The Outcome of Original Sin

RUNNING ON EMPTY (1988)

Directed by: Sidney Lumet
Written by: Naomi Foner
Starring:
River Phoenix as Danny Pope/Michael Manfield
Christine Lahti as Annie Pope/Cynthia Manfield
Judd Hirsch as Arthur Pope/Paul Manfield
Martha Plimpton as Lorna Phillips

Tagline: In 1971, Arthur and Annie Pope blew up a napalm lab to protest the war...Ever since then they have been on the run from the FBI. They chose their lives. Now their son must choose his.

"Why do you have to carry the burden of someone else's life?", Lorna asks Danny.

Danny Pope and his brother are just like us, human beings, suffering the consequences of Adam and Eve's original sin. Hiding from the authorities, changing your name, your appearance, and your school every six months, and moving from place to place is definitely not a normal way to live. The parents seemed to have forgotten that their children are bound to have a life of their own.

Running on Empty is a film that prefers to be simple in showing the characters' emotions and the plot, it does not rely into too much theatrics.

The performances are powerful and underrated. There are lots of very good actors in this film. River Phoenix is compelling as Danny. In this film, Phoenix exudes a childlike innocence. He may have quite a deep voice and a "grown man" image for a 17 year-old but you can still sense the naïveté in him. I can't imagine other actors playing the part of Danny. The scene with Annie and her father had me wiping the tears off my face. Christine Lahti and Steven Hill nailed that scene. Very touching. Lahti's performance as Annie is engaging. Judd Hirsch's rendition of the control freak Arthur made me want to ask: "Why is the father so selfish?!?". For a while, I even said that Arthur was such an a$! for suffocating their children. I'm surprised that Martha Plimpton is not a big actress. She was remarkable as Lorna, Danny's girlfriend. Her line delivery is very good. The actors didn't commit the crime of overacting and being so subtle.

River Phoenix as Danny Pope

I've only seen three of Sidney Lumet's works, those being Network, Murder on the Orient Express, and this film. The thing that I noticed in his films, most especially in Network and Running on Empty, is that most his characters are not hard to know because you can find some of yourself in them. I can somehow relate to Danny. He is a shy and soft-spoken person, but he is driven to pursue his dreams. He also tends to hold back his true feelings to the point of being misunderstood by some people. Danny can also be unpredictable at times. "You're very confusing, you know...sometimes you can be so straight, and other times you turn around and be like that", Lorna says to Danny.

The script, written by Naomi Foner (Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal's mom), is almost excellent. There are no unnecessary scenes, each of them are like the veins in our heart, one can't pump without the other. The cinematography could've been better, but it's not that bad. Cinematography in most '90s maintream Pinoy films are still worse. The music fits the film right. It was able to represent the film's melancholic tone.

My rating: 8/10 - even though the plot is not that new, the film deserves more recoginition because you can find depth in its characters and the performances are as touching as the film itself.

Trailer for Running on Empty:

♥ L'amour est enfant de Bohème ♥

Favorite Movie Quotes: A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

"Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers." - Blanche DuBois

♥ L'amour est enfant de Bohème ♥

They Don't Make Moments Like This Anymore

This scene is from 1975's L'important c'est d'aimer (The Important Thing is to Love).

The close-up of Romy Schneider's face along with Georges Delerue's haunting music is one of the most hypnotizing moments I've seen onscreen. Romy breaking the fourth wall makes this scene more sincere and heartbreaking. She's not just acting, she's also talking to the audience. Romy's passionate performance, Delerue's brilliant score, and Andrzej Zulawski's delicate direction make an such iconic scene. Wonderful.

Translation of the 3:06-3:42 part of the clip

Woman: Again, again! Come on!

Romy: No...don't take photos please. I'm an actress, you know, I can do good stuffs...I only do this to...to eat, that's all. So don't take photographs, please...

Woman: That's it! Cut! End! They will see...

♥ L'amour est enfant de Bohème ♥

This "Film" Bored The Hell Out of Me

TXT (2006)

Directed by: Mike Tuviera
Written by:
Mike Tuviera
Penny Daza-Tuviera
Paul Daza
Starring:
Angel Locsin as Joyce
Dennis Trillo as Alex
Oyo Boy Sotto as Roman



Plot: A jealous and angry soul comes back to haunt his girlfriend and her new love. He haunts her and the people close to her by sending them sick text messages and calling them on their cellphones.

Wow! This one really bored the hell out of me...it absolutely did. "Camp" does not even begin to describe this!

A horror film (as this film calls itself) should keep its audiences at the edge of their seats and should get more and more exciting as it goes on, not bore the hell out of them.

The plot's progress is very slow. I thought this film's gonna be stuck in the "sino kaya and nagti-text ng mga messages" stage, it wasted quite a lot of screen time in that part - why not just stop beating around the freakin' bush and move on?!?

As for the acting, it's very average. Angel Locsin delivers her lines in a such a bland manner. Of all the film's lead actors, Dennis Trillo is the only one who gave quite a solid performance - but, unfortunately, even him cannot save this film from turning into a big pile of crap.

At times, Txt turns out to be ridiculous, even though it's not meant to be that way. The way the victims shake their heads everytime they receive a call from Roman is one of the funniest things I've seen onscreen. The lines are usually stupid. For example, Joyce is obviously mourning over the death of Roman, then here comes Ida (Julia Clarete) asking Joyce: "Okay ka lang ba?" - HUH? Joyce is crying then you ask her if she's okay, are you crazy or just plain dumb?!?

I especially dislike the fact that Txt blatantly markets on its lead stars' popularity (just like what most Pinoy films do lately), to the point of sacrificing the quality of the film.

Txt is a very predictable, pretentious, and unbelievable film. An unoriginal piece of filmmaking.

My rating: 2/10 - I'm kind.

Trailer for Txt:

♥ L'amour est enfant de Bohème ♥

Starring Catherine Deneuve

With more than 100 films and counting, Catherine Deneuve is a name synonymous to French cinema. Deneuve has that enigmatic charm, a kind of actress you have to dig deeper in order to appreciate her performance. A subtle actress - yes. A dull actress - no. I actually think that Deneuve has an adequate emotional range. Her characters are usually profound.

As a birthday tribute to a living legend, allow me to present to you my top five (with two at #5) favorite performances by the beautiful Catherine Deneuve. So far, here they are.

1. MY FAVORITE SEASON (1993)




Directed by: André Téchiné
Starring:
Catherine Deneuve as Emilie
Daniel Auteuil as Antoine
Marthe Villalonga as Berthe

Plot: Berthe, an old woman who lives on a farm, falls ill and goes to live with her daughter Emilie, a woman who gives the impression of calmness but seems dead to the world. Berthe resents the fake and cold relationship with her daughter. Emilie and her brother Antoine are estranged; it has been 3 years since they parted. Berthe's situation causes Emilie to invite Antoine for Christmas. Memories come up and Antoine struggles with the intense feelings which are almost forbidden in nature that he secretly harbors for his sister.

In My Favorite Season, La Deneuve was able to convey many layers of her character. Emilie is an emotionally distant daughter, a sister who tries to conceal her true feelings for her baby brother, an elusive wife, and a misunderstood mother. Deneuve was able to really let her feelings go. Now, here's a character with depth. Emilie might call herself boring, but she's actually an interesting and very human character, and Deneuve was able to portray her with precision.

An excerpt from My Favorite Season:





2. INDOCHINE (1992)




Directed by: Regis Wargnier
Starring:
Catherine Deneuve as Eliane
Linh Dan Pham as Camille
Vincent Perez as Jean-Baptiste

Plot: A story that chronicles the separation between a wealthy French landowner and her adopted daughter which intertwines with France's loss of Indochina (present day Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam).

For her bold turn in this film, Deneuve got an Oscar® Best Actress in a Leading Role nomination. This is the first time I saw Deneuve cry. Her performance in the reunion scene was especially moving. The tango scene made me want to learn the tango. Deneuve is gorgeous as always. Who would think that she's almost 50 years-old in this film?

An excerpt from Indochine:





3. REPULSION (1965)




Directed by: Roman Polanski
Starring:
Catherine Deneuve as Carol Ledoux

Plot: Deneuve is Carol, a fragile young beauty cracking up in her London flat when left alone by her vacationing sister. She is soon haunted by specters real and imagined, and her insanity grows to a violent, hysterical pitch.

Repulsion is Deneuve's first film in English. Deneuve is at her best as the deranged Carol Ledoux. Her character doesn't talk a lot, but Deneuve was able to convey what's going on inside Carol's mind through body language and facial expressions (that's why there's a lot of close-up shots of her frail *but gorgeous* face in this film).

An excerpt from Repulsion:





4. BELLE DE JOUR (1967)




Directed by: Luis Buñuel
Starring:
Catherine Deneuve as Severine Serizy/Belle de jour

Plot: A frigid and bored young housewife enlists in the employ of a whorehouse, without the knowledge of her husband. Severine obtains the name "Belle de Jour" (Beauty of the Day) as a prostitute.

Belle de jour is probably Deneuve's well-known performance. I actually think that if the César Awards already existed in 1967, Deneuve could've won a Best Actress award for her turn as Severine/Belle de jour. Deneuve kept her character as distant from the audience as possible because that's what Severine is - a distant person who prefers to indulge on daydreaming. But Belle de jour is definitely one of the most engaging characters I've seen onscreen.

An excerpt from Belle de Jour:





5. THE LAST METRO (1980)




Directed by: François Truffaut
Starring:
Catherine Deneuve as Marion Steiner
Gerard Depardieu as Bernard Granger
Heinz Bennent as Lucas Steiner

Plot: In occupied Paris, an actress married to a Jewish theater owner must keep him hidden from the Nazis while doing both of their jobs.

Deneuve plays a former fashion model turned film actress turned theater actress who is torn between two lovers. The Last Metro is also a portrait of a woman who is strong, responsible, authoritative, and is able to always keep her cool. Marion might be composed on the outside, but she's actually vulnerable and anxious on the inside because, after all, she's also human. Deneuve's performance as Marion Steiner in Truffaut's The Last Metro is tres bien. She didn't win a César Best Actress award for nothing. Deneuve, along with the film's cinematography, is visually stimulating.

Trailer for The Last Metro:





HOTEL DES AMERIQUES (1981)




Directed by: André Téchiné
Starring:
Catherine Deneuve as Hélène
Patrick Dewaere as Gilles

Plot: Hélène almost runs down Gilles one evening on a Biarritz street. She is still numb from the drowning death earlier that year of her lover, a visionary architect. Gilles presses for a relationship, then backs away, deciding she could never love someone of lower class and limited prospects. But she does fall in love with him and gradually her depression eases. As she heals, he becomes obsessed with her lover's talents and his own limitations, behaving bizarrely and pushing her away. How these conflicts play out becomes the movie's story.

Hotel des Ameriques is the first collaboration of Deneuve and director André Téchiné. Hélène is a woman specializing in anesthesiology but cannot make herself insensible to her painful past. Deneuve's delicate performance as a lovesick woman makes you want to cuddle and comfort Hélène.

Trailer for Hotel des Ameriques:



Catherine Deneuve est la reine de cinema Français! :)

♥ L'amour est enfant de Bohème ♥

The Final Work of a Master

EYES WIDE SHUT (1999)

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Written by:
Arthur Schnitzler (novel, Traumnovelle)
Stanley Kubrick & Frederic Raphael (screenplay)
Starring:
Tom Cruise as Dr. Bill Harford
Nicole Kidman as Alice Harford

Tagline: Cruise. Kidman. Kubrick.

Eyes Wide Shut is the final work of celebrated film director Stanley Kubrick. It is also an intriguing look at the realities of marriage.

Bill Harford is one of the top doctors in New York City. His wife Alice is an out of work art curator. They are both pretty. They have a lovely 7 year-old daughter named Helena. They are financially stable. But beneath the attractive facade is a marriage threatened by temptation, suspicion, and jealousy.

Bill retaliates after learning from his wife that she almost cheated on him once. He goes out on an escapade in the middle of the night, walks the street of NYC along with the image of his wife making love with the Naval Officer she had a crush on (of course, it's just all in his head).

Why would Bill retaliate when NOTHING really happened between his wife and that Naval Officer? An imagination out of jealousy and anger is all he got. And first of all, Alice should've never told Bill about her secret fantasy (I blame it on the pot though). I know that honesty is an important factor in marriage, but I believe that there are some things that are better left unsaid. But the things that the main characters do add more enigma to the already puzzling film. Surreal, especially with those dream-like scenes. Kinda Buñuelesque.

Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise

Eyes Wide Shut is one the obscure films I've ever seen. Some audiences might find the film obnoxiously graphic, slow, and profound. At first viewing, I found the film a bit slow and complex, maybe Kubrick meant for it to be that way. This is one of those films that gets better after second viewing. Now, I watch Eyes Wide Shut for quite a lot of times now. The scenes are well-placed. The film is set in New York, but was actually filmed in England. It still looked like New York to me though. The cinematography is splendid. I especially liked the blue light illuminating Alice and Bill's bedroom. The soundtrack is hypnotizing and parfait. I've always been fond of Kubrick's choices of music in his films. Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman (still married at that time) are almost perfect as a middle-class NYC couple facing the factors that can dismantle their marriage. Kidman gave a solid performance as the bored and (somehow) annoying Alice, but you almost barely see her in the film. Her Alice character is almost like a backdrop to Cruise's Bill. Eyes Wide Shut is definitely one of Cruise's best performances.

My rating: 7.5/10 - Kubrick did a good good job with Eyes Wide Shut. This film is unforgettable, just like its last line. Merci, Kubrick!

Trailer for Eyes Wide Shut (one of the best trailers I've seen):

♥ L'amour est enfant de Bohème ♥

The "Heterosexual Society" Might Be A Joke

"We live in a so-called heterosexual society which is really male heterosexual. Power, press, media, industry all stress male achievements. Heterosexuality was a mask. In the commercial cinema, this heterosexuality appears basically anti-feminine: you see more male faces on the posters than before. The world is showing it's true face at last."

- Delphine Seyrig







♥ L'amour est enfant de Bohème ♥

The Day Ondoy Came

Could Ondoy (international name is Ketsana) be Mother Nature's message for us to take an adequate care of our environment?

Never have I seen a rain (take note, it's not even a typhoon) this hard and oh-so angry. The whole Metro Manila is in flood. The flood is almost neck-deep. Ondoy started pouring with all his might last night (Friday) at around 7pm. From then until 9pm tonight, he never stopped. We can hear the continuous rain pouring down our roof, just like a hungry dog who never stops barking. The wind is almost like that in The Wizard of Oz.

I just thank God because I don't have work the next day, otherwise, I'll be one of those people stranded in SLEX. I also thank God because our area wasn't flooded. Though our kitchen ceiling is pouring with rain water, it's nothing much compared with the people whose houses are flooded by Ondoy.

Here is a video of Ondoy ravaging the UERM hospital in Metro Manila:

Click here for pictures of a flooded Metro Manila.

I pray for those people still stuck in the heavy traffic (even at this moment) - may they reach their home safely. I pray for those people whose houses are drowned in Ondoy's "sea" - may the Lord grant them more strength. I pray for all of us - through Ondoy, may we now know how to take care of Mother Nature.

I thank God because the rain finally stopped. I hope to see the rainbow tomorrow.


OT: I was browsing my colleague Ara's blog a while ago and came across this online depression test. I took the test and below are my results. Anyway, it's just an online test and not some serious test results. Cheers! :)

Disorder	Your Score
Major Depression:	Moderate
Dysthymia:	High-Moderate
Bipolar Disorder:	Moderate
Cyclothymia:	Very High
Seasonal Affective Disorder:	Extremely High
Postpartum Depression:	N/A
Take the Depression Test

♥ L'amour est enfant de Bohème ♥

Most Stylish Female Film Characters

Here are the female film characters who make those "stylish" kids from Gossip Girl look like a bunch of crap.


Severine Serizy/Belle de jour

Pierre: "Oh honey, you're so elegant."
Severine: "I know right."

Kudos to hairstylist Simone Knapp for doing a fab work with Belle de jour's mane.

Played by: Catherine Deneuve
Film: Belle de jour (1967)
Clothes designed by: Yves Saint Laurent

Now here's a character whose style is never dated. Her outfits are timeless, you can still wear them this time. Severine a.k.a. Belle de jour is so classy it hurts. I would like to quote the characters from this film:

Charlotte: "Dressing nicely is easy with money."
Mr. Adolphe: "But you can't buy class."

Left: Belle de jour in a black YSL coat, with a fab Roger Vivier shoes to match.
Right: Here's her outfit underneath her coat. The fabric, the cut, and the color - parfait!

Close-up of Belle de jour's shoes designed by Vivier...*sigh*

Other stylish characters played by Catherine Deneuve:
Julie Roussel/Marion Vergano from Mississippi Mermaid (1969)
Catherine Gunther from The April Fools (1969)
Lucile from La chamade (1968)
Marion Steiner from The Last Metro (1980)
Miriam from The Hunger (1983)
Eliane from Indochine (1992)



Regina Lampert




Played by: Audrey Hepburn
Film: Charade (1963)
Clothes designed by: Givenchy

This outfit is simple yet sophisticated.
Who says you can't put style and comfort together?

Audrey Hepburn with Charade co-star Cary Grant.

Other stylish characters played by Audrey Hepburn:
Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
Nicole from How to Steal a Million (1966)
Gaby from Paris - When It Sizzles (1964)

Vicki Anderson




Played by: Faye Dunaway
Film: The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)
Clothes designed by: Theadora Van Runkle

Vicki's style is audacious. She is a nonconformist and is not afraid to experiment.

Faye Dunaway and director Nowman Jewison on the set of The Thomas Crown Affair (1968).

Dunaway with The Thomas Crown Affair co-star Steve McQueen.

The coat and the handbag are fab,
though I think the hat and the leather boots are a bit out of tune.

Other stylish characters played by Faye Dunaway:
Bonnie Parker from Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Evelyn Mulwray from Chinatown (1974)

A/Woman

A/Woman: "I'm bored...glamorously bored."

Played by: Delphine Seyrig
Film: Last Year at Marienbad (1961)
Clothes designed by: Chanel

This breathtaking white dress lightens up the film's surrealistically dark tone.

The classy black Chanel dress.

Delphine Seyrig with the black dress on - hauntingly sexy!
The dress fits Seyrig's slim frame very well.

Su Li-zhen

Su Li-zhen: "You might compare my dress to a drape, but I'm still fabulous!"

Played by: Maggie Cheung
Film: In the Mood for Love (2000)
Clothes designed by: William Chang

The '60s fashion - don't you just love it?

Check out Wong Kar-wai's 2046 for other stylish female characters:
Su Li-zhen played by Gong Li
Bai Ling played by Zhang Ziyi

Vesper Lynd

I admire the way Vesper puts up her collar
- it kinda represents her defiance against male authority
(check out the scene wherein she first meets James Bond).
I'm not feeling that heavy eyeliner and uber red lipstick though.

Played by: Eva Green
Film: Casino Royale (2006)
Clothes designed by: Lindy Hemming

I'm not really fond of purple, but I like the cut of her dress in this scene.

This wardrobe is very reminiscent of Delphine Seyrig's Chanel dress in Last Year at Marienbad.

♥ L'amour est enfant de Bohème ♥

I'm Still Hungry

THE HUNGER (1983)

Directed by: Tony Scott
Written by:
James Costigan, Ivan Davis, and Michael Thomas (writers) & Whitley Strieber (novel)
Starring:
Catherine Deneuve as Miriam
David Bowie as John
Susan Sarandon as Sarah

Tagline: Nothing human loves forever.

Plot: Miriam is a centuries-old vampire who preys on her lovers, promising them everlasting life. Little do her lovers know that the everlasting life that Miriam promised them is not really, um, everlasting. John is Miriam's latest lover. Since the predator has had enough of her current prey, John is aging very fast. Enter Sarah, a doctor who researches on premature aging. John asks Sarah for help with his rapid aging. With Sarah in the picture, Miriam is convinced that she doesn't want John anymore.

The Hunger was not a critical success during its release. Roger Ebert even called it as "an agonizingly bad vampire movie". Despite the bad reception from the critics, The Hunger found a cult following, most probably because of the goth element of the film (the goth subculture was not really prominent until the early 1980s). Eventually, a short-lived TV series of the same name followed.

David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve in 1983's The Hunger

The characters weren't introduced very well. The pace is slow as a turtle, and the ending is abrupt as a bullet train. The ending looked as if it's saying "That's it. Au revoir!" after a dull conversation.

At times, it's even tiresome to watch this movie because of the distorted frames and voices (for example, Miriam's slow motioned cry when Sarah tried to kill herself - I found that a bit comedic). There's even a music that sounds like a fart. If it weren't for the charisma of the film's stars, I don't know what would happen to The Hunger. Catherine Deneuve is stunning as usual and her outfits are gorgeous, but she gives a so-so performance in this film. Susan Sarandon is not that bad, well, let's just say she was better in Dead Man Walking. David Bowie is enticing and he gives a solid performance as John, his is the only entertaining performance in the film.

The film is stylish but pretentious and is lacking in depth. It made me want to ask for more, not because I liked it, but because I'm unsatisfied. The Hunger didn't satisfy my tastebud, I'm still hungry.

My rating: 4/10 - I'm kind.

Trailer for The Hunger:

*Flash report (09/23/09): Warner Bros. to remake/follow-up Strieber's novel The Hunger

(http://www.getthebigpicture.net/blog/2009/9/22/warner-bros-feels-the-hunger-again.html)

♥ L'amour est enfant de Bohème ♥

A Warm Delight

VOLVER (2006)

Written and Directed by: Pedro Almodovar
Starring:
Penelope Cruz as Raimunda
Lola Dueñas as Sole
Carmen Maura as Irene

Volver - Spanish word for "to return".

Plot: After her death, Irene returns to her home town in order to fix the situations she couldn't resolve during her life.

Pedro Almodovar has a heart of a woman, he knows what's going on in their minds and how to convey their thoughts. No wonder his heroes in most of his films are women. In Volver, Almodovar was able to balance drama, comedy, thriller, and mystery with finesse. Almodovar is the best Spanish director since the legendary Luis Buñuel.

The film's windy opening scene very much summarizes the characters' problems - it's a force of nature that one has to deal with. The cinematography looks delicious, just like the vegetables Raimunda buys at the market. The music is well placed, it fits the mood of each scenes very well. The plot moves with ease and the screenplay doesn't dwell much on unnecessary scenes. Almodovar amuses the audience with some clever camera shots.

Carmen Maura and Penelope Cruz

The characters in this film are like the people I meet everyday. There's the friendly and tough Raimunda, and there's Raimunda's superstitious and a bit reserved sister Sole (who, I think, very much represents the people at the village). They're just ordinary people yet Almodovar was able to give them depth. The characters' exchange of witty dialogues is entertaining.

The acting is simple, but not dull. Penelope Cruz was quite a surprise in this film, much different from her Hollywood films. Cruz was able to portray a hardworking woman, a protective mother, and an aloof daughter very well.

My rating: 8/10 - Volver is one of those films that I watch over and over again, it's a warm delight.

Trailer for Volver:




♥ L'amour est enfant de Bohème ♥

Oh, I'm Sorry, You Were Saying Something?

BATTLE ROYALE (2000)

Directed by: Kinji Fukasaku

Written by:

Koushun Takami (novel) and Kenta Fukasaku (screenplay)

Starring:

Tatsuya Fujiwara as Shuya Nanahara/Boy #15

Aki Maeda as Noriko Nakagawa/Girl #15

Chiaki Kuriyama as Takako Chigusa/Girl #13

Takeshi Kitano as Kitano

Tagline: Could you kill your best friend?

Plot: In the future, the Japanese government captures a class of ninth-grade students and forces them to kill each other under the revolutionary "Battle Royale" act.

Battle Royale is uber violent. The film likes to beat around the bush by showing us lots of blood and dream-like scenes. I don't know if this is a surrealist film, a sport movie, an action film, a romantic drama, or a satire. Battle Royale has lots of spotty layers in it that some audiences might not understand what it really wants to say. The film is like a mixture of sushi, milk 'n cereal, burger and fries with ketchup, mushroom soup, and half-cooked omelet - all in one bowl. It just makes you want to hurl. There's nothing really wrong about putting different genres in one film (I think it's really creative), as long as you are able to communicate well with the audience.

The screenplay for Battle Royale is like an intermittent internet connection; sometimes it's connected, sometimes it's not. The plot's progress is slow, most probably because of some pointless scenes; like that scene wherein the students get their bags containing combat weapons - that scene took quite of the film's running time, they should've just cut to the chase.

Just another day in class.

The characters are okay, but most are not really interesting. The only character that made me want to finish watching Battle Royale is Kawada/Boy #5 (played by Tarô Yamamoto), he has a "tough guy" image, but on the inside he's actually a hopeless romantic. Kawada is a double-sided character, what you see is not what you get. The acting is quite alright, but most are overacted (especially Tatsuya Fujiwara).

Battle Royale has a good musical score (some borrowed); my most fave is the one played during the start of the film. Pour moi, the film's music is an apology for the film's lack of firmness. The film's cinematography was able to parallel what's happening in a scene. Not bad.

My rating: 4/10 - I found the film's violence distracting, it made me want to ask: "What is Battle Royale trying to convey?"

Trailer for Battle Royale:

♥ L'amour est enfant de Bohème ♥

We Have All The Time in the World

ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE (1969)

Directed by: Peter Hunt
Written by: Ian Fleming and Richard Maibum
Starring:
George Lazenby as James Bond 007
Diana Rigg as Contessa Teresa 'Tracy' DiVincenzo
Telly Savalas as Ernst Stavro Blofeld

Though its theatrical release was not as lucrative as its predecessor You Only Live Twice and George Lazenby's performance was much criticized (despite his gaining a Golden Globe nomination), On Her Majesty's Secret Service grossed over $87 million worldwide and was met with positive critical reviews. Critical response to this Bond movie remains sharply divided, affecting estimates of Lazenby's potential as Bond.

Plot: The most emotional adventure of his career begins for James Bond on a deserted beach where a young woman tries to drown herself. He rescues the girl and for his trouble is attacked by two tough guys - the girl's bodyguards. It soon becomes much bigger for 007 - the girl is Contessa Teresa 'Tracy' DiVincenzo, daughter of crime boss Marc Ange Draco. Draco wants James to marry his wayward daughter, and in return he can provide 007 with information on an even more dangerous criminal leader - Ernst Stavro Blofeld of SPECTRE. But both James and Tracy find more than they ever bargained for when their paths collide in a vicious pursuit in the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland, an enormous avalanche, and a smuggling ring for germ warfare against the West by Blofeld - who proves most difficult to kill. The film followed the plot of the novel more closely than the other film adaptations of the eponymous source novels.

Honesty is one of the most important things one should have when reviewing a film. So - honestly - when I first heard about 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service, I didn't care about it that much, I didn't even want to try to watch it at first. Why? Because, first of all, I've never heard of On Her Majesty's Secret Service before. Also, it was the first time I ever encountered a Bond film with quite a long title - so I thought: "Is this really a Bond movie? Or is it just a spoof of a Bond movie?". And the third reason is George Lazenby - I didn't even know there was an actor named "George Lazenby" who played James Bond.

So one day, while I was bumming around the house, I decided to have a James Bond marathon. I watched almost all of the Bond films, from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig. Finally, I was able to watch this Bond movie called "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". OHMSS (as most Bond enthusiasts call it) is one of the films in the franchise that has substance (might be because of the film's dramatic elements), flamboyant action sequences, less unbelievable gadgets...and a vintage Aston Martin (!) - 007's favorite car.

George Lazenby as James Bond seems a bit restrained - might be because rumor has it that director Peter Hunt won't talk to Lazenby off-cam (directors who don't talk to their actors - what the heck?). Lazenby may not be as "charming" as Sean Connery or those other Bond actors, but he is also good. His approach might be a bit subtle, Lazenby was still able to convey his character.

Lazenby is also one of the most physical Bonds ever. He was a combat instructor for the Special Forces of the Australian Army, Lazenby also studied Jeet Kune Do under Bruce Lee. Though, I think Daniel Craig's agility is still the best...so far. Roger Moore kinda sucked in his action sequences - check out his lousy action sequence in Bond films like Live and Let Die, For Your Eyes Only, A View To A Kill, etc. In fairness to Moore, what he lacked in agility, he maked up for in charm

OHMSS is also one of the most dramatic and romantic Bond films. In this film, aside from fighting his nemesis Blofeld and the rest of the bad guys, 007 also falls in love - truly, madly, deeply - with a woman named Teresa 'Tracy' DiVincenzo. The film even shows a montage of James and Tracy having their romantic moments - set to the song "We Have All The Time in the World", sung by Louis Armstrong. The film gets more dramatic when Blofeld exacts a revenge that James can never forget - or forgive.

John Barry's score for this film is very nice - it was the first in the EON Production series to extensively use synthesizers and electric guitars. The music in OHMSS's main title sequence is great - might be even better than the traditional Bond theme.

George Lazenby (center) and Diana Rigg with director Peter Hunt

And yes, this film also have a gorgeous Bond girl in the form of British actress Diana Rigg - she plays Contessa Teresa 'Tracy' DiVincenzo. Tracy is a tragic, daring, suicidal, lovelorn and headstrong Mafia heiress. However, she has a skillful driving, skiing, and fighting abilities.

One of my fave Bond girls, along with Casino Royale's Vesper Lynd and Goldeneye's Natalya Simonova, Tracy is a free-spirited and adventurous Bond girl - she has a knack for extreme sports like skiing, and an adequate skill in driving.

"Diana Rigg", he says. "She was good in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. She was the one Bond girl who was nearly bigger than the movie." - Daniel Craig, when asked who his favorite Bond girl is.*

My rating: 6/10 - OHMSS is not the BEST, but it's one of the good Bond films.

Trailer for On Her Majesty's Secret Service:



*Playboy, November 2008.




♥ L'amour est enfant de Bohème ♥

The Only Thing Certain is Doubt

DOUBT (2008)

Directed and Written by: John Patrick Shanley
Starring:
Meryl Streep as Sister Aloysius Beauvier
Philip Seymour Hoffman as Father Brendan Flynn
Amy Adams as Sister James

Tagline: There is no evidence. There are no witnesses. But for one, there is no doubt.

Doubt is a suspense-filled drama of faith and suspicion. Set in 1964, Doubt centers on a nun who confronts a priest after suspecting him of abusing a black student named Donald. He denies the charges, and much of the play's quick-fire dialogue tackles themes of religion, morality, and authority.

Sister Aloysius is a strict and conventional nun who kinda reminds me of some of the nuns back in my college. She also reminds me of Miss Minchin from Princess Sara. Sister Aloysius is a neurotic person who will grab on every opportunity to take down someone she doesn't like. But, despite the fact that she may be a bit wicked, you still can't help but pity her in the end. Sister Aloysius is the exact opposite of Sister James (who reminds me of Miss Minchin's sister, Amelia). Meanwhile, Father Flynn, despite the adversities, still tries to do good (like Princess Sara).

The dragon is hungry.

Meryl Streep is excellent as Sister Aloysius. She always manages to deliver a powerful and balanced performance in most of her films. Philip Seymour Hoffman is definitely one of the best actors of our time. He's also one of the versatile performers I've seen lately. Amy Adams is quite good as Sister James, though I find her performance as the naive young nun bit overacted. Most of the times, I can see Princess Giselle in the film. Maybe Adams should've toned down the "goody goody" image a bit. Viola Davis stole the show with her brief but moving performance as Donald's mother.

The real star of Doubt is its director, John Patrick Shanley, who made a successful transition from stage to screen. His screenplay for Doubt is very good and he is a revelation as a film director. Shanley's shots of certain objects as a symbolism to highlight a message is very impressive. I guess I can describe Shanley as this generation's Elia Kazan. After watching Doubt, I'm excited to see more of Shanley's works.

I liked the fact that Shanley didn't rely on excessive musical score because the script itself is already captivating. Not that I have something against music in movies, I think Howard Shore's work is very nice. That scene between Meryl Streep and Viola Davis has no background music yet it struck me as one of the intense scenes I've seen in a movie lately. The actors' exchange of emotional dialogues IS the music.

Doubt is also rich with vibrant colors. The film's cinematography is mesmerizing. Roger Deakins did a very good job with it. He was able to capture the gloomy and light characteristics of the film.

My rating: 7/10 - Doubt is not just an intriguing religious drama, it's also an intense meditation on how we see and interpret things around us.

Trailer for Doubt:




♥ L'amour est enfant de Bohème ♥

A Turning Point in Cinema

VANISHING POINT (1971)

Directed by: Richard C. Sarafian
Written by: Malcolm Hart (story outline), Guillermo Cain (screenplay), and Barry Hall.
Starring:
Barry Newman as Kowalski
Cleavon Little as Super Soul

Vanishing Point is one of the most influential movies of all time. It even inspired a bunch of "car movies", most notably Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof. Audioslave's music video for their song Show Me How To Live is a homage to Vanishing Point. Primal Scream even has an album named Vanishing Point, which includes a song called Kowalski (named after the film's lead character).

Along with 1968's Bullitt, Vanishing Point was one of those films that pioneered the "car movie" genre in cinema.

Plot: Kowalski works for a car delivery service. He takes delivery of a 1970 Dodge Challenger to take from Colorado to San Fransisco, California. Shortly after pickup, he takes a bet to get the car there in less than 15 hours.

Aside from the film's adrenaline-pumping car chase sequences, the other element that attracted me to Vanishing Point is the breathtaking cinematography (courtesy of John A. Alonzo). While Kowalski takes us on a high-speed ride, the film's pastel-colored cinematography lets you slow down and sigh in admiration.

Barry Newman adds more enigma to the mysterious Kowalski. I can also imagine Steve McQueen in the role of Kowalski, but the casting of Barry Newman as the lead character in Vanishing Point is perfect. Newman is not really a big star, and that fact is an advantage for the Kowalski character. Newman's charisma makes the audience want to know more about Kowalski. He's like a stranger you want to have a conversation with.

The 1970 Dodge Challenger used in the film

The film's soundtrack is very good. So '70s, so hippie. Kim Carnes' Nobody Knows describes the film's ending very well ("'Til the light of life stops burnin', 'til another soul goes free").

My rating: 3.5/5 - Vanishing Point is an exhilarating ride. It deserves its cult status.

Trailer for Vanishing Point:




♥ L'amour est enfant de Bohème ♥

Not Your Average Femme Fatale

LA FEMME NIKITA (1990)

Directed by: Luc Besson
Written by: Luc Besson
Starring:
Anne Parillaud as Nikita
Tchéky Karyo as Bob
Jean-Hugues Anglade as Marco



Luc Besson's Nikita (later called La Femme Nikita) is a groundbreaking film that revolutionized the genre of action films with a tough and sexy woman as its lead character. La Femme Nikita probably inspired a bunch of "girls with guns" movies.

A convicted young woman named Nikita, after being sentenced for life and "dying", is given a new identity by a top secret government agency. From being a grimy punk to being a sophisticated spy and assassin for the government, Nikita has a tough load to carry.

The romantic angle of the story adds more depth to the film. It's an action movie. Oui. It's a thrill of a ride. Oui. Just like life, it's a drama. Oui. It's a romantic film. Absolument! Nikita's true antagonist is herself, not her targets nor her sadistic boss Bob. Will she go on living as a killing machine and conceal her profession to her affectionate and unsuspecting boyfriend or will she leave behind her nasty job and live an honest life? Nikita is torn between being a hitwoman and being a human being bound to be in love.



Anne Parillaud was brilliant as Nikita. Aside from being physical, she was also able to show the emotional side of the film's heroine. Parillaud's performance was brave and exceptional. No wonder she won a César Best Actress award for La Femme Nikita. Tchéky Karyo and Jean-Hugues Anglade were equally good as Nikita's love interests. I was thrilled to see the legendary Jeanne Moreau and the charming Jean Reno (star of Besson's Léon) in this film.

I'm not really an avid fan of Luc Besson's films, but I admire the camera angles he executed in La Femme Nikita, especially the one during the opening credits sequence of the film. Tres bien! The film's original score is by Besson's frequent collaborator, Eric Serra. Serra was able to highlight the characters' emotions through his music. The film's action sequences are simple and believable, unlike those CGI-powered "action" movies.

During the film's release, La Femme Nikita was not really a critic's favorite but it was still able to be an international success and achieve cult status.

My rating: 3/5 - La Femme Nikita is an entertaining romantic action film.

Trailer for La Femme Nikita:




♥ L'amour est enfant de Bohème ♥

Polanski's "REPULSION" Out Now on Criterion DVD and Blu-Ray

REPULSION (1965)

Directed by: Roman Polanski
Written by: Roman Polanski and Gerard Brach
Starring: Catherine Deneuve as Carol Ledoux

Roman Polanski followed up his international breakthrough Knife in the Water (1962) with this controversial, chilling tale of psychosis. Starring Catherine Deneuve as Carol - a fragile, frigid young beauty cracking up over the course of a terrifying weekend. Left alone by her vacationing sister in their London flat, Carol is haunted by specters real and imagined, and her insanity grows to a violent pitch. Thanks to its unforgettable attention to disturbing detail and Polanski’s unparalleled adeptness at turning claustrophobic space into an emotional minefield, Repulsion remains one of cinema's most shocking psychological thrillers.

Roman Polanski showing his crew how to make Catherine Deneuve look crazy

An intelligent thriller, Polanski's Repulsion knows how to treat its audiences very well. It is subtle, yet haunting. A bit slow, but precise. Catherine Deneuve is at her best as the deranged Carol Ledoux. Her character doesn't talk a lot, but Deneuve was able to convey through body language and facial expressions (that's why there's a lot of close-up shots of her frail *but gorgeous* face in this film).

Deneuve as Carol Ledoux

The film is in Black & White so that the audiences will focus more on the character and the setting. For me, if you want a film (or a picture) to be heard for what it really wants to say, it should be in Black & White. Otherwise, your audiences willl tend to focus more on the actor's eye color or hair color, and will definitely say: "OMG! I love his eyes! It's so blue!" - when asked how the actor's performance was. That's why I prefer older films (especially the ones from the '40s - '70s) than newer ones. But, there are SOME colored films that are spontaneous and very good. If a filmmaker made an incredibly effective film in color, then he or she must be great.

Filming La Deneuve

If you want a film with lots of sex, violence, senseless and uber gross scenes - then Repulsion is not the film for you, go back to your Saw, Hostel, Final Destination, or those other kinds of crap.

My rating: 4/5 - this is definitely on my Top 3 Polanski, along with 1974's Chinatown and 2002's The Pianist.

An excerpt from Repulsion:

♥ L'amour est enfant de Bohème ♥

My Top 5 Alfred Hitchcock Films

The following are my five favorite films by one of the most influential filmmakers of all time, the Master of Suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock:

1. VERTIGO (1958)




Starring: James Stewart and Kim Novak

Plot: John "Scottie" Ferguson (Stewart) is a retired San Francisco police detective who suffers from acrophobia and Madeleine (Novak) is the lady who leads him to high places. A wealthy shipbuilder (played by Tom Helmore) who is an acquaintance from college days approaches Scottie and asks him to follow his beautiful wife, Madeleine. He fears she is going insane, maybe even contemplating suicide, because she believes she is possessed by a dead ancestor. Scottie is skeptical, but agrees after he sees the beautiful Madeleine.

Trailer for Vertigo:






2. NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959)




Starring: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, and James Mason

Plot: New York advertising executive Roger Thornhill (Grant) is kidnapped by a gang of spies led by Philip Vandamm (Mason), who believe Thornhill is CIA agent George Kaplan. Thornhill escapes, but must find Kaplan in order to clear himself of a murder it is believed he committed. Following Kaplan to Chicago as a fugitive from justice, Thornhill is helped by beautiful and enigmatic Eve Kendall (Saint). In Chicago, she delivers a message to Kaplan that almost costs Thornhill his life when he is chased across a cornfield by a crop-dusting plane.

Trailer for North by Northwest:






3. NOTORIOUS (1946)




Starring: Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant

Plot: Following the conviction of her German father for treason against the U.S., Alicia Huberman (Bergman) turns to alcohol and men. She is approached by a government agent named T.R. Devlin (Grant) who asks her to spy on a group of her father's Nazi friends operating out of Rio de Janeiro. A romance develops between Alicia and Devlin, but she starts to get too involved in her work.

Trailer for Notorious:






4. PSYCHO (1960)




Starring: Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, and Janet Leigh

Plot: One of the most celebrated films of all time and Hitchock's most popular film, Psycho tells the story of a young woman (Leigh) who steals $40,000 from her employer's client, and subsequently encounters a young motel proprietor (Perkins) too long under the domination of his mother.

Trailer for Psycho:






5. REAR WINDOW (1954)




Starring: James Stewart and Grace Kelly

Plot: The film that inspired 2007's Disturbia, Rear Window is about a wheelchair bound photographer (Stewart) who spies on his neighbours from his apartment window and becomes convinced one of them has committed murder.

Trailer for Rear Window:




♥ L'amour est enfant de Bohème ♥

Starring Natalie Wood

Today is the would-be 71st birthday of one of my favorite actresses of all time, Natalie Wood. Never have I seen an actress with so much grace and sincerity in her performances. The name "Natalie Wood" is synonymous with the phrase "powerful and moving performances". As a tribute to this beautiful and brilliant actress, allow me to present to you my top five favorite performances by the one and only Natalie Wood.

1. SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS (1961)

Directed by Elia Kazan
Starring:
Natalie Wood as Wilma Dean "Deanie" Loomis
Warren Beatty as Bud Stamper

Plot: A fragile Kansas girl's unrequited and forbidden love for a handsome young man from the town's most powerful family drives her to heartbreak and madness.

Natalie's intense performance in Splendor in the Grass is one of the best female performances I've ever seen. Through Natalie's excellent portrayal of the love sick Deanie Loomis, one can't help but feel sorry for Deanie. Natalie Wood is a revelation in Splendor in the Grass. She owned the film. For her remarkable turn in this film, Natalie received a Best Actress in a Leading Role nomination at 1961's Oscar® Academy Awards.

An excerpt from Splendor in the Grass:

2. THIS PROPERTY IS CONDEMNED (1966)

Directed by Sydney Pollack
Starring:
Natalie Wood as Alva Starr
Robert Redford as Owen Legate

Plot: A railroad official named Owen Legate comes to Dodson, Mississippi to shut down much of the town's railway (town's main income). Owen unexpectedly finds love with Dodson's flirt and main attraction, Alva Starr. Alva and Owen then try to escape Alva's mother's (played by Kate Reid) clutches and the town's revenge.

In this film, Natalie introduces us to a dreamer that is Alva Starr - a young woman who just wants a way out, a way out of her miserable life under her domineering mother. Through her daydreaming, Alva is able to escape from her not-so-pleasing reality. Natalie's performance is audacious, underrated though.

An excerpt from This Property Is Condemned:

3. WEST SIDE STORY (1961)

Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins
Starring:
Natalie Wood as Maria
Richard Beymer as Tony

Plot: Musical about two youngsters from rival NYC gangs who fall in love. A modern adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

This is the first film I saw Natalie in. She is breathtakingly beautiful here. Although her singing voice is dubbed by Marni Nixon, Natalie was still able to entertain the audience with her graceful and charming portrayal of Maria. By the end of the film, we can see the transition of Maria: from being a naive girl to being a strong young woman. Her disappointment over the death of her beloved Tony turns to grief, then anger and range. Perfectly executed by Ms. Wood herself.

Trailer for West Side Story:

4. LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER (1963)

Directed by Robert Mulligan
Starring:
Natalie Wood as Angie Rossini
Steve McQueen as Rocky Papasano

Plot: When Angie Rossini finds out she's pregnant, she tracks down Rocky Papasano, the musician with whom she had a one night stand. Angie works as a sales clerk in a department store and comes from a close knit Italian family where her brothers keep a close eye on her. The two really don't know one another but Rocky agrees to arrange for her to have an abortion but when he sees the conditions under which it will be performed, he gets her out of there. Can these two strangers find love with one another before it's too late?

One of the underrated romantic comedies, Love With The Proper Stranger features a very good chemistry between Natalie and (the gorgeous) Steve McQueen. This film is not just a plain romantic comedy, it's also a battle of wits. In this film, Natalie was able to balance comedy and drama. Natalie got herself a second Best Actress Oscar® nomination for her witty and touching performance in this movie.

A clip from Love With The Proper Stranger:

5. REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE (1955)

Directed by Nicholas Ray
Starring:
James Dean as Jim Stark
Natalie Wood as Judy
Sal Mineo as John "Plato" Crawford

Plot: Jim Stark is the new kid in town. He has been in trouble elsewhere; that's why his family has had to move before. Here, he hopes to find the love he doesn't get from his middle-class family. Though he finds some of this in his relation with Judy.

Rebel is probably one of the most well known films that starred Natalie Wood and the legendary James Dean. When I first saw Judy, I said to myself: "This is me. This is so me." The film's star is Dean, obviously. But the then 17 year-old Natalie was still able to steal the show with her realistic portrayal of Judy - the misunderstood girl who found comfort with the equally misundertood Jim. For her performance in this film, Natalie had her first Oscar® nomination (Best Actress in a Supporting Role).

A clip from Rebel Without A Cause:

♥ L'amour est enfant de Bohème ♥

MOST BEAUTIFUL ACTRESSES OF ALL TIME...so far

"For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it." -Ivan Panin

The words beautiful and beauty are mostly associated with the word vague. It's hard to put a definite meaning to the word "beautiful" as the concept of beauty changes over the decades. What may be beautiful during the 1940s, may not be that beautiful in the 1970s anymore. Beauty is a subjective matter. As the saying goes, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder".

So for me, these actresses are some of the most beautiful of all time.



1. NATALIE WOOD



One of my most favorite actresses ever. Natalie Wood's radiant face exudes a striking appeal. She's like a flower in full bloom.

Natalie Wood started acting in films at the tender age of 4, her most notable film as a child actor is 1947's Miracle on 34th Street. She successfully made a transition from being a child actress to being a mature actress when she co-starred (at age 16) with the legendary James Dean in 1955's Rebel Without A Cause. She's also known for her portrayal of Maria in the film version of the Broadway musical West Side Story. By the age of 25, she was a three-time Oscar® nominee, after receiving a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her turn in Rebel Without A Cause and Best Actress nominations for her performances in Splendor in the Grass (1961) and Love with the Proper Stranger (1963).

Hers is the face you'll never get tired looking at. Just like what Tony said to Maria in West Side Story, "so beautiful."

Natalie Wood in Splendor in the Grass

Best feature: Her big brown eyes - so lovely! :)
Born: Natalia Nikolaevna Zakharenko (later changed to Natasha Gurdin) - in San Francisco, California, USA
Date of Birth: July 20, 1938

Natalie as Maria in West Side Story

At her most beautiful: West Side Story and Splendor in the Grass (both in 1961).



"You get tough in this business (showbiz), until you get big enough to hire people to get tough for you. Then you can sit back and be a lady." -Natalie Wood

Natalie Wood singing "I Feel Pretty" in West Side Story:




2. CATHERINE DENEUVE



The name Catherine Deneuve and the surname Deneuve (pronounced as something like "de-nerve") is synonymous with the following words: class, elegance, and French cinema.

At first glance, La Deneuve might seem remote, maybe it's because most of the characters she portray in films are either icy or mysterious, most especially her character in Roman Polanski's Repulsion (1965). There's just something in Deneuve that makes people want to know her more. La Deneuve's beauty is often described as cool, calm, remote, and possessed with an edge of mystery.

La Deneuve even has a lesbian following. Thanks to her love scene with Susan Sarandon in 1983's The Hunger.

Catherine Deneuve with Geneviève Page in Belle de Jour

Best feature: Her nose
Born: Catherine Fabienne Dorléac - in Paris, France
Date of Birth: October 22, 1943

Deneuve in Repulsion

At her most beautiful: Repulsion (1965) and Belle de Jour (1967)

La Deneuve in 2000's Dancer in the Dark

"I am shocked when people talk about me and sum me up as blonde, cold, and solemn. People will cling on to whatever reinforces their own assumptions about a person." -Catherine Deneuve

Catherine Deneuve in Belle de Jour:




3. INGRID BERGMAN



Ingrid Bergman is widely remembered for her performance as Ilsa Lund in the 1942 film Casablanca. Whenever most audiences hear the word "Casablanca", they can't help but think of that breathtakingly beautiful actress who broke Humphrey Bogart's heart (in the movie). Hers is definitely one of the most iconic faces in the history of cinema.

Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca

Best feature: Her smile
Born: Ingrid Bergman - in Stockholm, Sweden
Date of Birth: August 29, 1915

At her most beautiful: Casablanca (1942)

Bergman in Ingmar Bergman's Autumn Sonata (1978)

"Happiness is good health and a bad memory." -Ingrid Bergman

Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca:




4. TUESDAY WELD



The name Tuesday Weld may not be a household name, but the face of Tuesday Weld is unforgettable. It's cute and beautiful at the same time.

She was director Roman Polanski's first choice for the title role in Rosemary's Baby (1968) because he thought her pure, American looks would contrast well with the film's dark undertones. The studio preferred the more popular Mia Farrow. A few years later, Polanski wanted Tuesday to star in his film version of The Tragedy of Macbeth (1971). She lost the part when she refused to do a nude sleepwalking scene.

Tuesday turned down quite a lot of big roles in big movies; as Bonnie Parker in Bonnie and Clyde, as Daisy Buchanan in 1974's The Great Gatsby, as the title role in Stanley Kubrick's Lolita (1962), etc.



Best feature: Her mouth
Born: Susan Ker Weld - in New York City, New York, USA
Date of Birth: August 27, 1943

At her most beautiful: The Cincinnati Kid (1965)

Tuesday Weld (fourth from left) with her co-stars in 2001's Investigating Sex

"It seems the brighter you are, the deeper the hole you get into." -Tuesday Weld

Tuesday Weld in a funny clip from 1966's Lord Love A Duck:




5. AUDREY HEPBURN



Chic, elegant, and stylish; that's how I would describe Audrey Hepburn's beauty.

Audrey Hepburn in Charade

Best feature: Her eyes - full of vitality.
Born: Audrey Kathleen Ruston - in Ixelles, Belgium
Date of Birth: May 4, 1929

At her most beautiful: Charade (1963)



"I never thought I'd land in pictures with a face like mine." -Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn in Charade:



6. NASTASSJA KINSKI

Nastassja Kinski in the May 1980 issue of Vogue

Nastassja Kinski's beauty is often described as a combination of Audrey Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman, Brigitte Bardot, and Sophia Loren. Nastassja's appeal is as sensual as her name. She even went on to become a sex symbol during the '80s.

Nastassja in Roman Polanski's Tess

Best feature: Her sensual mouth
Born: Nastassja Aglaia Nakszynski - in Berlin, Germany
Date of Birth: January 24, 1961

At her most beautiful: Tess (1979)

Nastassja lately

"The years went by so fast and, even though I've had children, which makes me feel I've lived a long time, I feel I didn't really grow up. I want to fulfill the desire I have to do things that are beautiful and meaningful." -Nastassja Kinski

Nastassja Kinski in Tess:




7. VIVIEN LEIGH



Hailed as one of the best actresses of all time, Vivien Leigh is most probably remembered as the actress who played Scarlett O'Hara in the classic film Gone with the Wind. My most favorite performance of Vivien is as the deranged Blanche DuBois in the 1951 film version of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire.

Vivien's face was always radiant, until her TB (she was a heavy smoker) took a toll on her health and looks.

Vivien Leigh with her first Oscar award

Best feature: Her eyes
Born: Vivian Mary Hartley - in Darjeeling, West Bengal, British India (now India)
Date of Birth: November 05, 1913

At her most beautiful: Gone with the Wind (1939)



"Some critics saw fit to say that I was a great actress. I thought that was a foolish, wicked thing to say because it put such an onus and such a responsibility onto me, which I simply wasn't able to carry." -Vivien Leigh

Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind:





8. KRISTIN KREUK



Kristin Kreuk is the epitome of Eurasian beauty. Her dad is Dutch and her mom is Chinese. Her beauty is often described as exotic. No wonder she was cast as Chun-Li in that Streetfighter movie. Kristin is also the face of Neutrogena.



Best feature: Her eyes
Born: Kristin Laura Kreuk - in Vancouver B.C., Canada
Date of Birth: December 30, 1982

At her most beautiful: Smallville (TV series)



"I really don't use that much make up - I'm pretty natural. I wear even less of it in the summer." -Kristin Kreuk

Kristin Kreuk in Smallville:




9. DARIA HALPRIN



Celebrated Italian filmmaker Michelangelo Antonioni discovered Daria Halprin in a documentary about a bunch of hippies. He then cast her as the lead actress in his 1970 film Zabriskie Point, Halprin's beauty compliments the film very well. After Zabriskie Point, she made only one film and that's it. She's now teaching movement-based healing arts at Tamalpa Institute in California.

Daria Halprin with co-star Mark Frechette in Antonioni's Zabriskie Point

Best feature: Her eyes
Born: Daria Schuman Halprin
Date of Birth: December 30, 1948

A recent picture of Daria, courtesy of Tamalpa Institute

"I felt very close to him personally, but it didn't come through in the film..." -Daria Halprin on Michelangelo Antonioni

At her most beautiful: Zabriskie Point (1970)

Daria Halprin in Zabriskie Point:




10. FAYE DUNAWAY



Faye Dunaway has a very charming face. One of the living legends in Hollywood, Dunaway is a perfect example of an unconventional beauty a.k.a. "rebel beauty". Unfortunately, most kids today only know Ms. Dunaway as Hilary Duff's "nemesis".

She's one of my favorite actresses too. Her performances are always powerful. Check out her Oscar® nominated turns in films like 1976's Network (for which she won the Best Actress award), Bonnie and Clyde (1967), and Roman Polanski's Chinatown (1974).

Faye Dunaway as Bonnie Parker in Bonnie and Clyde

Best feature: Her perfectly placed cheekbones
Born: Dorothy Faye Dunaway - in Bascom, Florida, USA
Date of Birth: January 14, 1941

At her most beautiful: Bonnie and Clyde (1967)



"Everybody in life hits bad strides. What matters is that you keep showing up, and you don't leave stuff to chance." -Faye Dunaway

Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde:




Let me end this blog entry with an intelligent quote by a beautiful actress named Jacqueline Bisset. "Character contributes to beauty. It fortifies a woman as her youth fades."

♥ L'amour est enfant de Bohème ♥