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W.E. Trailer: Madonna Takes On Historical Romance

Shannon Vestal — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:00:00 PST

If you saw The King's Speech last year and were intrigued by the storyline between the king's brother King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, then you'll probably be interested in the trailer for W.E. Madonna directed and cowrote the film, which depicts the relationship between the former king who abdicated the throne to be with the woman he loved, American socialite Simpson. It's told in flashback through a modern-day woman in New York, Wallie Winthrop (Abbie Cornish), who is reading the letters of the old lovers. Wallie experiences a parallel to their torrid affair when she embarks on her own with a Russian security guard (Oscar Isaac).

The trailer makes the King Edward and Wallis Simpson story look heartbreakingly romantic, though I found myself less interested in Wallie's romance happening in the present day. I'm also curious to see how Madonna has handled the film, and though we have to wait until February 2012 to see it, you can watch the trailer when you keep reading.

Venice Film Festival Fashion Roundup - Part II

Chi Diem Chau — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 08:05:55 PDT

The fashion at Venice Film Festival is gaining momentum on day two. Keira Knightely made her first appearance at the festivities wearing a stunning print dress by up and coming designer Mary Katrantzou. Abbie Cornish stunned in a gorgeous black and purple ombre gown by Atelier Versace, and top model Natasha Poly made a show-stopping appearance in Gucci. Such standout, statement looks and there's a lot more where that came from. Check out the slideshow for more enviable red carpet looks from Madonna, Kate Winslet, and even a body-con outfit from Bar Refaeli.

Madonna Goes Daring in Purple and Red as W.E. Takes Flight at the Venice Film Festival

Lindsay Miller — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:10:00 PDT

Madonna stepped out in a butterfly-bedecked Vionnet gown and matching sunglasses as she debuted her directorial project W.E. at the Venice Film Festival this evening. The multitalented Madge gave the stars of her film, Abbie Cornish and Andrea Riseborough, a warm welcome on the red carpet, and she also had fans in Valentino and Marisa Tomei, who both turned up at the event. Reviews of W.E. have been mixed, but the period piece is so far faring better with the critics than her first effort behind the camera, 2008's Filth and Wisdom. Earlier today, Madonna gave a press conference to talk about the movie and credited her exes Sean Penn and Guy Ritchie with encouraging her directorial dreams. Madonna has dated several men in Hollywood, but the creative talents of her current flame lie elsewhere; Madonna's new beau, 24-year-old Brahim Zaibat, is a professional breakdancer.

Madonna Thanks Her Famous Exes, Guy and Sean, During an Early Venice Morning With Kate Winslet

Allie Merriam — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:08:56 PDT

Madonna and Kate Winslet lent their star power to the Venice Film Festival this morning. Kate was on hand for a photo call on behalf of her upcoming film Carnage, a Roman Polanski-directed version of the hit play Gods of Carnage. Joining Kate were her costars John C. Reilly and Christoph Waltz. Kate, whose recent attempt at a vacation on Richard Branson's Necker Island was disrupted by a devastating fire, was nonetheless looking refreshed in a LBD and Michael Kors sandals. Madonna, meanwhile, wrapped up her fun in the South of France in order to attended a press event for her directorial project WE. She had leading ladies Abbie Cornish and Andrea Riseborough for company as they smiled for the cameras. Madonna said her talented exes were partially responsible for her venturing behind the lens. She told reporters today, "I am and was attracted to very creative people, which is why I married Sean Penn and Guy Ritchie, two very talented directors. They both encouraged me as a director and as a creative person to do what I did, and they were both very supportive."

Gwen Stefani and Red-Headed Drew Barrymore Hit the MOCA For a Night of Street Art

Allie Merriam — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 06:57:06 PDT

It was a star-studded evening at the MOCA in LA last night, as Gwen Stefani, Gavin Rossdale, and more attended the opening of the Art in the Streets, the first major retrospective of graffiti art in the US. Gwen and Gavin are longtime supporters of the museum and its director, Jeffrey Deitch, after stepping out for another event there last Fall. Drew Barrymore and her red hair also made a cameo after she debuted the new hue Wednesday night at a book party. Other celebs like Adrian Grenier, pregnant Pink, and Christina Ricci were on hand to toast icons like Shepard Fairey and Thierry Guetta, the star of last year's documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop. Shepard and Thierry's work is represented there along with pieces by Banksy.

What Do You Think of These Stars' Style Changes?

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:19:01 PDT

The bulk of awards season may have come to a close, but that doesn't mean stars haven't been showing off new hairstyles as of late. Vote now on your favorite celebrity style changes.

Celebrity Trend Alert: Shoulder-Baring Frocks

Hannah Weil — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:42:46 PDT

Unlike a mini or maybe a plunging neckline, there are a few ways of revealing some skin that never feel, well, too revealing. At the top of our list currently are shoulder-baring frocks, just the way fashion pack Alexa Chung, Michelle Monaghan, Abbie Cornish, and Julia Restoin-Roitfeld are showing them off. They're sexy, but not overt, leaving an exposed neckline to adorn with a fabulous statement necklace or dangling earrings. We love the feel of a looser, floral-print off-the-shoulder for a fresh '70s vibe by day, then slip into a body-con version and channel a sultrier side of the '80s by night.

Battle of the Alberta Ferretti Dresses: Vanessa Hudgens vs. Abbie Cornish

Noria Morales — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:59:33 PDT

Last night at the Sucker Punch premiere in the UK, both Vanessa Hudgens and Abbie Cornish chose dreamy Alberta Ferretti dresses. Vanessa's white silk dress had a low back, while Abbie's floral silk chiffon dress had crochet detail. Which star looks best?

Vanessa, Jena, Max, and Henry Enjoy the Super Sucker Punch UK Premiere

Lauren Turner — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:04:00 PDT

The cast of Sucker Punch headed to London for the premiere of their movie last night. Vanessa Hudgens, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, and Emily Browning hit the red carpet last week in LA with the help of other famous faces, but this time they were joined by Superman himself, Henry Cavill. Emily had her hot date, Max Irons, by her side for the event, and the couple got cozy at the afterparty. Perhaps the action-packed fantasy film will have a better run with the overseas crowd after a disappointing opening weekend at the US box office.

Sucker Punch: Lights, Camera, Exploitation

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 03:05:00 PDT

Sucker Punch is an action-fantasy hybrid that tells the story of a young woman known only as "Baby Doll" (Emily Browning). In an engrossing prologue, we're introduced to Baby Doll's plight; when her mother dies, she and her sister become the targets of their sadistic stepfather. In a tragic twist, Baby Doll is involved in an accident that lands her in a dilapidated mental institution. Unable to accept her new reality, Baby Doll escapes into a fantasy world in which she imagines that she and the other female patients (Vanessa Hudgens, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, and Jamie Chung) are beautiful dancers in a burlesque theater.

Even in Baby Doll's parallel world where she and the others are gorgeous seductresses, there's still danger from the evil club owner. Fixated on escaping from the theater, Baby Doll learns from a mysterious mentor that she needs five tools to earn her freedom. The other girls are willing to help, and each time they retrieve one of the tools, they all disappear into a second fantasy world in which they're gun-toting, sword-wielding warriors tasked with defeating a variety of faceless enemies. Does that sound confusing? It is. Though director Zach Snyder tries very hard to make Sucker Punch something of an instant classic for the gamer set, all he creates is a messy illustration of female eye candy atop a half-baked story.

To find out why Sucker Punch left a bad taste in my mouth, just

read more I'm solidly behind any movie with a roster of strong female characters, which is what Sucker Punch presents itself as. But Snyder's characterization of the women is vapid and weak. Their sexuality is exaggerated from their names (Baby Doll, Sweet Pea, Rocket, Blondie, and Amber) to their revealing costumes, while their personalities are minimized. Besides Baby Doll, we get virtually no backstory or insight into who these women really are (and even our knowledge of Baby Doll is limited). When you factor in the inane dialogue, the female cast goes from generic to downright pathetic. That's really the problem with the whole movie; there's so much style, it's as if Snyder hopes that all the visual noise will distract you from actually thinking. That's not always a terrible thing, if Sucker Punch could keep up the mindless entertainment that it has in the first act. But it doesn't. The extended battle scenes wear on, and with the complete disconnect to the characters, you don't feel any real sympathy for Baby Doll and her cohorts as they struggle to complete their escape mission. Sucker Punch lets so much go to waste in its quest to be epic. Jon Hamm's part is hardly more than a glorified cameo, the soundtrack is more exciting than the action, and the empowerment that could be present with five sexy, tough ladies is instead just an exploitation of nubile young women.

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