Russell and Hugh Jackman in a newly-released clip from "Les Miserables". Four more clips here at ComingSoon.net. Excellent sneak peeks of the film!
Friday, November 30, 2012
Russell Clip From "Les Miserables"
Russell and Hugh Jackman in a newly-released clip from "Les Miserables". Four more clips here at ComingSoon.net. Excellent sneak peeks of the film!
News: Nov 30, 2012
Weekend Poll: Which Les Miserables Movie Performance Are You Most Excited to See?
With a star-studded cast featuring Tony winner Hugh Jackman as prisoner 24601 Jean Valjean, Anne Hathaway as broken mother Fantine, Russell Crowe as ruthless officer Javert, Sacha Baron Cohen as swindling innkeeper Thenardier and Helena Bonham Carter as his pickpocketing wife Madame Thenardier, who could blame us? To pass the time until our favorite revolutionaries storm the barricade, we have to know: Which Les Miserables star’s performance are you most excited to see? Vote below! (Broadway.com)
Amazon has the movie novelization of Man of Steel
is available for pre-order. The book is written by Greg Cox based on
the film from Zack Snyder. It will be released on June 14, 2013, the
same day as the film.(411mania)
Did "Les Miserables" bring tears to my eyes because it is the holidays and I'm missing someone in my life or was Anne Hathaway's rendition of "I Dreamed A Dream" pure rapture?
I kept tossing this in my mind after coming out of the press preview for Victor Hugo's classic novel on November 28, three weeks before it opens to theatres on Christmas day. (Broadway World Phillipines)
Jameson Empire Awards 2013 – Voting Now Open
Each year, the Jameson Empire Awards attract some of the biggest names in Hollywood, with last year’s guests including: Gary Oldman, Danny DeVito, Bérénice Marlohe, James McAvoy, Tom Hiddleston and Michael Fassbender. Previous years’ guests have included: Tim Burton, Russell Crowe, Daniel Radcliffe, Keira Knightley, Christian Bale, Matt Damon, Sigourney Weaver, Emma Watson, Tony Curtis, Quentin Tarantino, Kate Winslet and Dustin Hoffman. (HeyUGuys)
Tom Hooper Embarks on Hectic Press Tour as the Les Miserables World Premiere Approaches
With just one week until the December 5 World Premiere of the hugely-anticipated film Les Miserables, Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper is embarking on a whistle-stop world tour of press screenings. (Digital Journal)
Thursday, November 29, 2012
'Les Miserables' Production Notes
The following production notes are from the Universal Pictures website. A full set of notes is available to download in pdf format.
Once they had their Valjean, the filmmakers were determined to find a performer powerful enough to act opposite Jackman in the role of Javert. Academy Award®-winning actor Russell Crowe immediately came to mind. He recalls: “I didn’t know Russell was such a commanding singer, or that he had started his career in musical theater. He had this burning passion to do a musical. We could not believe our luck that one of the biggest movie stars on the planet and one of the world’s great actors was a passionate musical man with a background in music.”
Unlike the majority of his co-stars, Crowe did not see the show until after the filmmakers had approached him, but he understood its longevity right away. “There were so many powerful songs and themes with universal appeal,” he says. Very quickly, Crowe became excited about the challenge. “It was something I wanted to do. I wanted to spend that time with music in my life, surrounded by it, which so much of my life has been.”
Crowe, like Jackman, had no problem auditioning for Hooper and the producers, and the call was set two months after his initial meeting with the director. Explains Fellner: “The actors understood auditioning was for their sake as much as ours. We wanted to make sure that they were comfortable singing and acting, and confident they could deliver over a 12-week shoot.”
The actor admits he took an unusual approach to the follow-up. Recalls Crowe: “I had this idea on the day of the audition that I should walk there, something I would have done when I was starting out, when the audition was basically the difference between eating and not eating or being able to pay the rent or not. It was 28 blocks from where I was staying and pouring rain. I had the opportunity to jump in a cab, but I knew “I had this idea on the day of the audition that I should walk there, something I would have done when I was starting out, when the audition was basically the difference between eating and not eating or being able to pay the rent or not. It was 28 blocks from where I was staying and pouring rain. I had the opportunity to jump in a cab, but I knew if I did the audition wouldn’t go right.” To the astonishment of the producers, Crowe arrived at the audition soaked to the skin. “I don’t think I’d been more excited about playing a character since John Nash in A Beautiful Mind.”
Key to Crowe’s portrayal of the legendary antagonist was fleshing out Javert’s motivation for why he doggedly tracks Valjean over the decades...and why he makes the ultimate sacrifice for law and order. Reflects Hayward: “It needed an actor of immense skills to plumb the depths of the character, as Russell has done, to understand why ultimately this man would take his own life.”
Crowe offers some insight into the crucial dilemma Hayward mentions: “Javert is a man with a very specific morality and a specific understanding of the way the world works: what is good and what is evil. When he is proved wrong, when a man he believes to be bad turns out to be good, Javert is broken.”
As was true of his Valjean, Hooper’s Javert was fully committed to bringing the character to life. “Russell’s preparation for this role has been extraordinary, and he has been such an amazing person to work with,” compliments Hooper. “He has such fine intellect and such an extraordinary amount to bring to storytelling, which I have so enjoyed and benefitted from.”
Echoing Jackman, Crowe recognizes the Herculean challenge Hooper gave himself: “Tom’s put every ounce of his being into this. He worked seven days a week and still managed to keep himself balanced. He’s a tough guy; when he wants something, he wants it and he’s going to have it, but that’s the kind of director you want to work with.”
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
News: Nov 27, 2012
Mike Fleming Interviews ‘Broken City’ Helmer Allen Hughes On His First Solo Film
DEADLINE: Lumet always had a strong corrupt
antagonist. What was the challenge in getting Russell Crowe to sign on?
He wasn’t doing a lot of movies at the time.
HUGHES
: We had a heavy who is part King Of New York,
part Gordon Gekko. It was a challenge to get Russell. We knew we needed
a movie star, but Russell’s a different kind of movie star: he’s also a
great fucking actor, you know. And there are all these legendary
stories about Russell, so I was anxious to sit down with him and see how
we would jell. We sat down and I saw the way his mind was working, the
zone he was in as he was just getting into crazy physical shape. We went
a few rounds and we were so clearly on the same page. There was a
kinship there I didn’t expect. And the idea of teaming him with Mark
Wahlberg had both of us excited.
DEADLINE: I’ve heard that Russell challenges his directors. True?
HUGHES: I found Russell to be very much like Denzel Washington was on Book Of Eli.
As their director, you better know your shit and know what the fuck
you’re talking about. You better be on your shit, every day, know what
you’re doing all the time and have a point of view. He respects that. If
you’re not coming with your A-game and you don’t have a point of view,
you’re going to get obliterated. So I didn’t have that problem with him.
Wait until you see his performance, man. It is an actor’s actor
performance. My man is in a zone right now, and you could see it from
the moment he showed up to the set. (Deadline.com)
5 Oscar contenders everyone is talking about—and one nobody is (yet)
Movie: Les Misérables
In Theaters: Dec. 25
Directed by: Tom Hopper
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Amanda Seyfried, Russell Crowe, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen
Oscar Potential:
Universal Pictures wants Academy members to consider the film version of
the classic stage musical (and even more classic Victor Hugo novel)
about 19th-century French student revolutionaries and a
convict-turned-mayor for Best Picture, Director, Actor (Jackman),
Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Adapted Screenplay, technical
awards and Best Original Song (for "Suddenly," the token new song that
most stage-to-film musicals tack on). The movie has been getting lots of
attention for the groundbreaking tactic of actually letting the actors
sing live rather than having them lip sync to a recording of their own
voices—visually and vocally, it's a winning combination that leaves the
movie with strong chances in the major all-around categories. (CNN)
Monday, November 26, 2012
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Russell's E-mail on the Rabbitohs
Russell's email to Danny Weidler in The Sydney Morning Herald:
“Danny,
Odd that you asked me about this earlier in the year. While there was nothing afoot then, my family situation has changed and I have to address personally how busy I have made my life outside of my actual job. Do you have ESP mate?Just letting you know that 2013 will be my last season as a shareholder of Blackcourt the company that oversee's South Sydney Football Club. 8 years of stewardship, next year will be the 7th season Blackcourt has had control.We've come a long, long way. Nobody should forget that distance has come with a huge financial injection, some $11m+ between Peter and I, to pay off the organizations short and long term debts and bring South Sydney Football Club back to a place where it can make its' own decisions and resume it's threat on the field. Competitive, tough,and all about the 80 minute game.Both of us though look at what South's stands for again and what it means in the competition now and how the club has re-engaged with its' community and we know we have done something special for South Sydney,Rugby League and Australian sport .Nick Pappas, Shane Richardson,Michael Maguire, Peter ofcourse and the Souths Board are all aware of my position.There are many avenues open for Blackcourt, Peter and I will look always for the solution that suits the progress of the Club first.
Members and fans should be reassured that this is a change only at the Blackcourt level, it doesn't change anything at the Club level. It certainly will never change the colours of my one red and one green eyes. I will always be a South Sydney supporter and member, as I have been, man and boy, South Sydney 'til I die.Souths will post an operating profit again this year, the fourth in a row, and as long as Members , amazing sponsors and fans continue to support the Club, principally through membership, the Club's future is rock solid.22,000 members last year Danny, that was a pipe dream way back in 2005 when you first (ESP) brought the subject of private ownership up.Members and fans should also be reassured that although Peter and I have certainly presided over a massive increase in the value of South Sydney, In truth, profit other than that of the Club's health has never been a motivator.Long term contracts with the likes of Sam Burgess, Issac Luke, John Sutton, Adam Reynolds and Greg Inglis, and with the Coach Michael Maguire and the systems and culture that have been developed assure that the Club has the ability to be very competitive in the long term.Some people will try and bend this as something other than what it is, but it is pretty straight forward ; If I have any chance of keeping my family together, I have to simplify my life where I can.I hope you are well, happy and busy.RC
Read the rest of the article here: Crowe comes clean from afar
News: Nov. 24, 2012
At 'Les Miserables' debut, a director who likes love and loathes lip-synching
There were nods throughout the session to Jackman as Wolverine and Crowe's turn in "Gladiator," a subtle tell that the idea of seeing actors in new guises will be a cornerstone of the movie’s campaign. Perhaps anticipating some skepticism, Hooper went to some lengths to describe Crowe’s singing background and why he cast the bearded one. “Who am I going to cast to get the better of Wolverine?” he said. “It's a short list and Russell was right on the top." Then he said that Crowe was “passionate about singing” and had a musical theater background in Sydney. (LA Times)
Hugh Jackman: Russell Crowe Helped Me Get Wolverine – By Turning It Down
Hugh Jackman has revealed that his “Les Miserables” co-star, Russell Crowe, was the original choice for the role of “X-Men” character Wolverine.
“Russell
has given me advice several times at key moments in my life that helped
with my career. I also owe him because two of the biggest roles I’ve
ever had in my life, he turned down – and suggested me for them,” the
actor told Entertainment Weekly in a new interview with the mag, to promote “Les Miserbales.” (Acccess Hollywood)
South Sydney Rabbitohs captain Michael Crocker says Russell Crowe's departure won't affect team
Aware of how far the club had come under Crowe's seven-year association with the pride of the league, coach Michael Maguire called the Rabbitohs players to a team meeting and outlined how Souths were now strong enough to continue the Hollywood actor's legacy.Speaking for the first time about Crowe's decision to exit the club, co-captain Michael Crocker thanked the Hollywood actor for his contribution to Redfern. (Courier Mail)
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Russell To Sell His Share of Rabbitohs
Hollywood actor Russell Crowe is set to sell the South Sydney NRL club after the 2013 season for personal reasons.
The award-winning actor turned around the Rabbitohs after purchasing the club with Peter Holmes a Court in 2006. (NineMSN)
Russell Crowe to pull out of South Sydney NRL club
HOLLYWOOD star Russell Crowe is set to sell his stake in NRL club South Sydney at the end of the 2013 season.
Crowe - who along with businessman Peter Holmes a Court assumed ownership of the Rabbitohs in a messy takeover in 2006 - is reportedly attempting to simplify his life by getting out of the club.
Souths are expected to make a formal announcement tomorrow.
“All praise for him: for his investment, his passion, his time and his love of the Rabbitohs,” Holmes a Court told news.com.
“I consider myself fortunate to have been by his side for some of the ride.
“The club's never been stronger.”
Friday, November 16, 2012
The Indoor Garden Party Is On!
Russell Crowe
@russellcrowe
December 8th ,Joe's Pub at the Public Theatre,Indoor
garden Party 2 and 3 !! Shows at 7.30 and 9.30.Tickets on sale
monday,limit 4 pp
Hey New York. IGP gig December 8th at Joes Pub with @russellcrowe @ScottGrimes @size2shoes @SamanthaBarks @carlfalkmusic and others. Yeah!
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
News: Nov 14, 2012
Few family films among Hollywood's holiday movies
With blockbuster films like "The Hobbit," the final installment of "The Twilight Saga," and the big screen version of hit musical "Les Miserables," Hollywood is hoping for a strong end to 2012 after some disappointments in the summer. (Reuters)
Hip-hop legend makes his directorial debut
Author, emcee and Grammy-winning music producer RZA makes his
directing debut in the latest kung fu movie, “The Man with the Iron
Fists.”
RZA, better known for being the mastermind behind Wu Tang Clan,
narrates and also stars in the film along with Russell Crowe and Lucy
Liu.
Crowe fits the role perfectly as the Englishman Jack Knife. (Coast Report)
Zack Snyder Talks ‘Man Of Steel’ Details, Promises Serious Mythology
Snyder went on to add, “What was it about him that cracked the code that made pop culture embrace this other mythology? What we’ve made as a film not only examines that but is also an amazing adventure story. It’s been an honor to work on. As a comic book fan, Superman is like the Rosetta Stone of all superheroes. I wanted to be sure the movie treated it respectfully.” ‘Man Of Steel’ will be released on June 14th 2013 with stars Henry Cavill, Russell Crowe, Amy Adams and more.(Shockya)
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Les Miserables Full Trailer
A full trailer for Les Miserables, with Russell getting to show off his pipes. Can't wait!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
Russell Donates In Honour of Coast Guard
In honor of Seth & L.I Coast Guard &
friends on Staten Island, donated to NYC Mayors Fund and plant a
million trees fund.
If anyone else would like to donate, here are links to the websites:
Saturday, November 3, 2012
News Nov 3, 2012
Have two minutes? Watch the top 250 movies of all time
Man with the Iron Fists, The (2012)(Review)"Are you not entertained?" Russell Crowe-as-Maximus shouts at the 1:35 mark of this brilliant movie montage. The Top 250 movies (give or take) as rated by IMDB.com have been combined and condensed into an impressively edited two-and-a-half-minute package. (msnNOW)
What makes the The Man with the Iron Fists a highly effective slice of kung fu bliss is that storytellers RZA and Eli Roth did some serious homework before production and it shows. The insane attention to detail that was paid on this project - from the myriad deadly weapons to the lavish art direction to the gravity-defying fights to even the various warrior clans - elevates their story and should no doubt keep the classic fu fans out there riveted from start to finish. It's not nearly as boisterous a film as the trailers may lead you to believe; RZA and Roth also work in a lot of quieter, subtle moments that make for a nice balance alongside the insane action set pieces. The eclectic cast members of Iron Fists are all mostly great as well across the board; Russell Crowe, as expected, pretty much steals the show as Jack Knife in what is his best performance in well over 10 years; (Dread Central)
Friday, November 2, 2012
News For Nov 2, 2012
Russell Crowe: Kung fu movie star?
“He (Russell) had to make a decision to take a chance with me,” RZA recalled. “He said, ‘I’m not into this kung fu .... I said, ‘I’m not doing that for you! I’m not gonna have you here doing no crazy kung fu ... for this film.’ But I was like, ‘I need the talent of a real actor. And trust me -- you could have fun.’ N’ah mean? That’s what I wanted more than anything.”
Crowe brings a gleeful, almost vaudevillian menace to his character Jack Knife, a kind of English cowboy commando, who arrives in “Iron Fists’” mythical 19th century Chinese realm with the onset of war between rival barbarian clans. A character with a mysterious agenda, he wields a fanciful machete-cum-pistol and sets himself up at the local brothel, enlisting a small phalanx of ladies of the evening to pleasure him.
“Russell can actually be very silly,” “Fists” producer and co-writer Eli Roth said. “He’s kind of a goofball. He loves to joke around. That’s what RZA was able to get out of him.” (LA Times)
RZA Interview For ‘The Man With The Iron Fists’
How was it working with Russell Crowe and Lucy Liu on their characters? They both told me that you were very open to their input and collaborating….
RZA: Well, I go both ways. Sometimes I’m a total dictator, then sometimes I’m a democrat and I deal in democracy. When you’ve got great talent like Russell Crowe and Lucy Liu, you know that they have an instinct and a taste of their own. So you’ve got to be open to hear what they have to offer, because they have to be their character. The fortunate thing for me, that I think helps keeps me open to their ideas is that I’m an actor as well. I’ve been in situations where the lines were mine. I have to edit the way the guy talks because the writer….when you’re typing a character, you’re just typing them. But the rhythm of speaking and the gesture of movement and the life that it takes when you become a character, that’s totally different. Sometimes it may say, “And I’m warning you, when I come back in here, I’m gonna break your face!” And that may be the lines, but the best way to say it in the moment may be completely different. I may just point and give a real stern look (laughs). So when people would come with ideas, me and Eli Roth would talk about it and would decide together what would work. And bong bong, we compromised and collaborated when we had to. (Flicks and Bits)
The Man With The Iron Fists: Movie Review
The Good:
- Jack Knife: Whoever decided to let Russell Crowe play this character is a genius. This is easily one of the better roles that the Oscar-winner has done in the past few years – the next best is State of Play, but this role is a little bit sillier. Crowe knows what he’s in for, and he hams it up onscreen in the best way possible. He’s also got a couple of great moments which includes how he spends his time at the Chinese brothel (where most of the movie takes place).
- Round One, Fight!: We must admit that RZA and company was definitely doing their homework when taking out bits and pieces out of our favorite martial arts movies. They’ve got the over-the-top theatrics of these martial films down, and it’s littered with plenty of blood and absurdly wonderful deaths. The homage to the ever-famous Enter the Dragon mirror fight scene is the best shot scenes of the movie. (ScreenCrave)
Review: ‘The Man With The Iron Fists’ Delivers With Impressively Directed Fight Scenes (and Much Swagger)
Performance-wise, the real standout here is Russell Crowe as Jack Knife. Hamming it up throughout, Crowe chews the hell out of the scenery as a robust man who bangs four prostitutes at a time, slices men named Crazy Hippo in half with his giant knife, and adds more butter to his dinners than Paula Deen would. Usually playing more slow-burn roles, Crowe really brings it in here in this departure of a role and makes you wish that he was in every scene. (Film School Rejects)
The Man With the Iron Fists Review: Chaotic but ultimately fun.
The performances range from serviceable to yawn-worthy, but there is one that stands out not only for its oddity, but also for the sheer joy it brings. Russell Crowe's portrayal of Jack Knife is a bizarre and glorious thing. Jack is a bloodthirsty, lecherous cad who's quick with a knife and quicker with his other gun, and Crowe throws himself into it with great abandon. He actually says "Let me put the baby's arm in you" to Lucy Liu's character at one point in the film, one of the bawdiest and best lines of the year. Crowe lurches and leers around the screen, and he's always the most interesting thing when he's in a scene. (IGN)
The Man With The Iron Fists Opens Today!
"I apologize in advance for yet again hammering away at the word “awesome,” but for this film, it seems warranted. The RZA’s The Man with the Iron Fists was just as awesome as I hoped it would be. " Whitney Seibold/CraveOnline
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Biking After 'Sandy'
first work out post apocalypse, 42 km bike ride, 1
hr weights, 250 m swim...just had a hot shower,first since Monday
morning, excellent
(Photo Source: Splash)
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