Posts Tagged ‘Ben Affleck’

If they’re good enough for the Duchess, they’re good enough for me! Kate Middleton has been spotted wearing her J Brand 811 Skinny Jeans in Navy no less than three times on her first royal visit to Canada.

The Duchess of Cambridge is clearly a big fan of J Brand. The label, co-founded by denim manufacturer Jeff Rudes and stylist Susie Crippen in 2004, has achieved a winning combination of style, comfort and sexiness. J Brand became an immediate success with consumers, notable celebrities, influential fashion editors and now royalty!

Pop princess Rihanna owns several pairs of J Brand and is often seen stepping out in hers. Here she is pictured in the now famous Houlihans that caused such a stir!

Made from Japanese cotton with just enough lycra, these skinny but super flattering khaki cargo pants sold out all over the world (and there were long waiting lists to satisfy the huge demand). I missed out on the Houlihan craze because I was pregnant. Thankfully my sister-in-law, who was a maternity stylist, kitted me out with the perfect pair of dark denim Mama J Jeans, as seen here on Halle Berry.

Emily Blunt, who played the Queen so beautifully in ‘The Young Victoria’ is rarely seen out of her J Brand jeans. British export Emily is pictured at LAX wearing J Brand 912 Pencil Leg in Antique Black.

Fashion royalty Anna Wintour, American Vogue‘s Editor-in-Chief, gave her seal of approval when she chose a pair of J Brand’s 914 jeans to go with her trademark black sunglasses and sharp bob at the Sony Ericsson Open.

This is one A-list fashion fire that is so bright; with so many styles and colours to choose from, it has no risk of burning out anytime soon. J Brand also makes killer pants for men and children too! Check out Gerard Butler wearing his Aviator Cargo pants in Vintage light Sage and Violet Affleck in J Brand kids.

J Brand is featured in over 2000 specialty stores and luxury retailers in over 20 countries worldwide, including: Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Jeffrey and Ron Herman in the United States. Start, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges carry J Brand in London, as well as Le Bon Marche in Paris. For more information, please explore http://www.jbrandjeans.com

Please be sure to visit your favorite A-list news site, Positively Celebrity daily… We bring you the latest from the world of celebrity without any of the dirt!

Keep it positive, keep it positivelycelebrity.com!

Love Coralie x

Hollywood actor and director Ben Affleck recently traveled to Washington, D.C. with former presidential candidate John McCain’s wife, Cindy McCain, to speak in front of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa about the country of Congo. The country is located in central Africa, and though its land is rich in valuable minerals, corruption, long running civil war and lawlessness has caused Congo to become one of the worst places in the world — rife with rape, murder and human trafficking.

The star of such movies as Chasing Amy, Paycheck, Daredevil and most recently, The Town, has been involved with Congo since 2005. Said Affleck to CNN on the region, “The more I traveled, the more I was struck about , the more I fell in love with the people, the more I was horrified by what was happening. And the more I did, I started to develop this idea of partnering with the Congolese people and wanting to empower community-based organizations there that were doing extraordinary work.”

In 2010 Affleck founded the Eastern Congo Initiative, a US-based advocacy organization for the people of Eastern Congo, and dedicated himself to bring awareness and change for the Congolese people.

On Tuesday, March 8, Affleck and McCain testified in front of Congress about all that he had learned and seen about Congo. The actor, who is married to Jennifer Garner and is a father of two, lobbied Congress to help protect the Congolese people and help to ensure that the November elections to be held within the country will be free of voter fraud and violence.

“This is an ambitious agenda, but it can be accomplished,” Affleck said. “The federal budget may be seen as a zero sum game but our morality, our sense of decency, our compassion for our fellow human beings, is not.”

“The United States government can and should play an active role in ensuring this November’s elections are free and fair,” the actor stated. “The last time Congo collapsed, armies came in from across Africa…Five million people died…We must learn from history and do our part to make sure this never happens again.”

“This is an ambitious agenda, but it can be accomplished,” Affleck said. “Come November, we must be able to look ourselves in the eye and say we did what our principals demanded—we helped democracy emerge in a place where tragedy was the alternative.”

McCain, who has traveled with Affleck to see the ravaged country of Congo added, “We are going to lose a generation of women and children in Congo unless we do something now. I am only a humanitarian relief worker. That’s the only thing I’ve ever done and that’s the only thing I know with regards to this region, but I only know what’s right. We can’t leave behind these women and children.”

All of here are proud of Ben Affleck’s hard work lobbying for the end of human rights violations in Congo, and wish the movie star nothing but the best in seeking support for the war-torn country. To learn more about his organization the Eastern Congo Initiative, please visit www.easterncongo.org

And be sure to check back for more of the latest celebrity news and features from Richard Munassi right here at Positively Celebrity!

The newly awarded Oscar statuettes have found homes on mantels and bookshelves, the gorgeous gowns and jewelry have been returned, and our favorite movie stars have all gone back to work. But don’t fret. There’ll be plenty more movies with “Slumdog Millionaire” stars, Mickey Rourke, and Anne Hathaway. Plus, even one more from Heath Ledger.

So what’s next for the winners and nominees? Here’s a Positively sneak peek: 

The once obscure stars from Best Picture winner “Slumdog Millionaire” are now household names and aren’t going anywhere. Dev Patel takes over Jesse McCartney’s role in M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Last Airbender” based on the popular Nickelodeon kids’ show.

His onscreen love, Freida Pinto, wins her version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” by co-starring in Woody Allen’s next untitled project alongside “Milk’s” Oscar nominee Josh Brolin and Naomi Watts.

Best Director of “Slumdog Millionaire” Danny Boyle has no upcoming projects, but he did tell Variety that he’s thinking of making a movie from a girl’s perspective after all the guys’ movies he’s done. He also may return to his “28 Days Later” horror movie series.

Best Actor Winner Sean Penn just finished “The Tree of Life” alongside fellow Best Actor nominee Brad Pitt. Penn is also in talks to play Valerie Plame’s husband in the biopic about the outed CIA agent.

Best Actress Kate Winslet has not announced any upcoming projects. When we do see her again, however, leave it to the proclaimed “Actress of our Generation” to come back strong.

Best Supporting Actor winner Heath Ledger still has one more movie credit despite his death in January of 2008. His role in “The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus” will be completed by Jude Law, Johnny Depp and Colin Farrell who will each play his character as he passes into different worlds.

Best Supporting Actress winner Penelope Cruz will star with past Oscar winners Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench and Sophia Loren in the musical “Nine” directed by Rob Marshall.

As for our other favorite nominees…  

Best Actor nominees: Richard Jenkins will star in the adaptation of Nicolas Spark’s “Dear John” novel… Frank Langella co-stars with James Marsden and Cameron Diaz in the horror film “The Box”… Brad Pitt goes from fable to war starring in Quentin Taratino’s WWII movie “Inglorious Bastards” … Mickey Rourke’s comeback wasn’t just a fluke. He’s here to stay starring in “The Informers” with Winona Ryder and Billy Bob Thornton, which is scheduled to be released in April. He’s also currently filming “13,” and he is in talks to play a Russian bad guy in the “Iron Man” sequel.

Best Actress nominees: Anne Hathaway will play the White Queen in Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” adaptation… Angelina Jolie is preparing for her upcoming role as Catherine the Great… Melissa Leo is co-staring with Hilary Duff in “Greta” and with Sarah Michelle Gellar in “Veronika Decides to Die”… Meryl Streep will once again reunite with her “Doubt” co-star and fellow nominee Amy Adams in “Julie and Julia,” a movie about chef Julia Child and the wannabe who recreates her recipes.

Best Supporting Actor nominees: Besides that Woody Allen movie with Pinto, Josh Brolin will also star in the comic-book movie “Jonah Hex”… Before the much anticipated “Iron Man” sequel, Robert Downey  Jr. stars with Jamie Foxx in this spring’s “The Soloist” and then as Sherlock Holmes this fall in Guy Ritchie’s movie about the classic detective… Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s voice stars in the animated “Mary and Max,” and you can see him – and his “crazy” hair, which is reportedly to blame for the ski cap he wore to the Oscars – in “Jack Goes Boating,” which he’s also directing…

Rourke’s not the only nominee in “13”; Michael Shannon will be appearing in it as well.

Best Supporting Actress nominees: Before Amy Adams pairs with Streep in “Julie and Julia,” she’ll play Amelia Earhart in “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” this May…

You can currently see Viola Davis in Tyler Perry’s “Madea Goes to Jail,” and she’ll also soon be seen in “State of Play” alongside Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, and Rachel McAdams… Taraji P. Henson will co-star with former Oscar winner Forest Whitaker in “Hurricane Season,” a movie about the ramifications of Hurricane Katrina on a basketball team… Marisa Tomei will trade the heaviness of “The Wrestler” with the silly as-yet-untitled comedy with Jonah Hill and John C. Reilly about a single mother whose son doesn’t like the new guy she’s dating.

Instead of talking about the Harry Potter’s, 2012’s or The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus’s of 2009 that are so far away from hitting theaters it seems like they won’t premiere until … well 2012, we’re going to look at five upcoming flicks that will be at a theater near you before the Obama’s have time to fully move in.

Bride Wars – Opening January 9, 2009. There’s nothing like sharing wedding plans with a best girlfriend, but when plans start to overlap, it’s likely to evoke more nightmares than Freddy Krueger. “Wars” seems to have a bouquet of comedic potential as well as girls in white dresses – fighting. But before all the guys zone out this movie does offer something for them too. Two of the prettiest actresses in Hollywood – Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson.

Taken – Opening January 30, 2009.  Staring Liam Neeson as an ex-Secret Agent who has to rescue his estranged daughter (former “Lost” star Maggie Grace) who was kiddnapped while in Paris.  As reviewer Mr. Green from CrimeCritics.com describes, “it’s a film in which you enjoy watching HOW he will succeed. And let me state, you will enjoy every punch Bryan (Neeson) delivers to every henchmen.”

Fanboys – Opening February 6, 2009. I think “Fanboys” will be the “Superbad” of 2009. Yes, it’s about a group of “Star Wars” fans set to break into George Lucas’ business headquarters, Skywalker Ranch, and steal a copy of “Star Wars Episode 1.” Before you groan at the sound of a Sci-Fi movie, know that it’s really a coming of age story about friends who take a huge risk for one of their own. To lend some credibility, Producers include Kevin Spacey and the Weinstein Company.

He’s Just Not That Into You – Opening February 9, 2009. This chick flick makes the list because: 1) it’s based on a NY Times Best Seller, Oprah endorsed book and 2) EVERYONE is in it. That’s no exaggeration. Here’s just some of the cast: Ginnifer Goodwin (Big Love), Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly (The Day The Earth Stood Still), Scarlett Johansson, Drew Barrymore, Ben Affleck, Justin Long (Mac commercials), Bradley Cooper (Wedding Crashers), Sasha Alexander (Yes Man), Kevin Connolly (Entourage), and MANY others.

Push – Opening February 9, 2009. Dakota Fanning, Chris Evans and Djimon Hounsou star in this film about “psychic espionage.” A Government agency is genetically modifying people to have psychic abilities and “getting rid” of those who don’t want to participate. Fanning and Evans need to find an individual who could help end the dangerous agency. So, Government Misconduct + Exotic Location (Hong Kong) + Psychic, Telekinetic, Move Stuff With Your Mind Abilities + The Cinematographer Who Did “Donnie Brasco,” “Gangster No. 1,” “Wicker Park” & “Lucky Number Slevin” = A Must See Movie!

If Denver was full of stars last week, it was pretty dark this week in St. Paul.

Celebrities from Scarlett Johansson to Charlize Theron to Ben Affleck rallied for Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention, but the stars were dimmer and fewer at the Republican National Convention.

Perhaps the hurricane and the subsequent scaled-back first day of the convention detracted celebs. Or maybe it’s because Hollywood’s notorious liberal stance kept them far away from St. Paul.

Nevertheless, Minnesota did have some star wattage.

Jon Voight, Rosario Dawson, Robert Downey Jr., Stephen Baldwin, Kelsey Grammar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Law & Order’s Fred Thompson, The Sopranos’ Joe Pantoliano and Ben Stein (Ferris Bueller’s teacher who droned “Bueller, Bueller…”) attended. While he did not attend, Robert Duvall narrated one of the convention’s short documentaries.

Singers also joined the crowds. John Rich, Trace Adkins, Pat Boone, Five for Fighting’s John Ondrasik, Aimee Allen, Sara Evans and Gretchen Wilson lent their support.

While Obama won the contest in drawing out the biggest and most popular stars, McCain won the ratings from everyday people sitting at home. According to E! Online, nearly 39 million people watched McCain’s speech beating out Obama’s 38.4 million.

John McCain recently called Barack Obama “the biggest celebrity in the world.” If so, then it’s appropriate Hollywood’s biggest celebrities would come out to celebrate Obama and this week’s Democratic National Convention in Denver last week.

Among the stars included Oprah Winfrey, Scarlett Johansson, Steven Spielberg and wife Kate Capshaw, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, Kerry Washington, Jennifer Lopez, Rosario Dawson, Jessica Alba, Charlize Theron, Angela Bassett, Ashley Judd, Kirsten Dunst, Chevy Chase, Forest Whitaker, Josh Brolin, Hill Harper, Fran Drescher, Annette Bening, Spike Lee and Jamie Foxx.

And it wasn’t just actors. Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson sang the national anthem, and singers Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Kanye West and the Black Eyed Peas were also on hand.

Celebrities publicly endorsing candidates and making a spectacle at the convention is both criticized and embraced by citizens – even among the celebrities themselves.

Private Practice and Wings star Tim Daly, who is the president of the nonprofit group Creative Coalition that brings stars together to discuss important issues, thinks celebrities have every right to discuss their viewpoints.

“Performers are citizens and in the U.S., we are allowed to talk about our beliefs. It’s also the privilege of people not to listen,” he told the Los Angeles Times. “The interesting thing about celebrity involvement is that they’re the only group of so-called lobbyists who stand to gain nothing from what they do, except to support the causes they believe in.”

Yet, Kid Rock tells Showbiz Tonight he thinks stars shouldn’t publicly endorse candidates. In fact, when a big star announces who he or she picked, he doesn’t want to vote for that candidate.

Nevertheless, the stars will continue to mingle with politics. Daly told the L.A. Times the Creative Coalition will also be bringing stars to the Republican National Convention in St. Paul this week.

A troubled marriage is a crap situation for any and all parties involved; the couple themselves, any children, friends, extended family. And many people will agree with me when I say that the only people in the world who know what goes on in any relationship are the people within the relationship.

Yet over the course of the next few months, you and I are going to be buying the rag mags and reading all of the internet gossip, and ultimately discussing the Matthew Broderick/Sarah Jessica Parker scandal as if we’d talked extensively with the party’s in question. We should not feel shame for this.  To feel sympathy for our neighbors while judging them and gossiping about them behind their backs; it is the American Way.

Not only do we have the parallel of SJP’s marriage being publicly scrutinized just as alter ego Carrie Bradshaw finds true love, but who would have believed that a guy as square as Matthew Broderick would turn out to be an adulterer? How did this happen?

They were the toast of Manhattan, mega-stars of stage and screen, our American Posh and Becks (with a higher I.Q.). Did we idolize them too much? Did we, their people, put them on too high of a pedestal to the point where the only direction left for them to go was down? One cannot help but wonder: Was the pressure just too great?

With a breaking news story like this, after what seemed like such a pure, truly happy relationship, tabloid headlines might do less damage if they simply take the couple in question, nail them each to their own respective crosses, and stick them right in the middle of Times Square (replacing, perhaps, the naked cowboy?).

After all, with success like the Parker/Broderick establishment, it would be unsurprising to learn that the press has been looking for a juicy tidbit of news to crucify the couple with for years. And no doubt, the same ones who exposed this affair are out there right now, following TomKat, Brangelina, and any number of megastar couples waiting to find a scandal to expose that would bring all of these castles in the sky crumbling down to our world below. People have pondered this dilemma for years:  Would Hollywood marriages have a higher success rate if they were simply left alone?

But while we await the news of TomKat’s split (we are all assuming that’s in the bag, right?) and all the rest like them, while it is in our nature to have opinions and concerns about people that have nothing to do with us, we’re surprised to still possess an inkling of hope. Afterall, we still have Russell and Hawn, Affleck and Garner, Cheech and Chong. In our mind’s eye, a Hollywood Ending is still possible. But why is it that we root for some more than others?