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#21/39 - August Rush

Phasekitty — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 09:22:27 -0800

This is the movie that I had to travel the furthest to see. I found it at a $2 theater in Norwalk, CA- 40 miles south of LA. My boyfriend and I made it into a day trip and I got some Chick-Fil-A out of the deal, which is generally an east coast delicacy for me.

Evan Taylor (Freddie Highmore) is an orphan who thinks he can find his musician parents by following the music in his heart, so he runs away from the orphanage to New York City to do just that. Meanwhile, his mother Lyla (Keri Russell) and father Louis (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) live states apart and have given up their music for more traditional careers, though they long to return to the lives they once lead. Robin Williams also stars as the wacky musician bum “Wizard” that takes Evan under his wing and gives him the moniker August Rush and Terrence Howard plays the child services worker searching New York for Evan. Save for Robin Williams, the cast of this film is fantastic. Keri Russell and Jonathan Rhys Meyers have amazing chemistry and Freddie Highmore is great as the wide-eyed musical prodigy. Robin Williams, however, is over the top and uncomfortably weird. As Wizard, he lives in an abandoned building with scores of other homeless children, mentoring them and skimming their profits. His behavior towards them is similar to that of Peter Pan and his Lost Boys, harking back to Williams' glory days in Hook, except a grown up Peter Pan could goof around with the Lost Boys, however in any other context it’s just creepy. The Wizard character felt completely unnecessary and every time he had a scene it discredited the film a little bit more. The music, however, saved it from being just mediocre. I love music and I love movies, so music in movies is an ultimate for me. Musicals like this one put me over the moon. Original songs mixed with classics (“Moondance” is significantly used on it’s own and also incorporated into the score and it makes me very, very happy), this film hit all the right notes with its score and soundtrack. I really enjoyed it, enough to overlook all of William’s scenes and just focus on a cute story with some great tunes.

Nominations:

Best Song – “Raise It Up”
I assumed that the song nominated from this film was Evan’s ultimate composition, “August’s Rhapsody” or Louis’ sweet ballot “This Time.” However, when I looked up the song on iTunes and saw it was “Raise It Up,” I was ecstatic. Performed by a church choir, Evan hears this song when he is drawn into a church by the music. It’s a great song, but what really stands out about this scene is when a little girl named Hope, no more than ten years old and played by Jamia Simone Nash, steps out of the choir and begins to belt out the lead vocals. The voice on this little girl is absolutely astounding and the first thing I did when I got home was look her up. You can see her singing Mary J. Blige’s “Be Without You” here…prepare to be blown away. She’ll also be performing “Raise it Up” at the Oscars on Sunday and I absolutely can’t wait.

Penelope Cruz - “W Magazine” August 2008

justingirl1989 — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:43:48 -0700

Penelope Cruz is the sultry Spanish star who finally gets some respect in Hollywood thanks to a string of high-profile roles. The 34-year-old actress takes the August 2008 cover of W Magazine.

On avoiding celebrity gossip: “I try not to go on the Internet and read about myself. It’s a guaranteed way to get angry for no reason. You start looking at yourself from the outside, from the wrong place. And everything is out of proportion. The good things, the bad things-everything. I think it’s disgusting. It’s dangerous and nasty, and bad for our society in so many ways. And it’s getting worse every day. It affects me directly, but I really believe that this culture of gossip affects our society on a much deeper level, on an ethical level. It’s what kids see and hear every day, and it will affect future generations in ways that we cannot even imagine.”

On never dishing out any personal revelations in the press: “I never talk about my private life to journalists. Never. I have a total right to protect it, and I never mess with that.”

On rumored boyfriend Javier Bardem: “I think he’s the best actor alive. I think he has an amazing talent.”

http://justjared.buzznet.com/2008/07/17/penelope-cruz-w-magazine-august-...

Rihanna - “InStyle” August 2008

justingirl1989 — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:34:31 -0700

Rihanna graces the August 2008 pages of InStyle magazine in a gorgeous white Bill Blass dress.

In this issue, the 20-year-old Barbadian bombshell reveals her style secrets and tattoo diary.

And as for the mag’s new look, group publisher Lynette Harrison Brubaker said, “When InStyle launched, what people knew about celebrity was more limited. Now everyone knows everything about celebrity, so we have to keep more relevant. And it’s not enough to say celebrities are the only stylemakers because there’s 20 people around them in an entourage helping them make choices.”

http://justjared.buzznet.com/2008/07/10/rihanna-instyle-august-2008/

James McAvoy - “Details” August 2008

justingirl1989 — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 07:49:04 -0700

Scottish stud James McAvoy gives a brooding, intense look on the August 2008 cover for Details magazine, on newsstands next week. Here are some of the highlights from the Wanted star’s interview:

On the types of movies he likes to star in: “Hugh Grant is f*cking great and he’s funny. I like romantic comedies. I’ve been in one and I f-ing loved it. I got to show off and I got to be a d-. It’s always fun to play d-. That’s why I loved Last King (of Scotland) -I got to be such a wanker.”

On being cast in Wanted alongside Angelina Jolie: “I think inside all actors, there’s a kid who secretly yearns to jump off buildings and say ‘Yippeekayay, motherf-er!’ I also thought that the fact that they were willing to cast someone like me showed a willingness to step outside the usual action-movie realm.”

To check out the full interview and video clip of James McAvoy, visit Details.com. Bigger cover pic inside…

hot!

http://justjared.buzznet.com/2008/07/08/james-mcavoy-details-august-2008...

Leighton Meester - “Lucky” Magazine August 2008

justingirl1989 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:56:20 -0700

Gossip Girl cutie Leighton Meester is the August 2008 cover girl for Lucky Magazine, out July 8.

And she’s in a pretty happy spot in her life right now. Leighton shares with a smile, “I know it’s corny to say. … I love my life right now. The fashion alone is pretty unbelievable.”

Vanity Fair recently asked the 22-year-old actress who her favorite designer is. She said, “I’m more a normal person than, like, a fashion girl. For everyday, I like Fluxus-it’s really soft. I really like Foley & Corinna; they do a good mix of vintage and new.”

As for her preference of either a BlackBerry or iPhone, Leighton joked, “Why do you assume I don’t have a Nokia pay-and-go phone? No, I have a BlackBerry.”

And does she prefer Justin Timberlake or John Mayer?

“Justin Timberlake.”

http://justjared.buzznet.com/2008/07/01/leighton-meester-lucky-august-20...

August, In the Heights Named Top Shows at Tony Awards

justingirl1989 — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 05:01:59 -0700

Broadway came out swinging Sunday night for the 62nd annual Tony Awards, hosted by Whoopi Goldberg.

August: Osage County was named best play and won five awards in all, while In the Heights was the recipient of four Tonys, including best musical.

Besides the top award, In the Heights, a celebration of Latin-community life in Upper Manhattan, was recognized for its orchestration, choreography and score, with its writer, Lin-Manuel Miranda, stopping the show with his acceptance speech – delivered, in breathtaking fashion, as a rap song.

Adding to its distinction as this year's Pulitzer Prize winner for drama, the Steppenwolf Theatre Company's August: Osage County by Tracy Letts, about a prickly and dysfunctional Oklahoma family, was named best play. The production's four other Tonys were for its director Anna D. Shapiro, leading actress Deanna Dunagan, featured actress Rondi Reed and its scenic designer Todd Rosenthal.

Overall, it was a night for new names as well as for looking back, with the revivals of the classic musicals Gypsy (originally presented in 1959) and South Pacific (in 1949) dominating the musical categories.

Gypsy swept the musical-acting categories, with its star, Patti LuPone – who earned a standing ovation with her electrifying rendition of "Everything's Coming Up Roses" early in the evening – winning the best leading actress in a musical. Featured players Boyd Gaines and Laura Benanti were also honored.

The Biggest Winner
But it was the critically acclaimed Lincoln Center revival of South Pacific – the first time the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical landmark has returned to Broadway in nearly half a century – that struck the strongest note of the evening, winning a total of seven Tonys, including best musical revival and awards for director Bartlett Sher and its handsome leading actor, Brazilian opera singer Paulo Szot.

In the craft categories, the show also won for its scenery, lighting, costume design and sound design.

Passing Strange, a jazz-and-rock riff on one man's coming of age (and the show considered the strongest competition to In the Heights), was cited for its book.

Shakespearean actor Mark Rylance was named best actor for his role as the hapless witness in the 1960s jet-age French farce Boeing-Boeing, which was named best revival of a play. In his lengthy, rambling acceptance speech, Rylance offered advice on how to dress. It made no sense, and was hilarious.

Legendary composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim (Company, Follies, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George) received a lifetime achievement award. Though he did not appear at the ceremony, he sent a message to the Tony audience. He said he still intends to achieve.

Whoopi as Mary Poppins
At the top of the three-hour show, Goldberg made her entrance in the crab costume from this season's Disney production of The Little Mermaid, even though the production number on stage was from Disney's 10-year-old (and still running) The Lion King.

Later, through some camera trickery, Goldberg danced with Mario Lopez in A Chorus Line, while an airborne Goldberg also descended upon the Radio City Music Hall stage outfitted as Mary Poppins.

"My point is," said Goldberg, "if I can play Mary Poppins, anybody can."
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20206824,00.html

William Rast campaign gets an August debut

justingirl1989 — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:45:56 -0700

People’s Liberation Announces August Debut of Innovative “My Name Is William Rast” Multimedia CampaignFeatures Online Film Composed, Co-Directed and Co-Written by Justin Timberlake

PPLB 0.30, -0.01, -3.2%) , designer of high-end casual apparel under the brand names People’s Liberation(TM) and William Rast(TM), today announced an innovative marketing campaign for the William Rast(TM) brand. The “My Name Is William Rast” campaign will feature fictional film clips starring multifaceted brand co-founder Justin Timberlake, who also co-directed, co-wrote and scored the movie clips. The campaign will be rolled out in the U.S. on three platforms: print, outdoor and - as the campaign’s centerpiece - in a series of film excerpts that will be released virally during the summer. Designed as movie posters, the print ads in leading fashion magazines and outdoor billboards in key U.S. cities will mirror the film’s concept. The online premier of the campaign will take place at williamrastmovie.com, in conjunction with the launch of the redesigned website, where visitors can experience the full campaign, as well as view the denim and ready-to-wear collections. Management has high expectations for the campaign to further spur sales of the premium apparel brand. “In these film clips, Justin plays an accomplished rebel, a complex modern-day hero with an edgy sense of style,” commented Colin Dyne, CEO of People’s Liberation. “Set in Tennessee, the story of William Rast and his girlfriend Birdie, played by model Erin Wasson, is told from the vantage point of the title character. Rast rebels against the conformity of everyday life, and Birdie is a strong woman with an unabashed sense of confidence. Besides being partners in crime, the two are soul mates.” “With this campaign, our goal is to create major buzz around the name and the brand of William Rast(TM),” Mr. Dyne continued. “Getting opinion leaders to talk and blog about the exciting and sometimes provocative film clips means that fans of Justin and of William Rast(TM) will be spreading the word.” William Rast(TM) is the premium denim and lifestyle brand conceptualized and founded by business partners Justin Timberlake and Trace Ayala. Marcella and Johan Lindeberg of Paris 68, brought on board to design the brand’s first complete men and women’s ready to wear collections, developed the campaign concept. An unconventional team of film, commercial and music video professionals collaborated in bringing the character of William Rast to life, including co-director Jonas Akerlund, who used 16 millimeter film for a raw, dark and sexy feel that is aligned with the title character’s personality.

http://worldofjustin.com/

Minnie Driver: Due in August!

justingirl1989 — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:13:24 -0700

Summer will be especially sweet for mom-to-be Minnie Driver.

"My due date's in August!" she revealed to Usmagazine.com Saturday night after performing a set from her new album Seastories at Hotel Cafe in Hollywood.

"I haven't wanted to eat as much food as I think I want to eat!" she added when asked about her cravings. "I'm not as hungry as everyone told me I'd be."

During her set, she told the crowd the toll her pregnancy had taken on her body.

"I've lost my balance - my boobs and my stomach [are huge], and you can't wear high heels unless you weight your bottom or something," she said.

"I'm sure you're all dying to know what it's like to be pregnant!" she added, joking that she planned to go on Oprah and share all the details. (See more baby bumps here.)

Driver told Us she hoped her pregnancy wouldn't get in the way of her touring.

She said she still plans to hit "France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland and England - and I'm going to do a movie with Uma Thurman!

"I'm really hoping I've got the stamina, but ... I know how to take care of myself."

source: usmagazine.com

MTV’s Remember Me Cheat Sheet - Everything You Need to Know About Remember Me (No Spoilers)

sharpysunshine — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:53:35 -0800

After wrapping filming on “New Moon” in May 2009 and before beginning the shoot for “Eclipse” that August, Robert Pattinson headed to New York to shoot his first major post-“Twilight” role: the lead in the romantic drama “Remember Me” opposite Emilie de Ravin of “Lost.” He plays Tyler, a headstrong and slightly lost kid who falls in love with de Ravin’s Ally, a college student from a much different cultural milieu. Anticipation is high for the film (out Friday, March 12) as fans look forward to seeing Pattinson not only as a human rather than a vampire but also as part of an onscreen couple that doesn’t include “Twilight” co-star Kristen Stewart. MTV News has been following every development of the production - from casting moves to footage from the film to interviews with the stars - and we’ve gathered it all together as part of our “Remember Me” cheat sheet. Here’s everything you need to know before hitting the theater this weekend. The City Never Sleeps Pattinson arrived in New York just days after leaving the “New Moon” set and immediately caused a media frenzy. The craziness didn’t stop until the shoot was over. Filming on location in the city streets, Pattinson was routinely mobbed by fans. There was even the wild story - unfounded, as it turned out - that he’d been hit by a taxi while crossing the street. “There were a lot of crazy moments where you’re filming on location and you’re waiting for people to get out of the shot,” de Ravin told MTV News. “You’re taken out of your work mentality with hundreds of people watching you when you’re just trying to figure out your scene.” Look At Me Months later, as the hoopla surrounding the November release of “New Moon” ramped up, the first “Remember Me” trailer dropped online. This was Pattinson like we’d never seen him before: out with the golden eyes and the pale skin, in with an emotionally honest portrayal of a young New Yorker in love. February brought yet more peeks at the film’s central couple: An exclusive clip of Pattinson and de Ravin at a fair and one of the two of them having dinner together, plus exclusive photos of the couple in bed and soaking wet in the shower. Of that shower scene, Pattinson laughed to MTV, “It’s pretty forward for a second date!” Never Forget As the film’s release rapidly approached, Pattinson and de Ravin returned to New York, giving MTV a chance for multiple chats with the pair. In an extensive sit-down interview, Rob and Emilie spoke about their loves scenes, being self-conscious about their acting, their similarities to their characters and much more. Finally, the entire cast hit the frenetic red carpet for the film’s gala premiere, where the paparazzi were going mad and Pattinson was doing his best to play it cool. As de Ravin explained, though, her co-star has no problem doing that both on– and off-camera. “He’s amazing,” she said. “He’s fascinating to watch because he’s so naturally subtle and interesting.”

What's Arabic For 'You're No Atticus Finch'?

Eleuthera — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:47:08 -0800

by Ann Coulter
03/10/2010

A group of "leading conservative lawyers" -- a phrase never confused with "U.S. Marines" -- has produced an embarrassingly pompous letter denouncing Liz Cheney for demanding the names of attorneys at the Justice Department who formerly represented Guantanamo detainees.

The letter calls Cheney's demand "shameful," before unleashing this steaming pile of idiocy:

"The American tradition of zealous representation of unpopular clients is at least as old as John Adams' representation of the British soldiers charged in the Boston Massacre."

Yes, but even John Adams didn't take a job with the government for another 19 years after defending the British guards -- who, in 1770, were "the police." He also didn't take a position with the U.S. government that involved processing British murder suspects.

I'd be more interested in hearing about the sacred duty of lawyers to defend "unpopular clients" if we were talking about clients who are unpopular with anyone lawyers know.

Every white shoe law firm in the country has been clamoring to take the cases of Guantanamo detainees, while young associates line up to be put on the case. This is even more fun than defending Ted Bundy!

As The Wall Street Journal put it in a 2007 article, a list of the law firms representing Guantanamo detainees "reads like a who's who of America's most prestigious law firms" -- which conveniently doubles as Santa's "naughty" list.

The terrorists' lawyers have included Shearman and Sterling, Arnold & Porter; Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr; Covington & Burling; Hunton & Williams; Sullivan & Cromwell; Debevoise & Plimpton; King & Spalding; Cleary Gottlieb, Morrison & Foerster; Jenner & Block; O'Melveny & Myers and Sidley Austin.

At least 34 of the 50 largest firms in the United States have performed pro bono work on behalf of Guantanamo detainees.

Years ago, when I nearly died of boredom working for a law firm, I heard whispered rumors about a partner, Michael Tierney, whom none of the female associates wanted to work with because his pro bono work included defending -- gasp! -- pro-life groups. (There was at least one female associate who wanted to work with him!)

I didn't hear a peep about the august "American tradition of zealous representation of unpopular clients" back then.

Like Hollywood actresses, lawyers need to believe they're noble and courageous to help them forget that they are corporate drones doing soul-destroying work, which mostly consists of making photocopies.

Defending terrorists gives status-conscious attorneys a chance to get standing ovations at the annual ABA convention -- much like promoting "global warming" makes climatologists feel like they're saving the world, rather than studying water vapor.

It took me exactly one Nexis search for "ABA," "award" and "Guantanamo" to find that the 2006 "Outstanding Scholar Award" at the ABA annual banquet was given to New York University law professor Anthony G. Amsterdam for his "extensive pro bono practice, litigating cases that range from civil rights claims, to death penalty defense, to claims of access to the courts for the detainees at Guantanamo Bay."

A rule I have is: You're not defending an unpopular client if you're getting awards from the ABA, particularly if the award mentions "courage."

You'll never see a pompous letter like the one attacking Liz Cheney on behalf of any lawyer defending clients who are unpopular with lawyers, which terrorists are not.

Ken Starr, a signatory to the "Please God, Let This Get Me a Good Obituary in The New York Times" letter, once, totally by mistake, had a case unpopular with the establishment: Bill Clinton's impeachment.

He's shown his mettle by saying that if he met Clinton today, he'd say "I'm sorry." Because isn't that what Jesus said? Be very concerned with the opinion of the world!

Speaking of which, I also never heard any testimonials to the sacred duty of lawyers to defend unpopular causes when every lawyer working on the Clinton impeachment was being smeared as a "tobacco lawyer."

Tobacco companies, being wildly unpopular, are in need of a lot of legal services. Scratch any litigator from a big law firm and you'll find someone who, if necessary, could be slimed as a "tobacco lawyer."

You will notice a pattern developing: We only hear paeans to the "American tradition of zealous representation of unpopular clients" when it's being used to defend causes popular with liberals -- serial killers, terrorists and a horny hick who promised to save partial-birth abortion.

Lawyers want to be congratulated for their courage in defending "unpopular" clients, while taking cases that are utterly noncontroversial in their social circles.

They'd be scared to death to take the case of an anti-abortion activist. Defending the guy who killed George Tiller the Baby Killer won't make them a superstar at the next ABA convention.

Not only do Americans have a right to know the legal backgrounds of lawyers setting detainee policy at the Department of Justice, but I personally demand the right not to have to listen to Eddie Haskell lawyers constantly claiming to be Atticus Finch.