Face/Off starring Nicolas Cage and John Travolta

Posted on September 11, 2010 Written by ripitup

Face Off starring Nicolas Cage and John Travolta. Co-starring Joan Allen, Dominique Swain and Gina Gershon. Featuring James Denton.

Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage) is the worst kind of criminal: he is smart, vicious, dangerous, he has great resources and he is a total psycho. The man who is closest to catching him is Agent Sean Archer (John Travolta). In attempt to kill Archer, however, Castor accidentally kills Sean’s little son. This results a determined quest on Sean’s part. He eventually catches him. Sean’s doctor wife Eve (Joan Allen) is more than relieved, as she won’t have to be feeling alone and deal with their rebellious teenage daughter Jamie (Dominique Swain) on her own. But one last assignment won’t give Sean the time to catch up with his family and finally find peace:

Castor isn’t dead, but is in a coma. His brother Pollux (Alessandro Nivola) is in a maximum security, top-secret prison and unfortunately he is the only person who knows the place of the bomb they placed in the city: So despite how impossible and difficult it seems, Sean has to agree on an advanced but reversible surgery, which will allow him to “be” Castor: the doctors remove Castor’s and Sean’s faces and implant Castor’s face on Sean. This top secret mission is known only by his doctor, and 2 colleagues.

As much as he hates looking like his son’s killer, Sean (now played by Nicolas Cage) goes to the prison to pretend to be Castor. He gets the info he needs, but he gets a big shock: Castor has woken up and he is more than willing to be Sean for a while, to use his resources. So he gets the surgery, and then kills everyone who knows about the mission. So know, Castor (now played by John Travolta) gets to be with Sean’s wife. As impossible as it might seem, now Sean’s only way out is to break out of the prison, pretend to be Castor to those who don’t know Sean is indeed Castor and he also has try to persuade his wife that he might look like their son’s killer but he is in fact her husband…

Face/Off is a really decent and glorious action film. And once you suspend your disbelief to believe that the technology that allows facial implants/replacements to exist the way it does in the movie, you are in one hell of a ride. It is also fun to have a movie where John Travolta and Nicolas Cage play both of the lead characters for a certain period of the movie and both get to show their acting chops as a villain and the ultimate good guy. It is directed by John Woo (Mission Impossible 2, Broken Arrow), who just knows how to make an action film look good. Written by Mike Werb and Michael Colleary.

It is that over-the-top, full-of-explosions/chases/gun fights action film that keeps you glued to your seat for more than 2 hours. And it is not about how it will end (you know how it will end); but watching how the movie will get there. It helps that the supporting cast is great well. Castor’s girlfriend is played by Gina Gershon. And in a very small role, there is James Denton (Mike Delfino of Desperate Housewives). Intellectual? No. Mind-bending? No. Fun as hell? Oh, yeah.! See it . It never gets old or boring. Yes, I have seen it more than twice.

Other Nicolas Cage Movies and Posts

Lord of War starring Nicolas Cage, Ethan Hawke and Jared Leto

Nicolas Cage Trivia

Moonstruck starring Nicolas Cage and Cher

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice starring Nicholas Cage, Monica Belluci, Jay Baruchel, Teresa Palmer

City of Angels starring Meg Ryan and Nicolas Cage

Knowing starring Nicolas Cage

Other John Travolta Posts and Movies

Pulp Fiction

6 Movies with Brilliant Casts feat. Hairspray starring John Travolta

From Paris with Love starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers and John Travolta

Basic starring John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson

Phenomenon starring John Travolta, Robert Duvall and Kyra Sedgwick

Favorite Actors to Play Villains feat. Nicolas Cage, John Travolta and more

Actor Musicians and Musician Actors: Feat. John Travolta and Bruce Willis

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

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.

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

6 Hollywood Stars That Would Make 20-Year-Olds Jealous

Posted on January 19, 2010 Written by ripitup

Looking younger rocks. A close friend of mine hadn’t enjoyed this when he looked 19 (when he really was 27) and was asked for his ID all the time at the entrance of clubs. He is happy that he is not getting ID-ed any more but he still barely looks over 22 at his 30s and he is absolutely loving it.

Of course sometimes there is surgery but some Hollywood stars have made a habit of leaving healthier life styles, working out and looking even better and fitter than their early age. This is good news because they keep getting lead roles and even when they are cast as parents, they have enough scenes to show that they rock. What can I say? For some lucky stars, 40s are the new 30s.

Marisa Tomei

Born in 1964.

Yeah, Marisa can pull it off. She is pretty, young and just lovely in every role. She has a lot of leading roles but even when she is the supporting actress, it is always a pleasure to watch her. You can check her out in What Women Want and Someone Like You.

Terry Hatcher

Born in 1964.

Teri Hatcher is the sexiest Desperate Housewife.

In one of the episodes, Susan (Thatcher)’ s husband Mike (James Denton) gets a plumbing gig in a strip club. When Susan argues that he can’t go, Mike rebels and he claims it is an innocent act and she can’t forbid him. Of course being Susan, she finds a great way to make her point. The next time Mike has a job there, he finds Susan on the stage, stripping. She rocked! Boys, think again before going to a strip club. Because we’ve got a great way to prove our point!

I do have Thatcher’s book Burnt Toast. After all, who better to talk about being fit, healthy and making it in Hollywood?

Timothy Olyphant

1968

I already did a full post on Tim. You can find all about him here.

Hugh Jackman

1968

Have you seen X-Men Origins: Wolverine? If you haven’t, you are missing out on a great action flick. And boys, if you are interested in building solid muscles, I’d suggest buying Men’s Health magazine with Hugh on the cover. In the long run, it really would make you happier than Maxim or Playboy. ; )

Gerard Butler

1969

There’s not much to say, except: This guy rocks. He totally blew it for other guys, as Conan O’ Brien puts in one interview. Oh well, I’ll just link to my review of the Gamer featuring the trailer. Yeah, he kicks ass. A lot.

Justin Chambers

1970

Justn Chambers of Grey's Anatomy — Justin Chamber plays Alex Karev in Grey's Anatomy. His character keeps going from jackass to passionate lover, and then back to wiseass again. He also looks younger than the interns the hospital gets each season.

Grey’s Anatomy’s Alex and former model Justin Chambers will be 40 in July, but I feel bad about forgetting about him in my 6 Celebrities That Aged Really Well post. Wow. As much as 7 ( now 8) kids have caused Mel Gibson to mature too soon, it seems like Justin’s 5 kids are serving as a youth fountain. Yes, he has 5.

FOLLOW-UPs

Six Celebrities That Aged Really Well

(featuring Johnny Depp, Tim Robbins, Jon Bon Jovi, Robert Downey Jr., Keanu Reeves, Billy Joe Armstrong)

40 Somethings That Would Make 20-year-olds Jealous

(featuring Nicole Kidman, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Edward Norton, Clive Owen)

Desperate Housewives: addictively hilarious and entertaining

Posted on November 1, 2009 Written by ripitup

Well, people made such a big fuss about the show that it had to be overrated, right? And if you- like me- only a caught a glimpse of episodes randomly while trying to check James Denton out (or the women,if you prefer); it could have seemed to you that the shows plot was beyond implausible, the characters unlikeable. Hence I really didn’t think the show was worth following. Oh, it was a real pleasure to come to realize that I couldn’t have been more wrong.

One night I came across Season 5 reruns and I had nothing better to do and that was it. I was hooked. The show is admittedly one of the most entertaining and original shows ever.

I used to think suburbia is boring. Oh, of course the houses look great. And of course it would be lovely to live on a street where you are close friends with your neighbors who are roughly the same age…But it would be boring. Being away from the city? Having a car as the only way of transportation? Having children around? Being married?? Being a housewife??? Oh well…of course these situations do exist. It is just that the women’s lives are never boring. And there is always so much cheating/lying/back-stabbing/plotting going on. Oh, I don’t mean these friends are doing those to each other. Oh no. But what happens with the other neighbors is always a riot!

Just on the top of my head- (from the first season alone):

* In the first episode the narrator (Mary Alice Young) kills herself. As she narrates and gives us clues, we put the pieces together and try to understand why she would do that. She had a loving son, a loving marriage and had great friends.

Meet the gang:

SUSAN (AND MIKE)

Teri Hatcher as Susan and James Denton as Mike: Desperate Housewives — Teri Hatcher as Susan and James Denton as Mike

Hatcher’s Susan has a massive crush on the dreamy plumber/ the new neighbor Mike. He is like a breath of fresh air to Susan’s romantic life-after all Susan is the divorced mother of a teenage girl. Her husband has cheated and left her for another woman. But of course as hot as Mike is, things are complicated. He seems to be giving her mixed signals and we the viewer see what Susan does not. Mike has a lot of cash lying around, a gun in his belt, and plans& notes on the whole neighborhood. He is a man on a mission and it doesn’t seem like a very innocent one…

*Gabby (Eva Longoria):

Eva Longoria Parker as Gabby Solis and Jesse Metcalfe as her teenage gardener

Gabby is cheating on her husband with her teenage gardener (Jesse Metcalfe).

* Lynette (Felicity Huffman)

She has 4 kids. She despises being a housewife as she used to be a top advertising exec. before she became a full-time mom.

*Bree ( Marcia Cross)

She is always groomed and made up. She is always prepared and meticulous and “perfect”. She is the perfect host and her family is so bothered by this.

*Edie (Nicolette Sheridan)

She is hot and is not the least bit shy about it. Edie may be hot and festive, but she is not exactly a female loved by her peers. She is just too out there…

Well if you haven’t seen the show yet, you might think this is not complicated at all. Trust me, what you just read is the overly simplified version. The comedy, intrigue and the romance are well-balanced. The thing about these women are that they are not that desperate. Hell, they are not exactly just housewives either. Before Lynette quit, she was much more successful than her husband who is also in advertising. She is desperate because she has realized is that dealing with 4 small children is a lot harder than running a company. Susan illustrates children’s books. Edie is in real estate, Gabby is an ex runway model. Well, Bree is only a housewife but then she is so obsessed with it you can say it is a career for her: she does all her own cooking, cleaning,gardening,making her own clothes,fixing everything…

Gabby is only fooling around because her seemingly rich and romantic husband is just rich, inconsiderate and a workaholic. With her past career and good looks, it isn’t that hard to imagine she has the hormones and motives to match her gardener’s… Bree might seem like the mother and wife from hell but her son will be enough to make a lot of women not wanna have kids. Lynette has the tendency to hate her husband at times since he doesn’t seem to get what a difficult job she has at home and of course because he has made her pregnant 4 times. And the little baby is the least of her troubles. Susan has no idea about the past of the love of her life and she is a generally clueless person/mother/woman. Edie is…well,you have seen the picture. And while all of their lives are interesting and complicated, the darkest secrets might be about to come from their recently deceased friend; Mary Alice…

Now that season 6 started, I am onto the new season. Of course I had seen half of season 5 and I just finished watching seasons 1& 2. Even with this weird order I’m following the show, I love every second of it. I hope they have many more seasons and keep having mysterious new neighbors with dark secrets and a dangerous agenda…Oh and of course, kudos to Marc Cherry to creating the show. And hats off to the casting people!

from left: Nicolette Sheridan, Teri Hatcher, Marcia Cross,Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria Parker

Also on Teri Hatcher

* Book Review: Burnt Toast by Teri Hatcher:

* Tribute to young-looking stars: Teri Hatcher, Gerard Butler and more