What I think about films, TV and celebs!
To prepare for the release of the latest Charlie’s Angels film (see review here), I decided to rewatch the previous two starring Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore. It wasn’t really necessary as I know them so well I can quote many lines but it was an excuse to watch two movies that I love so much. And why I am such a big fan, you ask? Let me count the ways.
I cannot overstate how much I love the original Charlie’s Angels films starring Cameron Diaz (I miss her), Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore. I have seen them countless times, have them on DVD and can quote them a fair bit. I don’t feel the world is really ready for a new instalment in the franchise but this one still deserves a chance.
Atomic Blonde comes out today and I bloody loved it (read review here) and mostly because Charlize Theron portrays such a badass heroine who just wipes the floor with everyone she comes up against. She is basically awesome.
Lucy Liu is probably most known for her kick-ass roles in Charlie’s Angels and Kill Bill. I think she is great in them but she wishes that she could get offered other roles. She believes that her ethnicity is the reason she doesn’t.
Talking to net-a-porter’s digital magazine, Lucy said: “I wish people wouldn’t just see me as the Asian girl who beats everyone up, or the Asian girl with no emotion. People see Julia Roberts or Sandra Bullock in a romantic comedy, but not me. You add race to it, and it became, “Well, she’s too Asian”, or, “She’s too American”.
The 44-year-old continued: “I kind of got pushed out of both categories. It’s a very strange place to be. You’re not Asian enough and then you’re not American enough, so it gets really frustrating.”
Liu was born in America to Taiwanese parents, so she doesn’t have conventional looks for either stereotype which means producers have trouble placing her in movies.
She added: “I can’t say that there is no racism – there’s definitely something there that’s not easy, which makes [an acting career] much more difficult.”
In Elementary
Lucy seems to have dropped lucky with the lead in Elementary, a TV series about Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. She plays the first ever female Watson alongside Johnny Lee Miller. That’s a bit different surely?!
I understand what she is saying but people get typecast all the time. Not just for what they look like but because of their previous work. If you have done a lot of action movies, you will only get offered action movies until you break out into something else. She did that for a while after Kill Bill and Charlie’s Angels but then last year, she took a kick ass role in Man With the Iron Fists which probably didn’t help her cause.
In Kill Bill
She admits that the films she is most of proud of are Lucky Number Slevin and Watching the Detectives, which weren’t box office hits yet she liked them as they were different.
“Both are special to me because I didn’t have to do any kind of action or karate kicks. It was just about the acting, and I was able to stretch my muscles in them. Well, figuratively, anyway.”
Sure, there is racism in movies in the same way there is stereotyping. If she doesn’t want to be seen as only an action character, she needs to stop taking those roles! Man with Iron Fists was definitely a step backwards.
Celeste and Jesse Forever
Now this looks like a sweet romance story. Rashisa Jones is Celeste (and she also co-wrote the movie) and Andy Samberg is Jesse- they are separated but they still act like best friends and like they are still a couple. Their little arrangement gets messy when Jesse meets someone else. This is basically a story of how Celeste deals with Jesse’s new relationship. From the outset, you generally know how this film will end but I want to see it anyway. Also starring Elijah Wood and Emma Roberts. Released: 7th
The Man With the Iron Fists
This looks weird but I’m so intrigued by it. It is martial arts film with crazy special effects and slo-mo fighting. There is a very loose plot but I don’t think the plot is the main focus here- it is the action, the fight sequences and how badass everything looks. Lone warriors unite to defeat a common enemy and save their village. Lucy Liu looks kick ass in this and quite like her character in Kill Bill. It will be violent and ridiculous but very enjoyable. Also starring Russell Crowe and Jamie Chung. Released: 7th
The Oranges
This looks like a brilliant romantic comedy with a fantastic cast. Hugh Laurie and Catherine Keener are the Wallings and they are best friends and neighbours with Oliver Platt and Alison Janney, the Ostroffs. Their perfect family situation goes awry when the Ostroff’s daughter, Nina (Leighton Meester) returns home from Thanksgiving after a five year absence. Rather than date the Walling’s son Toby (Adam Brody), Nina embarks on a relationship with his father (Hugh Laurie). It looks hilarious when the families find out and I wonder what the resolution is. Released: 7th
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
I’m not a fan of the LOTR franchise BUT I’m putting this in because it is going to be December’s biggest movie and therefore, it deserves a mention. Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) is hired by Gandalf (Ian McKellen) to accompany a group of dwarves to reclaim stolen treasure from the Lonely Mountain guarded by a dragon. I’m sure you all know the set-up and the cast by now. This is going to be big. Released-13th
Pitch Perfect
I cannot wait for this! I have been excited for this since it came out in America. It is basically a movie version of Glee but with a cappella groups. Anna Kendrick joins the Bellas, her university group and helps them break out of their mould so they stand a chance of winning a competition. You can predict the ending but this is going to be so enjoyable. I love musicals! Also starring Brittany Snow and Rebel Wilson. Released: 21st
The Emmy awards, which are like TV Oscars, were held in LA last night and whole host of celebs came out to celebrate. But, of course, I’m mostly interested in the outfits!
I have to admit, this year seems pretty middle of the road- most of them are “nice” or “pretty” and not many of them particularly stand out as good or bad. So baring that in mind, I have made a short list of best and worst dressed but there really isn’t much in it, in fact nobody was tragic and most people looked good. I’ll also give a reason why I dislike because a lot of it is just my personal taste.
One thing is for certain- there were some serious trends going on last night! There was a lot of sequins, yellow, split leg (a la Angelina) and an ample of cleavage (check out Kat Dennings and Christina Hendricks!) I’m certainly a fan on the yellow trend- as you will see from my choices!
BEST DRESSED
Leslie Mann
Claire Danes
Allison Williams (from Girls)
Kaley Cuoco (Big Bang Theory)
Guiliana Rancic
Maria Menounos
WORST DRESSED
Christine Baranski
It’s not the dress that bothers me but Christine just didn’t pick something age appropriate. A 60-year-old shouldn’t really be wearing something that short with sequins!
January Jones
I seriously dislike this and I think it’s too gothic. Her slicked back hair is too harsh as well.
Hayden Panettiere
I may have liked the dress underneath on its own but the blue/purple netting on top is awful.
Lucy Liu
I’m not a fan of sequins and her dress is literally a panel of sequins. No no!
Lena Headey (Game of Thrones)
Again, like January, it is very gothic. The netting reminds me of a witch!
And the one who everyone is talking about….
Sofia Vergara
When Sofia stepped onto the carpet, Twitter went mad over her outfit. Don’t get me wrong, I think she looks hot and there is definitely some cool mermaid vibe going on but it really isn’t my taste. Very shiny and the bodice part has the texture of a disco ball.
