Michelle Pfeiffer | pinartarhan.com

Dark Shadows starring Johnny Depp: Depp might be the funniest vampire ever!

Posted on March 20, 2012 Written by ripitup

Dark Shadows starring Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green & Helena Bonham Carter. Image via seat42f.com

I’m not a Tim Burton fan. As in I’ve so far enjoyed watching a total of 4 of his films: Batman, Batman Returns, Big Fish (my absolute favorite among them all) and Edward Scissorhands. Burton typically goes too cartoon-like- to the point where his humor and the relatability of the characters get lost on me.

Loving only half of Johnny Depp movies (the ones I don’t like are often directed by Tim Burton- the dude does wear pretty much anything Tim Burton gives him), I wasn’t all that excited about Dark Shadows…That was until I watched the hilarious trailer. If the movie is anything like it, it looks like I’m going to have one hell of a good time watching it .

Of course I don’t mind one bit that Michelle Pfeiffer is among the cast – I’ve liked a lot of her movies so far (Wolf, Tequila Sunrise, Hairspray, Stardust, Up Close & Personal to name a few.)

Dark Shadows Plot

A witch (Eva Green) curses the playboy Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp) he is in love with, and turns him to a vampire, and then buries him alive. When he is accidentally woken up over 200 years later, it is the 70s and hilarity ensues he has to get used to all the new technology, the witch doing her best to seduce him, the state of the family business and the family members. Oh, and then there is the 70s fashion…

In case you are wondering whether our taste is similar or not when it comes to Depp, below are the Johnny Depp movies I like or love (in no specific order):

– Finding Neverland

– Once Upon a Time in Mexico (huge Desperado fan)

– Blow (I almost cried at the end- never watched a movie that engaging about a drug dealer, and never felt such sympathy for one.)

– Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (hated 2 & 4)

– In the nick of time

– What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

– Benny and Joon also starring Aidan Quinn and Julianne Moore.

– Chocolat

– The Rum Diary

– The Man Who Cried

Recommended Johnny Depp Reading:

The Tourist starring Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie & Paul Bettany

Johnny Depp A Kind of Illusion: The Book Review

Public Enemies starring Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Marion Cotillard

Up Close and Personal starring Robert Redford and Michelle Pfeiffer

Posted on October 11, 2010 Written by ripitup

Up Close and Personal starring Robert Redford and Michelle Pfeiffer. Beautiful romantic drama from 1996. Directed by Jon Avnet.

Sally Atwater (Michelle Pfeiffer) is from a small town, living with her sister Luanne (Dedee Pfeiffer). Her dream is to become a big star as a TV reporter and she gets her chance when she lands a gig in Miami. She realizes that it will be a long time before her new boss, seasoned reporter/news coordinator Warren Justice (Robert Redford) will take her seriously. But she works hard and Warren gives her the chance to prove herself. While her career is on the rise, she gets to know Warren and his ex-wife, successful reporter Joanna Kennelly (Kate Nelligan). Warren doesn’t exactly have a great track record for long term relationships but with the attraction growing between them, can they really just be friends and colleagues? Or is it possible that Warren did indeed meet his match and they are perfect for each other?

The two finally get together but now Sally’s getting in the way. Can they make it work? And can Warren readjust his career for her or is too late for him?

Up Close and Personal is a lovely romantic drama from 1996, directed by Jon Avnet (Red Corner, The War, Fried Green Tomatoes). Robert Redford and Michelle Pfeiffer make the perfect couple, and I have to say Robert Redford looks fantastic at 60 (with Michelle being 38, there is quite a bit of age difference). It is entertaining, emotional only when necessary and apart from a bit long and being interrupted with a silly pop song in the middle when romance was supposed to be shown, it rarely has any flaws. But how happy can the movie be? If you have seen a Jon Avnet drama, you know exactly what I mean.

Spoilers:

Frankly, the only part I didn’t enjoy much was the ending but that’s because I am a romantic who expects to get a happy ending for every true love story. But I wasn’t surprised it ended the way it did, after all- we had gotten a good, anti-climactic moment 1.5 hours into the movie, with 20 more minutes to go, which is not a good sign.

Yes, the ending is very decent but I still wish I got a happy one.

Fun notes:

* The actress playing Michelle Pfeiffer’s sister in the movie is Dedee Pfeiffer, the actress’s real life, fellow actress sister.

* I have a feeling feminists might have gotten worried about the movie in the late 1990s. After all, we have a 60-year-old male romantic lead, ending up with a gorgeous woman 22 years his junior. And it might have been difficult to imagine the situations reversed. Fortunately, for Michelle, it was reversed: three times. She starred with Paul Rudd in the romantic comedy I Could Never Be Your Woman in 2007, who is 11 years her junior. In 2009, she starred as the romantic lead for Rupert Friend, who is 23 years her junior in Chéri and in another film called Personal Effects with Ashton Kutcher– who is 20 years her junior. And the feminist in me is glad that an actress is getting the same treatment as an actor.

Other Posts on Michelle Pfeiffer

Chéri starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Rupert Friend

I Could Never Be Your Woman starring Paul Rudd and Michelle Pfeiffer

20 Reasons to Love Stardust starring Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Charlie Cox& Claire Danes

Wolf Movie Review- starring Michelle Pfeiffer, James Spader and Jack Nicholson

Tequila Sunrise starring Mel Gibson, Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell

Other Posts on Robert Redford Movies

Lions for Lambs starring Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, Robert Redford and Andrew Garfield

Ordinary People starring Timothy Hutton, Donald Sutherland & Mary Tyler Moore (directed by Redford)

I Could Never Be Your Woman starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Paul Rudd

Posted on May 19, 2010 Written by ripitup

I Could Never Be Your Woman starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Paul Rudd. Funny, romantic and modern. Image from: http://www.quelapaseslindo.com.ar/

Rosie (Michelle Pfeiffer) is a 40-year-old single mother. She is a writer of a popular teen TV show. During the casting of a new character, she meets Adam (Paul Rudd). Adam is cute, really funny and talented. He gets the part. Things get complicated for Rosie when he asks her out. She can’t resist but all the while Mother Nature (Tracey Ullman) is doing her head in about how she is making a mistake and how she is too old for this guy. Despite Rosie’s concerns, Adam proves that he really likes her and that they are great together. But problems are a dime a dozen. Apart from her own concerns, Rosie’s horrible assistant Jeannie (Sarah Alexander) is doing her best to sabotage their relationship behind their backs. Will their romance survive?

OK, this is a romantic comedy so yeah, obviously the romance will survive. Both for the fans of romcoms, this is a great one to enjoy. If the movie title reminds you of the fun 90s songI could never be your woman by White Town, you are right. Its video remained with me long after MTV stopped playing the video. The song is appropriately played in the movie. All Michelle’s concerns about her age passes me by since well…she is gorgeous. Paul Rudd is one of the rare very cute and very funny actors. You might recall his collaborations with director Judd Apatow ( The 40-year-old Virgin, Knocked Up) , Clueless where he starred with he starred with Alicia Silverstone and of course Friends, where he played Phoebe’s boyfriend and then husband. They make a good team and the movie works. Mother Nature is really annoying but I’m guessing that’s what her part requires and I am a woman so yeah, I just want her to leave poor Rosie alone.

It is also fun to see English Sarah Alexander as an American bitch. She also has a part in Stardust as Michelle one of Michelle Pfeiffer’s witch friends. There is a chance you won’t recognize her. But Sarah is mostly recognized for her role in the hit comedy series Coupling (the original UK version).

Written and directed by Amy Heckerling in 2007,who also wrote and directed the very popular 90’s movie Clueless.She also wrote Who’s Talking series starring Kirstie Alley and John Travolte. Rated 6.1 on IMDB.

Favorite Lines:

Izzie (Rosie’s daughter): (on her maths homework) Mom, how do you make a positive number turn negative?

Rosie: Take away its Prozac and put it with a bunch of smaller numbers.

**************************************************************

Rosie: You have the job so it doesn’t matter but how old are you, really?

Adam: I’m like 32. Why ,how old are you?

Rosie: 37.

(Mother Nature spits her drink)

Later on on the date…

Rosie: I am not really 37.

Adam: How old are you?

Rosie: 38.

Adam: I’m actually 31.

Rosie: OK. (they kiss) 40.

Adam: 29.

Rosie: What happened to 30?

Adam: What happened to 39?

Rosie: You are not even in your 30s!

Adam: Neither are you.

*************************************************************

Nathan (Jon Lovitz): I don’t want you to do same mistakes with him that you made with me.I’m trying to be Bruce Willis-ey.

Adam: Which is weird because I’m trying to be Ashton. Which makes her Demi..

(boys go on about Demi)

Rosie: What are you talking about? I am not Demi, he is not Ashton and you are definitely not Bruce Willis!

Related Posts:

Movies starring Michelle Pfeiffer:

Wolf

Chéri

Tequila Sunrise

20 Reasons to Love Stardust

On Relationships: Couples with Age Difference

Older Women Dating Younger Men vs.. Older Men Dating Younger Women

Stardust, The Air I Breathe, Playing by Heart, The Good Shepherd, Hairspray & He’s Just Not That Into You: 6 Good Movies with Brilliant Casts

Posted on April 10, 2010 Written by ripitup

If you are anything like me, you have some actors whose projects really entertain you. But sometimes those actors come together to star in a film. So for instance what’s better than seeing Michelle Pfeiffer acting with Robert De Niro? Adding Mark Strong to the list. And you provide the comic relief with Ricky Gervais. Beauty? Siena Miller. New talent? Charlie Cox. Before you know it, you have one hell of a cast. Here’re my 6 favorite ensemble casts:

1) STARDUST

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:

https://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

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

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

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: drkruznutty.files.wordpress.com

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