Sophia Loren

In an age where slim elegance was the fashion, her full-bodied figure made men of all ages catch their breath. But, it was a steep walk to the top for this Hollywood siren. It's difficult to believe the voluptuous star of 'The Black Orchid' and 'Houseboat' was once nicknamed "the stick", because she was so thin. Born into extreme poverty, the illegitimate daughter of a frustrated actress, the young Loren was given her big break by her future husband, Carlo Ponti, a judge in a beauty contest. By 1954, she was an established name, and vying with the well-established Gina Lollobrigida for roles and fans on both sides of the Atlantic. After appearing in several American productions shot overseas, Loren arrived in Hollywood in the mid 1950s, but her natural sensuousness was vulgarized by the artificial glamour treatment. With a few exceptions, like 'Houseboat' with Cary Grant, Sidney Lumet's 'That Kind of Woman' and 'The Black Orchid', for which she received a Best Actress Award at Cannes, she was woefully miscast. Nonetheless, over the next two decades, Loren occasionally demonstrated a range that transcended her pin-up status, and again won an award at Cannes, as well as a Best Actress Oscar, for her memorable performance in Vittorio De Sica's 'Two Women'. Loren worked steadily throughout the 1960s in forgettable projects, with some of the industry's most celebrated directors, most of whom were unfortunately past their prime, including Michael Curtiz, Anatole Litvak and Charles Chaplin. Her only true standout roles were in 'Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow', with Loren doing the famous bedroom striptease scene, and 'Marriage Italian-Style'. In the 1970s, Loren continued to get work offers, but performed primarily in Europe, and appeared mostly in uneven productions, including the disastrous adaptation of the stage musical, 'Man of la Mancha'. During the 1980s Loren made only a few feature films, while she raised her teenaged sons by Ponti, but she did perform in several American TV-movies. She was awarded a second, honorary Oscar in 1990, and, in 1994, Loren returned to US films in Robert Altman's much ballyhooed but disappointing take on the French fashion scene, 'Pret-a-Porter'. She subsequently brought a warm, friendly presence and her sensuous, distinctive beauty to the middle-aged antics of the popular and unassuming, if derivative sequel film, 'Grumpier Old Men', in 1995, alongside Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon. She later appeared in 'Between Strangers', with Gerard Depardieu and Mira Sorvino. Loren's husband of more than 50 years passed away in 2007, dying as a result of pulmonary complications. When asked in an interview if she would ever get married again, she actress said no as it "would be impossible to love anyone else". In 2009, after taking a five-year break from the big screen, Loren appeared in Rod Marshall's film 'Nine', alongside a host of other stars including Penelope Cruz, Daniel Day-Lewis and Kate Hudson. Loren was aged 74 at the time and received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for her part in the movie. The following year, Loren played her mother in a two-part TV dramatisation of her life. It appears the actress has lost none of her spark over the years. Speaking in May 2011, she said she likes to get out and exercise every day. "As I walk round the park I always think, 'Maybe round the corner I am going to find something beautiful.' I always think positively. It is very rare that you find me in a mood that is sad or melancholic."

 Sophia Loren & Marcello Mastroianni

L'eclipse 1962

Jean-Luc Godard

Upside Down 2013!

coming soon

Loves of a Blonde

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gangster Squad

Based on the book by Paul Lieberman, the plot follows a group of cops in 1949 L.A. who are brought together by leader of the pack Sgt. John O’Mara (Josh Brolin) to take down the ruthless Micky Cohen (Sean Penn), an Eastern gangster hell bent on claiming the city for his own. Unashamedly violent but in a video game-esque way that leaves it sitting somewhere just off reality, the film’s glossy action can sometimes threaten to damage the believability or danger that the team of cops-turned-vigilantes find themselves in. Its unique and playful style makes otherwise pedestrian shootouts beautiful, but it never achieves any sort of realism. However, that’s part of the fun of the film; I don’t think it’s aiming for gritty realism but rather to envelope you in the fantasy, dream-promising land of 1940s Los Angeles. 

 The biggest pleasure cast-wise is Sean Penn, who is clearly having a ball playing ultra-gangster Micky Cohen. He’s cartoonish and ridiculous but provides many of the film’s most electrifying scenes, helping to give the occasionally clunky dialogue a gravitas it wouldn’t otherwise have. While the film strongly reminds you of better gangster tales of years past – The Untouchables and L.A. Confidential chief among them – Gangster Squad nonetheless survives on the strengths of its graceful action, enjoyable performances and elegant visuals. It’s undoubtedly silly and over-the-top but ultimately a good bit of fun

Argo

In 1979, Iranians participated in the first televised revolution. They overthrew a leader who wasn’t initially chosen to be their Shah, but was appointed to this position by US/UK who backed coup d’état in the early 50’s. Months after he was overthrown, the former dictator was granted permission to receive medical treatment in the US. The population, now as an angered mass demanded the return of their former dictator so he could receive a proper trial and probably hang. The protests took place outside the American embassy in Tehran and, on a particular day, they stormed into the embassy. Six Americans working in the embassy managed to escape, and the rest were taken hostage. Argo tells the story of the rescue operation planned for the six Americans who took refuge at the Canadian ambassador’s home. What followed was one of the most unusual rescue operations in CIA history. Argo is one of the most suspenseful films of the year and even though the subject matter is quite serious, it doesn’t shy away from humour. Alan Arkin and John Goodman in particular stand out amongst the strong supporting cast. Goodman plays a Hollywood make-up artist who brings in film producer Lester Siegel when the CIA decides that the best rescue mission is to fool the Iranian government into thinking they’re filming a Canadian science fiction film. 

 Ben Affleck, this is the actor’s third directional effort and it’s a magnificent achievement. His first debut as a director was the excellent mystery thriller Gone Baby Gone, his second was the marvelous crime caper The Town. With “Argo” he fully establishes himself as one of the best working directors today.