Scene Of The Day: Ed Helms in Cedar Rapids

If you ever get a hankering for the nerdy/sexy combo (and who doesn't from time to time) then these shots of Ed Helms from Cedar Rapids are for you. To be honest I had not heard of Helms (no I have not yet seen The Hangover and do not watch The Office) until I saw him on Saturday Night Live but was instantly a wee bit smitten. Thanks to VJay at JAD for the caps! Cedar Rapids also features the backside of Red Foreman (Kurtwood Smith). I love Smith but don't exactly get the same hankering...

Clapham Junction

At the end of last week I watched Clapham Junction. The drama, from 2007, was shown as part of a short season by Channel 4 to mark the 40th anniversary of decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales. My initial interest, besides the subject matter, was a couple of actors, Rupert Graves and James Wilby whom I had been familiar with from other roles. It was not Rupert or James however that held my interest...


Above: David Leon

During one hot summer night director Adrian Shergold presents five stories from London. They weave together school and work, bars and clubs, affairs and a murder or two. The cast is great but actor David Leon stood out to me, and I wish we had seen more of his character. I, like Luke Treadaway's Theo, was also drawn to Tim (played so well by Joseph Mawle).


Above: Paul Nicholls & David Leon

It is a testament to the acting and writing that I was drawn to many of the characters. Most were not that likable. In fact, Clapham Junction caused a lot of controversy for it's negative portrayal of gay men. Most of them are quite negative and thanks to writer Kevin Elyot, also immensely compelling.




Below: Joseph Mawle


Below: Luke Treadaway


Thanks to Evil Twins' Male Celeb Screencaps for some of the shots.

Blast From The Past: Kurt Russell in Silkwood

Last week when I asked readers who they would like to see featured in my 'Blast From The Past' section, two people emailed suggesting Kurt Russell. I have seen many of Kurt's movies over the years and always found him a good actor but for some reason he never hit my 'attraction' meter. Yes, I had seen screen caps of his glorious backside (Below in Tango & Cash), walking side by side with Stallone, but I guess I sort of put him in the 'good looking father' category of men.



Last weekend I picked up a copy of Silkwood in a 2 for $9.99 bin. I had seen Silkwood as a kid but really only remember Meryl Streep and Cher who was playing a lesbian. I was blown away by the movie. Watching it as an adult, my appreciation of Streep (who really had her best roles in the 80's) as an actress was once again cemented. Cher also put in a great performance as Dolly and the movie, directed by Mike Nicols is a masterpiece and Nicols sets a mood, and a scene as only a brilliant theatre director can do. The character of Thelma was especially heartbreaking and I remembered the power of her scenes from the first viewing.

Silkwood: 1983


What I did not remember from the first viewing was how incredibly hot Kurt Russell was. Maybe it was because I was a kid when I first saw the movie. Viewing it now in my 30's I was able to watch Kurt as an incredibly hot man, not just the older man. In Silkwood Russell's Drew is 'such a man', a working man, sexy, insightful, not to mention sweaty. Drew also had a dash of caring and compassion to complete the package. It struck me that as perfect as Russell's body was in Silkwood, sadly today some would label him as bulky or overweight. If you have not seen Silkwood, find it to watch as soon as you can, if you have not seen it in years, watch it again!

Ernest Pierce in HOMEWRECKER

Last month I profiled of one of my favorite photographers, David Wagner and his work with actor and model Ernest Pierce (Ernest Pierce By David Wagner). An accomplished movie, television and theatre actor (not to mention playing Rachel's dad in the pilot of Glee), Ernest is involved in a new movie, Homewrecker which is having a special screening tonight at the Art Theatre of Long Beach, CA for an HIV/AIDS Benefit with the cast on hand for live Q&A. Homewrecker features gay characters in a spoof of the melodramatic Lifetime Channel movies. Check the clip below!

Guy Pearce in Mildred Pierce

I don't get HBO (I know, I know...) but am looking forward to watching Mildred Pierce. I love Guy Pearce, Memento is a favorite film of mine. I also especially love Kate Winslet (Little Children and Eternal Sunshine being my favorite films of hers). Did anyone watch? Looks like a tour de force of great acting.

Favorite Beginning to a Bad Movie: Hook

As I give (throw) away the final remnants of my VHS collection I re watched the first 30 minutes of 1991's Hook. I was about 15 when I went to theatre with a group of friends to see Hook. I was really looking forward to the movie, Christmas vacation had just begun and I was in the holiday mood. The movie had three of my favorite actors, Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams and Julia Roberts. Add to that Maggie Smith and director Steven Spielberg and how could you lose? Well...



Just like in 1991 I loved the first 30 minutes of Hook. Great lead up, great acting, love London in winter, Maggie Smith and of course John Williams magical score. Then at about the 30, 31 minute mark the movie takes a disastrous turn. It begins with Julia Roberts flying onto the screen as Tinkerbell and continues through all of the scenes in Neverland. Now on the surface casting Roberts was a great idea. She was at the time one Hollywood's hottest young stars but for many reasons (including the fugly and oh so fake wig) it just didn't work. In fact all of Neverland bored me to tears. It is not a good sign when a movie based on one of the most imaginative novels ever written can muster so little magic.


Above: Dustin Hoffman & Charlie Korsmo.

Whatever Happened to Charlie Korsmo?


Dustin Hoffman (twice) Warren Beatty, Al Pacino, Cicley Tyson, James Earl Jones, Madonna, Jessica Lange, Richard Dreyfuss, William Hurt, Bill Murray, Kathy Bates, Robin Williams & Julia Roberts. All co-stars of actor Charlie Korsmo's during his brief acting career which spanned just 7 movies in 8 years from 1990 through 1998. Charlie's last film was Columbia's Can't Hardly Wait in 1998 co-starring Seth Green, Lauren Ambrose, Ethan Embry, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Peter Facinelli. Although short, Charlie's co-starred in some of the decades biggest hits.

Below: Charlie with Chris O'Connell & Jessica Lange in a favorite movie of mine, Men Don't Leave.


Proving not every child star follows the Gary Coleman child star road map, Charlie Korsmo has been leading a busy and productive life since his acting ended. The Minnesota native earned a degree in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and in 2002, began working for the United States Federal Government on missile defense.

Below: With Warren Beatty


Korsmo continued his education and in 2006 receiving a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School. Korsmo has worked for the Environmental Protection Agency and for the Republican Party in the House of Representatives. He is currently a visiting professor at Brooklyn Law School. Charlie Korsmo proves that being a celebrity, a child star does not mean your life has to turn into a hazed circus. Take note Lindsay Lohan, like Charlie Korsmo and Peter Pan at some point or another everyone has to grow up.

Below: With the cast of Can't Hardly Wait.

Kudos to the PR Department for Crazy, Stupid, Love

The PR department behind Crazy Stupid Love know what they are doing. The shot above of Ryan Gosling has the trailer popping up on every blog (like mine) on the net. This movie had me at hello, mostly because I never miss anything starring the brilliant Julianne Moore (I should have skipped Jurassic Park 2 though...). Gosling is just icing on the cake!

A Cautionary Tale: The Outsiders

Although I preferred S.E. Hinton's novel over the movie, 1983's The Outsiders is beloved by many. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the movie featured a cast of up and coming young actors many of whom went on to become huge stars. Emilio Estevez, Patrick Swayze, Ralph Macchio, Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe, C. Thomas Howell and Matt Dillon.

There comes a point in every young actor's (or actress') career when you must make the decision whether or not to drop trou for a role. Many of our greatest actors (Streep, Winslet, De Niro, Brando) have chosen to do nude scenes on film. With The Outsiders, one actor did not. I am not sure if it is a coincidence or not but it seems in the case of the movies cast, showing a little skin could be in some ways be connected to success.

The one hold out may not agree...



Tom Cruise in All The Right Moves


Rob Lowe in Young Blood


Patrick Swayze in Roadhouse


Emilio Estevez in Young Guns


Matt Dillon in Factotum


C. Thomas Howell in To Serve And Protect



and


Ralph Macchio on Dancing With The Stars

Elizabeth: Thank You

I want to thank everyone who took the time to share their favorite Elizabeth Taylor movies with me. I still cannot believe I had never seen one of her films but am making up for lost time. My Amazon order arrived on Thursday and I stayed up far too late last night watching Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf. I loved every frame of it (but did want morning to freaking come...). All four actors were superb and I was especially moved by Richard Burton's George. Also who knew George Segal was such a hottie when he was younger. Edward Albee's award winning play was skillfully adapted to film by Mike Nichols in his big screen directorial debut. As a former actor I could not help but think of the hundreds of talented actors who emoted their asses off playing these four characters on stages over the country. Up next Butterfield 8 and then some Tennessee Williams.