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Was James Gandolfini's Rolex Stolen By Paramedic As He Died?


James Gandolfini

An Italian paramedic has been branded a thief accused of stealing a $3,000 Rolex watch from the late 'Sopranos' actor James Gandolfini as he lay dying from a major heart attack in Rome back in 2013. The trial began this week and notes that the watch was noticed to be missing by those close to him soon after his death.

James GandolfiniParamedic implicated in James Gandolfini's missing watch case

A 43-year-old man named Claudio Bevilacqua is on trial for the robbery of a Rolex Submariner reportedly in the possession of James Gandolfini when he died on vacation in Rome, Italy on June 27th 2013. The paramedic was one of the first on the scene when Gandolfini had his heart attack, and it is not yet known if the watch was physically removed from the actor's body or if it was taken from elsewhere in his Boscolo Exedra Hotel room, located in Piazza della Repubblica, where he was staying ahead of his appearance at the Taormina Film Fest in Sicily.

Continue reading: Was James Gandolfini's Rolex Stolen By Paramedic As He Died?

'The Drop' Features Tour-de-Force Performance From James Gandolfini


James Gandolfini Tom Hardy

It seems opportunist and downright lazy to suggest Michael R. Roskam's new crime-drama is a "fitting" final film for the late James Gandolfini. The Brooklyn-born actor, who died suddenly of a heart attack in Italy in 2013, delivered a ton of extraordinary performances in his career - not least in the excellent Enough Said - though as cousin Marv in the intense, brooding The Drop, his finest talents as an actor are clearly on show.

The DropJames Gandolfini [L] and Tom Hardy [R] in The Drop

The Drop focuses on Tom Hardy's Bob Saginowski, who funnels cash to local gangsters through his place of work. However, under the heavy hand of his employer (Ganfolfini), Bob finds himself at the center of a robbery gone and awry and a subsequent investigation digs deep into the neighbourhood's criminal underground.

Continue reading: 'The Drop' Features Tour-de-Force Performance From James Gandolfini

A Week In Movies: Hollywood Legends Hit London, As Do A Trio Of Big Premieres, While New Trailers Promise Tears, Laughs, Thrills And Chills


Tom Cruise The Empire Film Awards Arnold Schwarzenegger Russell Crowe Shailene Woodley Cameron Diaz Tom Hardy Noomi Rapace James Gandolfini Dwayne Johnson Scarlett Johansson

Empire Film Awards 2014 Logo

Tom Cruise, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson were all on hand for Sunday night's Empire Awards in London, a lively and colourful event with most winners chosen by the magazine's readers. Cruise was named The Legend of Our Lifetime, while Schwarzenegger was crowned The Action Hero of Our Lifetime and Jackman picked up the Empire Icon Award.

There was also a flurry of high-profile premieres in London this past week. Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson and Ray Winstone walked a watery-style carpet for Noah; Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann and Kate Upton were on hand for The Other Woman; and Shailene Woodley, Kate Winslet and Theo James dazzled the fans for Divergent.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: Hollywood Legends Hit London, As Do A Trio Of Big Premieres, While New Trailers Promise Tears, Laughs, Thrills And Chills

James Gandolfini's Final Movie 'The Drop', With Tom Hardy [Trailer + Pictures]


James Gandolfini Tom Hardy Noomi Rapace

The trailer for The Drop - James Gandolfini's final movie before his untimely death last year - has rolled out online. Co-starring Tom Hardy and Noomi Rapace, the crime-drama centers on Brooklyn's gangster underworld and particularly a bar owned by Gandolfini's Freddie that acts as a premises for criminal 'drops' of cash.

James Gandolfini The DropJames Gandolfini in 'The Drop'

Freddie's cousin Ronnie, played by Hardy, works as a bartender, but a robbery upsets the fine balance of their lives.

Continue reading: James Gandolfini's Final Movie 'The Drop', With Tom Hardy [Trailer + Pictures]

'Gravity,' 'American Hustle' And '12 Years A Slave' Scoop Major Wins At Critic's Choice Awards: Full Nominees & Winners


Alfonso Cuaron Sandra Bullock Matthew Mcconaughey Chiwetel Ejiofor Cate Blanchett Bradley Cooper Jared Leto James Gandolfini Jennifer Lawrence Lee Daniels David O Russell Spike Jonze Woody Allen

On the same day as the nominations for this year's Academy Awards ceremony were revealed, the latest instalment of the ongoing awards season went by at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California, where the 19th annual Critic's Choice Awards honoured the cast and crew of some of last's year's biggest and best films.

Gravity
Gravity soared to success at the Critic's Choice Awards

The big winner on the night was the space thriller Gravity, which soared to success with seven wins by the end of the night. Among it's credits the film earned Alfonso Cuarón the award for Best Director and the award for Best Editing, shared with co-editor Mark Sanger. The film also earned Sandra Bullock the award for Best Actress In An Action Movie and was crowned as crowned the Best Sci-Fi/Horror Movie. The film also scored recognition for Best Visual Effects, Best Cinematography and Best Score.

Continue reading: 'Gravity,' 'American Hustle' And '12 Years A Slave' Scoop Major Wins At Critic's Choice Awards: Full Nominees & Winners

What Are You Seeing This Weekend? Captain Phillips, Escape Plan, Enough Said?


Tom Hanks James Gandolfini Julia Louis-Dreyfus Arnold Schwarzenegger

Without making the tired, systematic glee-filled statement that ‘it’s Friday’ and ‘it’s time for fun’ - because most people have to walk their dogs and tidy the house on the weekend instead of drinking coffee and watching cooking programs – we’d like to alert you to the fact that it is, indeed, Friday.

Captain Phillips
Tom Hanks is Captain Phillips

But you can’t clean at night. That’s a fact. So what you’ll probably do is head to the pictures. You’ll sit in a chair, delve your paws into a box containing heated kernels of maize and stare blankly while a multitude of rich people, realising their dream jobs, entertain the millions who never will.

Continue reading: What Are You Seeing This Weekend? Captain Phillips, Escape Plan, Enough Said?

Criminal Justice: It's About Time Robert De Niro Turned To Television


Robert De Niro James Gandolfini

Robert De Niro has been hired to replace James Gandolfini in a new HBO mini-series Criminal Justice, following the death of The Sopranos star in June. De Niro will play a New York lawyer in the show, which Gandolfini had been developing based on the 2008 BBC series by Peter Moffat.

Following the actor's sudden death in Rome, it initially appeared as though HBO had put the project on the backburner, though, according to Deadline.com, the team were keen to continue in Gandolfini's honor. 

Deadline Hollywood's TV Editor Nellie Andreeva said the network wanted "a great actor whom Gandolfini would have wanted for the role and who would honour Gandolfini's memory with his performance," adding, "I hear their list consisted of one name only, Robert De Niro, who responded and came on board."

Continue reading: Criminal Justice: It's About Time Robert De Niro Turned To Television

Robert De Niro Steps Into Criminal Justice To Replace James Gandolfini


Robert De Niro James Gandolfini

Although rarely seen on the small screen, Robert De Niro has taken the late James Gandolfini’s place in HBO’s Criminal Justice. Gandolfini died after filming the pilot for the show, and will receive a posthumous exec producer credit when the show airs. The future of the series had been in serious doubt following Gandolfini’s tragic and unexpected passing.

Robert De Niro in trouble with the mob in 'The Family'
Robert de Niro in The Family

However, De Niro has agreed to take on the character of Jack Stone in the show based on the 2008 BBC series of the same name. Deadline’s TV Editor, Nellie Andreeva, who revealed the news, said HBO wanted "a great actor whom Gandolfini would have wanted for the role and who would honour Gandolfini's memory with his performance". She added: "I hear their list consisted of one name only, Robert De Niro, who responded and came on board."

Continue reading: Robert De Niro Steps Into Criminal Justice To Replace James Gandolfini

Robert De Niro Steps In To Replace James Gandolfini On HBO's 'Criminal Justice'


Robert De Niro James Gandolfini Riz Ahmed Steven Zaillian

Robert De Niro has been appointed as the lead actor in the upcoming HBO mini-series Criminal Justice, a seven-episode stretch that the late James Gandolfini was initially slated to star in. The passing of Gandolfini had left the project in limbo, however with the appointment of De Niro the show will continue to air as planned.

Robert De NiroJames Gandolfini
De Niro will now star in the crime drama in place of Gandolfini

HBO confrimed De Niro's appointment to The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday, 25 September, adding that Gandolfini will be given a posthumous executive producer credit on the show. The mini-series is an American adaption of the hit 2008 BBC series of the same name, which was the brainchild Peter Moffat and starred Ben Whishaw and the late Pete Postlethwaite. The HBO version, which is being made in association association with BBC Worldwide Production, of the show will be initially directed by Steven Zaillian, with others stepping in as the series progresses. Moffat will serve as an executive producer on the HBO series.

Continue reading: Robert De Niro Steps In To Replace James Gandolfini On HBO's 'Criminal Justice'

Robert De Niro Replaces The Late James Gandolfini In HBO's Miniseries 'Criminal Justice'


James Gandolfini Robert De Niro

‘Criminal Justice’ HBO will be continuing with plans to make a seven-part miniseries called ‘Criminal Justice’ that was originally meant to star the late actor James Gandolfini.

In late June of this year (2013) the 51 year, James Gandolfini, unfortunately passed away while on vacations with his son in Italy. Ever since then the show was thought to be completely disbanded but academy award-winning actor Robert De Niro has reportedly stepped in to take over the role with HBO remaining Gandolfini as an executive producer posthumously, according to Deadline.

‘Criminal Justice’ is based on Peter Moffat’s 2008 BBC series of the same name and is written by Richard Price. The first episode will be directed by Steven Zaillian, who has been closely attached to the project for the last four years.

Continue reading: Robert De Niro Replaces The Late James Gandolfini In HBO's Miniseries 'Criminal Justice'

Edie Falco Gives Moving Tribute To James Gandolfini At Emmy Awards


James Gandolfini Edie Falco Cory Monteith Jane Lynch Michael J Fox Robin Williams Jean Stapleton Rob Reiner

James Gandolfini was remembered by his The Sopranos co-star Edie Falco in an emotional tribute to the late actor during Sunday (22 Sept.) night's 65th Annual Emmy Awards. In a ceremony that featured a number of memorials to fallen stars, Falco's appraisal of her on-screen husband was by far one of the most poignant of the night as she led the ceremony into a hushed remembrance of the acting great.

Edie Falco Sopranos
Falco and Gandolfini during one of their many domestic disputes

Falco, who played the long-suffering Carmela Soprano in the ever-popular series, fought back the tears as she remembered the late actor, who passed away in June aged 51. She remembered Gandolfini as a man of "tremendous warmth and heart" and who was "uniquely generous," being nothing like the character he will be best remembered for.

Continue reading: Edie Falco Gives Moving Tribute To James Gandolfini At Emmy Awards

Cory Monteith Remembered In Tearful Emmys 'In Memoriam' Tribute [Video]


Cory Monteith Jane Lynch Lea Michele James Gandolfini

Cory Monteith has been given a send-off by fans and the TV industry who honored the late Glee star with a heartfelt and poignant tribute during last night's Emmy awards. Monteith will be remembered in a special tribute episode during Glee's return to television next month but the Emmys gave actress and Cory's co-star Jane Lynch a chance to say a few words about her lost friend.

Cory Monteith
Cory's Death Came As A Nasty Shock To Those Who Loved Him And The Show.

Lynch, who plays the sports coach on the popular high school musical series, took to the stage during a special 'in memoriam' segment to share photos of the 31 year-old who passed away last month as well as say a few words about his life.

Continue reading: Cory Monteith Remembered In Tearful Emmys 'In Memoriam' Tribute [Video]

A Week In Movies: Ben Is Batman, One Direction Deafens London, Disney Humanises Bears


Ben Affleck One Direction Simon Cowell Jamie Campbell Bower Jeanne Tripplehorn Leland Orser James Gandolfini Julia Louis-Dreyfus Disney

Ben Batman Affleck

This week's biggest story is that Ben Affleck will play Bruce Wayne (aka Batman) in the upcoming Man of Steel sequel, opposite Henry Cavill's Clark Kent (aka Superman). There's no word on the plot or the title of the new film, which is scheduled for release in the summer of 2015. Word has it that the two superheroes will be at odds with each other, setting up some big battles between them. Read all about the epic prospect here.

On Tuesday night, London hosted the world premiere of the new One Direction movie This Is Us, and the screams of pre-pubescent girls could be heard miles away from Leicester Square as the boy band, their manager Simon Cowell and a range of starry guests turned up to walk the red carpet. The film opens next week and you can look at photos from the event here.

Continue reading: A Week In Movies: Ben Is Batman, One Direction Deafens London, Disney Humanises Bears

'Enough Said' Trailer Released: James Gandolfini's Final Comedy Looks Warm, Smart And Funny


James Gandolfini Toni Collette Catherine Keener Nicole Holofcener

The trailer has been released for Enough Said; a rom-com that will bear a more potent poignancy for those who were fans of the late James Gandolfini, star of The Sopranos. The actor died in June after an unexpected heart attack, whilst on holiday in Rome, but his death didn't mean he couldn't keep entertaining post-humously.

Watch The Enough Said Trailer:

Continue reading: 'Enough Said' Trailer Released: James Gandolfini's Final Comedy Looks Warm, Smart And Funny

Heartbreaking Poster Of 'Enough Said' Released, James Gandolfini's Last Movie


James Gandolfini Julia Louis-Dreyfus

The official poster for James Gandolfini’s last film, Enough Said, has been released. It sees Gandolfini alongside his co-star in the movie, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and takes on a poignant new light in the wake of the Sopranos star’s recent death.

Consistantly reffered to as generious, loving and caring, Gandolfini in a grey t-shirt, smiling, with a world-class beard makes this writer stutter somewhat. It’s difficult and amazing in equal measure to see the great man excelling at the thing he always did best.

Gandolfini suddenly died from a heart attack in June while on holiday in Rome with his 13-year-old son. Louis-Dreyfus has opened up on what it was like to work with the late star. "I think people will just really freak out seeing his performance," the actress told BBC News.

Continue reading: Heartbreaking Poster Of 'Enough Said' Released, James Gandolfini's Last Movie

Alec Baldwin: If Gandolfini Didn't Use Twitter, Neither Do I!


Alec Baldwin James Gandolfini Hilaria Baldwin

Alec Baldwin has vowed never to return to Twitter after deleting his account last week for an expletive filled rant directed at Daily Mail reporter George Starker. The '30 Rock' actor took exception to the journalist's claims that his wife Hilaria Thomas was tweeting during the funeral of Sopranos' star James Gandolfini.

Alec BaldwinJames Gandolfini Has Vowed Never To Return To Twitter

When asked by Vanity Fair if he'll ever return to Twitter, Baldwin responded, "Never," adding, "I went to Jimmy Gandolfini's funeral, and when I was there I realized Jimmy Gandolfini didn't have Twitter. Jimmy Gandolfini was so beloved as a person, and he was so admired as an actor, and he didn't give a [expletive] about social media." 

Continue reading: Alec Baldwin: If Gandolfini Didn't Use Twitter, Neither Do I!

Late Actor's Will Entitles Gandolfini's Children, Friends And Even His PA To Generous Benefits


James Gandolfini

The last of the formalities around James Gandolfini’s death last month are being taken care of – including the actor’s will. Turns out, the big-hearted actor was generous to the end, especially with his friends and family. Gandolfini’s will was filed in Manhattan Surrogate’s Court yesterday (Tuesday, July 2). Apparently The Sopranos actor left millions to friends and family – as you might expect. But he also gifted large sums of money to his secretary and PA, among others.

James Gandolfini, Stella By Starlight Gala
Gandolfini endowed his family, his close friends and even some employees.

Naturally, the biggest part of Gandolfini’s modest fortune will go to his family – wife Deborah Linn and his two children, 8-month-old Liliana Ruth and 13-year-old Michael. It was the elder boy, who unfortunately found his father’s body last month, while the two were on a family vacation in Italy. Michael will get the bulk of the actor’s estate, when he turns 21, the New York Post reports. Said fortune was apparently estimated at around $70 million when Gandolfini died on June 16.

Continue reading: Late Actor's Will Entitles Gandolfini's Children, Friends And Even His PA To Generous Benefits

A Week In News: Stones Rock Glastonbury, Pattinson Dating Elvis' Granddaughter, Bale Bails On Batman!


Rolling Stones Alec Baldwin Robert Pattinson James Gandolfini Gore Verbinski Christian Bale Johnny Depp

Rolling Stones at Glastonbury

Rip This Joint! Despite what many of the critics had anticipated, The Rolling Stones made their debut at the Glastonbury Festival on Saturday with a blistering set that scored five-star reviews across the board. Mick Jagger put the current crop of rock frontmen to shame with an energetic and high-octane performance - now that's how you do it. Read more about The Rolling Stones Glastonbury performance.

Hound Dog! Are Riley Kough and Robert Pattinson a thing? According to reports in Tinsel Town, the Twilight actor has stated dating the granddaughter of a certain Mr Elvis Presley. The dirty dog. Read on to find out more about the unlikely coupling.

Continue reading: A Week In News: Stones Rock Glastonbury, Pattinson Dating Elvis' Granddaughter, Bale Bails On Batman!

Video - David Chase And Aida Turturro Are Among Funeral Goers At The Service For James Gandolfini - Part 2


Stars turned out in their hundreds at the funeral of 'Sopranos' star James Gandolfini. Among them were the show's creator David Chase, his onscreen sister Aida Turturro, the 55th Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie, Julianna Margulies who appeared in 4 episodes of the mafia drama series and her 'The Good Wife' co-star Chris Noth.

Continue: Video - David Chase And Aida Turturro Are Among Funeral Goers At The Service For James Gandolfini - Part 2

So, Is Alec Baldwin A Homophobe? Actor's Response Helps His Defence But Contradicts His Twitter Statement


Alec Baldwin James Gandolfini

When he hit back at a reporter that alleged his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, was Tweeting during the funeral of James Gandolfini, Alec Baldwin could have done with choosing his words a little better when he referred to a Daily Mail reporter as “toxic little queen” and wrote on his now deleted Twitter page; “[I'd] put my foot up your f---ing ass, George Stark, but I'm sure you'd dig it too much."

As you would expect, this has caused quite the backlash against Baldwin and he was forced to defend himself, and although he seemed to back himself up in his defence statement, it doesn't excuse his initial comment, which was a clear reference to Stark's sexuality.

Alec Baldwin Gandolfini Funeral
Alec attended the funeral of Gandolfini on Thursday (June 27)

Continue reading: So, Is Alec Baldwin A Homophobe? Actor's Response Helps His Defence But Contradicts His Twitter Statement

A Week In News: James Gandolfini Dead, Kim And Kanye’s Baby Name, World War Z’s Box Office Success


James Gandolfini Kanye West Brad Pitt Paula Deen Cameron Diaz Sandra Bullock Will Smith Jay Z Gwyneth Paltrow Chris Martin Justin Bieber Oprah Winfrey Lady GaGa Steven Spielberg Madonna Johnny Depp

RIP - James Gandolfini

Sleep Well, Tony: James Gandolfini, the actor who took dramatic television performances to a new level as Tony Soprano in The Sopranos, died this week aged 51. Gandolfini won three Emmy Awards for the long-running HBO series and will be sadly missed in both the film and television world.

North, East, South, West: So Kim Kardashian and Kanye didn’t call their kid Kaidence. Phew. You can all breathe a massive sigh of relief now - but make sure you’re sitting down for this one. The girl’s name is North. 

Continue reading: A Week In News: James Gandolfini Dead, Kim And Kanye’s Baby Name, World War Z’s Box Office Success

The Sopranos Named Best Written TV Show Ever: Do You Agree?


James Gandolfini The Sopranos The Simpsons Matt Groening

Last night (2nd June), the Writers Guild of America (the WGA) unveiled its list of the 101 best written television shows in history voted for by members, who are split into east (WGAE) and western (WGAW) guilds in an online ballot.

Following the WGA's 2005 '101 Best Screenplays', the new list saw New Jersey mobster drama The Sopranos (created by David Chase) top the TV Guide Magazine-sponsored list. After debuting in 1999, the show ran for six seasons and 86 episodes before ending in 2007. The show, starring James Gandolfini as lead-character Anthony "Tony" Soprano, has received glowing critical acclaim over the years with New Yorker editor, David Remnick proclaiming the show to be "the richest achievement in the history of television."

Indeed, this is not the first time the highly lauded series has topped a 'best of' chart, with previous rankings including TV Guide's 'Top 50 TV Shows of All Time', and 'Channel 4's Greatest Television Series of All Time.'

Continue reading: The Sopranos Named Best Written TV Show Ever: Do You Agree?

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone Review


Very Good

While not the laugh riot it could have been, this comedy consistently amuses us with its pastiche characters and silly gags. It threatens to get bogged down in sentiment at a few points along the way, but manages to veer back into something witty just in time. And while none of the characters are quite as classic as Anchorman's Ron Burgundy, it's an entertaining addition to the affectionate-spoof genre, which includes Blades of Glory and Talladega Nights.

The events take place in the sequin-filled world of Las Vegas magicians, where childhood pals Burt and Anton (Carell and Buscemi) have packed out their theatre for 10 years. But their new assistant Jane (Wilde) is surprised to see that it's now performance by numbers for them, and they can barely stand the sight of each other. Meanwhile, the egomaniac Burt won't consider freshening the act even when faced with competition from attention-seeking street magician Steve (Carrey), who's stealing their audience. But the hotel owner (Gandolfini) urges them to try a big stunt themselves. Or maybe they should return to their roots with their old-school mentor Rance (Arkin).

Carell creates a remarkably believable idiot in Burt Wonderstone, an arrogant womaniser who clearly needs to be brought down a peg or two. What's impressive is how likeable he is, even opposite Buscemi's more sympathetic (but less interesting) Anton. Arkin delivers his usual dryly hilarious supporting turn, while Wilde and Gandolfini do little more than play gently with their usual images. By contrast, Carrey's performance is much more broadly comical. He's funny but far too clownish to ever be taken as a serious threat.

Continue reading: The Incredible Burt Wonderstone Review

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone Trailer


Burt Wonderstone wanted to be a superstar magician ever since he was a young boy watching his idol Rance Holloway perform tricks on TV. Enlisting his best friend Anton Marvelton as his partner, the pair became stars beyond their wildest dreams wowing audiences in Las Vegas for the best part of 30 years. However, after a while being the biggest magic stars in America, ticket sales begin to drop and the pair find themselves drifting apart from each other. It doesn't help that a young, charismatic new street magician called Steve Gray has arrived on the scene becoming a massive hit among young magic fans. After Burt and Anton embark on a new stunt, attempting to stay suspended in a box with each other, they realise that their friendship is long forgotten and Anton moves abroad. Burt must meet with his hero Rance and reconnect with what made him love magic in the first place in order to reunite with his friend once more.

'The Incredible Burt Wonderstone' is a hilarious new comedy directed by Don Scardino ('30 Rock') and written by John Francis Daley and Jonathan M. Goldstein ('Horrible Bosses'), and Chad Kultgen ('Southern Discomfort', 'Waiting to Die'). It is set for release in UK cinemas from March 15th 2013.

Starring: Steve Carell, Jim Carrey, Olivia Wilde, Steve Buscemi, Alan Arkin, James Gandolfini, Gillian Jacobs, Zachary Gordon, Brad Garrett, Melissa Ordway, Jay Mohr, John Lewis, Freedom, David Copperfield, Mark Engelhardt, TJ Myers,

Continue: The Incredible Burt Wonderstone Trailer

Zero Dark Thirty Review


Excellent

Blistering writing, directing and acting hold us firmly in our seats as this procedural drama snakes its way to a riveting action finale. Although it's sometimes not easy to know whether director Bigelow and writer Boal are celebrating or criticising the way America has conducted itself on the world stage in its war on terrorism. Clearly the characters believe that these dodgy methods are essential tools in their job. But the film cleverly respects and challenges our own views on the issues.

The story begins with the events of 9/11, after which the CIA is determined to track down Osama bin Laden. Spearheading the search is tenacious analyst Maya (Chastain), who works with her colleague Dan (Clarke) to interrogate prisoners and mobilise their team (including Ehle and Perrineau) to action. Their bosses (Chandler and Strong), the CIA director (Gandolfini) and the national security advisor (Dillane) offer support and challenges. And eventually they get approval to illegally send a black-op team into bin Laden's suspected hide-out in Pakistan.

It's astonishing that Boal and Bigelow have managed to tell this true story without taking sides. They have been criticised for possibly using classified details or for depicting torture as an interrogation tool, but the facts can't be denied just because we don't like them. And your attitude going in will probably colour how you feel about the movie: some will find this a story of triumph while others will be troubled by the methods it depicts. Either way, it's impossible to ignore the film's urgency as it pulls us into a fascinating story.

Continue reading: Zero Dark Thirty Review

Zero Dark Thirty Trailer


Following the tragic events of the twin towers bombing on September 11th 2001 in New York City, Islamic extremist group Al Qaeda's leader Osama Bin Laden was the most wanted man in the entire world. He had managed to evade capture and certain execution for nearly ten years when, in the year of the 10th anniversary of the tragedy, he was found by the extraordinary Navy SEAL Team 6 and shot dead at his residence in Abbottabad, Pakistan on May 2nd. The event, however tarnished with conspiracy theories and speculation, marked a moment in history and was seen as a giant step in the current war on terror. 

'Zero Dark Thirty' is the gritty historical drama telling the story of when Bin Laden was successfully captured and assassinated by a remarkable group of CIA operatives whose covert operations and well-kept secrets gave America their biggest victory in many years. With director Kathryn Bigelow ('Point Break', 'Strange Days') and writer Mark Boal ('In the Valley of Elah') who have previously worked alongside one another on the six time Academy Award winning war flick 'The Hurt Locker', it is set to be a seminal movie that may itself become an important part of history. It is set to be released on January 25th 2013.

Starring: Jessica Chastain, Scott Adkins, Jason Clarke, Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt, Jennifer Ehle, Mark Strong, Taylor Kinney, James Gandolfini, Mark Duplass, Harold Perrineau, Jennifer Ehle, Kyle Chandler, Frank Grillo, Stephen Dillane & Edgar Ramirez.

Continue: Zero Dark Thirty Trailer

Video - Brad Pitt Among Arrivals For NY 'Killing Them Softly' Premiere - Part 1


Hollywood royalty Brad Pitt ('Seven', 'Fight Club', 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button') leads the arrivals at the premiere for his new crime thriller 'Killing Them Softly' in New York City. Following in his wake are stars James Gandolfini, Ray Liotta and Bella Heathcote, director Andrew Dominik, 'Lord of the Rings' producer Harvey Weinstein and his fashion designer wife Georgina Chapman.

Continue: Video - Brad Pitt Among Arrivals For NY 'Killing Them Softly' Premiere - Part 1

Review Roundup: Killing Them Softly Underwhelms


Brad Pitt Ray Liotta James Gandolfini Richard Jenkins

Based on the 1974 novel 'Cogan's Trade', Killing Them Softly stars Brad Pitt, Richard Jenkins, James Gandolfini and Ray Liotta. The movie is also a reunion between Brad Pitt and Andrew Dominik has both written and directed the movie. He also directed The Assassination of Jessie James by the Coward Robert Ford in 2007. Reviews for that were fairly similar to the critical reception for Killing Them Softly- the warmer side of luke warm.

Killing Them Softly is a grisly crime thriller, based around a mob poker game gone back and the subsequent investigation. The New York Times said it's "more concerned with conjuring an aura of meaningfulness than with actually meaning anything," and the Village Voice thought it repetitive and lacking subtlety, apparently it "shows, and then tells, tells, and tells again, its vibrant conjuring of contemporary cynicism felled by Dominik's lack of faith in his audience's ability to connect thematic dots." It's not all bad news though and Brad Pitt's performance has been receiving high praise. Rolling Stone said that "The acting is aces, especially Pitt mixing it up with the superb James Gandolfini, as an assassin losing his game to hooch and hookers. They make this movie a potently nasty provocation." The New Yorker agreed, focusing on a single scene they said, "One of the best things in the movie is a conversation between Pitt and Jenkins, on a torrential day, seated in a nondescript car beneath a bridge."

Dominik has made only three movies and they've all been in a similar vein, all falling under the umbrella banner of 'crime thriller', however neither The Assassination of Jesse James nor this year's Killing Them Softly seems to have met the high standards set by the 2000 movie Chopper, for which the young director won numerous awards. Chopper was created with a heavy dose of humour to offset the brutality and it's that lighthearted approach that seems to be lacking in his other two ventures. Nevertheless, it's up for release tomorrow (30th Nov 2012) and is worth seeing if only for Pitt's performance. 

Is The Academy Set To Ignore Brad Pitt's Killing Them Softly?


Brad Pitt Harvey Weinstein James Gandolfini

The full release of Brad Pitt's Killing Them Softly has quietly crept up, six months after it premiered to strong reviews at the Cannes Film Festival. The crime-drama reunited The Assassination of Jesse James director Andrew Dominik with Pitt and was originally set for a September 21 release.

The first thing to note is that Killing Them Softly - about an enforcer who is hired to restore order after a mob-protected poker game is robbed - is a Weinstein Company movie. Harvey Weinstein is known for his Oscars game of chess, swapping and changing release dates and masterminding promotional campaigns to give his movies the best possible of chance of winning golden statuettes. Though last year's Margaret Thatcher film The Iron Lady was regarded as a dud by critics, Meryl Streep still managed to walk away with the Best Actress gong, despite Viola Davis' stunning performance in The Help. The power of Weinstein.

Anyway, according to Indiewire.com, Killing Them Softly switched to a November 30 release date for maximum Oscars impact. Weinstein decided that he wanted to roll out Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master closer to his festival premieres. Which is odd, because since making the decision, The Master and Silver Linings Playbook have emerged as the company's biggest Oscars hopes. At best, it looks as though James Gandolfini could snag a nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Killing. Even Lawless seems to have a better chance of winning an Oscar than Dominik's movie.

Continue reading: Is The Academy Set To Ignore Brad Pitt's Killing Them Softly?

Brad Pitt On Why The Drug War Is "An Ultimate Failure"


Brad Pitt Ray Liotta James Gandolfini

Brad Pitt is on the promotional trail for his crime-thriller Killing Them Softly - a movie accused of being left-wing propaganda - and has been discussing his own views on the state of America. MTV News quizzed the Hollywood star on the progressive results in the recent elections and in particularly the subjects of gay marriage and drugs.

Pitt has made no secret of his left leaning political views (somewhat at odds with his mother) though went into more detail this week. "Equality, absolutely, that's what defines us. It's what makes us great," he said in relation to Maine, Maryland and Washington legalizing gay marriage. "If it doesn't sit well with your religion, let your God sort it out in the end, but that's us. We're equal." During a recent interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Pitt admitted to smoking plenty of marijuana in the 1990s, saying, "I was hiding out from the celebrity thing, I was smoking way too much dope, I was sitting on the couch and just turning into a doughnut and I really got irritated with myself." But what does he think of America's approach to drugs? "I do believe that we should be responsible for our own choices in talking about the drug laws, and that the drug war is an ultimate failure and that the billions and billions of dollars that we've committed to it, there's got to be a better way," he mused. Pushed on the debate of legalization, Pitt explained, "I don't believe in incarceration over education - don't get me started. But there's real damage to drugs; that is not the same as with gay marriage. Since the last round [of elections], they've been linked in every article. I find that curious."

Killing Them Softly - starring Pitt, Ray Liotta and James Gandolfini - hits theaters in the U.S. on November 30, 2012.

Continue reading: Brad Pitt On Why The Drug War Is "An Ultimate Failure"

Pictures: Brad Pitt Lets Ladies Take The Limelight At Killing Them Softly Premiere


Brad Pitt Katherine Mcphee Doutzen Kroes James Gandolfini Ray Liotta

Brad Pitt, Killing Them Softly PremiereBack in Black: Brad Pitt Attends the Premiere of the Long Awaited 'Killing Them Softly'

Brad Pitt arrived at a low-key premiere for his upcoming movie Killing Them Softly at the SVA Theater in New York City on Monday evening (November 26, 2012). Wearing an understated ensemble of black jeans, black t-shirt and black leather jacket, the Hollywood star let his female co-stars and various others celebrities take the limelight on the red carpet.

It's been a pretty busy year for Pitt, who was a mainstay over the movie festival season, particularly at Cannes. Killing Them Softly went down well with critics in France, though the film seems to have taken an age to make it to the big screen. Pitt plays Jackie Cogan, an enforcer hired to restore order and three dumb guys rob a Mob protected card game, causing the local criminal economy to collapse. Robbie Collin of The Telegraph said, "Killing Them Softly has the rigor and poise of the great American crime pictures of the 1970s." So far, Oscar talk has been limited, though Pitt won't have had time to get caught up in the awards' season speculation having spent the summer in London shooting World War Z. "I didn't know it was Thanksgiving until like midday. Until [the] afternoon.When you're overseas, they don't celebrate it in England," he told People magazine.

Continue reading: Pictures: Brad Pitt Lets Ladies Take The Limelight At Killing Them Softly Premiere

Not Fade Away - Trailer Trailer


A group of three best friends from a New Jersey suburbia set up a rock band in 1964 after seeing The Rolling Stones perform on television and enlist one boy, played by John Magaro, as the lead vocalist. He changes his look and defies his father who is unimpressed with his son's big ambitions; especially when he expresses a desire to move away to where rock music is the main scene. When the band receive a contract to play seven nights a week for six months, things start to take a chaotic turn when he starts getting involved with a girl, fighting with his band mates and struggling to maintain a relationship with his father.

'Not Fade Away' is named after a Buddy Holly song that The Rolling Stones covered in the same year the movie is set. It is a story about living in the moment; not worrying about the future and forgetting about the past, taking every positive opportunity available. It has been written and directed by the genius behind New Jersey mob series 'The Sopranos', David Chase, in his feature film directorial debut. This emotionally charged drama flick is set for release this winter on December 21st 2012.

Starring: John Magaro, Jack Huston, Will Brill, Bella Heathcote, Brad Garrett, Christopher McDonald, James Gandolfini, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Molly Price, Julia Garner, Lisa Lampanelli, Alex Veadov & Justine Lupe.

Killing Them Softly Review


Excellent

Moral murkiness makes this hitman thriller gripping to watch, mainly because we're never quite sure where it's going. Even though it's set in 2008, Australian director Dominik (The Assassination of Jesse James) shoots it like a 1970s thriller, which gives the whole film a superb sense of moral murkiness. And since it's based on a 1974 novel (Cogan's Trade by George Higgins), the film has an almost timely feel to it, using offbeat rhythms and complex characters who refuse to do what we want them to do.

At the centre is Jackie Cogan (Pitt), hired by a bookish mafia executive (Jenkins) to clean up the mess after a mob card game was robbed. The problem is that the two guys behind the heist (McNairy and Mendelsohn) are dimwits who have no idea what they've stumbled into. But Cogan is also annoyed by mob bureaucracy, which takes far too long to get anything done. And he's even more short-tempered with his old pal Mickey (Gandolfini), who he brings in to bump off a middleman (Liotta), except that Mickey is too interested in alcohol and sex to get the job done properly. Clearly, Jackie will have to do everything himself.

Pitt plays the role with a terrific sense of world-weary charm. He has no time for the losers around him, but takes pride in his work, preferring to kill his targets softly rather than causing pain. Meanwhile, Gandolfini is playing an alcoholic twist on Tony Soprano, Jenkins is doing his usual officious schtick, and Liotta is a more soulful version of the mafioso he's played many times before. By contrast, McNairy and Mendelsohn are hilariously clueless. Like characters from a Coen brothers movie, they're likeable even though we never have any hope that they'll get anything right.

Continue reading: Killing Them Softly Review

James Gandolfini To Return To HBO In New Drama Pilot


James Gandolfini Steven Zaillian Richard Price

Hbo fans will be excited to hear that one of networks biggest and most memorable stars, James Gandolfini, is to return in a pilot for a new drama, reports U.S.A Today.

Gandolfini is of course most famous for his portrayal of Tony Soprano in, arguably, HBO’s most successful show of all time, The Sopranos. He is now set to reignite his love affair with the paid-for TV channel by starring in the pilot for a new adaptation of Criminal Justice, a BBC series created by Peter Moffat that – like another of HBO’s big hitters, The Wire - follows a single case across an entire season. Screenwriter, Steven Zaillian - responsible for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - and novelist Richard Price are writers and executive producers on the new project, and Zaillian will direct the pilot episode, which will be filmed this fall in New York City in a co-production with BBC Worldwide.

Inevitably, talk of Gandolfini’s return has sparked debate as to whether fans are in line for ‘the new Sopranos,’ but can Criminal Justice be as good as the gangster show? Well, it’s hard to tell, considering the pilot hasn’t even been filmed yet, but it’ll have to be some show to take on David Chase’s New Jersey behemoth, which is often cited as the best TV drama of all time. No pressure, then.


Killing Them Softly Trailer


Jackie Cogan is the enforcer in an organized mob. He becomes the key investigator when a raid takes place at a poker game by two men armed with shotguns who manage to make off with $100,000 when the game was supposed to be protected by the gang. Jackie sets out to find the robbers but when he discovers that they are just two loud-mouthed amateur delinquents, he cunningly uses them to find out who was really behind the heist, pretending to befriend one of them, Steve Caprio.

Continue: Killing Them Softly Trailer

Welcome To The Rileys Review


Very Good
Observant writing and direction make this exploration of grief surprisingly uplifting. This also gives the cast members the chance to play complex characters who engage our sympathies while never wallowing in their sadness.

Doug Riley (Gandolfini) and his wife Lois (Leo) have a quietly tense marriage that's infused with grief over the death of their teen daughter. So when Doug's mistress (Davis) dies suddenly, he doesn't know how to cope. Then he discovers that Lois has already bought their tombstone. On a business trip to New Orleans, he develops a tentative father-daughter relationship with young prostitute Mallory (Stewart). But while he's helping Mallory get back on her feet, Lois is in meltdown mode. So she stops taking her pills and drives to New Orleans.

Continue reading: Welcome To The Rileys Review

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close Trailer


Oskar Schell is an eleven year old genius who views the world differently to others. He is also a Francophile, an amateur inventor and a pacifist. He's very close to his father and together they make it their mission to find something from every decade of the twentieth century in what he called a 'reconnaissance mission.'

Continue: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close Trailer

Brits Julie Christie And Daniel Day-lewis Take Sag Awards


Julie Christie Alec Baldwin Brokeback Mountain Coen Brothers Edie Falco Heath Ledger James Gandolfini NBC Paul Thomas Anderson Ricky Gervais Sarah Polley The Office The Sopranos

British actors Julie Christie and Daniel Day-Lewis have won the top acting prizes at the Screen Actors' Guild (SAG) awards.

While Christie took the best actress gong for her acclaimed portrayal of a woman facing dementia in Sarah Polley's Away From Her, Day-Lewis was rewarded for his stunning role as an amoral oil prospector in Paul Thomas Anderson's There Will Be Blood.

Though the awards season has been jeopardised by the ongoing industrial action by the Writers' Guild of America (WGA), the SAG awards were held without a hitch after an interim agreement was signed between the two unions, allowing acting talent to attend the ceremony without having to cross picket lines.

Christie - who is nominated for the best actress Academy award for her part in Away From Her - paid tribute to the SAG, adding to The Associated Press: "It's lovely to receive an award from your own union, especially at a time when we're being so forcefully reminded how important unions are."

And Day-Lewis dedicated his award to the late Heath Ledger, who was tragically found dead in his New York apartment last week.

"In Brokeback Mountain he was unique, he was perfect," Day-Lewis said while accepting his trophy.

"That scene in the trailer at the end of the film is as moving as anything I think I've ever seen."

The 50-year-old added backstage that he had never met Ledger but had been profoundly affected by the actor's death.

"I thought he was beautiful. I just had a very strong feeling I would have liked him very much as a man," he said. "I admired him very much. I'm absolutely certain he would have done many wonderful things in his life."

Javier Bardem took the best supporting actor prize for his role as psychotic killer Anton Chigurh in the Coen Brothers' No Country For Old Men, which also won the award for outstanding cast in a motion picture.

With The Sopranos finally coming to an end, leads James Gandolfini and Edie Falco claimed the best actor and best actress prizes for TV dramas, while Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey, the stars of NBC's 30 Rock, took the comedy equivalents.

And another NBC series, The Office - an adaptation of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's Golden Globe-winning sitcom - won the award for best cast in a comedy programme.

Continue reading: Brits Julie Christie And Daniel Day-lewis Take Sag Awards

The Last Castle Review


Good

With the United States in the throes of an unexpected war, the timing may not seem right for a movie about military infighting. But "The Last Castle" has a certain popcorn-picture kind of flag-waving pride about it that is enormously satisfying and oddly apropos for this particular moment in history.

Robert Redford could be a gentleman's John Wayne in his starring role as Gen. Eugene Irwin, a highly decorated and revered Army officer beginning a 10-year sentence in military prison for leading his troops, against orders from the President, on a rescue mission that ended in catastrophe.

He's a humble but cocksure leader, greatly admired even by ironhanded warden Colonel Winters (James Gandolfini), who asks the general up to his office to shake his hand before having him shown to his cell. But Winters' respect soon turns to resentment as Irwin begins questioning his methods of managing the men in his jail -- nicknamed The Castle for its stately courtyard-and-towers design.

Continue reading: The Last Castle Review

The Mexican Review


Good

Brad Pitt plays a scatterbrained, indentured mob lackey on a do-or-die delivery assignment. Julia Roberts plays his neurotic, therapy-addicted girlfriend who made him promise he'd get out of the rackets. James Gandolfini is a hypersensitive crybaby hit man who kidnaps Julia to make sure Brad doesn't get any bright ideas about selling the antique pistol he's sent to fetch from south of the border.

This winning talent combo and a very droll, quite original script make "The Mexican" the first sublime cinematic bonbon of 2001 -- a consistently chuckle-packed caper comedy with charm and repartee to spare.

Directed by Gore Verbinski ("Mouse Hunt"), who effortlessly navigates several blindsiding but fine-tuned plot twists, "The Mexican" features Pitt as Jerry, a hapless, handsome perpetual screw-up who has been doing odd jobs for a mafioso to atone for causing a traffic accident -- an accident that inadvertently landed the kingpin in the clink (there was a body in his trunk at the time).

Continue reading: The Mexican Review

James Gandolfini

James Gandolfini Quick Links

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James Gandolfini

Date of birth

18th September, 1961

Date of death

19th June, 2013

Occupation

Actor

Sex

Male

Height

1.85


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Killing Them Softly Movie Review

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Moral murkiness makes this hitman thriller gripping to watch, mainly because we're never quite sure...

Killing Them Softly Trailer

Killing Them Softly Trailer

Jackie Cogan is the enforcer in an organized mob. He becomes the key investigator when...

Welcome to the Rileys Movie Review

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Observant writing and direction make this exploration of grief surprisingly uplifting. This also gives the...

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close Trailer

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Oskar Schell is an eleven year old genius who views the world differently to others....

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