tuesday, nov 30, 2004 (3:33* am et)..
the amazing sonoyta found a video from "E! News," an "Emanuel Levy's Closer review," another "for your consideration ad" for closer and posted them all in the closer thread..
me?..i found that the rottentomatoes' closer page has gone 'live'..currently* 60 % fresh?!
* as at date and time of this update..
JC..
monday, nov 29, 2004 (9:50 pm et)..
good evening folks, Juanma007, Acacia, Amidoll, sonoyta, m5lover and Angry Liberal posted lots of nat writeups!!
meanwhile, Gisele1983 found a photo of nat leaving the late show with david letterman..thanks Gisele!!
finally, Kris has uploaded part 2 of the 'inside the actor's studio' vidclip at natalieportman.com..thanks Kris!!
JC..
monday, nov 29, 2004 (1:10 am et)..
the amazing sonoyta found a 'for your consideration ad' in Variety..she posted it in the closer thread..thanks sonoyta!!
JC..
sunday, nov 28, 2004 (9:30 pm et)..
evening, Juanma007 and sonoyta found more nat writeups..
Juanma007 found nat being featured on the sunday telegraph UK (nov 28)..
finally, Kris uploaded part 1 of the inside the actor's studio video..huge thanks to Kris and Mike!!
JC..
sunday, nov 28, 2004 (8 am et)..
morning folks, if you don't have the parade mag insert in your local paper (sunday edition), just click here for the stunning pics posted by Tufkad..
sonoyta, m5lover and Tufkad found lots of nat writeups and posted them here for your sunday reading pleasure..
JC..
saturday, nov 27, 2004 (2:35 am et)..
UPDATE 11:50 AM ET: MafiaCrack posted some closer vidcaps [rated PG-13] and some interview pics [WARNING: external links rated R]..
Dazza uploaded "some great new pics" of nat c/o Laura..
further to yesterday's update, Kris has uploaded the vidclips of nat on dave and on the today show at natalieportman.com, and Juanma007 posted even more vidcaps of nat on dave..
oh and here's the link to the today show thread where acacia and Juanma007 posted some screen captures of nat..
moving along, lurking found a new review plus ''2nd IMDb user comments for Closer''..
meanwhile, Amidoll found a writeup from azcentral..and that nat will appear on "Ellen" show on Dec 8..
finally, i found a nat blurb from richard corliss of time mag..
JC..
friday, nov 26, 2004 (1:53 am et)..
UPDATE 8:22 AM ET: Juanma007 posted vidcaps of nat on dave letterman..
UPDATE 7:47 AM ET: Dazza sez ''According to Box Office Mojo, Closer is opening on less than 500 screens''..
i found an interesting writeup from thestar.com..
UPDATE 4:41 AM ET: Tufkad found a new closer clip..thanks Tufkad!!
just a quickie, cage factor posted a vidcap of nat's appearance on david letterman..
posted blurbs here (nat sez she sad that..), (nat's path to a different life), and star wars homing beacon tidbit..
night, had wayyyyyyyy too much turkey..
JC..
thursday, nov 25, 2004 (9 pm et)..
evening, happy thanksgiving to one and all..ermmmmm, due to way too much turkey or perhaps a brownout at tv-now.com which indicated and is still indicating that nat to appear on today's telecast of the "Today" show on NBC..well, the fact is nat will appear on the "Today" show only on friday, nov 26 at 7 am et instead..
one last reminder that nat will be on tonight's telecast of the "late show with david letterman" (**check local listings for turkeys**)..
right-o, back to my turkey,
JC..
wednesday, nov 24, 2004 (10:23 pm et)..
first up, Tufkad found ifilm.com's clips of closer and a site with exclusive garden state dvd deleted scenes et al..
Pasha posted the international TRAILER for closer..
the amazing sonoyta posted international RELEASE DATES for closer..
GVCarrol posted a "Star Wars Homing Beacon tidbit" (potential spoilers)..and Amidoll posted the beacon nat jpeg image..
as for yours truly, i posted a rehash from femalefirst.co.uk on "Natalie Portman Takes Dead Producers Ashes Skating"..and found entertainment.msn, filmforce.ign & free-times' closer blurbs..
finally, acacia found this from iesb.net:
excerpt:
Author: Robert Sanchez IESB is at it again, tonight we covered the Premiere of Closer which stars Jude Law, Julia Roberts, Clive Owen and Natalie Portman. Julia was a no show due to her pregnancy, forgivable. Jude and the rest of the cast was able to grace us with their presence but with very few words. For those who have ever covered a red carpet event you may know that it's either hit or miss. Sometimes depending on your placement on the red carpet you might be able to talk to the entire cast or nobody at all. Fortunately we were able to have a few words with Queen Amidala herself, Natalie Portman. One of the things that I had to ask was about her nude scene that she filmed for Closer. The scene was removed from the final cut but we were still interested in knowing about her experience during the shoot. "The director Mike Nichols made that scene very comfortable for me, it's not something I see myself doing in every film. As an actor you have to really trust the script and the project," said Portman. Any chance in seeing Portman in the buff on the DVD? Don't count on it, Natalie tells us that the nude scene will not make it on any version of the film. Natalie will once again be seen on the big screen next summer in the final chapter of the Star Wars saga, Revenge of the Sith. We asked Natalie if she was happy that she has completed her work on Star Wars, "A part of me is very happy that this chapter in my life is over, you know I have been working on those films since 1997 and I am so ready to move on", said Portman. So what's Natalie's favorite of the Star Wars prequels? "They are all so very different, Episode III is very dark and much more demanding, we all know that Anakin becomes Darth Vader but to actually see this transition is very painful. So when you have such a dark story to work with it demands you as an actor to work harder. So even though I haven't seen the film yet I would suppose that the last one is my favorite". Natalie has become one of the most requested actors in Hollywood and has a pretty secure line up of work, but would she ever consider tackling another big budget franchise such as playing Lois Lane in the new Superman film? "No, I don't think so," states Portman as she is escorted into the screening.
just a final reminder before you go to bed, nat's on the "Today [show]" nov 25 @ 7:00 am et on NBC..
night,
JC..
wednesday, nov 24, 2004 (8:58 am et)..
movies.yahoo.com has a page dedicated to the hollywood premiere of closer..sample pic above..
excerpt:
Mike Nichols Closer, Dec. 3 Premise: A searingly honest, caustic drama about the passions and foibles of four Londoners (Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Jude Law and Natalie Portman) who pair up, break up and make up. Pedigree: You couldn't ask for a more impressive career than that of German-born director Nichols. He won the best director Oscar for 1967's The Graduate and was nominated three other times, for 1966's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, 1983's Silkwood and Working Girl in 1988. He was also nominated for best picture after producing 1993's Remains of the Day. His inspiration for Closer: "I read the play by Patrick Marber long before I ever saw it, and I just couldn't get it out of my head," he says. "There's just something about that dread question 'I promise I won't be mad, but I just want to know (about a suspected infidelity).' The horror that ensues answering that question seems to be at the heart of something, and I was endlessly interested." Outlook: Nichols is a much-admired veteran who may get a nomination for his non-linear style of direction on Closer. And there could be nominations for the actors, particularly Portman. But the film is dark, insular and could prove too disturbing for academy members.
yet another TV reminder..
"Late Show with David Letterman" Thu Nov 25 11:35P on CBS Network
"Today [show]" Thu Nov 25 07:00A on NBC Network
JC..
wednesday, nov 24, 2004 (2:12 am et)..
first up, sommerfly transcribed a letter nat wrote to the readers of Allure magazine..super thanks sommerfly for the effort!!
next, Amidol found a USA Today writeup which mentions in part nat's thanksgiving plans..
moving along, m5lover posted an interview from zap2it of the 4 cast members of closer..
finally, i found 2 nat blurbs (from hollwood reporter and joblo)..
JC..
tuesday, nov 23, 2004 (9:38 pm et)..
brace yourself..it's confirmed, there's going to be a NEW YORK premiere of closer!!..scroll down the thread for fwd pics, hello mag uk pic+writeup and glamour mag uk pic+writeup..
Dazza found an ebert and roeper preliminary review of closer in mp3 (audio) format..
Aleph found the sad news that nat won't be performing in the "Glass Menagerie" in broadway, NEW YORK..
JC..
tuesday, nov 23, 2004 (1 am et)..
as mentioned in yesterday's update, nat attended the "closer" premiere in hollywood..click here for the latest pics c/o yahoo news (time sensitive)..and here c/o getty (time sensitive), and here for rexfeatures (time sensitive), and here for wireimage (time sensitive)..
2:39 am et update: tufkad found more pics in this gallery.. also, chloie found this HI-RES pic..
3:58 am et update: i found one guy's op-ed on nat's oscar chances..
moving along, couple of 'blurbs' from jewsweek:
excerpt:
Before you go, who is the hottest Jewish celebrity? [Laughs] Natalie Portman is pretty hot.
excerpt:
The Jewsweek Jewriffic Awards The ten most remarkable things in Jewish culture this week including the one reason not to be jealous of the beautiful Natalie Portman.[..]
7. Natalie Portman's worst problem: "I get like 400 Holocaust scripts. That's what you get for being the openly Jewish actress!" -- Portman in a recent New York Times profile promoting her role as a stripper in the new movie Closer.
excerpt:
Portman loves Israel ... and Islam? Natalie Portman is in the Holy Land reportedly taking some classes on Islamic history and civilization at Hebrew University where, the Jerusalem Post oddly reports that Portman "wears less make-up than probably 80 percent of Israeli girls." The Harvard grad and staunch Israel supporter will be traveling back and forth to the States to promote her new movie Closer in which she plays a stripper. Ah, a stripper ... oh, sorry, did somebody say something about her being in Israel?
next, a 'kinda way out in left field' blurb from contactmusic..
excerpt:
TO SKATE WITH DEAD DEMME Actress NATALIE PORTMAN has joined a host of her peers to pay tribute to late movie maker TED DEMME - by skating with his ashes. Portman joins DAVID ARQUETTE, COURTENEY COX, DON CHEADLE and CAMERON DIAZ among others who'll appear alongside Demme's urn in the film IN SEARCH OF TED DEMME. Portman says, "We all sort of did things with his urn, so that was amusing - things that Teddy would like to see us doing with his ashes. "Some of his friends played basketball with it. I went ice skating with it. He was so so cool. It's very very sad that he's gone."
4:43 am et update: i'm almost tempted to say..'please take the above mentioned with a pinch of ice??'
speaking of a pinch of ice..perhaps takes the below upcoming TV listing with a pinch of salt to melt the ice..check local listings for the latest..
c/o tv-now:
"Inside the Actors Studio"
Fri Nov 26 01:00P on Bravo
Sat Nov 27 11:00A on Bravo
"Late Show with David Letterman" Thu Nov 25 11:35P on CBS Network
"Today [show]" Thu Nov 25 07:00A on NBC Network
JC..
monday, nov 22, 2004 (9:39 am et)..
first, just another reminder that the premiere of "closer" will be held at mann's theater in westwood, hollywood TODAY* (* Natalie Portman .org will not be liable for any changes)..
speaking of TODAY, nat is scheduled to be on NBC's "today" show on nov 25*..
while we await the pics for the above mentioned premiere, Pasha posted the following in the actor's studio thread..
excerpt:
one interesting thing she said was that she is developping a project about Edna St. Vincent Millay, the first woman to win the nobel prize for poetry. Now, that sounds awesome! And yes people, Edna was bisexual. [..]
moving along, biz.yahoo has this press release on the SE heat dvd..
excerpt:
10th Anniversary Two-Disc Special Edition Debuts February 22 from Warner Home Video Epic Crime Thriller Arrives with More Than Four Hours of Extras, Including Director Commentary, Five New Documentaries and 11 Additional Scenes
JC..
sunday, nov 21, 2004 (8:58 pm et)..
just found TIME mag's (richard corliss) review of closer..
meanwhile, Pasha found a TIME mag writeup on nat..
dazza updated c/o ryan.. nat in parade (magazine insert in newspapers in the us)..
JC..
sunday, nov 21, 2004 (10:39 am et)..
dazza updated c/o reece.. a msn chat where you can ask nat a question or two..
also, he posted jeff well's take on "closer":..
excerpt:
11/20/2004 06:01:12 PM I was in West L.A.'s Laser Blazer last night (Friday, 11.19) and I heard one of the clerks mention Natalie Portman. What about her? I asked. "My friend's in love with her," the guy answered. "Tell him to see Closer then," I said. "So they didn't cut her nude scene?" he asked. "No, they did cut it but it doesn't matter," I replied, "because what they left in is fine, trust me. She's got a beautiful ass." The guy and three behind-the-counter colleagues who were listening crowed in unison, "Whoaaa-hoohhh!" The guy said to me, "I think you just sold four tickets!".
heheheh..
JC..
sunday, nov 21, 2004 (8:32 am et)..
i just found a david ansen review in newsweek magazine..he said "Portman, as the most open and vulnerable of the quartet-this is her first real adult role-is truly poignant."..
also just found news that closer gets a limited release on Dec 3rd..goes wide on Christmas eve..
excerpt:
Closer is slated to open in limited release in early December before going wide on December 24th. The film is likely to be drowned out by the likes Blade: Trinity, Ocean’s Twelve, and Fat Albert, but if it does well with critics and scores a few Oscar nominations, it’s box office is sure to skyrocket in early to mid January.
source..
UPDATE: 9:07 am et: reuters is claiming that closer gets a wide release..
the most amazing sonoyta found 2 more nat pics from closer, and found an imdb credit change for closer..here's the imdb link..
tufkad posted a new lokicaps of nat in a g-string and a pole..*cough*RATED PG-13 and a half*cough*..
once again, just another reminder that the TV premiere of nat in inside the actor's studio on bravoTV will be shown TODAY, sunday, nov 21 at 8 pm et (check local listings)..
JC..
saturday, nov 20, 2004 (5 am et)..
first, just a quick reminder that the premiere of "closer" will be held at mann's theater in westwood, hollywood on monday, nov 22 (look for the lines)..and the TV premiere of nat in inside the actor's studio on bravoTV on sunday, nov 21 at 8 pm et (check local listings)..
speaking of which, sonoyta found a "VARIETY REVIEW Plus, an article by Fox's Roger Friedman"..
i just found this dedicated nat page at ugo.com..
natalieportman.com's dazza posted a huge pic of nat from the elle photoshoot..
he also found another rave for nat for her peformance in closer and c/o Krysta posted the german True site..
JC..
friday, nov 19, 2004 (12:59 am et)..
sommerfly posted a link to..
warnerbrosrecords.com/damienrice where you can view nat in a g-string (may be considered a spoiler for the movie "closer"..but who cares!!)..
meanwhile, the amazing sonoyta posted a "Review from Reuters/Hollywood Reporter"..(again, may be considered a spoiler for the movie "closer")..
amidoll chimes in that "Premier Magazine has named Natalie as Oscar frontrunner in their latest issue"..
finally, haze posted the direct link for the video from bravo TV:
mms://od-msn.msn.com/3/MBR/IAS_Natalie_Portman.wmv
try copying that 'addy' above to your windows media player [open url]..
me?? i'm going to watch the 'g-clip' again..
UPDATE 3:25 am et: i added a northernboy 'cap' of natalie portman in "where the heart is" for Cal !!
UPDATE 10:52 am et: just found this blurb from canoe.ca:
excerpt:
Joe Roth ,who went from running 20th Century-Fox and Disney studios, now has his own studio in Revolution Pictures. "I'm a lucky man. All the planets were aligned when I left Disney. It's not easy these days to start a new studio," says Roth. It wasn't just a planet, but stars that fell into Roth's galaxy. "What really helped me was that people like Julia Roberts and Adam Sandler were willing to help me out." Roberts has starred for Roth in America's Sweethearts and Mona Lisa Smile and Sandler headlined Anger Management and Punch Drunk Love. There has been much speculation in Hollywood lately over Roberts's role as an actress and prospective mother. She is pregnant with twins. "Julia Roberts's career will go anywhere she wants it to. "She has broken rules in the past and she will break a few more before she's finished. Right now Julia wants to be a mother and it's a role she cherishes, so I don't think we'll see her onscreen for a while after Ocean's Twelve and Closer." Roth feels "Natalie Portman is the only young female star that I see out there who could have a career like Julia and she'll only have it if she really wants it. ..
JC..
thursday, nov 18, 2004 (1:27 am et)..
just found 2 nat news tidbits..
c/o: washingtontimes..
excerpt:
The newest version of the play opened on Broadway in 1997, with Natalie Portman in the lead.
excerpt:
Who visits presidential libraries? Tara Reid, Natalie Portman, Estelle Getty and I spent two months this past summer checking out each of the presidential libraries.
source: lasvegasmercury..
estelle getty?! 'anyways,' click on the links above to read it in context..
and finally, dazza posted that he found a new "Closer" TV Spot / 3.2 MB Quicktime..
JC..
wednesday, nov 17, 2004 (2:22 am et)..
just found a review from JoBlo and posted it here [warning: spoilers + language]..
JC..
tuesday, nov 16, 2004 (11:16 pm et)..
lots of stuff today..let's get to it..first, natalieportman.com has new links to a new lux tv commercial starring nat (duh!!), and a new series of ads starring nat (duh!!) at kamiseta.com..
next, the incredible sonoyta found a rolling stone review of "closer"..
meanwhile, amidoll posted a review of "closer" c/o imdb..
lurking, found a nat clip at bravoTV and the following from thehotbutton.com [link time sensitive, hence not posted]:
quote:
And the ever-wacky Buffalo Bri writes: "I have lost faith in all directors. First I am told we will see Natalie Portman's thingies in Cold Mountain and then it gets edited out. Now I heard she will show her body in Closer but the director cuts it out. How can Anthony Minghella and Mike Nichols be considered premier directors after this fiasco? I would pursue this all the way until they are kicked out of the Director's Guild. I think Nichols lives in a blue state and Minghella probably would if he came to America. Blue states like their nudity. No wonder we lost the election, even when a hot actress agrees to show something, we arent relentless in carrying it out. We lost an opportunity here for nudity that might not come up again after "they" establish their christian theocracy."
me?? i found a sorta rehashed leon dvd review/specs/etc..bleh..
finally, the above pic is from Cal's fav movie "Where The Heart Is"..hi Cal!! ok, i saved it on my hard disk, circa 2000 (?!), and i think it was capped by northernboy..
JC..
monday, nov 15, 2004 (6:06 am et)..
natalieportman.com's dazza sez nat will be on the "Today" show on nov 25th..
the amazing sonoyta found a review of "closer"..
JC..
sunday, nov 14, 2004 (10:49 am et)..
natalieportman.com's dazza broke the following news:
quote:
And Dita found out the Closer premiere info: "CLOSER" STARRING: JULIA ROBERTS, JUDE LAW, NATALIE PORTMAN, CLIVE OWEN MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2004 - TIME TBA ARRIVALS ARE LIKELY TO START BETWEEN 5 PM AND 6:30 PM AT MANN'S VILLAGE THEATRE 961 BROXTON AVE,IN WESTWOOD
meanwhile, natalieportman.de's Aleph posted that elle.com has updated with nat pics et. al..
finally, amidoll posted that nat is "considered one of the frontrunners for Best Supporting Actress by members of the OscarWatch jury" for her performance in "closer"..
JC..
friday, nov 12, 2004 (11:11 pm et)..
the amazing and incredible sonoyta is back!!
she found a closer 'for your consideration' ad and posted the news that nat will be on dave letterman on nov 25th..
finally, natalieportman.com's dazza posted this neat nat pic..
JC..
friday, nov 12, 2004 (4:45 Am et)..
i found this from nydailynews:
quote:
Madonna Ciccone Ritchie - powerful Jewish American? It's either a craven bid for publicity or a heartening display of open-mindedness, but The Forward has decided to make the 46-year-old pop icon its 51st name on the "Forward 50," the paper's annual survey of the 50 most powerful and influential Jewish Americans. J.J. Goldberg, the editor of the Jewish weekly, yesterday defended his choice of kabbala devotee Madge, a Catholic by birth who now calls herself "Esther," for the vaunted list. Never mind that Madonna's long-time publicist, Liz Rosenberg, repeatedly advised The Forward of the startling news that "Madonna is not Jewish" and "it wouldn't be appropriate to include her on such a list." "There are a lot of differences of opinion about the nature of the Jewish community - who's Jewish and who isn't," Goldberg told me. "Some people who are not Jewish are married to Jews, or practicing Judaism. But we start with the assumption that this is not a simple matter." As for Madonna, "She's a practitioner of the kabbala, so she's practicing Judaism, for Christ's sake! Well, not really for Christ's sake," Goldberg said. "But she's probably the world's best-known practitioner of Judaism right now." Goldberg added: "'Craven bid for publicity?' You say that like it's a bad thing!" Among the more conventional choices are Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, actresses Tovah Feldshuh and Natalie Portman, Comedy Central "Daily Show" star Jon Stewart, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfwowitz, Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Shawn Green.
Tufkad posted the Inside the Actors Studio Pics..
finally, he also found the 2nd closer TV ad..
JC..
thursday, nov 11, 2004 (8:30 pm et)..
good evening, Amidoll posted one of those "For You Consideration" ads for closer..
she also posted:
quote:
David Poland has had Natalie on his Supporting Actress list for many months now, and it looks like he's finally seen the movie. No review yet but Natalie's still top on his list. His comment: Brilliant... vulnerable... likable.
here's the david poland link..
finally, guardian.co.uk has a garden state writeup with a nat blurb or two..
JC..
thursday, nov 11, 2004 (10:33 am et)..
morning, looks like the Seattle Post-Intelligencer has picked up on the *alleged* flip-flopping fiasco..
quote:
Oy gewalt! What's with the flip-flopping, Natalie Portman? According to Thebacker.blogspot.com, Portman told a classmate at Hebrew University (where she is taking courses such as "Selected Topics in Islamic History and Civilization") that she was "kind of/sort of happy" with the results of the election (you know, the one George W. Bush won). Although she seems to have forgotten this, we recall that Portman campaigned for Democratic candidate John Kerry. Then again, despite her academic smarts, Portman is a Hollywood kid. And we hear that this spring, Bush is the new Kerry. Sigh.
something positive for a change..c/o: forward.com [REGISTRATION REQUIRED]:
quote:
Natalie Portman is having a very good year. The Israeli-born actress, known for her beguiling portrayal of a preteen in "Beautiful Girls" (1996) and her powerful portrayal of Anne Frank on Broadway in 1996, reached a new level of professional credibility this spring with her star turn in the critically acclaimed "Garden State." She's set to follow that up with the upcoming, Oscar-touted Mike Nichols film, "Closer." And her fans are eagerly awaiting her return this winter as Queen Amidala in the third "Star Wars" prequel. Having emigrated from Jerusalem to Long Island at age 3, she's learned to stand up as a vocal if thoughtful defender of Israel and liberal causes, writing letters to the Harvard Crimson defending Israel's record as an occupier and campaigning for John Kerry in Wisconsin. Critics call her one of the most promising young actresses of this generation, while Jewish teenagers across the country call her hot and hang her posters over their beds. At 23, she's arguably done more for young Jewish male self-esteem than anyone since Moshe Dayan.
in other news blurbs, ananova.com has a rehashed report that nat's attending a university in Israel..
and finally, MafiaCrack posted the elle mag pics..
JC..
wednesday, nov 10, 2004 (3:17 am et)..
i just found this..click on the links for pics and to various blogs..
quote:
Short Ends: Natalie Portman Flips Flops On Kerry? Natalie Portman is caught smoking in Israel, also caught "happy" that Bush won the election. Oh, yeah, she campaigned for Kerry. Um, flip flop?
JC..
tuesday, nov 9, 2004 (9:07 pm et)..
evening, lurking found an ew.com poll..so go vote for nat!!
nothing really new in the news, nat news that is, just rehash of news posted earlier..for example: clevelandjewishnews.com is reporting:
quote:
(JTA) - Actress goes to Hebrew U. Actress Natalie Portman is taking classes at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, according to the Jerusalem Post. Portman was born in Jerusalem in 1981, the daughter of an Israeli doctor and an American mother. The family moved to the United States when she was 3. In past interviews, Portman has talked with pride about her Israeli roots and said she keeps in close touch with her relatives in Israel. She is known for her performance in "Star Wars" movies.
ok, the NYT apparently owns the International Herald Tribune, so it's 'prolly' no surprise they rehash the nat writeup..
finally, filmforce.ign has an amusing 'sorta' nat related 'thingee'..
ciao,
JC..
tuesday, nov 9, 2004 (7:30 am et)..
first, something totally Not nat related..
.ORG has released the FIREFOX 1.0 browser!! it's a free download!!
ok, back to nat related news, i found this via news.yahoo.com:
excerpt:
Closer Matt Wolf, STAFF [VARIETY..] Release date: Dec. 3 Distributor: Sony Oscar alumni: Mike Nichols ("The Graduate"), Julia Roberts ("Erin Brockovich"), costume designer Ann Roth ("The English Patient") Patrick Marber's play "Closer" created a sensation in London when it bowed in 1997 and got a Tony nomination when it went to Broadway two years later. Now Marber has written his own screen adaptation for helmer Mike Nichols, who knows a thing or two about couples in crisis. From the perspective of Nichols' distinguished career, it's impossible not to think of "Closer" as a companion piece many decades on to "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and "Carnal Knowledge" -- two definably American films about the erotic collision course among two couples, which is the universal realm where "Closer" lies. (Two big questions: Whether "Closer" might be too raw for mainstream consumption or, conversely, whether it has been tamed for the bigscreen.) Nichols, of course, got an Oscar nod for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" in 1966 before going on to win the trophy the next year for "The Graduate." His track record for guiding actors towards their own statuettes is impressive -- witness the Emmy haul for "Angels in America." Having begun in the theater, Nichols has in recent years focused his attentions to intriguing effect on TV versions of Pulitzer Prize-winning plays. First came "Wit," with Emma Thompson, and then, also for HBO, Tony Kushner's "Angels." The latter, a big-budget, six-hour extravaganza, defied expectations by turning a quintessentially theatrical stage experience into something that lives on its own on the small screen. So if anyone seems poised to do right by Marber's play, it's Nichols and producer Cary Brokaw (the helmer's partner on "Wit" and "Angels"). At their disposal is an intriguing mix of talented thesps: Clive Owen, Natalie Portman, two-time Oscar nominee Jude Law and Oscar winner Julia Roberts, who was drafted when original choice Cate Blanchett (news) became pregnant. And, no, Roberts doesn't do an English accent.
right, a nat+fashion related blurb c/o: theherald.co.uk..
excerpt:
This week: Scarlet What is it? Scarlet fever is spreading as red takes a place in fashion's front row. Who is wearing it? Nothing steals the limelight like a red dress. Slip one on and heads will turn, so it's essential to get the look right. Heidi Klum knows the power a red dress can hold and looked stunning in Valentino's ruby red satin gown. Natalie Portman got it right in Marc Jacobs's chiffon, knee-length ballerina-style dress.
moving along, starwars.com has updated with a new nat/padme pic..
also, the teaser trailer is available to all for download..
JC..
monday, nov 8, 2004 (8:52 pm et)..
oh look, the amazing and incredible sonoyta is taking a very well deserved rest..this evening, finds from Gisele1983 and lurking..
Gisele1983 posted:
quote:
Posted at IMDB: Is it true that she's studying in the Hebrew University in Jerusalem right now? Because I saw her in the assembly in memory of Yitzhak Rabin last month (no, I'm not lying, and yes, I'm sure it was her), and my friend told me that she has a cousin who is taking the same class as Natalie in the Hebrew University... In short, I was wondering if someone could confirm this, and tell me if we're talking about the same Natalie Portman. Thanks in advance!
lurking posted:
quote:
www.joblo.com/index.php?id=5764 No full-frontal Portman Nov. 8, 2004 Damn you Mike Nichols!! The writer/director of the upcoming movie CLOSER actually edited out scenes of Natalie Portman in the nude. They were filmed and he cut them out! Allow me to repeat - damn you Mike Nichols!! Portman, who plays a stripper in the film, reported filmed a scene that featured "raunchy shots of her fully nude" according to IMDB. Nichols however felt that those shots were "gratuitous" and had them edited out of the final cut of the film. Portman explained, "He's as or more protective of me than my parents are." Mr. Nichols, Mike if I may, you have done us all a great disservice my friend. Nudity is a beautiful thing. (At least when that nudity is of Natalie Portman. Alec Baldwin nudity probably not so much.) It should be embraced and allowed into our theaters and then screencapped for home computers and our own "personal" use. Luckily for the entire male population of the world, Nichols didn't edit out other footage of Ms. Portman that reportedly includes her first topless scene. Just how much is shown remains to be seen...and seen...and seen again just for good measure. Jude Law, Clive Owen and Julia Roberts co-star in the film that opens on the 3rd of December. The film is rated R for sequences of graphic sexual dialogue, nudity/sexuality.
finally, darkhorizons.com's Garth Franklin sez:
quote:
Acclaimed writer/director Mike Nichols ("Angels in America", "Primary Colors") has upset a large amount of males it seems in the last few days with word that Natalie Portman full-frontal nude scenes are being removed from his new film "Closer". Portman, who plays a stripper in the film, apparently shot a scene that featured "raunchy shots of her fully nude" according to the IMDB & JoBlo - the problem is Nichols felt that the shots themselves were "gratuitous" and had them cut out of the final print. Portman says "He's as or more protective of me than my parents are." So why should you guys go to this? Well aside from it being one hell of a great story and damn good cast, Natalie might still be revealing something with talk that she delivers her first topless scene. Whether the jugs are out will remain a question til the film screens shortly. Thanks to 'Answer'
JC..
sunday, nov 7, 2004 (11:30 pm et)..
further to the update below about a nat writeup, Tufkad posted The Jerusalem Post article which reports that nat is studying at a university in Israel..
JC..
sunday, nov 7, 2004 (9 pm et)..
evening, the amazing sonoyta posted a 'biggie' sized pic of nat in ew mag..
meanwhile, natalieportman.com's dazza posted a scan indicating that nat will be on the cover of elle mag..
there's a nat writeup in The Jerusalem Post (registration may be required)..
finally, darkhorizons.com has many links to the *coughTrailercough* and a print-quality copy of *cough*..
JC..
sunday, nov 7, 2004 (8:28 am et)..
good morning, hope you are having a great weekend..mr incredible certainly is..
speaking of incredible, the incredible sonoyta found a writeup in the sunday, nov 7, 2004 edition of the new york times about nat & the movie closer..she posted the pic and the writeup here..
acacia of nat-portman.net found the ew online writeup on nat & the movie closer..
meanwhile, Tufkad found a writeup from scotlandonsunday..if the aforementioned link doesn't work, you can read the writeup here..
finally, a blurb from boxofficeprophets:
excerpt:
Director Mike Nichols, fresh off his triumph with Angels in America, teams up with a playwright who adapts his own award-winning play and puts together a stellar cast including Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, and Clive Owen. The project should have been a no-brainer. Admittedly, Closer wasn't even on the radar until the trailer hit, but oh, what a trailer it is. It's a textbook example of using music to set a mood and the interspersed snippets of dialogue forecast a sexy, wry, darkly funny film. The play and film revolve around the various sexual and romantic entanglements among four individuals (two couples). Playwright Patrick Marber says when he wrote the play he had come to the conclusion that "there is no such thing as an honest relationship. The best you can hope for is an honest relationship with yourself." So it's pretty safe to assume that Closer doesn't take an optimistic view of the chances of a romantic relationship lasting. After perhaps creating some doubts that Nichols still had it (his last film was 2000's What Planet are You From?), it's interesting that his foray into television (Wit, and the aforementioned Angels in America) seems to have reinvigorated his career. Closer looks to be a return to form for Nichols on the big screen and a heavy Oscar candidate across the board.
JC..
saturday, nov 6, 2004 (3:30 am et)..
the amazing sonoyta posted the above pic c/o Atypical..
also she posted that the official Closer site is up..
in the same thread you can read excerpts of the ew cover story as posted by sonoyta..
moving along, acacia of nat-portman.net posted a report about "Heat: Special Edition" dvd..
in news blurbs, onlypunjab.com has this report: "Natalie Portman asks director to cut nude scenes.."
finally, worldmoviemag on the recently concluded 48th London Film Festival:
excerpt:
Zach Braff’s Garden State starring Natalie Portman was a firm favourite..
JC..
friday, nov 5, 2004 (7:57 am et)..
huh?? notice the pic above?? sure you do..it was 'capped' by acacia of nat-portman.net..
btw, i really do recommend that you join natalieportman.com's mailing list for some exclusive content..
alrighty, just a little blurb from The Jewish Journal:
excerpt:
The author dreams of Natalie Portman playing Jennifer.
me?? i just dreamt about nat being oprah!! or was it oprah being nat?? or was it uma?!
JC..
thursday, nov 4, 2004 (9:18 pm et)..
good evening, this is the 3rd update of the day..well, see, mpeg clips of nat on oprah and the star wars episode III revenge of the sith teaser trailer have been made available at natalieportman.com and nat-portman.net..
the reviews of the teaser trailer have hit the web..herewith are some of them with excerpts relating to nat:
excerpt:
Natalie Portman looking beautiful but shocked as Padme Amidala
excerpt:
Negatives include Natalie Portman in a cinnamon-roll hairdo (like mother, like daughter, since Leia sports the look in the earlier “Star Wars” films) and Amidala and Anakin kissing. (Didn’t we conclusively decide they had no chemistry whatsoever in Episode II?)
excerpt:
Padme, played by Natalie Portman, is also reportedly seen with the headphone hairstyle spotted by her daughter, Princess Leia in the original trilogy
excerpt:
In the teaser trailer, Luke and Leia's mom-to-be, Padmé (Natalie Portman) wears her hair in that cinnamon-bun style made famous by her daughter (Carrie Fisher) in Episode IV
right, moving along, the amazing sonoyta posted an interesting pic from AFP via yahoo! news:
excerpt:
"Help from Natalie : A picture of Hollywood actress Natalie Portman appears on the back seat of a US marine Humvee with the 2/5 Marines deployed in Ramadi, 100 kms west of Baghdad."
also, the amazing sonoyta posted the following find..
quote:
According to tvzero from the goldderby forums: Quote:EW holiday preview: and the cover goes to.... for the second year in a row: Julia Roberts, with costar Natalie Portman for Closer.
finally, sonoyta found moviesonline.ca's detailed look at closer..
JC..
thursday, nov 4, 2004 (9 am et)..
morning, this is the second update of the day..first up a little teaser pic of today's telecast of oprah:
do visit oprah.com for more info..
next, just a little fashion related blurb from suntimes.com:
excerpt:
"Designers have been making more glamorous pieces for the past two or three years, and women have been loving it," says Los Angeles-based stylist Lori Yee. "You'll notice that all the actresses who used to show up at premieres half-dressed or in grungy little dresses are looking more put together. They're turning to the Armanis and Vera Wangs to create gorgeous gowns for them that will get them noticed for being beautiful and classy. Natalie Portman pulls it off effortlessly. Britney Spears doesn't."
moving along, totaldvd.net on the leon dvd..
JC..
thursday, nov 4, 2004 (1 am et)..
once again, the star wars episode III revenge of the sith teaser trailer will be available to members of starwars.com today..if you can't wait, Amidoll posted some of the teaser trailer screenshots..
reminder: do look out for nat on "MTV - TRL," "Access Hollywood" and "Oprah"..check local listings..
JC..
wednesday, nov 3, 2004 (9:39 pm et)..
the amazing sonoyta found more closer pics with nat..
bbaka sez:
quote:
Thought that you'd all might like to know Being the teenager that I am ... I watch TRL occasionally .... and it was just today that they announced that they will be showing the Episode III teaser trailer (in its entirety) on Thursday 11/4 ... sounds a bit too good to be true ... but it makes sense ... so if you're interested ... you should definitely check it out I guess. Channel MTV at 5:00 EST
JC..
tuesday, nov 2, 2004 (9:50 pm et)..
evening, Cal posted the following..
quote:So we now have:
Oprah with Julia Roberts and Natalie Portman, Clive Owen on Wed Nov 3 (I saw it advertised on TV last night saying the third, but it's still listed as Nov 4 at Oprah). I'll record it tomorrow just in case.
Natalie on Inside the Actor's Studio Nov 21
The LA Premiere on Nov 22
free screenings and other screenings sometime here
The Making of Closer on Bravo Dec 2 (or so scheduled)
Natalie should be making some new talk show appearances and be on some Dec or Jan magazine covers. I heard on ET that Julia Roberts has been ordered to bedrest due to her delicate pregnancy, so she will not being doing the usual promotional travels. Maybe that means double-time for Natalie? She really put a lot of effort into Garden State, maybe she'll be all over for Closer as well. :)
here's a new tidbit on Closer from a London paper
HOT for 2005'
THE FILM CLOSER
If hype is anything to go by, then Closer is going to make quite an impact. As soon as it started filming, whispers began. With a four-man cast made up of Jude Law, Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman and Clive Owen, it's hardly surprising. Adapted by Patrick Marber from his own corrosive play and directed by Mike Nichols, it's A-list all the way.
Released 14 January, 2005.
thanks Cal!!
just to highlight that the January 14, 2005 date is the UK release date..
just a reminder, the star wars episode III revenge of the sith teaser trailer will be available to members of starwars.com on Nov 4, 2004..
look out for said trailer to be shown on "Access Hollywood," and perhaps on "ET" as well..
moving along, sonoyta found this timely pic..
JC..
tuesday, nov 2, 2004 (2:30 am et)..
first up, go vote!!
speaking of vote, jsonline.com sez..
quote:ON WISCONSIN
[..]
What we will (and won't) miss about being a swing state
[..]
WHAT WE'LL MISS:
[..]
Natalie Portman in both Milwaukee and Madison
sonoyta sez:
quote:
So we have a new air date for Bravo's The Making of Closer. Is now listed for Thursday, December 2.
Twig sez:
quote:
Entertainment Weekly is having Closer screenings in a bunch of cities. Go HERE to sign up to win.
Tufkad posted a nifty star wars episode III revenge of the sith teaser trailer screenshot..
finally, further to yesterday's update, Acacia of nat-portman.net found a larger dvd artwork for the leon dvd special edition..
JC..
monday, nov 1, 2004 (4:07 am et)..
themanroom.com confirms the leon dvd release date: january 11, 2005..
JC..