The Passion of the Christ

Tags

2000's, Biblical, Biblical Drama, Hristo Shopov, Jim Caviezel, Luca Lionello, Maia Morgenstern, Mel Gibson, Monica Bellucci, Religious Drama, Rosalinda Celentano, The Passion of the Christ

Depicting the last twelve hours in the life of Jesus Christ, Mel Gibson’s unrelenting religious drama pulls no punches on the brutality scale. Though that does offer hope, if you can get make your way through the startling brutality depicted. All in all, The Passion of the Christ emerges as a truly powerful and emotion churning film.

We begin in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus(Jim Caviezel) knows he will be betrayed . Judas( Luca Lionello), one of his trusted disciples, betrays Jesus for pieces of silver and leads them to where the master he followed is . Arrested, Jesus is accosted by priests and faces the temptation of Satan. Watching are his disciples, plus his mother Mary(Maia Morgenstern) and Mary Magdalene(Monica Bellucci), who are devastated by the proceedings that follow. As the hours pass by, it’s an emotional rollercoaster for all involved. From being taken to the conflicted governor Pontius Pilate(Hristo Shopov) to his scourging by soldiers, Jesus is put through sickening abuse and soul shaking cruelty. Despite being tortured and mocked, Jesus remains as resolute as he can in his conviction of his purpose to be the saviour of the people. As his torture continues, Jesus eventually carries the cross to his place of death as jeering crowds and devastated followers continue with him. The hope of resurrection comes in a soulful conclusion with the ascension of the Messiah.

Mel Gibson directs with real conviction and pardon the pun, passion. He’s created a film that doesn’t sugarcoat or simplify the last twelves of Jesus Christ’s life . I’ve found that often in religious movies depicting Christ, the brutality and hardship of his last hours is watered down and over rather quickly . And while many of those movies are fantastically made and crafted, The Passion of the Christ is a different movie altogether. Gibson crafts a truly harrowing experience that both rewards and scars. The decision to have the film be in Aramaic, with also bits in Latin and Hebrew, is an interesting one that I think pays off because it makes things feel realistic and immediate. Now I’ve read that there are those who view as anti-Semitic because the main people wanting Jesus put to death are Jewish priests. While I can understand where the accusation is coming from , though I don’t believe that the film itself is anti-semitic . It rather shows how there is sin and darkness on either side of things and how man can often be cruel and shockingly vicious towards others . The scenes of vicious brutality are intercut with flashback from Christ’s past, including the Last Supper and rescuing Mary Magdalene from the street. These scenes are bathed in a beautiful glow which counteracts the almost muted colour palette of the early passages, followed by glaring brightness as the journey towards crucifixion comes into motion. All of this is strikingly shot and realised by the talented cinematography Caleb Deschanel .  His work is stark yet strangely beautiful; reminiscent of old fashioned painting and artwork. Among the savagery on show, the cinematography holds moments of soulful grace. The focus on eyes throughout is arresting in a very visual sense and in between the often harrowing images depicted, translates a lot of emotion to the audience. Sound editing makes every moment of brutality stand out, particularly the sound of the whip that cuts in the back of Jesus and into the ears of the audience. A truly haunting score from John Debney heightens all the emotions displayed in a way that is truly hypnotic, dark and yet stirring as it unfolds. For many viewers, the level of brutality, violence and general intensity will prove too much for them. And it is true that The Passion of the Christ is a test of endurance on both the emotions and the stomach. Some parts of it due feel like overkill, like a beating that refuses to end. But I believe that’s the main point of the movie and that by refusing to shy away from the brutality, it is attempting to bring a level of reality to the story which is often eschewed for something nicer. 

Jim Caviezel is truly astounding as Jesus Christ in what is obviously an immensely challenging role. Caviezel finds the core of strength that comes through when experiencing startling torture. His soulful expression, underneath viciously inflicted wounds, brings volumes of depth and beatific humanity to Christ. Put through the emotional and physical mill, Caviezel is on hand to deliver a performance that says so much and is filled with deep reverence and dignity throughout. Maia Morgenstern is sublime as Mary, the mother of Christ who is seen throughout the movie enduring every parent’s worst nightmare. What this woman conveys with her eye is simply extraordinary; you feel every emotion goes through her and is expressed on her marvellous and nuanced face. My hats off to the immensely talented and totally believable Maia Morgenstern.  The same can be said of Monica Bellucci, who doesn’t have a lot of dialogue but whose face speaks more than reams of dialogue ever could. Both women are truly superb as the important women in the life of Jesus. They both must watch with mournful, expressive eyes, the man they care about go through immense pain in order to save people from their sins. And they truly deliver work that like that of Caviezel, burns itself into the memory for its power. Hristo Shopov, who possesses a palpably haunted and weary aura, plays Pilate as a man who is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t . The burden weighs heavy on him and Shopov plays this convincingly and authenticity .Rosalinda Celentano appears in the brief but important role of Satan. With her piercing visage and unnerving aura, she’s a memorable part of The Passion of the Christ and pretty unforgettable. Luca Lionello appears as the traitorous Judas, who soon feels the immense guilt and feeling of disgust that comes with betraying someone who trusted you. Lionello embodies when he’s on screen this feeling of self-hatred and regret as demons swell around him. 

At the end of the day, The Passion of the Christ is both a soul shaking and powerful movie. It’s not for the faint of heart and I wholeheartedly mean that , but if you have the stomach, it’s an unforgettable experience.

Brotherhood of the Wolf

Tags

2000's, Action, Émilie Dequenne, Brotherhood of the Wolf, Christophe Gans, Fantasy, Foreign Language Film, Horror, Jérémie Renier, Mark Dacascos, Monica Bellucci, Samuel Le Bihan, Vincent Cassel

Film Title

Brotherhood of the Wolf

Director

Christophe Gans

Starring

• Samuel Le Bihan as Grégoire de Fronsac
• Mark Dacascos as Mani
• Jérémie Renier as Marquis Thomas d’Apcher
• Émilie Dequenne as Marianne de Morangias
• Vincent Cassel as Jean-François de Morangias
• Monica Bellucci as Sylvia

An audacious melding of more genres that you can shake a stick at and Taking basis from tales of an alleged beast in the of France, Brotherhood of the Wolf is enthralling and unusual in the best sense of the word.

The year is 1764 and in the province of Gévaudan, a spate of brutal killings of young girls and children is attributed to an unseen predator known as The Beast. As time passes, the killings rise rapidly in and other parts of the land, leading to much upheaval and panic as to whether the creature is something of this Earth. In response, The King of France sends two men to make some sense of what is happening. These two men are Grégoire de Fronsac, a naturalist and talented sketch artist and his blood brother companion, Iroquois Mani. They find lodging at the house of a respectable family of high-ranking, becoming friendly with the young Marquis Thomas d’Apcher, who has a big imagination and a lot of heart. The dashing Fronsac is skeptical of the Beast’s authenticity or that it is something demonic, yet must investigate this thing that is baffling and devastating the land. He along with Mani is frequently tested by things that don’t add up regarding the alleged monster. Many describe it as a giant wolf, but others who survived it claim it was a supernatural being. The authorities keep a lot close to their chest, which hinders the search for The Beast and leads to more questions of just what the purpose and reality of the Beast truly are. Meanwhile, Fronsac finds himself attracted to noblewoman Marianne de Morangias, much to the chagrin and jealousy of her one-armed brother Jean-François, who has inappropriate yearnings for his sister. Something of a libertine, he also has his head turned by the tarot reading courtesan Sylvia, who lures him into her twisted web. The attacks of The Beast continue to alarm everyone, and the intelligent Fronsac, along with the sensory perceptions of Mani, believes he is getting nearer to discovery. For what lies at the centre of the Beast’s mystery is something way beyond what either man expected it to be

Gans is an adventurous film maker it must be said and that puckish quality is put to phenomenal use in this bricolage film, that always has a kinetic feel to it. There is no shortage of drama or eventfulness in Brotherhood of the Wolf that ranks it very high on the excitement and swashbuckling action. From the standpoint of visuals, the movie is so alive and a lot of careful craftsmanship has gone into the sets, costumes and overall atmosphere. The editing conjures up a sweeping and adventurous spell, complete with clever dissolves and overlapping imagery for maximum impact. While it could be accused of over egging the pudding with the sheer amount of genres at work, Brotherhood of the Wolf is nothing short of high entertainment and the very fact that it is so unusual is what makes it strong. Half of the fun in the movie is trying to see what will happen next or what tone it will adopt, which is exemplary in my book. I mean you just look over how many elements the film juggles and your mind is blown. You’ve got the feelings of fantasy and horror through the bloodshed and peculiar nature of the beast( which for a long time is effectively shrouded in shadows before revealing itself). Action is frequently shot like that of a spinning martial arts movie, specially prevalent whenever is around. And obviously there is something historical in the film from the fact that the material of The Beast of Gévaudan is still something of a strange mystery. For many, Brotherhood of the Wolf may confound with the sheer amount of things going on in it. But wouldn’t you rather have a film that  is filled to the rafters with content instead of a movie where noting of much value unfolds? The music bursts with unbridled energy from the very first frame. You couldn’t have asked for a better score to match the devilishly blended cavalcade of events going on.

Samuel Le Bihan is a good fit for the thinking and slightly rakish Fronsac, who knows something is very amiss in this affair. He gets across the funny and intellectual side that slowly paves the way for a personal streak of vengeance and fury, as the mission grows to be something personal. The morphing from thinker to full on fighter is handsomely handled by Le Bihan. The mainly silent but intense Mark Dacascos lends a spiritual and physical grace to Mani, from his movements to his mannerisms that are largely quiet but when needed pronounced. Dacascos possesses an unearthly poise and athleticism that make the role of Mani one of action as well as soulfulness. Young Jérémie Renier is suitably as the youth who becomes enraptured and curious in helping the two men in their discovery. It helps that has a charm and impressionable wide-eyed expression that is appealing and endearing. The three main guys of the picture work well with each other, obviously bouncing off the difference in personalities and attitudes that are brought together. A demure Émilie Dequenne handles the part of a stifled lady of prominence, who silently chafes at what is expected of her and is more than just an obedient observer when the occasion calls for it. Vincent Cassel nails the sneering arrogance of the warped nobleman whose desire for his sister causes a lot of creepy conflict, especially with Fronsac. Monica Bellucci seductively steams the screen up as the most mysterious lady of the night, who may very well have more answers than she gives out. Sly and capricious spring to mind when talking of her character and the stunning Bellucci plays that to the hilt.

A hugely exhilarating motion picture with deep imagination and a clear love of pulling things that shouldn’t really go together into something spectacular, Brotherhood of the Wolf is one of the most unconventional movies you’re likely to see, but that is what causes it to be so arresting.

My Dream Movie Cast

Tags

Al Pacino, Judi Dench, Kevin Bacon, Monica Bellucci, My Dream Movie Cast, Natalie Portman

I was recently asked about who my dream cast for a movie would be and it really got me thinking. So for today’s post I’m going to list 5 actors and actresses who I would put in a movie if I could. Hope you all enjoy.

Al Pacino:

He has been one of my cinematic idols for years and is super talented. He may have not been in much recently, but his work still stands up so well. To have an actor like him on a set really raises the bar in terms of performances.

Judi Dench:

A national treasure of talent and wit, Judi Dench is a force to be reckoned with. With her iconic voice giving life to the words she speaks and a glint in her eye, Dench never fails to amaze me.

Kevin Bacon:

This man literally lights up the screen with his presence and versatility. From affable and charming to frightening and chilling, Bacon is an actor I hugely admire and would be happy to have in a cast.

Monica Bellucci:

The beautiful and talented Monica Bellucci has that ability to say so much without words and it really grips from the movies I’ve seen her in. None of her work ever feels forced or histrionic, it’s very calm but speaks volumes about the characters in the most expressive way.

Natalie Portman:

An intelligent performer of depth, Natalie Portman exudes a sense of confidence and maturity that is hard to resist. She takes risks in her work and is able to burrow into the character’s head with acute observations. It would be an honor to have Miss Portman in a movie.

So what does everyone think of my dream movie cast?

 

 

Spectre

Tags

007, 2010's, Andrew Scott, Ben Whishaw, Christoph Waltz, Daniel Craig, Dave Bautista, James Bond, Jesper Christensen, Léa Seydoux, Monica Bellucci, Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes, Sam Mendes, Spectre, Spy

Film Title

Spectre

Director

Sam Mendes

Starring

• Daniel Craig as James Bond
• Christoph Waltz as Franz Oberhauser
• Léa Seydoux as Madeleine Swann
• Ben Whishaw as Q
• Naomie Harris as Miss Moneypenny
• Dave Bautista as Mr. Hinx
• Monica Bellucci as Lucia Sciarra
• Ralph Fiennes as M
• Andrew Scott as Max Denbigh
• Jesper Christensen as Mr. White

It was going to be a hard act to follow the phenomenal success and acclaim that Skyfall experienced, but I’m happy to report that Spectre, the 24th Bond movie is excellently done and hugely entertaining on almost every level. Bringing back some of the classic formula that makes the series so enjoyable in the first place, Spectre scores high points.

We begin in Mexico during the Day of the Dead, where Bond is on an unofficial mission as ordered by the former M before her death. He is tracking an international criminal named Marco Sciarra who is planning to blow up a prominent stadium. Before he can do this Bond intervenes in typically bombastic fashion and gives chase to the mafia boss, ending up with the two of them battling it out in a helicopter slowly spinning out of control. Bond overpowers him and manages to claim his ring, which bears a curious octopus symbol. Meanwhile, back in London, the current M is under pressure when Bond returns because his actions play into the hands of ambitious Security Chief Max Denbigh. The cocky upstart has plans to rid MI6 of the 00 section, seeing it as old and outdated. Though disciplined by M to stay and not doing anything rash, Bond, enlisting the covert services of loyal Moneypenny and gadget man Q, travels to Rome to uncover more about the syndicate the Sciarra was part of. Through contact with the forbidden Lucia, who is the widow of Sciarra, he finds the meeting place. It transpires that the organisation is the nefarious SPECTRE, who are behind worldwide acts of chaos and evil. Most alarming of all is the fact that the head of it is someone from Bond’s past known as Franz Oberhauser. Travelling to Austria, where he encounters former enemy Mr White, who is dying and in his last moments gives Bond precious information, Bond is set for a globetrotting adventure that also takes him to Tangier. He is further aided by Mr White’s intelligent daughter Dr Madeleine Swann, as he unearths the full nature of the crime group and confronts his own past in a mission that gets personal and very dangerous.

Sam Mendes successfully returns to the director seat again and works marvels with Spectre. Sprinkling proceedings with humour, action and dangerous elegance, he captures the world of Bond with excitement and panache. I enjoyed seeing Mendes tipping his hat to some of the older movies in the series, specifically From Russia with Love and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Style oozes from the frames of this movie and special mention must go to the dazzling opening sequence. The sweeping nature of the tracking shot that begins the film is stunning and it burns itself deep into the mind for its skill, as well as the rest of the action-packed sequence that begins things with one hell of a bang. And I must give credit to the lovely cinematography that gives each new location on Bond’s journey a sense of dangerous atmosphere and international intrigue. Whether it be the burned oranges of shadowy Rome to the exotic golden sheen of Morocco, Spectre never fails to engage on a visual level. For all the visual grandeur, at least Spectre has a good script and story to go along with too. I liked the reintroduction of humour again and the way it was balanced with suspense. There really are some cracking one liners in here that will raise a chuckle or so within the audience, but there is still a grittiness within that is typical of Craig’s tenure as 007. Spectre feels very much like a Bond movie of old in style and content, though mixed with up to date agendas and technology. Thomas Newman provides a stirring and sweeping score that acts as a an excellent accompaniment to the adventure on screen and is not afraid to break out the outrageous bombast of old. Though the Sam Smith song for the movie has caused an ambivalent response, the orchestra heavy ‘Writing’s On the Wall’ fits stunningly into an unusual title sequence of octopus tentacles crawling over lovely ladies, fiery elementals caressing Bond and flickers of the past in shattered glass.

In his fourth outing as 007, Daniel Craig is excellent and really looks comfortable with the part. He still brings a level of seriousness to the screen, but it’s fun to see him be quick-witted and ruthless with style. In other words, Craig brings a new lease of life to Bond by combining both of these qualities and emerging successful. Largely seen in the shadows for the first half but once unveiled a slimy presence, a superb Christoph Waltz imbues the villain Oberhauser with a sinister charm and quiet sense of being the one pulling a whole lot of strings. Portraying the primary Bond girl Madeleine Swann, Léa Seydoux is sultry, intuitive and well-rounded as we witness her being able to handle dangerous situations and be able to analyse Bond. There is something very layered about the character and through the talents of Seydoux, they shine through. Ben Whishaw is a hoot as Q, given more material and working wonders with some splendidly written scenes with Bond as he risks his job to help him on his mission. Naomie Harris shines as Moneypenny, who also risks her job to help Bond and has a natural sense of humour about her. The hulking and silent credentials of Dave Bautista make for a suitably menacing henchman who tangles with Bond on more than one occasion. In a small but well-played part, the lovely Monica Bellucci plays a mob widow with a sense of melancholy and sexiness to her, who gives Bond some very important information regarding the eponymous group. Ralph Fiennes is great as M, who is not backing down from battling the forces that want to take away what he has worked for all this time. As the slick and brash Denbigh who has big plans and is thoroughly smug and condescending, Andrew Scott does a good job at making him really unlikable. And making a pivotal cameo is Jesper Christensen as former enemy Mr White who while dying after betraying SPECTRE, confides in Bond.

A well-shot, stylish and exciting Bond adventure, Spectre provides thrills and action that will leave you astonished and engrossed. I think it’s fair to say Spectre is a more than worthy follow-up to the amazing Skyfall.

 

Shoot Em Up

Tags

2000's, Action, Clive Owen, Michael Davis, Monica Bellucci, Paul Giamatti, Shoot Em Up

Film Title

Shoot Em Up

Director

Michael Davis

Starring

• Clive Owen as Mr. Smith
• Paul Giamatti as Karl Hertz
• Monica Bellucci as Donna Quintano

Balls to the wall set pieces, brutal shoot outs and outrageously dark humour mix in the hugely enjoyable action extravaganza Shoot Em Up. Subtlety and overall logic goes out the window and this movie is all the better for it as it revs up the gears and doesn’t pause for breath. Think of a dozen action movies put in a blender and mixed to the highest speed and you get the general idea of what Shoot Em Up is promising you.

Carrot-munching loner Mr. Smith is minding his own business one night when he sees a heavily pregnant woman being chased by a pack of men with guns. Intervening and showing his own killer skill with any form of firearm, Smith manages to help the woman deliver her baby as he slays the bad guys. Sadly, the woman dies but Smith manages to escape with the baby boy. The leader of the goons after the baby is the crazed  psychopath Karl Hertz, who doesn’t take kindly to Smith coming along and taking the child he wanted to get. Now in a game of violent cat and mouse, Smith flees as Hertz and his tooled up buddies come following at every turn. Smith enlists the help of prostitute Donna Quintano, who specialises in providing lactating services to her clientele. She is initially reluctant to help as her and Smith have history, but eventually comes around when Hertz attempts to find the baby and tortures her. As bullets fly and the chase begins, Smith and Donna must protect the baby from the harm that is coming very close to him in a crazy plot of seedy dealings and blood-splattered carnage, headed by the unstable Hertz.

From the get go, Shoot Em Up announces itself as a movie that moves at a hundred miles an hour and isn’t one for people who are looking for depth and substance. Words like audacious, over the top and outrageous were practically invented to describe a movie like this. Michael Davis successfully directs with daring flair, moving from one shocking set piece to the next while underscoring it with a perverse and mordant humour. And those set pieces are thrilling rides to say the very least; a battle while skydiving, a shootout during a passionate bout of lovemaking between Smith and Donna and Smith’s ingenious use of carrots as weapons. Many will take issue with the sheer preposterous nature of the film, but it is best to just surrender to the action spectacle and let your faith take a leap if you really want to revel in it. A cracking editing format of slow motion combining with razor-sharp cuts makes Shoot Em Up a kinetic movie of the highest order. And a fantastic soundtrack of heavy metal perfectly matches the dark events on the screen and the always on the move characters.

Clive Owen is the perfect person to play the role of the enigmatic but highly skilled Smith. He imbues the part with a cynical attitude and a chivalrous core, not to mention immense athletic prowess and marksmanship. I really couldn’t think of anyone better to play the role of this hero. Paul Giamatti essays the part of the crazed and know it all villain with delicious finesse and barely contained droll humour. To say he is a riot to watch would be a huge understatement to how off the wall he is in this movie. Monica Bellucci is excellent as the seductive prostitute with a heart of gold and a calming influence on Smith, who becomes something of a surrogate mother to the baby boy thrust into her protection from evil. Her chemistry with Owen is marvellous and the way they play off one another is quite something.

Over the top, unabashedly shocking and a complete thrill ride, Shoot Em Up is a crazy film that plays by its own rules and delivers action in spades.

 

 

Under Suspicion

Tags

2000's, Gene Hackman, Monica Bellucci, Morgan Freeman, Stephen Hopkins, Thomas Jane, Thriller, Under Suspicion

Film Title

Under Suspicion

Director

Stephen Hopkins

• Gene Hackman as Henry Hearst
• Morgan Freeman as Captain Victor Benezet
• Thomas Jane as Detective Felix Owens
• Monica Bellucci as Chantal Hearst

I would hardly describe Under Suspicion as the best thriller I’ve ever seen, but it certainly does the job efficiently with style and a great cast to keep you biting your nails as its mystery is unearthed.

In Puerto Rico, Henry Hearst is a powerful and very rich lawyer who is called in police questioning one night, just as he’s about to give an important speech at a charity fundraiser for aid to the island after a devastating hurricane. The previous day he reported finding the body of a young girl while out jogging and Victor Benezet, a police captain and old friend wants to ask him a few questions about it. The murder of the young girl is the second in a string of crimes and Benezet is under pressure to get to the bottom of it. Aided by the eager and cocky young detective Felix Owens, what starts as normal and routine questioning that was promised to take only a small amount of time slowly evolves into something deeper and darker as the various recounting of Henry’s actions begins to change alarmingly and his seedy private life comes into question. Under the grilling of both, Henry’s story begins to slowly unravel as cracks appear left right and centre, which makes the brash Henry look even more guilty as time slowly pushes on. But what is the truth and what is lies? And when Henry’s much younger trophy wife Chantal is interviewed with regards to her husband, things only get a whole lot more mysterious.

Director Stephen Hopkins brings a sense of visual panache with stylish flashbacks that incorporate the conversations of the present in between them blurring the line between truth and falsehood. As lies and deceit come spilling out of what originally appeared to be a simple routine questioning, Hopkins manages to crank the tension up, even when the movie appears to go down the by the numbers thriller route. As the film enters its final third it does become more than a little overly complex and the ultimate outcome undermines the build up a bit, but you can’t help but watch as it does keep you riveted because of the talent behind the camera and in front of it. The fact that Under Suspicion takes place largely in one setting, in this case police headquarters, lends the film a certain claustrophobic impact as Henry attempts to leave but his stories filled with multitudes of holes keep him from doing so and causes him to lock horns with the searching Victor. The intense score, featuring carnival beats of Puerto Rico, gives another layer of mystery to the film as the case is blown wide open. When the plot gets a little sleepy, the score manages to lift it from slumber and give it life.

Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman are both on cracking form here and there scenes of coming to blows are electric. Hackman possesses that charm and arrogance that belies something darker beneath, and Freeman exudes quiet intelligence and the questioning authority of the police captain. When these two acting greats are on screen, it’s a great thing to behold because of the amount of combined talent between them. Thomas Jane is well cast as the probing and hot-headed detective who from the get go is convinced that Henry is guilty as sin. Like Freeman, Jane’s character clashes with Hackman’s but with more physical force, instead of Freeman’s gradual ways of gaining information. Monica Bellucci is smouldering as the icy trophy wife, who has an air of enigma about her and hides that she’s knows more than she is letting on. For the first half she is largely on the sidelines, but eventually through her subtle face and actions, we see that she plays an important part in this mystery as she comes into her own in the latter part of the movie.

So while sometimes a bit jumbled and overly complex, Under Suspicion is nonetheless an absorbing thriller to watch.

 

Happy Birthday Monica Bellucci

Tags

Happy Birthday, Monica Bellucci

A stunning international siren of beauty and talent, Monica Bellucci is the definition of a woman that will stop you in your tracks and today she turns 51. Yet there is a whole lot of talent and depth to her in her acting work that I think often goes unnoticed because of her stunning appearance. Her acting for me is all about shaded subtlety and nuance, she doesn’t need any big shouting scenes as she can say so much just with her face. Bellucci for me is just an all round personality, she has a sense of humour in interviews, her speaking voice is so mellifluous to listen to and she just exudes star quality. And I for one can’t wait to see her in the next Bond movie Spectre. So here is a photographic look at her wonderful career to celebrate her birthday.

 

 

 

Malena

Tags

2000's, Coming-of-Age, Drama, Foreign Language Film, Giuseppe Sulfaro, Giuseppe Tornatore, Malena, Monica Bellucci, World War II

Film Title

Malena

Director

Giuseppe Tornatore

Starring

• Monica Bellucci as Malena Scordia
• Giuseppe Sulfaro as Renato Amoroso

A moving, at times funny and at times bittersweet drama, Malena focuses on the coming of age of a young boy during the Second World War and his desire for a mysterious and beautiful woman. With a lush soundtrack and beautifully rendered visuals, Malena is a film that touches you as well as delivering a few unexpected shocks every now and then.

The tale begins in 1940 in a quiet Sicilian village. Italy has just entered the War and young Renato is given his first bike. The main other event that changes his life on this eventful day is, along with his friends, glimpsing the sight of the beautiful Malena Scordia, whose husband is away fighting in the War. As a quiet and devastatingly gorgeous woman, Malena is the subject of malicious gossip from women and amorous advances from men throughout the town. Young Renato begins to develop a crush on the lonely woman and repeatedly dreams about her. Yet while almost every other man objectifies the woman and for a time Renato does this in his daydreams and fantasies, he soon begins to see that she is just trying to cope with loneliness and is not at all like the savage gossip that is spread about her. As the hardships of the War begin to take their toll, Malena comes under more scrutiny for becoming a prostitute because she is desperate for food and her husband has been listed as dead while serving in Africa. Only young Renato, on the cusp of his teenage years, knows that Malena is simply a shy woman cursed by being very beautiful and paying the price of envy and slander from others as the War continues to rage on.

Writer and director Giuseppe Tornatore conjures up an atmosphere of changing times, burgeoning sexual attraction and intolerance brought on by jealousy. Many of Renato’s dreams about Malena are amusingly rendered with cinematic quality yet tinged with a sense of eroticism. Unlike the other men who just think of her as a sex object, the young boy, while still entranced by her, becomes something of a protector for her, defending her name and observing her actions with an ardent devotion. Malena may be quite funny on occasion but it isn’t afraid to show a darker side, especially surrounding the reactions of other towards the eponymous beauty. At times, the line between humour and drama is a bit stretched, but overall it is a marvellously moving film of youth giving way to maturity and the facing of intolerance. There is one particular scene that showcases the intolerance that I won’s spoil but I will say is a shocking and completely unexpected moment that is hard to watch as the jealous women of the village unleash their fury upon the unsuspecting Malena. An evocative score from the master that is Ennio Moriconne provides thematic backbone to the movie, moving along with at first a jaunty, childlike rhythm before giving way to melancholy pieces to illustrate the sadness of Malena and her set of circumstances. The visuals in Malena are breathtakingly beautiful, bathing the sleepy town obsessed by the beauty of the elusive main character with golden lustre that further enhances the air of beauty and discussion about her.

I have often felt that Monica Bellucci is sometimes overlooked for her acting ability because of her striking looks. But one need look no further than Malena to see that she is a very talented actress of great subtlety and depth. With little dialogue, she gives this woman a sadness, unintentional beauty and the burden of being constantly watched by those around her. A lot of the performance is through her eyes, which stunningly exude a solitary demeanor, the desire to be left alone and the elusiveness that many debate about her. The young Giuseppe Sulfaro brings a naive yet loyal and ardent personality to the character of Renato, who while growing up is the only person aware of Malena’s struggles and the only one sympathetic to her plight. While there are other characters in the film, they mainly just blend together as either lustful men or jealous women as the focus on the story is Malena and Renato.

A moving coming of age tale as well as a parable about the perils of having such beauty, Malena is a fill that will stay with you in one way or another.

 

Ladies in Skirts and Dresses

Tags

Eva Green, Jennifer Lawrence, Ladies in Skirts and Dresses, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Fassbender, Mila Kunis, Monica Bellucci, Natalie Portman

After publishing my Ladies in Suits post earlier today, which was inspired by Zoe’s post of a similar topic, I noticed something in the feedback. Two of my commentators said they preferred women in skirts and dresses. So Eric and Pete, this post’s for you.

Here we have the smoldering Eva Green looking exotic and super gorgeous.

Jennifer Lawrence is laid back and effervescent in this skirt combo.

Mila Kunis strikes a pose and exudes sultry appeal in this shot.

I know I featured her in my last post, but Monica Bellucci is just so strikingly beautiful in this photo, I couldn’t leave her off.

Natalie Portman brings intense and mature grace to this shot and just owns it all the way.

And with all these beautiful women for the guys, it would be unfair to leave the female fans out. So, and this is for you Abbi and Emma, here are some photos to look at. We have Michael Fassbender and Mark Wahlberg for all you ladies to fawn over. Enjoy my blogging sisters.

 

Ladies in Suits

Tags

Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Charlize Theron, David Gandy, Emma Watson, Ladies in Suits, Milla Jovovich, Monica Bellucci, Penélope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Suits

After reading a post over at Zoe’s featuring images of actors in suits for the female population to drool over, it gave me the idea to do a post about ladies in suits for the guys out there. A woman in a suit can be something of immense beauty and sexuality, and so without further ado, here are images of some stunning actresses rocking a suit.

First we have Angelina Jolie, showcasing her toned body with edge and sex appeal.

Italian siren Monica Bellucci is a vision of sophistication and earthy sexuality in this number.

Regal Cate Blanchett shows us her statuesque beauty and commanding persona.

Stunner Charlize Theron brings carefree but sexy strength to this suit with a nonchalant pose and steely eyes.

The delightful Emma Watson brings some old-school glamour to this, with just a hint of sexiness beneath it.

Milla Jovovich is a seductive sex kitten in this revealing suit, that puts the sex appeal into suits.

The sultry beauty of Penélope Cruz is very apparent in this snap that shows of her killer body and undeniable gorgeousness.

Scarlett Johansson is buxom and businesslike in this outfit, which gives her the look of a sultry secretary.

And with all these beautiful women for the guys, I had to include a photo of a handsome guy for the ladies out there. Prepare to drool my blogging sisters. I’m feeling generous again ladies so here’s another guy to fight over in all his masculine glory. In case any of you are wondering who it is, I believe his name is David Gandy, a male model who from what I’ve heard sends the pulses of women racing everywhere.