Sunday, May 24, 2009

Natalie Portman

Doesn't Natalie look gorgeous here.
She is also one of the celebrities who have not only talent and looks, but a mind too. Highly educated, speaks several languages, and so on.

29 comments:

Alex said...

And still seems like a puppet in the Star Wars movies.

When I first saw her in Heat I wasn't sure if she was acting the surly teen, or was a surly teen. Then I saw Star Wars and was convinced she was just connected, not talented.

Then I saw Leon, and have changed my mind.

I guess her performance in SW wasn't really bad, it's just seeing Jackson and McGregor hammily delivering wooden lines I just took it all as an FX movie.

I am starting to have difficulty telling KEira Knightly from Natalie though. The last few things I've seen them in they've looked like each other.

TC [Girl] said...

I enjoyed Keira's performance in 'Atonement'. That girl needs to put on a little more *meat* on herself, though! :-(

Anonymous said...

Speaking several languages is neither a talent nor a sign of intelligence. It's merely a sign of a willingless to learn. Even the dumbest schmuck on the planet can speak 3 languages.

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

Mmmyeah, but at some point intelligence and willingness to learn runs together. There are many people who have lived in a foreign country for 20 years and don't speak a word of the language.

--
I thought Garden State was a good movie Natalie was in.

Ray said...

"There are many people who have lived in a foreign country for 20 years and don't speak a word of the language. "

And too many of them live in my building! If they wanted to escape from wherever, why did they bring it with them?

Anonymous said...

Ray:
"If they wanted to escape from wherever, why did they bring it with them?"

Language and culture are very close interconnected. I believe it's called "linguistic relativity". The language you speak (whether in an inner mono/dialogue or to someone else) effects the way you think and act.

TC [Girl] said...

Ray said...
"And too many of them live in my building! If they wanted to escape from wherever, why did they bring it with them?"

It is part of who *they* are, Ray, just like we all have a dialect from whatever [or part of the] country we come from. I wouldn't think that I would have to tell a wise *old* owl like you something that you probably already know but...many of these people were escaping a regime or extreme poverty for *the American Dream*. WHO wouldn't want a better life?! Would you want to be denied, if you came from a hell hole? I bet you would think that you were *entitled* to better...especially when that is part of both of our country's oaths.

And...as one gets older, it is much more of a challenge to learn another language...especially if they are someone of retiring age.

I haven't always *liked* it, myself, but...have grown to understand and accept it the more that I have *embraced* various peoples and cultures that I have come to call friends.

Have you ever made an effort to get to know *them,* Ray? We all look different but we are all very similar inside. And...these people just want a chance to be accepted...just like you or me.

As was reminded, of the judge that lead myself and 36 other countries represented in that courtroom, the other day, in taking our oath to become U.S. Citizens, we are ALL from *somewhere else*; the only *natives* of the land are the American Indians.

And...*they* probably weren't there, either, when the memo was handed out that it was *impolite to speak a language that someone else in the room could not understand.* That was what I was raised with. Now, I just hope that they are as accepting of me as I am of them. :-)

Anonymous said...

Speaking several languages is neither a talent nor a sign of intelligence. It's merely a sign of a willingless to learn. Even the dumbest schmuck on the planet can speak 3 languages.

Wow. Wrong again anonymous. Don't you get sick of being wrong all the time?!

Alex: Then I saw Leon, and have changed my mind.

It's the material. Jackson and McGregor were both terrible as well, but I don't think you can say they aren't good actors. Try anything else they've ever done. Olivier himself couldn't have done a better job with that material.

I am starting to have difficulty telling KEira Knightly from Natalie though. The last few things I've seen them in they've looked like each other.

I can't say I have that problem. The only things I've seen Keira in have been the Pirates movies and Bend It Like Beckham. (I must confess, I had never heard of him before that movie.)

Mmmyeah, but at some point intelligence and willingness to learn runs together.

Of course. Then I'm not sure how anonymous can account for some who have learned eleven languages like Daniel Tammett, or John Bowring, who spoke 100 or more. William James Sidis could learn a language in a day. Tammett learned at least enough Icelandic to do an interview in the language. I don't know how many ordinary, run-of-the-mill, I.Q.-of-100, Joe Sixpack schmucks could do that.

It is part of who *they* are, Ray, just like we all have a dialect from whatever [or part of the] country we come from.

Great, but it has been proven to be possible to learn a new language and still retain fluency in your first. I doubt Eolake's Danish has escaped him despite having learned English.

And...as one gets older, it is much more of a challenge to learn another language...especially if they are someone of retiring age.

The "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" school of thought, which, as they say is a load of bollocks. The opposite has been proved, that while the aged brain certainly doesn't retain the flexibility and sponge-like learning ability of childhood it's still possible to learn new thing if you want to.

Have you ever made an effort to get to know *them,* Ray? We all look different but we are all very similar inside. And...these people just want a chance to be accepted...just like you or me.

That's great, TC. But...that has nothing to do with what Ray was saying.

the only *natives* of the land are the American Indians.

No, they're immigrants too, they just got here first.

And...*they* probably weren't there, either, when the memo was handed out that it was *impolite to speak a language that someone else in the room could not understand.*

Nevertheless, it is impolite. Grossly impolite.

Anonymous said...

I meant to say that Tammett learned enough in a week to do an interview in the language.

Alex said...

You know I also didn't care for EMcG in Brassed Off, that film was just, well you know, depressed.

I've only really enjoyed seeing him in Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, Pillow Book, and Moulin Rouge, I then spent some time in a media black out and didn't seem him in anything else.

Jackson sometimes seems a one trick pony, but Formula 51 and Pulp Fiction definitely benefited from his performance. I've enjoyed him in many films, but again his career spans that dark period.

KK was easy to overlook in the shadow of Parminder Nagra in the soccer movie.

From what I've seen of her TC, KK doesn't need much more meat, but then it's hard to tell when she's in the garb of the Governors Daughter.

TC [Girl] said...

Alex said...
"From what I've seen of her TC, KK doesn't need much more meat, but then it's hard to tell when she's in the garb of the Governors Daughter."

Did you see the trailer for 'Atonement' that I embedded, Alex? Presuming, also, that you didn't see the movie...

Alex said...

TC,

Just saw the trailer. Gawd she's skinny.

In Beckham I'd peg her as willowy, but at that age...

Pirates, all those heavy clothes.

Now, neigh on skeletal

TC [Girl] said...

Alex said...
"...Gawd she's skinny."
"Now, neigh on skeletal"

Exactly! I'm hoping that she just has a fast metabolism but...if she's doing the old starvation thing, no wonder she always has such a sad look on her face! :-(

But...if you haven't see this movie, yet, you might really enjoy her in it...I'm guessing. I would like to hear what you thought, if you do take the time to watch it. :-)

Alex said...

Added to Netflix queue, but not at top. Lets see Jet Lag, The Prisoner (disc 1) and Wasabi first.

TC [Girl] said...

You sound like you'll be busy for awhile! lol!

Hmmm 'Jet Lag' looks interesting...with a highly anomalous twisteroo to the usual divorcee *take*: "still pining for his ex-wife". Crack me up!

Hm...perhaps you could be *spared* from watching 'The Prisoner' (lol! Lookit the "goofs" comments. Sounds like poor filming to me! ;-)

And now, I'm hungry for sushi, just seeing "wasabi"! lol! :-)

So...you can't switch the order around, when you que the Netflix? I'm wondering if 'Atonement' shouldn't be on TOP of that pile! lol! Just sayin'! lol! ;-)

And...you've seen 'Escape From Alcatraz;' 'Papillon;' and, of course, 'The Shawshank Redemption' haven't you? (hm...I'm wondering if I have a *thing* for prison movies! lol! There's another one that...uh...*escapes* me, right now. It was from the Hilter era. A couple of them come to mind, actually. 'The Pianist' Not sure if I can come up w/the other one. It's pretty old. There's the one where they were digging the underground tunnels out from their barracks. D'ya remember that one? They almost made it look like some kine of 'Hogan's Heros' movie! lol! 'The Hiding Place' was really good (kind of like 'Anne Frank'). And...then there was one about a string quartet(?) during Hitler's Reich. That was *morbidly good*...lol! It definitely caught *the feel* of the era...for me, anyway. Wish I could remember the name of that one. I think that was one of the best movies I have seen of that era.

Alex said...

Sure you can move the order around. That's why I added Atonement at #4, not #387.

The Prisoner cannot be deferred, it's been 4 or 5 years since I last saw it and DW first saw it. The re-imaging is coming out this summer, so we have to get through the 17 episodes, if not, then at least the key 13 episodes.

The Prisoner is more about the ideas and ideals than the filming quality. Done on a 60's UK TV budget what can you expect, beyond the exotic filming location (North Wales, EO, get your camera to Portmerion).

I don't typically do prison movies, but I do do psychedelic spy movies and TV21 stuff.

Watching Dollhouse also put me in mind of The Prisoner again, another impetus for watching.

And I like Mini Mokes.

Wasabi and Jet Lag both star a certain Moroccan actor who is good fun, and I've seen him do well in farce, romantic comedy, action comedy and action films. Can't remember drama from him (Big Blue he took a comic role).

TC [Girl] said...

Alex said...
"Sure you can move the order around. That's why I added Atonement at #4, not #387."

Uh...GOOD thing, indeed! lol! :-)

re: 'The Prisoner': sorry...didn't notice that it was a series. I just happened upon the 'goofs' when I searched it. Makes sense...although you don't have to justify your selection process to me. ;-) I was just giving you a bad time. :-)

"I don't typically do prison movies..."

Good to know. I guess the suggestions will be there for those who might *enjoy* that sort of movie.

Alex said...

I guess I was "presuming" before total within gravity. Nah, doesn't read like ASS U ME.

"The Prisoner" is a cult show. It gets aired on PBS periodically. Or to qualify, one of the Silicon Valley PBS stations. I just thought "everyone" knew about it.

TC [Girl] said...

Alex said...
"I just thought "everyone" knew about it."

I haven't watched t.v. for years. I would rather read Eo's blog and surf the net w/the time that I do have. :-) I'll watch the occasional 'Masterpiece Theater' or talk show but...nothing ongoing week-to-week that I can't catch online. I don't have cable nor satellite or any fancy DVR and prefer not to waste my time trying to live around time schedules and commercials (or fundraisers). :-)

Alex said...

The Prisoner is 41 years old, is it that long since you watched TV?

I only watch TV on-line nowadays.

As for masterpiece theater. Take a UK TV show, add the words "Masterpiece Theater" and you have a classy program. In the UK the same thing was on at 9pm on without any pomp. Why don't they just call it "Classy Brit TV" and be done with it.

Anonymous said...

Alex: The Prisoner is 41 years old, is it that long since you watched TV?

Meow! Saucer of milk, table two!

The prisoner, TC, is something that you do not criticize. It is a masterpiece. I wasn't aware of a "reimaging" being done, but I shudder at the thought. My blood ran cold when I read that. It's one thing to reimagine a garbage dump like Battlestar Galactica. The new series is far, far, far better - infinitely better - than the original. But The Prisoner?! Oh, the humanity!

TC: I'll watch the occasional 'Masterpiece Theater' or talk show but...nothing ongoing week-to-week that I can't catch online.

The old "I don't watch TV...except for Masterpiece Theater" line. It has the rep among American audiences for being highbrow, refined, cultured stuff. It's not. Or at least it's not superior to a lot of other TV. Thank God Dickens wrote so many novels they can turn into MT movies!

Anonymous said...

Reminds me of a bit from Buffy:

Xander: "Whoa, Giles has a TV. Everybody, Giles has a TV! He's shallow like us."

Oz: "I got to admit, I'm a little disappointed."

Giles: "I-I-I..."

Willow: "Well, maybe it doesn't work. It's like art."

Giles: "Uh... public television!"

Alex said...

If it wasn't for the original Battlestar Galactic they couldn't have had that funny bit in the opening credits of "The A Team" where Faceman, played by Dirk Benedict, thinks he knows the guy walking around Universal Studios in the Cylon suit.

I think Broccoli was better than HM Murdoch. Hmm, beginning to sound like a nerd, so quietly leaves the room...

Alex said...

The Prisoner as for the remake, Ian McKellen gets to be No 2 for the whole series.

It's filmed in Namibia, but again is set no-where.

AMC, who are making the new one, are streaming the original at http://www.amctv.com/originals/the-prisoner-1960s-series/

It is a classic. You can criticize it, just don't expect to be taken seriously if you do.

Oh, and I forgot, the Rising Damp DVD's just showed up today, good old Leonard Rossiter, though I prefer the Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin.

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

Yeah, I never could get into the last two. But I have to admit that this is true for me for virtually any TV Series from more than a couple decades ago. They just tend to seem clunky.

Just watched a few episodes (one DVD) of "Early Doors", a *very* English show. A pub and all. OK funny, not so bad. But I loved the daughter, Melanie. Oooh, pretty.

TC [Girl] said...

Alex said...
"The Prisoner is 41 years old, is it that long since you watched TV?"

No. I'm the same age as Eo.

"Why don't they just call it "Classy Brit TV" and be done with it."

Sounds good to me. I just enjoy most everything that I have watched on there: the time periods; the scenery; and costumes; the stories; and...love listening to the lovely accents. :-) I don't really care *what* it's called. :-)

Alex said...

TC,

Just watched "Atonement". It is a great movie. To do Dunkirk in a single shot, that was just incredible. A ballsy choice, and one that worked wonderfully.

The whole story moves from times so well, each chapter having it's own feel. The early scenes reminded me of adverts for "Brideshead Revisited", but the film changed pace moving to N. France, and London.

I think I need to see this film a couple more times to really get it, but it was great fun (tragic, but inspiring fun, not Scooby Doo fun).

TC [Girl] said...

Alex said...
"TC,

Just watched "Atonement". It is a great movie."

Hey, Alex...GLAD that you enjoyed it. Thought you might.

You sound like me: enjoying the scenery, whenever possible, in a movie, too. I wish I could recognize places as you do but...usually end up having to wait til the credits roll to see where filmed, if I was drawn to the location.

"The whole story moves from times so well, each chapter having it's own feel."

Yes, it's true. It was very well done.

"I think I need to see this film a couple more times to really get it, but it was great fun (tragic, but inspiring fun, not Scooby Doo fun)."

Yes...I agree; I would like to see it, again, myself. There are many events to take in and connect, throughout, that I would like to revisit, too.

Another movie that I walked away from and almost wanted to do an *about face* and IMMEDIATELY go back in to re-watch, thereafter (and I can't remember the last time I saw a movie that caused that kind of reaction in me, before) was Brad Pitt's 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'. I. LOVE. that. movie! It is HIGH TIME that I re-watch that movie. It is SO RICH in so very many ways. I had never sought out Brad's movies, before this one, but...the dude did an EXCEPTIONAL job in this movie...IMHO, anyway. It has a similar multi-layered storyline that I found very enjoyable to put the pieces together in. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND adding it to your Netflix queue. :-) Thanks for your feedback, BTW. It's always nice to hear positive feedback on a recommendation. Thanks. :-)

Alex said...

I wish I could recognize places as you do but...usually end up having to wait til the credits roll to see where filmed

Hmm, three Tommies hiding in a loft, pretty obvious where they might be, the peasants cinched it.

As for Dunkirk, well, I remember my grandad telling me some of what happened there, so this was a vivid illustration of what I recall being told. That was Redcar that stood in for the French port, and I noticed the South Coast near Dover reminded me of the shaley beaches at Hastings, a place I hadn't thought of in years.

London, well it's obvious at times. It's harder to spot other places. I was really confused in "Saturday Night, Sunday Morning", it felt kinda like Nottingham, but not quite.

Catch ya around

Alex

odonnell.alex@gmail.com