andPOP » Oscar

Hailee Steinfeld To Play Juliet in ‘Romeo and Juliet’

Christian Allaire — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 16:40:33 +0000

Posted on andPOP:

For such a youngster, Hailee Steinfeld is definitely picking complex roles!

The oscar-nominee is now in negotiations to play Juliet in Italian director Carlo Carlei’s adaptation of the classic play ‘Romeo and Juliet,” reports upandcomers.net. The role was originally meant for Lily Collins, who will be playing the new Snow White, but she passed it up. Same with Addison Timlin, who also passed it up after a year of being attached to the project. It’s all yours, Steinfeld!

The film will begin shooting later this spring in Italy, with age-appropriate 14-year-old Steinfeld playing Juliet, one half of a young couple whose forbidden romance leads to tragedy for both their warring families in William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy. Carlei has said the film will be set in classic Shakespearan era and will bring the iconic characters to life for a new generation that doesn’t have its own version yet. Julian Fellowes wrote the script.

“Romeo and Juliet” will also officially be Steinfeld’s first film since landing an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for the Coen Brothers’ ‘True Grit.’ She is attached to a spec script of ‘Sleeping Beauty,’ which is currently out to buyers, and also ‘Forgotten,’ an adaptation of the novel by Cat Patrick. Both projects are in the development stage and not close to production any time soon.

She’s only 14 and landing these major roles, so props to her. I’m glad she’s doing these kind of roles instead of, like, High School Musical part 48 or something. It’s good to experiment and test your limits when you’re first starting out, so I’m excited to see what kind of depth she can bring to the role. It’s definitely not an easy part to act, so I’m sure she’ll have to train hard and steady to receive the acclaim she did for ‘True Grit.’

Natalie Portman’s “Black Swan” Double Speaks Out

Christian Allaire — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 17:49:55 +0000

Posted on andPOP:

The ballerina double used for Natalie Portman in “Black Swan” is speaking out about how much dancing she actually did in the movie, reports Perez Hilton. And it’s more than you think.

“Of the full body shots, I would say 5 percent are Natalie. All the other shots are me,” said Sarah Lane, the dance double. That’s a huge difference than the 85 per cent the instructor said Portman did. “The shots that are just her face with arms, those shots are definitely Natalie,” said Lane. “But that doesn’t show the actual dancing.”

This revelation comes after Natalie’s instructor, baby daddy and fiancée defended Natalie and how much she actually did in the movie.

Lane also claims that producer Ari Handel specifically told her to keep quiet over this. “They wanted to create this idea in people’s minds that Natalie was some kind of prodigy or so gifted in dance and really worked so hard to make herself a ballerina in a year and a half for the movie, basically because of the Oscar,” said Lane. “It is demeaning to the profession and not just to me. I’ve been doing this for 22 years…. Can you become a concert pianist in a year and a half, even if you’re a movie star?”

Despite all this drama, though, Lane doesn’t have any jealous or angry feelings toward the Oscar winning actress. In fact, she thinks she did a wonderful job.

“I do give her a lot of credit because in a year and a half she lost a lot of weight and she really tried to go method and get into a dancers head and really feel like a ballet dancer. [Natalie] is an amazing actress, for sure,” Lane says. “I know that it’s not a personal thing against me. I know that it’s just a political thing. It’s just unfortunate that I kind of lost credit.”

I feel bad for the this dance double. I can only imagine how rigorous it must have been for her, and then to get no credit for her hard work is a real middle finger to her talents.

I still think Portman deserved to win the oscar though, because even though she didn’t do all the dancing, her acting and mindset throughout the movie was what really drove the movie forward. To be honest, I don’t know why the double is lashing out at Portman. It’s not like it’s her fault she’s getting all the praise, she is the star of the film, after all.

If you want to check out her performance, make sure to pick up “Black Swan” on DVD on Tuesday, March 29.

Church to Picket While TCM Honours Following Liz Taylor’s Death

Elisheva Baer — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 13:07:35 +0000

Posted on andPOP:

Are they serious?

According to TMZ, The Westboro Baptist Church is planning to disrupt Elizabeth Taylor’s funeral due to her HIV/AIDS activism and “enabling” of gays.

“Margie Phelps , daughter of WBC Pastor Fred Phelps , took to Twitter Wednesday to announce the church is going to picket non-lesbian Liz’s funeral … all because Liz was apparently some sort of gay “enabler” and (God forbid) an AIDS activist,” reports TMZ. Last time I checked, none of what she did is a crime…in fact, it’s the complete opposite! Way to disrespect one of the most notable actresses in the industry.

On a nicer note, Turner Classic Movies have announced they will air a 24-hour Liz Taylor marathon to commemorate the Hollywood icon, who passed away earlier today at age 79, reports Gossip Cop. Now that’s more like it!

The memorial tribute is set to air on Sunday, April 10, beginning at 6 a.m. EST. The line-up includes Taylor’s Oscar-winning films Butterflies 8 and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf.

The schedule is:

6 a.m. - Lassie Come Home (1943)

7:30 a.m. – National Velvet (1944)

11:30 a.m. – Father of the Bride (1950)

1:15 p.m. – Father’s Little Dividend (1951)

2:45 p.m. – Raintree County (1957)

6 p.m. – Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)

8 p.m. – Butterfield 8 (1960)

10 p.m. – Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)

12:30 a.m. – Giant (1956)

4 a.m. – Ivanhoe (1952)

Now that’s a Sunday well spent! You will be greatly missed, Liz.

Jennifer Hudson new Face for Weight Watchers

Angelina Irinici — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:23:50 +0000

Posted on andPOP:

Weight Watchers just added another dazzling star to their long line of celeb spokespeople. Oscar-winning singer and actress, Jennifer Hudson, announced that she is the newest face for the popular weight-loss company, MTV News reports.

After having a 7-month-old-son, David Daniel Otunga Jr., with fiancé, pro wrestler, David Otunga, the star says that Weight Watchers fits into her schedule quite well.

“I can follow the plan no matter where I am, still enjoy my favorite foods and even use the iPhone app to track my points,” she said.

Hudson is very positive about the program and does not see it as a diet.

“With Weight Watchers, I am enjoying the weight loss because I’m doing it the right way — I feel empowered with what I’ve learned, everything from portion control to what foods will help keep me satisfied,” she told People. “It’s a lifestyle change, not a diet.”

The program has been working well for Hudson, the 28-year-old ex- “American Idol” contestant told “Good Morning America”, “no one recognizes me anymore … I want to find a better lifestyle so I set my mind to this challenge for a healthier lifestyle.” She added, “I felt like I’ve conquered the world. It’s about the progress. It’s like, ‘OK, I have a child now and I want to set a great example for him.’ … I’m educating myself. And by learning this way it makes it so much more convenient for me.”

Jennifer Hudson will join the likes of Jenny McCarthy, Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, and Lynn Redgrave, all past Weight Watchers spokeswomen.

Zac Efron Thinks Robert Pattinson is ‘Amazing’

Sara Harowitz — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:09:42 +0000

Posted on andPOP:

It seems that it isn’t only the ladies who are falling in love with the charm of Robert Pattinson; MTV News reports that Zac Efron digs the heartthrob actor, too.

“He is absolutely amazing,” Efron said to Access Hollywood on the Oscar red carpet last night (March 7) of the Twilight star. “I think he’s making great choices. I think he’s handling it all really well, but you know, he’s a superstar. He really deserves all this.”

Pattinson has a new movie, Remember Me, opening this Friday. As for High School Musical star Efron, he’s got his own new blockbuster dreams. He spoke to MTV News about the prospect of playing Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire, who played the superhero in the first three installments, reportedly has no plans to revive the role). “Are you kidding? It would be a dream come true,” Efron said. “I think it would be an honour. I would tear it up.

“I’ve been a fan of Spider-Man since the beginning,” he added. “I remember being 6-years-old and tearing open that comic book. I couldn’t get enough. It would be a dream.”

Oscar Nominees Announced

Sara Harowitz — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:40:48 +0000

Posted on andPOP:

It’s that time again! Every actor and movie-lover’s favourite affair is heading our way!

The 82nd Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, March 7, 2010, as is shown on the official Oscar website, oscar.com. The show will be hosted by Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin. The official list of nominees was just announced.

Best Picture nominees:
Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglorious Basterds
Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire
A Serious Man
Up
Up in the Air

Actor in a Leading Role nominees:
Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)
George Clooney (Up in the Air)
Colin Firth (A Single Man)
Morgan Freeman (Invictus)
Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker)

Actress in a Leading Role nominees:
Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side)
Helen Mirren (The Last Station)
Carey Mulligan (An Education)
Gabourey Sidibe (Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire)
Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)

Actor in a Supporting Role nominees:
Woody Harrelson (The Messenger)
Christopher Plummer (The Last Station)
Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones)
Christoph Waltz (Inglorious Basterds)

Actress in a Supporting Role nominees:
Penelope Cruz (Nine)
Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air)
Maggie Gyllenhaal (Crazy Heart)
Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air)
Mo’Nique (Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire)

Best Direction nominees:
James Cameron (Avatar)
Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker)
Quentin Tarantino (Inglorious Basterds)
Lee Daniels (Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire)
Jason Reitman (Up in the Air)

For a complete list of nominees, visit Oscar.com.

Under The Rock: Ryan Gosling Makes Weird, Beautiful Music

Emma Renda — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 19:55:42 +0000

Posted on andPOP:

Just when I thought Ryan Gosling couldn’t get any sexier. Well, he’s in a band now. Not just any band – a duo with his best friend (and sister’s ex-boyfriend) Zach Shields called Dead Man’s Bones featuring, throughout the entire album, the Silverdale Conservatory Children’s Choir.

The result: songs with titles like “My Body is a Zombie for You” (the chorus of which is shouted by the aforementioned children), set to ominous piano-folk and the Roy Orbison-esque voice of Gosling. The mood is something like the Billy the Kid scene from I’m Not There, and if that reference is too obscure, let’s just call it Halloween. In the video for the band’s first single, “In the Room Where You Sleep”, the choir is outfitted in an array of costumes from skeleton to pirate to ghost.

Gosling has clearly gotten into character yet again – he and Shields created their own label, Werewolf Heart, that will release the debut Never Let a Lack of Talent Get You Down this summer. (Werewolf Heart has also taken on upcoming releases from Ima Robot and The Goat.) And just this week, Dead Man’s Bones announced plans for a North American tour in October, with stops in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, and will include a local talent show before each performance.

Dead Man’s Bones has apparently been a work in progress for a few years, according to Gosling’s first ever interview for the band with Pitchfork.com. And the children’s choir have been there from the start.

“We’d rather see a high school play as opposed to a Broadway show any day,” Gosling told Pitchfork. “Not that Broadway shows aren’t great, but there’s just something about a high school play…you’re not distracted by the achievements, you get to watch the process, the will to make something.”

Incidentally, the Silverlake Conservatory is a Los Angeles-based institution co-founded by Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The choir joined Gosling, Shields and producer Tim Anderson (of Ima Robot) in the studio every Sunday afternoon for several months. On their own, Gosling and Shields followed a strict regime in an effort to maintain the rawest feel possible for the album. Besides a three-take limit and the outlaw of electric guitars, the duo tackle instruments for their first time, including piano, cello and drums.

The stripped-down approach comes in the wake of Gosling ‘sand Shields’ past encounters with industry execs trying to tweak their incongruities and refine their production styles.

“There was always some kind of function on the computer, a filter that would assimilate the thing that you wanted, and we didn’t understand why you couldn’t just record the thing that you wanted,” Gosling told Pitchfork. “Like, why you had to do the computerized version of it, why can’t you just record it? It’s more fun that way anyway, because you have to design a way to get that sound. For instance, if you want something to sound like it was on a PA system after a wedding and there’s a few people dancing, why not just create that situation and record that?”

The songs so far available on their MySpace page maintain an untreated vibe, with snippets of children’s laughter, instrumental falters and lopsided clapping rounds. But there is an element of polish coming from a couple of guys who know what they want their music to do. “My Body is a Zombie For You” has a haunting hook the Arcade Fire could have been responsible for, and “In the Room Where You Sleep” evokes a meeting between Morrissey and Tom Waits.

It all sounds a little weird, and it is. But Half Nelson was weird and Gosling landed himself an Oscar nomination for that one.

Young Hollywood At The Oscars

Ilan Mester — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:33:56 +0000

Posted on andPOP:

Rumours have been flying everywhere that Disney stars like Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Miley Cyrus and “Twilight” actor Robert Pattinson will make appearances during the Academy Awards on Sunday February 22.

“High School Musical” star Zac Efron and his girlfriend and “High School Musical” co-star Vanessa Hudgens are rumoured to be presenting the award for Best Original Song according to E! Online.

On Monday, rumours started about “Twilight’s” Robert Pattinson and if he would present an award. However, there has been no confirmation of this, or if co-star Kristen Stewart will present the award with Pattinson.

Last year, “Hannah Montana” star Miley Cyrus made an appearance at the Academy Awards, and although there has been no confirmation if Cyrus is scheduled to take the stage, it has been reported by E! Online that she will be at the Oscars in support of the animated flick “Bolt,” which is nominated under the Animated Feature category.

Possible Oscar Nomination For Miley Cyrus

Ilan Mester — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:28:36 +0000

Posted on andPOP:

“Hannah Montana” star Miley Cyrus could potentially receive an Oscar nomination for the song “I Thought I Lost You,” featured on the “Bolt” movie soundtrack.

The song was co-written by Cyrus and Jeffrey Steele and performed with John Travolta in the animated Disney film.

The Los Angeles Times has labeled the teen star as a presumptive favourite in the category of Best Original Song.

“I knew she was writing it with her partner, and I thought, ‘Well, it will be a cute song, whatever it is. I’d agreed to sing it, so whatever it is I’m going to sing it, ‘ ” John Travolta told MTV News.

“Well, it was something great.” Travolta continues, “I mean, those lyrics, the melody, those choruses are A-plus stuff, you know? She’s really gifted at writing, and she really wanted to write something good for me as the character Bolt, so she went out of her way with her writing partner to come up with something good, and I really think they pulled it off. I know something about music, and I’m telling ya, I was blown away.”

“Bolt” follows a Hollywood dog (played by John Travolta) who escapes from his trailer in search of Penny (played by Miley Cyrus).

Socio-Political Themes and New Faces Highlight Oscar Nominees

andPOP Staff — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 23:21:24 +0000

Posted on andPOP:

Oscar’s feeling deep.

Reuters reports that when the nominations for the 78th Annual Academy Awards were announced yesterday, industry watchers were quick to point out that films about political and social issues are in this year – gay romance, race relations and government corruption are but a sample of the predominant themes.

“I think this year is the year that small movies get attention because they deal with complexities, they go to the gray area,” said Ang Lee, whose Brokeback Mountain nabbed eight nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. “They deal with issues, and they ask questions; they don’t really give resolution. That’s the mood this year.”

Crash, from Canadian writer-director Paul Haggis, and Good Night, and Good Luck both garnered six nominations each, including Best Picture. The other nominees in that category are Munich and Capote. Of the five Best Picture nominees, only Munich (which had a budget of $68 million) could be considered a big studio production. Steven Spielberg joked that he could have financed the other four movies and have enough money left over for The Squid and the Whale.

On a more serious note, Spielberg said, “This is a courageous year for filmmakers. … They are saying ‘If I never make another film, this one says what I think and feel.’”

A slew of new faces is also noticeable in the acting categories – 14 of the names are first-time Oscar nominees. Although the lack of proven star power may hurt ratings, it makes the competition more refreshing.

Joaquin Phoenix (Walk the Line) is the only one in the Best Actor category who has been nominated before. He faces off against Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow), Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote) and David Strathairn (Good Night, and Good Luck).

First-time Oscar nominees for Best Actress include Reese Witherspoon for Walk the Line, Felicity Huffman for Transamerica, and Keira Knightley for Pride & Prejudice. The newcomers will compete with Oscar winners Judi Dench (Mrs. Henderson Presents) and Charlize Theron (North Country).

In the supporting actress category we have a lone past Oscar winner, Frances McDormand from North Country. The others are Amy Adams (Junebug), Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardener), Michelle Williams (Brokeback Mountain) and Catherine Keener (Capote).

Finally, competing for best supporting actor with Oscar winner William Hurt (A History of Violence) are newcomers Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain), Matt Dillon (Crash), triple-threat George Clooney (Good Night, and Good Luck) and Paul Giamatti (Cinderella Man).

The Academy Awards will air on March 5. Visit http://www.oscar.com/nominees/list.html for the complete list of nominees.