1) STARDUST

Stardust movie poster featuring: Claire Danes, Ricky Gervais, Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Peter O' Toole, Sienna Miller, Mark Strong and Charlie Cox. Photo from: http://www.premiermoviereviews.com/Stardust.jpg

Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Claire Danes, Siena Miller, Charlie Cox, Ben Barnes, Ricky Gervais, Mark Strong and Henry Cavill.

Magical, thrilling, romantic and visually wonderful story of a young man (Charlie Cox) after a star (Claire Danes), the star co-operating so that she can go home, princes after a crown necklace and the witches after the star’s heart. For many more details, photos and trailer of Stardust:

http://pinartarhan.com/blog/20-reasons-to-love-stardust/

2) Playing By Heart

Playing by Heart starring Sean Connery, Angelina Jolie, Gena Rowlands, Ryan Phillippe, Gillian Anderson, Madeleine Stowe, Jon Stewart, Dennis Quaid. There's also Ellen Burstyn and Jay Mohr. I love this movie and the cast. Photo: http://www.moviegoods.com

Starring:Angelina Jolie, Sean Connery, Dennis Quaid, Madeleine Stowe, Jon Stewart, Gillian Anderson, Gena Rowlands, Ellen Burstyn, Jay Mohr, Ryan Phillippe.

It is romantic, sweet and at times really funny.  You can check out the plot here.

3) The Air I Breathe

The Air I Breathe. Starring: Andy Garcia, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Brendan Fraser, Forest Whitaker, Emile Hirsch, Julie Delpy, Kevin Bacon. Photo: http://karana23.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/air_i_breathe.jpg

Starring: Kevin Bacon, Forest Whitaker, Julie Delpy, Brendan Fraser, Andy Garcia, Emile Hirsch, Sarah Michelle Gellar.

If you like any of these actors and enjoy intersecting stories, you will enjoy this one. Sure, the undertone is very dramatic and it is slightly depressing but it is hopeful. Love, hatred, depression, anger, revenge, fun, loyalty,….. You name the emotion and you will find the story. No event is unrelated here. Andy Garcia is the villain. Kevin Bacon plays a really nice guy. Refreshing, right?

4) The Good Shepherd

The Good Shepherd starring Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Robert De Niro,William Hurt, Alec Baldwin, Lee Pace, Billy Crudup, John Turturro. And guest appearances by Joe Pesci and Timothy Hutton. Photo: http://foolamak.com/fooie/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/goodshepherd.jpg

Starring: Matt Damon, Robert De Niro, Angelina Jolie, Lee Pace, William Hurt, John Turturro, Billy Crudup and Alec Baldwin.

1960s. CIA agent Edward Wilson (Matt Damon) is faced with a crisis as some crucial information might be leaked to enemies. As the agents try to figure out who is responisble and who the info was given to, we start learning about Edward’s past with flashbacks going into the late 30s. We learn about what made he who he is from his childhood to his days at Yale, from the ww2 and onward. The cast is by far one of the most impressive I’ve ever seen. It might be due to the fact that De Niro is the director. Great film. It is a drama thriller.

5) He’s Just Not That Into You

He's Just Not That Into You starring Jennifer Connely, Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Bradley Cooper, Scarlett Johannson, Drew Barrymore, Justin Long. Based on the best-selling book of the same name.Photo:http://smackamack.files.wordpress.com/

Starring: Jennifer Connelly, Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Bradley Cooper, Scarlett Johannson, Drew Barrymore, Justin Long

Don’t wait by the phone, don’t make excuses. If he is not calling you, he is just not that into you. Based on the refreshing relationships book by Greg Behrendt & Liz Tuccillo. Extendend review for both the movie and the book can be found here.

6)  Hairspray

Hairspray starring John Travolta, Christopher Walken, Michelle Pfeiffer, Zac Efron, James Marsden, Queen Latifah, Amanda Bynes. Fun, colors, the hair and more fun...Photo: http://drkruznutty.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/hairspray.jpg

Now, you may have watched an Hairspray film made in 1988, written and directed by John Waters. And it is not that its cast is unknown, featuring names like Sonny Bono and Deborah Harry. However, you might realize that it was rated 6.8 votecd by over 8.000 people. However the Hairspray film that I’ll brag about I from 2007 and it is rated 7.2, voted over 40.000. So yes, we are facing a remake rated higher than the original.And I have no intentions of seeing the original.

Because John Travolta is a terrific actor and a singer and he is playing a woman! The wife of Christopher Walken! Absolute hilarity! And you have seen the cast, right? Yes, Michelle Pfeiffer makes a kick-ass bitch. James Marsden is a great actor, yeah- but here he shows us that he is an amazing singer too. And br ready to forgive Zac Efron for the Highschool Musical series. Yeah he still plays a guy in high school but the guy can sing rocknroll. Just forget about his pop idol/teenage-girl magnet reputation. If a guy can sing rocknroll well, he will have my respect. I also vote for the jet black hair.

If you aren’t entertained by this film-regardless of how you feel about musicals- I am sure what will put a smile on your face. Directed by Adam Shankman (A Walk to Remember).

Feel free to add your favorite ensembles. In the meantime, here’s a list of posts on these actors:

ANGELINA JOLIE:

Beyond Borders

Lara Croft Tomb Raider The Cradle of Life

The Most Gorgeous Women in Haollywood

Lee Pace:

Possession

The Fall

Soldier’s Girl

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

James Marsden:

Enchanted

24th Day

The Box

Julie Delpy:    

Before Sunrise

Before Sunset

Bradley Cooper:

The Wedding Crashers

The Hangover

Alias

Yes Man

Zac Efron:

17 Again

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Stardust starring Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro. Image via amazon.

Stardust is- hats off- one of the most entertaining, beautiful, fun and impressive movies I have ever seen. The story is based on a novel by Neil Gaiman. It is an advanced fairy-tale for adults which children can enjoy as well. It is complicated, original, life-like and lovely. Complete with witches, kings, throne-thirsty princes, stars, pirates…The whole works. Yes, I am extremely positively biased because I love absolutely everything about the movie. Hang around and see if you agree.

1. The Novel: Neil Gaiman

The story is based on Neil Gaiman’s novel.

2. The Story: Jane Goldman – Matthew Vaughn

Little English village Wall is bordering next to a magical kingdom called Stormhold. While Wall is a typical English town with typical humans, Stormhold has witches and weird stuff going on. Right now, the main question for the King and the remaining sons (3 sons have been murdered by their brothers) is who will own the crown. The king-to-be is supposed to acquire the jewel, which flies out the window and into the sky. The sons start chasing the star while trying to get rid of each other.

The jewel causes a massive reaction in the sky, causing a star (Yvaine) to fall down- in the form of Claire Danes, wearing the jewel.

Tristan Thorn is young man has to get the star to show to his beloved Victoria. Victoria is a spoiled young woman who is merely using him. Tristan and Yvaine have to start an unwilling alliance, since she needs Tristan’s magical candle to go back home. How Tristan came to possess the candle has a beautiful story of its own.

But of course things are more complicated: 3 sister witches need to get the star. One of them goes out to get it- they need to cut out the star’s heart and eat it, to restore beauty and youth. The journey is full of adventure, surprises, interesting characters, dangers, romance and fun.

3. Direction: Matthew Vaughn

Vaughn is a British director who previously directed Layer Cake with Daniel Craig. Haven’t seen it yet, but I fully intend to. Of course has nothing in common with Stardust, apart from Vaughn himself. But I don’t care if he doesn’t direct anything I like ever again. Stardust is perfect and Vaughn deserves a lot of credit for that.

4. The whole movie crew: Especially production, cinematography, effects and make-up.

Amazing. If you saw the movie, you know what I mean. If you haven’t, wait till I go over the cast members.

5. The Score:

Just right. Adds to the magic, action and romance.

THE CAST

6. Michelle Pfeiffer

Michelle Pfeiffer in Stardust. No worries, we see both versions in the movie. Image credit: People.com

She is the witch out after our star. She is just breath-takingly beautiful and cunning. Michelle is brilliant as the main villain. She has always been my favorite actresses and one of the women I find truly gorgeous. She is a woman to be envied and admired.

7. Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro in Stardust. If you thought Jack Sparrow was interesting...

You have never seen him like this. I watched tens of movies of him and I thought I had seen all his faces. I was wrong. His performance as the captain of a lightning- catching pirate ship (now, that sounds like a great job) is just hilarious. Without him, the movie would just not be half as good.

8. Charlie Cox

Charlie plays Tristan. And I thought all the good looking men were born in the 60s...Shame on me.

Cox Plays our male lead Tristan. He makes a perfect transition from the naive boy to the smart guy- getting only more handsome with the captain’ touches to his image. He grows wiser but remains nice and romantic. The result? Eye candy and lovable character all in one. Cox is growing up nicely. I previously watched him in Casanova. Period pieces and swords just become him…

9. Claire Danes

Claire Danes is lovely as Yvaine.

She is just adorable as the star Yvaine. She shines (both literally & metaphorically) throughout the movie. She has the truest observations about mankind. She is pretty and I totally forgave her for boring me to bits in Romeo + Juliet (I dislike the movies as a whole, not just her as Juliet)

10. Ben Barnes

Ben Barnes has a small part as Tristan’s father’s youth. He conveys innocence, curiosity and fascination perfectly. I wish he had a bigger part but hey, the film-makers worldwide seemed to agree with me that Ben is a great actor so he went on to get leading parts in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Kasbian, as Prince Kasbian and Easy Virtue. They also seem to agree that Ben is just as beautiful as a man can get since they cast him as Dorian Gray in Dorian Gray.

11. Mark Strong

Mark strong rocks as the ambitious prince after the jewel.

I had first seen him in Body of Lies starring Russell Crowe and Leonardo di Caprio. He played his accent so perfectly; I could swear he wasn’t a native English speaker. He is English however and he is a marvelous actor. He can make you forget you saw him in any other role. He truly becomes his character. He is perfect as the King’s smartest, most cunning and charismatic son. Can’t wait to see him as the main baddie in Sherlock Holmes.

12. Henry Cavill

Henry Cavill in Stardust

When I found out that the guy playing Victoria (Siena Miller)’s arrogant jerk of a boyfriend- who also seemed really awfully blond and stupid- was the same gorgeous guy who stars in The Tudors next to Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Wow! Kudos to making department for making Henry repelling. That takes talent.

Henry in The Tudors. Now, that's the Henry Cavill we are used to.

13. Sienna Miller

Sienna Miller as Victoria. Tristan's journey starts because of her.

I don’t know why people think she can’t act. I think she gives whatever the role requires. She plays the beautiful and superficial Victoria just right. I also loved her as Casanova’s true love in Casanova.

14. Kate Magowan

Kate Magowan in Stardust

Well, Tristan owes his existence to her. Literally. She is one of the key characters. I can’t imagine anyone else for the part. She is pretty, strong and determined.

WITH

15. Peter O’ Toole

He has only about 5 minutes as the king but who cares? He is Peter O’Toole and we love to see him on the screen.

16. Rupert Everett

Same 5 minutes goes for Rupert, but he really is good for an idiotic prince.

17. Nathaniel Parker

He play’s Tristan’ s father. Aside from the best father figure one can have, I think he is a good choice for Ben Barnes’ grown-up version. However I can’t see Ben turning into him in 18 years. Maybe 36? But hey- I guess it was tough being a single dad during those times…

18. Ricky Gervais

Always funny to see him. I especially enjoyed his part this time I saw Stardust- having recently watched The Invention of Lying.

19. Ian McKellen

How is that for a narrator?

20. Seriously? You need more reasons? You have got to be kidding me!!!

7.9 from IMDB, voted by over 87.000 people. Not bad, but I voted it a 9, just for the record. What are you waiting for? Let the magic begin. I think I saw it 4 times already. And no, I am not done with the movie yet.

The trailer is below.

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Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson as Martin Riggs in Lethal Weapon. In this scene, he is persuading a suicidal man not to jump. How? By handcuffing him and jumping together. Oh, don't worry. The soft landing was granted. But still...Mel is made for these wacky roles.

Yes, he is one of my favorite actors. He is talented, hard-working and very smart. He is also hyper–active and manic depressive; stuff I can relate to more than I’d like. He has also made some of my all time favorite films. But:

- Why on earth would anyone have 8 children, and 7 from the same woman? Poor Robyn (his ex) must have spent like more than 5 years of herself pregnant. I realize some people love big families and can respect that but I still find it very weird.

- Building a church in your own land? I realize he has shitloads of money but I can think of using it in a million ways that will help people in need. If you are that religious and that rich, surely there are millions ways of putting the money into good use. Church-building for self, not so much!

- If someone is sooo religious that takes him to bigotry (the whole drunken anti-Jewish remarks), you’d think he would use less alcohol. And then there is the naked scenes and sex scenes issue…Well, you see my point? Shouldn’t he be more concerned with those? Each to his own…but…less alcohol and more PG-13 movies should work more in his favor than what religion he loves the most. In my opinion anyway.

- Mel Gibson is anti-gay? No, he is not. One of his best friends is Jodie Foster and she is gay. Wait! He is OK with lesbians but not gay guys? That’s not bigotry. That’s being male. Men and their lesbian fantasies…
Overall? He is human. Sometimes he just shows his weaknesses a little too publicly but then again, with 8 kids and 830 million dollars and an alcohol problem, I think he is not doing that bad.

Nut Job rating: 9/10

Other Posts featuring Mel Gibson:

Edge of Darkness starring Mel Gibson

MEL GIBSON TOP 10: The movies that prove he can act, direct and entertain better than anyone

All About Mel: A Fun Yet Fair Mel Gibson Tribute

8 Reasons to Love Braveheart- Braveheart Movie Review

MEL GIBSON IS A DAD. AGAIN!!!

Mel Gibson: what in the world happened to you?

Favorite Revenge Movies 

Jude Law

The Beautiful Mr. Law

Jude is a terrific actor. No one can dismiss him as just a pretty face. He has played in The Talented Mr. Ripley, Cold Mountain, Enemy at the Gates, Road to Perdition…Talent, diversity and a pretty face equals good news in Hollywood but….it really doesn’t prevent the actor from doing terrible and beyond stupid stuff:

- What kind of idiot gets engaged to the beautiful and lovely Sienna Miller and then cheats on her with his children’s fat, ugly nanny???? Now, I don’t like cheaters but when men cheat on their partners with prettier and fitter women, I can get the logic at least. I don’t approve it and they deserve serious ass-kicking but I get it. But cheating on a beautiful woman with an ugly woman who is just after publicity? Seriously, Jude- this is enough to score you a plain 8!

Just reminding you what Sienna Miller looks like. In case you forgot.

- Oh, and did you know the incident where he threw oranges to his fans? Oh, yes. If he is that worried about his privacy, he should not get on the front page of tabloids- with events like such as cheating on Siena. Jude, seriously! Get a grip man. Or is your level of sanity directly proportional to the ceasing of your hairline?

Overall: 8.5/10

What? I wanted to prove my point about Jude Law's hairline. If he can cheat on Siena, I can hit below too

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is acting...well pretty much like himself.

If I made a list of my top 100 films ever, a bunch of  Tom’s movies that would make it there. So I can’t give up on him as an actor. You remember his movies? The M:I series, Born on the 4th of July, Jerry Maguire, Vannila Sky, The Last Samurai, Risky Business, Top Gun….
But it really annoys me when actors try to impose their political/religious views. If you want to become a spokesperson for something, make sure it is for a charity or some other noble cause.

- Don’t publicly disapprove people of taking anti-depressants in the name of scientology. Remember the Brooke Shields incident? Depression is a serious illness. Who made Tom a psychiatrist?

- Getting divorced from Nicole Kidman? Really?

- Jumping on the sofas on Oprah about Katie Holmes?

- Basically anything about Holmes?

Nut job rating: 10/10

Posts featuring Tom

Taps starring Timothy Hutton, Tom Cruise and Sean Penn

Knight and Day starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz

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TOP 6 CELEBRITY NUT JOBS

Lestat, Dracula and Other Vampires

Hugh Grant

Hugh Grant. Cute. Stupid but cute.

Why a nut job?

- What kind of sane man cheats on Elizabeth Hurley?

- -What kind of sane man cheats on Elizabeth Hurley with an ugly prostitute?

I hate cheaters and I don’t really approve hookers. Hugh Grant could get anyone but he slep with a prostitute? While he was with Hurley?

10/10, mate. Sorry!

Ralph Fiennes

Ralph Fiennes in The English Patient

He is a little bit of…crazy. I think all good actors need a bit of that I guess and Ralph is totally in a league of his own at his craft. He is also shy- I’ m quoting from him and I’ve seen him on interviews. He really is shy. So the two times he was paparazzi material came as a surprise.

- You remember who he had left his wife for? The woman playing his mother on a stage production of Hamlet. And yes she was older. And no, she wasn’t attractive.

- He is too shy to talk in public but not shy enough to have sex with a flight attendant in the plane bathroom?

7/10

Posts featuring Ralph Fiennes

The English Patient

Wuthering Heights

Bernard and Doris

Strange Days

AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST:

Christian Bale

Christian Bale. Don't be fooled by the sweet exterior.

Gerard Butler’s answer to his favorite actor is Bale. Now, can’t blame him. Bale is good. He can pull off any role. His mad side? He is totally unable to get over himself. He has an ego bigger than his size and bigger than his acting skills.

- Have you seen the SNL episode with Bradley Cooper? One skit was totally about Bale and his anger fit he had on the set. They made fun of him and he really deserved it. Wanna hear how he loses it? Get on youtube and type Christian Bale. You’ll know what I am talking about.

-When Heath died, reporters couldn’t resist talking/asking about him. Who could blame them? Heath died at such a young age, so tragically and unexpectedly. He was a terrific actor and frankly his performance kicked ass in Batman. He made The Dark Knight. So Michael Caine didn’t get into fits when people wanted to talk about Heath. Neither did Gary Oldman, nor Morgan Freeman. Of course Bale is much better than them, right? Of course he was sooooooo right about giving the reporters a piece of his mind about how Batman wasn’t just about Ledger. Yes, Bale, dear- we saw the movie. You are in it. Except, your part could have been done by anyone and we would be talking about you too if you died after a memorable performance. Duh!!!

Well.: 8/10 for nuttiness, 100/10 for ego and some bad anger management issues.

Sure, I will keep watching his movies. I’ll just stay away from him when he is not acting.

Christian, baby- calm down. We know you are a terrific actor. Oh wait, maybe losing and gaining so much weight/muscle in between roles damaged your nerves?

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