Absolument Jolie

Angelina Jolie almost starred in WHICH sexy teenage 1990s horror with Scarlett Johansson?

Details: Published on Friday, 20 October 2017 04:40; Written by Express

ANGELINA JOLIE, Scarlett Johansson and Reese Witherspoon all auditioned for which cult 1996 horror about teenage witches? It was while they were still young and practicing their, ahem, craft... With hindsight Jolie, especially, seems like she would have been perfect for the movie. But this was 1996, so it still two years until she would unleash the full range of her ability to play extremely troubled characters in Gia and Playing By Heart during her breakthrough year of 1998.However, she was pipped to the post at the time by another rising star, Neve Campbell who was riding high in Party of Five. We still wish we had seen Jolie as a furious, vengeful teenage witch, though.The movie was The Craft and it eventually starred Fairuza Balk, Robin Tunney, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True.Casting director Pam Dixon told EW: "We tested over 90 girls and went through probably 600. But [Neve] was by far the biggest name."We tested Alicia Silverstone, Scarlett Johansson, Angelina Jolie... but Neve came in and she was really, really good."Perhaps things might have been different, if they had known that Jolie would become notorious for wearing a vial of Billy Bob Thornton's blood around her neck a few years later.The movie was not expected to do well by the studios and was viewed as a risk due to its female-centric characters and challenging themes of pagan worship, rape and murder.Both Columbia Pictures and the censor believed it was too strong for female teenage audiences who had flocked to see Clueless the year before. They were wrong.Despite receiving a resticted R rating in the US it was the top film in its week of release.Director Andrew Fleming said: “The rating was a surprise because we actually sent the script to the MPAA for rating in advance, and we had held off on any really hard language or nudity or graphic violence because we wanted a PG-13. They said, 'This is an R.' When we asked why, they said, 'Because it’s about devil worship and teens and we don’t want to encourage that.'”

source : Express

Why Angelina Jolie needs to step down from Cleopatra

Details: Published on Thursday, 05 October 2017 05:21; Written by Yahoo ! Movies

This year, British actor Ed Skrein set a new precedent in the film industry by quitting a role in the ‘Hellboy’ reboot because his character, Ben Daimio, is Japanese-American in the source comics. His replacement, ‘Lost’ star Daniel Dae Kim, applauded the move for “championing the notion that Asian characters should be played by Asian or Asian American actors”.Now, with the news that Denis Villeneuve is in talks to direct Sony’s new ‘Cleopatra’ movie, it’s time for Angelina Jolie to follow Ed Skrein’s example by doing the right thing and recusing herself from the role.The actress has long been linked to Sony’s biopic, based on Stacy Schiff’s bestselling biography ‘Cleopatra: Queen of the Nile’, and while there’s no denying she is a great actress and would do a good job in bringing the infamous Egyptian queen to life, she’d be playing a far bigger role in continuing the terrible trend of whitewashing in Hollywood.Cleopatra’s ethnicity has long been debated by scholars. She was part of the Ptolemaic dynasty, a Greek Macedonian family that ruled Ancient Egypt for 275 years, between 305 to 30 BC, but because of the intermingling with the Persian aristocracy at the time, she was considered to have both Greek and Persian heritage.However, historians don’t know for certain who her mother or paternal grandmother were. It’s assumed that Cleopatra’s mother was the sister or cousin of Ptolemy XII Auletes, Cleopatra V, because of the family’s trend of marrying relatives to maintain the bloodline, but the Pharaoh was known for having several wives and some have suggested he took an Egyptian noblewoman as one.It’s because Cleopatra could speak Egyptian that historians have suggested her mother was native to the North African country because no other ruler in her family could speak their tongue, and, as the historian Duane W. Roller points out, her own daughter “honoured the Egyptian religious elite” in Mauretania (Algeria) – after becoming their queen – which suggests they were her ancestors too.
So, it seems more than likely that Cleopatra was not as white as the women who have brought her to life on screen. She was probably mixed race, of Greek Macedonian, Persian and Egyptian descent, with an olive to light brown skin tone not unlike my own. I am a mix of Caucasian and North African heritage and one thing’s for sure, my skin colour is nothing like Angelina Jolie’s.But, it doesn’t surprise me that the actress has been in talks for the role. Back in 2007 she donned a curly wig and fake tan in ‘A Mighty Heart’ to play Mariane Pearl, a woman of Afro-Cuban and Dutch heritage. She got away with it then but nowadays that sort of whitewashing won’t be accepted. Just look at the backlash over ‘The Great Wall’, ‘Ghost in the Shell’, and ‘Aloha’ which all arguably suffered at the box office in the wake of their negative press.One would think that Jolie would want to be a part of changing this aspect of the industry as the mother of children of varying ethnic backgrounds. Wouldn’t she like to have her kids see more faces that looked like them on screen and telling their stories? It certainly seemed the case with her latest film, ‘First They Killed My Father’, which she was inspired to make because of her Cambodian-born son.It tells the true story of a child soldier serving under the Khmer Rouge during the Cambodian genocide and the entire cast, as well as some 3,500 background performers and 500 crew members, were made up of Cambodian natives. Surely she can understand that as a pale-skinned white woman, the idea of her getting to play the role of a mixed race Egyptian queen is pretty frustrating for both ethnic actresses and audiences alike.

source : Yahoo ! Movies

The ‘Tomb Raider’ Trailer Is Here And We Already Miss Angelina Jolie

Details: Published on Friday, 22 September 2017 06:17; Written by Huffington post

So exactly like the “Tomb Raider” video game then, yeah? The trailer for the latest attempt to bring heroine Lara Croft to the big screen dropped Tuesday night. Gone is star Alicia Vikander’s strangely elongated neck, but here to stay are all the tired video game cliches.Hollywood apparently hasn’t learned much from the poorly received film adaptations “Assassin’s Creed” and “Prince of Persia,” because the trailer borrows a bit too heavily from the modern series of video games, which follow a young Lara Croft after she gets stranded on a dangerous isle.The first look at the reboot is practically a shot-for-shot remake of some of the more thrilling moments from the critically acclaimed video game, as Vikander’s Croft survives a shipwreck, wields a makeshift bow and arrow, picks off bad guys and leaps across a ruined airplane.The Swedish actress certainly seems up for the task ― she trained extensively for the role beforehand ― but here’s hoping the dialogue is better than it sounds, because “The Cradle of Life” is looking like a full-blown masterpiece right about now. “Tomb Raider” hits theaters on March 16.

source : Huffington post

Cambodia selects Angelina Jolie film as its Oscar submission

Details: Published on Tuesday, 19 September 2017 06:51; Written by WJLA

Angelina Jolie's "First They Killed My Father" has been named Cambodia's foreign-language submission to the Academy Awards.The Cambodia Oscar Selection Committee announced the choice Monday, calling Jolie's Cambodian genocide drama "cathartic" and hailing it for bringing back memories "often best forgotten."Jolie directed the adaptation of Loung Ung's memoir about her childhood during the Khmer Rouge's bloody reign. She shot it in Cambodia with a local cast.Jolie, whose eldest son, Maddox, was born in Cambodia, has been a citizen of Cambodia since 2005. In an interview with The Associated Press, Jolie said she made the film to "help a country to speak."Jolie's 2011 Bosnian War drama, "In the Land of Blood and Honey," was also nominated for best foreign-language film by the Golden Globes.

source : WJLA

Denis Villeneuve Might Direct Angelina Jolie’s Cleopatra Movie

Details: Published on Friday, 29 September 2017 11:33; Written by Film School Rejects

From 2049 to Ancient Egypt? It could happen.Does Denis Villeneuve ever take breaks? Does he need some time off at all? His career has skyrocketed since the release of his first English-language film, Prisoners, and it’s staying in the clouds for a bit. Villeneuve is now in talks to direct a Cleopatra film for Sony. This news of a possible fresh venture nicely follows up the positive buzz his latest studio film, Blade Runner 2049, has been getting a week before release.The Cleopatra film has a screenplay by David Scarpa, adapted from Stacy Schiff’s best-selling book “Cleopatra: A Life,” and will hopefully hold true to the book’s depiction of the iconic ruler of Ancient Egypt a shrewd, formidable and authoritative.Women lead the narratives of a few of Villeneuve’s features. It’s a little finicky with a film like Sicario, which received a polarized response to its portrayal of protagonist Kate Macer (Emily Blunt). The soundbite that caught everyone’s attention revealed that producers tried to have her rewritten as a man.There are obviously glowing reviews out there — FSR’s stance being mostly positive, too. But that polarity regarding Kate’s characterization has merit: is she a force of reason and the audience surrogate — someone who is simply up against bull-headed forces of male violence? Or is her inaction a result of a perceived lack of strength in the character? It’s hard to see Kate as being the protagonist anyway when the sequel won’t even feature her.Arrival exists in beautiful contrast to the nihilistic suffocation of Sicario. A far more straightforward piece in that regard, we can easily root for Dr. Louise Banks (Amy Adams). Where Sicario is all doom-and-gloom, Arrival is much-needed hope and optimism. It’s a loving portrait against the violence of men as opposed to any kind of glorification of it, and it truly is Louise’s role to save the day.“Kinetic, awe-inspiring, and intimate,” Arrival speaks volumes of a kind of acumen the film displays. It is a love letter to humanity without sugarcoating people’s perceived realities when they come face-to-face with something they don’t understand. The film takes audiences through its narrative as slowly and lavishly as possible, because learning a new language and learning to understand a new culture requires that patience.
If Villeneuve is to tackle a Cleopatra film, it needs to be more Arrival than Sicario. It’s great that Villeneuve at least knows how to handle both from a technical viewpoint. However, this film has been gestating at Sony for a long time — going through directors like Ang Lee, David Fincher, and James Cameron.The studio would want to bank on the market for films featuring “strong women” (alas forever bound by quotation marks due to varying interpretations of the phrase). Sony has so much riding on this being an adaptation of an iconic historical figure, and it’s easy to be a skeptic.There are also other concerns to level at the production, which of course hasn’t yet secured Villeneuve as director. Will they cast appropriately with so much money riding on the project (Angelina Jolie says she’s still a possibility)? Despite constant pressure to do so, Hollywood execs have proven time and time again that they simply aren’t interested most of the time.Apparently, it’s up to actors to step up and do the work instead. For once, it’d be great if the industry preempted everyone’s disdain for whitewashing and you know, listened to us.Also… female director? Did anyone think of that?Either way, Villeneuve has his hands full with two other adaptations as it is. He’s helming a film based on Jo Nesbø’s crime novel, The Son, as well as another sci-fi movie, Dune. A Cleopatra film would be an excellent addition to his resume, but as it stands, he has enough on his plate to keep him busy.

source : Film School Rejects

Angelina Jolie condemns Myanmar violence

Details: Published on Wednesday, 20 September 2017 06:27; Written by ABC News

The Latest on the violence in Myanmar and the exodus of Rohingya Muslims into Bangladesh (all times local):Hollywood star Angelina Jolie has condemned the violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar and called on the country's government and its leader, Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi, to no longer remain silent.Jolie on Sunday told weekly Welt am Sonntag: "It's absolutely clear that the violence by the army needs to stop and that the return of the refugees has to be permitted — and that the Rohingya should be given civil rights."Jolie added: "We all wish that Aung San Suu Kyi will in this situation be the voice of human rights." Suu Kyi has been harshly criticized for not condemning the violence.Rohingya have faced decades of persecution by the majority Buddhist population in Myanmar, where they are denied citizenship. The current crisis that has led more than 400,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh in the past three weeks.

source : ABC News

Ink-credible! Angelina Jolie flaunts her massive tattoo in backless gown as formerly estranged father Jon Voight joins her at premiere of her new film in NYC

Details: Published on Monday, 18 September 2017 03:37; Written by Daily mail

They were estranged for more than six and a half years.But it seems Angelina Jolie is back on good terms with her father Jon Voight, as he joined her at the NYC premiere for her new film First They Killed My Father on Thursday night.The 42-year-old Tomb Raider star was typically striking in a strapless grey grown, which displayed her sprawling back tattoo, as she posed on the carpet in the Big Apple - alongside her father, 78. The stunning grey dress first cinched in at her famously slender waist, before falling into soft pleats all the way to the floor.Pulling into a strapless design to leave the back open, the dress drew attention to her famously sprawling back tattoo, as well as a smaller inking on her arm, as she posed effortlessly for cameras. She pulled her brunette locks into a loose half-up do, and elegantly tied her look together with glittering diamond earrings and matching necklace.Of course the Oscar-winner's make-up was perfectly applied, and accentuated her naturally striking features with a smokey eye and bright crimson lipstick.Promoting a film she both directed and co-wrote, Angelina was also supported by her father Jon at the event - who lookeddapper in a classic midnight blue suit.Keeping co-ordinated, he layered a light blue shirt and carbon crosshatch tie underneath, but casually finished his look with matching navy trainers. Proving the event to be a family affair however, Angelina also brought all six of her children to the event. While Angelina obviously turned heads thanks to her grey backless gown, she made sure to get several photos with her two eldest children, Maddox, 16 and Pax, 13, as they also worked on the movie.Maddox, who was actually born in Cambodia, was invited by his mother to participate as an executive producer, and shined on the red carpet in a black suit paired with a simple white t-shirt.Pax served as the set photographer, and looked equally dapper in a black on black ensemble.Meanwhile Zahara, 12, looked to be enjoying herself in a black lace top and black trouser combination, while Shiloh, 11, opted for a grey suit minus a tie.Finally, twins Knox and Vivienne, aged nine, also looked to be having fun, with Knox donning a classic black suit and his sister choosing a black vest and trouser look.All of the children also wore a yellow flower somewhere on their person, while their mother placed hers in her hair.While the exact meaning of the flowers is not known, E! News reports them as plumerias, which are thought to symbolise positivity and are worn at special occasions. The premiere of the Netflix film comes after Angelina met with United Nations Secretary General António Guterres at the Manhattan headquarters on Thursday.The Special Envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees easily defied her 41 years in a white silk blouse, brown pencil skirt, and nude pumps selected by stylist Jen Rade.Rather than taking vacuous selfies or developing clothing lines, Angelina has made over 60 trips to the field as part of her work with the do-gooding intergovernmental organization.

source : Daily mail