"In The Social Network, Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) models Facebook on Harvard’s legendary final clubs, private groups made up of some of the school’s most privileged students. But the clubs are as secretive as they are exclusive, which meant researching them was no easy task for screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. Luckily, he got a hand from one of the school’s most famous alums: Natalie Portman. The star studied at Harvard from 1999-2003 and dated a member of the famous Porcellian Club — and she couldn’t wait to tell Sorkin all about it.Natalie Portman - Toronto IFF Portraits by Matt Carr Natalie Portman wore a grey sweater dress by 3.1. Phillip Lim.
“Natalie Portman got in touch with me when she heard that I was doing this to say, ‘Listen…come over for dinner and I’ll tell you some stories’, Sorkin said to a group of Harvard students at a sneak preview screening last week. “I would’ve come over for dinner under any circumstances. But that was really helpful.”Portman also gets a tongue-in-cheek reference in the movie itself, when one character mentions that Zuckerberg became the hottest thing on a campus that included Nobel Laureates, Pulitzer Prizer winners, future Olympians, and a movie star". Source: popwatch.ew.com
Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis (co-stars in "Black Swan")
"For their graphic sex scene in “Black Swan”, Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis, who are friends in real life, felt that a couple of drinks would help them through the potentially awkward encounter. A bottle of tequila was procured for the occasion and the scene was shot in half a day, according to director Darren Aronofsky. Still of Natalie Portman and Vincent Cassel in "Black Swan" (2010)
Aronfsky told The Hollywood Reporter that the sequence was originally blocked for a day and a half but he cut it short after feeling guilty about what he was putting the actresses through". Source: www.hollywoodreporter.com
Arthur Penn On Directing BONNIE AND CLYDE Director Arthur Penn talks about Warren Beatty's encouragement to have him direct BONNIE AND CLYDE as well as the experience of making the film and its social impact.
"Penn's masterpiece, Bonnie and Clyde. The 1967 film charted the freewheeling exploits of two real-life Depression-era bank robbers, Bonnie Parker (Faye Dunaway) and Clyde Barrow (Beatty), with a frankness that was shocking for the era. Not only were the anti-heroes gleefully unrepentant, but they were often overtly sexual (see: gun-stroking scene above). However, it was the film's explicit violence, rendered in a flurry of quick cuts and stylized slo-mo Penn had pilfered from French New Wave films, that had the most lasting impact. Bonnie and Clyde's infamous final scene - all gunfire, spastic flailing bodies and cool nihilism - outraged audiences, but also ushered in a new era of permissiveness in American film, where sex (The Graduate), drugs (Easy Rider) and violence (The Wild Bunch) were no longer off limits. Without Penn's initial throwing down of the gauntlet, the golden era of gritty, naturalistic movies that followed in the 1970s might never have happened, and his lasting influence cannot be overstated". Source: www.cbc.ca
Sweet Smell Of Success (1957) trailer starring Tony Curtis and Burt Lancaster
Sweet Smell of Success (1957) scene Directed by Alexander Mackendrick
"Considered by many to be the very first film noir, John Huston’s directorial debut would go down in history as one of the great detective movies. The film is based on Dashiell Hammett’s book (also called The Maltese Falcon) and star Humphrey Bogart in one of his best roles as private eye Sam Spade. The story starts with the murder of Spade’s partner Miles Archer. Although he never really liked him, Spade is honor bound by his personal code of ethics to track down his killers. Along the way he will get involved with the sultry Miss Wanderly and a group of criminals who seek a gold-encrusted falcon sculpture known as the Maltese Falcon.
Final 5 minutes of Maltese Falcon. Humphrey Bogart (Sam Spade) kissing Mary Astor (Brigid O'Shaughnessy) in "The Maltese Falcon" (1941)
As Spade gets closer and closer to discovering the identity of his partner’s killer, he gets more and more involved with the search for the priceless statue. Is the death of his partner linked with the statue? Why are so many people so desperate to find it? And how is the mysterious Miss Wanderly involved? Complete with evocative cinematography and camera angles that recall Citizen Kane (released the same year), The Maltese Falcon is both a technical and thematic milestone for film noir- the characters and filming techniques continue to be emulated today".
"In the city of New York, your reputation is everything. If you are not careful, it could easily be destroyed overnight. Or it could be protected, for the right price. Such is the world of Sweet Smell of Success, the gritty, grimy noir from famous screenwriter Ernest Lehman (he also wrote the screenplays for Sound of Music and North by Northwest). Director Alexander Mackendrick, who had made his name doing comedies for England’s Ealing Studios, transforms New York City into a dystopia soaked with jazz, smoke, and criminals. We follow Sidney Falco (Tony Curtis), a press agent without the burdens of morality. He is hired by J.J. Hunsecker, New York’s premier newspaper columnist, to stop his sister from marrying Steve Dallas, a fresh, young jazz guitarist. So, Sidney plants some reefer on him and spreads rumors that he is a Communist.
But that isn’t the end for Sidney - he is summoned to Hunsecker’s penthouse only to find the sister attempting suicide. Hunsecker walks in on Sidney saving her and accuses him of rape. From there, fates are decided and lives are destroyed as the truth comes out. In this powerful film, nobody is innocent. Featuring one of the most unequivocally quotable and memorable screenplays ever written, you will be quoting its lines and remembering its characters for the rest of your life". Source: www.toptenz.net
Tony Curtis, his wife Janet Leigh with Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner at a charity party in Hollywood Tony Curtis with his daughter actress Jamie Lee Curtis The actress brings her dad to a screening of Streets of Fire, 1984. Father and daughter had an uneasy relationship and were estranged for many years -- Curtis blamed his ex-wife for it. "She had heard that I was arrogant, uninterested, a rake, a womanizer, a drunk and a dope-taker," he told People magazine in 1980. Jamie Lee said she had come to terms with their relationship. "I understand him better now," she said at the time, "perhaps not as a father but as a man."
Jake Gyllenhaal with Jamie Lee Curtis, who is Gyllenhaal's godmother, in New York on September 27, 2006
Thinking about Sumptuous Sam's debut on Glee , I thought where have I seen those bee stung lips , that ball swallowing mouth and that artfully styled floppy fringe looks before ?. Then just like that , Billy from top Australian drama Neighbours popped into my head . I think I had a crush on Billy played by Jesse Spencer straight away .Like most teen dreamboats it took a couple of years before Billy could loose his shirt , much to my disappointment and I would have imagined , Billy's kindly fusspot neighbour Harold (whose home later would become a refuge for wayward lost boys who were all incredibly good looking , but more on Harold's Harem in a another post .)
In between waiting go shirtless , Billy gained a pet sheep called Cassie and a shorter bangtastic hairstyle. Then came a new storyline for Billy , unfortunately he had asthma , so to help him it was decided that Billy take up swimming , I can't actually remember that storyline , but I can remember a later one involving Ann (Billy's real true love ) who had taken up art and of course wanted to draw Billy for her life drawing ( Back in real life I was doing life drawing at art college and all I'll say is our models had more of a Francis Bacon aesthetic , how I wish like Ann I'd a had a Billy to draw)
Speedo Billy !
Ann reassured Billy that it was all innocent ( of course Ann we believe you ! ) and he was in his 'bathers' how quaint . As Ann began to sketch the young Aussie Adonis there was a knock on the door , it was Harold that paragon of virtue , who was returning from walking the dog as you do . As a panicked Billy valiantly tried to pull up his pants , sadly falling over at the very moment Harold walked in , affording Harold a spectacular view indeed . Unlike me Harold was not impressed with Billy in a speedo , with his pants around his ankles .
Harold may not have been impressed with Speedo Billy , but the show runners were , and just like that Billy or ' Bill ' as he liked to be called now as he was all grown up , was installed at the local swimming pool as a dream of a teen life guard . This new storyline afforded us with so many scenes of Billy / Bill in a Speedo, the likes of which have seldom been seen since .
My friend told me that Jansen was a keen swimmer in real life and that producers sometimes use actors own real life experiences as potential stories , at the time I thought how thoughtful of the writers and producer's to do that , now like recently when 'The Wizards of Waverly Place' writers tried to get Dreamy David Henrie into a speedo , I think you have to admire the writers creativity for giving the viewers what they want and what maybe the writers wish for themselves .
Jessie during his tenure at Neighbours of course become a pin up pretty much from the get go , so lets now enjoy a few of those very special pinups , that back then could be found on a bedroom wall near you .
Billy and his wondrous Leonardo D Caprio locks
Billy in a capped t shirt !
Casting Couch Billy !
Hawaii Five O Billy !
Billy with his Shirt Open !
* hint to Gorgeous Gregg - you could start going shirtless this way too *
And you thought Double G'S Shirts were tight !
Were Billy's photo shoots all designed with a cliffhanger in mind ?
Jake Gyllenhaal at Le Fooding, A Culinary Festival in Queens, NY on 24th September, 2010 (c) EOnline
"Jake Gyllenhaal was in New York over the weekend and took his new scruff out on a date to Le Fooding, a culinary festival in the city. Jake Gyllenhaal as a scruffy Prince Dastan in "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" (2010)
Despite J.G.'s chin warmer (we like you clean, baby!), we're told Gyllenhaal was hardly hurting for female company as he cruised the festival solo.
"Jake chatted with a group of young women who were all looking enamored with the handsome actor", a witness at Le Fooding tells us. With Gyllenhaal's new movie, Love and Other Drugs (which we hear is pretty fab), we got used to the ladies' man looking all business-man clean, not hipster wannabe.James Franco attending "Howl" New York Screening on 22nd September 2010
I mean, this look is so Jon Hamm meets James Franco meets Brad Pitt meets so three hunks ago". Source: uk.eonline.com
Another bearded hottie fresh today, Robert Pattinson: "Robert Pattinson arrived at LAX last night after flying from London with Tom Sturridge. The Twilight star's facial hair has grown since his last appearance a month ago at the Emmys afterparty. Rob's been keeping a low profile back home in England, after his PDA-filled stay in Canada with Kristen Stewart". Source: www.popsugar.co.uk
"Twilight heartthrob Robert Pattinson: blood-sucking vampire or werewolf? It appears the once clean-shaven poster child received the wrong memo when he stepped out at the Los Angeles airport on Tuesday.
Channelling his inner Jake Gyllenhaal look, the star has sprouted a full, scruffy beard". Source: www.vancouversun.com
"A bearded Jake Gyllenhaal blended into the hipster-heavy crowd at Le Fooding, a culinary festival at PS1 in Queens, N.Y. The plaid-clad actor sipped some Veuve Clicquot champagne and also chatted with a group of women, who all looked enamored of the actor. Gyllenhaal also sampled dishes from star chefs like David Chang and Robert Newton. Also there: Amber Tamblyn, who hung out by the deejay booth". Source: www.people.com
"From the controversial dramas to the light-hearted stories of love, the Women’s Center continues its tradition of Tuesday movie nights with its fall semester film series “Real Women, Real Men, Reel World.”
The series aims to address and understand gender issues. Still of Greta Gerwig and Joe Swanberg in "Nights and Weekends" (2008)
“Students can pop in between classes,” said events coordinator Jerri Freeman. “It’s a place to relax and catch a movie.” The movie series focuses on a wide range of issues such as human trafficking, sexual abuse, racism and domestic violence. The center has disclaimers to warn viewers of possible graphic and brutal scenes. “We try and hit cultural, historical accomplishments and relationship issues,” Freeman said. “This semester we have very sad and tragic films.”.Jake Gyllenhaal and Tobey Maguire in "Brothers" (2009) directed by Jim Sheridan
Brothers, Precious, Invictus and Love Actually are a few of the films scheduled as part of the series. “I would want to watch the films and be involved,” said Kathleen Raymundo, a criminal justice student. Sin by Silence, the only documentary to be shown this semester, tells the story of battered women who are in prison for killing their batterers. “We try to hit heavy and light topics,” Freeman said. Jake Gyllenhaal kissing Natalie Portman (Tommy Cahill and Grace Cahill) in "Brothers" (2009)
The center tries to tie in films to match a month’s theme if there is a one. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee a film showing for Native American Awareness Month and Brothers, featuring Natalie Portman and Jake Gyllenhaal, will be shown during Veterans Awareness Month". Source: www.dailytitan.com
Lauren Bacall and Jake Gyllenhaal attending the Vanity Fair Oscar Party (2006)
Lauren Bacall, Humphrey Bogart and Marilyn Monroe
"On the silver screen he was tough, cool and sophisticated; in real-life, one of Hollywood's legendary lovers. Sexually voracious and habitually unfaithful, Humphrey Bogart had three unhappy marriages before he met the love of his life, Lauren Bacall. Now it has emerged that before marrying her in 1945, Bogie had bedded an estimated 1,000 women including Bette Davis, Jean Harlow, Marlene Dietrich and Ingrid Bergman - but still feared he might be gay. The extraordinary claim is made in a new biography of the actor, best known for the movie Casablanca. It suggests that during his second marriage to American stage and film actress Mary Philips, Bogart became riddled with uncertainty that made him impotent and question his sexuality - and even drove him to consider suicide.Humphrey Bogart with his third wife Mayo Methot in 1944 Humphrey Bogart with Lauren Bacall at Club Mocambo in 1947
[Mary] Philips insisted on openly maintaining her previous relationships, even spending the night before their marriage in 1928 with a friend of Bogart's 'as a farewell gift'.According to the unflattering new book, Bogart told another friend: 'If only Mary didn't make it worse. When I can't perform she mocks and ridicules me. I should never have married her.' He is said to have confessed to another confidante to thoughts of killing himself. 'But I never get beyond the thinking stage. I just can't see myself taking a razor to my throat', he reportedly said. It suggests his mental turmoil stemmed from his childhood. His father, who was a surgeon, beat him and split his lip, then stitched it up so badly that Bogart was left with a permanent lisp. Gladys George and Humphrey Bogart in "The Roaring Twenties" (1939)
He ran away to Broadway, where during the 1920s he found fame and fortune - and began his incredible catalogue of sexual conquests.Bogart married his first wife, actress Helen Menken, in 1926. Porter claims she had 'a lot of lesbian affairs' and he was 'keeping score with her' - and even that they were sometimes both chased by the same women. Joan Blondell, an on-off girlfriend of Bogart's, said: 'The zipper was invented in 1926. Bogie demanded one be sewed into all of his pants - sex was a lot faster that way.'Some of his seductions were brief affairs.
Bogart's marriage to Menken lasted only a year. His second marriage ended in divorce in 1937. The next year he wed wife number three, Mayo Methot, who once stabbed him with a butcher's knife. They were known as the 'Battling Bogarts' during their seven year marriage. Bogart found what Hollywood magazines called 'true love' with Lauren Bacall on the set of To Have and Have Not in 1944, and made her his fourth and final wife.It was a happy relationship, although he conducted a long affair with his hairdresser, Verita Peterson. Bogart died of cancer aged 57 in 1957". Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
"In The Social Network, Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) models Facebook on Harvard’s legendary final clubs, private groups made up of some of the school’s most privileged students. But the clubs are as secretive as they are exclusive, which meant researching them was no easy task for screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. Luckily, he got a hand from one of the school’s most famous alums: Natalie Portman. The star studied at Harvard from 1999-2003 and dated a member of the famous Porcellian Club — and she couldn’t wait to tell Sorkin all about it.
Natalie Portman - Toronto IFF Portraits by Matt Carr
Natalie Portman wore a grey sweater dress by 3.1. Phillip Lim.
Portman also gets a tongue-in-cheek reference in the movie itself, when one character mentions that Zuckerberg became the hottest thing on a campus that included Nobel Laureates, Pulitzer Prizer winners, future Olympians, and a movie star". Source: popwatch.ew.com
Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis (co-stars in "Black Swan")
Still of Natalie Portman and Vincent Cassel in "Black Swan" (2010)
