Colin Firth in trailer for GAMBIT

The IMDB summary syas "An art curator decides to seek revenge on his abusive boss by conning him into buying a fake Monet, but his plan requires the help of an eccentric and unpredictable Texas rodeo queen." Watch the trailer on the link below and judge for yourself - but my initial questions are why cast Cameron Diaz in the role? And what has happened to her lips? When I see trailers like this I always wonder whether these are tne only gags in the movie, or just a few of the best..... hmmm is Colin selling out? What do you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIBBZLxnQDE

Why we're all buying Downton clothes!

Why am I not surprised that Downton-inspired fashion is flying off the shelves? From Flapper style dresses to vintage underwear, we all want a piece of it! Southampton and Luton are the top two towns in the UK for sales of 1920s inspired garments, and
The Daily Mail writes that most women want to emulate the dresses worn by Lady Mary Crawley.
Who do you want to look like? I'm torn between the elegance of her mother and the smooth lines of the 1920's, but in truth I'd settle for ANY of the sister's frocks...!
The Daily Mail writes;
"Figures from Littlewoods show that since the third series started sales of flapper style dresses have increased by 40%, traditional ruffle blouses shot up by 109% and even men are buying in to the trend with tweed and cord blazer sales rising a massive 146%.

And over half of those polled by the fashion brand said they would love to go back to the 1920s to sample life during this fashionable period."

You can view a selection of the best flapper dresses on the High Street here...http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/photos/the-best-flapper-dresses-on-the-high-street-slideshow/flap-photo-1331896965.html#crsl=%252Fphotos%252Fthe-best-flapper-dresses-on-the-high-street-slideshow%252Fdress-photo-1331813463.html

 

COLIN FIRTH in new film

Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman are starring in a new film THE RAILWAY MAN based on the true story of ex POW Eric Lomax. Lomax wrote the book of the same name, telling of his suffering as a young Scottish POW on the Burma railway and how, with the help of his wife, he travelled back to Asia to meet one of his torturers in an attempt let go of a lifetime of bitterness and hate.

Colin Firth met with an elderly couple from Berwick on Tweed as he tried to get to grips with the character - and he admits that he struggled to get inside Lomax's head. Speaking about the plot he said, "Just about any era you could name could be held to be famous for its brutality and devilish tortures. Sadly, I can't envisage a time when it won't be relevant. I think what is not often addressed is the effect over time. We do sometimes see stories about what it's like coming home from war, we very rarely see stories about what it's like decades later. This is not just a portrait of suffering. It's about relationships… how that damage interacts with intimate relationships, with love."
Kidman co-stars as Lomax's wife Patti.
The film is now in post-production and we're looking forward to the release later this year.

New film location exhibition REAL to REEL

Visitors to Osterley Park in West London can now take a journey through the television and film productions shot at Osterley over the years. The exhibition explores over 50 years of filming at Osterley Park and House. Television and film productions shot at Osterley include Miss Potter (2009) An Alligator Named Daisy, starring Diana Dors, the Grass is Greener starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, and the latest Batman.

The National Trust says on its website "It’s not just actors and directors who deserve a standing ovation for their film performances. A number of our majestic houses and glorious gardens have provided the backdrop for some great film and TV performances.
Osterley Park and House, in West London, are celebrating their involvement in over 50 years on the silver screen with their exhibition, Real to Reel."

Is Highclere Castle falling out with ITV?

There are rumours of a fall out between the owners of Highclere Castle and ITV who make the series Downton Abbey. Personally I dont think there's half a chance that the series will relocate as the Castle is now dependent on the revenue and there is no willingness to extend the public opening season or event availability. Also Julian Feloowes is a personal frined of the Carnarvons and wrote the series with Highclere in mind after his earlier script for Gosford Park was filmed elsewhere. All a storm in a teacup?

The Hertfirdshire Mercury (sourcing the Daily Mirror) writes...
'Downton Abbey' producers and the owners of Highclere Castle have fallen out in a row over visitors.
The TV series - starring Dame Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville and Michelle Dockery - has made the venue in Hampshire increasingly popular with tourists, but the numbers of people coming through has caused a problem for film crews.
A source said: "The public days got firmly in the way of filming and caused much upset. The irony is that the place has grown enormously popular because of 'Downton' and yet it's this very popularity that is causing the problem."
The show's creator Julian Fellowes is now keen to press to the owners that it is important they can shoot in privacy when they need to.
She added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Julian could press home the idea that they could shift the show to a new home at any time. I imagine they'll be rather more accommodating next year."
Part of the latest series has seen an economic problem hit the estate, meaning there is potential for them to move locations.

David Tennant in Much Ado for USA viewers

If you weren't lucky enough to see the amazing David Tennant production of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING live on stage then you can download the entire play online. Click here for the link. I can't tell you how great Tennant is in HAMLET too, the RSC production that you can watch on DVD. This man is one of our greatest actors - in our humble opinion!

http://www.david-tennant.com/index.html
The BBC review of Tennant's Hamlet reads;
"He seized the role of the young man haunted by his father's ghost with both hands and ran with it. Literally.At first he is reserved. His hair is swept back and as stiff as his demeanour as his uncle Claudius marries his mother, Gertrude. Standing under the crystal chandeliers he is seemingly oblivious to the celebrations around him.But when he crouches to the floor, alone, and gripped by unbearable despair, his grief and rage overwhelm.And it's not long before Tennant's more familiar, frenetic acting comes to the fore.In an early scene where he encounters his father's ghost, some of his expressions - the bulging-eyed fear, the bared teeth and furrowed brow - are reminiscent of the Doctor.He races about the stage with ease - all lanky limbs and boyish energy - switching seamlessly between sanity, feigned madness and humour.In many of the scenes Tennant is barefoot, which adds to the intimacy of the play. The costumes too are pared-down and modern.It is, perhaps, the first time Hamlet has worn a Parka jacket and beanie hat. Tennant carries it off with quirky aplomb.

Tennant also uses his hair to great theatrical effect. From the sleek combed-back style of his first scene, he ruffles it to display despair, rage and madness. It deserves a credit of its very own.

Overall, his performance is undoubtedly mesmerising. What he lacks in emotional intensity, he makes up for with wit, humour and stirring energy.Tennant is at his best, though, when he allows his full dramatic force to take over. The scene in Gertrude's bedroom when he challenges her on her "incestuous" bed is menacingly powerful.And he delivers the play's most famous lines without fanfare. They are there, subtle and seamless."

 

Downton Abbey PREQUEL is coming.

Now this is good news for me - I'm getting less interested in Downton as history moves forward (is that sacrilege?) so I'm thrilled Julian Fellowes is talking about writing a prequel. Speaking to the BBC he says, "I do actually have an idea of doing a prequel of the courtship of Robert and Cora, when all those American heiresses were arriving in London.

"They had a slightly troubled courtship, because she was in love with him before they married, as we know, and he married her entirely for her money," said Fellowes, speaking at the Bafta Screenwriters' Lecture series.

"I sort of feel there's something quite nice in there because he's a decent cove, and so he feels rather guilty about this which has affected their marriage beyond that."
Think of the wonderful costumes mmmmm