الثلاثاء، 26 يونيو 2012
'Brave's Girl Power Problem: Empowering Girls at the Expense of Boys?
Brave, I wanted to like you. I really did. In fact, I wanted to love you.
Pixar's latest 3D animated movie has been promoted up the wazoo as the type of princess movie that moms wanted their daughters to see. Finally, all of us modern feminists would have a princess who didn't just wait for Prince Charming to give them a fairytale ending.
And it almost worked.
Spirited Scottish princess Merida (who I imagined as a pre-Tom Cruise Nicole Kidman in a live-action version) loves horse-riding and archery and eating sticky buns with her hands.
Meanwhile, her very proper mother, the Queen, wants to turn her into a true princess: table manners, bone-crushing corsets and all.
Every now and then, Merida goes all Katniss with a bow and arrow, riding off into the forest on her horse, bare-knuckle mountain climbing. Pretty incredible, right?
It was, until the boys came into the picture.
In one scene, three suitors come from other kingdoms to win Merida's hand in marriage. And they're total idiots: A meathead who speaks unintelligably. A 98-pound weakling with troll-doll hair. And a cocky jerk who likes to flex his pecs.
Finally, we had a strong, independent princess but why did all of the male characters have to be the butt of the joke (sometimes literally!)? Sure, we've come a long way since helpless, naive Snow White ate that poisoned apple and had to be awakened by a kiss from her Prince Charming. But I can't help but wonder if we're now teetering on the edge of empowering girls at the expense of boys.
Don't get me wrong: I appreciate all the effort that children's filmmakers have made to change the perception of girls as fair maidens who only exist to wear ballgowns and be saved.
But maybe the way we can truly instill girl power into our daughters is to show them that they can do anything boys can do--even when the boys are worthy opponents.
- التسميات: Movie News
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Awesome 'Dark Knight Rises' Set Visit & Costume Closeup — VIDEO
There's less than a month until Christopher Nolan's final Batman film The Dark Knight Rises hits theaters and now, a Spanish news report offers an unprecedented peek into the making of the movie.
TV program TN2 got a first-hand look during a set visit and chatted with costume designer Lindy Hemming and visual effects supervisor Chris Corbould.
The new clips show incredible closeups of Christian Bale's hefty-looking Bat costume and some of the intricate sets (the prison scene!) and gear.
Check out the video below:
- التسميات: Movie News
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'Meryl Streep Movie Club' Author Weighs in on the Actress' Best Movies
When author Mia March caught Sophie's Choice when she was sixteen, her life was instantly changed. "Because of what the film meant to me, and [Meryl's] performance, I read the novel that the film was based on, and the book got me into wanting to study literature and become a writer myself." Decades of watching Meryl Streep's films and a passion for literature helped March begin a journey that ended this week with the publication of her new book The Meryl Streep Movie Club, the story of three estranged relatives who assemble at the family matriarch's inn in coastal Maine for R&R and, of course, some Streep movie-watching. The power of the actress' films spark discussion between the trio, opening the door for self-discovery and solutions to a few of their bigger life hurdles.
March drew from many of her own experiences to inspire the novel (she citesThe Bridges of Madison County as a movie that saved her family Thanksgiving one year), but found herself continuing to return to Streep's filmography both for original ideas and simply for pleasure. Meryl, at least from March's point of view, is the everywoman actress, always worth watching again in any genre, in any plot. As March puts it, "she just has this shining light above her, she’s brilliant."
With a vast knowledge of Meryl Streep movies and paperback proof of her connoisseurship, it was only natural that I pick March's brain on the stand out films in the actress' filmography. Despite picking favorites being March's own Sophie's choice, here are few titles to get your own Meryl Streep Movie Club started:
Meryl Streep's Best Comedy:
"You know, I don’t even know if you can call it a comedy, but she’s just so effervescent in this film,Julie and Julia. It’s not quite a comedy, but it’s a fun movie, regardless. And Defending Your Life. A hilarious actor, [Albert Brooks], it’s his movie, but that’s just the funniest. It’s really such a funny movie."
"You know, I don’t even know if you can call it a comedy, but she’s just so effervescent in this film,Julie and Julia. It’s not quite a comedy, but it’s a fun movie, regardless. And Defending Your Life. A hilarious actor, [Albert Brooks], it’s his movie, but that’s just the funniest. It’s really such a funny movie."
Meryl Streep's Best Drama:"The best, the very best, I would say is Sophie’s Choice, but my favorite movie is Out of Africa. It might be that she is portraying a real live person, but it’s such a soaring, beautiful epic movie. And she really makes you feel this woman’s life history, and everything she’s striving for on this coffee farm. She gives her such dignity, and it’s such an amazing performance. I just recently saw it again, for the sixth time. Love it."
Meryl Streep's Craziest Role:"You know, that’s interesting, because I don’t even think you can say there is a performance that’s anti-Meryl. The people maybe were surprised with her in Mama Mia, that’s still Meryl Streep! You know, belting out those Abba songs with her long hair and overalls. That’s so her!"
Meryl Streep's Career Low:"Everyone I know who I talk about this with, there is a film that they mention they don’t like. I love it. And that is She-Devil, with Roseanne Barr. I love that movie. I think I’ve watched that movie like, four times on Comedy Central. It is hysterical.It’s based on a hilarious book, that I also love. Yeah, people don’t seem to like that. It’s by Faye Wells, The Lies and Loves of the She-Devil."
Meryl Streep's Best Film of the Last Ten Years:"She was pretty incredible in Doubt. She’s just so good in everything. Sometimes it’s easy to overlook. Like a friend of mine said, “Ugh, you’re gonna put It’s Complicated in the book? You know, why would you do that? That’s not one of her best.” But I think it is, I think they’re all her best."
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'The Amazing Spider-Man' Countdown Art
The Amazing Spider-Man doesn't swing into theaters until July 3, but you can get a piece of the action with Sony's exclusive comic panel today.
Beginning Saturday June 23, Sony will be releasing a new comic panel featuring illustrated images from the film with comic-book style description and quote bubbles —all in all, they will make up 10 separate pieces of a larger narrative. On July 3, the final image will be launched and all panels will be combined into a single comic panel that acts as a companion to The Amazing Spider-Man's journey. English and Spanish-language versions of the panels can be downloaded Here and Here. Be sure to check back on Hollywood.com every day until the film's launch to see the latest image!
Beginning Saturday June 23, Sony will be releasing a new comic panel featuring illustrated images from the film with comic-book style description and quote bubbles —all in all, they will make up 10 separate pieces of a larger narrative. On July 3, the final image will be launched and all panels will be combined into a single comic panel that acts as a companion to The Amazing Spider-Man's journey. English and Spanish-language versions of the panels can be downloaded Here and Here. Be sure to check back on Hollywood.com every day until the film's launch to see the latest image!
- التسميات: Movie News
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'Amazing Spider-Man': Denis Leary on Watching His Nose in 3D — EXCLUSIVE
If you neglected to watch any of Denis Leary'sRescue Me during its seven year run, here's a bit of information you may not know: the man is a great actor. Known mostly for his wonderfully perverse and aggressive comedic stylings, Leary challenged all expectations as the NYFD anti-hero Tommy. Now, Leary continues his streak of challenging parts with a supporting role in the upcoming The Amazing Spider-Man, playing father to Emma Stone's Gwen and captain of the New York police force bent on bringing Spidey down. Why is he perfect for the role?
As Leary puts it, "I assumed when Mark was talking to me that he had seen Rescue Me, he knows I'm a multi-Emmy nominee, great dramatic actor, blah blabbity blah…" Turns out, that may not have been the only reason. Check out this exclusive video blogfrom the set of Amazing Spider-Man, where Leary gives the lowdown on how he got the part, what to expect from his dramatic moments with Spider-Man and why we should watch out for any scenes featuring him in 3D.
The Amazing Spider-Man hits theaters July 3, 2012.
- التسميات: Movie News
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'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' May Add Mia Wasikowska, Unknown Model
In 2010, Mia Wasikowska grossed high (very high) as the onscreen incarnation of a literary character when she took on the title role in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. She followed this blockbuster with another novel adaptation: Jane Eyre, which was critically admired. So maybe books are just her thing. The Playlist states that Wasikowska is in talks to join one of the biggest book-to-movie series out there, The Hunger Games, in the developing film Catching Fire.
Reportedly, the 22-year-old actress is being considered to take on the role of Johanna Mason, who has sort of a love-hate relationship with heroine Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence). Although Wasikowska is a great choice for the film, she's not the only one gunning for the role: model Zoe Aggeliki is also being considered to play Johanna. Although she has primarily served as a model to date, Aggeliki is entering the world of acting, with the upcoming film R.I.P.D. on the horizon for the young performer.
Reportedly, the 22-year-old actress is being considered to take on the role of Johanna Mason, who has sort of a love-hate relationship with heroine Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence). Although Wasikowska is a great choice for the film, she's not the only one gunning for the role: model Zoe Aggeliki is also being considered to play Johanna. Although she has primarily served as a model to date, Aggeliki is entering the world of acting, with the upcoming film R.I.P.D. on the horizon for the young performer.
- التسميات: Movie News
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'Empire Strikes Back' As a GIF (Seriously, the Entire Movie As a GIF)
There are some very confusing rules about the way the contemporary world must handle Star Wars. Nine out of ten fans of the original trilogy will chastise the prequels and admonish George Lucas for his retroactive edits. But this doesn't mean that there is no room in the present day for a new take on the classic movies. You just have to handle the situation delicately. Tastefully. Artfully. You know, like with a GIF.
The Empire Strikes Back, often credited as the best of the Star Warsmovies, is now a GIF. Truth be told, the below creation — the entire film (sans sound and dialogue), from Luke's face-off with the wampa in the caves of Hoth straight through his battle with Darth Vader, recreated as a two-minute long 8-bit animation — actually hit the Internet in 2010, dating back to the site The Chive. The ingenious piece of work has resurfaced via Reddit, and is watchable below.
Be you a Star Wars purist or not, you have to admit that this is awesome. Perhaps the defining piece of art for our generation. So watch it. Rewatch it. Share it. Make it your desktop. Get it tattooed on your upper back. Reenact it. Fund a big-budget production of a live-action version of it. Get famous actors to star in it, like Harrison Ford. Wait... no. That's just the movie.
The Empire Strikes Back, often credited as the best of the Star Warsmovies, is now a GIF. Truth be told, the below creation — the entire film (sans sound and dialogue), from Luke's face-off with the wampa in the caves of Hoth straight through his battle with Darth Vader, recreated as a two-minute long 8-bit animation — actually hit the Internet in 2010, dating back to the site The Chive. The ingenious piece of work has resurfaced via Reddit, and is watchable below.
Be you a Star Wars purist or not, you have to admit that this is awesome. Perhaps the defining piece of art for our generation. So watch it. Rewatch it. Share it. Make it your desktop. Get it tattooed on your upper back. Reenact it. Fund a big-budget production of a live-action version of it. Get famous actors to star in it, like Harrison Ford. Wait... no. That's just the movie.
- التسميات: Movie News
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