Marion Cotillard

Video: ‘Inception’ Teaser Trailer From ‘The Dark Knight’ Director Christopher Nolan With Leonardo DiCaprio

HollywoodChicago.com — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 02:10:45 -0600

CHICAGO – Riding off the ravenous wave of the explosively successful “The Dark Knight,” Warner Bros. has released a new teaser trailer you’ve got to see. It’s for the 2010 psychological sci-fi action-thriller titled “Inception” from “The Dark Knight” director Christopher Nolan.

“Inception” features a star-studded cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page (“Juno”), Cillian Murphy (“Sunshine”), Joseph Gordon-Levitt of “(500) Days of Summer,” Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose”), Ken Watanabe, Tom Berenger and Michael Caine (“The Dark Knight”). Emma Thomas is a producer of “Inception,” which is written, directed and produced by Christopher Nolan (“The Dark Knight,” “The Prestige,” “Batman Begins,” “Insomnia,” “Memento”).

“Inception” is slated to hit theaters on July 16, 2010. Watch the new “Inception” teaser trailer below, see a screenshot we created from the trailer and read the film’s synopsis as we know it now!

Here’s what we know about the “Inception” plot so far:

“Inception” is a contemporary sci-fi psychological actioner set within the architecture of the mind for the serious-minded action auteur.

“Inception” from “The Dark Knight” director Christopher Nolan stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page and Cillian Murphy.
Image credit: screenshot created by HollywoodChicago.com from Warner Bros. trailer

Also, where do things stand with “The Dark Knight” sequel? We’re hearing it being named “The Dark Knight Returns” for now and IMDb is currently listing the Christopher Nolan follow-up film as “Untitled Batman Project,” but we do have its first poster here!

Watch more HollywoodChicago.com-hosted A&E videos.
Watch more movie videos on HollywoodChicago.com hosted elsewhere.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Johnny Depp’s ‘Public Enemies’ Delivers Bona Fide Chicago Powerhouse

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:53:26 -0600

CHICAGO – Was John Dillinger an Adolf Hitler-level criminal mastermind or a modern-day Robin Hood superman? In the authentic reality portrayed by the god-like Johnny Depp in the Chicago-filmed “Public Enemies,” he’s a little bit of both for blockbuster filmmaker Michael Mann.

Unfortunately, Depp’s nemesis – special agent Melvin Purvis as played by “The Dark Knight” mainstay Christian Bale – falls flat. Bale rolls through the motions with a monotone and monotonous role that needed the tension of a World War conflict rather than a rubber band.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

The French actress Marion Cotillard, on the other hand, delivers yet another intoxicating performance as Billie Frechette this time in a supporting role. We’re reminded why she ever-so-definitely deserved her 2008 Oscar for so absolutely embodying Edith Piaf in 2007’s “La Vie en Rose”.

Leelee Sobieski is thrown in toward the end as the downplayed character Polly Hamilton in a relatively wasted and unnecessary cameo. In addition, Matt Craven – who you’ve almost certainly never heard of, has no relation to Wes Craven and looks strikingly like Sean Penn – is merely being mentioned in this review for the three aforementioned points of comedy.

Read Adam Fendelman’s full review of “Public Enemies” in our reviews section.

Giovanni Ribisi from “My Name is Earl,” “Friends” and the underrated film “Heaven” (that too many people haven’t seen but should rent tomorrow) methodically portrays Alvin “Creepy” Karpis. While John Dillinger was public enemy No. 1 for the FBI, Karpis was the final public enemy to be nailed.

Karpis’ capture catapulted FBI director J. Edgar Hoover – portrayed with spot-on calculation by Billy Crudup of “Watchmen” and “Almost Famous” fame – and the FBI to national eminence. In the “Public Enemies” period piece, J. Edgar Hoover and his FBI both have a tall task: proving to the American government and people that they should exist and are competent crime stoppers.

“Public Enemies” from director Michael Mann stars Johnny Depp, Christain Bale, Marion Cotillard, Leelee Sobieski, Giovanni Ribisi, Billy Crudup, Channing Tatum, James Russo, Stephen Dorff, Stephen Graham, Bill Camp, Chandler Williams, Branka Katic, Jason Clarke, Christian Stolte and David Wenham. The film, which was released nationwide on July 1, 2009, is rated “R” for gangster violence and some language with a 140-minute running time.

Continuing reading for Adam Fendelman’s full “Public Enemies” review.

Christian Bale stars as special agent Melvin Purvis – the nemesis of the legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger – in “Public Enemies” from filmmaker Michael Mann.
Photo credit: Universal Pictures

Continuing reading for Adam Fendelman’s full “Public Enemies” review.

Suffering Cardiac Arrest, King of Pop Michael Jackson Dies at 50

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:52:28 -0600

CHICAGO – Michael Jackson, who is widely regarded as the king of pop music, is dead at the age of 50, the Los Angeles Times confirmed on Thursday.

Michael Jackson died at the age of 50 on June 25, 2009.
Photo credit: Google Images

The news comes on the same day as Farrah Fawcett’s death. She starred in TV’s “Charlie’s Angels” and died on Thursday of cancer at the age of 62.

While the news of Michael Jackson’s death – which was first discussed by celebrity gossip source TMZ – was percolating across the world, the reaction from many people everywhere was initial confusion.

While some thought he was just hospitalized, others believed he was pronounced dead following a cardiac arrest. After TMZ’s discussion, it was the Los Angeles Times that confirmed the death and set the record straight.

At the time of the confusion, most of the Chicago film critics were in downtown Chicago screening the new Michael Mann film “Public Enemies,” which was filmed in Chicago and stars Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Channing Tatum, Stephen Dorff, Billy Crudup and Giovanni Ribisi. “Public Enemies” opens on July 1, 2009.

The cell phone of yours truly lit up incessantly while in the “Public Enemies” screening with a play-by-play documentation from colleagues of news as it was being released. The Los Angeles Times reported on Thursday that paramedics found Michael Jackson in a coma at his Bel-Air mansion, according to city and law enforcement sources.

Michael Jackson was featured in the film “Men in Black II” in 2002 and was best known for his songs “Thriller,” “Beat It,” “Billie Jean,” “Man in the Mirror,” “Smooth Criminal” and many more.

At this time, the Los Angeles Times reports that “the circumstances of Jackson’s death remain unclear. Law enforcement sources said that Los Angeles Police Department robbery-homicide detectives have opened an investigation into the death [and] stressed there is no evidence of criminal wrongdoing. The detectives plan to interview relatives, friends and Jackson’s doctors to try to figure out what happened. The L.A. County coroner’s office will determine a cause of death.”

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Slideshow: 36-Image Gallery For ‘Public Enemies’ With Johnny Depp, Christian Bale

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:38:45 -0600

CHICAGO – Just a day after the red-carpet Chicago premiere of the Chicago-filmed “Public Enemies,” Universal Pictures has released to us 36 high-resolution production stills from the highly anticipated film. “Public Enemies” stars Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Channing Tatum, Leelee Sobieski, Billy Crudup, Emilie de Ravin, Giovanni Ribisi and Stephen Dorff from director Michael Mann (“Miami Vice,” “Collateral,” “Ali,” “Heat” and “The Last of the Mohicans”).

You can either click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photo credits for this slideshow go to Peter Mountain and Universal Studios.

The “Public Enemies” synopsis can be found below (source):

In the action-thriller “Public Enemies,” acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann directs Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard in the incredible and true story of legendary Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger (Depp).

Dillinger is the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the No. 1 target of J. Edgar Hoover’s fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis (Bale), and a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public. No one could stop Dillinger. No jail could hold him.

His charm and audacious jailbreaks endeared him to almost everyone from his girlfriend, Billie Frechette (Cotillard), to an American public who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression.

But while the adventures of Dillinger’s gang (later including the sociopathic Baby Face Nelson [Stephen Graham]) thrilled many, Hoover (Billy Crudup) hit on the idea of exploiting the outlaw’s capture as a way to elevate the FBI his bureau of investigation into the national police force that became the FBI. He made Dillinger America’s first public enemy No. 1 and sent in Purvis (the dashing “Clark Gable of the FBI”).

However, Dillinger and his gang outwitted and outgunned Purvis’ men in wild chases and shootouts. Only after importing a crew of Western ex-lawmen (newly baptized as agents) who were real gunfighters and orchestrating epic betrayals from the infamous “Lady in Red” to the Chicago crime boss Frank Nitti were Purvis and the FBI able to close in on Dillinger.

See our 12-image “Public Enemies” slideshow at the Biograph in Chicago.
Video: Watch the “Public Enemies” trailer now!

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Video: Trailer For ‘Nine’ With Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz

BrianTT — Thu, 14 May 2009 07:45:52 -0600

CHICAGO – The trailer for the highly anticipated musical “Nine” was released today and you really must take a look. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Fergie, and Sophia Loren, and directed by Rob Marshall (“Chicago”), “Nine” feels like the first trailer for a likely major Oscar candidate for 2009.

The official synopsis courtesy of Apple: ““NINE” is a vibrant and provocative musical that follows the life of world famous film director Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) as he reaches a creative and personal crisis of epic proportion, while balancing the numerous women in his life including his wife (Marion Cotillard), his mistress (Penelope Cruz), his film star muse (Nicole Kidman), his confidant and costume designer (Judi Dench), an American fashion journalist (Kate Hudson), the whore from his youth (Fergie) and his mother (Sophia Loren). The film is directed by Rob Marshall (CHICAGO). The original 1982 Broadway production of “NINE,” with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, won five Tony Awards including Best Musical.”

“Nine” opens on November 25th, 2009.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Video: ‘Public Enemies’ Trailer With Johnny Depp, Christian Bale

BrianTT — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:07:11 -0600

CHICAGO – One of our most highly anticipated films of 2009 has to be Michael Mann’s “Public Enemies” and we just had to share one of the best movie trailers in a long time. The film, a lot of which was shot in Chicago, stars Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Billy Crudup, Channing Tatum, Leelee Sobieski, Giovanni Ribisi, Emilie de Ravin, and Lili Taylor. The film opens on July 1st, 2009. Not soon enough.

Synopsis:

“In the action-thriller Public Enemies, acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann directs Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Academy Award® winner Marion Cotillard in the story of legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger (Depp) — the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoover’s fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis (Bale), and a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public.

No one could stop Dillinger and his gang. No jail could hold him. His charm and audacious jailbreaks endeared him to almost everyone — from his girlfriend Billie Frechette (Cotillard) to an American public who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression.

But while the adventures of Dillinger’s gang — later including the sociopathic Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham) and Alvin Karpis (Giovanni Ribisi) — thrilled many, Hoover (Billy Crudup) hit on the idea of exploiting the outlaw’s capture as a way to elevate his Bureau of Investigation into the national police force that became the FBI. He made Dillinger America’s first Public Enemy Number One and sent in Purvis, the dashing “Clark Gable of the FBI.”

However, Dillinger and his gang outwitted and outgunned Purvis’ men in wild chases and shootouts. Only after importing a crew of Western ex-lawmen (newly baptized as agents) and orchestrating epic betrayals — from the infamous “Lady in Red” to the Chicago crime boss Frank Nitti — were Purvis, the FBI and their new crew of gunfighters able to close in on Dillinger.”

See our 36-image “Public Enemies” slideshow with high-quality stills.
See our 12-image “Public Enemies” slideshow at the Biograph in Chicago.
Watch more HollywoodChicago.com-hosted A&E videos.
Watch more movie videos on HollywoodChicago.com hosted elsewhere.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

80th Academy Awards Headlined By ‘No Country For Old Men,’ ‘There Will Be Blood,’ ‘The Bourne Ultimatum’

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:50:43 -0700

CHICAGO – “No Country For Old Men,” “Juno,” “Once,” “Atonement,” “The Bourne Ultimatum,” “There Will Be Blood,” “Ratatouille,” “The Golden Compass,” “Elizabeth: The Golden Age,” “La Vie en Rose,” “Michael Clayton” and more headlined the 80th Academy Awards on Feb. 24, 2008.

In total, “No Country For Old Men” led the pack with four Oscars followed by a surprising three for “The Bourne Ultimatum” and two for “There Will Be Blood”. A complete list of all 2008 Oscar winners at the 80th Academy Awards is found below. All image credits go to Oscar.com.

Best Picture:
Scott Rudin, Ethan Coen and Joel Coen for “No Country For Old Men”

Best Director:
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen for “No Country For Old Men”

Best Original Screenplay:
Diablo Cody for “Juno”
The HollywoodChicago.com interview with “Juno” writer Diablo Cody can be found here.

Best Adapted Screenplay:
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen for “No Country For Old Men”

Best Actor:
Daniel Day-Lewis for “There Will Be Blood”

Best Actress:
Marion Cotillard for “La Vie en Rose”

Best Supporting Actor:
Javier Bardem for “No Country For Old Men”

Best Supporting Actress:
Tilda Swinton for “Michael Clayton”
The HollywoodChicago.com interview with “Michael Clayton” director Tony Gilroy can be found here.

Best Art Direction:
Dante Ferretti (art direction) and Francesca Lo Schiavo (set decoration) for “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”

Best Cinematography:
Robert Elswit for “There Will Be Blood”

Best Film Editing:
Christopher Rouse for “The Bourne Ultimatum”

Best Original Song:
“Falling Slowly” from “Once” (music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova)
The HollywoodChicago.com interview with “Once” director John Carney and stars Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova can be found here.

Best Original Score:
Dario Marianelli for “Atonement”

Best Sound Mixing:
Scott Millan, David Parker and Kirk Francis for “The Bourne Ultimatum”

Best Sound Editing:
Karen Baker Landers and Per Hallberg for “The Bourne Ultimatum”

Best Visual Effects:
Michael Fink, Bill Westenhofer, Ben Morris and Trevor Wood for “The Golden Compass”

Best Costume Design:
Alexandra Byrne for “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”

Best Makeup:
Didier Lavergne and Jan Archibald for “La Vie en Rose”

Best Animated Feature:
Brad Bird for “Ratatouille”

Best Animated Short Film:
Suzie Templeton and Hugh Welchman for “Peter & the Wolf”

Best Documentary Feature:
Alex Gibney and Eva Orner for “Taxi to the Dark Side”

Best Documentary Short Subject:
Cynthia Wade and Vanessa Roth for “Freeheld”

Best Live-Action Short Film:
Philippe Pollet-Villard for “Le Mozart des Pickpockets” (“The Mozart of Pickpockets”)

Best Foreign Language Film:
Stefan Ruzowitzky for “The Counterfeiters” (Austria)

Host Jon Stewart marked one of this year’s surprise moments when he offered for “Once” co-star Marketa Irglova – initially cut off by music – to return to the stage and deliver her acceptance speech. That speech has made its way to YouTube and can be seen below.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com Analyzes 10 Oscar Contenders For Best Actor, Actress

HollywoodChicago.com — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 17:15:41 -0700

CHICAGO – HollywoodChicago.com film critic Adam Fendelman has analyzed the 10 nominated contenders (five men for best actor and five women for best actress) and reveals his selections for the top prize. Hosted by Jon Stewart, the 80th Academy Awards ceremony will be presented in one form or another on Feb. 24, 2008.

Best Actor Nominees

George Clooney for the character Michael Clayton in “Michael Clayton”
Adam Fendelman says: Clooney upgrades himself from the “A” list to an “A+” grade and his report card earns him a richly deserved fighting chance. Leading this masterful but underrated film the way a leading Hollywood man should, Clooney – led by first-time director Tony Gilroy – will fight for “blood” and come up short.

George Clooney in “Michael Clayton”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Daniel Day-Lewis for the character Daniel Plainview in “There Will Be Blood”
Adam Fendelman says: Like a bat, Daniel Day-Lewis goes into Hollywood hibernation and only comes out when the pickings are prime and perfect. “There Will Be Blood,” which is only his third film in the past decade, is a monster of an epic and he’s nothing short of brilliant in it. This best-actor shoo-in should fit snugly.

Daniel Day-Lewis in “There Will Be Blood”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Johnny Depp for the character Sweeney Todd in “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”
Adam Fendelman says: Watch closely and you’ll see Depp in “Sweeney Todd” superbly slip back into his haunted, quirky “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” mindset. His vengeance, though, is bittersweet, his melodies serve justice to Stephen Sondheim’s music and Depp’s creative license merits a formidable runner up.

Johnny Depp in “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Tommy Lee Jones for the character Hank Deerfield in “In the Valley of Elah”
Adam Fendelman says: No. No. No. While Paul Haggis’ “In the Valley of Elah” pulls at your patriotic heartstrings on an important and niche topic, Tommy Lee Jones delivers an adroit but subdued lead performance that won’t compete with the memorable punch and power of the other gentleman in this year’s best-actor race.

Tommy Lee Jones in the film “In the Valley of Elah”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Viggo Mortensen for the character Nikolai Luzhin in “Eastern Promises”
Adam Fendelman says: Viggo Mortensen has clout and solid industry backing in his “Eastern Promises” performance and especially earns theatrical kudos for a particularly difficult and raw fight scene in the nude. Mortensen, though, deserves to stay among his mammoth peers on the best-actor nominee list.

Viggo Mortensen in “Eastern Promises”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Best Actress Nominees

Cate Blanchett for the character Queen Elizabeth I in “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”
Adam Fendelman says: Yes. Yes. Yes. After winning best-supporting actress for “The Aviator” in 2005 and being recognized as not only one of the most successful actresses by Forbes but one of the most influential people in the world by Time, it’s Cate Blanchett’s time to shine in this year’s best-actress limelight.

Cate Blanchett in “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Julie Christie for the character Fiona Anderson in “Away From Her”
Adam Fendelman says: Julie Christie in “Away From Her” authentically portrays the ghastly and evocative battle that is Alzheimer’s disease with conviction, reality and heart. She’s making lists across the U.S. as a best-actress nominee but has at least two adversaries who deserve the ultimate prize more.

Julie Christie in “Away From Her”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Marion Cotillard for the character Édith Piaf in “La Vie en Rose”
Adam Fendelman says: Chicago and Boston film critics along with various film festivals say she’s their best actress. She’s nominated by the Broadcast Film Critics Association and the British Academy of Film & TV Arts. Industry experts speak loudly: Marion Cotillard is this year’s top foreign-language selection.

Marion Cotillard in “La Vie en Rose”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Laura Linney for the character Wendy Savage in “The Savages”
Adam Fendelman says: Any daughter who deals with a dad who literally writes wall messages with poop is a fine sibling indeed. In “The Savages,” though, her somewhat memorable performance is trumped by the always dominating Philip Seymour Hoffman, which reminds you she’d more appropriately be up for a supporting role.

Laura Linney in “The Savages”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Ellen Page for the character Juno MacGuff in “Juno”
Adam Fendelman says: Though many haven’t heard of the meek Ellen Page until now and interpret her “Juno” performance as a breakout, she actually broke out in “Hard Candy” in 2005. In 2007’s “Little Miss Sunshine”-like film you can’t help but love, she’s the underdog with a shot at being recognized for coming full circle.

Ellen Page in “Juno”.
Photo credit: IMDb

Discuss this on our discussion boards here!

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com