Wednesday 26 March 2008

Tuesday 25 March 2008

Green Fairies

It's a small world;
yesterday's post really was a web of links because I just happened to click on this and find the director of Stardust Michael Vaughn with Claudia Schiffer in 2005. Turns out they are married and really, I had NO idea about that when I did yesterday's post. What are the chances?

Also, today a list was made of 24 if-you-miss-this-you're-a-loser parties to throw before September. That was today's best bit.

The chit chat tonight was good as well. Can't beat a bit of film buffing with the boys!

Monday 24 March 2008

Slide

Today; the start of a new week, a new term. Six weeks and there will be no more college, a few weeks after that and I could be anywhere, doing anything with anyone. It all gets turned up a notch. Put in a little effort and things might last a little longer. But to begin:


Last night Abi & I watched Stardust.



Over polished blockbusters don't tend to be up my street, but after Jimmy raved about it for months on end I couldn't very well not take a look. Verdict; positive. Really, where can you go wrong with an all star cast (of actual stars too, not shitty B for boring listers) and a script that has the audience wetting it's pants with laughter at the same time as secretly wanting puppy-eyed protagonist and glowing, literally, heroine to get together. 'Love stories' disgust me, and Stardust was as predictable and as sickening as I expected. However, this time I will let it slide because the comedy made up for everything. Cameos from Ricky Gervais and Rupert Everett, fresh and experienced faces from all over TV and film and the casting of big names for even the smallest of roles pulled the whole shebang together quite nicely. Claire Danes' immutable beauty and grace only succeeds in adding hilarity to her bickering with Charlie Cox, her much less well known co-star. For a first time hero, he pulls it off and by time he gets a new hair cut (from Robert De Niro) is quite fanciable, in the best kind of way. Long story short; an easy watch not to miss.

During my usual post-film amble through IMDB, several interesting links were made that have got me keen on a couple of new films due to be released this year, and next.

Ben Barnes, who plays the small role of Young Dunstan Thorn in Stardust, happens to also be playing Prince Caspian in the new adaptation The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, from the novel by C. S. Lewis.



Release date: 26 June (UK) and my excitement level is WAY high. Seriously, these are books that I have had read to me/been reading since I was really young. Besides the fact that I have always loved the stories, they have been especially relevant to me as a Christian and although there are aspects from the old film adaptations that I prefer (Susan is plain fugly in the new films), The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was a-mazing. The casting for the new Prince Caspian film looks really good, so I can't wait to see how all the cool characters turn out. Cinema trips are rare these days, but for this I wouldn't miss it on the big screen.

Interesting point 2, from the same production company as Stardust, G.I. Joe is all set for release in August of next year (2009). Again, not something that I would particularly pick up upon. Except for IMDB posts Joseph Gordon-Levitt as cast for Cobra Commander. MY OH MY. Being a huge admirer of Joe's work as an actor, film maker, musician and creative mind in general, as can be experienced in full on Hit Record.org, I am well aware that he has not once attached himself to a project worthless of merit. Therefore, keep your eyes open for posts as the film is finishes filming.

Couldn't resist checking up on Joe's current release Stop Loss and, low and behold:



Keen to get a screen of this; it's out 25th April (UK) and also features Ryan Phillippe (so what?), Abbie Cornish (yes, YES!) and Alex Frost (insane gunman from Gus Van Sant's Elephant) on the cast. Reviews aren't great, since when has that ever stopped me? How often do I agree with the mainstream mass of 'I watch anything put in front of me' audiences . . . 1 in 10? And that's pushing it. I'll get back to you on this.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt also appears in this month's GQ for a short interview on current/future projects and a sleek photospread with, annoyingly, Claudia Schiffer. FYI - I declared war on all those who have lowered themselves to appearing in shit TV ads, mostly L'Oreal ones, a good while ago. On that note, I'm making a mental one to post the new Polo Car advert at the end of this post. The shoot runs more like stylish porn than your average Joe's (apologies) selection of pics. Either way, Joe looks great and the creative juices behind these shots need a pat on the back; if you care to see what the fuss is all about.



A last mention, on the music scene.

Most recent downloads include Goo Goo Dolls - Slide and Nicole Kidman/Ewan McGregor - Come What May (finale version) from the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack. Crackers, so get cracking and get a listen in.


As promised?