Tag: Helen Mirren (1-10 of 12)

Apr 26 2013 07:02 PM ET

'RED 2' trailer: Vodka shots and Helen Mirren

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Once an assassin, always an assassin seems to be the moral of RED 2.

In the second trailer for the sequel to 2010′s successful comedy/action flick RED, Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) and his girlfriend Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker) attempt retirement normalcy, which means a trip to Costco. But, how could the ordinary suffice for someone so used to action? “You haven’t killed anybody in months,” Marvin Boggs (John Malkovich) helpfully reminds him. Besides, someone has just framed Frank and Marvin for a Cold War-era plot to get a destructive device into Russia, which has just been reassembled and activated. So, the Retired, Extremely Dangerous gang heads to Russia to consult with the mad scientist (a jovial Anthony Hopkins) who might know how to keep the bomb from going off and taking 11 million lives.

And then, the action and one-liners start. Check out the trailer below to see some shots of Bruce Willis punching people, Helen Mirren casually shooting two guns out of the front two windows of a car in motion, a sultry velvet fedora-wearing (and extremely tan) Catherine Zeta-Jones, and a few exploding toilets.

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Mar 24 2013 12:09 PM ET

HBO's 'Phil Spector' is a compelling portrait of Phil Spector's dark and crazy charisma. But did he kill that girl?

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Image Credit: Philip V. Caruso/HBO

In the week leading up to tonight’s premiere of the HBO original movie Phil Spector, the pre-release publicity has all been orchestrated around quotes from the film’s writer-director, David Mamet, claiming that the movie is not a docudrama, that it parts ways with reality — and, in Mamet’s own words, that it is “not about Phil Spector.” The film opens with a title that claims: This is a work of fiction. It’s not “based on a true story.” Got it? What we’re about to watch is so made up that it’s not even related to reality. (You’ve got to love those sarcastic quote marks. Very David Mamet dyspeptic.)

Though it seems likely that Mamet, with the presumed endorsement of HBO, was basically launching a pre-emptive strike at everyone from libel lawyers to critics of the movie who might be tempted to pounce on it for being inaccurate, I have to say that the effect of all this “It’s not about Phil Spector!” squawking was to dampen my original enthusiasm for seeing the film. I began to worry that Mamet would take the fascinating tale of Spector and his 2007 trial for the murder of Lana Clarkson, the troubled starlet who died of a gunshot wound to the mouth in Spector’s house on Feb. 3, 2003, and twist it into some heavily stylized, dead-zone Mamet rant-meditation on men, women, celebrity, media, and other Boring Important Topics. READ FULL STORY »

Jan 17 2013 09:10 PM ET

'RED 2' trailer: Yes, Helen Mirren kicking ass still looks awesome -- VIDEO

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A glibly violent lark about retired government secret agents — played by, among others, Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, and Helen Mirren — who find themselves thrust back on the job, the first RED had a great deal of fun staging action sequences with “older” actors at the center of them. Which is to say, they gave Helen Mirren a giant machine gun, and it was kinda amazing.

The sequel has a new director (GalaxyQuest‘s Dean Parisot), the same screenwriters (Jon and Erich Hoeber, based loosely on the graphic novel by Warren Ellis), and, as the new trailer makes clear, the same basic plot: Bruce Willis is retired (this time with his younger, thrill-seeking girlfriend played by Mary-Louise Parker), and finds himself the target of another seeming conspiracy to kill him. This time, it appears to involve Catherine Zeta-Jones (as an old flame) and Anthony Hopkins (as, well, the trailer barely features him, but we know he’s a missing Cold War scientist). And, yet again, Helen Mirren looks awesome kicking ass.

Check it out below:  READ FULL STORY »

Nov 21 2012 10:31 AM ET

Prize Fighter: Oscar buzz for older actresses Field, Mirren, Dench reflect importance of female storytelling

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Image Credit: David James

Hollywood may be filled with talented younger actresses, their fresh skin and high cheekbones readymade for lovingly placed close-ups and leggy magazine covers. But this year’s early Oscar race for best actress has the spotlight shining on a handful of older contenders — from Sally Field in Lincoln to Helen Mirren in Hitchcock and Judi Dench in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel — their veteran faces etched with experience, beauty, and perhaps a bit of wisdom.

“Older actors, especially women actors, have always been incredibly important to storytelling on the big screen,” Elizabeth Daley, dean of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, told EW. “The characters they play are often what ground the story, and these actors are so good at what they do that their performances also elevate the films. So I would argue that every year there are films that feature good or great performances by older women. And years like this one, when many of them are being considered for awards, force us to publicly acknowledge their importance in compelling storytelling.”

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Oct 10 2012 03:00 PM ET

'Hitchcock' trailer: Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson, and the making of 'Psycho'

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Because the world would not be complete with just one film about the making of an Alfred Hitchcock classic, the upcoming HBO film The Girl (a.k.a., The One About The Birds) has been joined by the Oscar-baiting docudrama Hitchcock (a.k.a., The One About Psycho.) The first trailer for Hitchcock just hit the internet, and, as expected, the film looks to be a showcase for Anthony Hopkins’ Hitchcock impression. But the trailer is arguably stolen by Helen Mirren, playing Hitchcock’s fiercely devoted wife Alma. (Scarlett Johansson also appears as Janet Leigh.)

This is all well and good, but personally, I’m excited for the movie about the making of North by Northwest, which would theoretically star Ray Winstone as Hitchcock, George Clooney as Cary Grant, Michelle Williams as Eva Marie Saint, and Jon Hamm as James Mason. That movie is probably never happening, so watch this trailer and dream: READ FULL STORY »

Oct 9 2012 08:30 AM ET

The 'love story' behind 'Hitchcock' and 'Psycho' -- EXCLUSIVE POSTER

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Image Credit: Suzanne Tenner/Fox Searchlight

It might feel creepy to call a movie about the making of Psycho a “love story,” but that’s how Fox Searchlight and director Sacha Gervasi are pushing Hitchcock, which stars Anthony Hopkins as the iconic director and bevy of beauties as his leading ladies. Scarlett Johansson plays Janet Leigh, whose character Marion Crane has a date with the shower; Jessica Biel portrays Vera Miles, the level-headed heroine; and Helen Mirren is Hitch’s wife, Alma, his behind-the-scenes creative partner in every way. But the title of the film is not My Weekend With Janet or Hitchcock in Love. It’s simply Hitchcock, and for good reason. “Hitchcock’s so enigmatic in one sense,” says Gervasi, whose only previous feature was the 2008 documentary Anvil. “Someone who portrays zero emotion. We didn’t really know emotionally that much about Hitchcock, and suddenly you have this whole world that opens up when Anthony Hopkins plays the role. It’s extraordinary. And he really enjoyed tiptoeing up to people who had just arrived on the set and going, ‘Good evening.’ Making people jump. I think he really found the role quite delicious.”

Check out an exclusive first look at the new Hitchcock poster below:  READ FULL STORY »

May 10 2012 07:08 PM ET

'RED 2' gets greenlight, Catherine Zeta-Jones joining cast, including Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren

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Image Credit: Frank Masi

The geriatric gang is getting back together — and getting some new (i.e. young) blood. Summit Entertainment announced today that Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, John Malkovich, and Mary-Louise Parker have all signed on for RED 2, a sequel to the studio’s modest 2010 hit. (It grossed $199 million worldwide according to Box Office Mojo.)

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Byung-Hun Lee (G.I. Joe: Retaliation) have joined the cast, and Dean Parisot (Galaxy Quest) will take over directing reins from the first film’s director, Robert Schwentke. (SPOILER ALERT: RED co-star Morgan Freeman isn’t returning due to the vexing fact that his character died in the first film.) Screenwriters Erich and Jon Hoeber are officially returning for the second installment; they began penning the script last year.

As is often the case with franchise sequels, RED 2 will take place largely in Europe. It’s set for release on Aug. 2, 2013.

Read more:
EW’s review of ‘RED’
‘RED’: Action Mathematics?
‘RED’ writers working on a sequel. I’m okay with that.

Mar 22 2012 06:38 PM ET

Casting Net: Abigail Breslin gets 'The Hives,' 'Hitchcock' behind-the-scenes flick picks up four more stars

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Image Credit: Sylvain Gaboury/PR Photos

• Abigail Breslin will play the endangered teen to Halle Berry‘s 911-call-center operator in The Hive. [Variety]

• Toni Collette, Danny Huston, Michael Wincott, and Boardwalk Empire‘s Michael Stuhlbarg are in talks to join Jessica Biel, Scarlett Johansson, James D’Arcy, Anthony Hopkins, and Helen Mirren in Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho. [Variety]

• Cate Blanchett, Mia Wasikowska, and 300‘s David Wenham are being placed behind the camera for a change. The three actors will make their directorial debut in a film based on the short stories of Aussie author Tim Winton’s The Turning. [THR]

Read more:
Casting Net: Reese Witherspoon going to ‘Princess Boot Camp’
Casting Net: Seth Rogen, Kevin Hart sign up for cop comedy; Jake Gyllenhaal sees himself in ‘An Enemy’
Casting Net: Leonardo DiCaprio no longer alone on ‘Wolf,’ Halle Berry thrills in ‘The Hive’

Mar 2 2012 12:39 PM ET

Casting Net: Nicole Kidman replaces Rachel Weisz, Bruce Willis lands action role with a 'Bullet'

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Image Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage

• Nicole Kidman joins The Railway Man, stepping in for Rachel Weisz. She plays opposite Colin Firth, who will portray an older version of real-life World War II P.O.W. Eric Lomax. War Horse‘s Jeremy Irvine depicts young Lomax when he was taken prisoner in Japan. Shooting begins next month. [Variety]

• Bruce Willis gets some action as a bodyguard to a Mexican politician whose father was murdered by a drug cartel in the new popcorn flick Five Against a Bullet from Alex Litvak (Predators). [Variety]

• Scarlett Johansson goes behind the shower curtain as Janet Leigh in The Terminal scribe Sacha Gervasi’s upcomiming Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho. Anthony Hopkins portrays the eponymous auteur, with Helen Mirren as his wife and James D’Arcy as Anthony Perkins. [EW]

• Mila Kunis will go to Hell & Back in the upcoming underworld animation buddy flick starring Nick Swardson and T.J. Miller. Kunis plays half-human-half-demon. Rob Riggle, Brian Posehn, and Kumail Nanjiani round out the stop-motion comedy’s ensemble. Do we even need to mention it’s R-rated? [Deadline]

• Mamie Gummer, Sarah Paulson, and India Muenez (Something in the Air) play estranged, resentful sisters in L.A.-set dramedy Claire’s Cambodia. Mary Kay Place also joins previously announced cast members Casey Wilson and Wendi McLendon-Covey. [Deadline]

• Life after American Horror Story is anything but for Taissa Farmiga. Vera’s younger sister is joining Emma Watson in Sofia Coppola‘s Bling Ring about the headline-grabbing crime co-op who stole from celebrities in 2008 and 2009. Post-Bling, Farmiga will play the love interest of a teenage murderer (Spencer Lofranco) in Trevor White’s indie Jamesy Boy, also starring Mary-Louise Parker, James Woods, and Ving Rhames. [Variety]

• Mary Elizabeth Winstead wraps up her Thing- and vampire-slaing spree by playing Adam Scott’s girlfriend in A.C.O.D. Richard Jenkins and Jane Lynch also star. [Deadline]

Read more:
Casting Net: Emma Watson joins Sofia Coppola’s latest, and Mark Wahlberg goes to war with Taylor Kitsch

Mar 3 2011 05:35 PM ET

New 'Arthur' trailer keeps first one's funniest bits, adds John Hodgman

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The new trailer for the Russell Brand-starring remake of Arthur plays better than the first one, in my opinion. It keeps the best bits (i.e. his bedtime ritual, his magnet one-liner), and adds in some new ones (like him working at a candy store underneath John Hodgman). It also focuses more on the woman he really loves (Greta Gerwig) than the one he’s supposed to marry to keep his fortune (Jennifer Garner), which gives nanny Helen Mirren’s line to his mother, “He’s stronger than you think,” more meaning. Check it out below:  READ FULL STORY »

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