Category: Actors

Great Scot… and Brits!

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For MANY reasons, I tend to gravitate towards British shows/movies/actors.  I think (overall) the theatrically-trained Brits are able to delve deep into a multitude of characters.  They are not out for merely celebrity status, and think of acting as a “job” (several greats have used this word).  They are more subtle and less self-conscious, unlike a lot of the “stars” here in US who tend to play themselves (the example that comes to mind now is Brad Pitt in Troy).  Below are a few young, talented, and cute (hey, that doesn’t hurt!) actors that YOU should watch out for.

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Toby Stephens – It’d be weird if he wasn’t an actor (mum is Dame Maggie Smith)!  Besides the (obvious) physical resemblance, he shares her ability to command attention onscreen, highbrow British accent, and confident gait (I love how he walks!)  He was honored with the role of the mysterious/romantic Mr. Rochester in the newest version of Jane Eyre.  Toby even learned Hindi to co-star in The Rising (titled Mangal Pandey in India) with noted Bollywood actor, Aamir Khan.  Plus he makes red hair look GORGEOUS!

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Benedict Cumberbatch – Obviously, this young actor DID NOT change his name for fame- LOL!  He isn’t a BIG star yet, but has received praise for his roles in Amazing Grace (he was Prime Minister, and best pal to Gruffudd’s Wilberforce) and Atonement (McAvoy was innocent; he was NOT- can’t give more away).  Looking forward to seeing more of Benedict in the future…

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Ioan Gruffudd – How can you NOT like the guy who insisted on coming around to save Rose from the icy arctic waters (in Titanic)!?  He’s done TV (in The Forsyte Saga he was rival to the- also fabulous and British- Damian Lewis), small indie films, and box office hits.  Ioan is a Welsh actor, so he’s been navigating different languages and cultures his entire life.  In his TV interviews, he is very humble and low-key.  He was even on The Tavis Smiley Show (which I LOVE) to promote Amazing Grace.  Hmmm… his looks and demeanor bring to mind Rupert Graves- another reason to be a fan!

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Hugh Dancy – He’s already worked with Helen Mirren and Jeremy Irons (in the HBO miniseries Elizabeth I), played the lead role in his own miniseries (Daniel Deronda), tried rom com (here in US) and… just LOOK at that fabulous picture!  His great smile makes ME want to smile; I think he’ll keep getting work.  😉

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James McAvoy – Yup, he’s the Scot I metioned in the title!  He was doing theater as a teen, then got a considerable role in a sci-fi miniseries (Dune) in his early 20s.  Some critics have said that he is TOO interesting for “typical” boring leading parts because he can be fun, quirky, and engaging.  I went to see Atonement mainly to see how he’s grown as an actor.  James is my age, but already shown his maturity via his work!

Movie Review: “Eastern Promises”

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I know I’m a BIT late in watching this (very interesting) movie, BUT I was wary about the violence.  Usually, I don’t like seeing blood, fights, etc.  However, the director (David Cronenberg) doesn’t glorify violence- it’s short, to-the-point, and then over!  He also made A History of Violence with Viggo Mortensen (also the star here).  Eastern Promises is engrossing (I was on the edge of my seat), short, and filled with great moments of acting from various characters.  Just like the previous film, this one has a BIG twist…

Viggo Mortensen covered in tattoos as a crime boss in new movie with Naomi Watts

Viggo is completely transformed- hair, mannerisms, and speech!  His acting is subtle, because that suits the role to a tee.  Naomi Watts (always looks good, even when wearing “ordinary” clothes) is the everyday midwife who gets pulled into the world of the Russian mafia.  She is the sympathetic character the audience can relate to.  Viggo is intrigued by her from the start, BUT they do NOT have a “typical” movie romance/relationship.  The film also hits on serious stuff: slavery/prostitution (of underage girls who don’t know what they are getting into), drug abuse, alcoholism, thievery, retaliation- what a list!

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Eastern Promises is a bigger film than A History of Violence, because it has more scope.  However, when you look a LITTLE deeper, you will find very interesting parallels.    In AHOV, the main character (Tom/Joey) was fighting to protect his NEW family (wife, kids) from his OLD family (his big brother, Philly mob).  In EP, Nikolai is fighting to protect a family (Anna, her mom, her uncle, and Tatiana’s baby) from his mafia family (Semyon, Kirill).  Tom became a new person when he left Philly; Nikolai became a new person when he decided to immerse himself into the crime world, instead of just being a “driver.”  Are these two guys “good” or “bad” or neither?  Is violence sometimes needed?

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The sudden bursts of violence in the small town setting of AHOV are jarring, but in EP, violence is less weird (gritty ethnic enclave of London).  The Russian mob boss looks like a pleasant old man (soft speech, big sweaters, cooking).  The Irish mobsters in AHOV, on the other hand, looked and acted tough.  What is more scary to you?

Check out this movie, and discover the different layers!

Jimmy Stewart

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Today most of us Americans look to actors like Tom Hanks, Denzel Washinton, & Meg Ryan as our “American” iconic actors.  These actors are able to reach WIDE audiences all over the world.  Back in the ’40s and ’50s, the quintessential American actor was (no doubt) Jimmy Stewart.  He was tall, thin, plain-spoken, w/ a noticeable Midwestern accent.  Could’ve been the guy next door… but the camera LOVED him!

When ppl asked him about his great success, he said:

I don’t act. I react.  [Listening is one of the KEY factors in acting!]

I couldn’t mess around with the characterizations. I play variations on myself.  [Many of today’s stars succeed b/c of their likeability.]

I’m the inarticulate man who tries. I don’t really have all the answers, but for some reason, somehow, I make it.  [He was known as a shy, humble guy.]

My mom esp. liked Vertigo & Rear Window, BUT I like The Philadelphia Story above those films.  Stewart got to have the typical leading man role, even though he was NOT the “typical” romantic hero.  Mike (the reporter he plays) is prejudiced against, and v. cynical towards, the aristocracy until he begins to learn more about Tracy (Katherine Hepburn) while covering her wedding.  They ALMOST get too close…

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In the pic above, Stewart looks glamorous (unusual for his films).  The dialogue in The Philadelphia Story is fun, fast, and v. clever.  It’s not just a classic rom com, it delves into rels. btwn social classes (Tracy’s marriage would unite her old family name w/ a nouveax riche man; Mike published a book of short stories, but that didn’t pay the bills), fairness (Mike’s boss wants to publish a revealing story about Tracy’s father), and women’s place (Tracy says she doesn’t want to be put on a pedestal, but loved.)  It’s one of my ALL-TIME faves!

 

Billy Crudup

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Billy Crudup is NOT a huge name in Hollywood, but a BIG talent.  He’s an American actor known for his skill in film & theater.  He is gifted w/ accents, physical grace, and the abiltiy to delve deep into a role. 

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In Charlotte Gray (starring the always great Cate Blanchett) he’s a committed freedom fighter in WWII France.

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In Stage Beauty he’s the last famous female actor in Elizabethan England who fears being replaced by a REAL woman onstage.  Claire Danes is his assistant/love interest/competition onstage.  Their chemistry, the dialogue, and music are SUPERB!!!  I don’t wanna give much away- check out the film ASAP!