Watts and Schreiber to Wed soon

Hollywood couple Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber are viewing a speedy Sydney wedding before the year ends, according to reports.
The pair have been dating since May 2005 and are allegedly desperate to tie the knot before welcoming their first child together in December.
A pal tells the New York Post, “There’s not enough time to plan a big wedding.
“They’ll have just 25 guests for the nuptials in her hometown of Sydney, with a lavish wedding reception for all their stateside friends after the baby is born.”
Watts’ representative has so far declined to comment on the reports.
Sydney was the wedding city of choice for Watts’ close friend Nicole Kidman too, who married Keith Urban there last year.

My comment to all this: NO! It is a good thing that celebrity marriages don’t last long.

Watts Up? Naomi and Liev expecting

Naomi Watts and her boyfriend, Liev Schreiber, are expecting.
News of the Australian actress’ pregnancy was released Sunday by fashion-design firm Escada, which created the yellow gown Watts wore to the Academy Awards.
The dress “set off her most precious new asset, the baby she is expecting with long time boyfriend Liev Schreiber,” the company’s press release read.
Schreiber confirmed the news on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” Monday, saying, “Yes, I’m going to be a dad.”
Watts, 38, and Schreiber, 39, co-starred in last year’s “The Painted Veil” He’s currently in rehearsals for a Broadway production of “Talk Radio,” slated to open March 11th.
From: The Associate Press

Schreiber confirms Watts’ pregnancy
Liev Schreiber has confirmed he and girlfriend Naomi Watts are expecting their first child together. Watts sparked rumors she was pregnant after appearing on the red carpet at the Oscar ceremony on Sunday with a noticeably fuller figure. Schreiber appeared on talk show Late Night With Conan O’Brien on Monday where he confirmed the happy news saying, “I’m going to be a dad. Very exciting! It’s a strange thing about women. You can take a complete wall-flower, a quiet girl and get them pregnant and then they want to go out all the time! So I gave her grief about going to the Oscars and she said, ‘No, no, it’s a very auspicious thing’ that our ’embryo’ I guess, was going to be going to the Oscars.” When asked whether the couple had thought about any names he replied, “I’m trying to stay out of it all. I’m trying not to make any decisions. I find everything I try to do in service of her or the coming baby is wrong. I really don’t even go to my house much anymore.” When O’Brien asked if they would consider passing the unique name Liev on to their offspring he added, “No, it’s a terrible name. It’s probably the most mis-pronounced name in all of show business. It’s bad enough that I have gone through that for 15 years. There won’t be any Liev juniors. It’s not like George, you can call five kids George. You can’t really call anyone Liev, you shouldn’t call one child that, I don’ t think!”
From: Imdb.com
This is the most depressing news in a while. It just lower my chances of ever getting together with Ms. Watts, damn it.

Nip/Tuck creator lures Kidman, Watts

Nicole Kidman (The Others, Fur) and Naomi Watts (King Kong, The Painted Veil) will be sharing the silver screen once more after staring in Flirting more than 14-years ago. The two gals have been friends for nearly 20-years and each lady has experienced enormous success in recent years.
The project is entitled Need and it is being helmed by Ryan Murphy who is not only directing but writing the screenplay as well. Murphy made his feature-film debut last fall with the adaption of Augusten Burroughs’ Running With Scissors.
According to Variety, Kidman plays an unstable patient and Watts is her therapist, but their paths cross outside of the professional setting when Kidman’s character seduces her husband.
While the story doesn’t sound revolutionary, Need definitely will be a must-see but as filming is not slated to begin until later this fall, audiences might be waiting until the Holiday ’08 to see these two big sceen bombshells face off.

Deconstruction of a scene: Mullholland Dr.

Introduction:
This is hopefully to become an either weekly or monthly feature on a past film and why a particular scene works to illustrate the general feeling of the entire picture or in some cases how it fails. I decided to go with one of my personal favorite for the first post and I would love to hear your insights and thoughts on this idea. And maybe even a few suggestions as to other movies that could be showcased in this format. I hope you enjoy.

Mulholland Dr.
Directed by: David Lynch
Starring: Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux
Released: 12th of October 2001
Runtime: 145 minutes
Rating: R for violence, language and some strong sexuality
There are more than just a handful of great, unique, enthralling scenes but for the sake of this feature, I could only select one. Though, most people who will read this are unfamilar with David Lynch’s distinct puzzler, the movie is quite simply one of the best films released in 10-12 years. Mulholland Dr. is a film that commands your attention as it slowly and discreetly unravels a mystery. The film makes no apologies for those who happen to get lost along way and never dumbs itself down for the average mainstream moviegoer. For daring to be different by incorporating a complex storyline, vibrant visuals and artful eye to detail, the movie is a classic for those luck enough to survive the film’s labyrinth and capture its message.

Setting up the scene:
In the first act of the movie we are introduced to Betty (Naomi Watts) and Rita (Laura Harring) who are the film’s main attractions. Rita has lost her memoery after being involved in an accident. She stubbles into Betty’s aunt’s apartment, looking for a place to rest and collect herself. Bright-eyed Betty arrives in Hollywood from Deep River, Ontario (Canada) and is immediately starstruck by the lure of the city. The two women begin investigating the mysterious crash in hopes of solve the riddle on who Rita is and why people are looking for her. There are many memorable moments during this act from the man behind the winkie’s to the beautifully captured intimaticy of Club Silencio. But, alas our scene lies within the second half after the movie completely changes your perception and what you thought you knew is not true.
As the second act begins we are reintroduced to Diane (Watts) and Camilla (Harring) who are lovers but more importantly friends. The scene takes place after Camilla has just ended things romantically with Diane and she doesn’t take the separation so well.

The Scene (this post may contain images and language that is not suitable for all ages):

The single piece of film that stuck out the most for me was the infamous masturbaution scene and no I did not select this because it is a woman pleasuring herself. In the few moments, Diane showcases lonliness, anger, hurt and vengence and this is all seen in her eyes and the some rather alarming sounds. In this scene the message of the entire relationship is crystalized with stunning beauty and misery. Watts scary “solo” performance here is uncomfortable to watch because as the viewer you are drawn into her pain and it is not about the sexual aspect of it. Normally, for most men watching a woman “give herself a treat” is a arousing experience but here despite the overwhelming nature of the scene you are more attract to the character than the act. When the trip “downtown” involves tears of agony, with shivers of heartbreak and the sound of fingers pounding your gentials begin to overpower the soundtrack we have a rare moment of true intimacy on film. While watching this scene one can’t help but feel ashamed as if you are intruding on this person’s moment of privacy and her release of anguish. Mulholland Dr. is a outstanding, enchantingly beautiful film that at the heart of it beats this intense love story between two women who find themselves in the city of dreams.

I would have loved to have found the clip online but it seems no one on youtube or google has this video posted with the exception being a few couple porn sites. So, you out there will just have to trust me and pick-up or rent a copy of Mulholland Dr. you will not be disappointed with the lure of this twisted Hollywood-fairy tale.

 

Bits & Pieces

Here are some snipets of what is going on in the world of cinema.

BAFTA’s honor Craig, Dench
The BAFTA (Britians version of the Oscars) winners have been announced and there are a hanful of suprises to could affect this month’s Academy Awards ceremony. Daniel Craig’s performance, which singlehandedly transformed James Bond, was award the statette for Best Actor over Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland), Peter O’Toole (Venus) and Leonardo DiCaprio (The Departed). Meanwhile Dame Judi Dench beat out Oscar forerunner Helen Mirren (The Queen) for her explosive work in Notes on a Scandal. United 93, a piece of American tragedy surprisingly won the night’s biggest award Best Film. Other winners included Peter Morgan for two of his scripts’ (The Queen and The Last King of Scotland) and Stephen Frears was acknowledged with special achievement award for his body of work.

Polanski to make Pompeii Epic
Academy Award-winning director and wanted criminal Roman Polanski has teamed with writer Robert Harris to retell the events of the doomed city of Pompeii. The proposed $197 million film would be the most expensive film to ever be shoot in Europe.
Based on Harris’ novel, the movie will recount the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. an event that led to the deaths of thousand and the end of a society. The film is still in early pre-production with no actors yet attached to the project.

Watts in talks to star in a remake of ‘The Birds’
Platinum Dunes (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) producers have approached Naomi Watts with an offer to topline their remake of the Hitchcock’s 1963 classic The Birds. The movie has no other cast attached to it yet. Watts is rumored to be waiting until see has seen the finalized script before signing on to appear in the film. “No actor or actress is going to commit to anything without a script,” said producer Brad Fuller. “We’ve sat down with her and conceptually I think we all want to make the same movie, but until we have a script and a director, I think it’s a little premature. But, we’ll all talking and she’s who we’d like to have as the lead.” Though the company is not planning to rush this release but Fuller hopes to have a script to Watts in the coming weeks. “In the next two weeks, or the next week or so I think they’ll announce it because they’re starting to talk about a new writer to come on and write that. It definitely feels like it’s moving.”

Goodbye Katie Holmes
With both producers and fans upset with Katie Holmes performance in 2005’s Batman Begins, she has effectively been removed from its forthcoming sequel. Two of Hollywood’s up-and-coming young actresses are rumored to be up for the part, Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada) and Rachel McAdams (Wedding Crashers, Red Eye). It is exciting news that an already stellar cast is being improved upon.

The Paradise Hot List

This isn’t really movie related but I got tired of seeing all those men magazine hotlist that always feature the same woman and spend most of their time focusing on only two attributes. So, I decide to compose my own list, which a couple of choices you may not have expected.

10. Angelina Jolie

Okay, Jolie is many things from bizarre (open-mouth kissing her brother) to a downright home wrecker (Brad Pitt), but she is also a trendsetter. Before Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts and other celebrities were working with the U.N., Angelina was. Before adopting a baby from poverty was in, Jolie was already a professional at the game. Though, her film resume is rather unimpressive with crappers such as Beyond Borders, Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider II: The Cradle of Life and Life or Something Like It, she has maintained complete control of her image and strives to give something back to society. Her beauty is bested by her humanity and that makes this woman to die for.

9. Scarlett Johansson

One of Hollywood’s most promising young actors with star-making performances in Lost in Translation, Girl With a Pearl Earring and Ghost World. Johansson is stunningly sexy with a plethora of features that are unlike any of her contemporaries. Though, 2006 was not kind to Johansson with Razzie worthy performances in Scoop and The Black Dahlia, hopefully 2007 will bring us the Johansson we all fell in love with.

8. Rachel Weisz

Smart and sexy: a killer combination and that is what Weisz has at her disposal. There not really much else to say but this is an actress that is going to be around for a long time.

7. Jennifer Connelly

Baring The Hulk, Connelly has always appeared in films with substance and that aren’t the usual blockbusters. A fantastic actress who clearly is steering her career into a more fruitful direction, Connelly is just utterly radiant. She is an Academy Award winning actress with standout performances in films such as Requiem for a Dream, Little Children, Blood Diamond, House of Sand and Fog and many more. Bravo to a woman is who is constantly pursuing the next thought-provoking film to add to her repertoire.

6. Kate Winslet

There is nothing sexier than a woman who is completely comfortable in her own skin, and Winslet is this woman. Winslet does not have the usual knockout features but her confidence and sheer talent more than makes up for the rest. While magazines such as Maxim and Stuff look over gems such as Winslet for trashier one-dimensional choices such as the Hilton sisters, others such as myself can not help but to bask in Ms. Winslet’s sexual radiance.

5. Natalie Portman

In V for Vendetta, Portman proved she could be sizzling even with the Sinead O’ Conner look. An important part of a woman’s sex appeal is her intelligence (i.e. the reason Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan were left off.) and with a degree from the nation’s top school, Harvard, Portman has that aspect intact. Portman has a unique ability to infuse her on-screen characters with undeniable charisma that draws viewers to care for them. She is this generations Julia Roberts but with (dare I say it) a bit more raw talent.

4. Fiona Apple

Apple is lanky, sickly and at times rude, but she has an element that makes her extremely attractive: independence. She does not play the game the same way Christina Aguilera or Norah Jones do; she lets her talent speak for itself. Apple is outspoken, unapologetic and an incredibly gift lyricist. Her sex appeal is founded on a pretty girl acting out against a world obsessed with outward appearance. If you need any proof of her sex appeal pick up and really listen to her on Tidal, When The Pawn…, and Extraordinary Machine and by the end of the journey you will find yourself in love with this nymph of honesty.

3. Jennifer Aniston

On the surface, Aniston is just your typical pretty face in Hollywood, but beneath it is a woman who very delicately dealt with her divorce, is a partner in Plan B productions (which has produced Troy, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and recently The Departed) and a star who honestly does not want to deal with the press. In movies such as Bruce Almighty, Along Came Polly and The Break-Up Aniston’s talent as a thespian is underused. The former Friends starlet shines in small independent features as in opposite Catherine Keener (a close call) in Friends With Money and playing bored wife in The Good Girl. In a few years, Aniston will come into her own as a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood.

2. Courtney Love

Already, most people are grossed out by the probability of Courtney Love at number two. I will explain. Love, besides the drug problems and let’s face it no one is perfect, is a shining example of female empowerment. Unlike Evanescence and Yeah Yeah Yeahs who sings rock songs so beautifully, Love sings rock the way it should sound: loud, fast and dirty. When her single, “Celebrity Skin” topped Modern Rock radio for three weeks in 1998 it remained the last time a female has reached the summit until Evanescence in 2003. With a strong personality, holds-no-bar attitude Love made herself a household name but many don’t see what she has done for rock music. I firmly believe Love is an excellent role model for woman because she never relents. And when How Dirty Girls Get Clean is released, she will prove a woman can still rock with the best of them even at the age of 43.

1. Naomi Watts

Watts has all the makings of the typical disposable movie star: gorgeous eyes, fantastic body, an accent and a general warmth. What elevates her above her contemporaries is the ability to transform herself into whichever character she is playing. In her relative short career, she has delivered more noteworthy performances than some actress do in a lifetime of work. Mesmerizing audiences in David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive, Watts quickly made a name for herself as one of Hollywood’s most gifted thespians. Rather than opting for big, shallow blockbuster, Watts has made character-driven pieces of film her forte. Intelligent, sexy, sophisticated and not willing to play the usual movie industry game is what makes unique and my number one.

The one common trait these gifted women shares is that they are all strong, independent and powerful women and there’s nothing on this planet that is sexier than that.

2006: the Year in Film

The Top 10 Films of the Year

10. The Descent (Neil Marshall) – Horror films normally don’t garner critically attention much less praise, but The Descent was the exception. Marshall follows cult hit Dog Soldiers with an equally impressive voyage into the depths of North Carolina’s Appalachian Mountains. The film is elevated beyond the genre’s usual pitfalls by an engrossing storyline, masterful direction and superb performances from its all female cast.

9. The Prestige (Christopher Nolan) / The Illusionist (Neil Burger) – A magical double header. The Prestige had magic play second off a bitter rivalry between two former friends (Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman). Nolan beautifully recreates a landscape when magicians command more than a few seconds of our time. With a twisting plotline and the undisputable chemistry between Nolan and Bale, The Prestige mesmerizes audiences. Edward Norton was absolutely spectacular as the lovelorn magician in The Illusionist. What can be said about a movie in which even Jessica Beil delivers a stellar performance but bravo.

8. United 93 (Peter Greengrass) – The best tribute to a day in American history that will never be forgotten. While its counterpart, Oliver Stone’s dreadful World Trade Center, may have attracted more attention, United 93 is clearly the better of the two. With unknowns and a eye for detail, United 93 is how we should remember the events of that day. Not the deaths but the courage that has come to symbolize the event.

7. Inland Empire (David Lynch) – Unable to find a studio to release his latest project, Lynch released the film himself. Lynch films are never big blockbusters because their designed for the artful crowd and the thinking moviegoer. Inland Empire is no exception while the film itself is not as immediately engrossing as his previous efforts (Mulholland Drive and Blue Velvet) it still forces the viewer to pay attention to small details in order to unravel the film’s puzzle. Kudos for Lynch on such an achievement. Laura Dern is at her career best and it’s a shame that she will likely fail to be acknowledged.

6. Little Miss Sunshine (Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris) – An incredibly funny yet moving dark comedy with a stellar ensemble cast. Original screenplays don’t get much better than this. This film has something for everyone from laughs to a few good tear jerking moments. Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear and Steve Carrell shine in this independent gem but its Alan Arkin, playing a foul-mouthed grandfather, who steals the show and our hearts.

5. Shut Up & Sing (Barbara Kopple) – Even more revelant now. This documentary chronicled the Dixie Chicks fall from grace in the world of country music. Rather than just dwell on a single event the documentary humanize these celebrity and gives viewers a peak into the aftermath. Its funny, witty and packs an emotional punch. While most people told them to shut up and sing, most of the usual whitebread interviews with locals from the Carolinas and Texas were completely mindnumbing because one) they made no sense and two) it really gets you to wonder about the education is those parts of the country. All in all, Shut Up & Sing was one of the most cohesive documentaries released all year.

4. Notes on a Scandal (Richard Eyre) – If there was one movie that was carried by performances it would be Notes on a Scandal. Patrick Marber (Closer) did create a script that is true to its source material, but the subject matter is one we have seen played out in the news constantly. It’s Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett who are utterly riveting in this film. Both seasoned actresses at performing above award caliber. The movie is vastly entertaining with a basis of a teacher having an affair with one of her students. Watch for this movie on award night.

3. The Painted Veil (John Curran) – Third time is a charm apparently as Curran revisit well traveled material and infuses with a breath of fresh air. Naomi Watts sizzles as Kitty Fane, an adulterous woman. Watts manages to make a flawed character such as Kitty likeable and with such ease. Norton delivers another well-crafted performance as the husband out to make his wife suffer for his indiscrisions. Both Norton (The Illusionist) and Watts (Inland Empire) share a distinct honor for having two films in the top 10. Curran, who made the cut in 2004 with We Don’t Live Here Anymore, has an amazing talented in capturing the flaws apparent in all people and making seem insignificant to the whole picture.

2. The Departed (Martin Scorsese) – The best Scorsese film in more than a decade. Finally, this legendary director has gotten back in stride after releasing two very dull pieces of cinema (Gangs of New York and The Aviator). The Departed is infact a remake of a Chinese film but Scorsese does very well at Americanize it. Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon play very well off one another. But, the cake has to go Jack Nicholson who is just a treat to watch on the screen. Welcome back, Marty.

1. Little Children (Todd Field) – Engrossing. Its 130 minute runtime just isn’t enough. Little Children is such a unique look at suburbia and the politics of our own lives. Field does an incredible job at realizing the material with assistance from Kate Winslet, Jennifer Connelly and Patrick Wilson. Winslet is in top form as she carries the movie along never once breaking character. Little Children is a monumental achievement for everyone involved and easily the best film this year.

Best Actress

Kate Winslet, Little Children

• Naomi Watts, The Painted Veil
• Judi Dench, Notes on a Scandal
• Laura Dern, Inland Empire
• Helen Mirren, The Queen

Best Actor

Edward Norton, The Painted Veil

• Forrest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland
• Patrick Wilson, Little Children & Hard Candy
• Leonardo DiCapirio, The Departed
• Peter O’Toole, Venus

Best Supporting Actress

Cate Blanchett, Notes on a Scandal

• Jennifer Connelly, Little Children
• Toni Collette, Little Miss Sunshine
• Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls
• Jennifer Aniston, Friends With Money

Best Supporting Actor

Jack Nicholson, The Departed

• Alan Arkin, Little Miss Sunshine
• Michael Sheen, The Queen
• Jackie Earle Haley, Little Children
• Steve Carrell, Little Miss Sunshine

Best Director

Martin Scorsese, The Departed

• John Curran, The Painted Veil
• Todd Field, Little Children
• Clint Eastwood, Letters From Iwo Jima
• Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris, Little Miss Sunshine

Close Calls:

V for Vendetta, Thank You for Smoking, Half Nelson, The Queen, Borat, Babel, Casino Royale, Letters From Iwo Jima, Dreamgirls, Blood Diamond, The Last King of Scotland and A Scanner Darkly.

Could be Contenders:

Volver, Children of Men, The Good German, The Good Shepherd and The History Boys.