Wednesday, February 27, 2008

The Other Boleyn Girl premiere!



Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman were finally joined by their costar Eric Bana for a Berlinale Film Festival photocall before their premiere of The Other Boleyn Girl today. With all three young actors working together, of course there have to be rumors that they didn't get along, but Bana was quick to shoot down any whispering. He said, "I hate to break it to you but actors really do love each other. It's a crazy job and we put ourselves in vulnerable positions. I don't care if it sounds corny but it's true: you're part of a brotherhood, and protect each other. And they indeed do get along really well." While Natalie and Scarlett are so often pegged as total opposites, sometimes that's exactly what you need from a friend. Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman were looking stunning at the red carpet premiere of The Other Boleyn Girl at the Berlinale Film Festival today. Scarlett wore a more simple dress to balance her teased hair and dramatic eyeliner, while Natalie made it very clear that she's not the prude girl she often gets pegged for. Once again, the girls talked about how well they got along on the set and how much they respect one another. Natalie said, "People keep asking if the rivalry was real but it was the opposite because we just liked each other so much. It was such a rare opportunity to work with an actress my age who I much admire."
Here Natalie comments about Britney Spears:
“We both had the same first job. We both understudied for an off-Broadway musical called Ruthless. I never met her, but I took over from her when she left to join the Mickey Mouse Club. So we connected over that. She invited me to a few things and my guy friends at college said, ‘We have to go.’ I’m sad to see how everyone’s treating her now... Any time I see something about Britney, I close it. I can’t look at it. I’m usually interested in gossip, but this makes my stomach hurt.”
Britney and Natalie seem like night and day in the starlet set, but of course Natalie has compassion for the fallen pop star.
Oh ya I almost forgot Natalie’s new movie “Goya’s Ghost’s came out yesterday so go out and buy it!!!!

Monday, February 18, 2008

Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman) biography from Star Wars


Born Padmé Naberrie, Queen Amidala was the formal name of the royal leader of Naboo. As a child, Amidala was prodigiously talented and extremely well educated. She had long been interested in public service, volunteering in the Refugee Relief Movement as a youth. Her efforts helped in the Shadda-Bi-Boran exodus. At the age of eight, she joined the Apprentice Legislature and became an Apprentice Legislator at age 11. By 14, she was elected Queen of Naboo.
During the Trade Federation siege of Naboo, the scheming Neimoidians tried to force the strong-willed Amidala to sign a treaty that would legitimize a brazenly illegal occupation. Amidala refused, and was sentenced to a prison camp. En route to incarceration, Amidala was freed by Jedi ambassadors. They took the Queen and part of her retinue to Coruscant, to plead her case before the Senate with the help of Naboo's galactic representative, Senator Palpatine.
On Coruscant, Amidala learned of the inefficiencies of galactic politics, watching as Trade Federation political maneuvering stalemated her plea. Following advice from Senator Palpatine, Amidala called for a Vote of No Confidence in Supreme Chancellor
Valorum. Fed up with the Senate, Amidala returned to Naboo. She requested aid from the native Gungans in freeing her captured capital. During the Battle of Naboo, Amidala infiltrated her own palace, and forced Neimoidian Viceroy Nute Gunray to end the occupation. The cowardly Neimoidians, having their armies defeated, capitulated and freedom was brought back to Naboo. While Queen Amidala was the ruler of Naboo she had a large staff of advisors and aides that handled the day-to-day affairs. Sio Bibble, for instance, was Naboo's governor. Captain Panaka was Amidala's loyal bodyguard and head of security. Ric Olié was the pilot of the Queen's gleaming Royal Starship and leader of Bravo Flight. Perhaps most important in Amidala's entourage were her five handmaidens. Saché, Yané, Rabé, Sabé (played by Kiera Knightly) and Eirtaé not only helped the Queen with her intricate gowns, hairstyles and make-up, but they were also trained in self-defense. When in danger, Queen Amidala disguised herself as one of her handmaidens, and adopted her less formal name of Padmé. When disguised as Padmé, Sabé assumed the role of Queen in her place. When her terms ended, Amidala was constitutionally obligated to step down as Queen, although the public would have easily backed an amendment allowing her to serve longer. Though she had every right to retire and concentrate on her personal life, Amidala continued to be passionate about public service. At the request of the new Naboo monarch, Queen Jamillia, Amidala served as Senator of Naboo, taking the position once occupied by Palpatine. In a galaxy undergoing tumultuous changes, her outspoken nature shone as a beacon of reason and rationality in an increasingly fragmented Senate. With the rise of a Separatist movement that threatened the stability of the Republic, Amidala was one of the few championing a peaceful resolution to the crisis. Alarmist Senators rallied to create a military force to protect the Republic, but Amidala led the opposition against the Military Creation Act. She believed such a measure would inevitably lead to hostilities against the Separatists.
On the day of the Military Creation Act vote, Amidala's starship was attacked upon arrival at Coruscant. Seven people, including her decoy Cordé, died in the explosion. Some suspected that disgruntled spice miners from the moons of Naboo were the culprit, but Amidala believed that it was actually Count Dooku, leader of the Separatists, behind the attack. In truth, it was an old enemy, Nute Gunray, who was behind the bounty hunters hired to finally silence the young woman from Naboo, though that would go undiscovered for some time.
At the behest of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, Amidala was placed under the protection of the Jedi Knights. Amidala was once again reunited with Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker, whom she had not seen in a decade. A second assassination attempt by the bounty hunter Zam Wesell revealed just how gravely in danger Amidala was.
Anakin escorted Padmé to Naboo, where she would be sequestered while the Jedi investigated the attacks against her. In moments of quiet solitude against the beautiful landscape of Naboo's Lake Country, Anakin and Padmé bonded, rekindling an affectionate friendship that had been interrupted ten years ago, and falling into a deeper love.
It was a love forbidden to both. As per the tenets of the Jedi Code, Anakin could not enter into a romantic relationship, and Padmé needed to focus on her career. Despite their strong feelings, it was Padmé who remained the realist, rebuffing Anakin's overtures while attempting to still her own heart. Anakin's love for Padmé was not all that was troubling him. He suffered from terrible nightmares of his mother in danger. When he could bear it no more, Anakin returned to Tatooine, with Padmé in tow, to find Shmi Skywalker. Anakin did find his dying mother, and lashed out in vengeance against the Tusken Raiders that had tortured her. When he returned to Padmé, he confessed his actions, and he collapsed with shame and despair over what he had done. Padmé saw the wounded, sobbing youth, and let her compassion guide her heart as she comforted him. Shortly thereafter, Anakin and Padmé voyaged to Geonosis, to rescue Obi-Wan who had been captured by Separatist forces. Padmé hoped to use her diplomatic skills to parley with the Separatists, but she and Anakin were captured by the Geonosians. Placed on trial for espionage, Amidala and Anakin were sentenced for execution. Faced with overwhelming evidence of her mortality, Padmé lowered her emotional guard and professed her love to Anakin. The two were then placed in an execution arena alongside Obi-Wan, and three deadly beasts were unleashed upon them, much to the delight of the Geonosian spectators. Though sustaining a glancing slash from a ferocious nexu, Padmé held her own, and disappointed her would-be executioners. The spectacle was cut short with the arrival of Jedi reinforcements, and then the opening battle of the historic Clone Wars. Despite her initial objections to a Republic army, Padmé nonetheless fought alongside the newly created clone troopers against the Separatist droid forces. After the Battle of Geonosis, Anakin escorted Padmé Amidala back to Naboo. There, at a secluded lake retreat, the same place where their forbidden love began to blossom, the two were quietly wed in a ceremony witnessed only by C-3PO and R2-D2. This tranquil expression of love preceded some of the darkest moments to be faced by Amidala and by the galaxy as a whole.
Amidala continued to serve the Senate faithfully, though she was often distracted by the growing career of her secret husband. Anakin was becoming a war hero known throughout the Republic, and while the citizens thrilled at his exploits, she was deeply worried for his safety. The few moments they could snatch together were all too brief. The war was concentrated in the Outer Rim, far from Coruscant, and Padmé saw very little of Anakin. By the time the Outer Rim Sieges ended, Padmé had stunning news to deliver to Anakin --- he was to be a father. The war years saw the continued transformation of the Republic. To efficiently battle the Separatists on numerous fronts, Chancellor Palpatine enacted executive decrees that saw more power funneled to his office, stripping away the last of the Senate's lackluster ability to wage war. Many welcomed the handover of power, particularly the corrupt politicians.
A small group of Senator grew increasingly wary of Palpatine's amendments. Senators Bail Organa and Mon Mothma spoke of drastic alternatives in clandestine gatherings. Padmé was one of these secretive idealists, along with Senators Fang Zar, Giddean Danu, Chi Eekway, Terr Taneel and Bana Breemu. They swore to keep their discussions absolutely secret, even from their closest associates. Padmé agreed, even though she feared Anakin would sense her duplicity... and perhaps misconstrue it for something else.
Though early talk of action against Palpatine was carefully couched and measured so as not to border on extreme acts of sedition, Padmé favored a diplomatic solution within the boundaries of the law. She even asked Anakin to use his relationship with Palpatine to press for a peaceful resolution to the war, but her beleaguered husband resented the request. He wanted such overtures to remain in political circles, where they belonged. Her doubts about the system troubled Anakin. To his ears, she was starting to sound like a Separatist.
Padmé began collecting the pledges of what would become the Delegation of 2,000, a group of disaffected Senators formally critical of Palpatine's rule.
She presented the Delegation's concerns to Palpatine, who disregarded them. Palpatine carefully planted seeds of doubt of Padmé's intentions in Anakin's mind, even as he continued to exploit Skywalker's fears about losing her.
Anakin was plagued with terrifying nightmares of Padmé dying during childbirth. Given his prophetic dreams that predicted the death of his mother, these visions greatly unsettled Anakin. He could not stand to lose Padmé, and would do anything to keep her with him. A gateway to dark powers that could unnaturally preserve life beckoned to Anakin -- it was a power that could be achieved by allying himself to Darth Sidious, Dark Lord of the Sith.
Padmé, like the rest of the Republic, was unaware that Chancellor Palpatine was in fact a Sith Lord. He lured Anakin to the dark side, and Skywalker knelt before him, becoming Darth Vader, his apprentice. As Vader, Anakin led an ambush on the Jedi Temple, and traveled to Mustafar to kill the leadership of the Separatists, effectively bringing an end to the Clone Wars.
It was Obi-Wan who told Padmé the truth. He had seen evidence of Anakin's transgressions. Padmé was stunned. Unable to grasp this dark reality, she traveled to Mustafar to confront Anakin. Unbeknownst to her, Obi-Wan Kenobi stowed away aboard her ship.
It was just as Obi-Wan described. Padmé could not reason with Anakin. In his twisted perception, he had done all of his wicked deeds to better the galaxy for their union, to make the corrupt Republic into a just Empire for their children. Deluded with power, Anakin even promised that he could depose the Emperor, and make the galaxy exactly what he and Padmé wanted it to be. Padmé was devastated by Anakin's transformation. When her enraged husband witnessed Obi-Wan emerging from her starship, he jumped to the worst of conclusions. Anakin saw the most stinging in a long line of betrayals -- now his wife had brought his former mentor to Mustafar to kill him. Anakin raised his hand and caught Padmé in a telekinetic chokehold. Padmé gasped for breath as life began to escape from her.
Anakin released his grip as he faced Obi-Wan, and Padmé collapsed. As Kenobi and Skywalker dueled in the Mustafar collection facility, C-3PO and R2-D2 faithfully carried her inert form aboard her starship. Despite the abbreviated medical suite aboard her ship, or the full medical facility at a refuge on Polis Massa, her life signs continued to dwindle.
Padmé never knew what had become of Anakin. She never saw the damage he suffered from Kenobi's blade or the lava of Mustafar. She still felt there was good within him. With her dying breath, she tried to convince Obi-Wan of this.
Before slipping away, Padmé remained strong enough to give birth. In the strange alien facility of Anakin's nightmares, she gave birth to twins -- Leia and Luke Skywalker. Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, and Bail Organa vowed to keep the children safe.
Amidala's body was returned to Naboo. At a state funeral, thousands of Naboo citizens came to pay their respects to their beloved representative.










Homeworld:Naboo
Species:Human
Gender:Female
Height:1.65 meters
Weapon:royal pistol
Vehicle:Naboo Royal (Queen's) Starship, Naboo Royal Cruiser, Naboo yacht, Naboo star skiff
Affiliation:Galactic Senate
Credit 2: Starwars.com
I hope you all enjoy this!

Sunday, February 17, 2008

More On Natalie

Natalie Portman is planning to quit acting to have children, describing motherhood as “the greatest thing I can aspire to”. But the star, who is currently dating fashion designer Nathan Bogle, is reluctant to ever wed, despite her parents’ long and strong marriage. Portman, who has in the past been linked with Moby, Gael Garcia Bernal and Jake Gyllenhaal and Zach Braff says, “I don’t know about marriage. Divorce is so easy and that takes much of the meaning out of it. “Committing to one person is sacred. But partnership and kids? Definitely. Motherhood is the greatest thing I can aspire to.”

Star Wars actress Natalie Portman says she will never marry.Portman insists she doesn’t need a piece of paper to prove her commitment.The happily single star said: “I’m into monogamy. But I’m not really into marriage. I sort of hate the legal aspect of it. What does the state have to do with it?“Why are they making rules that say my lover can stay in the United States if they’re foreign or share my health care benefits because I’m straight - but if you’re gay, you can’t have that?”Natalie stars alongside Scarlett Johansson in upcoming period drama The Other Boleyn Girl.Scarlett - who was recently rumoured to be engaged to boyfriend Ryan Reynolds - also defended her views on monogamy and Aids testing.In a joint interview with W magazine, Scarlett said: “I’ve been battered for saying that I don’t believe humans are monogamous by nature. The response was, like, ‘What a ho-bag!’ I didn’t mean that I don’t practice monogamy in my own life - of course I do! I’m not going to be in some tarty relationship.“I remember another time, I said I get tested for Aids twice a year, and again that got spun as me being promiscuous. But I was single at the time, and I think it’s important to do that!”

Closer

Closer (2004)

Set in contemporary London, a story of passion, drama, love, and abandonment involving four strangers--their chance meetings, instant attractions and casual betrayals.

In London, the new arrival Alice Ayres meets the mediocre obituary journalist Daniel and they move together. Dan writes a book, inspired in the life of Alice, and while photographing for the release of the book, he meets the photographer Anna. Dan "introduces" the dermatologist Larry to Anna, and they get married. However, Dan and Anna have a passionate affair, complicating the relationship of the couples.
Production Status:
Released
Genres:
Comedy, Drama and Adaptation
Running Time:
1 hr. 38 min.

Release Date:
December 3rd, 2004 (limited)
MPAA Rating:
R for sequences of graphic sexual dialogue, nudity/sexuality and language.
Distributors:
Sony Pictures Releasing International, Sony Pictures Releasing
Production Co.:
Icarus Productions, Scott Rudin Productions
Studios:
Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group
Financiers:
Inside Track
U.S. Box Office:
$33,987,757
Filming Locations:
London, England
Produced in:
United States

V For Vendetta


V for Vendetta (2006)
Against the futuristic landscape of totalitarian Britain, a young working-class woman named Evey (Natalie Portman) is rescued from a life-and-death situation by a masked man known only as "V." Profoundly complex, V (Hugo Weaving) is at once literary, flamboyant, tender and intellectual, a man dedicated to freeing his fellow citizens from those who have terrorized them into compliance. He is also bitter, revenge-seeking, lonely and violent, driven by a personal vendetta. In his quest to free the people of England from the corruption and cruelty that have poisoned their government, V condemns the tyrannical nature of their appointed leaders and invites his fellow citizens to join him in the shadows of Parliament of November the 5th--Guy Fawkes Day. On that day in 1605, Guy Fawkes was discovered in a tunnel beneath Parliament with 36 barrels of gunpowder. He and his co-conspirators had engineered the treasonous "Gunpowder Plot" in response to the tyranny of their government under James I. Fawkes and his fellow saboteurs were hanged, drawn and quartered, and their plan to take down their government never came to pass. In the spirit of that rebellion, in remembrance of that day, V vows to carry out the plot that Fawkes was executed for attempting on November 5th in 1605: he will blow up Parliament. As Evey uncovers the truth about V's mysterious past, she also discovers the truth about herself--and emerges as his unlikely ally in the culmination of his plan to ignite a revolution, bringing freedom and justice back to a society fraught with cruelty and corruption. Production Status:
Released
Logline:
A terrorist freedom fighter known only as "V" begins a violent guerilla campaign to destroy those who've succumbed to totalitarianism, and recruits a young woman he's rescued from the secret police to join him.
Genres:
Action/Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Adaptation
Running Time:
2 hrs. 11 min.
Release Date:
March 17th, 2006 (wide)
MPAA Rating:
R for strong violence and some language.
Production Co.:
Silver Pictures, Virtual Studios, Anarchos Productions, Inc., Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH
Studios:
Warner Bros. Pictures
U.S. Box Office:
$70,496,802
Filming Locations:
Potsdam, Germany
Produced in:
Germany

More NATALIE!!!

It's finally here, the long awaited trailer for The Other Boleyn Girl! A period piece with Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson fighting for the love of Eric Bana, who plays King Henry VIII - can that get any better? Oh yes it can, just watch the trailer. Eric Bana yelling, Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson crying their hearts out, this just exudes an epic and powerful feeling. I'm not normally a period piece kind of guy, but I'm all for this. It's the music that makes it so incredibly epic and intense. I commend them for creating a truly thrilling and very long trailer that does what it's supposed to do - hype up the movie! The Other Boleyn Girl is directed by Justin Chadwick, a long-time TV director, including of "Masterpiece Theatre: Bleak House", debuting his second feature film. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Philippa Gregory and the screenplay was adapted by well-known British writer Peter Morgan (The Last King of Scotland, The Queen, Frost/Nixon). The Other Boleyn Girl arrives in theaters next year on Leap Day, February 29th, 2008.
Trailers To Watch-T 1 (2:32 Min. )-T 2href="http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/theotherboleyngirl/low.html">Low

Star Wars Episode I (The Phantom Menace) (1999)



Sci-fi adventure which takes place before the birth of Luke Skywalker, featuring the friendship between the young Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), who would later become Darth Vader. The galactic government has been weakened, and when the peaceful planet of Naboo is threatened by the giant Trade Federation, it seems that nobody will step in to defend Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) and her people. Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi are sent to find a settlement and discover the extent of the planet's peril. In the course of their adventures, they find a young slave, Anakin, whom Qui-Gon senses is destined to bring balance to the Force. Against Obi-Wan's suspicions, he decides to train Anakin as a Jedi Knight.
Also Known As:
Shadows of the Empire
Star Wars Episode 1: La Menace Fanto
Star Wars: Episode I
The Phantom Menace
Production Status:
Released
Logline:
Two Jedi Knights must protect a young queen from a mysterious creature who wants to destroy her.
Genres:
Action/Adventure, Drama and Science Fiction/Fantasy
Running Time:
2 hrs. 13 min.
Release Date:
May 19, 1999 Nationwide
MPAA Rating:
PG for sci-fi action/violence.
Production Co.:
JAK Productions Ltd, Lucasfilm, Ltd.
U.S. Box Office:
$431,065,444
Filming Locations:
Leavesden Studios, England, United Kingdom
Caserta Royal Palace, Italy
Tozeur, Tunisia
Produced in:
United States
Star Wars Episode II (Attack Of The Clones) (2002)



Set ten years after the events of "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace", not only has the galaxy undergone significant change, but so have our familiar heroes Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman), and Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen), as they are thrown together again for the first time since the Trade Federation invasion of Naboo. Anakin has grown into the accomplished Jedi apprentice of Obi-Wan, who himself has transitioned from student to teacher. The two Jedi are assigned to protect Padme whose life is threatened by a faction of political separatists. As relationships form and powerful forces collide, these heroes face choices that will impact not only their own fates, but the destiny of the Republic.
Also Known As:
Attack of the Clones
Star Wars: Episode 2
Star Wars: Episode II
Star Wars: Episode II The Rise of the Empire
The Rise of the Empire
Production Status:
Released
Genres:
Action/Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Sequel
Running Time:
2 hrs. 12 min.
Release Date:
May 16th, 2002
MPAA Rating:
PG for sustained sequences of sci-fi action/violence.
Distributors:
20th Century Fox
Production Co.:
JAK Productions, Lucasfilm, Ltd.
U.S. Box Office:
$310,675,583
Filming Locations:
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Fox Studios)
Tunisia
Italy
Spain
United Kingdom
Produced in:
United States
Star Wars Episode III (Revenge Of The Sith) (2005)

The galaxy is weary after three long years of war. Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) have become legendary heroes in their campaigns against the droid forces of the evil General Grievous. Anakin and his secret wife, Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman), have been separated for months, and he finally reunites with her to learn that she is pregnant. He is plagued by visions of her dying in childbirth, haunting images of a possible future. Anakin is determined to stop her from dying--no matter the cost. This leads Anakin down a dark path to commit terrible deeds. Obi-Wan Kenobi must face his former apprentice in a ferocious lightsaber duel on the fiery world of Mustafar.
Also Known As:
Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars Episode 3
Production Status:
Released
Genres:
Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Sequel
Running Time:
2 hrs. 22 min.
Release Date:
May 19th, 2005
MPAA Rating:
PG-13 for sci-fi violence and some intense images.
Distributors:
20th Century Fox
Production Co.:
JAK Productions, Lucasfilm, Ltd.
U.S. Box Office:
$380,262,555
Filming Locations:
Sydney, Australia
Guilin, China
Mt Etna, Italy
Grindelwald, Switzerland
Phuket, Thailand
Tozeur, Tunisia
England
Produced in:
United States

ENJOY!!!!

Goya's Ghosts

Goya's Ghosts

Goya's Ghosts the Dvd is finally gonna be released February 26!!!! YAY!
Well I have some info and pictures about the movie in case your like what the heck is this?! lol


A biographical tale told through the eyes of celebrated Spanish painter Francisco Goya, whose paintings are best known for their brutality and the colorful depictions of life during the Spanish Inquisition. The drama unfolds as Brother Lorenzo, an enigmatic member of the powerful Spanish clergy, becomes infatuated with Goya's beautiful teenage muse, Ines.
Production Status:
Released
Logline:
The life and times of Spanish painter Francisco Goya, who lived from 1746-1828 and was a frequent target of the Spanish Inquisition.
Genres:
Drama and Biopic

Running Time:
1 hr. 53 min.
Release Date:
July 20th, 2007 (limited)
MPAA Rating:
R for violence, disturbing images, some sexual content and nudity.
Distributors:
Samuel Goldwyn Films
Production Co.:
The Saul Zaentz Company, Xuxa Producciones
Financiers:
Antena 3 TV, Kanzaman SA
U.S. Box Office:
$1,000,045
Filming Locations:
Spain
Europe
Produced in:
Spain


Well make sure to go out and buy it! lol It has been getting alot of solid reviews! The picture on top is the poster, the picture on the bottom is the official Dvd cover.