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The Island starring Ewan McGregor, Scarlett Johansson, Sean Bean & Djimon Hounsou

Posted on August 24, 2012 Written by ripitup

The Island starring Ewan McGregor, Scarlett Johansson, Sean Bean & Djimon Hounsou.

Lincoln 6 Echo (Ewan McGregor) lives in a high-tech facility with many others who have survived a deadly contamination. The survivors have very healthy, productive yet artificial lives where even the “sun rays” are artificially provided.

All people have jobs, and while socializing and friendship are encouraged, anger and physical contact aren’t. All these survivors one day hope to move out to “The Island”- the last contamination-free zone on the planet, a slice of heaven. The lucky ones are chosen by a lottery system.

The place is run by Dr. Merrick (Sean Bean) and he makes sure curiosity doesn’t corrupt the system, and so far only Lincoln is really questioning things. Why do they all have to wear white? Who organizes things? Why can’t they make their own choices or rules?

Luckily for Lincoln, there is a supervisor (Steve Buscemi) that remembers what the real world was like and doesn’t mind talking to Lincoln about it. And it is during these conversations that we realize the survivors barely know anything outside of what they have been thought- they don’t know things like slang, kissing, sex, law, greed or cloning…

While Lincoln longs for a more fulfilling life, he is content with one thing: his friendship with Jordan 2 Delta (Scarlett Johansson), a female survivor he has formed a very close bond with. So he is not exactly happy when she is the next lottery winner. But his curiosity leads him to a shocking discovery: their health and well-being only concern the doctors and the supervisors until they fill their purpose: be it delivering a baby for a mother, donation of organs…And “The Island” is a code name for death.

He wastes no time in running away with Jordan, with all the facility guards after them and later the extremely determined mercenaries (lead by Djimon Hounsou’s character.)

As hard as it is, they realize that their survival instinct and desire to live overcome any shortcomings they might have.

Like sci-fi/action with a Realistic Romance & Critically Acclaimed Actors? See The Island.

Written by Caspian Tredwell-Owen, Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci and directed by Michael Bay, The Island is a sci-fi action that delivers a friendship/romance that feels more genuine than many dramas or romantic films. It also has its funny moments, without overplaying the elements and trying slapstick. It has a great cast, and you can hardly be disappointed when Buscemi is the panicking yet helpful sidekick (Desperado, anyone?) and Sean Bean is a heartless villain.

I especially loved the innocence Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson integrated into their performances.

Fun Notes:

– You get double Ewan McGregor when Lincoln meets his human counterpart, Tom Lincoln: nerdy, Scottish,immature, and not morally developed.

– Real life Jordan is a famous model, and she first discovers kissing when she sees a commercial with her kissing another male model (Trent Ford.)

– McGregor is 13 years older than Johansson, though I don’t think you can tell.

Please feel free to leave spoiler-full comments. : )

Also on the cast:

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen: Gorgeous, Entertaining & Heartfelt

The Ghost Writer starring Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan and Kim Catrall

Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona starring Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem, Rebecca Hall and Penélope Cruz

Iron Man 2 starring Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, Mickey Rourke and Don Cheadle

Scarlett Johansson Trivia: Star of Iron Man 2 , Match Point & The Prestige

Equilibrium starring Christian Bale: Powerful, Action-Filled, Spot-On Observation of Human Nature

Recommended Movies – Sci-Fi/Action focused on Human Nature

Equilibrium starring Christian Bale: Powerful, Action-Filled, Spot-On Observation of Human Nature

Gattaca starring Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman and Jude Law

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen: Gorgeous, Entertaining & Heartfelt

Posted on July 1, 2012 Written by ripitup

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen starring Ewan McGregor & Emily Blunt. Image via movieposter.com.

Plot

Alfred Jones (Ewan McGregor) is a fisheries expert with a respectable academic position in a dead marriage. He is stuck in his routines, and when he hears about the “insane” idea of the Yemen Sheikh (Amr Waked) through an investment company, he is sure that they have all gone mad.

The idea is to introduce “Salmon Fishing” in the Yemen. However he’s blackmailed by his boss into doing it, and his boss was blackmailed into it by the Prime Minister’s press secretary Patricia Maxwell (Kristin Scott Thomas.) She sees this as a crazy yet wonderful opportunity for good press.

The investment company representative, Harriet (Emily Blunt) is also extremely hopeful about the project; and along with the Sheikh’s (Amr Waked)’s unlimited resources, Alfred starts to find himself enthusiastic.

As Harriet and Alfred form a friendship with the Sheikh and each other, Alfred starts to loosen up, become full of life and get drawn to the emotional and natural Emily, who is the exact opposite of his wife. When Harriet’s soldier boyfriend Robert (Tom Mison) is lost in action, it’s Alfred’s turn to provide Emily with support and enthusiasm.

And while Harriet had spent a wonderful couple of weeks with Robert, can it really beat the connection two people find through a shared dream, friendship and the experience of a lifetime?

Then there’s the question of pulling the project off despite the lack of cooperation from the British fishermen and the Yemen Rebels….

Should You See It? Definitely! Here’s why:

1) Swedish director Lasse Hallström. Apart from a movie that I didn’t really care about (Dear John), Hallström has directed movies that filled me with warmth, lust for life and hope. They usually include a decent sense of humor, full of interesting characters, good actors and engaging emotional story.

Some of Lasse Hallström’s films:

His What’s Eating Gilbert Grape starred Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis and Mary Steenburgen, bringing Leo an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

Chocolat starred Juliette Lewis, Alfred Molina, Peter Stormare, Lena Olin, Judi Dench and Lena Olin. An deven though I don’t like half of Depp’s movies, both Hallström- Depp collaborations ended up as Depp movies I loved.

Casanova starred Heath Ledger, Jeremy Irons, Oliver Platt, Sienna Miller, Charlie Cox, Lena Olin.

Hachiko: A Dog’s Story feat. Richard Gere and Joan Allen

2) The actors: Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt and Kristin Scott Thomas were made for their roles, and so was Amr Waked.)

3) The two lead characters are just relatable, entertaining and sweet. I also loved the cultural empathy they display both towards the Sheikh, and the Sheikh to them. His “subtle comments” on Alfred and Harriet’s relationship are priceless.

4) The transformation of McGregor’s character

5) The lines. Especially the Sheikh’s use of British English and slang.

6) The project’s transformation.

7) The scenery, cinematography, the music

I’m not a huge Ewan McGregor fan. I think he is a very good actor, but he usually doesn’t pick my kind of stories. However I really enjoyed Big Fish and The Ghostwriter, and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen became my favorite McGregor effort, as well as one of my fav. Hallström.

Emily Blunt is lovely, Kristin Scott-Thomas is hilarious- especially with her relationship with the prime minister.

Still, it might not be for everybody:

This movie will probably relate more to romantics and dreamers, people who emotionally and professionally put themselves out there to find success and happiness, and self-actualization. It’s also a lovely story about friendship and love, with the project providing the chances and the platform for it.

Currently at 6.9 on IMDB, and I do find it highly underrated. After all, it makes you laugh, smile, think, believe and dream.

Based on the novel by Paul Torday and adapted to screen by Simon Beaufoy.

Golden Globes 2011- The Best of Host Ricky Gervais

Posted on January 23, 2011 Written by ripitup

The 68^th Golden Globes – Best of Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais at 2011's Golden Globes: He was outrageous, politically incorrect and downright hilarious! image via tvverdict.com

If there is one thing good about not being a Hollywood star, it is that Ricky Gervais won’t get to joke about you at the Golden Globes. The guy is hilarious, but let’s face it, he is not gentle and he is definitely not politically correct. And we love him for it. But I am not sure I’d want to be at the receiving end of his jokes.

Here’re my favorite Ricky Gervais lines from the 68th Golden Globes – the words may not be exact but the punch lines are intact:

on Charlie Sheen:

– It’s gonna be a night of partying and heavy drinking, or as Charlie Sheen calls it: “breakfast”. Wow, so… Let’s get this straight. What he did was he picked up a “porn star”, paid it to have dinner with him, introduced her to his ex-wife: “how do you do?” went to a hotel, got drunk, got naked, trashed the place while she was locked in the cupboard… that was a Monday! What did he do on New Year’s Eve?

on “The Walking Dead” Hugh Hefner and his 24-year-old bride-to-be:

– Talking of the “Walking Dead”, congratulations to Hugh Hefner, who’s getting married at the age of 84 to 24-year-old beauty Crystal Harris. When she was asked why she was marrying him she said: “‘Cause he lied about his age. He told me he was 94.

on Robert Downey Jr.:

– I love this next presenter. He’s so cool. He’s the star of “Iron Man”, “Two Girls and a Guy”, “Wonder Boys”… Sorry, are these porn films? “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”, “Bowfinger”, really? Here… “Up the Academy”. Come on… He was in all those films, but many of you in this room probably know him best from such facilities as the Betty Ford Clinic and Los Angeles County Jail. Please welcome Robert Downey Jr.

on Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor and “Scientology”

– Also not nominated “I love you Philip Morris”. Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor: two heterosexual actors pretending to be gay, so the complete opposite of some famous scientologist thing. Um, probably. My lawyers helped me to get away with that joke; they’re not here.

on Tom Hanks and Tim Allen:

– What can I say about our next two presenters? The first is an actor, producer, writer and director whose movies have grossed over three and a half billion dollars at the box office. He’s won two Academy Awards and three Golden Globes for his powerful and varied performances starring in such films as “Philadelphia”, “Forrest Gump”, “Cast Away”, “Apollo 13” and “Saving Private Ryan”. The other is… Tim Allen.

on The Tourist and the nominations of Angelina Jolie & Johnny Depp … AND Cher

– It was a big year for 3D movies: “Toy Story”, “Despicable Me”, “Tron”. Seems like everything this year was three dimensional… except the characters in “The Tourist”. Uh, I feel bad about that joke. I… no… I’ll tell you what… I’m jumping on the bandwagon ’cause I haven’t even seen “The Tourist”. Who has? But, no… It must be good ’cause it’s nominated tonight. So shut up, ok? And I’d like to squash the ridiculous rumor going around that the only reason “The Tourist” was nominated was so that the Hollywood Foreign Press could hang out with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. That is rubbish, that is not the only reason, they also accepted bribes… No. All that happened was some of them were taken to see Cher in concert, how the hell is that a bribe? Really? “You wanna go to see Cher?” “No.” “Why not?” “‘Cause it’s not 1975.

on Robert Pattinson and Olivia Wilde

– The next presenters are very young, thin and beautiful. Which is just as well because they are presenting a category no one in America cares about: Best Foreign Language Film!

on Sex and The City 2

– There were a lot of big films that didn’t get nominated this year, nothing for “Sex and the City 2”. I was sure the Golden Globe for special effects would go to the team that airbrushed that poster. Um, great job! Girls, we know how old you are: I saw one of you in an episode of “Bonanza”.

on Scarlett Johansson & Mel Gibson

Our first presenter is beautiful, talented and Jewish, apparently. Mel Gibson told me that. He’s obsessed. Please welcome Scarlett Johansson.

on Lost:

– One of the biggest events on TV this year was the finale of “Lost”. One of my favorites. And all the questions were answered… yeah. I have to say, though, It was a complicated finale. I’m not sure I totally understood it all, but from what I can work out, I’m pretty sure the fat one ate them all.

– **

Also one of my favorites, he presented Bruce Willis as Ashton Kutcher’s dad!

The Ghost Writer starring Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan and Kim Catrall

Posted on July 27, 2010 Written by ripitup

The Ghost Writer starring Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Catrall and Olivia Williams. Directed by Roman Polanski, 2010. Image via kampusteyiz.com

A ghost writer (Ewan McGregor) is a little bit reluctant about his next assignment. He is not all that into writing a politic memoir, especially when the ghost writer hired before him ended up dead. And while the cause of death is considered to be either suicide or accident, it doesn’t sound like the perfect job. However his agent and the promised fat paycheck persuades him to take on the job.

The memoir he’ll be ghost-writing is of former prime minister of UK, Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan). His working conditions are far from ideal as he is not allowed to copy or take out the manuscript, has only one month to finish it, the house of Lang’s is in the middle of nowhere, Lang has a discontent wife (Olivia Williams) who is followed by bodyguards wherever she goes and totally despises Lang’s perfectionist assistant Amelia Bly (Kim Catrall), who she suspects of having an affair with her husband.

The conditions get worse when Lang gets accused of war crimes and people are making frantic protests in front of his house. Because of the chaos, now our ghost writer has to stay in the house, and in his dead predecessor’s room. The publishers also want the book finished 2 weeks sooner.

Things get complicated as our writer is not sure who to trust and becomes increasingly convinced that the previous ghost writer was murdered. But who wanted him dead? What the hell is in that memoir? And will they be coming after him as well, whoever they are?

Directed by Roman Polanski, written/adapted by Roman Polanski and Robert Harris, based on the book called The Ghost, written by Robert Harris. The Ghost Writer is a solid, albeit a little slow-paced drama-mystery-thriller with a stellar cast. Pierce Brosnan certainly looks the part of a handsome-actor-turned-politician, Ewan is perfectly tailored for his role and who can blame an ice-cold wife Ruth Lang (icily portrayed by (Olivia Williams) for suspecting her husband was sleeping with his assistant that comes in the form of Kim Catrall, a.k.a Sex and The City’s Samantha. The slow pace is not a negative thing as the movie always holds your attention and keeps you guessing. Some viewers complained about the ending but I personally loved it. 7.8 on Imdb. I probably wouldn’t go as far to rate it a 7.8, but it is definitely above 7. You don’t always find intelligent entertainment. Thumbs up.

***

Note: I didn’t read the book. But I am tempted to read Robert Harris’s books.

Fun Note: Adam Lang’s lawyer is played by Timothy Hutton, star of the heist thriller TV series Leverage.

And the ghost is hired by a bald James Belushi.

***