Javier Bardem’s Dream James Bond Role

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: MGM, Action, Mystery, Political, Sequels, Thrillers, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases,

Javier Bardem says starring in the new James Bond movie is a dream come true for him.

The Spanish actor plays the villain in the 23rd movie about the suave spy, entitled Skyfall and he says he signed up because he wanted to work with director Sam Mendes and he's always been a big fan of the films.

"I was born watching James Bond movies and there are many reasons to do this - the cast, the script, the story, the role and, of course, Sam Mendes," he said.

Javier also revealed how he likes making political statements with his work: "Movies are powerful. But I think everything is political. When you put gas in your car you are making a political statement, because you are supporting the empires that control and continue the destruction of some countries. What I mean is that of course there has to be a relationship between politics and film. The question is, how far do you go with it? If you feel you should do something, then do it, And do it in a way, or form, or shape that you think can help the best, which is my case is making movies. There are also a lot of movies that are just entertainment, which is good and we all need it."

Ed Harris Going Maverick to Play John McCain

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Adaptation, Drama, Political, Casting, Celeb News, Upcoming Releases,

HBO has picked Ed Harris to play Senator John McCain in Game Change, an adaptation of the novel. The movie shows an insider’s point of view of the historic 2008 Presidential election.

Which means, yes, Sarah Palin will also be portrayed in the flick. The movie follows both campaigns, McCain’s and Obama’s. Jay Roach will return to HBO to direct the flick. He won an Emmy for HBO's Recount, the 2008 account of the 2000 Presidential election.

Harris is only 60, making him a bit young to play the elderly McCain, but the four-time Oscar nominee is sure to bring a lot to the role. As we reported, Julianne Moore will play opposite him as former Governor Sarah Palin.

Read More | Huffington Post

Game Change: Julianne Moore to Play Sarah Palin

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Adaptation, Casting, Upcoming Releases,

Anybody else’s heart sink because Tina Fey didn’t get this gig? But despite Fey's funny impersonations, it's redhead Julianne Moore who will soon tone down her titian locks to play Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin for a new HBO project.

Click to continue reading Game Change: Julianne Moore to Play Sarah Palin

Read More | Huffington Post

Quote of the Day: Ben Affleck on Acting vs. Politics

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Political, Celebrity Gossip,

“I don’t want to hold office. Every day that seems like a worse and worse job to have. Look at the level of political discourse now. It’s very depressing to me. I did a lot of research down in D.C. when I did State of Play, and it’s not unlike Hollywood. It’s a one-horse town. Everyone’s jockeying with one another for power, prestige, and image and they’ll stab each other in the back as fast as they can. The only difference is the stakes are a bit higher, which makes it sadder.”

-Actor Ben Affleck, who played a congressman in State of Play, explaining why he doesn’t see a future in politics.

(Make sure to check out other notable quotes.)

Read More | Entertainment Weekly

Michael Moore Shifts Focus to Economy

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Documentary, Political, Sequels, Upcoming Releases,

What a difference a few months make.

Not surprisingly, the state of the economy has many people changing their plans these days…and that includes filmmaker Michael Moore. Earlier this summer, Paramount Vantage said the director would be producing a follow-up to 2004’s Fahrenheit 9/11. The movie, which was to have picked up chronologically where the last documentary left off, was originally supposed to tackle “what’s going on in the world, and America’s place in it.” Now it appears the sequel may get a slight shift in tone.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Michael’s project may now move from foreign policy to the financial crisis at home and abroad. That’s a subject matter that could dramatically change for Americans by the time the film is actually released. (It’s projected to debut in the spring.) It’s also a topic that some fear may be too pessimistic during an era of change. (Isn’t life supposed to get better during Barack’s time in office?)

But what Moore ultimately does with his currently-untitled film is still really anyone’s guess. I suppose it will just all depend on how our country is faring in the next few months…

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

Will Redford Bring A Lion or Lamb to the Box Office?

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: MGM, Drama, Political, Box Office, Casting, Upcoming Releases,

Watch a Democratic presidential debate, and you’ll see it’s common for campaigners to malign George W. Bush. Turn on the TV, and you’ll find shows (like Comedy Central‘s Lil’ Bush) that revel in poking fun at the White House. But that doesn’t necessarily mean America is ready to tackle tricky issues when they’re enjoying a night at the movies.

Robert Redford’s ambitious Lions for Lambs features a star-studded cast and the prestige of his own name, but handles sticky subject matter. Viewers will be treated to arguments both for and against America’s military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the film makes it clear where the makers, themselves, stand. Movies that deal with America’s political problems haven’t performed well at the box office in the past…will Lions be different?

Click to continue reading Will Redford Bring A Lion or Lamb to the Box Office?

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

Richard Gere Calls for Change

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Awards, Celeb News, Celebrity Gossip,

Richard Gere accepted a lifetime achievement award during the San Sebastian International Film Festival this past Sunday, but his acceptance speech carried a few surprises. Gere talked of lies and the decision to invade Iraq, turning his thank-you speech into a political platform for opinion. Gere further made an appeal to the Chinese government, asking them to rise to the occasion for the Olympics (which are scheduled in country) by becoming an open society. After generations of negotiations with the Chinese government by all of the world’s best diplomats, surely it will be an American actor that finally ends Communism in China. Right. Gere delivered an impassioned speech, perhaps better suited for the Presidential debates than a film festival. Will Gere be the catalyst for change in China? Sure. And tomorrow, several of Hollywood’s finest will undertake a diplomatic mission to end the war. Or maybe they’ll just keep making movies for entertainment value.

Read More | Yahoo News

The Sicko in Moore

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Weinstein Company, Documentary, Filmmaking, Upcoming Releases,

You might have seen trailers for Michael Moore’s new Sicko – one memorable clip shows President George W. Bush at a press conference. But, unlike Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11, Sicko does not focus on the Bush administration (that’s better left to the comics, these days). This documentary is about American healthcare, an issue that many politicians say they care about, though precious little ever changes. The film focuses on pharmaceutical companies and corruption in the Food and Drug Administration, and is particularly harsh toward Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. As the First Lady, Clinton was an advocate of a better health care system for all. Now that she’s a bona fide politician and possible Presidential candidate, Clinton is one of the biggest recipients of money from the health care industry. Sicko takes viewers inside the dark side of healthcare, showcasing the horrors that ordinary people must face when they discover they are underinsured (or worse, uninsured). While everyone else focuses on energy, global warming, and education, Michael Moore goes for the jugular of American politics and problems: health care. 

Click to continue reading The Sicko in Moore

Read More | LA Times