changeling. Interestingly enough, he was overlooked as Best Director for both films. They probably think he’s too old to notice.
-Left-field nominee Anne Hathaway for Best Actress in Rachel Getting Married. She’s been getting great reviews, so she must feel good after finding out her ex was a lying, cheating scum bucket.
-Robert Downey, Jr.’s brilliant turn as a white actor playing a black soldier in Tropic Thunder got a nod. Usually broad comedies are ignored during awards season, but whatever. He rocked it. He won’t win, though, because he’s up against Heath Ledger for Best Supporting Actor in The Dark Knight.
-Has-been Mickey Rourke finds his way onto the ballot for Best Actor in The Wrestler. They’ll probably play him up as this year’s “comeback kid”; he and Britney can do Barbara Walters together.
-Hollywood’s love-fest with Bruce Springstein continues with a nomination for Best Song for The Wrestler. I have a special place in my heart for Peter Gabriel, who is also nominated for Best Song for WALL-E. “In Your Eyes” is my favorite song ever.
Here’s the list of nominees:
Picture
Actor
Actress
Supporting Actor
Supporting Actress
Ensemble
Director
Screenwriter
Animated Feature
Young Actor/Actress (Under 21)
Action Movie
Comedy
TV Movie
Foreign-Language Film
Documentary
Song (Performer/Composer)
Composer
Jennifer Connelly in Classic Black outside the Letterman Show to promote her new flick The Day the Earth Stood Still.
She stars with Keanu “Tortured Hotness” Reeves. I’ll bet those two will be mighty pretty together.
Last week my husband and I saw The Boy In Striped Pajamas. It’s the story of a little boy who lives outside the gates of a concentration camp and befriends one of the prisoners, another boy his age.
Devastating and highly recommended.
