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Penelope Cruz Discovers Musical Muscles

Penelope Cruz in NinePenelope Cruz had to use muscles she hadn’t used since she was a teenager in new movie Nine.

The Spanish actress put in weeks of training for one particular scene in the musical movie - about a film director struggling in his relationships with women, in which Penelope plays the central character’s mistress - where she had to slide down a rope.

Describing the scene, Penelope said, “They mapped it out and showed me how it was done. I said I would never be able to do it but I worked and worked and regained the memory of muscles in my legs I hadn’t used since I was a teenager studying ballet.”

Penelope, 35, was rehearsing for the film’s rope scenes for three months before they were eventually completed, and was left with calluses on her hands and bleeding digits from sliding down the ropes so often.

She added to Britain’s Daily Mail, “I was stretching, running and going to the gym to get my arms strong to support me on the ropes. But with my hands, after a while you don’t feel the pain. I had the wounds dressed and carried on.”


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Nine Addict Penelope Cruz

Penelope Cruz on the set of NinePenelope Cruz found working on her latest film, Nine, addictive.

The Broken Embraces actress formed a strong bond with her co-stars on the musical, which included Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman and Marion Cotillard, and particularly enjoyed their dance training.

“It was scary, but it was so much fun. It was great seeing that we were all feeling the same way. There was a great support system on that set, all the actors with each other and with Rob Marshall, the director. I had danced classical ballet before, so this was very different from what I had studied. We had a room in our building and we were all taking different classes. We would all pass each other in the hallway. All day, training. We all felt so free and so happy. Music was so present everywhere. That elevates people, music. It was so addictive, that experience.”

Rob admits he was amazed by the actress’ work ethic and dedication to giving the best possible performance while filming: “She knew we had to get in there and really be great, so she came in and worked like nobody’s business. She was the first one there and the last one to leave. She’d always want one more take. She’s a real perfectionist.”


In Theaters This Weekend: November 20, 2009

The Blind Side

Here are a few selections in theaters this weekend:

  • The Blind Side (PG-13): starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron (directed by John Lee Hancock)
  • New Moon (PG-13): starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner (directed by Chris Weitz)
  • Planet 51 (PG): starring Dwayne Johnson, Seann William Scott, Jessica Biel (directed by Jorge Blanco, Javier Abad)

Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend: November 20, 2009


Johnny Depp to Get $35 Million for Pirates 4

Jack Sparrow collects his booty

While studio execs at Disney may forge ahead without Johnny Depp for the fifth and sixth Pirates of the Caribbean films, they’ll definitely be paying a hefty amount to have him in the latest sequel of the franchise.

Reportedly commanding a minimum of $35 million, Depp would shoot to the top of the highest-paid actors list, placing him above the likes of Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, and Mel Gibson, who ask for around $30 million (Depp received $25 million for the last Pirates sequel).

Yes, the Pirates of the Caribbean movies have dominated at the box office; however, higher-ups usually aren’t known to shell out $35 million paychecks, so what gives?

Click to continue reading Johnny Depp to Get $35 Million for Pirates 4

Read More | Telegraph

Sneak Peek: New Video Clip From Nine

Rob Marshall’s new film Nine is epic.

For one, the cast is impeccable: Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Sophia Loren, Kate Hudson, and Stacy “Fergie” Ferguson. That’s 7 Oscar wins and 11 Oscar nominations between them!

Secondly, this video—spliced with rehearsal footage and new clips of the film—just makes me more excited for musical (that could be my Chicago and Moulin Rouge fangirl in me). Having been partially based on Federico Fellini’s autobiographical 8 1/2, I can’t see why it won’t please audiences.

I suppose we shall find out on its opening day, December 25th; in the meantime, enjoy the video!

Read More | LA Times

Find the Weight on Penelope Cruz

Penelope Cruz in Nine

Let me start by saying that I agree with actress Nia Vardalos. Too much emphasis is placed on women and weight in Hollywood. But every once in a while, I come across a story like this and I can’t help but laugh.

During the production of Nine, several of the cast members were asked to gain weight for their roles in the musical. According to singer Fergie, it was suggested by director Rob Marshall that she and Penelope Cruz each add on 17 pounds. “We were eating our brains out. We ordered everything fried and full of fat and salty,” she told Allure magazine.

While it’s easy to see from the trailer that the Black Eye Peas performer did reach at least part of her goal (I highly doubt that was 17 pounds), I’ve been struggling to see - from any angle - what the Oscar-winner put on. Can anyone help me?

Read More | Us Magazine

First Look: Daniel Day-Lewis and All His Women in Nine Trailer


What would do to get past his Academy Award-winning role as Daniel Plainview? He’d move on with a bevy of women.

In , the There Will Be Blood star trades in the oil industry for a life behind the camera. Daniel plays Guido Contini, a Venice director who struggles to complete his film while handling all the women in his life. It’s a part that was once given to Javier Bardem.

Click to continue reading First Look: Daniel Day-Lewis and All His Women in Nine Trailer


Astronaut Rocket Pen

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Toys,

Astronaut PenThis is no ordinary Bic. You can show everyone of your desire to either go into space or that you are horrifically bored at work with the Astronaut Rocket Pen. Push the ignition control button and it takes off up to a height of a whopping 36 inches. Space Shuttle and Titan Rocket pens are also available, each with a price of $8.94. We hope that helmet keeps the landing from becoming an inky mess. 

Read More | Give Me Toys

Elecom Japan Scope Node M-SN1UL Mouse

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Peripherals, USB,

Scope Node Mouse

Elecom Japan has come up with what they feel is a mouse that is as close to providing “pen and Paper” precision as one can get. The 3-button Scope Node M-SN1UL is certainly high end with a 1600dpi laser sensor that is off-center to simulate where a pen point would be located in your hand. The USB mouse is compatible with both Windows and Mac. Available in black, mat silver or glossy silver, expect a price of ¥6,000 (~$61.00.)

 

Read More | Elecom (translated) via Akihabara News


This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: March 17, 2009

BoltHere are some of the options available this Tuesday:

  • Bolt: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Elegy: DVD
  • The Princess Bride: Blu-ray
  • Punisher: War Zone: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Rollerball: Blu-ray
  • The Rules of Attraction: Blu-ray
  • Twilight: DVD  **releases on 3/21**

Click here to see the TV-on-DVD options for this week.

Read More | Amazon

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