Posts Tagged ‘Hugh Jackman’

From previews and commercials Real Steel may look like a simple summer action flick, but it is surprisingly one of the better movies of 2011. With a strong, engaging storyline, amazing special effects, a fast pace and an excellent cast, the movie is definitely a must see for all, whether the young or just the young at heart!

Real Steel is the story of Charlie Kenton, a former boxer who struggles to make ends meet, and his son Max Kenton, who has lived his 11 years without once meeting his father. Set in a distant future where the public has embraced robot boxing in lieu of traditional human pugilism, Charlie is a man trying to find his place in a new world where the life he has known is not possible anymore, while Max is just trying to get to know the father he has never had.

The movie is based in part off of the short story “Steel” by acclaimed author Richard Matheson (I am Legend, What Dreams May Come, A Stir of Echoes). “I thought it was great,” Matheson said of the film adaptation. “They hit all the right things with it. They gave it heart.”

Veteran Australian actor Hugh Jackman (Kate & Leopold, Swordfish, Wolverine) plays Charlie, with relative newcomer Dakota Goyo (Thor, Resurrecting the Champ, Defendor) in the role of young Max. Both are absolutely incredible in this movie, and make every minute of their journey together as father and son completely believable and entertaining. Rounding out the case is Evangeline Lilly (from ABC’s Lost), Kevin Durand (Legion) and Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker), all of whom turn in stellar performances as supporting cast.

Directing is Shawn Levy (Night at the Museum, Cheaper by the Dozen, Just Married), who does an amazing job presenting his vision of the future in a new genre for him. The great Steven Spielberg played a large part in getting this movie off the ground, and it’s clear why he so firmly believed in Real Steel – the movie is an action packed, fast paced, heart felt, jump out of your seat thriller of a summer blockbuster!

The effects of Real Steel are on par with that of James Cameron’s Avatar, and for a reason: director Shawn Levy used the same technology developed for the blockbuster about life on another planet for Real Steel, and it is incredible. The robots are so well designed and move so smoothly it is easy as an audience to forget that they are not really there. Every punch, every kick feels as if it is a real actor out in the ring, dishing out and taking all that he can.

The robots aren’t the only ones in on the fun though; Jackman shows off boxing skills taught to him by the great Sugar Ray Leonard throughout the film. Boxing aficionados will recognize a few signature moves of both Sugar Ray, as well as the great Muhammad Ali incorporated into the fight movie by Jackman, who really took to his tutelage.

“First, it was a delight to see how much Hugh took to the training and how as a great actor he was able to implement the suggestions I could make,” Leonard said of the actor. “His moves and the grace with which he carried himself in character was really astounding.”

At it’s core, this is a movie about redemption for Charlie, Max, and even Atom (the robot that the father and son bond over). In a thoroughly entertaining 127 minutes Levy takes us on a rollercoaster of a ride that starts off in small town fairs and ends up in big cities, with the characters growing throughout the journey. The last real summer action movie of 2011, Real Steel is a lot more than what it seems, and with Jackman, Lilly and Goyo paired with excellent direction, incredible special effects, a phenomenal score by the great Danny Elfman, and a heart warming storyline, all of us here at Positively Celebrity highly recommend the Dreamworks film!

Real Steel opens nationwide on October 7th, both in regular theaters as well as in IMAX. You can learn more about the movie by checking out Real Steel’s website at http://steelgetsreal.com and also on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/realsteelmovie

As always, be sure to check back for all things celebrity from Richard Munassi right here at Positively Celebrity!

X-Men Origins: Wolverine was released in May in succession to the first three X-Men films and in prelude to the highly-anticipated Avengers film, which will be released in 2012.

As a kid, watching the show X-Men on T.V. to see Wolverine and my other favorites was a Saturday morning ritual. Now, to see his cinematic portrayal come to fruition indulges nostalgia.

The film’s opening credits coincide with a sequence that introduces Logan and his brother Victor, who we come to know as Wolverine and Sabertooth, respectively. The setting is 1840s Canada and the two young brothers flee their home and become professional soldiers, fighting in many wars such as the Civil War, WWI, WWII, and Vietnam. One could immediately detect the maudlin disposition of these two feathering pansies in the first twenty minutes.

After surviving an execution in one of the virtuous wars they so bestially fought in, Logan (Hugh Jackman) and his brother (Liev Schreiber) are approached by Colonel Stryker, who understands what they are. Stryker (Danny Huston) makes them an offer they can’t refuse; well they could refuse it, but that wouldn’t make for a very interesting story, would it? They agree to Stryker’s proposition and join his team. They do not realize that their agreement to help Stryker is a facade for a plan that will ultimately have relative consequence in the events that occur in the preceding X-Men films: the Weapon X program.

Logan and Victor fight alongside other mutants for Stryker’s cause before one day Logan decides that he no longer wants to be a part of the annihilation of innocent people. So he quits the team, much to the dismay of his manicure-needing older brother.

Logan escapes to the mountains of Canada, where he becomes a Brawny man-looking lumberjack and gains the love of a comely schoolteacher named Kayla (Lynn Collins), who licks his figurative wounds. Get it? Cause’ he regenerates. Through his intimate relationship with Kayla, he gains the inspiration for the moniker that is eventually dubbed to him.

However, his quiet life with the schoolteacher is vehemently interrupted when Sabertooth returns and Logan finds Kayla slain in his trail. Feeling the pain of love lost and enraged to avenge his fallen lover, he seeks answers from Stryker. Stryker explains to vindictive Logan that the only way to defeat Sabertooth is to work with him. After Logan agrees, he befalls the insidious will of Stryker and undergoes a procedure that renders his claws adamantium, making him virtually indestructible. The plot thickens…and from a pool of comatose recollections emerges….Wolverine.

Throughout the film, Wolverine and Sabertooth tussle in several scenes, some of which are charmingly graced by the presence of highly anticipated X-men favorites like Gambit (Taylor Kitsch), and Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds). Although Gambit is a tough character to portray well, Kitsch does it with aplomb. Ryan Reynolds integrates the comical charm of Van Wilder and the graceful swordsmanship seen in Blade: Trinity to do likewise. Liev Schreiber plays a ferocious Sabertooth, and appropriately portrays a formidable opponent for Hugh Jackman.

His performance is more memorable than that of that one dude’s from the first X-men films. And although it probably wouldn’t fit into the story, I would have liked to see Omega Red face off against his arch nemesis. Hugh Jackman is ultra jacked for the film. However, I don’t think the gruff machismo of Wolverine would approve of tanning. But aside from his spray-on tan and impotent howling, Jackman seems to pull it off.

Most people reviewed X-Men Origins: Wolverine unfavorably and said it has a dull storyline, and doesn’t compare to other superhero movies like Iron Man or The Dark Knight. While I agree the storyline is not strong, to compare it to other superhero films unrelated to the X-Men story is naive and presumptuous. The film sits comfortably in the company of the other X-Men films and its acts supersede many of the portrayals in the first three films. The action sequences are grippingly fun and flashy. If you’re an X-Men fan, see the movie…bub.

The Belles of the Ball

Most improved: After her gypsy-inspired ensemble at the Golden Globes and peach bridesmaid dress at the SAG Awards, Oscar nominee Marisa Tomei finally got it right with her one-shoulder silver, pleated Versace gown.

5. Amy Adams: Sure the Oscar nominee’s Fred Leighton necklace was huge, but it was stunning with 39 carats of diamonds and 630 carats of sapphires, emeralds and rubies. While it could have matched a little better, it still didn’t take away from her red Carolina Herrera gown. The draping fabric in the front and black stitching across the bust and down her back made for some exquisite details.

4. Taraji P. Henson: The best actress nominee didn’t look anything like her frumpy alter ego in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” in her delicately pleated, fitted champagne gown. Her big diamond necklace and train added extra elegance to the Roberto Cavalli gown without overpowering her.

3. Reese Witherspoon: The rich blue and black colors of the former Oscar winner’s Rodarte gown made for a striking contrast. Adding to the beautiful ensemble are the sparkles on the bust area and the draping black fabric.

2. Alicia Keys: We’re not sure why the Grammy-winning singer was at the Oscars, but she sure showed those movie stars how it’s done with her elegant yet young fuchsia Giorgio Armani Prive gown.

1. Natalie Portman: This beautiful actress was a lovely fresh breath of air in her Rodarte orchid-colored gown, which set her far apart from the many other metallic and black gowns on the red carpet. It fit her perfectly, and her simple silver bracelet, rings, and earrings were just enough.

Better luck next year

Least Improved: The “Slumdog Millionaire” beauty turned heads on the red carpet at the Golden Globes with her strapless mustard slightly ruffled gown and at the SAG Awards with her purple whimsical gown (although she could have lost the draped scarf). Yet, her blue John Galliano gown at the Oscars didn’t look like a million bucks with the laced one sleeve.  

5. Melissa Leo.  The Oscar nominee hasn’t had a lot of practice on the red carpet, but she could have used some pointers when it came to her frumpy brown dress with the oddly placed brooches pinned to her cap sleeves. A vibrant gown color and a more polished hair style could have done wonders.

4. Miley Cyrus: The huge volcano-looking skirt on her Zuhair Murad silk tulle gown was just too overpowering for the petite 16-year-old.

3. Beyonce: Hugh Jackman’s dancing partner should have taken a cue from fellow singer, Alicia Keys when picking out a gown. The House of Dereon dress was yet another mermaid-style that we’ve come to see her wear again and again; but, the biggest crime was the gold leaf design. It’s one thing to want an Oscar, but you shouldn’t match it.

2. Sarah Jessica Parker: Her alter ego, Carrie Bradshaw, is a fashionista, but this Dior Couture gown would have been better off on Barbie with its belt and overly puffy skirt.

1. Jessica Biel: You’d think Justin Timberlake could give his girlfriend better fashion tips. It looked like she had some extra fabric left over, so she just tucked it right back into her champagne Prada gown. The stiff round bottom of the gown was no hit either, but at least it hid her black close-toed shoes.

Best surprise: With song/dance man Hugh Jackman as host, surprise presenters, and funny gag bits, the Oscar’s was one of the most entertaining it’s been in a long time. (Ratings were even up 6 percent from last year’s telecast.)

Worst surprise: Chances are you won your office pool because just about no surprise winners threw off our ballots. “Slumdog Millionaire” cleaned up winning 8 nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay as predicted, and Kate Winslet, Heath Ledger, and Penélope Cruz won as expected. The biggest upset was Sean Penn winning Best Actor over Mickey Rourke, but really we all knew it was between the two anyway.

Worst use of presenting the Best Pictures:  Up until the last ten minutes of the show, you wouldn’t even know which films were nominated for Best Picture, and isn’t this what the night was really all about? Instead of showcasing clips throughout the night like usual, the clips were only shown right before the award was handed out. Even worse, they were intermingled with previous films that have similar themes making the clips confusing and taking attention away from the nominees.

Best presentation of movies: The montages of film genres recapping the best of 2008 were done so in great pop culture fashion. Coldplay’s “Lovers in Japan” played to the great romance flicks, Wall-E the adorable robot found a tape of the best animation movies, and the hilarious James Franco and Seth Rogen reprised their “Pineapple Express” roles as they watched DVDs of the funniest comedies.

Worst use of presenting the Best Songs: The song nominees, which are usually played in their entirety throughout the night, also weren’t given their full due. The two “Slumdog Millionaire” songs and “Wall-E” song were shortened and played one after the other. We all knew “Jai Ho” was going to win, but “Wall-E” should have been given it’s own set piece rather than making John Legend sing with “Slumdog’s” Indian back-up dancers and drummers.

Best use of presenting awards: Rather than randomly presenting awards, the telecast walked the audience through the making of a movie starting with the screenwriting process to art direction to editing. Stars associated with the category was also a nice touch like action hero Will Smith presenting Best Visual Effects and Sound Mixing and “Religious” filmmaker Bill Maher presenting Best Documentary.

Best presenters: Steve Martin and Tina Fey presented the screenplay awards humorously (“Don’t fall in love with me” Martin stoically told a googly eyed Fey) and controversially (poking fun at Hollywood-favorite Scientology). And don’t forget about Ben Stiller who delivered a dead-on impression of Joaquin Phoenix’s bizarre appearance on the “Late Show with David Letterman” while presenting with Natalie Portman. It would have been even funnier though if it wasn’t just parodied at the previous night’s Independent Spirit Awards.

Best use of presenters: Keeping most of the identities of the presenters top-secret beforehand made for a more exciting show because you never knew who was going to come out next. Hello Will Smith, hello Reese Witherspoon!

Worst use of presenters: While it was fun seeing past winners like Nicole Kidman, Robert De Niro, and Christopher Walken, presenting the nominees, it came off too self-congratulatory. Instead of comments like “You really nailed it” and Marion Cotillard clasping her hands together cooing “Thank you” to Winslet, let’s see some clips instead. Most viewers at home haven’t seen all the movies, so it’d be more interesting to see the performances for which they’re nominated. 

Best acceptance speech: Instead of the director or co-stars accepting on his behalf, the acceptance of Heath Ledger’s Oscar by his family was much more touching. “Tonight we are choosing to be happy and celebrate what he has achieved,” his mother, Sally Bell, said.

Funniest acceptance speeches: Where to begin? First there’s Phillipe Petit, the subject of the documentary, “Man on Wire,” who not only balanced the Oscar on his chin, he also made a coin disappear.  Then the Japanese director of the Best Animated Short, “Kunio Kato thanked Mr. Roboto.” Finally, Best Director, Danny Boyle, bounced up and down in homage of Tigger for his children.  

Worst camera shots: Awkward alert… Not only did Jennifer Aniston have to present an award mere feet away from Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, the camera cut away to Brangelina twice! At least Jolie and Pitt made nice and weren’t giving dirty looks.

Best use of teeny boppers: While baby faced stars like Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Robert Pattinson, and Amanda Seyfried presented and performed on stage to most likely draw in the younger audience, their presence was downplayed and didn’t make the Oscars feel like the Teen Choice Awards.

Best secret talent: Anne Hathaway showed off her really good voice in her pretend-impromptu song and dance number with Jackman. Look out Beyoncé. Maybe you won’t be needed next year.

Here are the winners of the major categories:

Best Picture: “Slumdog Millionaire”

Best Actor: Sean Penn, “Milk”

Best Actress: Kate Winslet, “The Reader”

Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight”

Best Supporting Actress: Penélope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”

Best Director: Danny Boyle, “Slumdog Millionaire”

There’s a running joke that there’s more award shows than there are days in a year. That is a lot. Plus, with that many it might be hard to keep track of what’s the difference between the Golden Globes and the Oscars.  What does SAG stand for? Or is the Oscars the only award show worth paying attention to?

If you don’t know the answer to these questions but love award shows, read on. Here’s Positively Celebrity’s A – Z guide to the awards show season.

Academy Awards aka. the Oscars:

Widely considered to be the most prestigious awards show, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences selects winners in the film industry. Major categories include best director, actor and actress, supporting actor and actress, writers, and picture.

Hugh Jackman hosts the 81st annual show on Feb. 22, 2009 on ABC. The nominations will be announced on Jan. 22, 2009.

The Golden Globe Awards:

Unlike the Academy Awards, this show honors the best in movies and television. Whereas the Academy Awards honors just one best picture, actor, actress, etc., the Golden Globes honors the best picture, television show, actors, and actresses, etc., in both the drama and comedy categories. The winners are selected by The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which is made up of a group of 90 international journalists. 

This show is also unlike most other awards shows because there is no host. The nominations were announced Dec. 11, and the show airs Jan. 11, 2009 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

Visit this site for the complete list of nominations.

The SAG (Screen Actors Guild Awards):

In this awards show, actors award other actors. This show is unique because only actors and actresses are honored. Like the Golden Globes, this show honors peformances in both movies and television. Besides individual awards, the SAG Awards also honor ensemble casts in a TV drama, TV comedy and movie. 

Nominations were announced Dec. 18, and the 15th annual show will air on TNT and TBS on January 25, 2009.

Visit this site for the complete list of nominations. 

Independent Spirit Awards:

This awards show differs from the others because It is generally laid back and only honors independent movies and performances in independent movies. The awards are presented by Film Independent, a non-profit organization dedicated to independent film and independent filmmakers. 

It takes place in a tent on a Santa Monica, CA beach the day before the Academy Awards and airs on the Independent Film Channel. The nominations were announced Dec. 2, and the show will take place on Feb. 21 at 5 pm ET.

Visit this site for the complete list of nominations.

Broadcast Film Critics Awards aka Critics’ Choice Awards:

Like the Academy Awards, this show just honors the best in filmmaking. The winners are selected by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, which is the largest film critics organization in the United States and Canada and is made up of 199 television, radio and online critics.

The nominations were announced Dec. 9, 2008, and the 14th annual show airs Jan. 8, 2009 on VH1 at 9 p.m. ET.

Visit this site for the complete list of nominations.

People’s Choice Awards:

This is your awards show because everyday people like you get to vote. So instead of films like “The Reader” and “Slumdog Millionaire” going at it for Best Picture, films like “The Dark Knight” and ”Iron Man” are the leading contenders. 

This year, Queen Latifah hosts the 35th annual show on Jan. 7 airing on CBS from 9-11 p.m., ET.

The People’s Choice don’t just honor movies or TV – they also award your favorite talk-show host, rock song and on-screen matchup. New categories include favorite movie cast, TV drama diva and superhero. Vote at PCAvote.com. The nominations were announced on Nov. 10. 

Visit this site for the complete list of nominations.

It’s official. People magazine’s Sexiest Man, Hugh Jackman, will host the 81st Oscars ceremony on February 22, 2009.

The producers were gracious enough to validate why Jackman was chosen by saying Jackman, “has style, elegance and a sense of occasion,” and while all that might be true, let’s get to the heart of the matter: He’s HOT!

Ever since we laid eyes on him in the 2001’s corny-but-sweet “Kate & Leopold” (which I’ve watched on several occasions – and yes! I DO have a life, thank you very much!), we were sold.

The voice, the facial bone structure, the man! Maybe I’m bordering on obsession here, but that doesn’t mean it’s not warranted. (Stalkers need love, too.)

Jackman will join an impressive, ever-growing list of “who-on-earth-will-be-next?” hosts, such as Johnny Carson, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin, and others.

So Jackman is far from the first to host the prestigious event…but he’s certainly the hottest. And that alone is reason enough for me to watch. I’m in.

Hugh Jackman was named People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive 2008.” The magazine has been dubbing Hollywood’s hottest hunks since 1985 when Mel Gibson paved the way. 

Jackman now joins the ranks of George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt and Denzel Washington, to name a few.

On the talk show circuit as of late, Jackman’s been promoting his newest film, Australia, a romantic epic starring another hot Aussie, Nicole Kidman.

Jackman, best known as Wolverine in the X-Men films, had tough competition this year: “Bond. James Bond” Daniel Craig (no argument there), Mad Men’s Jon Hamm (didn’t see this one coming, but okay), and (gulp!) High School Musical’s Zac Efron (obviously a joke…is he even shaving yet?).

Here are 10 movies that aren’t even out yet, but are already creating that infamous buzz.

1. Watchmen – The next in line of comic books adapted to film series, Watchmen was “all the rage” at Comic Con.  Set in 1985, but in an alternative USA, this graphic novel series is supposed to take apart what is normally thought of when it comes to superheroes.  Set to release March 6, 2009.

2. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince – I recently wrapped up reading the 6th book in J.K. Rowling’s series and it was terrific.  A lot of the energy surrounding this episode of H.P. is that it takes a darker look into the enemy’s youth as well as saying some goodbyes.  Set to release November 21, 2008.

3. W – An unconventional look at life through our 43rd President’s eyes. To be released while the real George W. Bush is still in office, it’s the “will it make fun of the President or support him” question that has people talking. Directed by Oliver Stone and starring Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Banks, Thandie Newton, Ellen Burstyn, Richard Dreyfuss and James Cromwell.   This is gonna be one hot topic of a film. Set to release October 29, 2008.

4. Angels & Demons – The book before “The Da Vinci Code”, Dan Brown’s Vatican City novel is hitting theaters soon.  No one is forgetting the controversies of “The Da Vinci Code” and this edition possess more challenges because it actually takes place in Vatican City as well as on the grounds itself.  Tom Hanks, Ron Howard and Ewan McGregor team up to bring us another mystery. Set to Release May 15, 2009.

5. Twilight – If you haven’t heard of the novels by Stephanie Meyer yet then you officially live under a rock. The teenage vampire saga is receiving a lot of attention from not only the MTV crowd, but the VH1-ers as well. The series, made up of 4 books, has been on the New York Times Best Seller list for over 40 weeks.  Set to release December 12, 2008.

6. Eagle Eye – Shia LaBeouf is a guy suddenly thrown into a deadly version of a scavenger hunt by some mysterious woman on the phone watching every move he and Michelle Monaghan make.  And I have a sneaking feeling there will be a twist no one is expecting.  Set to release September 26, 2008.

7. Terminator Salvation – As if Christian Bale doesn’t have enough on his plate, people are already talking about his next movie where he plays the boy the Terminator was sent to save.  Set to release May 22, 2009.

8. X-Men Origins: Wolverine – Adding on to the X-Men series, but in a different way, is the story of Wolverine played by Hugh Jackman.  Set to release May 1, 2009.

9. Tropic Thunder – Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. are the reasons why audiences will fall out of their seats for this movie. Also starring Tom Cruise, Matthew McConaughey, Tobey Maguire, Mickey Rooney, Nick Nolte and Bill Hader.  Set to release August 15, 2008.

10. Australia – People are talking about the chemistry and steamy love scenes between two native Australians, Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman (looks like he’s going to have a busy year!) in a war film about their homeland.  Set to release November 14, 2008.