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Review | The BBC adapts a novel about a mom who used to be a spy
BBC adapts a William Boyd novel about a mom used to be a spy. Her daughter is, well, surprised.
By SARA SMITH
The Kansas City Star
The Kansas City Star
Atwell’s character uses several aliases during Sundance’s new three-hour miniseries, beginning her journey as Eva Delectorskaya, a Russian emigré in Paris. When her brother is murdered by fascists, a British agent recruits her, sweeping her into a fascinating whirlwind of intense schooling. When she asks her mentor Lucas (Rufus Sewell) what to do without a firearm in dangerous situations, he tells her, “Use your intuition. Use your animal instincts.”
With or without guns, we know Eva survives the war, because we’ve already met her as a recent widow living in a countryside cottage straight out of “Howards End.” But her days have none of the afternoon teas or petty class concerns of an E.M. Forster novel. She’s been looking over her shoulder, living as Sally Gilmartin for 30 years with her identity successfully hidden, but now someone is watching her.
The forceful Sally, played with unsettling reserve by Charlotte Rampling, is not about to play defense with the shadowy figures skulking in her woods. She makes the decision to confide in her grown daughter Ruth (Michelle Dockery of “Downton Abbey”), who is understandably incredulous.
“Suddenly I’m half-Russian?” she says, before her mother shocks her further by speaking her native language over coffee. After a few scary encounters of her own, Ruth quickly realizes that Mom might be paranoid, but that doesn’t mean no one’s after her.
A joint production by the BBC and Sundance, adapted by William Boyd from his novel, “Restless” reveals Sally’s history to Ruth and the audience on a need-to-know basis, bouncing back and forth between 1939 and 1976. Introducing Eva’s wartime collaborators amid Europe’s politics during the first years of the war could have muddled the project quickly, but the script, directed by Edward Hall of “MI-5,” succeeds — as long as proper attention is paid.
This is not a show for background entertainment while folding laundry; it demands active engagement, and the payoff is worth it. As a coming-of-age story, an action movie and a spy mystery, “Restless” makes no allowance for disinterested or dull-witted viewing. It’s also a romance, with Lucas seducing his recruit in the calculated, reticent manner that only the British can get away with.
Despite the distractions of her affair, Eva sharpens her skills as an operative during an often-overlooked period. Before the United States joined the Allied forces, a desperate Britain was playing every card in the deck to try to sway public opinion in isolationist America. Eva plants international news reports for a while, but parts of her training — call them trash cans, not dust bins — make it obvious she’s headed stateside.
When she arrives in the fall of 1941, as far as the FDR’s America is concerned, she is the enemy, an invader on U.S. soil who must dodge the FBI as well as agents from other countries. None of them know that the Japanese will soon save the British a lot of trouble by bombing Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 71 years to the day before “Restless” premieres.
What was billed as a routine courier job in New Mexico puts Eva’s life on the line, and her immediate suspicions reveal a true talent for the game. “Restless” doesn’t cheapen her adventure with extended shootouts or explosions, let alone James Bond-style car chases and nifty gadgets. Eva has no one she can turn to. Her wits are her only weapon.
Atwell gets more screen time than Rampling, but the actresses’ confident performances meld seamlessly into a singular feminist hero. Ruth, a self-sufficient single mother in her own right, eventually puts herself in harm’s way to help Sally solve her final puzzle. But at the end, she can only watch as her mother manages her own affairs, shotgun in hand.
After years of cryptic exchanges in hotel lobbies, gunfire in the dark woods and pillows used as silencers, Eva has learned her lessons, and she passes them on to her daughter: Trust no one else. Trust only your instincts.
More here
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21-years old Texan Laura O’Neall : Zoltan Tombor [Nero Homme] 2012
Laura O’Neall: My mom signed me up for a back-to-school fashion show for JC Penny’s when I was 6 years old and I just loved it. I thought it was like dance and ballet and just pirouetted down the runway. Later on I was signed to an agency in Houston, but there really wasn’t a whole lot of work. Then I later moved to NYC and signed with AIM Model Management.
Q: Unfortunately, there is a stereotype that models are not intelligent, and that they are just walking coat hangers that use their great looks to make a lot of money. How do you feel about that perception?
Laura O’Neall: Every one stereotypes or prejudges another person for a variety of reasons and you cannot control that. I don’t let a lot people, until I get to know them well, know that I am model because people have mixed feelings about modeling as a career choice. I would rather people get accustomed to my personality first and realize that I am not the negative model stereotype. I am not modeling to have a fast, glamorous life; if that is why someone enters the industry they won’t last very long. I love fashion and I want to have a long career.
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| her body structure is much more suited to nude modeling than strutting on the catwalk. |
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Italian model Valentina Bizzotto photographed by Marco Michieletto.
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Carina Lima : José Ferreira
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FEMEN attack
from Femen vimeo site
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Leaked General Petraeus Sex Tape
Wikileaks recovered a tape earlier this week that contains damning evidence of the multiple –MULTIPLE– breaches of national security perpetrated by CIA director David Petraeus.
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TV: HBO Develops Neil Gaiman's 'American Gods' into 6-Season TV Series; Gaiman Currently Penning the Script
HBO is currently developing Neil Gaiman's acclaimed novel, "American Gods" into a TV series. The plan is to have a six-season run, which will have ten to twelve episodes, approximately forty-million dollars in budget and a ton load of - hopefully - skillful use of CG. American Gods is targeting a premiere some time next year, which explains how Gaiman is already working on the script.
The novel, which was a massive success in both commercial and critical airwaves, received a lot of good comments from critics and awards from gigantic cultural initiatives. It's a depiction of Gods and other myth figures living on modern society, whose powers greatly depend on how much belief people put upon them. Greco-Roman, Nordic, Hindu, Egyptian, and Judeo-Christian pantheons will be in sight, but the book sprung up some new figures to eye on, which what makes the series - personally speaking - exciting.
Tom Hanks (Cloud Atlas) and producer Gary Goetzman (Larry Crowne) are involved and taking production job, which only mean their production company Playtone should appear around somewhere.
Gaiman, as aforementioned is penning the script and via Twitter, he announced that he's at work on the pilot episode script, which means we're in full swing. As HBO novel book-to-small screen deals go, fans have every reason to celebrate as dirty elements such as sex, violence and drugs shall be around, especially if we think about how they went with popular adaptations like The Game of Thrones and True Blood.
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MoreHorror Exclusive: 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' Leading Lady, Heather Langenkamp Interview
Interviewed by Michael Juvinall Heather Langenkamp is a remarkable woman. She is best known for playing Nancy Thompson, the lead in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). Her portrayal of a teenager being attacked in her dreams, then for real by a dead, severely burned, child murderer was nothing short of groundbreaking for that era. At a time when the vast majority of scream queens in horror films of that time period were either playing the helpless victim or the eye candy, Heather’s “Nancy” was a strong, no-nonsense fighter who wouldn’t roll over and die. She took on the plight of teenagers in America, helping to portray them as strong and self-reliant, and showing they need to be heard and understood.
Heather played the role of Nancy Thompson in three of the Nightmare films, A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987), and playing herself as Nancy Thompson in Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994). She was an executive producer and narrator on the documentary, Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (2010) and producer on her autobiographical film I Am Nancy (2011) about her unique experiences playing the teenage heroine Nancy Thompson.
She also starred in the popular TV sitcom Just the Ten of Us (1988-90) playing the super smart Marie Lubbock, who had seven other siblings and their misadventures. These days along with acting, Heather works alongside her husband, special makeup effects wizard David Anderson in their own effects shop, creating special makeup effects for such films as Dawn of the Dead (2004), The Cabin in the Woods (2011), and the upcoming Star Trek sequel Into Darkness (2013).
Read on as I sit down and chat with Heather about A Nightmare on Elm Street, Nancy Thompson, and more!
Michael Juvinall: We're here at the Days of the Dead horror convention in Chicago. Do you enjoy going to the conventions and meeting your fans?
Heather Langenkamp: Some weekends you're not really looking forward to getting out of town or there's a really fun event you're going to be missing, and I say "Gosh, I wish I wasn't going", but by the time Saturday or even Friday night rolls around, you're so glad you came. Folks have a way of really making you feel great about what you've done and the parts you play.
MJ: What do you get asked the most at the conventions?
HL: “What was it like to kiss Johnny Depp?” definitely the most popular question. The second most popular is probably, “Have you ever had any nightmares from making these movies?”, so those are the two biggest questions I get.
MJ: Do you stay in touch with any of the members of the cast?
HL: I see Amanda (Wyss) a lot, and then Robert (Englund) and I see each other quite frequently at the conventions. We stay in touch on the phone and by email. Those two are my closest friends that have remained. A lot of the kids from Nightmare 3, we love seeing each other. I worked with Brooke Theiss on Just the Ten of Us and she's often at Nightmare conventions too. There are just a lot of people I get to see because I come to these.MJ: How did playing the role of Nancy Thompson change your life?
HL: When I first played her, I thought it was just another role. It didn't have much of an impact on me in the beginning but I'd say now, 25 years later, it's become the role for which I'm known. It's very important; I don't think I'd be invited to these events without her that's for sure. I think the movie itself has become a classic. I had little to do with that, it's all about the fans and their love of Freddy Kreuger and making that happen.
MJ: Are you surprised that even today how popular the Nightmare on Elm Street films are, especially the original?
HL: It's way more popular now than it was 25 years ago, believe me. It was a very small movie back then and very few people saw it. I had a hard time getting even my agent or anybody to go see it because it really wasn't up anybody's alley back then. Horror has really become a staple of American filmmaking; the fans are probably the most loyal fans you can have. That combination has made this kind of role an unusual miracle in the film world.
MJ: What is one of your fondest memories from working on the Nightmare on Elm Street films?
HL: Working with Robert, we always had such a good time in our scenes together when we were fighting. Choreographing scenes around my bedroom, those I've always loved the most. I'm a person who really loves athletics and am a physical person and doing those scenes with him was always the high point of the movies for me.
MJ: Can you tell me a little about your film 'I Am Nancy'?
HL: Well, because of going to these conventions, I started asking my fans some questions about why they cared so much about A Nightmare on Elm Street and why they love Freddy so much. I approached it from the point of view of Freddy's so popular, why isn't Nancy equally as popular? It's pretty clear when you go around the vendor hall that Freddy is the important character. I asked a question about what does it mean to be a hero and is it clichéd even to have a hero anymore?
What I discovered is that people really love Nancy because she's so strong and she faced her fears against Freddy and was able to win a lot of the battles against him by just being willing to attack him and fight with him. I use that as my theme of the movie, it's a love letter to my fans for teaching me more about Nancy than I ever really knew myself.
MJ: Your role as Nancy helped to create new roles for women as strong female characters, rather than just being the victim, how does that make you feel?
HL: I'm not sure if she started it. I really looked at her not so much as a woman but as a teenager because I think society has done a disservice to teenagers, we put them in front of TV's and give them little things to play with because nobody really wants to engage them or take their input. I think Nancy was one of the first teenagers who had to fight for herself because none of the grownups would. I look at that as her message more than her being a girl or being a feminine character.
MJ: You also work with your husband (David Anderson) doing makeup effects on films. Do you like doing that as much as acting?HL: Acting is always my first love but the bad side of acting has to deal with all the rejection, the self-doubt and the problems with a woman growing older in this business when they don't really appreciate what happens naturally to a woman's face and body. You're constantly battling someone’s conception of beauty that I don't think is very realistic. As a counterpoint, I really like working with my husband because I can be me and I don't have to be worried about how I look that day.
MJ: He's a great makeup effects artist.
HL: Yes he really is. I've learned so much about filmmaking from being in the makeup and effects world and the more I learn, the more I really like being behind the camera.
MJ: You have a small role in the upcoming Star Trek film, what else do you have coming up that you can talk about?
HL: I can't really say I have a role but I did participate, my husband designed all the makeup effects for that film. I did a small film called The Butterfly Room a couple of years back that's getting released next year with Barbara Steele playing my mother. I love the story but I haven't seen it so I can't really say what kind of movie it's going to be but I know it's been getting some good reviews in Europe at some festivals these last few months. I get to play a mother in another film called Home, but I don't know when that's going to be released. I am trying to do more acting, I do love it.
MJ: I hope to see you in more films coming up. I want to thank you so much for taking time away from meeting your fans to talk with me. I wish you so much luck for the future; you've been so gracious with me.
HL: Thank you, thank you very much.
For more information on Heather Langenkamp’s film I Am Nancy, check out the official website
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BROADWAY BARES 23 Set for June 23, 2013; Tickets on Sale Today!
Broadway Bares, the unrivaled evening of sexy striptease that benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, will return for its 23rd edition on Sunday, June 23, 2013, at Roseland Ballroom (239 West 52nd Street, NYC). Tickets go on sale today, November 27. This always sold-out annual event combines the naughtiness of burlesque and the razzle-dazzle of Broadway. More than 200 of the hottest male and female dancers in New York City take to the stage for two sensational shows at 9:30 PM and midnight. This year's director, theme, and special guests will be announced in the spring.
The 2013 Broadway Bares season will officially kick off Sunday, January 27, when Broadway Bares: Winter Burlesque heats up XL Nightclub (512 West 42nd Street, NYC). Sure to cure anyone's winter blues, Broadway Bares: Winter Burlesque will recreate last summer's Fire Island Pines sensation, Broadway Bares: Beach Burlesque. More than 25 of Broadway Bares' sexiest dancers will offer a sizzling collection of choreographed stripteases. The show will be followed by Bares' famous "rotation" where the performers freestyle dance for donations.
The 2013 Bares season will continue with Broadway Bares: Solo Strips in May and Broadway Bares: Fire Island in early June before concluding with Broadway Bares 23 on June 23.
Tickets for Broadway Bares 23 and Broadway Bares: Winter Burlesque are on sale now at broadwaycares.org or by calling 212-840-0770, ext. 268.
Prices for Broadway Bares range from $65-$750. VIP tickets include open bar and special viewing areas. Also available is the exclusive "Stripper Spectacular" package, which includes a reserved table seat at either show, admission to a private cocktail party with Broadway Bares creator Jerry Mitchell, a backstage tour, and more.
For Broadway Bares: Winter Burlesque, reserved table seats are $100 ($75 of which is tax deductible). There is a two-drink minimum per person at reserved tables. General admission standing tickets are available for $25.
Broadway Bares was created in 1992 by Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde), who serves as executive producer. It is produced by and benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Last year's Broadway Bares XXII: Happy Endings raised a record-breaking $1,254,176, the highest total of any edition of Bares. The first Broadway Bares featured seven dancers stripping on a bar and raised more than $8,000. To date, the 22 editions of Broadway Bares have raised more than $9.8 million for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
The presenting sponsor of Broadway Bares is M•A•C VIVA Glam, with generous support from BC/EFA corporate partner United Airlines.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 BC/EFA has raised more than $225 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.
Broadway Cares awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations nationwide and is the major supporter of the social service programs at The Actors Fund, including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative and the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic.
For more information, please visit Broadway Cares online at broadwaycares.org, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/BCEFA, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/BCEFA and pin us on Pinterest at pinterest.com/BCEFA.
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Police investigate Hai Phong’s teen sex clip
VietNamNet Bridge - A teen couple had sex in the toilet and filmed by a cell phone. The clip was uploaded to Facebook. The police are tracing the one who posted the sex clip. |
| A picture cut from the clip. |
The characters in this video are said to be high school students in the northern port city of Hai Phong. Not long after it was posted on a Facebook page, which is believed to belong to the boy in the clip, the page was removed. However, the clip has been shared widely.
Many people commented that the girl in this clip was "foolish", "indecent" and the clip would affect her future. Many other made rude comments and criticized the girl.
Director of the Education and Training Hai Department of Hai Phong City, Mr. Do The Hung said a high school in the city has confirmed that the girl in the clip is a former student. The girl quitted school and is about to get married.
Senior Lieutenant Colonel Pham Duy, Director of Hai Phong Public Security Bureau, said the local police are investigating the case to identify the characters in the clip and the one who posted it on the Internet.
"We must consider the motives and reasons for launching this clip," Dien said.
A person who spreads porn movies can be handled on charges of spreading depraved cultural products as being defined in Article 253 of the Criminal Code. Those who commit this act can be sentenced from six months’ probation to 15 years in prison.
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Girls Season 2: Trailer #1
This is very promising:
Allison has been losing weight like crazy. Perhaps preparing for her first nude scene? Even nip-slip will be a massive gift for me.
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* the new Paul Verhoeven? A talent to watch out for...
by Benjamin Walter
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Veena Malik’s raunchy MMS leaked
Controversy’s favorite child Veena Malik has hit the headlines again. This time for a leaked raunchy MMS video that has gone viral on You Tube and other video sharing websites now-a-days. .
In the MMS video, which appears to be shot somewhere in darkness, the Bollywood bombshell has been seen kissing and cuddling Rajan Verma enthusiastically.Some steamy noises in the one minute six seconds video have made it more sizzling. The MMS was leaked and uploaded a couple of days ago. Here check out the video.
Veena Malik left no stone unturned to sit on top of the headlines. Last week she grabbed the spotlight by locking the lips with Hemant Madhukar, the director of her forthcoming Hindi movie Mumbai 125, on stage.
Veena Malik, who emerged as most controversial actress of Pakistan after doing a nude photo shoot for India’s FHM magazine, earlier remained associated with banned cricketer Mohammad Asif and Big Boss fellow Ashmit Patel.
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You have read this article Allison Williams /
Hayley Atwell /
HBO's Girls /
Katie McGrath
with the title stars, sex and nudity buzz : 11/30/2012. You can bookmark this page URL https://renelyons.blogspot.com/2012/11/stars-sex-and-nudity-buzz-11302012.html. Thanks!
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