Mmmm, Penelope. If people had any sense it would be Almodovar movies that broke attendance records. Not the movies that, in fact, do. But enough handwringing about box offizzze. Given Towleroad’s generous coverage of all things Twilight (all things equalling shirtless wolf boys and wild haired Pattisons) I had hoped to share a few thoughts on NEW MOON for today’s movie column. No can do. I wasn’t invited. Curiously I had been invited to the press screenings of Twilight. Perhaps I’ve been too openly disdainful of sparkle-in-the-sunshine vampires or creator Stephenie Meyers’ retrograde sexual politics (I had quite enough of that in my own Mormon years, thank you).read the rest at Towleroad for a bit more on New Moon, Broken Embraces and Red Cliff. And also check out my Pedro & Penelope piece at Tribeca. I've been a busy boy.
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24 comments:
"Penélope Cruz is still at the top of her game. This last run of performances (Volver, Elegy, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Nine and Broken Embraces) is just one triumph after another. How long can she maintain la perfección, anyway?"
...and Don't Move before ;D
(the second half of the decade has really been all about her for me, just like Nicole Kidman was for the first half... now I believe you that Tom Cruise's sperm is marvelous)
Fernando Moss,
Took the words right out of my mouth. :D
Fortunately the Golden Globes will nominate 'Broken Embraces' in Foreign, Actress Drama and Score.
"Broken Embraces" ("Los abrazos rotos") is a good movie, but not his best. Everybody in Spain thought that is weakier than "Volver".
personally i enjoy the penelope cruz movies where she shows her boobs.
those tend to be better than the others.
Has anybody seen the Charlie Rose interview with Pedro and Penélope I thought it was outstanding!
Broken Embraces is the year's biggest disappointment. First time I think I'd have been just as fine skipping an Almodovar movie.
And I don't get Penelope Cruz.
I got to see a special screening of New Moon yesterday (Thursday before release)...
You're not missing much... if anything at all. Stewart and Pattinson are fantastic... and that's about it.
And on the topic of Almodovar and his muse, is that movie EVER going to get wide release?
I absolutely hate limited release :/
Yeah, Nathaniel, have you seen Don't Move (Non ti muovere)? She even won the David di Donatello for it.
Fernando, not sure if Katie or Mimi Rogers agree with that!
panthie than get thee to Broken Embraces. Her boobs are magnificent in it. (two of the hottest sex scenes in a long time)
i wish i liked the movie more. arkaan i get where you're coming from... but i'm an Almodovar nut so i'll forgive a clunkier one now and then.
@Fernando Moss:
So will the next decade be the one where Katie Holmes emerges as the key actress of her generation?
(shudder)
fernando and arlo thanks for remembering my brilliant scientific theory about his previously-rumored-to-be-sterile swimmers unlocking the powers of great actressing.
The trickiest part of my theory is that the actress has to have been the sperm receptacle (this is so Magnolia, I apologize) and then QUIT.
The Kidman and Cruise trouble/split (2000/2001) resulted in: MOULIN ROUGE!/THE OTHERS/THE HOURS and so on.
The Cruz/Cruise split (2004) was immediately followed by Don't Move, Sahara (a chink in my theory) and Volver!
But MIMI ROGERS is not an exception to the theory about his sperm unlocking screen magic. They broke up in 1990 and her Oscar calibre performance in THE RAPTURE arrived in 1991.
So basically once Katie Holmes dumps him, she'll become a great actress.
I wanted to see Broken Embraces last night but was was pleasantly surprised to see the theatre sold out out of the entire nights screenings (7:30 8:00 10:30 11:00pm) at 7 pm.
And don't forget! Tom Cruise dated Cher as well in the early 80's. We all know how that panned out! :)
Michael!
LOL
Great piece Nathaniel. Saw New Moon last night and reviewed it today. It is both laughably bad and occasionally quite fun. Bella is a horrific character through out though.
Loved your comments on Salt btw.
I feel with you on the subject of box office. We're going to see "An Education" tonight, and oh, the hoops and planning that takes, when I could just walk down to my local and see "Couples Retreat" (yes, still! and why!) with no planning.
IF - could it be- moviehouses actually played An Education and Bright Star and The September Issue, would more people or different people go to the movies and enjoy it more? If crud could only play for one week, maybe we could see some other things that are actually good? Or economically does crud need to play forever to make back it's money?
Sorry, you hit a sore spot there. And yes, I'd rather see Almadovar's weakest film than live through a film with say, Jennifer Aniston. Time for another crackdown on movie distribution monopolies, like thay had in (the 1930s?1940s?)
thanks BrianZ
Michael -- i had forgotten that. Must do a new reminder post about the Cruise Sperm Power
Frick! I forgot about The Rapture. Well, her career unfortunately isn't what it used to be I suppose.
I also don't think anything can make Katie Holmes a great actress. I guess people thought about Cruz that way though, at least about her English films. Well, we shall see once Katie's contract with Tom expires.
I'm sorry but I must ask. In the banner, is the first pic brad Pitt?
and also, I found Penelope really great in this movie but I don't know about the performance being oscar worthy.
Sometimes I see ... other people :)
Are those rumors that link Cruz to Pirates 4 for real? And Rob Marshall directing?
Maybe after the Oscar she has decided just to have fun and relax for a while: Sex and the City 2, Pirates... Not that Sahara or Bandits should be a good precursors for Pe in adventure movies, but who knows.
I must confess I was quite uncertain on her ability to pull this (Nine) off when the news of her joining the cast came out (and I said so, right here). But voilà, so it seems. Sexy, comic, singing, dancing, and in English! Good for her. So, why not Pirates? Maybe she can become the perfect match for Depp (haven't seen Blow, though, maybe they were already there). Now, if I could just like the Pirates movies...
I just came back from New Moon and I still can't decide if it's worst or better than Twilight. I feel that Hardwicke was more passionate about the project and it shows in Twilight. She also clearly had a style for the film. With New Moon, anyone could've directed it. That's how bland it felt to me. The pacing was also much slower than the first film. I think the problem with these films is that they take themselves to seriously. So it didn't feel very fun, especially compared to Harry Potter.
I think I'll see An Education, Bright Star or A Serious Man next week to cleanse myself from this film.
Nathaniel, do you could look at this as the Penelope Cruz's clip audition for "Nine"? hahahaha... sooooo hot!!!! From "Noel" (2004), with Paul Walker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZhj6UyL624. Enjoy!
I just came back from Broken Embraces...It wasn't very good. It had some decent parts but for Almodovar it was a real let down. Cruz also didn't do anything special for me.
IMHO, Broken Embraces looks like a film that will be more appreciated as time goes by. I strongly recommend a second viewing to everyone's who's already seen it. It'll do wonders for you.
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