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Idris Elba Tried to Capture Mandela’s Aura

Idris ElbaIdris Elba tried to capture Nelson Mandela's "aura" when filming Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

The star thoroughly researched his role as the South African civil rights activist and former president - who was imprisoned between 1962 and 1990 for his beliefs - and says his acting was helped by understanding the gravitas he is held in:

"I was more of a journalist than an actor when I first got the role [as Mandela]. I didn't know as much as I'd like to about him, there is so much to learn. Especially about his aura, about the way people feel about him because you can't really act that. You just have to have some understanding of it, so that's what I did. The pressure of taking on someone that everyone knows is insurmountable - ultimately you've got to own it yourself. I don't look like Mandela so I have to ask the audience to come along on a journey and say this is my interpretation."

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Naomie Harris: Bond Role Made Me Feel Beautiful

Naomie HarrisNaomie Harris says playing a Bond girl made her feel "darn good" about her looks.

The 37-year-old beauty, who played Eve Moneypenny in blockbuster hit Skyfall, admits playing a glamorous secret agent opposite Daniel Craig as James Bond helped alleviate her insecurities about her appearance. "I have to say, it does make me feel pretty darn good. When you get those moments when you feel, 'Oh God, I look like such a minger today' ... Then you think, 'I was cast a Bond girl, you can't really be that much of a minger, Naomie!'" she said.

While many actors play coy about Oscar buzz for their roles, the British actress candidly admitted she is excited about potential awards recognition for her portrayal of Nelson Mandela's ex-wife Winnie in new biopic Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom: "I'd be bloody over the moon! I'm not gonna be, 'Oh no, not an Oscar nomination!'"

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Bérénice Marlohe’s Bond Girl Has a ‘Dark Side’

Berenice MarloheBérénice Marlohe's Skyfall character has a "dark side."

The 32-year-old actress is portraying Séverine in the forthcoming James Bond film, and she has enjoyed portraying a Bond Girl because she feels it has allowed her to play a number of different alter-egos in one character.

"The first time you see her, she has a dark side. I think there are a range of colors when playing a Bond girl, whether they are very nice or villainous or psychopaths so it is very interesting because you can try to create your own character based on that. I think is very particular to the James Bond movies. I was convinced that I could bring something interesting as an actress," she said, speaking in a video blog posted on 007.com.

Bérénice stars alongside Naomie Harris, who is portraying field agent Eve in the movie - which sees Daniel Craig reprise his role as James Bond - and the brunette beauty was excited to be taught how to use machine guns ahead of shooting the film.

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Skyfall Synopsis Revealed

Daniel Craig as James BondThe first official synopsis has been released for forthcoming James Bond movie Skyfall.

The eagerly anticipated movie - which will see Daniel Craig return in the role as the British spy - will place the relationship between the leading man and character M, played by Dame Judi Dench, under pressure.

"Daniel Craig is back as James Bond 007 in Skyfall, the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time. In Skyfall, Bond's loyalty to M (Judi Dench) is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost."

The movie - which stars newcomers to the series Ben Whishaw and Javier Bardem - is currently shooting in London and is due to be released in November 2012.

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Box Office Breakdown: Princess and Frog Crowned Winner

The Princess and the Frog

Disney’s latest entry might not have produced Pixar-like numbers, but it was definitely not a frog.

, featuring the first black Disney princess, finally opened wide this weekend to the tune of $24.2 million. Despite having been available in limited release for two weeks, the 2D-film had the best premiere ever for an animated feature in the month of December.

Meawhile, - Clint Eastwood’s next possible Oscar contender - unfolded with a $8.6 million debut and a third place finish. Although the Nelson Mandela drama came in behind box office vet The Blind Side, the director’s films tend to generate more buzz (and money) as the awards seasons progress.

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Read More | Variety

Box Office Breakdown: Touchdown for Blind Side

The Blind Side

The third time was a charm for Sandra Bullock.

After two weeks of second place finishes, emerged from New Moon‘s shadow to take sole possession of first place. The movie, which added another $20 million to its $100+ million total, has now given Bullock her second chart topper of the year. (And, no—All About Steve is not the other film I was referring to.)

Despite several new wide release entries, the football players and the vampires strongly defended their hold on the top two spots. - starring Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman - came in third place with only a $9.5 million take. Meanwhile, Everybody’s Fine with Robert De Niro and Drew Barrymore did a less than fine $3.8 million.

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Box Office Breakdown: New Moon Covers Its Blind Side

New Moon

What looked like a possible upset early in the game ended in another win for . Although the film pulled in another $42.9 million over the holiday weekend, the Twilight sequel dropped approximately 70% from its first frame and escaped second place by a mere $2.8 million.

The vampires were given a run for their box office dollars by The Blind Side, the sports drama starring Sandra Bullock. Unlike Moon, the heartwarming film actually saw improvement in its second week. The entry also managed to hold off the Chris Weitz-helmed project on Thanksgiving Day.

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Read More | Variety

In Theaters This Holiday Week: November 25, 2009

The Road

Here are a few selections in theaters this weekend:

  • Ninja Assassin (R): starring Ji-hoon “Rain” Jung, Rick Yune, Naomie Harris (directed by James McTeigue)
  • Old Dogs (PG): starring John Travolta, Robin Williams, Seth Green (directed by Walt Becker)
  • The Road (R): starring Viggo Mortensen, Robert Duvall, Kodi Smit-McPhee (directed by John Hillcoat)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Holiday Week: November 25, 2009


This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: August 4, 2009

The Soloist DVDHere are some of the options available this Tuesday:

  • August: DVD
  • Big Trouble in Little China: Blu-ray
  • Fragments: DVD
  • Mutant Chronicles: DVD, Blu-ray
  • My Cousin Vinny: Blu-ray
  • The Mysteries of Pittsburgh: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Obsessed: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Race to Witch Mountain: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Sling Blade: Blu-ray
  • The Soloist: DVD, Blu-ray
  • The Tigger Movie: DVD

Click to continue reading This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: August 4, 2009

Read More | Amazon

In Theaters This Weekend: July 11, 2008

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:

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