Posts Tagged ‘Johnny Depp’

With the recent announcement by Apple that Verizon will start carrying the iPhone in February, a large chunk of the population will be privy to the amazing little smartphone that has taken the world by storm. From its high resolution screen to its easy to use interface, the iPhone is a do-it-all wonder perfect for work or play (or both!).

The best feature of the iPhone though has to be the many applications that are available to users through Apple’s App Store. These applications are what makes the iPhone not just a phone, but rather a lightning fast computer in the palm of your hand that just happens to be able to make phone calls. Here at Positively Celebrity we love the iPhone, so check out our 10 best apps below, which are ranked in order from must have to really, really must have!

#10: Twitter – being able to tweet and see what your favorite celebrity is tweeting, all while you’re on the go makes this app a total necessity! Our personal favorites here at Positively Celebrity are Kim Kardashian (kimkardashian), Adam Lambert (adamlambert), Britney Spears (britneyspears) and Ashton Kutcher (aplusk).

#9: Alarm Clock Pro – one of the only drawbacks to the iPhone is that you can’t set your alarm to wake you up to your favorite song; well, not only does Alarm Clock Pro fix this, but it also has a positively gorgeous interface. No more waking up to a ringing bell for me!  From now on, it’s nothing but Ke$ha serenading me with “Tik Tok.”

#8: Netflix – Netflix came along a few years back and revolutionized the way we rent DVDs. There was no more standing around at Blockbuster, hoping the movie we want to see is still in stock; the DVDs we want to see were mailed out to us in bright red envelopes, waiting for us in our mailboxes after a long day at work. I don’t have to explain more – you guys know what I’m talking about! Last year, Netflix released an app for users that allows them to stream all available video directly to their iPhones! A must have for anyone who loves movies and/or television — how else can you say that you have the world’s favorite serial killer Dexter in your pocket?

#7: Downcast – Podcasts have totally changed entertainment as we know it. People from Adam Carolla to Suze Orman and Joel Osteen all have podcasts that are hilarious, informative and more. Downcast is the best way to organize and play your podcasts, with the app automatically downloading your podcasts via WiFi, 3G or Edge as they are released. Handy skip forward or backwards buttons are only icing on the cake!

#6: Yelp – Have you ever found yourself wondering if that trendy little restaurant or bar was really worth their high prices? Or if that spa has massages worth your time? Well Yelp is just for you! This app is chock full of information, with reviews on everything from clubs to jewelry shops to automotive services!

#5: Fandango – It’s Friday night and you’re on your way from dinner to see a movie with your special someone. You know the queue in front of the theater is going to be packed with people just waiting to see the new Angelina Jolie or Johnny Depp movie (or the one with them both). With a quick touch of your iPhone, you can order your movie tickets on the way over to the theater, and simply walk up to the automated machines with your confirmation code in hand and your tickets will pop right out! Fandango also lets you purchase tickets before the movie is even released, making sure that you aren’t stuck missing out on the big premiere.

#4: Skype – When I heard that Apple was going to start to allow Skype to be used on the iPhone, I didn’t believe it. Skype is an amazing program that allows for free calling over the internet, including video chat, and it is an absolute godsend to world travelers such as the grouchy Anthony Bourdain and the gorgeous Samantha Brown, helping to keep them in touch with those at home. The Skype app lets you utilize all the features of the program right on your iPhone!

My favorite feature is the unlimited nationwide calling (just a few dollars a month through Skype), which allows me to chat away via the app without having to worry about going over my minutes! Plus in areas with no service but with wifi (like my house which is nestled in the hills), using Skype allows me to talk to friends and family without the worry of a dropped call!

#3: MyFitnessPal – This amazing free app is a must have for anyone and everyone! With an integrated calorie counter (just search for your food and the nutritional information is right there!), weight tracker, workout planner and more, MyFitnessPal is one of the best apps available today!

#2: Hipstamatic/Adope Photoshop Express – Though these are two separate apps, I am listing them together because they work so amazingly well as a pair. Hipstamatic is a camera program that allows you to take photos that appear to have been shot using old style cameras, and with special filters that can make an ordinary shot of a street sign look like vintage photographic art! With this app I never use the standard iPhone camera app anymore (though it is excellent); Hipstamatic lets me channel my inner Ansel Adams (and at times, my inner paparazzo)!

Adobe Photoshop Express is the yin to my Hipstamatic yang, as the app allows me to quickly edit any photo I take and crop, adjust levels and a whole lot more. It also allows me to upload my edited photo directly to multiple social networking sites, including Facebook.

#1: Pandora – This app is the best music program I have ever seen. Using advanced logarithms, Pandora is radio at it’s best, using the songs you have said you like to provide a mix of similar music for all your listening pleasure. Free, easy to use, amazingly accurate and incredibly clear, Pandora has effectively rendered my radio obsolete! From the gym to the beach to the subway, Pandora keeps my feet tapping and my soul aglow with the rich sounds of The Beatles, indie star Lissie, OneRepublic and Interpol! A definite must, must, MUST have for every iPhone user!

Honorable Mentions:

iPogs! - Remember back in the 1990s when pogs were all the rage? This app by Oxygen Entertainment helps to bring back all the nostalgia of the little cardboard circles that could be found in lockers, back pockets and back packs throughout the country, and before you know it you will be hooked all over again.

HeyTell - This handy app allows you to send short voice messages to other users anywhere in the world. A great alternative to text messaging, HeyTell is very easy to use and can save you some money on your wireless bill.

Angry Birds - this app has taken the world by storm, consistently ranking as one of the top free apps and paid apps since it emerged on the marketplace. It is popular for a reason: it’s fun and addictive!

Positively Celebrity - yep, you heard it here first! Positively Celebrity is getting an iPhone app, launching in mid-March.  The app will feature not only celebrity news just like our website, but will also have daily vlogs that give tips and tricks on make-up techniques, fashion ideas, diets (that really work), red carpet intervews and more.

Be sure to check back for more great stories from Richard Munassi right here at Positively Celebrity! See you on FaceTime!

Finally Christian Bale and Johnny Depp, two of today’s most talented actors, are in one movie together. Even though this amazing duo is seldom in the same scene, both add something special to a very sexy and dangerous crime film.

Michael Mann is the director and transports audiences back to an era when robbing banks was the choice money making scheme. “Enemies” is about Melvin Purvis (Bale) the head FBI agent responsible for bringing John Dillinger (Depp), Public Enemy #1, to justice. The accomplices of Depp and Bale are a remarkable cast of actors and really make this ‘cat and mouse chase’ movie complete. Whether you love a good crime film or not – “Public Enemies” is a great escape from summer movie sequels.

The Good: – The Ensemble – Making up an FBI department as well as a “gang” of bank robbers needs more than Depp and Bale. The support characters in “Enemies” are understated yet are key to filling out the atmosphere and feel of the movie. They are an impressive bunch and include: Marion Cotillard (Academy Award Winner for “La Vie en Rose”), David Wenham (“Australia”), Stephen Dorff, Channing Tatum (“Stop-Loss”), Rory Cochrane (“CSI: Miami”), Emilie de Ravin (“Lost”), Billy Crudup, Giovanni Ribisi (“Perfect Stranger”), Domenick Lombardozzi (“The Wire”), and Shawn Hatosy (“Southland”), are just a few of the immensely talented crew.

- The Camera Work – One of the characteristics that stands out the most in “Enemies” is the cinematography. The documentary style filming helps bring the audience into the story more – it isn’t simply watching a bank robber’s life develop, instead it’s getting to live Dillinger’s life with him. Purvis’ story benefits as well because when the camera focuses on him, no matter how much you’re cheering on Dillinger, you want Purvis to catch his man.

- The Look – Michael Mann and the creative team of “Enemies” bring back the distinct 1930’s aesthetics without having to actually recreate much. A lot of the movie was filmed at Dillinger historical spots that are still standing today. Many of the locations, such as the Little Bohemia Lodge where Dillinger and some of his cohorts were found by Purvis and the FBI and the local for one of the major gun battles featured in the movie, are real buildings that are still open.

- The Music – Elliot Goldenthal has created noteworthy scores for movies like “Across the Universe” and “Frida.” For “Enemies” he has combined bad-boy, bluegrass type tunes with music from the era as well as piano ballads to help complete the mood of this movie.

- Christian Bale – Bale’s “Purvis” is a serious guy. He doesn’t smile much during the movie (maybe once when he’s gunning down a famous gangster), but the seriousness works because it plays both to Bale’s assets as an actor as well as the tone of the Purvis character.

- Johnny Depp – Depp’s Dillinger combines sexiness with a sense of real danger. It’s subtle, but sometimes there is a sense that Dillinger truly fears for his life and is genuinely hurt at the loss of friends. I feel like I got to know John Dillinger a little better due to yet another exceptional performance by Depp.

The Bad: – The Time-Span – “Enemies” is over an hour and a half long and could have used a couple more edits in post production to cut down the time a bit.

- What is True – Scenes like Dillinger meandering through the “Dillinger” FBI Department without a soul identify him and scenes such as people on the street waving at Dillinger while being driven to prison as if he’s a celebrity yet he goes unrecognized in a lit movie theater makes me question how much of the film truly represents real events.

- Purvis Perspective – More glimpses into Purvis’ personal life and more of his point of view would have added symmetry and evenness to the movie.

In The End: “Public Enemies” is an exciting film about two Depression era legends – one – a bank robber and the other a bank robber hunter. The entire team who created “Enemies” should be very proud. The talent can be seen in every aspect of the film – from the camera work, to the score, to the costumes and best of all –  the actors.

One of the greatest times of the year for top notch movies is the summer! Movie execs even change the dates their movies debut in order to take part in this sweltering time of year. Here are six films we can’t wait to see during the Summer 2009 movie season…

June

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen – Summer is an infamous time of year for sequels and 2009 is no exception.  The trailer alone for “Transformers 2” promises amazing action, explosive destruction, CG-palooza and there’s even a plot thrown in there too. Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf) discovers the back story of the giant robots that are causing demolition worldwide – Egypt, Paris and the US. The cherry on this sundae – IMAX footage, which is sure to enhance the already exciting special effects. June 24th.

Away We Go – “Go’s” trailer caught my eye when I saw “Adventureland.” The odd couple of John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph (two hugely funny actors not frequently seen on the large screen) had me scribbling down the release date in the dark theater so I wouldn’t forget. “Go” is a “road trip” film for adults as Krasinski and Rudolph travel to see family and friends to find a place that feels like home before they become parents for the first time. Maggie Gyllenhaal, Allison Janney, Jeff Daniels, and Catherine O’Hara are just a couple of the odd ball friends and family members visited by the pregnant couple. June 5th.

July

Public Enemies – Johnny Depp and Christian Bale – that’s all you need to be sold on this summer semi bio-pic. Directed by the successful Michael Mann (“Collateral,” “Ali,” “The Insider,” “Heat,” and “The Last of the Mohicans”) this film is already being talked about as the only summer film that will be remembered at Oscar time.  “Enemies” is a depression era crime drama about infamous bank robber John Dillinger (Depp) and the clean cut FBI agent determined to bring him in, Melvin Purvis (Bale).  Two stories from behind the scenes recount that Bale was in character 24/7 and that Depp was actually giddy at the opportunity to handle Dillinger’s actual brief case. This is going to be a real box office melter. July 1st.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince – “Prince” should have been on the Fall ’08 list, but the higher ups who made the movie moved it to summer ’09 for financial reasons. The 2nd to last book in the JK Rowling series has a darker story that revolves around the origins of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Through multiple memory type flashback sequences the audience and Harry will learn a lot more about Voldemort’s history. There’s also the prospect of love for some of our favorite Hogwarts’ students (but I won’t tell you who in case you haven’t read the book). July 15th.

August

The Boat That Rocked – Haven’t heard of this movie yet? That’s ok – you’ll be dying to see it because of the cast alone: Philip Seymour Hoffman (“Doubt”), Emma Thompson (“Stranger Than Fiction’), Gemma Arterton (“Quantum of Solace”), Bill Nighy (“Love Actually”), Kenneth Branagh (“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”), January Jones (“Mad Men”), Rhys Darby (“Yes Man”), Jack Davenport (the “Pirates” movies), Nick Frost (“Hot Fuzz”), Rhys Ifans (“Elizabeth: The Golden Age”), Kirsty Mather (“Mamma Mia”), and Tom Wisdom (“300”). What a line up! And it’s directed by Richard Curtis who did “Love Actually.” August 28th.

Inglourious Basterds – Yes, the movie title is spelled correctly. Leave it director Quentin Tarantino to find the craziest spelling for his latest film starring Brad Pitt, Mike Myers, B.J. Novak, Samuel L. Jackson and Cloris Leachman. “Inglourious” is two stories in one – the first is about a Jewish girl whose family is killed by Nazis, she leaves and ends up working at a movie theatre, and infatuated with a German war hero and plotting revenge for her family’s deaths. The second story – a group of Jewish-American soldiers who are working behind enemy lines plot their own scheme against the Nazis. How do the two stories relate? The movie theater is the key (how ironic). August 21st.

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.

With “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” setting a box office record opening for a musical with $42 million last weekend, it doesn’t look like movie musicals are dead.

The all-time best movie musicals like “The Sound of Music,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Grease,” and “West Side Story,” thrived in the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s; but, that doesn’t mean there haven’t been any movies worth singing about lately. Read on for the best movie musicals to be made within the last decade.

5. Sweeney Todd (2007) Sure most musicals are uplifting, but Sweeney Todd does not lack in musical quality. Based on the Broadway musical, Tim Burton’s dark drama set in Victorian England about a murderous barber out to revenge the man who exiled him and stole away his wife and daughter boasts soaring, melodramatic songs sung by Johnny Depp whose singing is as good as his acting.

4. Walk the Line (2005) Not only does this biography of Johnny Cash tell a moving story, it has the music to match it. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon – as Johnny and June Cash – not only portray the country duo to a hilt; they perfectly capture their singing styles. All together this makes great storytelling and a great soundtrack. Witherspoon won an Oscar for Best Actress.

3. Once (2006) This low-budget film starring real life performers, rather than professional actors, wasn’t a hit at the box office, but the Academy noticed it. Earlier this year, Markéta Irglová and Glen Hansard were awarded with Best Song with the titular “Once.” It’s a simple film that tells the love story of two characters who aren’t even given names through the songs they write, rehearse and record in the course of a week.

2. Moulin Rouge! (2001) Unlike “Once,” this movie musical is stylish, glitzy, and over-the-top, which is what makes it so much fun. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor play star-crossed lovers in 1899 Paris. Kidman is Satine, a prostitute at the underworld night club (the titular Moulin Rouge) and McGregor is the idealistic, romantic poet who sings beautifully heartbreaking songs to his beloved Satine in a film reminiscent of “Romeo & Juliet.”

1. Chicago (2002) One of a handful of movie musicals to win Best Picture, “Chicago” boasts an all-star cast of Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, John C. Reilly and Queen Latifah; spectacular, jazzy songs and dance numbers, and an intricate, tantalizing story of love and murder set in 1920s Chicago. Zeta-Jones won Best Supporting Actress.

Johnny Depp, the lovable, swashbuckling antihero of the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, is a kid at heart.

Strapping on a guitar, Depp reunited with his old band, The Kids, for a fundraiser in Florida over the weekend. The eclectic thespian and band mates performed for 90 minutes to a crowd of 2,500 to raise money for the Dan Marino Foundation, an organization aimed at helping kids with special needs.

The event, dubbed the Annual Sheila Witkin Memorial Reunion Concert, honors The Kids’ late manager, who was a prominent rock manager in South Florida. This makes the second annual performance by Depp and his Kids’ band mates, having performed at last year’s concert for the noble cause.

The Office star Rainn Wilson leaves his cubicle to play a has-been rocker in the aptly titled The Rocker opening Wednesday. It’s too soon to see how the movie career of Wilson, best known for dorky Dwight will fare, but in the meantime let’s take a look back at the best TV to movie crossovers.

George Clooney The Emmy-nominated ER doc hung up his scrubs for a successful movie career that spans box-office commercial fare (the Ocean’s Eleven franchise) to the critically acclaimed (winning a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Syriana). He’s also established himself as a bona fide writer and director with Good Night, and Good Luck.

Tom Hanks Before going on to win two Best Actor Oscars, he starred as a cross dresser in the 80s sitcom Bosom Buddies. Since then he’s starred in dozens of classic films like Forrest Gump and Saving Private Ryan, as well as writing, directing and producing.

Johnny Depp Now known for his chameleon-like ability to immerse himself into eccentric characters like Captain Jack Sparrow, Edward Scissorhands, Sweeney Todd and Willy Wonka, Depp got his start playing a baby-faced undercover cop in 21 Jump Street. 

Leonardo DiCaprio Before he sailed on the Titanic, DiCaprio played a scrawny teen in Growing Pains. Now he’s grown up and starring in critically acclaimed films like The Departed and Blood Diamond while scoring three Oscar noms.  

Will Smith The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star now rules Fourth of July weekends in explosive movies like Independence Day, Men in Black and Hancock. He doesn’t just fight aliens though; he also was Oscar nominated for The Pursuit of Happyness and Ali.

Denzel Washington The St. Elsewhere star is another sexy TV doc who rocketed to the A-List with a number of classic films like Malcolm X and Training Day, for which he won an Oscar.

Jennifer Aniston The Friends star has starred in numerous films such as Office Space, The Good Girl, Derailed and The Break-Up; yet, she’s still best known as Rachel. But several upcoming films like Marley and Me may make us forget about that New York waitress with cute hair.

Steve Carell He’s just as good at getting laughs in films like The 40-Year Old Virgin, Little Miss Sunshine and Get Smart as he does in The Office, but he also kept it real with low key film Dan in Real Life.  

Bruce Willis With classic films like the Die Hard franchise and The Sixth Sense, one almost forgets he won a Golden Globe for his TV show, Moonlighting.

Helen Hunt The Mad About You star went on to win an Oscar for As Good As It Gets and to star in Twister, but then she disappeared until this year’s underwhelming Then She Found Me, in which she starred, directed and co-wrote.

When Heath Ledger died from an overdose last January, a will was already in place. Like most of us, Heath probably thought he had more time to revise the legal document, which unfortunately, left nothing to his daughter, who was born after the will was drawn up.

No problem. Step in three handsome, gracious actors: Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law. Each shared in completing Heath’s final unfinished film role in the upcoming The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, and each donated his paycheck into a trust for Baby Matilda.

Although no amount of money could ever replace Mattie’s devoted and doting dad – it certainly does help. Good goin’ fellas!

“He’s the biggest celebrity in the world, but is he ready to lead?” This is a fair question indeed. Even at the apex of his fame, Tom Cruise could only roust Renee Zellweger when he asked, “Who’s coming with me?”

The governator seems be holding his own in Kuhlifahnia, but he may be the biggest celebrity in the world according to girth, not fame, which presents all sorts of semantic questions best not explored.

Thankfully, the good folks at the McCain campaign have provided us with a definitive answer to this question, which, coincidentally enough, they themselves posed.

A recent ad approved by Senator McCain features a picture of his opponent, Barack Obama, alongside photos of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. After what some have called Obama’s “rock-star” reception overseas, the comparison could not be more apt to Britney Spears, who just last week was met with raucous applause by 200,000 enraptured Germans after she personally met with several acting heads of state. Come to think of it, that was probably Obama.

Also, Britney’s position on offshore drilling is presently unknown, but I’m working on it. Okay, so maybe the Britney Spears connection is somewhat tenuous, but hey, do you know what else is in Europe besides an entire continent of people who want Obama elected and a bunch of restaurants owned by Johnny Depp? You guessed it: Paris.

What’s more, Obama probably had to stay in hotels over there, and one of them could well have been a Hilton, or a Hyatt, and that would be close enough for anyone who would seriously compare Barack Obama to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.