Week of 1/03/05 to 1/09/05 The NY Post - Page Six: Graphic Language (Sin City - Scroll) The Press Association: Movie map marks film opening (Closer in London)
East Vally Tribune: BIGGEST DARK-HORSE HIT - Robert Rodriguez ("Spy Kids") and comic book genius Frank Miller ("The Dark Knight") co-direct "Sin City" (April 1), a diabolical multinarrative crime saga starring Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke and Bruce Willis. Shot in highcontrast black-and-white, it should be a bloody beautiful feast for the eyes. - Thanks, Allison Don't forget: The 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards will be telecast Sunday, January 16, 2005 from 8-11 PM (EST) live on NBC. - BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE: DAVID CARRADINE Kill Bill Vol 2 - THOMAS HADEN CHURCH Sideways - JAMIE FOXX Collateral - MORGAN FREEMAN Million Dollar Baby - CLIVE OWEN Closer A request: I don't have the capability to do snaps from TV, so anyone who can get some from this coming week's appearances would be appreciated. Send to ME. Thanks to Kitty - An article in the new Hollywood Life From Tina: "According to CBS' "The Early Show" website, Clive Owen will be on the show Thursday, January 13, not January 11 as shown on tvguide.com." Radio 1 News UK: It was the UK premiere of the film 'Closer' last night. Related - Derailed: Morrissey Has 'Instinct' for Stone Sequel Rosario Dawson Talks about Sin City: "...and Clive Owen as Dwight, the clandestine love of Shelley (Brittany Murphy), who spends his nights defending Gail (Rosario Dawson) and her Old Towne girls (Devon Aoki and Alexis Bledel) from Jackie Boy (Benicio Del Toro), a dirty cop with a penchant for violence." Ray Pride from MCN: Tops -- "In the arbitrary spirit of the calendar year, a list of 10 movies, which change on any given day ... I'll Sleep When I'd Dead, Mike Hodges. Spare, unsparing. The reek of gunpowder, spent; lives, too." -- And 45 more: "Closer (Nichols). "Like heaven!" Clive Owen got a rare preparatory gift for this role, which he employs with a sweet fierceness: having played Dan on the London stage, his Larry is superlatively adept at deboning his on-screen rival: he's got an unmatched sense memory of the weaknesses of the cur he once inhabited six nights a week." Two Wireimages from the Closer Premiere in London From Gracie: "After reading on Murph’s site about Clive being on the Today Show, I checked out my TV Guide listings. It appears he will be very busy that day (1/11). According to TV Guide, he will be on: The Early Show – CBS -- The Today Show – NBC -- The View – syndicated (if you are in Boston, channel 5) -- And Closer is opening in London tomorrow, right?" TV Alert! ZapToIt TV Guide - Tuesday, 1/11: Today - SYNOPSIS: Actor Clive Owen ("Closer''); Today's Kitchen. CHANNEL: 4 [WNBC] DATE / TIME: January 11: 7:00AM LENGTH: 180 Minutes In case he gets a nod - TV Alert: The SAG Awards nominations will be revealed at 6:20 a.m. PT on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 in the SilverScreen Theater at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles. The nominations announcement will be telecast live on Turner Network Television (TNT) and on E! Entertainment Television's one-hour SAG Awards Nominations special. (9 AM EST)---- "The 11th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, the only industry accolades devoted solely to actors honoring actors, will be telecast live on TNT on Saturday, February 5, 2005 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. Central, 6 p.m. MT, from the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles." Jeffrey Wells - Hollywood Elsewhere: Films he wants to see in 2005 -- "I don't trust co-directors Robert Rodriguez or Frank Miller (the graphic artist) to dramatize a well-jiggered story, but the look of Sin City (Dimension, 4.1) is too cool to dismiss. Any genre movie shot in black-and-white gets my vote sight unseen, and I love the straight-from-a-comic-book visual style of this thing, and the Dick Tracy-like prosthetics worn by some of the actors (Mickey Rourke, Benicio del Toro). Based on three stories taken from Miller’s graphic novels, the likely emphasis will be on "look" over story and character." Thanks, Poly (And he has Clive in his list of best supporting: " BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Mark Ruffalo (We Don't Live Here Anymore); Clive Owen, (Closer); Thomas Hayden Church (Sideways); Rodrigo de la Serna (The Motorcycle Diaries); Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby)" Clive's information page at the All Movie Guide Clive wins best supporting by the Las Vegas Critics Comingsoon.net: Oscar Predictions - BEST WRITING, ADAPTED SCREENPLAY - "Patrick Marber's adapted his own stageplay into the script for Mike Nichols' Closer, a script which brought out some nomination worthy performances from Natalie Portman and Clive Owen." MCN: "MOVIE OF THE WEEK: SIN CITY - Three intertwined stories from Frank Miller's graphic novels ... "Hey! There is no settling down! This is blood for blood and by the gallons. This is the old days, the bad days, the all or nothing days. They're back!" -" Click for Trailer (excellent quality) Newsday - Still smitten with Britain, English actors rule Hollywood, while American stars fall: "...Carrying on Grant's tradition today: buzzworthy Brits such as Clive Owen, who scorches through Mike Nichols' latest film, "Closer," earning himself a Golden Globe nomination..." Thanks, Doro Variety: Love on the rocks by MATT WOLF - Clive quote The interview with Clive in the London Times is now on line. The On Line Film Critics: BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR -- David Carradine, Kill Bill Volume 2 -- Thomas Haden Church, Sideways -- Jamie Foxx, Collateral -- Clive Owen, Closer -- Peter Sarsgaard, Kinsey From Film Stew: London Film Critics - British Actor of the Year: Brit actors Clive Owen (Closer), Paddy Considine (Dead Man's Shoes), James McAvoy (Inside I'm Dancing), Ben Kingsley (House of Sand and Fog) and Daniel Craig (Enduring Love) were all cited in the British Actor of the Year category. The Las Vegas Film Critics Society Sierra Award Winners for 2004 - Best Supporting - Clive Owen. Thanks, clemato Supporting actor US Weekly - Thanks, clemato SuperHeroHype.com is showing the Sin City posters in high res. Thanks, Leyla I guess he didn't like it! NP Thompson - Movies into Film on Closer (Grudging praise for Clive.) It is also in his list of worst movies of the year as a dishonorable mention - Scroll Week of 12/27/04 to 1/02/05 - Happy New Year! Thanks to Gill, a long interview in the London Sunday Times 1/2 (Mention of murphsplace - thanks, Times!) - Images added THE BALTIMORE SUN: Versatile Clive Owen winning accolades for role in 'Closer' BY MICHAEL SRAGOW
The London Free Press: "Best supporting actor -- Clive Owen, Closer: He is battery acid in doctor's duds -- if anyone gives a more scorching, more courageous and more dead-on performance than he does in Mike Nichols' anti-romance, someone please scream out the name. In the meantime, Owen gets my vote, and not just because he so deftly savages Julia Roberts on screen." The Hollywood Reporter: "King Arthur" was the nation's second-best-selling DVD, according to the First Alert weekly sales chart. The actioner from Buena Vista Home Entertainment's Touchstone Pictures captured the No. 8 position on the weekly rental chart during the same frame, generating an estimated $5.16 million in consumer spending. - Thanks, Shannon From leyla: "QuintEssential Cinema has a Sin City fan trailer. They used footage from the first Comic Con trailer and added the Servants song from the other trailer. Not much Clive, but it's good. Scroll down and click on ALL NEW EXCLUSIVE SIN CITY TRAILER." Moriarty at AICN on Closer: "...Clive Owen’s an animal, a big bag of testosterone, and watching him as he figures out the rules of his particular game is the most entertaining thing about the film." Ebert's best of 2004 (Not in the top ten, but a "Special Jury Prize" winner. -- “Closer” is Mike Nichols' story of four characters who fall in and out of love and betrayal in various combinations, complicated by their tendency to tell the truth when it doesn't exactly help anyone to know it. Natalie Portman is luminous in her first grown-up role, as a New York stripper who comes to London and falls in love with Jude Law, a journalist who writes a novel about their affair and then falls in love with Julia Roberts, as his publicity photographer. She in turn meets Clive Owen, a doctor who, in his turn, meets Portman. These four people richly deserve one another; seduced by seduction itself, they play at relationships that are lies in almost every respect except their desire to sleep with each other. Based on the play by Patrick Marber. Canada.com year's' best: "Closer -- A biting drama about adult relationships, the Mike Nichols film is uncomfortable to watch due to its brutal honesty and unrestrained dialogue. Based on a play by Patrick Marber, the film version stars Jude Law, Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman, and Clive Owen (who also appeared in the stage play). Portman and Owen are drawing accolades for their performances." In addition to the scans you have, there is a high-res photo online right now at Entertainment Weekly's website - Thanks clemato The Edmonton Sun - Fugua -- Director looks past PG-13 - Thanks, cinecing New Sin City Web site and forum - Thanks, Leyla Oscar ballots are mailed 12/28 Canoe - Jam: "BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR -- Clive Owen, Closer: He is battery acid in doctor's duds -- if anyone gives a more scorching, more courageous and more dead-on performance than he does in Mike Nichols' anti-romance, then someone please scream out the name. In the meantime, Owen gets my vote, and not just because he so deftly savages Julia Roberts on screen." The Detroit Free Press: Terry Lawson's Top 10 films of 2004 Week of 12/20/04 to 12/26/04 Visit Leyla's Clive Own blog with oodles of great images Thanks to Ing at the Murphsplace Forum - Scans from the new EW Magazine - Entertainers of the Year. - Clive is # 9 Merry Christmas! Sin City: Snaps from the new trailer thanks to Genevieve Oscar Watch has many of the Closer ads. Click for larger versions. Thanks, clemato News.com.au -- Related - Aniston: Perfect couple fly off alone DVD Talk Reviews: King Arthur: Extended Unrated Edition - "I found Owen's performance in the titular role to be dark and austere, yet at all times commanding and charismatic. He's not the type of leader who inspires through words, flash, and promises, but through sheer intensity and presence."
Canoe Jam: 'King Arthur' DVD darker than original -- Filmmaker vindicated with release of King Arthur director's cut Backstage.com: The Not-So-Short List -- "...Right now I'd say it's between Tom Church and Clive Owen. I feel like their reviews were so strong." Zhora at the Murphsplace Forum has posted some good pictures of Clive at a November Closer press conference. Thanks, Steph Week of 12/13/04 to 12/19/04 The Boston Globe: DVD Report: Revisionist history is all in a knight's work Richard Roeper the Chicago Sun-Times: "...Least romantic and most intense scene of the year: Prodded by Clive Owen, Julia Roberts describes the infidelity in beyond-graphic detail." The Baltimore Sun via the Chicago Tribune: The fallible guy: Owen shines at taking on characters in conflict. Thanks, Leyla The Toronto Star: Cute story on Jude by Peter Howell (Clive is mentioned) --"This being the season of offering good cheer to all, I feel I must speak up on behalf of one of the most downtrodden people in our midst: Jude Law." The
Chicago Sun Times on the KA DVD: "KING ARTHUR (2004; Buena
Vista; 130 minutes) Darker and chillier than the usual Arthurian movie,
with Clive Owen as a lean, hard-edged Arthur and Keira Knightley as
Guinevere, who in this version is a woman warrior of the Woads, a people
previously unknown to history. Arthur's knights are Sarmatians, press-ganged
into the Roman army to fight back the Saxon invasion of England; the
Woads, led by Merlin (Stephen Dillane), are his allies -- in Guinevere's
case, a very friendly one. Too much swashbuckling, and the movie could
have established deeper characters, but the acting and production values
are top-shelf. Said to be based on "the true story that inspired
the legend." Uh-huh. Rated PG-13. *** (Ebert) DVD special features:
commentary by director Antoine Fuqua; extended edition with 15 minutes
of added footage; deleted scenes; alternate ending; "Blood on the
Land: Forging King Arthur"; commentary with cast and filmmakers;
pop-up trivia." If your DVD player can read PAL DVDs (in the USA you must have a region free format DVD player. Regular ones do not play PAL DVDs), Amazon UK has both series of Chancer to buy. (Click on the image) (12/17) The Uk Telegraph: With a fresh Golden Globe nomination
under his belt for 'Closer', Clive Owen is poised to join Pride Unprejudiced on Mike Nichols and Closer: "...So, as we were getting ready to shoot, I said, 'Well, why don't you, instead of that, Julia, why don't you just go upstairs and get your coat and leave, rather than tell him these things. And you, Clive, why don't you chase her? And force her?' He has to force her to say those things, because he wants to be free. He wants the wound cauterized. He says… He says, 'Thank you. Thank you for your honesty. Now fuck off and die.' [laughs] He has goaded her until she said unsayable things, the things that you never want to say, and God knows you never want to hear, so that he could go on. And not only does he goad her until she has to do it, but it works. He gets through and he forms his plan, and then he puts his plan into effect, and then his plan succeeds, and he bests the other guy, and does him severe harm, forever, and then he gets his girl back. So, that's the plot. But in order for them to get there… it's more a question of finding out how and under what circumstances." USA Today -Top 100 people of 2004: "66. Clive Owen. I'm sure many actors spend plenty of their own time frequenting strip clubs, screaming at lovers and visiting seedy chat rooms. But few could pull it off onscreen as well as Clive did in Closer." Clive nominated as best supporting for the Broadcast Film Critics Awards. Winners announced in January. Thanks, Cindy Clive wins the Toronto film critics award for best supporting actor/actress. Thanks, leyla Older - Filmcritic's review of KA. "...Clive Owen’s (Croupier) Arthur is neither as steely as Russell Crowe’s Maximus nor as bombastic as Mel Gibson’s William Wallace, but he carries the weight of a man who perseveres even as his world crumbles around him. Rumors currently place Owen as the next James Bond, a role he could fill with refreshing edginess. He’s a delight." Thanks, Ivani, lyden NEW - An awards page for Clive for 2005. Thanks to kireipan for the suggestion Congratulations, Clive! You won this one....New York Film Critics Go 'Sideways' Also -- In a move that surprised absolutely no one, the New York Film Critics Circle (membership includes many of the top magazine and newspaper critics in the country) gave their Best Film award to Sideways, the movie that just this weekend won the Los Angeles Film Critics' top honor and dominated this morning's Golden Globe nominations. The indie comedy, which is cementing its Oscar chances as the days go by, also took home Best Screenplay and Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress honors for Paul Giamatti and Virginia Madsen, respectively. In a bit of a surprise, however, Sideways' Alexander Payne lost the Best Director award to Clint Eastwood for his boxing drama Million Dollar Baby. Most of the other Gotham awards, however, were highly predictable, with Imelda Staunton winning Best Actress for Vera Drake, The Incredibles winning Best Animated Film, Fahrenheit 9/11 nabbing Best Nonfiction Film, and Maria Full of Grace named Best First Feature. In the not-quite-predictable but no-surprise-either category, Clive Owen won Best Supporting Actor for Closer and Bad Education took home the Best Foreign Language Film honor; last but not least, Hero was the winner for Best Cinematography. --Prepared by IMDb staff. Thanks, Kris C Closer and Clive nominated for the Golden Globes! - Natalie also for best supporting, Nichols for director and screenplay as well. Week of 12/06/04 to 12/12/04 Clive nominated for best supporting actor by the International Press Association. Ceremony January 23rd in Beverly Hills (List of nominees here) Also nominated -- Natalie Portman, Actress in a Supporting Role, Drama. Patrick Marber for Best Screenplay, Adapted. John Bloom and Antonia Van Drimmelen for film editing. Thanks, Jinete at the Murphsplace Forum The Golden Globe noms will be announced tomorrow, 12/13 Good Clive interview in the Baltimore Sun (12/12) Film Force: Interview: Clive Owen & Jude Law - Thanks, Steph From Steph: "Hard Candy posted this scan of an article in People Magazine (US) on Jennifer Aniston filming Derailed in London" EW Magazine 12/17 - Clive's listed in their "The Must List". He's listed #1. Thanks, LNG71 I provided this link before on CTV.ca, but if you go to the right and click on the video link, there is a great interview to watch with Clive New Yorker review of Closer - More praise for Clive. For Hollywood residents: "Hollywood's Master Storytellers Presents Q&A With Director Antoine Fuqua and Producer Jerry Bruckheimer Following "King Arthur" -- December 20, 2004, 7:30pm - Antoine Fuqua is the critically acclaimed director of THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS, TEARS OF THE SUN, and TRAINING DAY. This is the theatrical premiere of the 138-minute Director's Cut with 14 minutes of footage not seen in the original version. - Tickets can be purchased here." Thanks, Steph More on the above info from Film Stew Humorous letter in the UK Times 12/2/04 regarding King Arthur. Thanks, Amelie Interesting review of Closer at Christianity Today. Thanks, Leyla The NY Times: Partners Who Cheat but Tell the Truth (Free Registration required, and easy to do) People: Celeb Spotlight: Clive Owen - Get the lowdown on the sexy Closer star - Thanks, Ing71 at the Murphsplace Forum Z Review has some pictures from the filming of Derailed in London. Wait for the larger versions to appear. Film Historian David Thompson in the Independent on Closer and Julia Roberts - "...Clive Owen, in probably the hardest or most vulnerable part, is so good that I would immediately mount a season of Pinter plays with him in the leads." See this thread at the Murphsplace Forum for some snaps by Steph from the KA DVD of the drawings that inspired the costumes in the summer hit King Arthur, starring Clive Owen and Keira Knightley. The drawings by Darrell Warner, the artist and illustrator behind costumes in four Hollywood hits, including Pirates of the Caribbean, are on display at Ely Museum as part of a travelling exhibition. (See earlier post for link to article) And click here for snaps from the DVD of the alternate ending to KA, again thanks to Steph - Scroll Sci Fi Wire: Sin City Is Faithful - Clive quoted Cambridge News: THE DRAWINGS behind a blockbuster movie are on display in Ely. ReelReviews - James Berardinelli: "...In Closer, the actors get a chance to shine, and no one is brighter than Clive Owen. Despite a number of memorable turns (and one big mistake: King Arthur), Owen still lacks household recognition. A likely (and deserved) Oscar nomination for this performance will change that. The ferocity with which Owen delivers his lines, and the restless energy he imparts to Larry, electrifies every scene that he's in. Closer's two most riveting sequences involve Owen and Natalie Portman - one in an art gallery where they first meet, and the other in a strip club where he has all the money but she has the power, and uses it." From Anja in Germany: "Thought you might be interested in the fact that - while zapping through the tv-channels last night (Dec. 5th, 9 pm, Germany) - I stumbled upon a BBC documentary which was narrated by Clive Owen! It was called "Imagination - Walk on By" and was about the music of the sixties. No Clive visually, but to hear him talk in his georgous voice was more than an unexpected treat. I have no idea if there will be a re-run of that documentary. Anyone interested should check their website on bbcworld.com for program-information. They mentioned another part of that documentary for the next Sunday, same time, that is: Dec. 12th, 13:10 and 21:10 (German time-zone!)." [December 12, 12:10 (UK Time)- Imagination: Walk On By (r) After the Gold Rush -- "After The Gold Rush examines the upheavals of the early Seventies. Key figures from the period, including David Crosby, Robert Hunter of The Grateful Dead and Robbie Robertson of The Band share their stories." (Info on the program from Sky TV -Date: Mon 06 Dec 2004 01:10AM (UK) - Duration: 50 Minutes - Channel: BBC World -- Synopsis: Atlantic Crossing: Atlantic Crossing examines the work of both British and American songwriters: Lennon and McCartney, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Burt Bacharach, Bob Dylan and Smokey Robinson USA Today: Audiences caught in a push-pull over 'Closer' Week of 11/29/04 to 12/05/04 SuperHeroHype.com: First Word on the Sin City Trailer! (Also at the Sin City pages) Yahoo News: The only new entry in the top 10 was director Mike Nichols' potty-mouthed adultery drama "Closer," which opened at No. 6 with $7.7 million, a hefty number for a limited release. Columbia Pictures' London-set drama, an adaptation of a play by British playwright Patrick Marber, stars Julia Roberts as a photographer who beds both Jude Law's journalist character and Clive Owen's dermatologist. Natalie Portman plays a stripper who also gets sack time with both men. While all the movies in the top five played in more than 3,100 theaters each, "Closer" was launched in just 476 to "give it some time to mature," said Rory Bruer, president of domestic theatrical distribution at the Sony Corp (NYSE:SNE - news) (news - web sites). -owned studio. "It's daring, it's provocative, people are going to talk about it." The studio will add 150 runs next weekend, and hopes the film's momentum will be boosted as critics' groups start naming their top picks of the year.
Listen to a Closer review by David Edelstein of Slate. (With a scene including Clive and Roberts in it) Box Office Prophets: Closer - Academy Award-winning director Mike Nichols returns with this critically divisive film that feels awfully similar in tone to his previous film, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Closer was banking on its gorgeous cast, including Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts, Jude Law and Clive Owen to carry it to some degree of success with a moderate opening on 476 screens. The film was able to do just fine in its limited debut on opening day, taking in $2.8 million. Since it (obviously) skews adult, Closer should see a Friday-to-Sunday multiplier in excess of 3.0 - probably in the 3.2 range. That would give the Sony film a three-day total of $9 million and a smashing per screen average. Radio 4 (UK) ran a listeners poll to determine who should play James Bond next, and the winner was... Pierce Brosnan! Listeners to the station believe the search for the next 007 should ultimately lead back to Irishman 's door. Brosnan, who has played Bond in four films since 1994 topped the poll, followed by Coventry-born King Arthur star Clive Owen. The Louisville Scene: Owen loves change and lots of variety Owen thrilled to play other part in 'Closer' - CTV.ca News Staff Comment on some of Murph's favorite films HERE (On and off topic) Add your review of Closer to the Amazon page Fans who saw Closer are posting their comments at the Murphsplace Forum. Join in if you have seen the film. The Globe and Mail - A profile of Clive. Thanks, Jannie Thanks to Leyla, large pictures from the press kit for Closer straight.com: Director Mike Nichols Acquired His Taste For Male-Female Relationships In A Former Life As A Standup Guy - Thanks, Jannie [ed note: For we older folk, Mike and Elaine's comedy routines were the smartest and the funniest in the late 1950s. You can download some of them at mp3.com] With so much coming in this week, I will now put Closer news on the Closer page, so please check over there. The Comic Reel: "SIN CITY - Speaking of "Closer," Comingsoon.net talked to Portman's co-star (and Heidi Macdonald's obsession) Clive Owen about heading down to Austin to work with Robert Rodriguez. "It was extraordinary," Owen said. "It was Robert Rodriguez, who is like [a] Renaissance man really. He's a complete one-off. I've never met anyone quite like him. He does absolutely everything. He shoots, he edits, he operates, he lights, he composes the music. He's the most amazing cook. He really pissed me off. It's an extraordinary project. He's doing this strip, cartoon, picture book, Frank Miller thing and he's been so faithful. He re-creates image by image by image. To us, it was very weird. We were just standing in a sort of green screen every day, and everything else will be added. It was an extraordinary experience, but my most overwhelming memory is how hugely impressive the whole thing he's got going down there in Texas is." The Seattle Weekly - Closer: "...Only Owen, having barely escaped from King Arthur with crown intact, suggests better things. His unhygienic dermatologist relishes nasty sex and pornographic chat rooms; Larry falls for, then betrays, Anna with the same insouciance that asks, "Were you seriously expecting anything else?" While the others look so wounded, only he appears to understand that getting hurt is a given in affairs. (It helps, perhaps, that Owen has the perspective of having played easily bruised Dan in the original stage production.)" Vote for Clive as most attractive man of the week at Hello! Magazine The Black Table web site - Racy but funny reaction to Natalie Portman The Village Voice Review of Closer: "...Owen, who played Dan in a London production, stalks through the movie with a permanent leer. It's a masterfully sleazy performance: In the showpiece meltdown, Larry badgers Anna into spilling graphic details about her affair with Dan, and uses her coerced confession to validate the force of his vicious rejoinder. (Even his incidental insults are inventively destructive, as when he spits at Dan: "You writer!")" Release dates for Sin City. Thanks, Steph Steph has posted several "For Your Consideration" Oscar ads for Closer at the Murphsplace Forum About.com: Clive Owen on "Closer" the Movie vs. "Closer" the Play and the James Bond Rumors - Thanks, Doro, Steph, Jannie Some video on Closer at E! online - Click on "Top 5 videos of the week." Thanks, maddie There is a 3rd TV Spot HERE. Thanks, Maddie U-Daily Bulletin: Clive on his character and what he likes. Scroll a bit. Thanks, Maddie Re Closer: "Just writing to tell you this as I saw this show listed a few times on your site, with the info that it's airing on the 2, 4, and 5th. According to Bravo's website, it is actually airing on the 9th at 4:30 p.m. and on the 19th at 11 a.m. I would hate for other Clive fans who aren't as obsessively thorough as I am to miss it!" - Thanks, "HiddyousPinkElef" The Hollywood Reporter: Golden Globes preview - A strong year for film means some tough choices ahead for voting members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. MSNBC: The four actors have rarely been better, though Owen, who played Dan in the original London stage production, stands out in what may be the best-written role. Larry is especially adept at check-mating Dan and out-guessing Anna, and Owen rules the screen whenever Larry’s on top. Thanks, veebs The Washington Post 11/28 -- On the Topic of Adultery, Nichols's Affairs Are in Order. Thanks, LNG71 On the Derailed page, a scan of an article in People Magazine, 12/4/04, Thanks to Hard Candy at the Murphsplace Forum - and Steph (Go to "News") Week of 11/22/04 to 11/28/04 The other song in Closer, heard in this commercial, is Come on Closer by Jem. You can dowload it through ITunes (Not sure if it is just background for a TV spot, or actually in the film. We will see on 12/3!) - Thanks, maddy at the Murphsplace Forum Boston.com - Mike Nichols. Thanks, Doro (All these links are also in the Closer news section) The NY Post on Closer - Comments by Clive - "The most striking thing about it," observes Clive Owen, "is if you're a guy or a girl of a certain age, with any sort of emotional history, you've been through some of those scenes - and maybe it's shocking and upsetting because you do, but you also don't, really want to go to those places." Owen, however, didn't have these doubts, as he joined the film after performing the play in London stage where he played not Larry but Dan, Jude Law's role." - Thanks, Doro Philly.com - Mike Nichols. Thanks, Doro Richard Corliss in Time on Closer (Oops! Already up on this page) Tomorrow's NY Times has an article on Mike Nichols and Closer by A O Scott FilmForce: Gettin' Closer (Portman-focused) - Thanks, Dani In an OscarWatch forum on a discussion of bad epics being made lately: "...I know GLADIATOR being a good movie certainly helped (as well as Crowe being a great actor). Still, I'm most surprised at the reaction to Owen's performance, in spite of the weak reaction to the film (KA), I expected the critics to love him anyway. He's generally considered an excellent actor (he's stealing most of the reviews for CLOSER at the moment). He has a face for epic period drama (ie, like Crowe, he looks rugged. Handsome, but not too slick. Looking too smooth or "pretty" like Pitt or Cruise isn't always a bonus as a lead in an action epic). Maybe expecing Owen to rise above the tepid reaction of KING ARTHUR is like asking him to perform miracles." AZ Central: A closer look at 'Closer' - Entertainment News Wire: Clive -- "I was terribly excited. Of course, playing a part in the play, I knew it so well. The big advantage is that I've seen the piece and I've acted in it as well. I've seen the way the play works. Whenever you play a part you see everything through that character's perception and the way it flows. For a film, suddenly you've got to look at the piece and the people in the piece from different angles. I was delighted to be involved because it is a fantastic part." - Thanks, cinecing New Closer Film Clips at IFilm. (Clive is in "The Aquarium" and "Everyone Wants to be happy." - Thanks, maddy at the Murphsplace Forum The Scotsman on the KA DVD release: Folk legend tales set in stone - KING ARTHUR - Thanks, Steph 11/25 - USA Fans - Happy Thanksgiving! The Murphsplace Forum: High Res pics at the LA Closer premiere, thanks to Anna and Pingu at gerardbutler.net Dave Poland at his Hot Button didn't like Closer. Scroll. Thanks, Zhora Nice words for ISWID DVD at MSNBC - Scroll The Hollywood Reporter - Martin Grove: Closer awards race likely with 'Closer' You can watch a video of Damien Rice performing "The Blower's Daughter" here. Images added to the Newsweek article and to the Time review of Closer - thanks to clemato Hello! Nat gets "Closer" to Clive, Jude and Ewan. Wire Images from the Closer LA Premiere 11/22 From Oscarwatch: "Thanks to Shona and others for the Ebert and Roeper Closer Rave--from Sunday's Show: First Roeper's comments: One of the most viscously insightful movies this side of Virginia Wolf, a brutal, sadistic masterpiece involving the most devastating exchange this year which involves Clive Owen who is prodding Julia Roberts into revealing the details of her sex life with Jude Law. Closer contains some of the strongest acting and writing I've seen all year. This is a better performance by Julia Roberts than she gave in Erin Brockovich. Amazing stuff. -- And Ebert has to say: Mike Nichols is at the top of his form. The film is mesmerizing. I was zeroed in onit from beginning to end. It takes place at a very high level of intelligence and aggression and lust and desire. Four great performances. It is a very good movie." Damien Rice is scheduled to be a guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Friday, December 3. - Thanks, Far Far Away/Closer fan site Two Closer fan sites: Hello-Stranger and Far Far Away - Thanks, Grace Time Magazine Review of Closer Repeating: Bravo in the USA will air the "Making of Closer" on December 2 at 2:30 in the afternoon. Also December 4 and 5 at 11 AM. Set your VCRs - Thanks, Ing71 from the forum (Would love any screen snaps if anyone can do them) ScreenDaily on Closer: "...Owen (who played Law's character Dan in the original London stage production of Closer) has the juiciest part by far and he takes the opportunity to give a scarily intense performance, one that could give the film its best shot at award recognition. His head to head scene with Law is among the film's highlights and actually produce more sparks than most of the scenes between the story's various permutations of lovers." Thanks, Steph Week of 11/15/04 to 11/21/04 Newsweek's review of Closer: The Course of True Love, From Chat Room to Bedroom Variety's review of Closer. "...Owen, who played Dan in the original National Theater production, dominates the film with a crafty, stinging performance as Larry that induces him to show more vibrant colors and more shading than he has onscreen before." Thanks, Gill Gold Derby Inside Track: "...Audiences were hardly so uniform in reaction to an early screening of Closer, the dark look at love and relationships that stands as one of Sony's best shots at Oscar glory. The film, starring Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Jude Law and Natalie Portman, scored big laughs for its David Mamet-tinged dialogue. But its grim characters and gloomy outlook on fidelity and romance left some wondering whether it was too dark to vie for the granddaddy prize. "I think you could take any one of those four characters and consider them a contender in the acting categories," says one observer. "But Oscar likes to have a little hope in its movies, and I couldn't find any." King Arthur DVD Ad in the NY Times Magazine 11/21/04 Newsweek: Clive Arrives -- Clive Owen's dark, witty turn in 'Closer' could get him an Oscar nod. Or make him the next James Bond. Or both. - Thanks, Leyla (If there is a picture in the magazine, we would love a scan. Thanks. Send to Murph) From Wendy for Aussie Fans: "Thought you would like to know that the Today Show will have an interview of Clive on it this week - not sure what day but you could check it out at www.ninemsn.com.au and check out the TV show listings the week between 22 to 26 of Nov." The Chicago Herald News: Joliet prison: Another big break? - "...The 146-year-old prison, which was closed in 2002, already is being used as a location in the film "Derailed," a thriller starring Jennifer Aniston and Clive Owen. Film crews were on site last week and are expected to return for more shooting on Monday." Variety on a power struggle at publicity giant PMK/HBH - involves Closer Zhora at the Murphsplace Forum has oodles of great Clive pictures Closer Review - The Hollywood Reporter. (So So) - Thanks, Steph The Chicago Sun Times - The Rice Report: "...In case you missed it, actress Jennifer Aniston was filming a scene from "Derailed," with Brit actor Clive Owen at Plaza del Lago in Wilmette earlier this week. Aniston reportedly hied out of town to meet hubby Brad Pitt in Little Rock, Ark., where the couple is expected to attend the dedication ceremony of Bill Clinton's presidential library." ---- I spy . . . Julia Louis-Dreyfus of "Seinfeld" fame dined at Le Lan Tuesday. . . . Brit actor Clive Owen dined at Gibsons Tuesday. If you live in the NYC area - a free pre-screening by the NY Times Dave Poland at MCN - 20 Weeks to Oscar: "...Clive Owens' rage in Closer… Natalie Portman coming of age - and I don't mean that in a pervy way, but in regards to her finally breaking loose of all constraint as an actress…These were all great for me this year… and I expect few of them to be recognized. In their place, films of greater comfort." - Another page of predictions by Poland: "Best Supporting -- Clive Owen - Closer - His first great role since Croupier" ISWID Snaps from the DVD (Murph comment: Interesting film - Moved along quite well until the final 5 minutes or so, when you were not sure exactly what had happened or was going to happen. Almost seemed unfinished. Great deadpan Clive throughout.) Older Article from This Is London (Gosford Park time) - White vest works wonders for Clive . Thanks Pauline at the Murphsplace forum A Closer review by a 15 year old at JoBlo.com - He liked Clive. Has KA and Alexander mixed up. Thanks, Da Yepper In case you missed it - USA Today article from July - thanks, catfight For a limited time (VERY large m4p file. Please right click and save to your computer before listening to save me bandwidth. Thanks), listen to Damien Rice's The Blower's Daughter (Closer) - Quick Time needed) - "...With the insistent yearning of "The Blower's Daughter," the Damien Rice song that punctuates the film, Nichols locates something unexpected in Closer: a grieving heart." Great review in the Rolling Stone for Closer. - "...Owen gives the role a raw intensity that is absolutely riveting. And he meets his match in Portman, who digs so deep into the bruised core of her character that they seem to wear the same skin." News on Derailed at the Murphsplace Forum. More casting and extra report from the IMdb -- Thanks, Steph A few snaps from Second Sight Two EW has the Best of 2004 Poll. Vote for Clive on the second page - actor of year. Thanks, clemato Closer Review at AICN: "Larry. Clive Owen delivers the standout performance of the film" Thanks to leyla Week of 11/08/04 to 11/14/04 From Clemato: From Extra!, Nov 12: "And speaking of smoking hot men, People magazine is prepping their "Sexiest Man of the Year" issue for release next week. Who takes the title is still a secret, but stay tuned for the advance word." [any chance of Clive being one of the top 20? We will see] From "Eve": "The NY Times Magazine is devoted to film today. From the article, 'What is an American Movie Now?" by Lynn Hirschberg: "Today's global audience, it seems, has little interest in the next generation of American leading men. As a rule, international stars, a field dominated by men (only Julia Roberts is truly an international female star), are not American if they are newly emerging. Sure, Tobey Maguire was a great Spider-Man, but he doesn't have a global reach without the red hood. Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt may still draw crowds, but the world's newest stars come from other English-language-speaking countries, like Ireland (Colin Farrell), England (Jude Law, Clive Owen), Scotland (Ewan McGregor) or Australia (Russell Crowe). "What is that?" said Amy Pascal, chairwoman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group, who just cast Heath Ledger (Australia) as a Los Angeles skateboarder in "Lords of Dogtown." "I guess all the American men became comedians. They all wanted to be funny. The next generation of stars seem to be a more international bunch, which is great: your access, as a studio, is not limited to the boy or girl next door." The Chicago Sun Times: Hollywood throwing a holiday soiree - BY CINDY PEARLMAN -- "CLOSER" Save the date: Dec. 3 The invite: Call it "dating styles of the good looking and shameless." It seems that young waif Natalie Portman is deeply in love with caddish Jude Law, but he's cheating on her with serial cheater Julia Roberts, who is a pretty duplicitous woman. She two-times Jude with Clive Owen. Director Mike Nichols proves love is the ultimate four-letter word. An affair to remember? This is pegged as the movie that finally, after all those years and Bond rumors, will make Owen a superstar. Pre-party gossip: For once in Hollywood, Roberts wasn't the first one to get the call for her role. Cate Blanchett was cast, but she became pregnant and dropped out. Of course, Roberts is now pregnant with twins so maybe there was something in the water on this set. Meanwhile, over in the guy's corner, "Alfie" himself Jude Law is back exploring sexual politics. "Alfie and this film complimented each other," Law says. "It's funny how they kind of fit together, yet they're two different styles of analyzing a similar territory." Thanks cinecing Scotsman Sunday -article on Julia - "Crediting her co-stars with the success of her performance, Roberts adds: "Clive made me feel so safe in the moment. We had many scenes that were not knee-slappers, but in between takes he would have me laughing so hard that I could relax." - Thansk, Jannie Clive has moved up on Dave Poland's choices for best supporting actor for Closer. Lui from the Murphsplace forum has made 4 new Clive-wallpapers: One -- Two -- Three -- Four Film Critic.com - Review of ISWID. Thanks, Alice ET Movies - Julia Roberts on Clive: "Clive is great and he's so much fun," says Julia about her new co-star. "I laugh more and harder on the set with Clive, which kind of surprises me. I don't know why -- maybe just because he's English and seems like he would be somehow above my antics and silliness, and he's just not." - Thanks, Clemato Week of 11/01/04 to 11/7/04 Information on Clive's character Dwight in Sin City. (Scroll) thanks to leyla at the Murphsplace Forum Variety: 'Cursed,' 'Sin' bless Miramax sales pacts: "Meantime, Sands and Hausfater were ready to reopen the Miramax ledger today on "Sin City," the latest effort by another proven Dimension deliveryman, Robert Rodriguez ("Spy Kids" franchise). The mini-major unveiled 20 minutes of footage on the film Saturday night in an invitation-only engagement for buyers attended by Rodriguez. Like "Cursed," "City" also stars an ensemble cast, including Jessica Alba (news), Rosario Dawson, Elijah Wood, Maria Bello (news), Bruce Willis, Benicio Del Toro (news), Josh Hartnett (news), Michael Madsen, Clive Owen, Brittany Murphy and Carla Gugino (news)." The Philly Inquirer: Closer (Dec. 3) is another likely award contestant. The adaptation of the tough Patrick Marber play about two couples cheating on each other with each other (or suspecting as much) comes from director Mike Nichols. The cast, a killer: Jude Law, Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Natalie Portman. Updated Closer official site from Sony. With images, synopsis and other good things. Also Damien Rice's whole rendition of "And So It Is." Click on bottom right when you enter the site. Thanks, Doro (Plus two new snaps from the site) Clive in Empire Magazine - Thanks, clemato I've made some Clive Art from the EW picture (Original thanks to LNG71) Closer in EW Magazine 11/12 - Thanks to LNG71 I have added Savage Grace again to Clive's upcoming films on right. It looks like he will be Brooks, co-starring with Julianne Moore. Check out the IMdb message board for updates Bravo in the USA will air the "Making of Closer" on December 2 at 2:30 in the afternoon. Also December 4 and 5 at 11 AM. Set your VCRs - Thanks, Ing71 from the forum Moviecrazed has Closer as its first ultimate December release Picture of Clive on the Oprah Show - "Clive Owen drove his way into the Hollywood spotlight in edgy BMW ads. Since then, this tall, dark, green-eyed Brit has built an impressive resume. Clive faced off with Matt Damon in The Bourne Identity, went Beyond Borders with Angelina Jolie and ruled the big screen as King Arthur. In Closer, Clive plays Julia Roberts' scorned husband who won't go down without a fight. In real life, Clive met his wife while they were playing Romeo and Juliet on stage! They now have two daughters. Oprah: What a great job you did. You did an excellent job. And you're so convincing. What was it like playing [Julia's character's] husband? Clive: It was fantastic. The whole experience of this film, for me, was like a gift. Oprah: Is it true that you had said to somebody you were amazed at Julia's talent? Clive: Well, yeah. Of course. I always think that…the very special ones are the ones that make it look so easy, and it's really easy to take that for granted, you know. To be that good and that confident in front of a camera, and working with the lady here is just—she's impressive when you see her. It's, wow, that's why Julia Roberts is the biggest actress in the world. At readabet.com Closer comes in at #6 at 11/1 Clive shows up on Dave Poland's best supporting actor list for 2005 - as #2! And Closer is listed as the #4 possibility for best picture Empire On Line's review of the Director's cut DVD of KA - Ouch!: "...even this Director’s Cut can’t conceal Clive Owen’s flaccid performance as the Once And Future King..." This Is London: "If hype is anything to go by, then Closer is going to make quite an impact. As soon as it started filming, whispers began. With a four-man cast made up of Jude Law, Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman and Clive Owen, it's hardly surprising. Adapted by Patrick Marber from his own corrosive play and directed by Mike Nichols, it's A-list all the way. Released 14 January, 2005. (UK)" *** Extra requests for Derailed (Chicago area) - Thanks to Karen From Entertainment Weekly, November 5, 2004 - A special advance screening. Click HERE to see the scan. And HERE to enter. Thanks to clemato at the Murphsplace forum. Week of 10/25/04 to 10/31/04 Chicago Herald News: Casting tough bucks -- Prisoners wanted: Men show up in droves to be extras in film "Derailed" The Guardian - Me and Ms Jones - "What does Beeban Kidron, a director with impeccable feminist credentials and a record in gritty documentaries, think she's doing making a Bridget Jones sequel?": "...Vroom, the above-average Brit flick that featured breakthrough performances by David Thewlis and Clive Owen... From Ann Mary: "I was just checking out your site on the new Sony Pictures film "Closer," and I wanted to let you know of one error I found. The song that plays at the very beginning of the Sony trailer is actually a clip from "The Blower's Daughter" by Damien Rice, not Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio as you have it. The lyrics for the Damien Rice version are available HERE. I fell in love with the song the first time I saw the trailer, and it took me quite a bit of digging to figure out what it was. Thanks - Ann Mary" The Chicago Sun Times: "Come on Down!" (Scroll) A casting call for Derailed. - "Listen up! A casting call for extras to play "typical" and "not so typical" prisoners and guards for scenes to be shot at the now closed Joliet Correctional Center in the upcoming Jennifer Aniston/Clive Owen movie "Derailed" . . . will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet." - Thanks, Jannie and cinecing ITV.com -- Stars celebrate Viz's 25th: "...Harry Enfield, Abi Titmuss and Clive Owen also came along to toast the success of characters like Billy The Fish and Sid the Sexist." Related: "I wondered if you'd like to inform your readers in the Closer section (and the main Clive section!) about our production of Closer. It'll be staged in London, on 3, 4, 5 and 6 November 2004 @ 7.45pm, as part of the Wandsworth Arts Festival. Venue: Putney Arts Theatre, Ravenna Road, Putney, London SW15 6AW Tickets: £9. Group booking rates available. Bookings: +44 (0)20 8871 8711 Reservations: www.chelsea-players.org.uk/reserve.htm" Readabet.com: "...Hills latest prices to replace
Pierce Brosnan as James ond: 4/1 Ioan Gruffudd, Dougray Scott, 9/2
Clive Owen, 5/1 James Purejoy, Eric Bana, Hugh Jackman,
Colin Farrell; 6/1 Chris Feeney, 8/1 Jude Law, Orlando Bloom; 12/1 Hugh
Grant, Rupert Everett; 20/1 Russell Crowe, 100/1 Eminem, Robbie Williams;
500/1 Boris Johnson." - Thanks, Allison The Closer Poster - Thanks to Genevieve (Steph has posted a larger view at the forum) Nice article on KA. thanks, Jannie Week of 10/18/04 to 10/24/04 The Herald News - chicagonews.com: Film scenes planned for old Joliet prison - "...Owen, who has appeared in "The Bourne Identity" and "Gosford Park," will be in Joliet when the prison sequence is filmed. It is unlikely Aniston, who starred as Rachel Green on the NBC sitcom "Friends," will be in Joliet." Closer is Box Office Prophet's Movie of the Day New picture HERE thanks to Jannie Thanks to lui at the Murphsplace forum, a Clive wallpaper to download A bit of news on the Closer score Week of 10/11/04 to 10/17/04 The SF Gate: Article on Berkeley cinematographer Stephen Goldblatt, who shot Closer. Thanks, Steph Repost - Trailer and TV spot for Closer Re Closer trailer -- From Genevieve at the Murphsplace board - "One of the songs is "CARAMEL" by Suzanne Vega. The other is "THE BLOWER'S DAUGHTER" by young Irish performing songwriter Damien Rice." Correction on the Oprah item below from Emily: The show with Julia, Clive, and Natalie will air Nov. 4 and will probably be repeated during December as Oprah and her staff generally seem to take most of that month off. (So mark your calendars) People Magazine -- We missed it! Clive was on Oprah with Julia Roberts and Natalie Portman on October 6. "Just thought you'd want to know -- the KA director's cut can be pre-ordered at Amazon.com.uk." (Region 2, PAL version. Not for the USA) - Prim DVDAnswers says that the art work for the KA DVD has been released. You can see it here. (Available 11/29/04) From the Style section of the UK Times thanks to Ali. Mostly about Daniel Craig (the writer has good taste), but a Clive mention in there. The Seattle Times: Hot male leads missing from TV fantasy land -- "...On a hastily assembled list of Times TV hotties, most of the candidates that repeatedly pop up — former "Sex and the City" star Chris Noth, Peter Krause of "Six Feet Under," Julian McMahon of "Nip/Tuck," Clive Owen of BBC fame — are from cable." Thanks, Kathy Week of 10/04/04 to 10/10/04 Variety: Mickey seems M'maxed out - Mention of Derailed Costumes and drawings for the hit film King Arthur are going on show in a special exhibition at the new-look Corinium Museum (in the UK) Thanks, Steph Dave Poland's Hot Blog: "Word is that Columbia's Closer is going to run all four actors in the lead category, making a near-lock for Clive Owen into a question mark." The Australian on Oscar speculation: "...There is also speculation about two other unseen films – both based on stage productions – on the strength of their impeccable Oscar pedigrees. Closer, adapted from Patrick Marber's play, stars the heavy-duty trans-Atlantic quartet of Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman and Clive Owen, and is directed by Mike Nichols, who won the best director Oscar in 1967 for The Graduate." Thanks to all who sent this in. From Steph: At Empire Online, they have also the release date in the Uk for Robert Rodriguez,s "Sin City ": 01 June 2005 Week of 9/27/04 to 10/03/04 --- 10/3 - Happy 40th Birthday Clive! Sin City Trailer now available. Large File - and VERY violent (IMO). New Snaps from it HERE. There is a page on Oprah where you can request that Clive appear on the show. (Probably for Closer) Thanks, Emily Variety: French thesp Vincent Cassel will star opposite Jennifer Aniston (news) and Clive Owen in "Derailed," the Miramax adaptation of the James Siegel novel to be directed by Mikael Hafstrom ("Evil"). New image on the Closer page thanks to Laura Elites TV: Sony Purchase Spins James Bond Casting - Lots of news and speculation. Thanks, Jannie Cindy Perlman in the Chicago Sun Times still mentions Clive as co-starring with Julianne Moore in Savage Grace: "...She's also set to star in "Savage Grace" with Clive Owen, the true story of the murder of Barbara Daly Baekeland, whose bloody body was found in her London flat in 1972." - Thanks, Kathy At Amazon's KA DVD page, David Franzoni comments on the DVD. (Scroll a bit) Thanks, Steph |
NY
Times 12/31 - CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK - 
Hollywood's
A-list. 
Leyla
has posted 