Posts Tagged ‘John Travolta’

My favorite movies are Purple Rain, Grease, and The Bodyguard. Call me lame, but it makes perfect sense that as a music enthusiast, I hold in high regard movies that rock … literally.

And those who best know me are fully aware that getting me to go to the movies is like asking me to exercise without my iPod. Chances are, I’m not gonna do it.

But despite being void of the musical-like themes to which I’m usually attracted, when the Red Tails hype hit, I knew this movie was a must-see for me.

Starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Terrence Howard and fully funded by George Lucas, Red Tails tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African-American pilots who fought during World War II as part of the United States military. The film highlights the Airmen’s plight to be recognized for their valiant combat service during the tumultuous Jim Crow era.

The well-written screen play (John Ridley and Aaron McGruder) seamlessly introduces its cast of colorful characters. Each soldier has his own set of memorable nuances, and observing the spectrum of their personalities makes you feel as if you’re hanging out with a group of life-long buddies. From Ne-Yo’s (Andrew “Smokey” Salem) lovable southern twang…

…to Terrence Howard’s (Colonel A.J. Ballard) strong-willed temperament…

each character’s liveliness makes even mundane soldier tasks seem interesting.

Red Tails aerial combat scenes were extraordinarily breathtaking. From bullets hitting the planes’ canopies to spectacular nose dives from simulated altitudes, the sophisticated special effects create impressive, authentic battle scenes. Only Avatar and Star Wars have boasted more special effects than Red Tails.

Considering the prejudices Tuskegee Airmen faced, Red Tails could have easily been heavy with negative rhetoric. While the film does acknowledge the Airmen’s obstacles, it focuses more on their triumphs as brave, All-American heroes.

A positively, awesome movie that will encourage older generations to reflect on the past and will inspire younger generations to be hopeful for promising tomorrows!

Lindsay Lohan is getting back on the big screen!

The talented actress, who has had a wild roller-coaster 2011, has signed on to play Kim Gotti, the daughter-in-law of mob boss John Gotti, Sr. in the upcoming movie Gotti: Three Generations. Lohan will be starring alongside film heavyweight John Travolta (who will be playing Gotti Sr, aka the Teflon Don), and Joe Pesci who is playing Gotti’s first in command, Angelo Ruggiero.

Gotti: Three Generations, marks the first headlining role Lohan has received since 2007’s I Know Who Killed Me, which was widely panned by critics and bombed nationwide (though I personally didn’t find it that bad).

The actress was previously working on the Linda Lovelace Story, but the producers of the film were having issues finding insurance for the actress due to her personal issues; Malin Ackerman was announced to play the role of Lovelace in lieu of Lindsay.

On the upcoming mob film, Lohan told the Associated Press: “I’m really excited to be back on set and clear up all the misinterpretations about me and show this is what I love to do. I think it’s such an iconic story. I’m honored to be working with John Travolta and Joe Pesci.”

Lohan’s deal actually landed her two films, the Gotti movie as well as an upcoming film which was written by veteran actor Chazz Palminteri. The actress did have a bit of drama with regards to the role of Kim Gotti though, as executive producer Mark Fiore had earlier dropped the actress from contention for the role due to negotiation problems with Lohan’s management group.

A quick phone call from Lindsay herself to Fiore quickly fixed things though, and Lohan secured the role in the film which is estimated for release in 2012.

“It was over. But Lindsay wanted to do this film so bad that she interceded, and she called up her managers and singlehandedly got everything going again,” Steve Honig, a spokesman for the film’s production company Fiore Films, told entertainment website TheWrap. We started the day she was not going to be in the film and talks had broken down, and we ended the day with her signing a two-picture deal. You never know what’s going to happen in Hollywood.”

Lohan told the Hollywood Reporter that she feels like she can relate to many of the mob women, stating “You don’t get to see the heart behind the story and the real side of people. I can relate to that because I think that I’ve been portrayed in a certain light. I just want to do my best to show what their family really went through.”

Marc Fiore said of the former child star, “We’re very pleased to have Lindsay on-board. She has been very enthusiastic about the Gotti project, and after resuming discussions with her, we were impressed by her commitment to the film and felt she would be a perfect Kim Gotti.”

All of us here at Positively Celebrity wish to congratulate Lindsay on her new gig and can’t wait to see her back where she belongs, on the big screen in theaters nationwide!

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

Life derails for Walter Garber, a NYC transit worker, when a former prisoner hijacks a subway train, takes hostages, demands money and demands only to talk with Garber. Tony Scott’s version of the 1974 film with the same title, “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3” is full of action and passionate performances.

Both Denzel Washington (Garber) and John Travolta (Ryder) are full of energy throughout the film. The movie also stars Luis Guzmán, John Turturro, James Gandolfini, Alex Kaluzhsky, and Gbenga Akinnagbe. “Pelham” won’t be nominated for any awards, but it’s a captivating movie and a terrific opportunity to finally see these veteran actors, Washington and Travolta, acting together.

 The Good: - Denzel Washington – Going from playing an obnoxious crime boss to an inspirational debate teacher – Washington’s “Garber” adds “everyday man” to his recent resume. But Garber isn’t perfect, which makes the character even more appealing. Only Washington could give this character the sincerity needed to not come off as hammy. Would we expect anything else from the classy actor?   - John Travolta – I think the last time Travolta was this fuming in a movie was in “Face/Off” (or was that Nicholas Cage?). Covered in tattoos as “Ryder,” Travolta plays the wisecracking, angry-at-the-world subway hijacker impressively. It’s great to see Travolta and his acting talents back on movie screens (only this time without a dress).

- The Movie’s Pace – The story’s timing is well done – it’s not too long or too short. The plot progresses steadily and doesn’t get caught up with irrelevant details. “Pelham” gets to the point, and sticks to the point – and I like that in a movie.

- It’s An Action Movie Too – “Pelham” isn’t all talk – it’s not continuous negotiations or argument with Ryder, it’s not solely “what can they say next to make him stop.” Those theatrical elements are covered, but Scott has also offered audiences great action sequences complete with flipping cars, cop shoot outs, and a standoff!

The Bad: - Background Characters – Roger Ebert makes a great point, “This version occupies a denatured action-movie landscape, with no time for local color and a transit system control room that humbles Mission Control. That also may explain the film’s lack of time to establish the supporting characters, even Travolta’s partners.” I agree because, the lack of focus on the secondary characters establishes a lack of caring for them. However, putting more emphasis on them may have interrupted the film’s pacing and if that’s the case then I’ll pass – keep the movie the way it is.

- Slightly Over the Top – The cars flipping during collisions are a little dramatic, but it sure does make for an entertaining movie.   In The End: “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3” will definitely keep audiences’ attention. But now that it’s competing with “Transformers 2” I think we’ll see it disappearing from theaters soon. However, make sure to catch it on DVD because Washington and Travolta’s performances shouldn’t be missed!

John Travolta, Kelly Preston, and their daughter, Ella Bleu, are back in the family’s Florida home after vacationing in the Bahamas, where the couple’s 16-year-old son died of a seizure January 2nd The Associated Press reports.

Friend of the family, Obie Wilchombe, said the family flew back Monday evening with teenage son’s ashes; the same day an autopsy was completed.

“Everything was in place, the cremation was completed, and they decided to leave,” said Wilchcombe.

The autopsy performed by two pathologists and observed by Travolta’s family doctor concluded that Jett died from a seizure of which he’d had a history of.

No funeral arrangements have been released yet.

The family of John Travolta and Kelly Preston are grief-stricken after the sudden death of their 16-year-old son, Jett, Friday morning. Tragedy struck while the family, including Jett’s 8-year-old sister, Ella Bleu, was vacationing at their home in the Bahamas.

An official autopsy is scheduled to take place Monday. Bahamian health minister Dr. Hubert Minnis tells the Associated Press he decided to use two experts to guarantee a thorough assessment of what caused the death of Jett.

E! News reports Jett died of a seizure and that he had a history of them. As of now the couple is currently staying in the Bahamas until they get some answers.

John and Kelly posted the following on their personal websites:

“We would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to everyone who has sent their love and condolences. Jett was the most wonderful son that two parents could ever ask for and lit up the lives of everyone he encountered.

We are heartbroken that our time with him was so brief. We will cherish the time that we had with him for the rest of our lives. We have received many messages of condolence from around the world and we want to thank everyone for their prayers and support. It has meant so much to us. It is a beautiful reminder of the inherent goodness in the human spirit that gives us hope for a brighter future.”

Looking for a good dance movie to inspire you, teach you a few moves, or to just sit down and enjoy? Well, I’ve been cruising all of the online ‘best’ lists and here’s your accumulative top five.

1) Footloose – In this eighties classic, Kevin Bacon plays a student who overcomes discrimination against dancing in a small town by showing them what dancing really means. It’s a fun movie with good tunes that are sure to actually loosen up your feet.

2) Save the Last Dance – In this movie, Julia Stiles plays an ex-dancer who moves into a different neighborhood where she’s forced to learn new moves to survive and get ‘back on her feet’. With a little bit of a love story and little it on gang violence, not to mention the intense audition scene in the end, this movie is sure to be thrilling on all kinds of levels.

3) Step Up – This movie, released only a couple years ago is a piece on mixing the classical with the new, the ’street’ kids with the upper class ones, and a love story that only serves to make the dancing even more magical. Channing Tatum busts more than one move in this sharp dance flick that’s good to watch if you want to wow someone at your next big bash.

4) Dirty Dancing – Well, that’s pretty self explanatory. Nobody puts Baby in a corner, and even if they do – she’ll just salsa right out of it.

5) Saturday Night Fever – If John Travolta dances in it, it’s got to be good. What else needs to be said?

Writer’s suggestion: ‘Take the Lead’ is a great dance movie, based on a true story. It stars Antonio Banderas as a New York City dance teacher who takes the time to use dance and music to teach an inner city school’s rejects self respect, respect for others, and the importance of having dignity in the face of tough times.