Tom Hanks on Acting and "Charlie Wilson's War"

Actor Tom Hanks has been nominated for a Golden Globe award as best actor in a comedy or musical for his portrayal of US Congressman Charlie Wilson in Charlie Wilson’s War. Most of the reviews of the movie have indicated that Tom has managed to give another remarkable performance in the film, but Hanks has grown into such an incredible actor that most of us expect him always to nail the role right on the head.

His co-star, Julia Roberts, plays Joanne Herring, a Houston, Texas, socialite, talk show host and political activist in the film.

When asked how it was to work with Hanks, Roberts, who had never worked with Hanks prior to Charlie Wilson’s War, said, “He’s Mister nice guy, but he’s more than nice. He’s interesting and truthful and amazing.”

“He’s (an) incredibly honest person. So I think that, you know, transcends his work and his art in every way. So, in that way, you sort of really have to bring an authentic game (to your role).”

Hilary Angelo, when talking about a hot tub scene that she appeared in with Tom, said he “never made any sort of remark…never even looked at me below the neck. So I never felt uncomfortable. And in between takes we got to put our own clothes on.”

Jud Tylor, who was also in the same hot tub scene, said “I was wearing a little gold ‘80s bathing suit. Tom Hanks…needed to appear naked in this scene so he was wearing a nude sock. And it was actually the first day of shooting in the first scene.”

“It was a very surreal experience sitting next to Tom Hanks for him to wearing a nude sock and for me to be sure I never had to avert my eyes.”

The video is Tom Hanks explaining his role in Charlie Wilson’s War.



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Angelina Jolie, a Hot Commodity, and the Golden Globe

Angelina Jolie has proven to be a remarkably hot item recently. Not only is her every public move carefully scrutinized by the media and the paparazzi, but she has also been the recipient of late of several awards.

Last week she was nominated for a Golden Globe award for best dramatic actress for her performance in A Mighty Heart.

She was also voted the number one sexiest movie star of all time according to the British film magazine Empire. Empire’s list includes both men and women and includes stars from the last 100 years of film.

This is a list of some awfully hot stars, including Marilyn Monroe, who came in 14th, Brad Pitt, 7th, George Clooney, 11th, Halle Berry, 12th, Paul Newman, 19th, Charlize Theron, 29th, Steve McQueen, 42nd, Cary Grant, 48th, Sean Connery, 49th, Clark Gable, 51st, Robert Redford, 53rd, Julia Roberts, 57th, Rita Hayworth, 59th, Lauren Bacall, 71st, Richard Gere, 77th, Sofia Loren, 78th, Warren Beatty, 87th, Elizabeth Taylor, 90th, James Dean, 95th, Brigit Bardot, 98th.

Not on the list were Humphrey Bogart & Ingrid Bergman, which is pretty ridiculous. There were many lesser know recent stars ahead of James Dean and Warren Beatty, which indicates that many of the voters were on the younger side. No matter what your age, it is hard to understand how Gerald Butler, who starred in 300 and was voted the 10th sexiest, could come in ahead of James Dean or Robert Redford.

Obviously, the younger set has never seen the films, Rebel without a Cause starring James Dean and Natalie Wood or Barefoot in the Park starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda. If they had, Gerald Butler could never have placed ahead of Redford or Dean regardless of Butler’s abdominal muscles.

And what woman hasn’t drooled at the sight of Clark Gable as Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind?

Angelina Jolie is also being rewarded for her humanitarian nature, which is considerable, having drawn public attention to the plight of the poor and destitute in Africa.

In the video you will see Angelina, along with Brad Pitt, as they attend the premiere of Beowulf.



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Keira Knightley Talks About Acting and the Golden Globe

At just 22 years old, Keira Knightley has already received the second Golden Globe nomination of her career for her role as leading actress in the recently released motion picture Atonement.

Knightley is in very good company and will go up against some powerful actresses when the winners are announced on January 13th.

Her competition for the Globe is Kate Blanchett in Elizabeth: the Golden Age, Julie Christie in Away from Her, Jodie Foster in The Brave One and Angelina Jolie in The Mighty One.

However, Knightley has as good a chance as any of the other nominees and perhaps better chances than the others because of the fact that Atonement received a total of seven nominations, which could make Knightley the beneficiary from the coattails effect of being in such a powerful film.

Atonement also received nominations for best dramatic motion picture; best actor, James McAvoy, in a dramatic film; best supporting actress, Saoirse Ronan; best director, Joe Wright; best screenplay, Christopher Hampton; and best original score, Dario Marianelli.

While the presentation of the winners of this year’s Golden Globe awards is scheduled for January 13th, the strike by the Writers Guild of America may scuttle a live presentation on television because many actors are saying they will refuse to cross picket lines to attend the event.

As to speculation that Keira is the brightest actor of her generation, Knightley rejects that notion.

"The thing with acting is it's not a job where, if you go to drama school, get the best grades and work the hardest, you're going to be successful,” said Knightley.

"It has nothing to do with whether you're the best or the prettiest. It takes a lot of luck."

Keira’s next role will be to play 18th century English socialite Georgiana Spencer in The Duchess.

Spencer, who was the Duchess of Devonshire, was well known for extravagance, a gambling addiction and a role in the French Revolution.

Knightley said that Spencer’s life was so full and rich that much of her scandalized story had to be left out of the film.

Said Knightley, "We didn't have the budget to go to the French Revolution. You could make five films out of her life."

The video below is an interview with Keira on Belgian TV where she discusses the film Atonement.

George Clooney Fights Genocide As He Is Nominated for Golden Globe

While most of Hollywood was excited about the release of the nominations for the Golden Globe awards, George Clooney, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for best actor for his starring role in “Michael Clayton,” was in Rome receiving an award of a different sort.

Clooney, along with fellow actor, Don Cheadle, received the Peace Summit Award for their tenacious work in bringing the World’s eye toward the genocide occurring in the Darfur area of the Sudan.

"Don and I are here today to speak for those voices that can't be heard over the sound of the violence. We're here to plead for help," said George at a news conference in Rome.

The 8th World Summit of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates presented the award to Clooney and Cheadle at a ceremony in Rome.

Clooney, who is the son of Nick Clooney, a reporter, further said, "I'm the son of a journalist. And I understand that freedom of speech doesn't give you the right to run into a crowded theater and yell FIRE. Unless of course there is one.”

“There is a fire!"

Clooney also encouraged the United States to appoint a high level envoy to pursue peace talks in Darfur.

George told USA Today that celebrities have a responsibility to go beyond oneself and look out for others. "In some ways, it's easier for us because we have some financial security, so we can say, 'OK, let's stop worrying about ourselves and look out for other people.'"

The 46-year-old Clooney made a jab at Ms. Britney Spears when he said, "What should you do with all this kind of attention? Should you get out of a car without wearing underwear?"

Clooney plans to make his second trip to Darfur in January saying he will “try to get some cameras in to the tougher camps and have conversations. That's basically all I can do. If you put famous people in front of very ugly sites, people will watch."

The following is a humorous video that Clooney and Brad Pitt created for a presentation honoring Julia Roberts at the 22nd Annual American Cinematheque Awards, which was presented on the AMC channel on Wednesday night.



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