Exciting stuff this week: Olympics, Movie Trailers, Lana Del Rey

I've been getting really jazzed up about some upcoming movies:

1) The Hobbit
Why? because, like, it's The Hobbit.  with Peter Jackson & Co.  and Martin Freeman.  and everyone else.  and I no longer need to be depressed because that phenomenon called LOTR is over.

2) Anna Karenina

Why?  Although I haven't in the past been a fan of Joe Wright's work, one thing you can say for his repertoire is that his movies are GORGEOUS.  I have already watched this trailer 10 times because it is so pretty.  Also I like Keira Knightley, and a LOT of the supporting cast.  I got about halfway through the book a couple years ago, so now I've got to hurry up and finish it before the movie comes out and gets me all confused.

3) On the Road

Why?  It is so exciting: someone adapting On the Road. Sam Riley is pretty intense, so I'm really eager to see what he comes up with.  And whoa! check out the rest of the cast! It's kinda scary!

I'm also trying to finish this one before the movie comes out, and it's proving remarkably difficult!  Although there are beautiful parts of it that I love so much, there are other parts that seem to drag on--- so it's a weird rollercoaster of love and despondency with me.  I've had to return it to the library twice now to avoid fines!

4) Cloud Atlas

Why?  Ben Wishaw.  That, and check out the trailer.  I don't know what is going on there, but man, I want to be there to witness it!

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Only problem is that none of the movies is coming out for what feels like AGES!!! October, November, December, unknown . . . (sigh). . .

So I'm getting myself psyched for something a little more imminent: the OLYMPICS!  Or more specifically the opening ceremonies, which I always find really fascinating.  It's pretty special that every two years we get a chance to see what happens when a country pulls out all the stops to present it's cultural and national identity.  And since I love the Brits and Danny Boyle is directing the whole show, I'm pretty psyched.  (Rumors of a 40 ft Lord Voldemort?  JK Rowling, I freaking hate you.  You freaking got one of your fictional characters into the Olympics, that's how iconic your creations are.)

Also, there is the music they are putting out for this thing.  It's the perfect dose of epicness to get you pumped for the big day!

Survival by Muse

Theme for Velodrome by The Chemical Brothers

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In other news, Lana Del Rey has been my concentration music of the week for some reason.  Here is her new video for 'Summertime Sadness'  featuring the beautiful cryer Jamie King.  Warning: it's a mesmerizing very SAD video, in case you couldn't guess.

Beautiful People

Maybe my strong dislike is now being manifested as suppressed affinity, but she just looks so classy in this outfit. It is impossible not to like her. I cheer her on as she steps out for the premiere of her boyfriend RPatz's new film (Daily Mail). I am glad she finally gets to show off her beauty and her boyfriend.

And this kindling of esteem for ole K Stewart must have made me look with more admiration upon Kiera Knightley, of whom I've gotten incredibly sick over the years. But she is really cool in Bend It Like Beckham and she look lovely here at the Laurence Olivier Award nominee luncheon party (jezebel.com).

In other news, isn't it sweet: Carrie Mulligan and Shia Lebeouf are dating (jezebel.com). Cuteness!

More love for film critics

NY Times' A. O. Scott entertained me this weekend with his excellent review of Nine. Although in no way does it inspire one to go see the film, quite the opposite, the review's clever turn of phrase and witty remarks are more than an adequate substitute.

Scott brands the film: "a busy, gaudy fuss," "an impressive feat of casting . . . assembled in the service of [a] dubious and incoherent cause," and "a fatal lack of inspiration." In short it is "a mess." Even poor Daniel Day Lewis "comes off as a jerk, a compulsive liar and seeker of attention — and, in spite of the sports cars, the cigarettes and the occasional run-in with the Roman Catholic Church, not really very Italian at all."

Some highlights from the reviews:

"Ms. Cotillard attains a measure of wounded dignity as Louisa, Guido’s former leading lady and much-betrayed wife. She is not spared the striptease obligations that fall to every other female character."

"Ms. Ferguson stomps and gyrates through a number called “Be Italian,” which, like so much else in “Nine,” resembles a spread in a Victoria’s Secret catalog, only less tasteful."

And to top it off, he draws attention to one of the film's most gaudy excesses by titling the piece: There will be Lingerie (Singing, Too). Scott is certainly a credit to the profession with this one.

In other news:

Taylor Swift lined up to play Supergirl? Oh God, please no. I know everyone loves her and she is basically Tinkerbell with more hair and even more glitter but can we please draw the line some where? And dare I even mention how much muscle mass she would have to gain to be the least bit credible as an action hero?

Want to see something really scary? Watch this. Can we please wait until he has done something critically-acclaimed (and no, that does not count the MTV Movie Awards) before we start making animal sacrifices and get Zeus to adopt him?

I must confess I am rather glad that Kiera Knightely is getting less than rave reviews in her stage debut in The Misanthrope (which co-stars Damien Lewis by the way). She avoids incineration but the Daily Mail describes her performance as "little better than adequate" and the Guardian, though more kindly toward the Mail's "elegant mannequin" ponders: So she's a beautiful young movie star playing a beautiful young movie star … Does that count as acting? Maybe this will be enough to stop her remake of My Fair Lady. One can only hope.

For those who like Brian Cox, Hamlet or toddlers, enjoy this video.

Finally, St. Trinian's: The Legend of Fritton's Gold came out this weekend in the UK. Let's wish the girls luck and hope they give David Tennant a proper hard time.