Saturday, December 27, 2014

Charlie Hunnam - **Spoiler Alert** Charlie Hunnam Cried At Emotional Sons Of Anarchy Scenes

CONTACT MUSIC
by WENN | 27 December 2014



Actor Charlie Hunnam broke down in tears as he shot his final Sons Of Anarchy scenes with his onscreen mother Katey Sagal after having to kill her character on TV.


Sagal tells People magazine, "It was very emotional in a beautiful way. Charlie Hunnam and I cried a lot. We would just hug each other because it was also goodbye for us after working together. We've all been in our own form of denial with the show ending. But there was no turning back."


READ MORE HERE: http://hub.contactmusic.com/story/spoiler-alert-charlie-hunnam-cried-at-emotional-sons-of-anarchy-scenes_4517610

‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’ Review: Colin Firth Rocks Suits, Stunts, and ‘Splosions

THE WRAP
 By James Rocchi on
December 27, 2014 @ 8:00 am

kingsman-the-secret-service-KSS_JB_D01_00117_rgbThe fifth and, yes, best film from director Matthew Vaughn (“Layer Cake,” “X-Men: First Class”), “Kingsman: The Secret Service” is a startlingly enjoyable and well-made action film leavened by humor and slicked along by style, made by, for, and about people who’ve seen far too many Bond films. Fleet-footed and unrepentantly British, it’s a reunion of sorts behind the scenes for Vaughn and comics writer Mark Millar, but it’s infinitely better than their 2010 collaboration “Kick-Ass.”

Credit for that goes to Vaughn’s adaptation of the script alongside producer Jane Goldman, which finds cheer and cleverness in Millar’s mixture of retro-style spy action with a snobs-versus-slobs twist.

The basics are basic indeed: Super-spy Harry Hart (Colin Firth, surprisingly capable and up for it), obligated to recruit a new member for the independent spy group from which the film takes its name, chooses the grown-but-aimless son of a late comrade, Gary ‘Eggsy’ Unwin (Taron Egerton). Eggsy is put through his paces as a potential spy even as Hart investigates whether telecommunications mogul Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson, playing a mix of Russell Simmons and Bill Gates by way of Blofeld with a comedy lisp) is the target of a round of kidnappings and killings or if he is, in fact, the mastermind behind them.



With its fashion-forward flair — the film may borrow liberally from the Roger Moore 007 era, but there’s also a touch of Patrick Macnee’s bespoked gentleman spy Mr. Steed from “The Avengers” — “Kingsman: The Secret Service” feels like a well-made gentleman’s suit, with superb cut, distinctive color, and excellent construction.  In terms of cut, the film’s style is precise and yet broad, with the hidden lairs, jump-suited minions and maniacal villains of a long-gone era of Bond movies, perfectly walking the fine line of mocking what it loves and vice versa. You get the gear, the gadgets, and the gusto, but you also get sly winks at how ludicrous it all is; it’s a movie that fakes a stiff upper lip but also constantly raises its eyebrow in amusement.

In terms of color, important for both a film and a men’s ensemble, Vaughn has cast his film fairly perfectly. Firth is game and great in his computer-aided fight scenes and his dialogue delivery, with Egerton a naturally charismatic presence with smarts behind his smile. Mark Strong plays gadgetmaster Merlin, while Michael Caine is briefly brilliant as the head of Kingsman. Jackson goes for broke and strikes riches as Valentine, supported by henchwoman Gazelle (Sofia Boutella), who sports a pair of sharpened-and-bladed prosthetic legs as divinely mad as any deadly dentures Richard Kiel ever wore as Jaws. The score, by Henry Jackman and Matthew Margeson, offers perfectly fun pastiches of John Barry’s iconic work on the 007 films.





Friday, December 26, 2014

Downton Abbey Christmas special recap – it worked as retro festive wallpaper (SPOILERS)

THE GUARDIAN
Viv Groskop
Thursday 25 December 2014 18.00 EST



The labrador’s backside is back for Christmas. And let’s hope it’s not just for Christmas, eh? Actually, my Christmas wish would be that it is just for Christmas. Because if this convoluted outing proved anything, it’s that this series has outstayed its welcome. Unlike Isis the dog, whose absence in this Christmas special finally disproved the conspiracy theory that she was just absent from the last episode to tease us. Sorry, people, but Isis really is dead.

As always this was a beautifully made and wonderfully acted confection showcasing all the shortcomings of the Downton Abbey brand. In the opening sequences, it felt as if the actors had been directed to speak the dialogue slowly and carefully in order to help viewers a) worse for the cooking sherry and b) unfamiliar with Downton (as probably many Christmas-only viewers were – lucky them). There was a lot of signposting of characters and history, which only served to flag up that there are often far too many people involved and far too many things going on.



As a standalone piece for anyone not following the series, I suspect this outing worked rather well as retro festive wallpaper. And there can surely be no finer features on screen than those of Matthew Goode (Wickham in last year’s Death Comes to Pemberley and also a series regular in The Good Wife), seen fleetingly here flirting with Lady Mary and making a Dukes of Hazzard-style getaway in a fast motorcar. If he is coming in as the dark-haired replacement for Dan Stevens, that will be a happy event indeed.

For those of us who have been suffering the joys and pains of the past five series, it tied up a paltry number of loose ends (Dame Maggie’s Russian tryst, Rose’s uncomfortable relationship with her new inlaws, Edith not knowing that her father knows about the Impostor Child). And Uncle Julian did at least give us the payoff we’ve been anticipating since last year’s Christmas episode: the marriage of Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson. Hooray!



But unbelievably (or totally believably if you are used to the snail’s pace of Downton) he left the “Who killed rapist valet Green?” plot open. We don’t even really know if it definitely isn’t Anna or definitely isn’t Bates. My money, despite the pub landlord’s evidence, is still on Bates. But surely by now we deserve resolution on this? We found out Green was dead on 10 November 2013. Seriously, Uncle Julian, how long are you going to leave this hanging? Do you even know who killed him? I suspect no one cares any more.

There were some pleasing details. The Russian Silver Fox! Midnight skating to the strains of the balaika! Setting sail in the prince’s yacht! The manic depressive Russian princess (Jane Lapotaire) was superb and, as every guest is forced to on this show, really made the most of her three sentences. Alun Armstrong as The Evil Butler, Stowell (yes, I know, I heard it as “Stole” and “Stowe” the whole way through, too), was wonderful: “I am not a novice anywhere.” And there was plenty of Molesley, which is always a delight. But what a missed opportunity! When Molesley was rifling in Anna’s drawers, I was convinced he would find the Ill-Defined Contraceptive Device. So disappointing.



But let’s draw a veil over that and concentrate on the best marriage proposal ever from a man resembling a cautious and lovable badger: “Well, that’s the point. I do want to be stuck with you ...” Who wouldn’t drink to Mr Carson’s happiness on Christmas Day?



READ MORE HERE: http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/dec/25/downton-abbey-christmas-special-recap-it-worked-as-retro-festive-wallpaper

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Is Tom Hiddleston Nice in Real Life? Yes & For a Good Reason

BUSTLE
December 22, 2014
MARTHA SORREN
@MARTHASORREN




If you type “Tom Hiddleston” into Google, one of the first things to come up is a question about his personality. Namely, ”Is Tom Hiddleston nice?” If you scroll through Tumblr you’ll see GIF after GIF of him being the sweetest guy on the planet, but how much of that is true? Are fans just always catching him on his good days? Is this just an elaborate persona invented to make him seem better than he actually is?

There’s a reason so many people love Hiddleston and a huge part of that admiration is for his impeccable sweetness. He’s kind to everyone he meets, even screaming hoards of fans demanding selfies and autographs. But his personality stretched beyond simply being nice; he’s actually incredibly thoughtful. Some celebrities can get really jaded the more famous they get, and while I don’t blame them, I’m glad Hiddleston hasn’t gone down that road.

Early on in his career, Hiddleston established that he was a total sweetheart. In 2012, after a Twitter conversation with a reporter who jokingly asked Hiddles to bring soup to the red carpet because it was freezing, Hiddleston actually showed up with a thermos full of tomato soup. And even years later he’s still just as nice.




So I think the answer is yes, Tom Hiddleston is a nice guy, and possibly the nicest guy. He’s that way for a really good reason. In an interview with Empire magazine in 2013, Hiddleston revealed that his first job was being a waiter and it changed his view on politeness forever.

It was at a showy opera festival in a barn in Oxfordshire. I did it for a whole summer and people would be so extraordinarily rude that it made me decide that I would never be rude in my life, specifically to people who were kind enough to serve me things.

But what’s amazing isn’t that Hiddleston made that pledge early on in his life, it’s that he actually followed through. Despite all the stresses of fame and all the taxes on his time and invasions of his privacy, he’s remained kind to everyone he meets.


READ MORE HERE: http://www.bustle.com/articles/55140-is-tom-hiddleston-nice-in-real-life-yes-for-a-good-reason






Monday, December 22, 2014

Richard Armitage finds his inner Thorin

LA TIMES
HERO COMPLEX
Dec. 22, 2014 | 12:51 p.m.



English actor Richard Armitage shares some interesting traits with his “Hobbit” alter ego, valiant dwarf Thorin Oakenshield.

“I had to be pretty honest with myself because you do get asked that question a lot, ‘Where are you like the character?'” Armitage said earlier this month. “I’m very stubborn and pigheaded like Thorin… I’m a little bit taller than him. And I can grow a beard at an astonishingly weird rate.”

Armitage’s confession was one of the highlights of the special Imax preview screening of “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,” which took place Dec. 11 at New York’s AMC 34th Street 14 & Imax.

Armitage was joined on stage for a Q&A following the movie by his “Five Armies” costar Lee Pace, who plays the Elven King Thrandruil.



The final installment in Jackson’s epic “Hobbit” trilogy, “Five Armies” handily won the box-office competition this weekend — the film has grossed upward of $90.6 million since its Wednesday release.

It picks up where last year’s “The Desolation of Smaug” ends, with Thorin and company, accompanied by Martin Freeman’s good-natured hobbit Bilbo Baggins, having reclaimed the treasure of their lost homeland Erebor from the evil dragon Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch).

A vengeful Smaug heads to Lake-town to decimate the nearby village, and the destruction the dragon causes leaves the townspeople insisting upon recompense from the dwarfs who disturbed his resting place, setting into motion the conflict that will grow to include the armies of the title.


READ MORE HERE PLUS VIDEO: http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/hobbit-battle-of-five-armies-richard-armitage-finds-his-inner-thorin/#/0

Is this what Benedict Cumberbatch will look like as Doctor Strange?

RADIO TIMES
By Paul Jones
Monday 22 December 2014 at 01:04PM

View image on Twitter

Whether it's concept artwork from the movie or simply speculative fan art, one thing's for sure – this image of Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange is doing a great job of whetting appetites ahead of the upcoming Marvel film.

The picture was tweeted by the movie's director Scott Derrickson so it seems reasonable to assume that he likes it, and therefore that it may not be a million miles away from his take on the master sorcerer.




More fantastic Doctor Strange fan art at Comic Book Movie

Henry Cavill Fans Defend 'Superman' and New Girlfriend Marisa Gonzalo; 'Man Of Steel' Actor Still Mum About New Relationship

FRANCHISE HERALD
Dec 20, 2014 10:18 PM EST | By Josh Samuel

Henry Cavill Fans Defend Superman and New Girlfriend Marisa Gonzalo;  Man Of Steel Actor Still Mum About New Relationship
Henry Cavill Fans Defend Superman and New Girlfriend Marisa Gonzalo; Man Of Steel Actor Still Mum About New Relationship(Photo : Keith Tsuji | Getty Images Entertainment)

Superman Henry Cavill and his camp are still mum about the controversy surrounding him and his new girlfriend Marisa Gonzalo despite his many fans expressing their desire for the gorgeous actor to speak up.

While every Cavill fan knew that the Man of Steel actor is usually very private when it comes to his romantic relationships, he cannot just pretend that everything is going well between him and his legions of fans when it comes to the new apple of his eye.


We may not know exactly his reasons for choosing to keep quiet, but as long as he is with Gonzalo, now even more famous for being dubbed as "animal killer," we are guessing this issue will not come off anytime soon. After all, Cavill is one of Hollywood's A-list actors, so much is expected from him, and that includes his choices on women, sad to say.

However, not all of his fans feel the same way as some still support the Immortals actor and are coming to his defense. One fan even challenged Save the Animals asking for proof if Cavill's relationship with Gonzalo is true.


Read more: http://www.franchiseherald.com/articles/18221/20141220/man-of-steel-superman-henry-cavill-girlfriend-marisa-gonzalo.htm#ixzz3Mg0PQW62


Sunday, December 21, 2014

ROSAMUND PIKE OSCAR POSSIBLE? WHY 'GONE GIRL' STAR COULD GIVE REESE WITHERSPOON FIERCE COMPETITION AT 2015 AWARDS (PHOTOS)

HOLLYWOOD TAKE
By Nick Romano December 17, 2014 1:43 PM

Photo: Reuters
Might Rosamund Pike earn herself a Best Actress trophy at the 2015 Oscars? While the 'Gone Girl' star is likely to get nominated, her chances of winning are up in the air.

Could Rosamund Pike win Best Actress at the 2015 Oscars? Reese Witherspoon's gripping performance in Wild has been dubbed the one to beat. And Jennifer Aniston's role in Cake is gaining momentum. But many critics say the Gone Girl actress shouldn't be dismissed just yet.

Rosamund Pike Ben Affleck Gone Girl

Just a few months ago, the average moviegoer wouldn’t recognize the name Rosamund Pike. But now the breakthrough star of Gone Girl is likely going to earn herself an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Her director, David Fincher, had some reservations about her casting, but they ultimately proved to be an advantage.

“Rosamund was someone that I had seen in four or five different movies over 10 years, and I never got a bead on her,” he said at the Gone Girl New York premiere. “I never got a sense of who she was. And I pride myself on being able to watch actors and sort of know instinctively what their utility belt is, and I don’t have that with Rosamund. I didn’t know what she was building off of. There was an opacity there and it was interesting.”

READ MORE HERE: http://www.hollywoodtake.com/rosamund-pike-oscar-possible-why-gone-girl-star-could-give-reese-witherspoon-fierce-65678

The name's Elba. Idris Elba: Leaked Sony emails reveal boss Amy Pascal wants British actor to be James Bond

THE DAILY MAIL
By EMMA GLANFIELD FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 05:31 EST, 21 December 2014 | UPDATED: 09:48 EST, 21 December 2014

British actor Idris Elba, 42 (left), who has starred in The Wire and Luther, could replace Daniel Craig, 46, (right) as the next James Bond when his contract ends after the next film, if leaked Sony emails are to be believed

British actor Idris Elba could become the next James Bond, according to leaked Sony emails.

Elba, 42, who has starred in The Wire and Luther, could replace Daniel Craig as the next 007 when his contract ends after the next film, if leaked emails are to be believed.

Sony Pictures co-chairman Amy Pascal allegedly told a top executive at Columbia Pictures, which distributes the Bond films, that 'Idris should be the next bond'.

It is latest piece of information to emerge from the Sony hacking scandal, which resulted in the cancelling of the Christmas Day release of The Interview.




Hackers threatened 9/11-style terrorist attacks on cinemas showing the comedy about two journalists – played by actors James Franco and Seth Rogen – who are recruited by the CIA to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The federal government confirmed on Wednesday that North Korea was behind the massive hack of Sony, which saw thousands of internal emails leaked.

According to the Daily Beast, an email sent on January 4 from Ms Pascal to Elizabeth Cantillon,
former executive vice president of production for Columbia Pictures, simply said: 'Idris should be the next bond (sic).'

If Elba, from Hackney, east London, did follow in Daniel Craig's footsteps, he would become the first black James Bond. Previous actors to portray 007 on the big screen include Pierce Brosnan, Roger Moore and Sean Connery.

Many have voiced support for Elba to play the British spy, including actor Jamie Foxx who said in an interview earlier this year that he was a big fan of the idea.

Elba himself has also previously expressed desire to play the British spy, telling website Reddit that he would take the role.

'Yes. if it was offered to me, absolutely,' he said. 


Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook


Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch eyes up LA mansion

SUNDAY EXPRESS
Sun, December 21, 2014
By MIKE PARKER

IT IS a long way from 221B Baker Street, but Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch has got this multi-million pound mansion under his magnifying glass as a potential home in Hollywood.



The British actor, hotly tipped for Oscar glory for his latest film, may have discovered the perfect residence for a fast-rising star.

Cumberbatch, 38, who last month announced his engagement to 36-year-old theatre and opera director Sophie Hunter, has just viewed a magnificent £10.8million Tuscan-style villa in one of LA’s most sought-after areas.


And as our exclusive photos show, the seven-bedroom, nine-bathroom property, nestling in 2.5 acres of perfectly manicured land with sweeping panoramic views, has more than enough cachet for the celebrity couple.

An estate agent involved in sales negotiations told the Sunday Express Cumberbatch “was almost doing backflips” when he first saw the Hidden Hills home.



Neighbours include fellow Britons Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne as well as Hunger Games actress Jennifer Lawrence plus singer Jessica Simpson.

The agent revealed: “Benedict’s representatives have indicated he is ready to make an initial offer which will not be too far off the asking price, so he could be moving in early in the New Year.”

READ MORE HERE: http://www.express.co.uk/news/showbiz/548061/Benedict-Cumberbatch-Sophie-Hunter-move-LA-mansion-Hidden-Hills