Monday, June 22, 2009

Marvelous Meryl Streep...


So, today is the 60th birthday of one of the greatest actresses who has ever lived. We should all take a moment today, bow our heads and remember, no matter how great you think you are at something, Meryl Streep will always be better.


Amen. Happy Birthday Meryl Streep!


P.S. The Film Experience has a great tribute post on their blog entitled "60 Appropriate Ways to Celebrate Meryl Streep Month", and a nice video to go with it. Head over there, or check out the video below.




-Cigarettes

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Saturday, June 20, 2009

I Can't Help Myself



Today is a day to celebrate, as it is Nicole Kidman's glorious day of birth. If you can believe it she turns 42 today.


She is truly a goddess among mortals. (Although I know there are PLENTY of you out there who would disagree, I don't care. I love her that much.) Happy Birthday Nicole Kidman!

-Cigarettes

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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

The Hours: Part Deux


Michael Cunningham, who wrote the novel The Hours, which was later adapted into a film, has written a new script for a slasher movie. I know this is kind of old news, but any chance I get to celebrate The Hours, is one that I will take.



Ephemerist has a post covering the news, that does a better (and funnier) job than I could ever do, so go over there right now and check it out.



-Cigarettes

[Source Ephemerist]

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Tuesday, June 9, 2009

My Name is Cigarettes...


...and I like Kirsten Dunst.

P.S. I cannot wait for All Good Things.

-Cigarettes

[Source Cinematical]

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Saturday, June 6, 2009

In Character: Actors Acting

IAN McSHANE
Left: You’re a politically ambitious prosecutor trying a sensational murder case, and you’ve just realized that the defense’s key witness has given you a huge opening to prove that he’s lying. Center: You’re an ex-Marine, on the way home from a workout at the gym, suddenly confronted by a knife-wielding mugger. And you’re thinking, “This dude has picked the wrong fookin’ guy to take on.” Right: You’re watching your son on television in his first Formula One race, moments after his car has hit a wall. Track workers have lifted him out of the tangled wreck as the announcer says, “He doesn’t appear to be moving … “

Do you want to see some great actors acting (like the fantastic Ian McShane, above), but don't have the time to sit down and watch a movie? Head over to Vanity Fair's online Portfolio, where you can see sixteen actors give you a snapshot of three different moments in three different character's lives. It's pretty fantastic.

-Cigarettes

[Source Vanity Fair]

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Friday, June 5, 2009

TRAILER: Map of the Sounds of Tokyo


So, what the hell?! I just found out that my beloved Rinko Kikuchi's new film has a trailer online, and no one has bothered to post on it? (Update: It turns out some people actually have posted the trailer online... whatever. I had to find out for myself)


Anyways, for those of you who haven't heard of this film, it is the latest film from Isabel Coixet, who recently directed Elegy. The film, with an estimated budget of $8 Million, stars the lovely and talented Rinko Kikuchi. The film actually just had it's world premiere at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Golden Palm, and where Aitor Berenguer (the film's sound recordist) took home the Technical Grand Prize. Here is the synopsis from the film's Official Website:

Ryu (Kikuchi) is a solitary girl whose fragile appearance is in stark contrast with the double life she leads, working nights at a Tokyo fish market and sporadically taking on jobs as a hit-woman.

Mr Nagara (Takeo Nakahara) is a powerful impresario mourning the loss of his daughter Midori, who has committed suicide. He blames David (Sergi López), a Spaniard who runs a wine business in Tokyo.

Mr Nagara's employee, Ishida (Hideo Sakaki), was silently in love with Midori and hires Ryu to murder David.

A sound engineer, obsessed with the sounds of the Japanese city and fascinated with Ryu, witnesses this love story which searches the shadows of the human soul, reaching deep into places where only silence has the power of eloquence.



Sounds amazing, no? Well without further ado, I give you the trailer... oh, and just a warning, it is NSFW.






Oh and here is an extra tidbit. The folks over at Nippon Cinema have a great article that goes behind the scenes of Map of the Sounds of Tokyo, and there are some behind the scene stills available over there as well. Enjoy!



-Cigarettes

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I Just Rewatched Red Dragon...


...and the only thing I can say is... can someone please give this woman an Oscar?!

-Cigarettes

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Thursday, June 4, 2009

R.I.P. David Carradine


"I suppose the traditional way to conclude this is, we cross Hanzo swords. Well, it just so happens, this hacienda comes with its very own private beach. And this private beach just so happens to look particularly beautiful bathed in moonlight. And there just so happens to be a full moon out tonight. So, swordfighter, if you want to sword fight, that's where I suggest. But if you wanna be old school about it - and you know I'm all about old school - then we can wait till dawn, and slice each other up at sunrise, like a couple real-life, honest-to-goodness samurais."

-Cigarettes

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