Ingrid Bergman, more than anyone else from the golden age of cinema, had a face made for the silvery light of black-and-white movies. The adjectives get overused -- luminescent, radiant -- but watch her in "Casablanca," "Gaslight," "Notorious," or any of her other black-and-white classics, and she really does appear to be lit from within. Maybe it was those Swedish cheekbones. Maybe it was her professed disdain for the heavy makeup worn by other screen goddesses of the era. Maybe it was the heartbreakingly pure smile of the dentist's wife. Or maybe it was some kind of inner flame -- a burning ambition, an iron will, steely courage -- that forged her character and gleamed in her eyes. Whatever it was, Ingrid Bergman -- who died 30 years ago, on August 29, 1982, and who was born on the same day, 67 years earlier -- had an inner glow that emanates from her films even now,...
- 8/28/2012
- by Gary Susman
- Moviefone
Colin Firth, Meryl Streep Colin Firth tells Meryl Streep he should have been cast as Margaret Thatcher in Phyllida Lloyd's The Iron Lady, for he's British and Streep is not. Streep responds by telling him she can play any nationality, including Italian. As proof, she incarnates Anna Magnani in Bellissima. Well, something like that went on backstage at the 2012 Academy Awards ceremony. (Photo: Bryan Crowe / ©A.M.P.A.S.) Meryl Streep's Best Actress Oscar for The Iron Lady was her third. Streep's previous two Oscars were as Best Supporting Actress for Robert Benton's Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), featuring Dustin Hoffman, Jane Alexander, and Justin Henry; and as Best Actress for Alan J. Pakula's Sophie's Choice (1982), with Kevin Kline and Peter MacNicol. Only three other performers have won three Academy Awards: Walter Brennan as Best Supporting Actor for Howard Hawks and William Wyler's Come and Get It...
- 4/2/2012
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Meryl Streep Oscar winner Meryl Streep became a three-time Academy Award winner after getting this year's Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in Phyllida Lloyd's The Iron Lady. In the above photo, Streep poses backstage with a naked man holding a strategically placed sword during the 84th Oscar ceremony held February 26. (Photo: Richard D. Salyer / © A.M.P.A.S.) Streep's previous two Oscars were as Best Supporting Actress for Robert Benton's Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), featuring Dustin Hoffman, Jane Alexander, and Justin Henry; and as Best Actress for Alan J. Pakula's Sophie's Choice (1982), with Kevin Kline and Peter MacNicol. Her Best Actress competitors this time around were Viola Davis for The Help, Michelle Williams (as Marilyn Monroe) for Simon Curtis' My Week with Marilyn, Rooney Mara (in Noomi Rapace's original role) for David Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo remake,...
- 3/8/2012
- by Anna Robinson
- Alt Film Guide
Octavia Spencer, Meryl Streep Octavia Spencer — quite literally — joins Meryl Streep at 2012 post-Oscar ceremony Governors Ball held at Hollywood and Highland Center in Hollywood, CA, Sunday, February 26. Spencer was the Best Supporting Actress winner for her performance in Tate Taylor's socially conscious comedy-drama The Help. Streep was the Best Actress winner for her performance as former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher in Phyllida Lloyd's The Iron Lady. (Photo: Darren Decker / ©A.M.P.A.S.) Octavia Spencer was a first-time nominee. Her Best Supporting Actress competition consisted of fellow first-time nominees Jessica Chastain for The Help, Bérénice Bejo for Michel Hazanavicius' The Artist, and Melissa McCarthy for Paul Feig's Bridesmaids, in addition to two-time nominee Janet McTeer for Rodrigo García's Albert Nobbs. McTeer had been previously shortlisted in the Best Actress category for Gavin O'Connor's Tumbleweeds (1999). Meryl Streep's competitors in the Best Actress...
- 2/29/2012
- by D. Zhea
- Alt Film Guide
With wild stories about the behaviour of Charlie Sheen circulating daily and the news that he has been fired from his hit TV show Two and a Half Men today, I began thinking about some of the most notorious cases of scandal in Hollywood’s sordid past!
As it appears that Sheen’s career may be heading towards oblivion, read on to discover the 10 most infamous scandals and just how they affected the stars responsible for them…
10. Winona Ryder’s Bargain Shopping Spree
When troubled actress Winona Ryder took a trip to the Beverly Hills Saks department store in December 2001, the sales assistants must have thought their luck was in in terms of commission! But no, Ryder decided that $6000 was too much to spend on a bundle of designer goodies that included a Gucci dress, Marc Jacobs jumper and a Dolce & Gabbana handbag, amongst other things…
Caught trying to pilfer the lot,...
As it appears that Sheen’s career may be heading towards oblivion, read on to discover the 10 most infamous scandals and just how they affected the stars responsible for them…
10. Winona Ryder’s Bargain Shopping Spree
When troubled actress Winona Ryder took a trip to the Beverly Hills Saks department store in December 2001, the sales assistants must have thought their luck was in in terms of commission! But no, Ryder decided that $6000 was too much to spend on a bundle of designer goodies that included a Gucci dress, Marc Jacobs jumper and a Dolce & Gabbana handbag, amongst other things…
Caught trying to pilfer the lot,...
- 3/8/2011
- by Stuart Cummins
- Obsessed with Film
My conversations with industry insiders and Academy members lead me to believe that Melissa Leo (“The Fighter”) remains the favorite to win the best supporting actress Academy Award, despite — or perhaps even because of — the recent brouhaha over her “Consider” advertisements. In terms of statistical analysis, though, one can find cause for both confidence and concern about her Oscar prospects…
Cause for Concern: The BAFTA-ampas Disconnect
British voters are believed to make up a sizable portion of the Academy, and BAFTA Award winners — which were announced after the Oscars prior to 2000, and have been announced before them since then — usually correspond with Oscar winners. Therefore, it is certainly noteworthy that BAFTA didn’t like Leo’s performance enough to even nominate her for its best supporting actress award, but did like the one given by Hailee Steinfeld (“True Grit“), her primary rival at the Oscars, enough to nominate her in its best actress category.
Cause for Concern: The BAFTA-ampas Disconnect
British voters are believed to make up a sizable portion of the Academy, and BAFTA Award winners — which were announced after the Oscars prior to 2000, and have been announced before them since then — usually correspond with Oscar winners. Therefore, it is certainly noteworthy that BAFTA didn’t like Leo’s performance enough to even nominate her for its best supporting actress award, but did like the one given by Hailee Steinfeld (“True Grit“), her primary rival at the Oscars, enough to nominate her in its best actress category.
- 2/15/2011
- by Scott Feinberg
- Scott Feinberg
Alexa here. Yul Brynner has always been a favorite of mine, maybe because The King and I was the first musical I ever saw. Or maybe because my old Ukrainian great-grandmother swore he was the spitting image of her brother. Or maybe it was just his mellifluous voice and shiny dome. But it wasn't until I spotted the recent press on an exhibit of his photographs in New York that I was aware he was such an avid photographer.
In honor of the 25th anniversary of his death, a new, four-volume book celebrates his life in pictures. Edited by his daughter Victoria, Yul: A Photographic Journey includes four volumes: "Lifestyle", "Life On Set", "1956" (the pivotal year when he starred in The King and I, The Ten Commandments and Anastasia) and "Man of Style" (containing portraits of Brynner by famous photographers). I was most taken with his portraits of other actors.
In honor of the 25th anniversary of his death, a new, four-volume book celebrates his life in pictures. Edited by his daughter Victoria, Yul: A Photographic Journey includes four volumes: "Lifestyle", "Life On Set", "1956" (the pivotal year when he starred in The King and I, The Ten Commandments and Anastasia) and "Man of Style" (containing portraits of Brynner by famous photographers). I was most taken with his portraits of other actors.
- 10/5/2010
- by Alexa
- FilmExperience
Eleven actors have won Academy Awards in the lead and supporting slots. Below: six of them. Can you name the other five? (Hint: Their last names follow the letter "L" in the alphabet.) To see the answer, click on the "Continue Reading" link below. Ingrid Bergman: Lead ("Gaslight," 1944; "Anastasia," 1956), Supporting ("Murder on the Orient Express," 1974) Robert De Niro: Lead ("Raging Bull," 1980), Supporting ("The Godfather, Part II," 1974) Gene Hackman: Lead ("The French Connection," 1971), Supporting ("Unforgiven," 1992) Helen Hayes: Lead ("The Sin of Madelon Claudet," 1931), Supporting ("Airport," 1970) Jessica Lange: Lead ("Blue Sky," 1994), Supporting ("Tootsie," 1982) Jack Lemmon: Lead ("Save the Tiger," 1973), Supporting ("Mister Roberts," 1955) Jack Nicholson:...
- 9/18/2010
- by tomoneil
- Gold Derby
Jose here.
Ingrid Bergman passed away on a day like today, 28 years ago. It was also her 67th birthday.
You have to be one classy human being, to pass away on the day you were born in. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to be disrespectful, what I'm trying to say is that this unfortunate coincidence works as a perfect metaphor to encompass the gracefulness, elegance and tact that Ms. Bergman embodied.
Ever so concise, effortlessly direct and charmingly pragmatic, she made a career for herself based on quite economical acting.
Tell me, is there any other actor who never appeared to make a false step onscreen? Even in not so good films like Anastasia and Under Capricorn, there is not a single thing Ms. Bergman did that did not seem authentic.
Disguising her broken heart in Casablanca she makes fools out of Humphrey Bogart, Paul Henreid and us.
Ingrid Bergman passed away on a day like today, 28 years ago. It was also her 67th birthday.
You have to be one classy human being, to pass away on the day you were born in. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to be disrespectful, what I'm trying to say is that this unfortunate coincidence works as a perfect metaphor to encompass the gracefulness, elegance and tact that Ms. Bergman embodied.
Ever so concise, effortlessly direct and charmingly pragmatic, she made a career for herself based on quite economical acting.
Tell me, is there any other actor who never appeared to make a false step onscreen? Even in not so good films like Anastasia and Under Capricorn, there is not a single thing Ms. Bergman did that did not seem authentic.
Disguising her broken heart in Casablanca she makes fools out of Humphrey Bogart, Paul Henreid and us.
- 8/29/2010
- by Jose
- FilmExperience
Meryl Streep's nomination for "Julie & Julia" increases her Oscar record to 16, putting her even further ahead of Katharine Hepburn and Jack Nicholson (both at 12). Though Hepburn won four lead-actress Oscars and Nicholson a pair of lead-actor Academy Awards as well as a supporting one, Streep has just one lead Oscar and a supporting prize to show for all her nominations.
Though Streep just broke Hepburn's record of an even dozen nods in the lead-actress race, she should take inspiration from Hepburn's Oscar history. Hepburn won her first Oscar bid, for "Morning Glory" in 1933, but she lost her next eight Oscar races. It was only after Hepburn turned 60 in 1967 -- the age Streep is now -- that she prevailed again with nod No. 10 for "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner." Hepburn credited that win as a way for the academy to honor her late love and frequent costar Spencer Tracy,...
Though Streep just broke Hepburn's record of an even dozen nods in the lead-actress race, she should take inspiration from Hepburn's Oscar history. Hepburn won her first Oscar bid, for "Morning Glory" in 1933, but she lost her next eight Oscar races. It was only after Hepburn turned 60 in 1967 -- the age Streep is now -- that she prevailed again with nod No. 10 for "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner." Hepburn credited that win as a way for the academy to honor her late love and frequent costar Spencer Tracy,...
- 2/3/2010
- by tomoneil
- Gold Derby
Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon make a decent fist of South African accents in Invictus. But they are the latest in a long line of actors trying too hard
As someone who was born and brought up in South Africa, I was particularly interested to discover how Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon managed with the notoriously difficult South African accent in Clint Eastwood's Invictus. Actually, there are many South African accents, so a distinction has to be made between Nelson Mandela (Freeman), an English-speaking Xhosa, and François Pienaar (Damon), an English-speaking Afrikaner. The two Americans had a fairly good shot at it, despite sometimes betraying their origins, and Freeman slipping occasionally into Dalek mode. For most audiences, however, who don't have an ear especially attuned to the nuances of South African accents, Freeman and Damon will sound authentic enough.
This follows worthy but inconsistent efforts by Denzel Washington and...
As someone who was born and brought up in South Africa, I was particularly interested to discover how Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon managed with the notoriously difficult South African accent in Clint Eastwood's Invictus. Actually, there are many South African accents, so a distinction has to be made between Nelson Mandela (Freeman), an English-speaking Xhosa, and François Pienaar (Damon), an English-speaking Afrikaner. The two Americans had a fairly good shot at it, despite sometimes betraying their origins, and Freeman slipping occasionally into Dalek mode. For most audiences, however, who don't have an ear especially attuned to the nuances of South African accents, Freeman and Damon will sound authentic enough.
This follows worthy but inconsistent efforts by Denzel Washington and...
- 1/19/2010
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
Deborah Kerr, the elegant, red-headed actress best known for her roles in The King and I and From Here to Eternity, died Tuesday (10/16) of Parkinson's disease in Suffolk, England. She was 86. Kerr was born in Scotland in 1921. A former ballet dancer, she acted on the stage as well but was quickly put before the cameras. She was 20 when she was cast in a supporting part in Major Barbara, opposite Rex Harrison and multiple roles in Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp as Blimp's (and the directors') ideal woman. Her next role for Powell, a lead part as a Catholic nun in Black Narcissus five years later, made her a star and got the attention of Hollywood. On contract with MGM, she was often cast as a refined paragon of womanly virtue, appearing as the virtuous Lygia in Quo Vadis?, the headstrong Beth in King Solomon's Mines, and Portia, the noble wife of the equally noble Brutus (James Mason) in Julius Caesar. Kerr went decidedly against that typecasting when she landed the part of the adulterous Karen Holmes, who has an affair with one of her husband's subordinates, played by Burt Lancaster, in 1953's From Here to Eternity. Kerr and Lancaster's lusty beachside romp, one so intense that they seem oblivious to the pounding waves about them, became one of the most notorious and famous kisses in movie history, perhaps all the more so due to Kerr's established image of reserve and civility. She went on to return to that image in Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's musical The King and I. Marni Nixon was dubbed in for Ms. Kerr's singing voice, but it was all Deborah filling the screen as the prim but level-headed Anna Leonowens. The film was a smashing success and earned nine Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Though her co-star, Yul Brynner won for Best Actor, Kerr was not to win for Best Actress (that went to Ingrid Bergman for Anastasia). Indeed Kerr was never to win an acting Oscar though she was nominated six times in twelve years. Kerr followed King with more memorable roles, including Terry McKay, the vibrant, witty woman with whom Cary Grant has An Affair to Remember, the matriarch of an Australian family of sheep-drovers in The Sundowners, a nun again, shipwrecked with a hard-living Marine (Robert Mitchum) in Heaven Knows, Mr. Alison, and a governess utterly unable to comprehend her charges in The Innocents. Kerr acted sporadically thereafter and moved to Switzerland for many years before returning to the UK in the face of her illness. Married twice, she is survived by her second husband, screenwriter Peter Viertel, two children from her first marriage, and three grandchildren. In 1994 she received an honorary Oscar for being "An artist of impeccable grace and beauty, a dedicated actress whose motion picture career has always stood for perfection, discipline and elegance." -Keith Simanton, IMDb...
- 10/18/2007
- IMDb News
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