Movie Review: No Strings Attached
January 21, 2011 by Lance Carter
Filed under Reviews
I wanted to hate this movie.
I love Natalie Portman and Ivan Reitman. Reitman fueled my youth with some of the greatest comedies ever (Stripes, Meatballs, Ghostbusters) and Portman is one of the greatest actresses around; I love to watch her work.
My problem is Ashton Kutcher. I just don’t like him. I was on his former TV show, That 70′s Show, and he wasn’t the friendliest person on the set.
Ok, he was a douche.
So, that being said, I usually like to rip any movie that he’s in. And lately it’s been easy. Until now.
No Strings Attached is great!
From the opening summer camp scene where the two main characters meet to the end, this film is charming, hilarious, vulgar and at times, sad. Kutcher plays Adam, a low-level TV assistant on a “High School Musical”-type show. He and Emma (Portman) have serendipitously met through the years, starting with summer camp, moving to college and culminating as post-grads in Los Angeles.
Portman is Emma, a doctor in the middle of her residency. She’s not into showing emotion and has no desire for a relationship but after a long day of doctorin’, a little (or a lot) of sex wouldn’t hurt.
Kutcher plays Adam, a low-lever producer of a High School Musical-esqe show who dreams of having one of his scripts produced. His dad (Kevin Kline) is the former star of a huge television show and a womanizer who ends up dating Adam’s ex; this bit of news leads to Adam getting hilariously drunk and meeting Emma again.
Portman and Kutcher have great chemistry. There scenes are natural and, yes, you do want them to be together.
The film also benefits from the great supporting cast. Kevin Kline is fantastic as Adam’s ‘it’s all about me’ dad and Lake Bell, Gretta Gerwig are worth their weight in comic gold.
I’m happy Reitman is back to form after some disappointing films. He makes this a film to see.
Oh, and here’s something you’ll enjoy. I overheard this at the screening: “Who’s that guy playing the dad?” “Kevin Kline” “Oh, the guy from Wild, Wild, West.”
Director: Ivan Reitman
Cast: Ashton Kutcher, Natalie Portman, Kevin Kline
15 Backstage Speeches from Golden Globe Winners: Al Pacino, Colin Firth, Natalie Portman, Chris Colfer and more!
January 17, 2011 by Lance Carter
Filed under Performing Arts News, Videos
What do the winners of a Golden Globe do after they’ve snagged their awards? They go backstage and talk to the press. Here are 15 award winners talking about their win, their roles, acting and more!
Check out Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Colin Firth, Natalie Portman, the cast of Glee and The Social Network and a ton of others after the jump!
Winners of the 68th Golden Globe Awards: ‘The Social Network’, ‘Glee’, Paul Giamatti, Colin Firth, Annette Bening & Natalie Portman
January 17, 2011 by Lance Carter
Filed under Performing Arts News
Best Motion Picture Drama
The Social Network
Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama
Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
Colin Firth, The King’s Speech
Best Director Motion Picture
David Fincher, The Social Network
Best Screenplay Motion Picture
Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network
Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical
The Kids Are All Right
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical
Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical
Paul Giamatti, Barney’s Version
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Christian Bale, The Fighter
Trailer & Clip: ‘The Other Woman’ starring Natalie Portman
January 11, 2011 by Lance Carter
Filed under Trailers
The Other Woman: Emilia (Portman) is a Harvard law school graduate and a newlywed, having just married Jack (Scott Cohen, THE UNDERSTUDY), a high-powered New York lawyer, who was her boss – and married – when she began working at his law firm. Unfortunately, her life takes an unexpected turn when Jack and Emilia lose their newborn daughter. Emilia struggles through her grief to connect with her new stepson William (Charlie Tahan, I AM LEGEND), but is finding it hard to connect with this precocious child. Perhaps the most difficult obstacle of all for Emilia is trying to cope with the constant interferences of her husband’s angry, jealous ex-wife, Carolyn (Lisa Kudrow). from trailers.apple.com
- Director: Don Roos
- Cast: Natalie Portman, Scott Cohen, Lisa Kudrow
- Read more
Screenplay: ‘Black Swan’
January 10, 2011 by Lance Carter
Filed under Screenplays
Want the screenplay to Black Swan?
Sure you do!
- Director: Darren Aronofsky
- Cast: Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder
- Writers: Mark Heyman, John McLaughlin, Andres Heinz
Darren Aronofsky, Natalie Portman and the cast of ‘Black Swan’ discuss the making of the film
December 2, 2010 by Lance Carter
Filed under Videos
Black Swan comes out tomorrow and the more I think of the film, the more I’m loving it.
Here are a set of really good videos featuring most of the cast and Director Darren Aronofsky (minus Mila Kunis) discussing the film. These are some really great interviews so check them out if you have a chance!
Natalie Portman
In this video, she reveals the rigorous year-long process of training that shaped her dancing so that she could realistically portray a ballerina.
Red Band Trailer: ‘Your Highness’ starring James Franco, Danny McBride and Natalie Portman
November 17, 2010 by Lance Carter
Filed under Trailers
Your Highness: As two princes embark on a daring mission to save their land, they must rescue the heir apparent’s fiancée before their kingdom is destroyed.
Cast: Danny McBride, James Franco, Natalie Portman, Zooey Deschanel
Director: David Gordon Green
Trailer: No Strings Attached (starring Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman)
November 5, 2010 by Lance Carter
Filed under Trailers
No Strings Attached: A guy and girl try to keep their relationship strictly physical, but it’s not long before they learn that they want something more.
Director: Ivan Reitman
Cast: Ashton Kutcher, Natalie Portman
Actress Roundtable: The Leading Ladies
November 3, 2010 by Lance Carter
Filed under Videos
What do you get when you get Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman, Amy Adams, Annette Bening, Helena Bonham Carter and Hilary Swank together in a room?
Some great stories, a little dish and great insight into the business.
The Hollywood Reporter gathered them all together for your viewing enjoyment.
There are 3 clips and at the end of the post is the whole conversation (1 hour long).
In this 1st clip, they’re asked how they balance work and family.
Trailer: Black Swan
August 18, 2010 by Lance Carter
Filed under Trailers
Black Swan: It’s the story of Nina (Portman), a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her retired ballerina mother Erica (Barbara Hershey) who zealously supports her daughter’s professional ambition. When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre (Winona Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily (Kunis), who impresses Leroy as well. Swan Lake requires a dancer who can play both the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan, who represents guile and sensuality. Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan. As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side with a recklessness that threatens to destroy her. from trailers.apple.com
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Cast: Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder Read more
