monday, feb 28, 2005..10:53 pm pacific time -0800 UTC..
update: 12:25 am pacific time -0800 UTC.."Natalie Portman says kissing scene at Jerusalem's Western Wall was a mistake [..] Actress Natalie Portman says it was a mistake to film a kissing scene beside Jerusalem's Western Wall. The wall is a remnant of the biblical Jewish temples and is considered the holiest place where Jews can pray. Male and female worshipers are separated by a barrier there, following Orthodox Jewish rules forbidding casual contact between the sexes. Last week the Israeli-born actress was there filming a scene for the upcoming movie "Free Zone." In it she kisses actor Aki Avni. The cast and crew were confronted by ultra-Orthodox Jewish worshipers and Portman tells "Access Hollywood" that "we weren't thinking. We shouldn't have done it.""
more oscars/fashion related blurbs..
excerpt from usatoday.."Cate Blanchett said she's happy she sent the other women in her best-supporting-actress category flowers on Friday. "They're all gorgeous girls," she said. "And Natalie Portman sent me the most beautiful bouquet as well. There's a far greater sense of camaraderie than people might like to believe.".."
excerpt from post-gazette.."In person, a platinum-haired Kirsten Dunst and Natalie Portman could qualify as waifs, they're so petite. Portman said she was "freezing," a sentiment shared by the folks in the bleachers by 4:30 p.m. True, it wasn't raining, but some of the bleachers were in the shade and the temperature was dropping by the minute.."
JC..
monday, feb 28, 2005..6:15 pm pacific time -0800 UTC..
still 'raining' post-oscar news/pics et al..
first up, juanma007 uploaded and posted more hi-res pics of nat!! thanks juanma007!!
clicky here and clicky here..
speaking of hi-res, pasha scanned/uploaded/posted a hi-res pic of nat from the nyt..
amidoll posted something noteworthy: "Longest commute: Natalie Portman, nominated for Closer, got in from Israel yesterday, where she was filming Free Zone, and leaves tomorrow for Berlin to prepare for V for Vendetta, which begins filming March 7.."
she also posted that nat attended "a CAA party on Friday night.."
cal posted about nat's new guy at the oscars: Liron Levo..
more details at imdb, rottentomatoes and goggle..
i found this blurb: "Bernal had been flirting with ex-girlfriend and Oscar nominee Natalie Portman.."
and this sensible review from telegraph UK.."Some commentators criticised the actress Natalie Portman's choice of dress a light brown, pleated silk Grecian gown, designed by Alber Elbaz for Lanvin but she looked wonderful in it.."
JC..
monday, feb 28, 2005..5:10 am pacific time -0800 UTC..
woah..when it rains..it pours!!
ekyillia just posted lots of hi-res pics of nat!!
juanma007 also just posted lots of hi-res pics of nat!!
thanks ekyillia and juanma007!!
JC..
monday, feb 28, 2005..4:50 am pacific time -0800 UTC..
it's the morning after and lots of nat fashion related 'blurbs' have appeared..herewith, some of 'em..
1..
Another new Oscar fashion accessory: the tiara. Young actresses Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman both wore modified tiaras that added a dash of style and sparkle. Leighton also designed a flat tiara from a diamond bracelet for Portman that highlighted her smoky brown Lanvin gown. Portman said she was late getting to the red carpet because she forgot her I.D. to get into the Kodak Theatre and had to return to the hotel for it.
2..
NATALIE PORTMAN - Natalie was a true representation of stylish young Hollywood, wearing a diamond encrusted headband. It was a modern twist on an elegant tradition.
3..
The picks for best hairstyles at this year's Oscars(R), as voted on by AG Hair Cosmetics' stylists, were worn by:[..] Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman - "Scarlett and Natalie's hairstyles were reminiscent of the Greek Goddess days with the waves and added 'bling bling' in their coifs. To get these looks, apply a matte, texturizing paste to mold hair into unforgettable styles," explains AG's Dept. of Style.
4..
Comfort was another popular theme. Natalie Portman said her tulle gathered gown with a deep V and pearl-adorned double waistbands was "really classic, elegant and it's comfortable."
5..
Also getting it very right was Natalie Portman in a divine, Fortuny-pleated mushroom brown Lanvin column.
6..
Also drawing rapturous cheers from fans seated in the traditional red carpet grandstands were nominees Kate Winslet and Natalie Portman who opted for flowing Greek goddess-inspired gowns complete with plunging necklines.
JC..
monday, feb 28, 2005..1:39 am pacific time -0800 UTC..
the sun uk 'sez'.."gorgeous Natalie Portman, 23, wowed the crowds in a sensational chiffon dress.."
JC..
sunday, feb 27, 2005..11:55 pm pacific time -0800 UTC..
aleph of natalieportman.de has uploaded all the vid clips of nat at the oscars..
ny post 'sez'.."Natalie Portman was one of the few bright young things who sparkled. Her sleek, empire-ribbon-waisted Lanvin gown with a plunging neckline made up for her bizarre Golden Globes appearance.."
JC..
sunday, feb 27, 2005..8:17 pm pacific time -0800 UTC..
alas, the oscar went to someone else..bleh!!
no worries, it's only a matter of time..and in another category too: best actress in a leading role!!
moving along, ekyillia found new images from ''free zone''..
right-O, those still interested in the Oscars can follow this thread with up to the minute nat pics and blurbs..
JC..
sunday, feb 27, 2005..2:27 am pacific time -0800 UTC..
this is it!! it's O-day..we're just hours away!!
cal posted lots of pre-oscar blurbs and such..
sonoyta posted 2 pics of nat and some dude at london's heathrow airport..
amidoll 'sez' natalie's pulling up in a hybrid car at the oscars..
finally, *COUGH*someone*COUGH* posted a reuters' video clip of nat circa during the filming of ''free zone''..
JC..
saturday, feb 26, 2005..9 am pacific time -0800 UTC..
why pacific time?? natalie is currently in that time zone of course..
right, you'd think the oscar thread would be buzzing..but 'nooope'..the free zone thread has exploded with lots of new pics and articles..dazza got the ball rolling..(he posted that pic above)..
ORIONSAINT posted an awesome *COUGH*spoiler*COUGH* pic..
JC..
friday, feb 25, 2005..4:28 am et..
melody just scanned the above pic..it's from a ''free zone'' shoot..
celiana found 2 oscar related blurbs and posted them here..
the second blurb implies that nat is already in los angeles in preparation for the oscars**.."According to oscar.com Feb. 24 'Today we began the process of individual rehearsals for award presenters. I meet with each presenter to go over their remarks until they are fully comfortable with them. Then the presenters are taken on stage to rehearse those remarks just as they will deliver them on Sunday.'"
** the magical date as you know is feb 27, 2005..
JC..
friday, feb 25, 2005..1:23 am et..
tgif!! sonoyta found 2 ''free zone'' related writeups + the above pic..
gisele's post on the oscar thread..
angry liberal spotted the following in an earlier blurb..
Yesterday she was in a restaurant in Tel Aviv with the Author A B Yehoshua, she is doing a film based on his book A Late Divorce.
m5lover found a people mag's poll: who should be natalie's date for the oscars??
jummy 'sez' nat needs your help in espn's hottest actress poll!!
JC..
thursday, feb 24, 2005..3:52 am et..
ORIONSAINT posted a first look at the new *COUGHtrailerCOUGH*..
amidoll 'sez' ''closer'' global takings crossed the US$100 million mark..
speaking of ''closer,'' ociredor sez nat deserves the nomination for ''closer''..
methinks that the current ''free zone'' fracas (see yesterday's update below) won't affect nat's oscar chances..how so?? read on..
Beverly Hills, CA - Voting members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences must return their completed final Oscar ballots to PricewaterhouseCoopers by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 22. Ballots received after the 5 p.m. deadline are ineligible.
right, very special thanks to olivia for creating a button for me and for affiliating with Natalie Portman .org!!
JC..
wednesday, feb 23, 2005..10:11 pm et..
lots of new "free zone" stuff..so let's get to it..
juanma posted hi res version of the pics first found by sonoyta below..
melody nelson scanned an exclusive pic from ''free zone''..
sonoyta found an AFP report that "Natalie caused scandal.."
cal posted the Associated Press' spin on the same..
amidoll speculates that nat may be "in the US now"..
pasha found more blurbs on nat's movements "posted on another forum"..
m5lover found a site that 'sez' nat won..ermmmm.."Best Thong: NATALIE PORTMAN in CLOSER"..
finally, cal sent me this exclusive in an email..
"And the Online Winner is ... Searches for the Academy Awards(TM) are up 560 percent this week, and if web search activity is any indication, Natalie Portman will be taking home Oscar gold for her best supporting actress performance in Closer. Portman receives six times more searches than the closest best supporting actress nominee, Virginia Madsen of Sideways."
JC..
wednesday, feb 23, 2005..1:11 pm utc/gmt..
joe schmo posted that nat's "garden state" outfit went for US$3900.00..
like joe, am wondering how high the bidding for nat's gear in "closer" will reach..if it ever gets listed on ebay..
ermmm..it's all for a good cause, you understand..
JC..
tuesday, feb 22, 2005..9:12 pm et..
the most amazing sonoyta found this blurb..
ermmm, yours truly posted 2 nat/oscar related blurbs..
UPDATE: 9:37 pm et..diego of natalieempire.com has responded to my email about site's banner..it's been added below..thanks diego..
JC..
tuesday, feb 22, 2005..0837 hours UTC/GMT..
just a quickie, tufkad posted an alternate link to the nat lux japan commercial..1.63 MB..quicktime required..
JC..
monday, feb 21, 2005..1530 hours UTC/GMT..
first up, natalieempire.com has a new gallery with lovely nat pics..
just a quick reminder that "heat: special edition" dvd goes on sale tomorrow stateside..check out the imdb link..
speaking of imdb, the powers that be at imdb have added my site at number 45..that's right at the bottom of the list..click on the button below..
JC..
sunday, feb 20, 2005..0525 hours UTC/GMT..
feeling sleepy..'anyhoo'..tfn on episode III at cannes film fest..yawn..
vampirejing posted really awesome hi-res pics of nat from episode III..woah!! that woke me up!!
amidoll posted that "Everyone wants Natalie's eyes!!"
JC..
saturday, feb 19, 2005..0755 hours UTC/GMT..
uk.news.yahoo has uploaded a new/old nat pic..
tweaked the buttons and the aqmb banner below..there's now a new button [fanaddict.org]..thanks to olivia!!
JC..
friday, feb 18, 2005..0939 hours UTC/GMT..
amidoll found word that mr. v in "v for vendetta" has been cast..
another schmoe that gets to kiss(?!) nat..bleh!!
speaking of schmoe, amidoll posted that nat has been "nominated for a whopping 4 nominations by the Golden Schmoes at JoBlo.com"..heh!!
JC..
friday, feb 18, 2005..0315 hours UTC/GMT..
cal's fave site, boxofficemojo just changed the release date for "v for vendetta" from fall 05 to 04 Nov 05..
JC..
thursday, feb 17, 2005..2339 hours UTC/GMT..
Natalie Portman to Make First Oscar Show Appearance. Beverly Hills, CA. Academy Award nominated actress Natalie Portman has been tapped to present at the 77th Academy Awards, telecast producer Gil Cates announced today. This will be her first appearance as a presenter on the show. Portman received her first Academy Award nomination this year for her performance in "Closer." She is currently on location filming "Free Zone" and will begin production on "V for Vendetta" later this year. Portman will be seen next in "Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith." Her other film credits include "Garden State," "Cold Mountain," "Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones" and "Where the Heart Is."
JC..
thursday, feb 17, 2005..0730 hours UTC/GMT..
posted a ''v for vendetta'' blurb..
JC..
wednesday, feb 16, 2005..0727 hours UTC/GMT..
this morning, hollywoodreporter mentions in part closer's weak *domestic* box office..
Sony's "Closer," for example, did not receive much of a boxoffice lift, in spite of its nominations for Clive Owen and Natalie Portman in the supporting categories (not to mention their recent wins at the Golden Globes).
pasha posted a pic from star wars episode III revenge of the sith..
she also posted a bbc radio interview for garden state..
finally, dvd.ign.com on the upcoming release of the heat special edition dvd (2-disc version)..
JC..
tuesday, feb 15, 2005..2355 hours UTC/GMT..
''closer'' made only $112,545 over the weekend, bringing it's domestic cume to just under 34 million..
worldwide, ''closer'' is doing much better..
speaking of ''closer,'' totaldvd on the dvd..duh!!
amidoll found an interesting but rehashed article on nat..
she also found what oscarwatch has to say about nat's chances for oscar glory..
JC..
monday, feb 14, 2005..0600 hours UTC/GMT..
happy valentine's day!!
amidoll posted that "single men would love to get closer to Natalie Portman. 41% of single men would rather go on a date with Natalie Portman and would want her to meet their mom.."
sonoyta posted that "garden state" won the best compilation soundtrack album for a motion picture at yesterday's grammy awards..
JC..
sunday, feb 13, 2005..1638 hours UTC/GMT..
once again, nat's last name is mentioned in a short writeup at premiere.com..
the print article on the other hand mentions her home in new york..
filmforce on v for vendetta..
moving along, pasha posted something 'salt-shaker' friendly..
tufkad on the other hand, posted details on the 'closer' dvd..
juanma is back, and shares scans from cinemania mag..
finally, dazza of natalieportman.com posted an ebay auction that is nat related and also, tsunami aid related..
JC..
saturday, feb 12, 2005..0839 hours UTC/GMT..
'tweaked' gregg's ipod image to load faster..it's also now in SVGA res..
speaking of image, chloie posted some nat candids..oh dear, she was not a happy camper..
speaking of not happy, orionsaint posted a padme pic..certainly not happy indeed..must be hot underneath..
amidoll breaks the news that nat will not be attending the BAFTAs..bleh..must be the weather..
JC..
friday, feb 11, 2005..1255 hours UTC/GMT..
'tweaked' gregg's ipod image to be..let's just say..firefox and safari 'friendly..' thanks gregg for the tip!!
speaking of 'tweaked,' added a new search option way down below..now you can look up the time in any city or country..
amidoll posted details of ew mag's oscar issue..
speaking of mag, natalieportman.com has uploaded all the nat writeup + images from premiere mag..nat is on the cover!!
/me rushes to the newsstand..
JC..
friday, feb 11, 2005..0803 hours UTC/GMT..
amidoll has been a busy bee!!
she posted a pic of nat/jude from closer and news that nat's new film v for vendetta gets german funding..
m5lover on natalie's new york city buy??
bom's latest international breakdown for closer..
JC..
thursday, feb 10, 2005..1343 hours UTC/GMT..
orionsaint posted :: link corrected at 1553 HRS UTC :: a new pic of nat from the march issue of premiere mag..
gregg made a fantastic iPod ad featuring nat!!
well, seeing that 'da news' is pretty slow, and with the view that nat's last name was announced to the world on bravotv's "inside the actor's studio"..
here's a link that may be new to you..[cal thinks it's been posted before but dazza 'sez' it's new to him..]
'clicky'..
JC..
wednesday, feb 9, 2005..1331 hours UTC/GMT..
pasha found the above pic..i've cropped out the non nat stuff..
haze posted a really lovely nat pic from star wars episode III revenge of the sith..update 1627 hours UTC, i've resized the pic..
finally, amidoll found this interesting webpage..
JC..
tuesday, feb 8, 2005..1500 hours UTC/GMT..
orionsaint found this interesting site where you can view clips of nat..the pic above is from the aforementioned site..
lurking posted something 'salt-shaker' friendly from a gossip rag called "NW" (published in australia)..
joe schmo reminds us that the BAFTA's will be "exclusive to Arena TV. Be there - 5pm, Sunday 13th February"..
finally, 'closer' earned just $204,147 over the weekend..it's domestic cume is $33,792,301..basically 'closer' to 34 million..the way things are going, BAFTA and OSCAR wins [hint, hint..] are desperately needed..
JC..
monday, feb 7, 2005..1:30 AM EST**..
i was debating whether to post this link which lists nat's last name*, new york zip code** and her contribution to john kerry for president..
nat's last name*..announced to the world on "inside the actor's studio"..
new york** zip code..while not generally known, she has previously told reporters that she has a house in new york..
JC..
monday, feb 7, 2005..0157 hours UTC/GMT..
first up, hope everyone had a great weekend..
aleph of natalieportman.de noted a find by susanne that amazon is taking pre-orders for the 'closer' dvd..danke susanne & aleph!!
mista of nat-portman.net sez "Natalie Portman placed 25th in the AskMen.com 2005 Top 99 Most Desirable Women"..thanks mista!!
finally, amidoll opines that nat will attend the BAFTAs..
JC..
friday, feb 4, 2005..0900 hours UTC/GMT..
sonoyta found a disturbing report..
well, there's still time..here's sincerely hoping that nat will attend..
JC..
friday, feb 4, 2005..0757 hours UTC/GMT..
i posted this before..but it's 'prolly' worth reminding..
folks down under got till "11.59pm, Sunday February 6th, 2005" for a chance to win "Closer packs, each worth $100 & containing: double inseason pass, Damien Rice CD, ladies long sleeve t-shirt, men's long sleeve t-shirt & cap.."
click here to enter (australia)..
UK folks got till monday, feb 7th..'clicky'..
swedish folks have a little more time..cheers..
JC..
friday, feb 4, 2005..0310 hours UTC/GMT..
still haven't voted for nat in the moviefone moviegoer awards?! click here to vote..
yesiem posted more new/old pics of nat..
JC..
thursday, feb 3, 2005..0205 hours UTC/GMT..
cal's fave site, bom has provided closer's global box office breakdown..
meanwhile, sonoyta and yesiem posted more new/old pics of nat..
JC..
wednesday, feb 2, 2005..0935 hours UTC/GMT..
just found this news about nat's new film "free zone"..
Feb. 02, 2005 Bac Films believes 'Free' is worth price PARIS -- French distributor Bac Films said Tuesday that it has acquired French and international rights to "Free Zone," a Middle East road movie helmed by Israeli director Amos Gitai and starring "Closer's" Natalie Portman, who was born in Jerusalem. Shot in Israel and Jordan, "Free Zone" is about the unlikely relationship between two completely different women thrown together by circumstance. Rebecca (Portman) runs away from her luxury hotel after a quarrel with her mother-in-law (Carmen Maura) and dives into a taxi driven by Hanna (Hanna Lazlo). The two women embark on a journey that is not entirely kosher and involves thugs and political intrigue. The French-Israeli-Spanish-Benelux co-production is being shot and will be released this year, Bac said. Agat Films and Agav Films are executive producers. (Shiraz Sidhva)
JC..
wednesday, feb 2, 2005..0555 hours UTC/GMT..
mista of nat-portman.net found dvdanswers' 'closer' page where you can view a hi-res pic of the upcoming 'closer' dvd and the menu itself..thanks mista!!
meanwhile, i found this blurb from eonline.com..Archive2005/050127j.html..
Natalie Portman told me it's none of my damn business whom she's dating, even if I did offer to ask it in Hebrew, which she's studying.
update: and a little something from aintitcool..
Zach Braff was pestered by all the girls in the audience. He even commented that he felt so weird to be getting most of the questions while on a panel with Charlie Kaufman and the rest of the most genius writers working today. I, personally, wanted to ask Braff how much of the kissy-kissy he wrote into the script after he cast Natalie Portman... I mean, having that unique position of being able to write make out and love scenes with one of the most beautiful creatures on this Earth is an amazing talent and a god-like power..
JC..
wednesday, feb 2, 2005..0219 hours UTC/GMT..
sonoyta posted details on the 'closer' dvd plus the above pic!! thanks sonoyta!!
speaking of dvd, the dvd & video editor of amazon.com on "Listmania! Natalie Portman on DVD"..
ok, guess which movie made it to the number one spot..no it's not 'closer'..but it's on the list..
finally, yesiem posted lots of nifty new/old pics of nat..
JC..
tuesday, feb 1, 2005..0222 hours UTC/GMT..
woah..it's a brand new month..for all of jan updates, please click here..
the amazing sonoyta posted the ew article..
In the spirit of Closer, director Mike Nichols' adaptation of Patrick Marber' searing play about intimacy and brutal truth, let's be frank about Natalie Portman's Oscar-nominated performance. You didn't buy it, did you? Punked-out locks, four-letter words, and raw sex talk not always convincing, coming from Princess Leia's mama. It was like watching a teenager play dress-up with an older woman's clothes: Some fit snug, some hung loose, and the combined parts didn't seem to add up. So how the #@!* did Natalie Portman get nominated for her first shot at an Academy Award?
Because she was perfect. Say this much: Mike Nichols a canny, even subversive casting genius knew exactly what he was doing tapping Portman for Alice, a young American stripper drifting through London (she's ''on an expedition,'' she says ambiguously) who finds herself among adults (Jude Law, Julia Roberts, and Clive Owen), a warped and scabrous trio saddened by disappointment and heartbreak. Surely he was aware of her image among so many filmgoers: the beautiful girl from Beautiful Girls, The Professional, and Star Wars, precocious innocence incarnate. Hasn't she been coming of age for over a decade now? Yet all of that works for Closer, and while it's not clearly seen until the film's late-game revelations, Portman makes you feel it throughout: Connecting deeply with a soul whose identity is in flux, she brings much-needed emotional credibility to a part marred by some elusive psychology.
Like Alice, Portman, 23, is sussing out who she wants to be, and her achievement in Closer is in showing us what a thrilling and terrifying and even awkward expedition that can truly be.
meanwhile, m5lover posted a blurb that sez nat's degree in psychology assists her movie career..
cal's fave site, bom sez 'closer' takings over the weekend was $376,264, bringing it's cume to $33,450,20..
JC..
please click here for all of january 2005 updates..
please click here for all of december 2004 updates..
please click here for all of november 2004 updates..