Self-deluded stage mom grabs ‘The Last of Robin Hood’ spotlight

August 27, 2014 0
Susan Sarandon (L), Dakota Fanning (C) and Kevin Kline, cast members of "The Last Robin Hood" poses before a screening of their film at the Isabel Bader Theatre during the 38th Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto

By Patricia Reaney NEW YORK (Reuters) – Thwarted ambition and shattered dreams push actress Susan Sarandon to become the ultimate stage mother in “The Last of Robin Hood,” a drama about the final fling of middle-aged matinee idol Errol Flynn and his teenage lover. As Florence Aadland, the mother of Flynn’s young paramour Beverly, Sarandon ventures into Aadland’s deluded nature and complicit role in the illicit two-year affair that shocked Hollywood when it was made public after Flynn’s death in 1959. Sarandon, an Oscar winner for “Dead Man Walking,” has played mothers, and even a grandmother, in films ranging from “Pretty Baby” in 1978 to 2014’s comedy “Tammy.” As the frumpish Aadland, a former dancer whose career ended when she lost a leg in a car accident, Sarandon portrays a woman who lived vicariously through the daughter she had groomed for a career in Hollywood. Academy Award winner Kevin Kline (“A Fish Called Wanda”) plays Flynn, the hard-drinking, notorious ladies’ man known for his swashbuckling roles in the 1930s films “The Adventures of Robin Hood” and “Captain Blood.” Flynn had already faced two accusations of statutory rape that nearly ruined his waning career when he met Beverly, played by actress Dakota Fanning of the “Twilight” films.

VENICE WATCH: Fest supports imprisoned filmmakers

August 27, 2014 0
Alberto Barbera, director of the 71st Venice Film Festival, and Paolo Baratta, President of the Biennale of Venice, pose for photographers at the Jury photo call during the 71st edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. (AP Photo/David Azia)

VENICE, Italy (AP) — VENICE, Italy — The Venice Film Festival is bringing 11 days of red-carpet premieres, innovative movies and Hollywood glamour to the Italian city. Here’s what has been catching the eye of The Associated Press:

Keaton on form in Venice festival opener “Birdman”

August 27, 2014 0
U.S. actor Michael Keaton poses during the photo call for the movie "Birdman or (The unexpected virtue of ignorance)" at the 71st Venice Film Festival

By Michael Roddy VENICE (Reuters) – Former “Batman” star Michael Keaton gave a soaring start to the 71st Venice Film Festival on Wednesday as a crestfallen superhero in “Birdman”, a film its Mexican director Alexandro Inarritu called an experiment that could have failed miserably. The film brings starpower that Venice, the world’s oldest film festival, needs to keep itself from being sidelined by the celebrity magnet of Cannes in May and industry powerfest the Toronto Film Festival, which opens next week. Noted for his arthouse movies “Babel” and “21 Grams”, Inarritu switches gears in this Fox Searchlight production, also starring Emma Stone as Keaton’s daughter, who is just out of drug rehab, Naomi Watts as an actress desperate to make it on Broadway and Edward Norton as the foil to Keaton’s character, Riggan Thomson.

No Image

Step up style with ‘Step Up All In’ designer’s tips

August 27, 2014 0

New Delhi, Aug 27 (IANS) Hollywood’s 3D film “Step Up All In” promises to give the best of dance moves along with fashion trends. From striped crop tops, beanies, canvas shoes to high-low hem dresses – it presents a range of stylish ensembles which can be tried in real life, says the film’s costume designer. Soyon An, the costume designer of “Step Up All In”, suggests wardrobe must-haves for lovely ladies: * Crop tops: This style has definitely taken 2014 by storm. Bollywood celebrities like Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra have sported the crop top with aplomb.

Essay: Emmys owe TV newcomers a better chance

August 27, 2014 0
Essay: Emmys owe TV newcomers a better chance

There was something embarrassing about the rash of repeat treating on Monday’s Emmycast. It might have left viewers wondering if they had stumbled on a rerun of last year’s show, or the one before that. …

No Image

Expenditure on digital ads to surpass TV in U.S. by 2017: Magna Global

August 27, 2014 0

Washington, Aug 27 (ANI): Expenditure on digital advertising would exceed Television ad spending in the United States in 2017, predicts Magna Global in its recent forecast on Tuesday. Magna Global has also predicted the largest U.S. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Magna Global said that it expects digital media ad spending to surpass television by 2018.

Godzilla stomps back in ultra HD, wires intact

August 27, 2014 0
Godzilla stomps back in ultra HD, wires intact

TOKYO (AP) — At a humble Tokyo laboratory, Godzilla, including the 1954 black-and-white original, is stomping back with a digital makeover that delivers four times the image quality of high definition.

No Image

I’m a prude: Jessica Alba

August 27, 2014 0

Los Angeles, Aug 27 (IANS) Jessica Alba is known for her sexy screen roles and status as one of the world’s most desirable women, but the actress says she is a “prude” in real life. I felt like I never compromised myself because I’m a prude. In my head I’m always thinking, ‘Oh God, can my grandma see this’,” Alba told Entertainment Weekly magazine, reports people.com. “I’m kind of a prude, and I didn’t really understand.