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Actors’ Pleasantly Surprising Roles feat. Robert De Niro & Mel Gibson

Posted on January 11, 2011 Written by ripitup

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This is a sequel to the article Actors’ Pleasantly Surprising Roles feat. Russell Crowe, Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman.

Robert De Niro in Stardust

Robert De Niro in Stardust
Robert De Niro in Stardust

Robert De Niro is a terrific actor. Everyone knows it. But having been in the business for since the 60s, he has gotten to play a mobster, a psycho or a cop once too often. He does them all well but you start to think even he has fallen into a pattern. He is good but you think over the years, you know what to expect. You think he doesn’t have any surprises left. Great performances and good movies, yes. Surprises? Not so much. That’s until you see Stardust where he plays a masculine captain of a lightning catching ship. Nope, he hasn’t played that one before. But it is not just the occupation that’s unique but also the character. Masculine, tough and ruthless towards his men. Sweet, caring, homely to his guests. And totally feminine when left on his own. Amazing. Stardust is an overall great film experience but Robert’s character is by far the best in the movie. Hats off to De Niro. May he surprise and entertain us so much again.

Mel Gibson in What Women Want

Mel Gibson in What Women Want.
Mel Gibson in What Women Want.. Image via Mel Gibson in What Women Want.

Mel Gibson has played his first remarkable lead role in Mad Max, in 1979. Mad Max went to become a cult series. Now, he played a cop there. The story line is completely different in Lethal Weapon of course. But Lethal Weapon also became extremely popular and the 4th movie was made. His character’s occupation? Also a cop. Again the genre and the plot is different but he was a cop in his 2010 movie Edge of Darkness. It is not to say he didn’t play an ex-criminal in FBI’S Witness Protection Program (Bird on a Wire), a drug dealer trying to leave his business (Tequila Sunrise) or a man with a low IQ (Tim). He is also no stranger to comedy but…let’s face it we have never seen him like we did in What Women Want where he plays a hotshot advertising executive who is well, a man’s man and a woman’s dream…unless you are working with him or well you are his daughter or if you are trying to be in a relationship with him. But then something really weird happens. You can check out the plot here. Here I will talk about what his new creative director tells him to do. He needs to come up with advertising ideas for feminine products such as tampons, make-up stuff, pantyhose and well… waxing equipment. Since his imagination doesn’t take him anywhere, he decides to try these stuff… This actor tried anything from a kilt to a western outfit.

The movie is one hell of a romantic comedy that doesn’t get romantic for a while. And yes, I believe you have never seen him in a bra and wearing mascara before this flick.

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: actors, Bird on a Wire, bird on a wire movie, Lethal Weapon, Mad Max, Mel Gibson, mel Gibson film, Mel Gibson movies, movies, Robert De Niro, robert de niro in stardust, Stardust, stardust movie, Tequila Sunrise, tequila sunrise movie, What Women Want, what women want movie

Actor Musicians and Musician Actors Part 4: Hugh Laurie, James Denton and Greg Grunberg a.k.a. The Band From TV

Posted on August 15, 2010 Written by ripitup

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Band from TV featuring James Denton, Greg Grunberg and Hugh Laurie
Band from TV featuring James Denton (on the left), Greg Grunberg (right) and Hugh Laurie (lying).Image from 22dakika.org

When you are talented and have the time and money to pursue your hobby, it would be a shame not to just give it a shot. Well, it is very common for musicians to step into acting, and for actors to play in bands. Some even get successful enough to overshadow their acting careers and some just have a blast. Previously I covered Kevin Bacon, Keanu Reeves and Jon Bon Jovi, John Travolta, Bruce Willis; David Bowie and Shane West. Here are 3 more rockin’ actors
James Denton, Hugh Laurie and Greg Grunberg appeared in movies alright but they didn’t shoot to fame and stardom until they got leading or co-starring roles on hit TV shows. They formed the band to help raise money for charities, but they are also having a blast. The band also features other celebrities, but I’ll be talking about these 3 men a lot of us know and like.

James Denton has been playing Mike Delfino on Desperate Housewives since the show first aired in 2004. He has been the love interest of Susan (Teri Hatcher).Mike and Susan had their ups and downs but they are currently happily married. James is not one of the housewives- obviously- but the show just wouldn’t be the same without this ruggedly handsome plumber named Mike. His character also joins some jamming sessions with the husbands/boyfriends of the other housewives on several episodes. Old D

You might also catch a younger James in the movie That Old Feeling starring Bette Middler and Dennis Farina.

Greg Grunberg might have increased his popularity with his character Matt in the TV series Heroes but I first saw and liked him as the adorable CIA agent Eric Weiss, best friend and partner of Michael Vaughn in Alias.

Hugh Laurie: And, if you haven’t caught at least caught one glimpse of Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House in House, I would really have to ask you what rock you’d been hiding under for the past 6 years!

So as very cleverly called The Band from TV, these men rock out to their liking. Being a good singer, piano and guitar player are not only talents of actor Hugh Laurie- he is also a published author of a crime novel.

Related Posts

Actor Musicians and Musician Actors: Keanu Reeves, Jon Bon Jovi, Kevin Bacon

Actor Musicians and Musician Actors, part 2: John Travolta and Bruce Willis

Actor musicians and musician actors, part 3: Shane West and David Bowie

Desperate Housewives starring Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria, Marcia Cross and James Denton

Alias starring Jennifer Garner and Michael Vartan

Other Posts feat. Hugh Laurie and House

Absolute Hugh Laurie and House Trivia: 21 Facts About Hugh Laurie and His TV Series House

Use of Social Media in TV Series featuring Castle, The Mentalist, House, Cougar Town and NCIS Los Angeles

Television’s 3 Most Brilliant, Emotionally Broken Men: Patrick Jane, Gregory House and Jack Bauer

House starring Hugh Laurie

ACTORS AND LITERATURE: Ethan Hawke, Hugh Laurie and Viggo Mortensen

22 Tall Actors From Hollywood

The British Actors We Love Part 2: The Hughs

Hollywood Stars in Friends, Including Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and More



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Filed Under: Movies and Actors, TV shows Tagged With: actors, alias tv show, band from tv, desperate housewives, eric weiss, greg grenburg, Gregory House, Hugh Laurie, James Denton, mike delfino, music, rock n' roll

Actors’ Take on Nudity feat. Ashley Judd, Angelina Jolie, Antonio Banderas, Gerard Butler & More

Posted on January 10, 2010 Written by ripitup

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Ashley Judd
Ashley Judd is a good actress, but she is also sexy. I am guessing any director would want to take advantage of it?

Ashley Judd is quoted to have said that she refused to get naked in her first role, saying her mom didn’t work that hard to see her daughter lose her clothes in her first movie. But then Ashley Judd appeared naked in some roles. So apparently it is alright for her mom if her daughter does it the second/third time around?

Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City
Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

Some actors have no problems baring all whether some have to agree, otherwise they wouldn’t get the part. It depends on the power and the preference. Sarah Jessica Parker is the only Sex and The City star that doesn’t bare her boobs. It is a major accomplishment to keep one’s bra in such a TV show is a remarkable thing, if you ask me. I love the show but hey, I don’t need to see everything the four women’ve got!

Kim Basinger engages in a not-so-romantic relationship with Mickey Rourke.
Kim Basinger engages in a not-so-romantic relationship with Mickey Rourke. Apparently, you can film sex scenes without using your own body...

Some roles do ask for it. You can always get a body stunt. Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke’s hit 9½ Weeks includes a lot of Kim’s flesh- only they are not Kim’s.

Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie get sexy
Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie pose for a promo photo. Yep, selling sex as much as possible. Hey, it was a good movie and it tells a fun story on lust,love and possession. So sex is a central part of the movie anyway.

Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie never minded being naked and you can take a look at them going native together in the movie Original Sin. Fun movie but I am not sure how comfortable I would be with their scenes, had I been dating Antonio (OK, I wouldn’t exactly mind if I were dating Banderas. I’d be too busy gloating, but I’m making a point here).

Gerard Butler in Law Abiding Citizen

Gerard Butler does bare a lot (but not enough, as one of my good friends notably mentioned) in Law Abiding Citizen. He jokes with Jay Leno that he does like getting undressed for a movie. After all, he produces the movie and calls the shots. He didn’t do anything he didn’t want to do. Hey, no complaints here. Besides, if I were a guy and I looked like that ,I so wouldn’t mind taking my clothes off either.

So, either you don’t have the power and have to say yes for the role (or you just have to pass on the role) or you do have the power. When you do have the power, it depends on how you feel about the “sex sells” motto. Now, I am guessing Law Abiding Citizen would not have been less successful without Gerard showing off his muscles, but hey, his “naked” scene does add to his characters psycho “mood.” As long as the scene calls for it, I guess there is no harm done. But hey, nudity for nudity’s sake always feels out of place- whether it is a feast of sight for the boys or the girls or both…

What do you think?

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: actors, Angelina Jolie, Antonio Banderas, Asley Judd, Gerard Butler, Kim Basinger, Law Abiding Citizen, nudity, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sex and The City

Actor musicians and musician actors, part 3: Shane West and David Bowie

Posted on October 28, 2009 Written by ripitup

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You might find it odd that I am writing about Shane West and David Bowie in the same post. Their fame levels and target audience might seem different but they fit the criteria of the post and I guess there can be people who know and like them both, since I’m one of them.

DAVID BOWIE

David Bowie during his Space Oddity days
David Bowie during his Space Oddity days

David Bowie is a cult musician. His songs are featured in over 200 films. His first album was released in 1967 so it is safe to say he has been around for over 4 decades now. His music is influential and his songs have been sung by other artists, such as Nirvana. Given Nirvana is probably the most popular grunge band and Bowie’s unique rock/pop sound has influenced them also, it becomes quite clear he is a universal idol. Do I like all his songs? No. They are all so different from each other. But there is a Bowie song to be found to suit all your moods and a Bowie picture to fit any kind of fashion statement; from contemporary to glam and flamboyant. But Bowie’s artistic talent is not limited to singing and song writing. He has also appeared in many films. I last saw him in the 2006 movie The Prestige, playing the role of Nikola Tesla. He has also appeared in The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976), The Hunger (1983), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) and Basquiat (1996); in addition to many other film and TV appearances. He has even played Andy Warhol, the leading man of the pop art movement. Sure, his acting might be critically praised but his name will probably never be mentioned as one of the most influential actors. But to this day, he remains as a musical icon. Below is The Hunger movie poster.

The Hunger
The Hunger

SHANE  WEST

Shane West as Landon in A Walk to Remember
Shane West as Landon in A Walk to Remember

Shane West is a young and promising actor. He is singing and playing the guitar for the band Jonny Was. Now, Shane isn’t insanely famous neither as a musician nor an actor, but he is building a strong movie resume bit by bit. He is only 31, and he has a bit of a baby face that gives him the advantage to play younger parts if he wants to. He totally passed for a high schooler in A Walk to Remember, at the age of 24. He has gotten to play Tom Sawyer alongside Sean Connery in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and he has scored one of the major roles in the long-running hospital drama ER. He has played in Echelon Conspiracy – an action movie that has quite a clever script, which is not so easy to find nowadays. This year he has starred in The Lodger, a high-paced thriller. So he has proved that he can undertake many different characters, and not just a romantic sweetheart, like he did in A Walk to Remember. Shane has a long way to go as an actor but things have been promising so far.

As for his band, I am not sure how many of his fans are just from the music scene only. I really enjoyed A Walk to Remember, an adaption of the best-selling Nicholas Sparks novel. The movie’s soundtrack was quite good, despite some of the songs were sung by Mandy Moore. Which reminds me she does act and sing, but her music is too standard pop for my taste. This soundtrack, however also contains a song by Shane’s band, known as Average Jo back then. It is modern rock with some punk energy in it and it is fun. Nothing you haven’t heard of before but it is the stuff I’d like to hear when I’m out with my friends and just want to dance and have a good time. And Shane’s movies are good for pure entertainment.

Shane is right in the middle, posing with his band Jommy Was
Shane is right in the middle, posing with his band Jonny Was

Related Posts

Actor Musicians and Musician Actors: Keanu Reeves, Jon Bon Jovi, Kevin Bacon

Actor musicians and musician actors, part 2

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors, Rock n' Roll (and Music in general) Tagged With: A Walk to Remember, actors, David Bowie, ER, Mandy Moore, music, Nicholas Sparks, Rock n' Roll (and Music in general), Shane West, Space Oddity

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