eastern promises Tagged Articles at Cinematical
Cinematical Seven: Our Favorite Sex Creeps
Filed under: Fandom », Cinematical Seven », Lists »
For some reason best left to psychologists, there are people who are attracted to what I call ... sex creeps. This type of character goes beyond what is called jolie-laide in women, a term that directly translates to pretty-ugly, although is generally used to describe "unconventional" beauty. There's no real correlation between the jolie-laide and the sex creep. No, the sex creep is attractive but prone to certain, shall we say, peccadilloes that go beyond the pale -- dating blow-up dolls, crashing cars to get off, dabbling in experimental gynecology. These guys all slime their ways between the lines.
In any case, here are seven of my favorite sex creeps. You might also notice there's a certain director who shows up a few times on the list -- he's an honorary sex creep as well. I hope he takes his title in the complimentary manner in which it's given.
Cinematical Seven: Terrible Movie Tattoos
Filed under: Fandom », Cinematical Seven », Images »
Tattoos in the movies have a storied history, from the simple, classic LOVE/HATE knuckle tattoos in The Night of the Hunter to the slick and sexy additions to Angelina Jolie's existing body art in last summer's Wanted. Recent movies like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Eastern Promises have used tattoos to great effect; in Button, Captain Mike's homemade tattoos both referred to his life on the sea as a sailor, which in that era was the most visible tattoo population, and his own father's discouragement of his hopes of becoming an artist. Instead, he brings his art with him everywhere he goes. And Eastern Promises based its tattoos (hello, Viggo in his undies sipping a shot of vodka getting tattooed) on the heavily researched Russian tattoos and their different signifiers in the gangster underworld.
Unfortunately, most recent movies have the tendency to slap some crappy tribal on a character to make him or her seem more bad-ass, which, given the context of tattoos in the movies, is kind of understandable. But what's not is just how freaking terrible they are! Here are my personal picks of the worst ink spilled onscreen, plus a bonus mention for the most gorgeous tattoos in a movie, both in design and story use.
Viggo Mortensen Next to Quit Acting?
Filed under: RumorMonger », Celebrities and Controversy », Fandom »
In these difficult economic times, it may not not be easy for us ordinary citizens to relate to movie stars who make a ton of money and get to travel all over the world. The everyday reality is far different from the fantasy, I'm sure, which may be why Academy Award-nominated actor Viggo Mortensen says he's ready to step off the merry-go-round and stop making movies.
South African web site News24.com says that Mortensen described a crazy travel schedule -- Los Angeles to Japan to Korea to Poland to the UK in just one week -- and said that he's "taking measures to change that. No more movies. I haven't said yes to one in over a year ... there are other things I want to do. It's not the right time." He said recent offers for roles in big-budget movies were "complete crap, all about product placement and marketing. I don't need the money."
Of course, talk to anyone when they're exhausted from traveling and they might say anything. Mortensen was very busy throughout the 90s. His output in the last decade has been smaller, but the productions have been bigger and, since The Lord of the Rings trilogy, he's had lead roles that must have been demanding (Hidalgo, A History of Violence, Eastern Promises). It couldn't have been easy to make The Road, either. (See Elisabeth Rappe's article in which he talks more about his recent projects.) Mortensen brings a very unique set of qualities to his acting: strength, with a degree of tenderness, and an undercurrent of menace and erotic appeal. I'm hoping that this rumored time off will only be a break from acting, and not permanent retirement.
Movie News Daily
Fiennes, Neeson to Clash in 'Titans'
Ralph Fiennes and Liam Neeson will play warring Greek gods Hades and Zeus, respectively, in 'The Incredible Hulk' director Louis Leterrier's upcoming 'Clash of the Titans' remake, according to The Hollywood Reporter. They join Sam Worthington, Gemma Arterton, Mads Mikkelsen and Alexa Davalos in the film, which tells of Zeus' son Perseus (Worthington) and his quest to prevent Hades from assuming control of the gods. The deal is Neeson's first since the tragic death of his wife Natasha Richardson in March. (April 9)
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Tony Gilroy to Direct the Next 'James Bond'?
'Michael Clayton' and 'Duplicity' writer-director Tony Gilroy is in the running to helm the next James Bond movie, a source tells CinemaBlend.com. While there is no deal in place, Gilroy would certainly make sense: He's co-written all three of the 'Bourne' movies, which have clearly played a part in the 007 franchise's recent turn to the dark, gritty side of the spy world. (April 9)
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'Witch Mountain' Helmer to Direct 'You Again'
'Race to Witch Mountain' director Andy Fickman has lined up the Disney comedy 'You Again' as his next helming gig, Variety reports. The director, who has been in high demand since 'Mountain' debuted, is also on tap to direct 'Gimme a Call' for Paramount and 'Monster Attack Network' for Disney, and is developing a musical adaptation of 'Heathers' for the stage. (April 9)
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Pattinson Injured on 'New Moon' Set
Robert Pattinson has reportedly been injured while filming the 'Twilight' sequel 'New Moon' in Canada. But fans need not distress: The actor merely pulled his butt (seriously) during a scene in which his character, goodhearted vampire Edward, hoists ladylove Bella (Kristen Stewart) into the air. Pattinson returned to work after receiving a thorough massage to his strained glutes. Get more from Cinematical. (April 8)
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'Terminator' Gets Pizza Hut-Approved PG-13
The same day that Judd Apatow and Harold Ramis lost an appeal to have the R rating of 'Year One' changed to a PG-13, director McG came up short in his quest to secure an R for 'Terminator Salvation.' According to The Vulture, the fourth installment of the man-vs.-cyborg franchise will be the first released with a more commercially viable PG-13 rating -- and without the Moon Bloodgood nude scene McG was so desperate to include -- due to a tie-in deal with Pizza Hut. Apparently, the Hut feels that family-style pizza is best served sans a side of graphic violence and female toplessness. (April 8)
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Verbinski Won't Helm 'Pirates 4'
Johnny Depp will reprise his role as Jack Sparrow in 'Pirates of the Caribbean 4,' but he'll be doing it without director Gore Verbinski. Variety reports that Verbinski, who directed the first three 'Pirates' flicks, has notified Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer that he won't return for a fourth. Keira Knightley has also revealed that she will not return. Poor Captain Jack. (April 8)
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Gellar's 'Buffy' Being Revived for Big Screen?
Sarah Michelle Gellar is reportedly in talks to reprise her role as 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' in a new feature film, according to ShowbizSpy.com. Gellar played the titular vamp destroyer for seven seasons on Joss Whedon's WB show, which was a continuation of the 1992 movie starring Kristy Swanson. (April 8)
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'Moonlight' Star Is J.Lo's 'Back-Up Plan'
'Moonlight' star Alex O'Loughlin is in talks to play the male lead opposite Jennifer Lopez in the rom-com 'The Back-Up Plan,' according to The Hollywood Reporter. O'Loughlin would play the man of Lopez's dreams, whom she meets the same day she discovers she's become pregnant through artificial insemination. Sounds like fodder for an Alanis Morisette song. (April 8)
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'Colossus' Game Headed to Big Screen
Sony is adapting the 2005 PlayStation 2 video game 'Shadow of the Colossus' into a feature film, Variety confirms. The game follows a man named Wander who traverses a cursed wasteland to battle 16 creatures in a bid to resurrect a dead girl. Justin Marks, who has written screenplays for high-profile upcoming projects such as 'He-Man,' 'Voltron' and 'Green Arrow,' will pen the script. (April 8)
Amazon.com
Larry Charles to Direct Geriatric Sex Comedy
'Borat' and 'Bruno' director Larry Charles will tackle geriatric sex for his next gig. Variety reports that Charles is in final negotiations to direct 'Winter's Discontent,' about a sexually frustrated widower and his best buddy who move into a retirement community in hopes that it will help them get laid. (April 8)
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David Cronenberg Planning a Sequel to 'Eastern Promises'
Filed under: Drama », Independent », Thrillers », Mystery & Suspense », RumorMonger », Scripts », Focus Features », DIY/Filmmaking », Newsstand », Remakes and Sequels »
Sequels are rarely good news -- but this one is. MTV News caught up with David Cronenberg, who revealed he was moving forward with a sequel to Eastern Promises."We are going to have a meeting very soon between me, Steve Knight and Paul Webster to discuss what the script would be," Cronenberg said. "I have some very strong ideas about what I would like to see, but I would like to hear what they have to say as well. And then after that, if all goes well, Steve goes away and writes a great script. If we all like it, we make it." If they make it, Viggo Mortensen will return.
Cronenberg has never had any interest in revisiting his work -- and little of it ever has the loose ends that Eastern Promises did. "It's the first time I've ever been in a situation where I actually want to do a sequel to something. I've never had the desire to do that before. But in this case, I thought we had unfinished business with those characters. I didn't feel that we had finished with Nikolai and we had done a lot of research that was more than we could stuff into that one movie."
I'm thrilled beyond belief. The film exists perfectly fine on its own, but the mysterious Nikolai is begging to be explored further onscreen. I'll tip-toe around spoilers, but I never could understand why so many audience members believed it to be a happy, cut-and-dried ending.
If you're curious and into research, there's some fantastic essays in Vol II of the Russian Criminal Tattoo encyclopedia. Given the scarcity of books on the topic I imagine this went into their research, plus the essays are rather Cronenberg-esque in the way they examine the tattoos and their effect on the human body. It gives an insight as to what Cronenberg and Mortensen might have had in mind when they created Nikolai. Definitely worth a read ... and a sequel.
Shekhar Kapur Signs to Direct 'Larklight'
Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Deals », Warner Brothers », Family Films »
Since I'm not the biggest fan of 'swords and shields' styled fantasy (i.e. The Chronicles of Narnia), you'll understand why I'm kind of relieved to discover that the new crop of young fantasy flicks are going to be just a little more 'steam punk.' The Hollywood Reporter announced that Shekhar Kapur (Elizabeth) has signed to direct the feature film version of the youth fantasy novel Larklight for Warner Bros. Kapur will be working with Eastern Promises scribe, Steven Knight to adapt the novel for the big screen.Larklight is the first book in a series by Phillip Reeve with illustrations provided by David Wyatt. The story is set in an alternate Victorian-styled universe where since the time of Sir Isaac Newton, humanity has been relentlessly exploring the solar system. The protagonists are Arthur Mumby (called Art), his sister Myrtle and their father Edward. The three live in a rambling mansion called Larklight and in the first book of the series, the three get into a series of scrapes with giant spiders from outer space.
Polley & Cronenberg Lead Genie Wins
Filed under: Awards »
The Sunny D-drinking Juno might not have gotten any Genie nomination love, but that left the door wide open for two other Canadian pictures, both of which swept the Genie Awards last night. Sarah Polley's Away From Her and David Cronenberg's Eastern Promises led the evening, with each picking up seven honors. But it was the young, new director who really stole the spotlight.I'm happy to say that while Sarah Polley didn't get any winning Oscar love, she did score the biggies last night -- Best Motion Picture, Achievement in Direction, and Adapted Screenplay, while star Gordon Pinsent won for best actor, Julie Christie for best actress, and Kristen Thomson for best supporting actress. With Polley's Claude Jutra Award, that's seven. So, while the number of wins might have been even for both Polley and Cronenberg, Sarah made an impressive impact on the ceremony.
Eastern Promises, meanwhile, picked up Genies for cinematography, editing, original score, supporting actor for Armin Mueller-Stahl, overall sound, sound editing, and original screenplay. There was also a little love for flicks like Fido and Silk in the few awards that remained once the other two cleaned house. Things might have been a bit different if Juno was in the running, but I'm thrilled to see Polley's film sweep all the big awards. How about you?
Fan Rant: Viggo Mortensen is Nominated, World Fails to Notice
Filed under: Awards », Fan Rant »
In all the post-Oscar celebration and hangovers, I would like us all to pause for a moment and remember Viggo Mortensen.
Mortensen was nominated for an Oscar this year and few noticed. It was almost as if the world saw it as a pat on the head, a recognition that Aragorn, son of Arathorn, could act without hobbits. "Oh yeah -- that guy. He was in Lord of the Rings. Huh."
This was an amazing year for dramas -- but perhaps unfortunate for Eastern Promises, which would have screamed Best Picture-Director-Actor in a Coen-less year. Cronenberg delivered a film as haunting and claustrophobic as a Russian novel, and no one even remembered. A year of such incredible films should be celebrated, but how do we manage to lose one by Cronenberg along the way?
And with that film's blink-and-you-miss-it buzz (and it received almost nothing but rave reviews), Mortensen's incredible performance was lost. Mortensen is about as Daniel Day as you can get. To prepare for his role as Nikolai, Mortensen traveled alone to Russia, lost himself up in the Siberian region to learn his character's regional accent, and met real Russian criminals. He studied the vory v zakone, the tattoos, the body language. With his knack for languages, he picked up Russian and Ukrainian. He decorated his trailer with Russian icons and even managed to score a once-in-a-lifetime prop, a set of worry beads made in a Russian prison from melted cigarette lighters. He can be seen flipping them as his vory v zakone stars are tattooed on, as well as his haunting final shot.
Poll: When Good Guys Go Nude (Oscar Edition)
Filed under: Celebrities and Controversy », Fandom », Oscar Watch », Polls »
The decision for any actor or actress to appear naked, whether on screen, on stage, or in photographs, can sometimes help, sometimes hurt, and sometimes not make any difference at all to the performer's career. In the case of Lindsay Lohan, her freckle-baring photos in New York Magazine may reinforce the public's perception of her as a "bad girl." We saw a very different reaction when "good guy" Daniel Radcliffe, better known as Harry Potter, stripped down for a production of the stage play Equus. While some decried the example he was setting, young women reportedly attended in droves for the opportunity to admire his (acting) form. From a career standpoint, he widened his future possibilities far beyond the family market.On the big screen, Viggo Mortensen's deadly naked spa duel in Eastern Promises caught everyone's eye. Playing a "bad boy" with a good heart, Mortensen's willingness to display every inch of his physique only expanded his appeal. His performance earned him a nomination for an Academy Award as Best Actor. Portraying both "bad boys" and "good guys," none of the other Best Actor candidates appeared in the buff in their nominated films, though all have in the past.
As we did yesterday with the women, today we offer a selection of five Academy Award-nominated men. All have appeared naked on the big screen, either this year or in the past, with their most revealing appearance noted. Whose career benefited the most from their willingness to bare all?
Russian Mobsters To Take On Rwandan Genocide at the Genies
Filed under: Awards »
Continuing awards season, Canada's film awards, The Genies, announced their nominees last night. It's no surprise that David Cronenberg's Eastern Promises is leading the charge with 12 nominations, an honor it is sharing with Roger Spottiswoode's Rwandan Dallaire drama Shake Hands with the Devil. The other Canadian biggie, Sarah Polley's Away From Her, only scored itself 7 nods, which is a bit of a bummer. Regardless, there's a lot of great CanCon in there, and it should make for a difficult decision come March 3rd. Catch some of the big nominees below, and the rest after the jump:
Best Motion Picture -- Away From Her, Continental, a Film Without Guns, Eastern Promises, Days of Darkness, Shake Hands with the Devil
Achievement in Direction -- Sarah Polley (Away From Her), David Cronenberg (Eastern Promises), Denys Arcand (Days of Darkness), Roger Spottiswoode (Shake Hands with the Devil), Bruce McDonald (The Tracey Fragments)
Actor in a Leading Role -- Gordon Pinsent (Away From Her), Viggo Mortensen (Eastern Promises), Marc Labreche (Days of Darkness), Claude Legault (The 3 Little Pigs), Roy Dupuis (Shake Hands with the Devil)
Actor in a Supporting Role -- Gilbert Sicotte (Continental, a Film Without Guns), Armin Mueller-Stahl (Eastern Promises), Guillaume Lemay-Thivierge (The 3 Little Pigs), Danny Glover (Poor Boy's Game), Michel Ange Nzojibwami (Shake Hands with the Devil)
Actress in a Leading Role -- Julie Christie (Away From Her), Beatrice Picard (My Aunt Aline), Ellen Page (The Tracey Fragments), Anne-Marie Cadieux (You), Molly Parker (Who Loves the Sun)
Actress in a Supporting Role -- Kristen Thompson (Away From Her), Fanny Mallette (Continental, a Film Without Guns), Marie-Ginette Guay (Continental, a Film Without Guns), Laurence Leboeuf (Ma fille mon ange), Veronique Le Flaguais (Comment survivre a sa mere)
Cinematical Picks: The Golden Globe Winners -- Best Actor (Drama)
Filed under: Awards »
Best Actor (Drama)Nominees:
George Clooney -- Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis -- There Will Be Blood
James McAvoy - Atonement
Viggo Mortensen -- Eastern Promises
Denzel Washington --American Gangster
Predicted Winner: Daniel Day-Lewis -- There Will Be Blood
Not much of a race here. The Cinematical staff (indeed much of the film-watching world in general) thinks that Mr. Day-Lewis is a dead-solid lock to win the Globe, the Oscar, and even the vaunted People's Choice. (As if "the people" want to see a three-hour movie about oil.) Even if There Will Be Blood (somehow) leaves you cold, there's no denying that DDL's performance is a thing of thespianic beauty.
Now it's your turn to vote ...
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