Ellen Page Announces She’s Gay at LGBT Event
Juno and Inception star Ellen Page announced that she is gay at the Human Rights Campaign’s Time To Thrive Conference event in Las Vegas. During an emotionally charged speech the acclaimed 26 year old actress boldly declared
“I’m here today because I am gay and because maybe I can make a difference To help others have an easier and more hopeful time. Regardless, for me, I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility. I am Tired of hiding and I am tired of lying by omission. I suffered for years because I was scared to be out. My spirit suffered my mental health suffered and my relationships suffered. And I’m standing here today with all of you, on the other side of all that pain.”
Speaking about the pressure she felt following her breakthrough performance in indie hit Juno Page said :
“It’s weird because here I am, an actress, representing at least in some sense an industry that places crushing standards on all of us. Not just young people, but everyone. Standards of beauty. Of a good life. Of success. Standards that, I hate to admit, have affected me. You have ideas planted in your head, thoughts you never had before, that tell you how you have to act, how you have to dress and who you have to be. I have been trying to push back, to be authentic, to follow my heart, but it can be hard.”
Page joins a surprising minority of public figures in film and sport to publicly come out, with her eight minute speech drawing massive online support from fans and fellow stars alike.
Watch the full 8 minute speech below:
The Monuments Men Review
The Plot:
Monuments Men is inspired by the extraordinary but often forgotten true story of the unlikely team of soldiers who battled on the front lines of WWII to rescue the world’s artistic masterpieces from Nazi theft and the devastation of war. Racing behind enemy lines these passionate museum curators and art lovers turned soldiers raced to preserve 1000 years of culture by protecting mankind’s greatest achievements
The Good:
Directed by leading man George Clooney, The Monument’s Men boasts an impressive all-star cast that includes Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Jean Dujardin, John Goodman and Cate Blanchett. The well-known ensemble deliver predictably accomplished if understated performances, which keep a contemplative script watchable and compelling. Solid supporting work from Hugh Bonneville and Bob Babalan in particular add some sincere heart and humour to a tale of unexpected heroism.
George Clooney balances writing and directing responsibilities with a typically assured on camera performance. Lending his thoughtful gravel voiced charms to the role of group leader for the impassioned ‘Monuments Men’. Clooney’s directing style continues to reflect the well-considered poise that distinguishes him as an actor and permeates many of his performances, including this one.
Though the film never delves too deeply into the violent chaos of war, it dose inflict poignant loses on its heroes that injects elements of danger and uncertainty, particularly as the film reaches it’s increasingly urgent climax.
Acclaimed composer Alexandre Desplat provides a beautiful soundtrack which is vital in evoking the subtle emotional tone of the film. This music often entirely transforms scenes by providing invaluable depth to the frequent moments of otherwise quiet reflection that frequently punctuates the film.
While the film is neither a hilarious heist flick nor a sweeping war epic, it sits somewhere between those two extremes vaguely in the spirit of The Great Escape or The Dirty Dozen. Taking it’s time to tell a story filled with a perhaps surprising amount of optimism.
The Bad:
The Monuments Men suffers under an inevitable weight of critical expectations given its intriguing subject matter and luminous cast.
Those anticipating a jaunty high spirited comedy caper may find the films methodical pace and often muted tone somewhat unsatisfying. Likewise those hoping for a heart-breaking and emotionally charged account of one of the most devastating periods of human history may find the film perhaps lacks the scale and intensity required.
A calculated marketing campaign pitching the film as Ocean’s 11 goes to war, overstates the film’s credentials as a ‘heist’ movie and outright comedy. It misleads audiences even if the actual film itself may not ultimately disappoint them.
The Ugly Truth:
The Monuments Men might lack the awards grabbing showmanship many critics anticipated but it remains an enjoyable and easily watched wartime adventure, filled with a assured performances from a well assembled A-List cast.
Check out video interviews below with the full cast and author of the book which inspired the film:
Brick Mansions Paul Walker Trailer
The first official trailer for the late Paul Walker’s final finished film Brick Mansions has been released. The film is a faithful English language remake of French cult classic District B13.
Transporting the action from the slums of Paris to Detroit in the near future, the new film see’s Walker playing an undercover cop who enters a crime ridden walled off area of the city in order to find and disarm a deadly bomb. He reluctantly enlists the help of acrobatic thief Lino, played by parkour founder David Belle who reprises his role from the original film. The pair struggle to complete their dangerous mission while avoiding the wrath of a ruthless local crime lord played by rap star RZA.
The trailer reveals plenty of action and humor to satisfy fans of Walker who died tragically last year. Although Brick Mansions is his last fully finished film, he will of course be appearing in the next instalment of The Fast and Furious franchise which is due to be released next year.
Brick Mansions is released in US cinemas April 25th. No UK release date has been announced yet. Check out the trailer below
Tammy Teaser Trailer for Melissa McCarthy
The first teaser trailer for Bridesmaids star Melissa McCarthy’s new comedy has been released online. McCarthy plays the titular character in Tammy co written by McCarthy and her husband, Ben Falcone, who also directs. It boasts a supporting cast including Dan Aykroyd and Kathy Bates.
The film finds McCarthy playing an ordinary woman who’s life quickly spirals out of control when she gets fired and discovers her husband is having an affair on the same day. Prompting an ill-advised road trip with her foul mouthed grandmother, played by Susan Sarandon.
If the teaser is anything to go by, it looks like McCarthy is back to her bumbling best after the disappointing Identity Thief. We’ll have to wait till July 4th to find out though.
Check out the trailer below:
The Purge Anarchy Official Trailer
The sequel to 2013’s thriller hit, The Purge has released the first trailer. James DeManco returns to write and direct The Purge: Anarchy. This time around, the action takes place on a bigger scale, moving away from the first instalment’s restricted house setting and into the streets of LA where the threat is even higher. Frank Grillo (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) and Kiele Sanchez (30 Days Of Night) star as a couple who end up in the midst of the yearly event in which for 12 hours, all crime is legal.
The Purge: Anarchy is released in cinemas July 2nd. Check out the trailer below:
Also check out our review of the first instalment here: