Adriana Barraza
A popular actress and director of Spanish-language television as well as a respected drama coach, Mexico-born Barraza was virtually unknown on this side of the border until her devastating turn as an...
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Brad Pitt Promises He and Angelina Jolie Will Marry 'Soon'
November 27, 2012 12:25pm ESTSeven years and six kids later, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie may be nearing the altar. According to People, Pitt said Monday night at the Killing Them Softly New York premiere, "I am getting more pressure from my kids, and it is something I want to do within their lifetime, but I also feel like the time has come." Family man Pitt went on to say, "We've had a family, we've raised the kids. I am surprised how much [marriage] meant to me once you had that." This decision is a departure for Pitt, who wrote for Esquire in 2006, "Angie and I will consider tying the knot when everyone else in the country who wants to be married is legally able." So, when Pitt said "everyone" what he really meant was "people living in Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Washington, Washington D.C., and maybe California and Rhode Island." But don't worry, friends, Pitt donated $100,000 to marriage equality, so everything's okay. Follow Abbey Stone on Twitter @abbeystone [Photo Credit: Adriana M. Barraza/ WENN] More: Brad Pitt Is The Great American Gangster in 'Killing Them Softly' — TRAILER Brad Pitt Donates $100K to Marriage Equality, Tries to Make Nice with Gay People Brad Pitt's Chanel No. 5 Ad Is Embarrassingly Awful You Might Also Like: Best Nude Scenes of 2012 — PICS ’Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ First Look: The Quarter Quell Begins! — PICS
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The Simple Answer to All of Lindsay Lohan's Problems
November 21, 2012 8:15am ESTI have just discovered the solution for all of Lindsay Lohan's problems. Ms. Lohan, pictures of whom you can find by Googling "train wreck celebrities," is notorious for her legal woes, family battles, and substance abuse, but the real answer to turning her life and career around lies not in counseling, rehab, or probation. What Lindsay needs is a new stylist. Sitting next to Jay Leno on The Tonight Show Tuesday night (video below), Lohan was able to nonchalantly field questions about her personal troubles, laugh at her headline-making ability, and speak coherently (if not eloquently) about her role in the new Lifetime drama Liz & Dick. She looked, however, like a hot mess. Between her straw-like wig of red locks, unmovable forehead and cheeks, and ill-fitting dress, it was hard to take anything Lohan said seriously. I almost missed the part of the interview where Lohan talked about meeting with Elizabeth Taylor's real-life nurse because I was so struck by the fact that she looked like a melting wax figure. Are you talking, Lindsay? My brain can't hear you because it's too busy wondering if your dress' cutouts are revealing your torso or a layer of mesh. Let me be perfectly clear: my advice for Lohan is not shallow critique. I'm not just pointing to the fact that Lohan consistently wears ugly and inappropriate clothes (although this is true). I rather feel that Lohan is doing herself a disservice by leaving the house looking like her four-year-old neighbor convinced her to play dress-up. Let's take Lohan's red carpet ensemble from Tuesday's Liz & Dick premiere for Exhibit B. I'm not sure any woman wearing red jewels so close to her belly button has ever been taken seriously before. Fans of What Not to Wear and anyone who has gone to a job interview know that you have to dress for success. And for someone like Lohan, whom most everyone expects to generally be a disaster, it is especially important to look like a person and not a mannequin from Caché when stepping out in public. Lindsay needs a look that says, "I am as in control of my mind as I am of my wardrobe." Or at least, "I am competent enough to put clothes on my body without people wondering if I lost the electricity in my house." Once she has conquered this, then she can move on to, "I'm back, bitches." Baby steps. Follow Abbey Stone on Twitter @abbeystone [Photo Credit: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN; Paul Drinkwater/NBC] More: Lindsay Lohan Goes Cleopatra in 'Liz & Dick' — PICS Lindsay Lohan Gets Off Scot-Free for Alleged Hit-and-Run Lindsay Lohan to Appear on Barbara Walters' '20/20' From Our Partners: Prince William Shares Personal Snapshots of Royal Air Force Life (PHOTOS) (Celebuzz) Rihanna Curses Out Band in Mid-Song, Fends Off Streakers and Rioting Reporters: See 6 Out-Of-Control Moments During Her 777 World Tour (Celebuzz)
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Ariel Winter Abuse Case: Children's Services Finds Evidence of Emotional Abuse
November 21, 2012 6:19am ESTTwo weeks after Modern Family star was removed from her mother's home following abuse accusations and temporary guardianship was awarded to her sister Shanelle Gray, the family appeared in a Los Angeles County Superior Court Tuesday. And during the hearing, Judge Michael Levanas ruled that Winter is to remain with her sister, People reports. During the hearing, a Department of Children and Family Services report was presented and it said that the organization had found evidence that Chrisoula Workman, Winter's mom, had emotionally abused her daughter. But, the report also said that Winter's physical abuse accusations were "unsubstantial." The report suggested that Gray be awarded permanent guardianship. While Workman's attorney tried to get the judge to grant guardianship to Winter's father, Levanas ruled that Winter is better off with her sister. Winter's parents have been separated and her father has not been residing in the family home, so this was the best decision in the judge's eyes. "I have questions about the nature and strength of the relationship with her father," Levanas said. Levanas has also set a trial date to resolve the matter of Winter's permanent custody. Follow Lindsey on Twitter @LDiMat. [Photo Credit: Adriana M. Barraza/Wenn] More: 'Modern Family' Star Ariel Winter Files Abuse Charges Against her Mother Ariel Winter's dad objects to guardianship Ariel Winter's mother speaks out about family drama From Our Partners: Prince William Shares Personal Snapshots of Royal Air Force Life (PHOTOS) (Celebuzz) Rihanna Curses Out Band in Mid-Song, Fends Off Streakers and Rioting Reporters: See 6 Out-Of-Control Moments During Her 777 World Tour (Celebuzz)
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50 Shades of Grey: First Photo of Christian Grey Revealed
July 09, 2012 8:40pm ESTHold onto your handcuffs, you guys. The movie adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey has nabbed itself two things today: a producer duo AND a portrait of the man known as Christian Grey. The production duo — Mike De Luca and Dana Brunetti, known for their work on movies such as Moneyball and Social Network — were hand-picked by author E.L. James herself. And not only that, but an academic decided to get in on the Fifty Shades action and used image-generating software (like cops do to make those criminal sketches!) to create the "first picture" of Mr. Grey. Cue the Internet tizzy. How did Dr. Faye Skelton do this? And why? Well, Skelton wanted to just have "a bit of fun" mostly, but the image was drafted via a composite of descriptions from 12 women who'd given their opinions on the looks of this Christian Grey fellow to a local radio station. And, well, the sketched fellow is not unattractive, and also bares a striking resemblance to a few actors out there. It seems like casting this film has become the newest game to play, so let's throw our hats into the ring and break 'em down, shall we? But... with SCIENCE (or something sort of like that; I mean she IS a doctor)! Christian Grey Lookalike #1: Young Val Kilmer Okay, wow. Yeah, our young Val here certainly bares a striking resemblance to the character rendering above, huh? If casting directors could go back in time, Val would totally be on their list. Do we think ladies could still hold a candle for the Iceman? Christian Grey Lookalike #2: Chris Evans Chris Evans would be an admittedly shocking choice, because... can you imagine Captain American getting down on some BDSM tip? It just doesn't really seem his style. But still, that jawline and hair are totally spot-on to the rendering above. He would definitely have to work on that whole deviant-dude tip, though. Christian Grey Lookalike #3: Brody Jenner This one is sort of a stretch, but couldn't you just see Brody Jenner being the sort of creepy sex fiend that the book needs? Plus, their noses! They have the same nose. Keep up with THAT, Kardashians! Christian Grey Lookalike #4: Jonathan Taylor Thomas You GUYS! Okay, this might be one of the top ones for me. This would also just be such an amazing casting coup, let's be real. Can you imagine a better and more Meg Ryan à la In The Cut-style revelation? It might also be equally as unsuccessful for JTT as it was for Meg, but risk is everything, isn't it? Plus, he looks so much like this sketch to me that my eyes cannot unsee it. Christian Grey Lookalike #5: Matt Davis Of all the dudes, probably the most well-adapted (and most closely resembling the sketch) is Matt Davis. The actor from Legally Blonde and Vampire Diaries would be a surprisingly good choice for the role, given his previous work and, well, his looks. Cockiness is key here, my dudes. Sure, he may not look like he's going to physically harm you in some weird-sexual way when he has his way with you, but this movie is probably not going to be X-Rated, or even NC-17, so, you know, concessions must be made! [BBC, The Wrap] [Image Credits: UCLan, WENN.com, Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com, Adriana M. Barraza / WENN.com, WENN.com, and Art Streiber/The CW, respectively.] Follow Alicia on Twitter @alicialutes More: '50 Shades of Grey' Role: A 'True Blood' Battle? 'Fifty Shades of Grey' To Launch Lingerie & Perfume Lines: Fifty Shades of Awful? Ian Somerhalder Tweets About '50 Shades of Grey' Casting: "Be Positive"
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Angelina Jolie's '50 Shades of Grey': When Big Stars Just Don't Work
June 08, 2012 9:04am ESTIf at any time in the past few months you have passed a bookstore window, watched a Saturday Night Live clip, or taken a second look at the slightly-too-on-edge woman clutching a veiled piece of reading material on the subway, then you're probably familiar with Fifty Shades of Grey. E.L. James' erotic novel has become an international bestseller, which, in this day and age, almost guarantees a movie adaptation. And with a book this popular, a studio is bound to opt for the biggest names imaginable to sign on board — for instance, Deadline reports rumors that have surrounded Angelina Jolie's interest in directing the movie. But sometimes, movies are better served straying away from superstars like these. Jolie's feature debut as a director was 2011's In the Land of Blood and Honey, a hard-hitting account of a young romantic couple suffering through the Bosnian War. Whereas a story like this is more than capable of drawing attention from the public, the larger-than-life name of "Angelina Jolie" seemed to have overshadowed the film's actual content. Anybody could have told you, "Angelina Jolie is directing a movie." Of course, their following statement would likely have been, "It's, uh... about war, or something." As such, the film never really took off appropriately. People who specifically want an Angelina Jolie movie want aren't necessary looking for a gritty war drama. The same problem often arrives in regards to casting. It was difficult to believe that superstar George Clooney could endure the problems of an everyday family man in the otherwise terrific The Descendants. It was hard to get past the Meryl Streep-ness in The Iron Lady's Margaret Thatcher. Sometimes, a smaller presence does wonders in the depiction of a large character or story. And that's what Fifty Shades of Grey is. Whatever your opinion on the phenomenon, it is certainly just that: a phenomenon. In order to stress the inherent power of Fifty Shades of Gray, studios would be wise to downplay the names onboard. Think about how many people knew who Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson were before Twilight — the Shades trilogy would be wisest to build its own stars. Director included. 50 Shades of Grey [Photo Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN.com] More: '50 Shades of Grey': The Book Everyone is Talking About Ian Somerhalder is Ready to Get Down in 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Pulitzer Prize Winners: 2011 Fiction That Could Have Won
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Henry Poole Is Here' Interviews: Luke Wilson and Cast Jump In
August 19, 2008 8:43am ESTDirector Mark Pellington first came across the script for Henry Poole Is Here back in 2003. Although he was touched by the story about a dying man who returns to his hometown for solace, he passed on the project. A year later, he changed his mind. Pellington says his wife passed away suddenly in 2004, leaving him a single dad to their 2 and-a-half year-old daughter. In an instant, he had much more in common with Henry Poole than he ever would have expected, “To be able to basically find a story where all the characters were dealing with loss or the possibility of loss--I felt comfortable in that world.” A stylistic jump from his past films Mothman Prophecies and Arlington Road, fans can expect a more indie feel to the movie. Set in suburban California, the film follows a depressed man with reclusive tendencies who can’t avoid the outside world when his neighbor finds the face of Christ in a water stain on the side of his house. Hollywood.com talked with Pellington, writer Albert Torres and stars Luke Wilson, Adriana Barraza, Radha Mitchell, and George Lopez to find out more about the film: Mark Pellington on the theme of person loss in his films: “Both Arlington Road and Mothman are about widowers, which was ironic. I think the similarities, going back to my first movie, all of them were dealing centrally with male characters searching for answers to loss, kind of coming to terms with loss. Before that previously I probably connected more to the loss of my father and unanswered questions in those movies.” Luke Wilson on miracles: “I definitely believe in miracles, I don’t know about believing in the face [of Jesus on a wall] or something that specific. I like the idea of playing a guy who definitely doesn’t believe and is kind of forced through all these things that happen to think about it, because I know that happens to people either something good that happens or something bad that happens can change how somebody feels very quickly.” Albert Torres on his inspiration for the script: “I grew up Catholic and heard about these kinds of things happening (faces appearing on objects) and how they effected people in certain communities and started to think about what kind of person, who would be the worst person for something like this to happen to and that was the starting point. It came at a time when…I didn’t really have a career in screenwriting at that point and I quit writing and then I got kind of depressed myself much like the character and realized that I needed to start writing, but write something I wanted to see versus something that I thought I could sell to somebody.” George Lopez on finding a role outside of comedy: "When the show was over I told CAA that I didn’t really care how big the parts were as long as the scripts were good…Then I got this script and Albert Torres wrote it…and it was magnificent. I just thought the script was so great and had so much heart. Movies had been done about visions and things, but this one the characters were so natural and powerful and it was something that no one would expect me to do. Sandra Bullock executive produced my show and after it was over she sent me an email and said; ‘Now you’ve got to do something that no one would ever expect you to do, you’ve got to do something completely unexpected’ and playing Father Salazar qualifies as that bit of advice." Radha Mitchell on why she was drawn to the film: “I liked the sincerity of the story. I was actually impressed by Mark who kind of wears his heart on his sleeve unabashedly, I think he wanted to expose himself in that way in the movie and he wanted the actors to expose vulnerability to their characters and keep it very real and very simple and naturalstic. As much as there is a comedic tone to the story it is very engaging emotionally because it feels very real and I like that tone.” Adriana Barraza on finding happiness: “I believe in miracles, but not only in catholic or religious miracles. I believe in miracles because life is a miracle itself. I survive two heart attacks, I survived many losses in my life and I survive loss of my faith and I recovered my faith. I believe really in miracles since I was Henry Poole years ago and I was walking in an airport. I was so sad and so depressed in that moment because it was really a horrible moment in my life and then…I looked up and then a woman that I don’t know, I didn’t know who is she, walk in front of me and smile at me. In that moment I thought, ‘Oh my God’ people smile.” Radha Mitchell on her beliefs: “I think there is a thirst in culture for some sort of spiritual sustenance and I think the movie kind of feeds that without preaching anything…I think the fact that it is the face of Jesus sort of suits the story and suits the street where the story is set. If it was in another country it would be the face of somebody else.” Mark Pellington on his style: “Stylistically I felt like I had done in my videos – there was a greater range of kind of emotional and tonal choices in a lot of videos. In movies I had only done those two and my life is very different now then it was then so I was looking for something that showed the range of feelings I wanted to express.” George Lopez on spirituality: “I found some spirituality later in life in not being healthy and being healthy. When I was going to have my surgery and you lay on the table and you don’t have anything on and there isn’t anything to really grab except for what you believe in, since that point I’ve become a little more connected to spirituality…[I had] kidney transplant three years ago, I’ve got a lot of medicine running through me but I’m good.” Mark Pellington on making the film: “It was very healing and cathartic to be able to show up every day and then go through the process of editing to understand and it feels different now to watch it then it did at the editors assembly or when we showed it at Sundance. With some distance from it you can kind of let it go.”
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Henry Poole Is Here Review
August 14, 2008 8:43pm ESTSet in the heart of suburbia this dour and listless tale revolves around the dark soul of the humorless Henry Poole (Luke Wilson)--a man whose life has careened out of control. Looking for reinvigoration he returns to the bland suburban neighborhood of his youth hoping it will turn his mojo around and give him solitary comfort and peace. He buys a house for full price and tries to settle in but his hopes to be left alone are dashed by three female neighbors. First is a nosy woman Esperanza (Adriana Barraza) who is convinced she sees the stucco image of Christ on the side of his house. Then there’s the solemn 8 year-old Millie (Morgan Lily) who has taken a complete vow of silence since the divorce of her parents. Finally there is her mother Dawn (Radha Mitchell) who tries to reignite a passion in Henry. As crowds drawn by the Christ-like image begin to mushroom in his backyard--including a priest (George Lopez) who tries to counsel him--Henry is diagnosed with a terminal illness making him question his own faith in God and the quality of his life. Luke Wilson fails to convince as the soulless Henry Poole a self-absorbed man throwing his own pity party. He’s so anti-social and morose through most of the film that the audience has a tough time connecting with his plight even as his life is threatened. Blame the script or Wilson himself for making Poole such an unattractive stick-in-the-mud. Young Lily as the near-autistic child next door plays it with mystical abandon but the role seems contrived. The normally reliable Mitchell doesn’t have a clue where her character seems to be going and fails to tap into her true emotional register. Lopez normally an upbeat comedic presence in films and TV plays it low-key here effective but forgettable. Stealing the film is Barraza the wonderful Oscar-nominated Mexican actress from Babel who lifts the tempo considerably every time she is onscreen. She gets the intended spirit of the material and delivers line readings in a completely convincing and fresh manner. Her belief in Esperanza’s own off-the-wall beliefs brings us to her side.Too bad everyone else seems to be in another picture. Mark Pellington (Arlington Road) can’t really locate a pulse in Albert Torres first-produced screenplay. Pellington approaches the story meant to be uplifting and inspiring in a slow-handed way--letting any chance for real dramatic sparks to fade away. Small human character studies like this need more invention in the telling to make up the lack of pizzazz inherent in the premise. What he does achieve nicely is the look and feel and a ‘40s or ‘50s-style middle class Southern California neighborhood lit by the bright sun but lacking in any kind of style or personality. When the figure of Christ is spotted on a non-descript wall of stucco it’s the first time this street has ever come to life. That works but the whole point of the story--the deeply religious spiritual underpinnings--don’t quite come across the way the director and screenwriter intended. Henry Poole Is Here remains ultimately a failure--a noble effort but misguided and largely bloodless.
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'Babel' and 'Ugly Betty' Rule ALMA Awards
June 02, 2007 9:04am ESTThriller Babel and TV comedy Ugly Betty were the big winners at the American Latino Media Arts (ALMA) Awards in Pasadena, California, last night. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu picked up Outstanding Director--Motion Picture and Outstanding Motion Picture for Babel, while the movie's star Adriana Barraza and screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga picked up Outstanding Actress--Motion Picture and Outstanding Screenplay, respectively. Hit TV show Ugly Betty was named Outstanding Television Series, Miniseries or TV Movie, while onscreen siblings America Ferrera (Betty Suarez) and Ana Ortiz (Hilda Suarez) won Outstanding Actress and Outstanding Supporting Actress, respectively. Writer Silvio Horta also picked up Outstanding Writing for the 2006 pilot episode of the show. Meanwhile, Jesse Garcia was named Outstanding Actor--Motion Picture for Quinceanera. The show was hosted by Eva Longoria and Mario Lopez. COPYRIGHT 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All Global Rights Reserved.
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Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Guillermo Arriaga Feud over 'Babel' Spotlight
February 28, 2007 5:16am ESTMexican filmmaking duo Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Guillermo Arriaga are continuing to feud after ending their working partnership last year, as they accuse each other of trying to steal the limelight in wake of the success of their Oscar-nominated movie Babel. Director Inarritu and screenwriter Arriaga have created a string of critically acclaimed movies together, including 21 Grams and Amores Perros. Inarritu, Babel composer Gustavo Santaolalla and the film's stars Gael Garcia Bernal and Adriana Barraza have signed a letter addressed to Arriaga, criticizing him for his media conduct. The letter, published in Mexican magazine Chilanga on Monday, reads, "It's a shame that in your unjustified obsession to claim sole responsibility for the film, you seem not to recognize that movies are an art of deep collaboration." In a recent radio interview, Arriaga claimed Inarritu had incorrectly listed himself as the creator of Babel in the film credits, saying, "I tried to defend the collective nature of the film. It belongs to everyone." Arriaga announced he would no longer work with Inarritu late last year, citing personal and creative differences. COPYRIGHT 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All Global Rights Reserved.
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'Babel' Triumphs at Film Awards
January 08, 2007 5:38am ESTCritically acclaimed film Babel triumphed at the 2007 Palm Springs International Film Festival Gala Awards on Saturday night, winning multiple honors. Stars Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Adriana Barraza and Rinko Kikuchi took home the Ensemble Performance Award while Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu won the best director award. Pitt says of the honor, "I love the undercurrent of this film, and that is the inability, sometimes, to understand where the other side is coming from." Blanchett also accepted the festival's Career Achievement Award, but apologized for making so many films released in 2006, including Notes on a Scandal and The Good German. Little Children star Kate Winslet was awarded with the festival's Desert Palm Achievement for Acting, while the film’s director, Todd Field, won the Sonny Bono Visionary Award. Winslet hopes her achievement will encourage more people to go and see the $54 million film, which has so far failed to draw large audiences. She says, "That's the thing that's so fantastic about the nominations. It does mean that hopefully people will go and see the movie." Other stars to enjoy success were Jessica Biel and Adam Beach, who both won Rising Star Awards and Jennifer Hudson who garnered best breakthrough performance for Dreamgirls. COPYRIGHT 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All Global Rights Reserved.
