Articles tagged with ‘Helen Mirren’
Defiant Helen Mirren Defies Anti-Spector Film Group
Posted on August 3rd, 2011 at 4:26 pm by Nick Crew
It seems Helen Mirren isn’t one to let a bit of controversy stand in the way of her work…
Dame Helen was all smiles and waves as she arrived on the set of the Phil Spector biopic, despite being threatened with future award snubs and worse by ‘influential’ Hollywood insiders and friends of the murdered actress, Lana Clarkson, for refusing to pull out of the film.
The Oscar-winning Brit plays the role of Spector’s long-time lawyer and supporter, Linda Kenney Baden, while Spector himself is portrayed by Hollywood legend, Al Pacino.
The film itself has been surrounded by controversy since it was given the green light, as it’s understood that it is rather sympathetic towards the iconic music producer and claims he may have been wrongly jailed for the murder of Clarkson.
The real life Kenney Baden has stated there is evidence that Clarkson was so depressed by setbacks in her career that she used a revolver owned by Spector to shoot herself.
A spokesman for Mirren said earlier this week the actress had received ‘numerous’ letters from the group of protesters over her involvement in the film but insisted: “She’s in the movie, She’s not dropping out, That’s all she’s saying.”
‘The Group’ that are protesting the movie have been named as ‘The Friends of Lana Clarkson’, and have sought help from Hollywood publicity agent, Edward Lozzi, to organize their campaign.
They claim to have supporters that are very influential within the industry and will stop actors who take part in the project being considered for prestigious awards.
Mr Lozzi has stated that the group and he has ‘great respect for Helen Mirren,’ and hope she will ‘do the right thing’ or face damaging “consequences.”
Oo-er… Our Dame has balls I reckon!
Chubby Faced Pics Of Russell ‘Brand Re-Viewed’ on US Telly!
Posted on March 9th, 2011 at 5:14 am by Nick Crew
We’ve got a few embarrassing childhood pictures at home and for the majority of people this is were they’ll stay, but unfortunately for Russell Brand, these kind of pictures are always likely to pop up in the middle of a TV interview.
The British comedian was reminded of his “chubby” teenage days while chatting to the panel on The View. It was a vast difference from the smartly dressed Brand that sat on the sofa in a plum colored suit with skinny-leg trousers… Now I understand why he loves wearing skinny-leg trousers. Making up for all them years when he couldn’t fit in them.
“I was a chubby lad’ the 35 year old stated as the image was flashed up on the screens.” He added, “That’s the same nose…it’s basically me. I had a tricky time at school.”…A tricky time deciding how many pies to have for school dinners, by the look of it, a Russell?
Russell was on the show promoting his new film Arthur, in which he stars with Dame Helen Mirren, and it wasn’t long before Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg and the rest of the panel moved the conversation onto married life with Katy Perry. When asked to describe what it’s like kissing his gorgeous wife, Russell replied, “A conduit to paradise…A tunnel to another world. They [her lips] are redemption! Salvation! Glory! Poetry!”
Awww, isn’t love grand. Our Russell always has such a beautiful way with words…Now where can I get a pair of the plum trousers?
Dame Helen Mirren Rules the RED Red Carpet!
Posted on October 20th, 2010 at 4:21 pm by
Helen Mirren was The Queen of the red carpet at the recent UK premiere of her new movie RED, which took place at the Royal Festival Hall in London’s South Bank Centre. The British star was adorned in a dramatic long black gown designed by Brit fashion mastermind Bruce Oldfield. Mirren, at the young age of 65, was and is the epitome of classic elegance and glamour.
Mirren’s RED co-star Bruce Willis and his wife Emma Heming also attended the event. In the film, Mirren and Willis play ex CIA operatives designated as RED, which stands for “Retired Extremely Dangerous,” who must come out of retirement after they become targets for assassination.
The spy picture boasts an all-star cast that also includes Ernest Borgnine, Richard Dreyfuss, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, and Mary-Louise Parker.
Who could have predicted the Dame would lead an action movie such as this alongside Bruce Willis? This star is RED hot!
Knightley’s Name in the Frame to Play Princess Diana
Posted on October 17th, 2010 at 7:55 am by
Producers at film company Pathe (the same team that brought us The Queen) continue to remain tight-lipped, however, I hear they have started work on a project about the life of Diana, Princess of Wales and British actress Keira Knightley is hotly tipped to star as Diana with Dame Helen Mirren in the frame to portray her mother, Frances Shand Kydd.
Diana ‘the movie’, will chart the early years of the Princess’s life, with much of the focus being on her ill-fated marriage to Prince Charles, their separation and the lead up to her death which occurred at the Pont d’Alma tunnel in Paris in August 1997.
One insider said: “The project is in the early stages but Pathe has chosen 2011 quite deliberately. It will be in the same vein as The Queen and will detail the ups and downs of Diana’s marriage and the early lives of the Princes.”
The source added: “There’s a real buzz about this. Pathe also made The Duchess, which starred Keira as the Duchess of Devonshire – the great-great-great-great aunt of Diana – and controversially used an image of Diana to trail the movie.
“They think Keira will be perfect to play Diana.”
And I couldn’t agree more with them, I thought Knightley was superb with her portrayal as Georgiana Cavendish in The Duchess, I think her shy on-screen innocence would be a perfect match to that of Diana’s once endearing personality we all knew and loved. I hope she accepts the role if offered!
Though I’m told much secrecy surrounds the biopic on the late royal, it already has a release planned for next year timed to coincide with what would have been the Princess’s 50th birthday. 2011 is also the year that marks 30 years since Diana was married to Charles.
Wow, I can’t believe it’s been that long since Diana’s death, I can still remember where I was and how I felt when I first heard the news… Can you?
Russell Brand and Helen Mirren Movie to Premiere at Venice Film Festival!
Posted on September 1st, 2010 at 1:28 pm by
As movie stars from Hollywood and around the world gather in Venice, Italy for the annual Venice Film Festival, Russell Brand and Dame Helen Mirren anticipate the premiere of their film The Tempest, which also stars English actor Alfred Molina. The film, directed by American director Julie Taymore and based on William Shakespeare’s play of the same name about the struggle between a brother and sister with mystical powers, is scheduled to be screened on the closing night of this year’s festival.
The debut of The Tempest will follow a crowd of movies that are to be screened, as almost 80 films are expected to premiere during the festival’s 11-day run. Although The Tempest is not being entered into the festival’s competition, 22 of the films being screened are in contention for the Golden Lion.
This is exactly the type of film I would expect to see Mirren and Molina in, but I must confess I was a little surprised to learn that Brand will be featured in such an artistic project. From St. Trinian’s to Shakespeare, Russell’s career certainly has come a long way in the last three years. Still, we will have to wait until the final day of the festival to see just how well his performance is received…
The Joker No More… Funnyman Russell is Now Batman!
Posted on July 19th, 2010 at 2:15 am by
Holy Crap Brandman, scruffy Russell almost looks half sexy!
As Katy Perry gets attention from the O.C’s Josh Kloss on the set of her new video, her other half Russell Brand was getting attention of a different kind when he stepped out in this hilarious rubber Batman outfit in New York, while filming scenes for his new movie Arthur.
Arthur is remake of the 1981 film that starred Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli about a drunken socialite who has to marry well-to-do women so he can inherit his family’s fortune.
I heard the funnyman had everyone in hysterics, especially as he peeled the suit down to his waist to reveal his true identity – a rather less than impressive ab-less version.
I’m also told Brand quite enjoyed dressing up as the caped crusader and even sent fiancée Katy a pic of it, that eventually ended up on his Twitter page (pictured).
Leaving me to wonder if Russell is taking the outfit home with him …? And does Katy have a Batgirl suit on order …? And just who’ll be playing Robin … Um, Josh Kloss?!?! Watch this space!
What a Difference Two Summers Make for Helen Mirren!
Posted on July 11th, 2010 at 11:59 am by
There’s no doubt that Dame Helen Mirren can turn her hand to any role. The Oscar-winning actress is an on-screen chameleon when it comes to nailing a part, from Queen Elizabeth (I and II) to Tolstoy’s wife.
Off-screen she always adds a touch of class to a red carpet and has a bikini body to make women half her age jealous.
But we had to do a double take when we saw these latest pics of her looking more OAP than Golden Globe. Mirren was snapped yesterday in a frumpy skirt and headscarf – quite a contrast to her usual glamorous look.
But although the star turns 65 in two weeks, she isn’t trying out ‘pensioner chic’ just yet or trying to get around incognito. Her outfit was just for her role alongside Russell Brand in the film remake of Arthur.
Although if she wears her outfit to go home in, the bus drivers might actually believe she’s eligible for her free bus pass!
Russell’s Playing a Brand New Arthur!
Posted on July 9th, 2010 at 12:16 pm by
Playing Arthur in a remake of the eponymous 1981 film shouldn’t be too much of a stretch for Russell Brand.
Dudley Moore made the role of the drunken playboy famous – winning himself an Oscar nomination in the process – and now Russell has stepped into his shoes – and top hat!
The film co-stars Helen Mirren, Jennifer Garner and Nick Nolte, along with Greenberg star and California-born gal Greta Gerwig, who is playing his love interest.
The plot has been kept secret but former drug addict Brand recently claimed that he’d entered into some serious hair removal for the role.
‘Have shaved body hair for Arthur,’ he wrote on his Twitter account. ‘I am playing him as a long, thin, new born tot.’
It remains to be seen if Russ can replicate Dudley’s success and I’m going to withhold judgement until I see the finished product. I’ve to say though, Russell’s got a lot to live up to – it’s dodgy territory to remake a film when the bar is set so high!
