Thursday, April 7, 2011

Stars to Watch: Part 4 – Movies Spotlight – April 2011

Cinema constantly has new talent each and every year, making good films and opening audiences’ eyes to new characters, stories and worlds. April offers three more exciting performers to watch.


What She’s Been In:

Ronan, 16, made her screen debut in 2003 on the Irish public service broadcaster RTE in the medical drama The Clinic and then later in the mini-series Proof. In 2007, she made her American debut in the film I Could Never Be Your Woman co-starring with Paul Rudd and Michelle Pfeiffer. While it is not the best film, though funny, she is great in it as Pfeiffer’s more grownup that her years would indicate daughter. She also appeared in two barely seen films before getting her breakthrough performance (see next paragraph). After her breakthrough, she starred in Gil Kenan’s adaptation of City of Ember, and was the best part of the film (along with Bill Murray). Her first big starring role came in 2009 with Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones. The film was an ambitious mess, but Ronan was quite brilliant in it (and one of my favorite performances of the year). In January 2011, she co-starred with Ed Harris, Jim Sturgess and Colin Farrell in Peter Weir’s The Way Back about Siberian gulag escapees who walk 400 miles to freedom in India.

Breakthrough:

Ronan’s big break came in 2007 with a supporting role in Joe Wright’s Atonement. She played the role of Briony Tallis (age 13). Jealous of her older sister’s relationship with Robbie, the handsome son of an employee of her parent’s house who she has a big crush on, she tells a lie that devastates their relationship. She spends the rest of her life trying to atone for her mistake. The film is brilliant, set during WWII in England. Ronan stars with James McAvoy and Keira Knightley, stealing the film a bit from these two very good actors. She is so good, in fact, that she was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Supporting Actress category. Her performance in the film got my attention, and I have been a fan ever since.

April Film:

In April, Ronan has her next great role – working again with Wright in the film Hanna. It is about a young girl who is trained by her father to be a cutthroat and unforgiving assassin all with the purpose of unleashing her on his rival, a ruthless CIA agent. Ronan stars as the title character. The film looks to be a great mix of action, thriller and drama genres in sort of a twisted coming-of-age story. It co-stars Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett, Olivia Williams, and Tom Hollander (who from the trailer looks to be awesome).

Upcoming:

Also in 2011, Ronan has another young assassin film – Violet & Daisy, about two teenage assassins who accept what they think will be an easy gig (but of course it is not). The film co-stars Alexis Bledel and Danny Trejo and is Geoffrey Fletcher’s directorial debut (he won a screenwriting Oscar for Precious). 2012 looks to be big year for her – she is up for roles in either The Hobbit: Part 1, directed by Peter Jackson, or Anne Karenina, directed by Joe Wright. It seems as though scheduling conflicts would keep her from doing both and some reports already have her as a confirmed cast member of The Hobbit (but either way, both are great opportunities, but I cannot help but be more excited for The Hobbit). With good working relationships with great directors like Jackson and Wright, there should be tons of wonderful projects in her future.


Career Highlights:

1.)    Atonement (2007) – supporting* [Blu-ray/DVD/Rent]
2.)    City of Ember (2008) – lead [DVD/Rent]
3.)    The Lovely Bones (2009) – lead [Blu-ray/DVD/Rent]
4.)    The Way Back (2011) – supporting [Blu-ray/DVD/Rent]
*Editor’s picks




What He’s Been In:

Culkin, 21, got his start in films alongside his older brothers, Macaulay and Kieran (often as their younger brother or version of their character), in the films The Good Son, Richie Rich and Igby Goes Down (in which he has a few good scenes with Bill Pullman). While he has had roles in Hollywood films as a more established actor (though, still young), like his supporting role in Signs, Culkin has found a good niche for himself in indy films, appearing in a number of good ones: The Chumscrubber, Lymelife (starring with his brother Kieran) and Twelve. He also had a role in Down in the Valley.

Breakthrough:

Culkin’s breakthrough came with his supporting work in 2000’s You Can Count on Me, about a single mother’s life that is thrown into turmoil when her troubled younger brother returns to town. Kenneth Lonergan’s film features strong scenes between Laura Linney and Culkin, which led to Culkin receiving a Young Artist Award for Supporting Actor and an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Newcomer. He got his first leading role in 2004’s Mean Creek, an excellent film about a teen bully who is lured into the woods with devious and tragic intentions. Jacob Aaron Estes’s film showcased fantastic performances from its young cast, especially Culkin and Carly Schroeder, garnering two Independent Spirit Awards – John Cassavetes Award and a Special Distinction Award for the ensemble cast.

April Film:

In April Culkin stars alongside Emma Roberts (another star to watch; it is also Culkin’s third film with Roberts), Hayden Panettiere, Erik Knudsen, and Lucy Hale among other young actors, veteran actors and returning cast members in Scream 4 (along with Culkin and Roberts, I am excited by Alison Brie and Kristen Bell being a part of the cast). The film is being positioned as a new generation take on the Scream franchise, but fans of the original trilogy will be happy as many cast members are returning (at least those still alive) and Wes Craven is directing. It should be a lot of fun for genre fans.

Upcoming:

In 2012, Culkin co-stars in Hick with a great cast: Chloe Grace Moretz (another star to watch), Blake Lively, Juliette Lewis, Alec Baldwin, and Eddie Redmayne. Reuniting with his Lymelife director Derick Martini, the film is about a Nebraska teen (played by Moretz) who decides to set out to Las Vegas. Once there, she releases that the city is more than just bright lights but dangerously uncharted for a young girl. Scream 4 being his first big Hollywood film since Signs, its success could see Culkin land more mainstream fare going forward.


Career Highlights:

1.)    Igby Goes Down (2002) – supporting* [DVD/Rent]
2.)    Signs (2002) – supporting [Blu-ray/DVD/Rent]
3.)    Mean Creek (2004) – lead* [DVD/Rent]
4.)    The Chumscrubber (2005) – supporting [DVD/Rent]
5.)    Lymelife (2008) – lead [Blu-ray/DVD/Rent]
6.)    Twelve (2010) – supporting [Blu-ray/DVD/Rent]
*Editor’s picks



What She’s Been In:

Gerwig, 27, wanted to be a playwright as she studied English and philosophy at Barnard College, but got into acting too when she took a minor role in Joe Swanberg’s LOL in 2006 while still in school. She also starred in his next two films Hannah Takes the Stairs and Nights and Weekends (both of which she co-wrote). Starring with Mark Dunlap in Hannah Takes the Stairs, she got a role in his next directed film with his brother JayBaghead. While still a very indy film, it did get some notoriety for the directing brothers and Gerwig. She also got a supporting role in the well-received indy horror film The House of the Devil. Early this year, she starred as Natalie Portman’s best friend in the romantic comedy No Strings Attached (her first Hollywood movie). While the film is entertaining but not great, there is a lot of funny material and moments highlighted by Gerwig’s performance, which is wonderful (she steals the film with not much screen time).

Breakthrough:

Gerwig’s more mainstream (but not totally) breakthrough came last year in Noah Baumbauch’s Greenberg, co-starring Ben Stiller. The film is about a New Yorker who moves to Los Angeles to figure out his life. He housesits for his brother and falls for his brother’s assistant (played by Gerwig). The film has fantastic performances from Stiller and Gerwig, and will probably best be remembered for launching her career into bigger roles (film critic A.O. Scott said she “may well be the definitive screen actress of her generation” based on her performance in the film) – and just like that, a star was born (at least for those that watch more indyish fare).

April Film:

In April Gerwig co-stars with Russell Brand in Arthur, a remake of the 1981 Dudley Moore film, about a man-child who stands to lose his very wealth inheritance when he falls for a woman his mother does not like. She suggests a more suitable arrangement. Thus, Arthur must decide if he wants to give up his life of luxury to take a chance on love. Gerwig plays his love interest, while Helen Mirren, Jennifer Garner, Nick Nolte, and Luis Guzman feature in supporting roles. The film looks like it could be potentially funny and entertaining (but probably not good), and at the least worth renting for Gerwig’s performance.

Upcoming:

Hopefully coming soon to DVD, Gerwig has Northern Comfort, about two strangers that cross paths on their way to Canada. She stars and co-wrote this indy film. Later this year, she stars in Damsels in Distress (taking a break from Hollywood comedies) by writer-director Whit Stillman (who is known for his very good film Metropolitan), about three girls who take it upon themselves to revolutionize life at a grungy East Coast university. The film co-stars Megalyn Echikunwoke and Carrie MacLemore, featuring supporting work from Analeigh Tipton, Adam Brody, Alia Shawkat, and Aubrey Plaza (from Parks and Recreation). While Gerwig has a good place for herself in indy films currently, I hope she finds a few good big projects in the future.


Career Highlights:

1.)    Baghead (2008) – lead [DVD/Rent]
2.)    The House of the Devil (2009) – supporting [Blu-ray/DVD/Rent]
3.)    Greenberg (2010) – supporting [Blu-ray/DVD/Rent]
4.)    No Strings Attached (2011) – supporting [Blu-ray/DVD/Rent]
*Editor’s picks

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