Toni Collette Refreshed!

It looks like Toni Colette has done something to her face now that she's coming back to TV. Here's the evidence.

I wish she'd make more movies. She is so fantastic in the just released The Way, Way Back. Nobody needs to see this CBS show she's making. But girl's gotta work and unless Blanchett, Winslet, Kidman, Weisz turn it down she's not getting it.

I prefer to remember that master acting class scene she had with Julianne Moore in The Hours. Here's a taste and hope to see you in something great soon, Toni.

12 Years A Slave - Chiwetel Please Become Uibiqutous

The Internet is abuzz with reactions to the trailer to 12 Years A Slave (2013) that dropped yesterday. I wanted to join the party celebrating one of my most anticipated movies of the year. My enthusiasm has much to do with Chiwetel Ejiofor. 

I have loved him for years. I don't know when it started, probably around Dirty Pretty Things (2002) where he was so understated yet powerfully emotional. He seemed to be be on the brink for breaking out forever. Not Woody Allen, not Ridley Scott, not Alfonso Cuaron quite did it for Chewitel. Hopefully this collaboration with Steve McQueen will be just the ticket.

And of course this movie being the 3rd attempt by McQueen and Fassy to prove they are the best contemporary actor/director combo s another reason to celebrate. May they continue to try ruling our cinematic world.

The trailer itself looks good despite being completely cut to sell the movie as the most Oscar bait of the Oscar season i.e. obvious and we seen it before. Still it showcases both Ejiofor and Fassbender in a couple of good moments. I've always thought that Brad Pitt is a mediocre actor but can be magnetic onscreen when given the "right" star turn. Think Thelma and Louise (1991) or The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008). Here's hoping he doesn't pull us out of this harrowing story with his amateurish attempts at emoting. The movie looks to be giving a lot of actors of color opportunities at meaty moments, which is always something to celebrate.

Here's hoping the movie is as good as it promises and that Chiwetel finally becomes the major actor we've all been waiting for.

She demands our attention! Elizabeth Debicki in The Great Gatsby

Debicki in The Great Gatsby

So far in 2013 there have been a few performances that I liked. But there has only been one that made me sit up straight in my seat almost shouting "Who's that?” That is Elizabeth Debicki in The Great Gatsby. It is a combination of having not seen her in anything before plus a certain screen magnetism that heralded in my mind that a star was born. 

She gallops across the screen as Jordan Baker and authoritatively demands our attention. She whole heartedly got mine. In fact I missed her a lot when Jordan was off screen. She reminded me of Cate Blanchett in The Talented Mr. Ripley – that same haughty confidence. And if you know the high regard I have for the great Cate, you know that is no faint praise. Coincidently she is now on stage in Sydney co-starring with Blanchett in The Maids.

I expect great things soon.

Debicki as herself at Gatsby premiere in Cannes