The League of Austen Artists: March 3, 2013

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Tom Hiddleston UNICEF campaign (FANSHARE)

Tom Hiddleston continues to prove that he’s an amazing human being as he blogs about his recent trip to Guinea in West Africa. Hiddleton recently went on a trip to Guinea sponsored by UNICEF UK, and after he returned, he's been writing about how his life has changed since the trip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZLBIgyvn84&feature=player_embedded

As he writes on the UNICEF UK Blog, he explains that the trip has changed his life forever. He says, "In the west, we take our simplest privileges for granted. Many have said this before me; and many will say it after me. It's still true....I am no saviour. I'm absolutely the last person on the planet who can practically help. I don't know how to make the different types of therapeutic feeding milk. I'm no chemist. I'm no doctor. I'm no engineer. I can't manufacture polio vaccines or organise their transportation to the health centres in Saramoussayah or Bissikirima..."

Read more at http://www.fansshare.com/news/tom-hiddleston-writes-about-his-unicef-experience-in-west-africa/#btLTROhLA5AbsWiL.99

Brace Yourselves Cumberbabes: Benedict Cumberbatch Is 'A Kick A** Warrior' In Star Trek Film (E.)

British fans won't have to wait too much longer to see Cumberbatch in action, as it was recently announced that Star Trek: Into Darkness will be released in the UK before American audiences get to see it!

Speaking to Total Film magazine, the Sherlock star discussed his character Harrison describing him as "a kick a** warrior" who is "masterful with his hands and body".

Ooo-err! Well that sounds very promising!

Tom Hiddleston's Guinea field diary: Back in London Tom Hiddleston, Fri, Feb 1 2013 3:08 PM (UNICEF UK BLOG)

Actor Tom Hiddleston has just returned home from his trip with UNICEF UK to Guinea in West Africa. Read his first, second, third, fourth and fifth posts or follow Tom on Twitter at #tom_UNICEFUK and @twhiddleston

BY TOM HIDDLESTON

Learning about life for mums and children in Guinea © UNICEF 2013/Harry Borden

So that’s it.

I’m back in London. I am back in my home. Back amid the hustle and the bustle. Back amid the humdrum and the mayhem and the madness. Back to running water and the warmth of central heating. Back to a bed without a mosquito net. Back to food in the fridge and food in the cupboard and food around the corner in the supermarket.

I’ve seen things I have never seen before.

When I started writing this blog, I talked of life in Guinea as a "jigsaw puzzle, one where the pieces keep moving or changing shape, which in turn alters the picture. You might be looking at it from a different angle, or at a different time of day". On my first night, Julien had suggested an idea of reality in Guinea as "open to interpretation". In so many respects, that is true of all life. The view always changes with the viewer. That’s the law of relativity.

Here’s what’s not open to interpretation. Every year in the world more than two million children die of hunger. It shouldn’t be like this. Children in Guinea start life at a severe disadvantage. Those that are malnourished may survive in the end. If they are caught in time. If their mothers respond to symptoms early enough; if they make it to the centre de santé, which is often miles away; if they respond to the therapeutic peanut paste, and special therapeutic feeding milk. If their parents are able to grow crops and feed them with enough nutritious foods so they can keep healthy. If they win the fight against malaria. If they live near a good school. If they can get work. If their parents can protect them from exploitation by the military. If they are lucky. Previously malnourished children can make it. It sounds paradoxical to say it, but they are the lucky ones.

READ MORE: http://blogs.unicef.org.uk/authentic_voices/archive/2013/02/01/tom-hiddleston-s-guinea-field-diary-back-in-london.aspx

MARTIN FREEMAN: Watch Martin Freeman discuss new Sherlock filming with Graham Norton (Video) (BBC AMERICA)

Sherlock fans, let’s face it, we’re all desperately scrabbling for any clues as to what is going on with Series 3, aren’t we?

Well, amid some faintly terrifying paintings of Watson and Sherlock “at it,” and the revelation that his head has not been as severely turned by the success of The Hobbit as you may assume, Martin Freeman let slip, on Comic Relief’s Big Chat – Graham Norton’s chat show marathon – that they start shooting the week after next.

Richard Armitage on Lorraine Show (Thanks again to Richard Armitage Net)

Richard Armitage Net

Richard Armitage to appear on BBC Radio Leicester twice in next few days - here's the link (FROM RICHARD ARMITAGE NET)

RICHARD ARMITAGE NET

This is from the Richard Armitage Net site, link above -

"8th March

1. Richard will appear on BBC Radio Leicester twice in the next few days: at 1.00pm (UK time) on Dave Andrews' show on Sunday and after 11.00am on Jim Davis' show on Wednesday 13th March. Announced here and here on twitter. You can listen to BBC Radio Leicester worldwide via this link. (below)

Update: the interviewer, Emily Anderson, has told me on twitter that the full interview will be played on Wednesday's show with a short preview on Sunday. And we will like what he says about Richard III! See the tweet here."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radioleicester

Matthew Macfadyen: Critic’s corner: What’s on TV tonight By Matthew Gilbert | BOSTON GLOBE STAFF

Ripper Street Saturday at 9 p.m., BBC America

I’ve enjoyed this series, which wraps for the season on Saturday night. “Ripper Street” is yet another TV crime procedural, but the primitive forensics and the Victorian setting, with its killing poverty and moral hypocrisies, make it stand out. The writers manage to turn each murder case into more than just a whodunit, with themes about the brutality of war, labor strikes, and psychiatry. And Matthew Macfadyen has been a formidable lead. The series has been renewed for a second season.

http://bostonglobe.com/arts/television/2013/03/07/critic-corner-march/tvyrIEKpwRcALTX2YYVUQL/story.html

Benedict Cumberbatch is mesmerising in Star Trek Into Darkness preview (RADIO TIMES)

The Sherlock star takes the movie to another level, says Paul Jones, following a screening of new material from the sci-fi blockbuster

Paul Jones
2:39 PM, 08 March 2013

RadioTimes.com was among those treated to a screening of unseen footage from the upcoming Star Trek sequel at the London IMAX in Waterloo today – the first 28 delicious minutes of sci-fi blockbusting goodness, plus two further scenes from later on in the movie.

It's good news, people.

True, I can't make any judgement on bigger picture stuff, like how the wider plot hangs together or about the emotional heart of the movie, but on the sci-fi-action-drama axis, it delivers. Like a postman on steroids. Or something...

The action sequences we saw are spectacular and gripping, there's plenty of humour and some great performances (with honourable mention going to Zachary Quinto as Spock – and not to Simon Pegg's grating parody of chief engineer Scotty).

But the one thing that really stood out based on what we saw today was Benedict Cumberbatch as villain John Harrison (yes, as far as we know that's still his name).

We didn't see huge amounts of him but when Cumberbatch is on screen the movie hits another level. He is, instantly, utterly mesmerising (even before he appears that voice alone does the job). He brings an intensity to every scene, even the briefest appearances, and carries it through into the more physical set-pieces, particularly a chase and fight with Quinto.

READ MORE: http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-03-08/benedict-cumberbatch-is-mesmerising-in-star-trek-into-darkness-preview

Friday, March 8, 2013

Watch: Gerard Butler Is ‘Kicking A**’ The popular Scottish actor swung by Celebuzz's LA studio to dish on what it was like to play a Secret Service agent.

On March 22, Gerard Butler returns to the big screen in the action-packed drama Olympus Has Fallen, in which he plays a disgraced Secret Service agent called to duty again when the White House is infiltrated by North Korean terrorists.

The film mixes all of the elements of a good ol’ fashioned time at the movies — which is exactly how Butler described it when he stopped by the Celebuzz studio earlier this week.

“When [my character] gets in there, you want to see him kick some ass — and he does that,” the hunky Scottish actor, 43, revealed. “And there are a lot of funny moments. There’s definitely some cheering and laughing in the movie, as well.”

READ MORE: http://www.celebuzz.com/2013-03-08/watch-gerard-butler-talks-olympus-has-fallen/

HENRY CAVILL: Promo & Video Interview (COMIC BOOK MOVIE.COM)

Henry Cavill is in the news, offering Man of Steel fans an opportunity to see different sides of him. What follows is a Screen Slam interview in which he discusses the wave of British actors in Hollywood, and the other is a promo for his appearance in Discovery's Driven to Extremes.

EdGross - 3/8/2013

Michael Caine to be awarded Freedom of the City of London (TELEGRAPH)

by Daisy Bowie-2:00PM GMT 08 Mar 2013

British actor Sir Michael Caine will be given the Freedom of the City of London.

In the past, the honour has been bestowed upon other actors including Dame Judi Dench, and figures such as Winston Churchill, Diana, Princess of Wales and Nelson Mandela have also been recipients.

One of the oldest surviving traditional ceremonies, the award is thought to date back to 1237.

The honour is the latest in a long list awarded to Caine, who will turn 80 next week.

Caine was originally from London, having grown up in Southwark. Born Maurice Micklewhite in 1933 to a fish porter and a cleaner, he became famous for his roles in films such as Zulu, The Italian Job and The Ipcress File.

READ MORE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/9917793/Michael-Caine-to-be-awarded-Freedom-of-the-City-of-London.html

Colin Firth is my mentor (Nicholas Hoult) 08 March 2013 (CONTACT MUSIC)

Nicholas Hoult says his 'A Single Man' co-star Colin Firth has given him advice on making it in Hollywood ever since the pair met in 2009.

Nicholas Hoult admits Colin Firth is his mentor.

The 23-year-old actor looks to his 'A Single Man' co-star for advice about the cut-throat film industry and the pair regularly have catch-up dinners to discuss the 'Jack the Giant Slayer' star's progress in Hollywood.

He said: ''I had dinner with him the other night; he's always the best person to go to for advice.'

Asked what the best advice Colin has ever given him is, he told the Evening Standard magazine: ''You have to take your work seriously, obviously, but you have to also recognise the ridiculousness of it. Colin has had the ups and downs, been through all the actor breakdowns, and he's very intelligent, so he can see it for what it is.''

Henry Cavill’s Superman Takes Fight In New ‘Man Of Steel’ Fan Poster

Rocketman28 has put together this excellent new fan poster for Zack Snyder’s highly anticipated Superman reboot ‘Man of Steel,’ showcasing Henry Cavill’s last son of Krypton. With the release of ‘Man Of Steel’ fast approaching, fingers crossed we get some new official marketing material for the film sometime this month.

Alongside Henry Cavill in the dual role of Superman/Clark Kent, ‘Man of Steel’ stars three-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Oscar nominee Michael Shannon as General Zod, Academy Award winner Kevin Costner as Superman/Clarke’s adoptive father Jonathan Kent, Oscar nominee Diane Lane as Superman/Clarke’s adoptive mother Martha Kent, Oscar nominee Laurence Fishburne as Perry White, Antje Traue as Faora, Ayelet Zurer as Superman’s Kryptonian mother Lara Lor-Van, Christopher Meloni, Harry Lennix, Michael Kelly, Richard Shiff, and Academy Award winner Russell Crowe as Jor-El; Superman’s Kryptonian father.

READ MORE: http://www.flicksandbits.com/2013/03/08/henry-cavills-superman-takes-fight-in-new-man-of-steel-fan-poster/41510/

Colin Firth: Kidman - Firth's my screen hubby (INDEPENDENT)

8 MARCH 2013

Nicole Kidman has joked about her "second marriage" to Colin Firth, following their second partnering on screen.

The Australian actress and the Oscar-winning British star play real-life married couple Eric and Patti Lomax in The Railway Man, and have reunited for the filming of psychological thriller Before I Go To Sleep, where they play husband and wife again.

"Colin said we're on our second marriage now, and it's true, but this is a very different marriage than our first," she told the Daily Mail.

"Before I Go To Sleep is a psychological thriller, my favourite genre. I'm making the kind of film I like to watch."

READ MORE: http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/kidman-firths-my-screen-hubby-29118079.html

Martin Freeman: Bilbo's coming back again (STUFF.CO.NZ) WAIKATO TIMES

Martin Freeman has revealed he will be back in New Zealand for a two-month block of shooting at the end of this May.

"I am going back at the end of May for all of June and July," Freeman told Hollywood.com.

Freeman, who plays Bilbo Baggins, said he is not sure precisely what he'll be shooting yet.

"I don't think it feels like new demands, but then again, I haven't seen a shooting script yet, so they might have me walking through fire!"

READ MORE: http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/8399828/Bilbos-coming-back-again

Liam Neeson in Talks for Seth MacFarlane's 'A Million Ways to Die' (Exclusive) (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)

The "Taken" star would join Charlize Theron and Amanda Seyfried in the "Ted" filmmaker's next movie.

3/6/2013 by Borys Kit

Add Liam Neeson to the all-star cast being assembled for Seth MacFarlane's Ted follow-up A Million Ways to Die in the West.

Charlize Theron Nearing Deal to Star in Seth MacFarlane's 'Million Ways to Die' (Exclusive)

Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that Neeson is in negotiations to join MacFarlane, Charlize Theron and Amanda Seyfried in the Media Rights Capital-produced comedy Western.

MacFarlane wrote the script with Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild (Ted, Family Guy) and will direct and produce with Scott Stuber and Jason Clark. A May production start is planned.

Benedict Cumberbatch: ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ Gets New UK Release Date One Week Ahead Of The U.S. By NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor | Thursday, 7 March 2013 13:27 UK

The UK release of J.J. Abrams‘ Star Trek Into Darkness has officially been moved up by a week to May 9 when it will go out in IMAX 3D, 3D and 2D cinemas.

Paramount currently has the film set for a May 17 release in the States with IMAX 3D screenings on May 15. The shift has led some to wonder if the U.S. date may move to May 9 as well, but then what would happen to all those Super Bowl viewers who unlocked movie tickets for special early showings on the 15th?

Simon Pegg, who plays Scotty in the film, just tweeted: “Looks like Star Trek Into Darkness will land in the UK first. Release date May 9th. That’s about 8 weeks away. Not long considering.”

read more: http://www.deadline.com/2013/03/star-trek-into-darkness-gets-new-uk-release-date-one-week-ahead-of-the-u-s/

J.J. Abrams Compares 'John Harrison' To Nero, Benedict Cumberbatch Says He's A Warrior (COMIC BOOK MOVIE)

Star Trek Into Darkness villain John Harrison will have his true identity revealed when the film premieres in May and director J.J. Abrams and actor Bendedict Cumberbatch assure that he's an Enterprise foe well worth the wait.

Mark Julian - 3/7/2013

"I did a lot of close combat training. He's a kick-ass warrior, as masterful with his hands and body as he is with weapons...You will have a great discovery during this film, which I think is great...[My costumes] look great. Some of them were (no pun intended) cumbersome and heavy, but some were very snug; you can almost see what religion I am..." On May 17th, all will be revealed and fans will once and for all find out who Cumberbatch is really playing. Until such time we'll have to make do with the numerous fan theories and suggestions floating across the interweb.

Martin Freeman: Sherlock series 3 starts filming "the week after next" (RADIO TIMES)

Paul Jones
11:12 AM, 08 March 2013

A “brilliant” script for the first episode of Sherlock series three will start filming “the week after next”, says Martin Freeman.

The star, who plays John Watson opposite Benedict Cumberbatch’s great detective in the BBC1 drama, shared the news with Graham Norton on his marathon BBC3 Comic Relief chat show last night.

Freeman says he's read the script for the episode that will explain how Sherlock managed his death-defying plunge in series two finale The Reichenbach Fall – "Yes, it's brilliant" – but admits it hasn’t completely cleared up the mystery for him.

Asked whether he now knew how Sherlock had survived, Freeman admitted "Do you know what, actually, no. Even we, on reading the script, aren't quite sure. [Writer] Mark Gatiss is a clever fella."

read more: http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-03-08/martin-freeman-sherlock-series-3-starts-filming-the-week-after-next

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Henry Cavill - So Close To Perfect...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_aIgF8uPVLY#!

RIPPER STREET SEASON FINALE - RETURN OF THE RIPPER!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1OfgNtAPVyc

Alan Rickman: Lionsgate U.K. Backs Rickman’s ‘Chaos’ (VARIETY)

LONDON – Lionsgate U.K. has boarded Alan Rickman’s sophomore helming effort “A Little Chaos” as main financier and co-producer alongside BBC Films and Lipsync.

Lionsgate will distrib in Blighty and sell U.S. rights on the project, which stars Kate Winslet and Matthias Schoenaerts.

Lionsgate Intl. will handle all other rights, with a sale already concluded with Transmission in Australia.

Gail Egan, Andrea Calderwood and Bertrand Faivre will produce the film about rival landscape gardeners both commissioned to create a fountain at Versailles by Louis XIV. Lionsgate’s Zygi Kamasa will exec produce.

“’A Little Chaos’ is the perfect project to continue our increasing investment in British films,” said Kamasa, who aims to make Lionsgate the top distrib for local films in the U.K.

READ MORE: http://variety.com/2013/film/international/lionsgate-u-k-backs-rickmans-a-little-chaos-1200004845/

James McAvoy Admits He's Had A 'Mental and Physical Breakdown' (E.)

BY HANNAH LANE ON MARCH 7, 2013

The Atonement star is pushing himself to the limit with three new films and a sold out theatre show.

James McAvoy seems unstoppable at the moment! After becoming a Hollywood star with films like The Last King of Scotland and X-Men: First Class, the 33-year-old actor has just finished a flurry of new films and performs every night to packed audiences in London.

The Scottish actor's fame looks set to sore further after the release of some of the most highly anticipated films this year.

McAvoy is starring in British crime thriller Welcome to the Punch alongside W.E actress Andrea Riseborough, Danny Boyle's Trance and a film adaptation of Irvine Welsh's controversial novel Filth.

He has also just completed a two-part film with Oscar nominated redhead Jessica Chastain called The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby.

READ MORE: http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/107525/James-McAvoy-Admits-Hes-Had-A-Mental-and-Physical-Breakdown

Paul McCartney, Jimmy Fallon - very moving song - SCRAMBLED EGGS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz5OtvazDIw

Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Vanessa Redgrave, Julie Andrews, Katherine Hepburn - WHEN I GROW UP I WANT TO BE AN OLD WOMAN...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iknxnk8Mq_Y

Maggie Smith: 'Downton Abbey' role leaves Maggie Smith a nervous 'lump of jelly' By Ree Hines, TODAY contributor

She may be known as the snarky, determined matriarch on "Downton Abbey," but Maggie Smith, the veteran actress behind the oh-so-quotable Dowager Countess, isn't quite as tough in real life. In fact, as she revealed in an interview that aired on TODAY Thursday morning, playing the instantly-iconic character leaves her downright nervous.

Martin Freeman, Eddie Redmayne land MTV Movie Award nomination (RADIO TIMES)

Susanna Lazarus
11:26 AM, 06 March 2013

Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained and Seth MacFarlane's Ted lead this year's nominations for the MTV Movie Awards 2013, with seven nods apiece, including the coveted prize for Movie of the Year.

Jennifer Lawrence's Oscar-winning role in Silver Linings Playbook has also been recognized with the actress receiving nods for Best Kiss, Best Musical Moment, Best On-Screen Duo with Bradley Cooper and Best Scared-As-S**t Performance for House at the End of the Street.

But rivaling her in that final category - that's Best Scared-As-S**t Performance - is Sherlock's very own Martin Freeman, who has picked up a nomination for his portrayal of Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. It's the only category the film is listed for.

Other notable nominees are British actor Eddie Redmayne, who has been recognized for his Best Breakthrough Performance in Les Misérables. He will compete against nine-year-old Beasts of the Southern Wild actress Quevenzhané Wallis, Life of Pi's Suraj Sharma and Rebel Wilson.

READ MORE: http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-03-06/martin-freeman-lands-mtv-movie-award-nomination

Jude Law sparks rumours of a new romance as he's spotted jetting into France with mystery woman By KIMBERLEY DADDS (MAIL ON LINE)

In December he was rumoured to be dating a PR executive 14 years his junior.

But now Jude Law has prompted speculation he has a new woman on his arm.

The Sherlock Holmes actor appears to have a new companion as he was spotted jetting into France on Monday with a pretty blonde in tow.

The 40-year-old wore jeans with big turn ups, a T-shirt and smart trainers while covering his eyes in sunglasses ready to get in the mood for some warm rays.

The mystery woman, meanwhile, looked equally relaxed sporting a smart casual ensemble.

She wandered along a metre or two away from Jude as she showed off her style in leather look skinnies and a red leather jacket.

Keeping warm with a fur gilet underneath she carried a small white leather bag and kept her hair off her face with her own pair of sunglasses.

And if she is dating the Hollywood star it's clear to see why as she showed off her natural beauty appearing make-up free.

Jude has previously dated blonde actress Sienna Miller who he was once engaged to.

READ MORE: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2288286/Jude-Law-sparks-rumours-new-romance-hes-spotted-jetting-France-mystery-blonde.html

Watch 'Pride & Prejudice' together to prep for the Jane Austen Festival

By Ann Maloney, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
on March 06, 2013 at 11:44 AM, updated March 06, 2013 at 2:25 PM

Novelist Jane Austen's best-known work, "Pride & Prejudice," turned 200 on Jan. 17. This weekend, the Jane Austen Literary Festival will celebrate this literary landmark by focusing on the novel during its sixth annual event in Mandeville.

As a prelude to the festivities, I've decided to settle in at home on Friday night and watch the 2005 film version of the novel -- the one featuring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen.

Why don't you watch along with me?

Here's how: Grab a cup of tea and a biscuit; then, at precisely 7 p.m. on Friday, March 8, hit play on your DVD. If you don't have it, the film is available at Barnes and Noble as well as through various services, such as Hulu.

If you're on Twitter, follow along with me there, noting your favorite scenes, best lines and most touching moment. Fault-finders are welcome as well. Spoiler alert: I have strong feelings about the final scene in this version.

Find me on Twitter @AnnMMaloney. Please use hashtag #JaneAusten.

If you're on Facebook, friend me and follow along there. You can find my page here: https://www.facebook.com/AnnMMaloneyinNola.

(This is not my favorite adaptation. That, of course, is the BBC miniseries starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. I cannot, however, ask you to tackle that with me: It's five lovely hours long. That's just too much of a commitment on such short notice.)

The anniversary has drawn attention to the novel, published just four years before Austen's death in 1817. I first read it at age 14 and then again and again and again.

In honor of the 200th anniversary, scholars and fans have attempted to explain why it endures:

READ MORE: http://www.nola.com/movies/index.ssf/2013/03/watch_pride_prejudice_together.html

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Gerard Butler: Fogo de Chao Dinner! (JUST JARED)

Gerard Butler keeps it cool while exiting Fogo de Chao after enjoying some Brazilian BBQ on Monday (March 4) in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Last week, the 43-year-old Scottish actor posted a video and tweeted, “Hey everyone, Exactly three weeks until @OlympusMovie is in theaters! Here’s an inside look… – GB.” Check out the video below!

The Borgias: A Behind the Scenes Look at Season 3 Written By Shilo Adams on March 5th, 2013 at 7:24 pm (TV OVER MIND)

The Borgia family suffered a series of blows last season that left them staggering. While Lucrezia lost Pablo and was forced to think about remarrying before she was ready, Cesare fell further out of favor with Rodrigo and Juan never recovered from an infected leg and humiliation on the battlefield, all but forcing Cesare to put him out of his misery. However, arguably the toughest blow was dealt by Cardinal della Rovere, who managed to infiltrate the Borgia camp and execute a hit on Rodrigo with a dosage of poison. This season on The Borgias, will Rodrigo be able to retain the papacy and recover from what happened before anyone can either finish him?

In a behind the scenes look at the third season of the historical drama, currently filming in Budapest, Rodrigo is shown being in full health, directing orders while on horseback. There was never any doubt that he would recover from the attempted assassination, but the fallout from there even being an attempt could be far reaching and have more significant impact than if he had succumbed to della Rovere's latest attempt at revenge. The cardinal will likely be inspired to go bigger and bolder in his next plan to make sure that it's successful, which could eventually lead to his undoing, while the Pontiff could become even more paranoid about his grasp on the papacy and the power of his enemies. That paranoia, seeded in the way he was elected to the throne, doesn't have to be a bad thing, however; it may cause him to go over his closest confidantes to suss out anyone not 100% loyal to him, increasing his safety and peace of mind.

Read more at http://www.tvovermind.com/the-borgias/the-borgias-a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-season-3/#3cs73BuoG40uWCBi.99

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY CASTING: HENRY CAVILL VS CHACE CRAWFORD (FAN SHARE)

We recently did a search to see who Fifty Shades of Grey fans wanted to play Anastasia Steele in the big screen adaptation, with Emilia Clarke coming out on top. Now, we will search for who you want to play Christian Grey, starting by taking a look at Henry Cavill and Chace Crawford.

Henry Cavill

Henry Cavill has slowly but surely worked his way up the fans list to play Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey movie. With all the hype surrounding Henry's upcoming movie Man of Steel, his following continues to grow. Henry Cavill recently opened up about the Fifty Shades of Grey rumours, stating that he would have to read the script first.

Chace Crawford

While Chace Crawford does not have a huge backing by the fans, there are certainly those who would love to see him play Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey film. Chace certainly has the physique to pull of the role and is a solid enough actor to carry such a large project. Chace Crawford recently admitted that he would be interested in the role, as it would show him in a new light and prove his diversity as an actor.

To see who wins - Read more at http://www.fansshare.com/news/fifty-shades-of-grey-casting-henry-cavill-vs-chace-crawford/#UOce4wUWeZCqBs6Z.99

Dan Stevens' 'Downton Abbey' Exit: How It Could Have Ended The Huffington Post | By Leigh Weingus

“If he had been prepared to come back for maybe two or three episodes in a series, that would be different. Then we could have had a foreign posting or invented a career that would have made it possible for him to be away,""Downton Abbey" creator Julian Fellowes explained to the Telegraph. "Otherwise we would have had to make this tremendously successful love affair between Mary and Matthew unhappy, which I didn’t feel would be believable ... So we didn’t really have any option. By him dying, their love can remain in tact."

While we see where Fellowes is coming from, was that car accident really necessary? In the slideshow below, find seven ways we think Matthew could have exited in the series more gracefully ... or at least creatively.

It Was All A Dream

When the Titanic sank, the residents of Downton, both upstairs and downstairs, were so traumatized that they fell into a dream-like state in which a young man with piercing blue eyes arrived at Downton, was at one point in a wheelchair, and eventually married Mary Crawley.

But it was all a trick! When the house eventually awakened from their sleep long sleep, they find that Matthew was actually killed on the Titanic in 1912, and Mary is an old maid.

Matthew And Mary Go To America

As Matthew and Mary's son is one quarter American, they don't feel it's right to deprive him of his roots. Much to the chagrin of Lord Grantham, who believes his heir should never once leave Downton, the lovebirds set sail with their little one in tow and settle down in New York with Cora's mother Martha. Sorry, Dowager!

Matthew Gets A Whole New Look

Finding himself with a case of the munchies after a particular rigorous round of cricket, Matthew sneaks down to the kitchen where Mrs. Patmore is in full-on dinner prep mode. Surprised to see such a well-dressed man downstairs, Mrs. Patmore accidentally flings boiling water in Matthew's face. Caught completely by surprise, he backs up, hits his head and falls into a coma.

When he awakens two years later, Matthew is unrecognizable, but Mary loves him all the same.

Matthew Is Actually A Scottish Murderer

Despite the proper British air he has about him, Matthew actually has a propensity for kilts, bagpipes and murder. When he was a young boy, he and his mother killed the real Matthew and Isobel, took all their money and plotted a move to Downton.

One day, Bates overhears Matthew and Isobel giggling about how successful their plan has been, and the Dowager Countess immediately ships them back to Scotland and ensures they're thrown into the Edinburgh jail for life.

Matthew Wants To Have A Sex Change

There's always been something a little different about Matthew, something he's tried to ignore. Now almost 30, Matthew can't hide his feelings anymore. He loves Mary -- he does! -- but in his heart of hearts, he knows he's meant to be a woman. When he confesses this to Mary, she honors his wishes and sends him to LA where the plastic surgery and hormone industries have already taken off.

Colin Firth takes on vice-president role with child stammering charity (LONDON EVENING STANDARD)

Joe Murphy
06 March 2013

The King’s Speech star Colin Firth is to take on a new role championing children with stammers. The actor will become vice-president of the charity Action for Stammering Children, it was announced at Westminster
last night.

Firth earned a best actor Oscar for his portrayal of George VI’s struggle to overcome a lifelong stammer with the help of speech therapist Lionel Logue.

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls, who also overcame a childhood stammer, announced his appointment at a reception given by Speaker John Bercow to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Michael Palin Centre for Stammering Children.

“Following his Oscar-winning role, Colin has now visited the charity in Leeds, and the Michael Palin Centre in Islington twice – and seen the completely transformatory work that Action for Stammering Children is doing for young people and the support it provides for parents as well,” said Mr Balls, who raised funds for the charity in his London Marathon run last year.

READ MORE: http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/actor-colin-firth-takes-on-vicepresident-role-with-child-stammering-charity-8523275.html

James Purefoy: The Following renewed for season 2 News Louisa Mellor 5 Mar 2013 - 07:00 (DEN OF GEEK)

Kevin Bacon and James Purefoy will be taking another spin on the serial killer merry-go-round as Fox renews The Following...

Fans of puppet master serial killer drama The Following can rest easy in the knowledge that, though we're almost at the halfway point in season one, a further fifteen episodes are on their way. The Kevin Williamson thriller starring Kevin Bacon and James Purefoy as a former FBI agent and his cult-leading serial-killing nemesis, has just been renewed for season two.

Described by Fox as an "edge-of-your-seat" "thrill ride", The Following debuted to somewhat mixed reviews, but audience interest has seen it through. Fulfilling the unspoken rule that everyone involved with The Following has to be named Kevin, here's what Fox entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly had to say:

READ MORE: http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-following/24707/the-following-renewed-for-season-2

Why Detective David Tennant is a prime-time suspect British murder dramas Mayday and Broadchurch have helped bring event television back from the grave, by Libby Brooks The Guardian,

Life's a beach for police officers David Tennant and Olivia Colman in Broadchurch. Photograph: Patrick Redmond

Who wants to think about murdered children on a weekday evening? A fair few of us, if the ratings are anything to go by. This week BBC1 and ITV have gone head to head with new crime dramas Mayday and Broadchurch: both with decorated casts and nuanced scripts that lift them above the standard police procedural; both previewed as the kind of event television that can seem antediluvian in an age of download and bargain box sets.

Mayday, which tracks the disappearance of 14-year-old Hattie as she is about to take the part of May Queen in her village's annual parade, stars Sophie Okonedo, Aidan Gillen and a fabulously overwrought Lesley Manville. It launched on Sunday – the first of five consecutive nights – with 6.2 million viewers and a 25% audience share; but lost out the following evening to the first of eight weekly installments of Broadchurch, which began with 6.8 million and a concurrent gush-in on social media. Coincidentally, both series are made by Kudos, the production company behind Spooks and, most recently, the bizarrely brilliant Utopia.

It has already been suggested that Broadchurch detectives David Tennant and Olivia Colman, investigating the death of a local boy in the eponymous seaside town, owe a debt to the Nordic noir plotlines that have dominated quality crime drama of late – although the scenery of Dorset's Jurassic coast, where the series was filmed, could give any fjord a run for its money, and, as Tennant proved on Monday night, it is difficult to be entirely sombre when you're eating a 99 ice cream.

READ MORE: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/mar/05/tennant-prime-time-suspect-mayday-broadchurch

Matthew Macfadyen - Who is Inspector Reid?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Y5o772PJQsQ#!

This video was featured from Fox Crime Croatia

Hugh Bonneville: Downton star at Lord's (LORD'S THE HOME OF CRICKET)

Hugh Bonneville, who plays Robert Crawley – the Earl of Grantham, in the award winning ITV series Downton Abbey - was at Lord’s to promote the new exhibition at the MCC Museum, sponsored by J.P. Morgan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ztrKDBfVIzs

The exhibition will feature the costume research for the Downton Abbey cricket episode, which took place in the MCC Library.

The 49-year-old actor was wearing the shirt, jumper, trousers and shoes he wore during the filming of the final episode of Series Three, which the TV company has since loaned to the MCC Museum.

The shirt, trousers and shoes worn by Jim Carter (who plays Mr Carson) during the cricket scene are also currently on loan from Carnival Productions.

READ MORE: http://www.lords.org/latest-news/news-archive/downton-star-at-lords,2687,NS.html

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Exclusive Video: Martin Freeman on The Hobbit The star of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has some NSFW words for his co-star Benedict Cumberbatch. (CRAVE ON LINE)

March 5th, 2013 William Bibbiani

Bibbs grills the star on his personal history with J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy series, how the ending of The Hobbit changed when the film split from two films into three, and Andy Serkis's first turn behind the camera as Peter Jackson's 2nd Unit Director. Freeman also has some decidedly choice words for his "Sherlock" co-star, and the future voice of Smaug, Benedict Cumberbatch. You can see them on-screen together (sort of) in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, which hits theaters on December 13, 2013.

READ MORE: http://www.craveonline.com/film/interviews/453879-exclusive-video-martin-freeman-on-the-hobbit

Flashback: Eric Clapton Performs 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' at Concert for George Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne join the guitarist Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook

ByANDY GREENE MARCH 5, 2013 11:55 AM

Exactly one year after George Harrison died, a jaw-dropping lineup of musicians gathered at London's Royal Albert Hall to honor his lifetime of work. The Concert for George featured performances by Tom Petty, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Jeff Lynne, Ravi Shankar, Billy Preston, Dhani Harrison and many others.

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/flashback-clapton-performs-while-my-guitar-gently-weeps-at-concert-for-george-20130305#ixzz2Mj0p9cBK
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook

Luke Evans: Luke who’s a train robber (THE SUN)

CLASH Of The Titans’ Luke Evans is to star as Great Train Robber Bruce Reynolds in a BBC drama about the famous heist.

A Robber’s Tale – the first of two episodes – also stars Line of Duty actor Martin Compston, Jack Roth, Neil Maskell, Paul Anderson and Jack Gordon as the thief’s accomplices.

The film shows how leader Reynolds, who died aged 81 last week, led his gang to target the August Bank Holiday 1963 mail train from Glasgow.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/4826586/Luke-Evans-to-play-Great-Train-Robber-in-BBC-drama.html#ixzz2MiwOFngp

HENRY CAVILL: Man Of Steel EARLY Review - Henry Cavill IS Superman By: Scott Johnson on March 5, 2013 (COMIC BOOK)

As far as Henry Cavill’s performance, the reviewer states, “Henry Cavill is Superman to me now. I like his take on the character. I don’t really care necessarily how Superman/Clark Kent is in the comics. But Henry has a really good performance and brings a new Superman for the modern era. One who is powerful, strong, and inhumane in ability, yet also relatable and earns our sympathy.

Ever since Man of Steel started doing test screenings, early reviews have started leaking out. All the reviews seem to have one thing in common. They are all extremely positive. In fact, Nikki Finke of Deadline slipped in her own feedback on the Man of Steel in a post about Jack the Giant Slayer bombing. In mentioning upcoming movies, Finke referenced, “the hotly anticipated Man Of Steel which by many accounts overdelivers. (That’s the buzz following its first internal screening.)” We assume overdelivers is meant to be a good thing and that she isn’t criticizing the movie for being too good.

Another new anonymous review also recently showed up on a message board. Here are some spoiler free highlights. According to the reviewer, who professes to not being a comics fan, “The movie is good, and entertaining. I don’t think I’ll use hyperbole of calling it the best movie of the year two months in, but it’s a top five, if not top three, superhero movie.” The reviewer also adds, ” I think this is the best live action version of Superman and it does a great job of making him feel relatable.”

TOM HARDY: Nicholas Hoult Praises ‘Mad Max Fury Road’ As ‘Intense’ And Tom Hardy As Leading Man (GLOBAL DISPATCH)

By Stephen Nevets

The Jack the Giant Slayer star, Nicholas Hoult, made his rounds promoting his new film, the upcoming sequel to X-Men First Class and even spoke briefly about the Mad Max reboot which stars Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron.

Hoult told Collider, “George is a fantastic director very sweet, kind and caring and creates a brilliant environment to work in whereby you have these spectacular locations and the vehicles in that movie, the gut-churning noises they make. It was one of the most exciting sets I’ve ever been on in my life by far. To be a part of that visually and see the stunts they were doing. The story is full on, it’s intense and I can’t wait to see the film.”

READ MORE: http://www.theglobaldispatch.com/nicholas-hoult-praises-mad-max-fury-road-as-intense-and-tom-hardy-as-leading-man-29184/

Emma Watson In Talks To Star In Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella comments published: 2013-02-28 19:52:38 Author: Kelly West (CINEMA BLEND)

Tonight seems to be the night for Harry Potter stars in talks to play classic roles. Earlier, we shared news that Daniel Radcliffe was in final negotiations to play Igor in Fox's Frankenstein-inspired feature, and now comes word that Emma Watson is in talks to star in Kenneth Branagh's take on Cinderella for Disney. (Coincidentally, Branagh starred in and directed an adaptation of Frankenstein in 1994.)

Variety reports that Watson is in "very early talks" with Disney to play the lead in a live action adaptation of Cinderella, to be directed by Kenneth Branagh. Mark Romanek was previously set to helm the film, which is based on a script by Aline Bosh McKenna, rewritten by Chris Weitz. Should Watson lock down the role, she'll be starring opposite Cate Blanchett, who's on board to play the wicked stepmother.

READ MORE: http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Emma-Watson-Talks-Star-Kenneth-Branagh-Cinderella-36089.html

Kenneth Branagh: Why I can’t wait to play MancBeth (But don't mention the name of THAT play...) (MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS)

The Hollywood director speaks of his delight to be coming back to Manchester for the International Festival, and how he's spent his whole career avoiding Shakespeare's evil king

Hollywood director Sir Kenneth Branagh has spoken of his delight to be coming back to the city where he ‘came of age’ as an actor to star in Macbeth at the Manchester International Festival.

Branagh cut his teeth at the Palace Theatre 25 years ago, and despite playing many great characters since, he revealed that he had spent his whole career avoiding playing Shakespeare’s evil king.

“It’s the one play by Shakespeare that follows me everywhere,” he said at the programme announcement for the fourth biennial festival, which takes place across Manchester from July 4 - 24.

“The Scottish play, and I’m still too superstitious to say the name, is the one I’ve thought and thought about, always circling around it, but didn’t know what to do with it.”

The play will be performed at a still-to-revealed deconsecrated church in ‘central Manchester’, and the cast have begun rehearsals.

Branagh announced that because the show’s £65 tickets sold out in minutes, the final performance will be shown live on a screen in a city car park to make it open and affordable for everyone to see. Tickets will be priced £8.

Colin Firth, Michael Fassbender's 'Genius' Sells Around the World (Exclusive) 8:17 AM PST 2/7/2013 by Pamela McClintock (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)

The film recounts the real-life relationship between literary giant Thomas Wolfe and renowned editor Max Perkins.

BERLIN -- Colin Firth and Michael Fassbender's Genius -- based on A. Scott Berg's National Book Award-winning biography Max Perkins: Editor of Genius -- is sparking avid interest among independent distributors.

FilmNation has sold the film in a raft of key foreign territories, including to The Weinstein Co. in the U.K., Australia and New Zealand.

There's no word on whether TWC will buy U.S. rights, but Harvey Weinstein's shop would be a natural fit for Genius, having released the Oscar best picture The King's Speech, for which Firth won the Oscar for best actor. TWC is one of the most aggressive players in the awards space, and Genius could well be a contender considering its pedigree.

Genius recounts the real-life relationship between literary giant Thomas Wolfe (Fassbender) and renowned editor Max Perkins (Firth), who developed a tender, complex friendship that changed the lives of both men forever.

READ MORE:http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/berlin-2013-colin-firth-michael-419160

Colin Firth: Nicole Kidman Doesn't Remember Colin Firth in 'Before I Go To Sleep'n (FIRST SHOWING)

When Alex visited the Cannes Film Festival in 2012, he snapped a photo of a poster for an upcoming film called Before I Go to Sleep. The poster hyped Nicole Kidman in the lead role, and now Variety confirms her casting and mentions that The King's Speech star Colin Firth will play her husband in the thriller, with Mark Strong (Green Lantern, Sherlock Holmes) and Anne-Marie Duff (Nowhere Boy) rounding out the cast. 28 Weeks Later writer Rowan Joffe wrote the screenplay and will direct the suspenseful story of a woman with amnesia that sounds like it shares some DNA with Christopher Nolan's Memento. Read on!

READ MORE: http://www.firstshowing.net/2013/nicole-kidman-doesnt-remember-colin-firth-in-before-i-go-to-sleep/

New photos of Benedict Cumberbatch, James McAvoy and the cast of Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere (RADIOTIMES)

An exclusive first look at shots of the star-studded cast of the Radio 4/4 Extra fantasy drama, also featuring Natalie Dormer, David Harewood, Sophie Okonedo, Christopher Lee and Bernard Cribbins

Paul Jones
10:08 AM, 04 March 2013
London Below is slowly coming to life. With less than two weeks to go until Radio 4/4 Extra opens a portal to the magical realm in fantasy drama Neverwhere, we have a gallery of exclusive shots of the star-studded cast, including Benedict Cumberbatch, James McAvoy and Natalie Dormer.

McAvoy is Richard Mayhew, a young businessman drawn into the subterranean world of London Below after he comes to the aid of a girl named Door, played by Dormer. In a place where famous landmarks take on a life of their own, Benedict Cumberbatch is the Angel Islington, an actual angel who watches over the city beneath the city.

VISIT THE BBC NEVERWHERE SITE HERE

Monday, March 4, 2013

Richard Armitage sings Misty Mountains Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpJj0RhHeQg

RICHARD ARMITAGE CENTRAL

Michael Fassbender: SHAME trailer (a great movie!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=24cjqfVv1fs#!

SHAME was a great film, not at all what I was expecting. Rather it was heartbreaking and Michael Fassbender should have been nominated for an Oscar portraying this man's desperate struggle.

Michael Fassbender visits Life's Too Short set Source: Bang Showbiz (THE LIST)

Michael Fassbender shocked the cast of British sitcom ‘Life’s Too Short’ by arriving on set to watch his close pal Val Kilmer film a cameo appearance.

Michael Fassbender visited the ‘Life’s Too Short’ set.

The Hollywood actor has been hanging out behind the scenes of Warwick Davis, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s BBC Two sitcom after being invited by Val Kilmer, who has a cameo role on the show’s last episode.

A source told DigitalSpy: “Fassbender and Kilmer were just hanging out with everyone on set and really enjoying themselves.

“It was amazing to see these Hollywood stars on the same set as the show’s British TV stars like Les Dennis, Keith Chegwin and Shaun Williamson.”

Val reportedly asked producers whether he could bring a friend along and the cast and crew were gobsmacked when the high profile ‘Shame’ actor turned up.

MICHAEL FASSBENDER FANSITE

READ MORE: http://www.list.co.uk/article/49132-michael-fassbender-visits-lifes-too-short-set/

Helen Mirren: Review of THE AUDIENCE (LONDON THEATER)

Review by Peter Brown
2 March 2013

Helen Mirren (Queen Elizabeth II), Haydn Gwynne (Margaret Thatcher),Richard McCabe (Harold Wilson), Paul Ritter (John Major) (Photos by Johan Persson)

Every week – when the relevant parties are in London – Queen Elizabeth II meets with her current Prime Minister for a cosy chat about … well, we don't actually know what they talk about because no minutes are published, or even kept. And so far as I am aware none of the 12 Prime Ministers who have served during the Queen's 61 year reign has given anything more than a vague hint of what their discussions have covered. So, how do you make a play out of meetings like that?

Peter Morgan's answer to that tricky question is to blend fact and fiction. He draws on what is commonly known about the personalities of various Prime Ministers and the issues they faced during their periods in office, then mixes-in the character of a shrewd, hard-working and intelligent monarch, and finally tops it all off with completely fictional but rather witty dialogue. The recipe proves immensely successful so that the final theatrical dish is humorously entertaining, well-observed, and has enough in the way of authenticity to be (just about) believable.

In the lead, as Queen Elizabeth II, is Helen Mirren who has already had a fairly decent rehearsal for the part, as she won an oscar in 2006 for her portrayal of the same person in the film 'The Queen'. With the kind of experience she has acquired, perhaps she may be missing a few performances in the near future in order to stand in for HMQ while she recovers from her current illness.

READ MORE: http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/londontheatre/reviews/audience.htm

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