The Star Online: Entertainment: Movies
The Star Online: Entertainment: Movies |
- Feast on Gallic treats
- Living it up with Demi Lovato
- Miley Cyrus just can't shake off her wild streak
| Posted: 21 Apr 2013 03:25 AM PDT > The Painting (Le Tableau): There are three kinds of figures living in a painting on the wall: the Toupins in full glorious colour; the Pafinis, figures with unfinished bits; and the Reufs, which are fragile sketches that often don't finish what they have to say. Toupins consider themselves superior to the others and the groups don't mix, so you can imagine what a scandal it is when Ramo, a Toupin, falls in love with Claire, a Pafini. When a Reuf gets violently stomped to death, and things turn ugly, the couple and Claire's best friend, Lola, are driven to the perimeter of the painting. In the world outside, they meet characters from other paintings, including the beautiful woman who got her clothes removed with a few strokes of the artist's brush and a self-portrait of the artist who is perpetually unhappy and hates the artist – and perhaps by extension, himself. In this surreal animated film, a desperate search for the artist then begins, for only he can bridge the "social" gap between the Toupins and the other figures by finishing his works. This magical tale is filled with wonder and wit, is absurd in parts, and is highly imaginative. > What's In A Name? (Le Prénom): It was meant to be a simple dinner at the apartment of university professor Pierre and his schoolteacher wife Élisabeth. But add the suave real estate agent brother Vincent, close friend trombonist Claude and a pregnant woman into the equation and all hell breaks loose. After we are introduced to the characters in quick succession with tongue-in-cheek narration and flashbacks, you will come to understand that this group has had many of such gatherings before. But this time there is something new: Vincent announces the name he has chosen for his yet-to-be-born son, and the movie quickly erupts into a full-fledged dining room drama. No one seems to agree with Vincent's outrageous choice of name – Pierre in particular is practically foaming at the mouth – but Vincent has his reasons. From a heated discussion over the baby's name, the evening progresses from jovial camaraderie into one of shocking revelations. Adapted from a stage play of the same title, the actors clearly have a knack for theatrics, and the dialogue is witty, tight and very funny. > The Horseman On The Roof (Le Hussard Sur Le Toit): When the cholera epidemic swept across southern France, leaving death and panic in its wake, a man couldn't even drink from a town's fountain without being accused of poisoning it. Pardi, a young Italian officer on a quest to raise money for the revolution, learns the hard way that comrades might very well turn out to be traitors. In fleeing from Austrian agents, he stumbles across a fiercely independent Countess (or so she thinks) one rainy evening, and they embark on an adventure across the land. Based on the 1951 French novel of the same name by Jean Giono, this movie is deeply entrenched in history, but the presentation finds space for some light-hearted banter, bits of comedy and a cute cat. It is visually stunning, with many sweeping shots of which perhaps the most memorable ones are of stone-walled buildings with light streaming through the windows. (In contrast are the more gritty scenes involving birds of prey who feed on people.) Set in the 1830s, the film shows the implications of desperation, ignorance and fear in a disease-ridden society. But above all, it is an exploration of honour, courage and determination in the fight for freedom and offers a long, hard look at morality in times of hardship and uncertainty. > Beloved (Les Bien-aimés): This is a story that spans four decades, of a mother and her daughter, their lives and loves, and entanglement with many different men. While working in a Parisian boutique in the 1960s, Madeleine discovers a coveted pair of shoes that leads to her part-time occupation as a prostitute. Madeleine's daughter, Vera, inherits her propensity for falling in love. Or lust. Or could it be just loneliness? They invest a fair bit of energy in wondering whether there is room in love for infidelity. While it is not a full musical, the characters do break into song for some dialogue and narration throughout the movie. As the story moves from 1960s Paris to modern day London, the tone evolves from being delightfully charming to a bit more morose and unpredictable. The characters are complex, troubled and imperfect, but this is a film that does not judge; it merely presents life as it is. |
| Posted: 21 Apr 2013 03:20 AM PDT THE last time I met Demi Lovato, it was back in August 2010 in a press event in New York City to plug Camp Rock 2, the Disney movie she was starring in with the Jonas Brothers. Journalists complained she had a bad attitude, showed a lack of interest during interviews and was curt in her answers (to her credit, Lovato cooperated during my interview session, though). Three months after that press event, Lovato made headlines when she punched a fellow dancer in the face (for ratting her out to her management for partying the night before). She then voluntarily checked herself into rehab for treatment. A statement released by her rep indicated that Lovato was seeking "medical treatment for emotional and physical issues she has dealt with for some time. Demi has decided to take personal responsibility for her actions and seek help." Last month, seated before me for a one-on-one interview, was a calm and more relaxed Lovato. She was in Kuala Lumpur to headline the Twin Towers @Live show. Clearly, the 20-year-old has had time to work out her issues. She described that period in her life as "dark" and "tough". While most stars would have denied a trip to rehab, or have their publicists spin a story about their admission ("exhaustion" is the most popular condition given in statements), I asked Lovato why she was willing to face her demons in public. "I wanted to make it public so that fans my age or younger can learn from it," Lovato, who was diagnosed with bipolar as well as an eating disorder, said. "I remember when I was struggling (with her eating disorder), I didn't have anyone to look up to in the media because everyone was really, really thin and no one was talking about (this issue). "The only people talking about their experiences, and this is no disrespect to people doing it, were older women. I needed to hear it from someone who is closer to my age. That's why I felt young people could benefit from what I went through." Such a mature answer from someone so young, I tell her. Lovato said that since she is in show business, she had no choice but to grow up fast at a young age. "I definitely feel older than I am. When I started working at a young age – I booked my first audition at age seven – and was around crew members and others who were older, I felt comfortable. So, I have always been that kid who preferred the company of adults." She credits those around her – manager, publicists, makeup artists – with keeping her in line. "If I didn't have the people around me today, I would definitely be acting immature. They'd tell me if I am being bratty. Sometimes you get so busy, and so tired that you don't even realise the things you say, or the way you say it comes out the wrong way." Luckily for Lovato, her team has been able to orchestrate a comeback for the singer after her stint in rehab. Apart from a hit album, Unbroken, Lovato also signed on to become a judge on The X Factor in which she reportedly received a US$1mil (RM3.04mil) salary. While the other two judges from The X Factor – L.A. Reid and Britney Spears – have bowed out of the show, Lovato has been picked by Simon Cowell for yet another season. But before she returns to the judging table, she is getting ready to release her fourth album. Simply entitled Demi, its first single, Heart Attack, is already receiving heavy airplay on the airwaves. "With the (new) album, I have a ton of upbeat songs that are just like Heart Attack. But I also have some pretty emotional songs opening up about things that I haven't really ever talked about. It's a big deal for me," Lovato said in a recent interview, hinting at a more mature album. But unlike her peers who are going the raunchy route to distance themselves from the Disney image that was cultivated for them, Lovato is a bit more careful with how she positions herself. More so when she is looked up to as a role model by many young fans. Lovato reasoned: "You can't alienate your existing fans and totally do a 180 and scare them away. What I focus on is to grow with them and not make too scandalous a decision." The singer is also looking at her career in the long run. Why play all your cards now? "Say I want to get really sexy for an album and I take off all my clothes now (for the photo shoot), what am I going to do in 10 years. If there's no mystery, where are you going to go in the future?" So, does that mean Lovato will eventually strip? "Not that I am ever gonna take off all my clothes, I don't have the courage to do that. God bless the women who do," she quickly added. Well, never say never. |
| Miley Cyrus just can't shake off her wild streak Posted: 21 Apr 2013 03:20 AM PDT MILEY CYRUS is a bonafide wild child and the former Disney princess is not making any apologies for her raunchy behaviour. The 20-year-old singer/actress is no stranger to controversies and has been prominently featured in the tabloids – from news about her rocky engagement to actor Liam Hemsworth, to her braless endeavours around Hollywood, to her collection of tattoos and more. Earlier this week, Cyrus made headlines again after a video of her smoking an unknown substance surfaced, causing haters to spew more hate and fans jumping to her defence. However, Cyrus hasn't always carried the bad girl rep that she does now. She was once a squeaky clean Disney darling who could do no wrong. In 2006, she made her debut on the Disney Channel as an actress on the hit TV series Hannah Montana – a show about a normal teenage girl with a rock star alter ego. Cyrus had lived up to her good girl image, garnering adoration from teenagers, and their parents, all over the world – until she grew older, of course. The first time she "messed up" was in 2007 when several photos of her and a female friend "almost kissing" hit the web. Then in 2008, more photos of the star in her underwear posing provocatively were leaked online, causing an international furore. To make matters worse, and stamping her mark as another Disney "troublemaker" (following in the infamous footsteps of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Vanessa Hudgens), she posed almost nude for famed photographer Annie Leibovitz for the cover of Vanity Fair. Cyrus released a statement regarding the matter: "I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be 'artistic' and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed. I never intended for any of this to happen and I apologise to my fans who I care so deeply about." But the drama didn't just end there and more of Cyrus' wild ways started to shock the world. The star, who once swore that she would never smoke (to maintain her singing voice), was seen puffing away on cigarettes and her body became a canvas for numerous tattoos (she currently has 17, and there's no guarantee that there won't be any more). At 16, she pole-danced at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards for her Party In The USA performance and later that year she also gave movie producer Adam Shankman a lap dance, which was of course recorded and spread on the Internet. A video of her smoking psychoactive plant Salvia divinorum (legal in the state of California) at her 18th birthday party also made its rounds and that made one thing clear – she should get as far away from video cameras as possible. Cyrus defended herself to Prestige magazine, saying: "I'm not some crazy lady who's gone off the deep end, because I definitely haven't ... Every 18-year-old (teenager) explores sexuality and experiments and tries things. For me there's no reason to change that." She went out with a few boys – fellow Disney star Nick Jonas and underwear model Justin Gaston – before settling on her The Last Song co-star Hemsworth. They dated for two years before Hemsworth popped the question in 2012. Now, it is rumoured that their relationship is on the rocks and she might be calling off her June wedding. Her image on and off stage became raunchier – her dresses more revealing, her attitude brazen, and the aura she projects is that of someone who doesn't give a damn about what the world (and haters especially) think about her. Even her songs took a drastic turn from the usual bubblegum-pop she belted during her Hannah Montana years. They were edgier and darker and definitely more mature than one expected from the teen superstar. When her last album Can't Be Tamed was released, people couldn't help but notice her need to transcend from a young girl into a woman. She was sexual and suggestive, and didn't pretend to be the good girl that Disney Channel had hoped she would stay forever. "(It) used to be if you're a woman you do not sing about sex, and now if that's not what you're singing about, if that's not your entire image, you won't get played (on radio and TV)," she said on Lifetime's The Conversation With Amanda de Cadenet. "The last season of (Hannah Montana) I put out Can't Be Tamed, which even just the title of that – for a woman to say that she can't be tamed, and of all people in the world, my face saying I can't be tamed, when that's all people really wanted to do – I think that proves how sexist people still really are and judgmental. It's the whole thing of saying 'be sexy, but our way'." Two years since the release of her last album, Cyrus proves that she is not letting go of her "bad girl" image and perhaps that it's not an image but her actual personality after all. Her latest single Ashtrays And Heartbreaks with Snoop Lion (Dogg) received rave reviews and the rapper had nothing but high praise for the young star. Of all the people in the world, it seems that the weed-smoking gangsta rapper is the one who actually gets Cyrus for who she really is. "She's one of the greatest musicians and personalities of all time," he said at the MTV Movie Awards last Sunday night. "People just expect so much from her because they've been watching her whole life from a kid. She's just ready to be an adult and have fun and express herself, and I support her." Indeed, Cyrus is ready to show that she's an adult now and one thing's for sure, she's not going to let anything or anyone hold her down. |
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