SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2015 Witherspoon pursues polar opposite in ‘Hot Pursuit’

f Reese Witherspoon showed she can go raw tor Anne Fletcher, noting that Witherspoon and and unglamorous in the drama “Wild,” in her Vergara had chemistry “ten-fold.” While some Inew comedy, the actress dons sensible shoes critics have praised the Witherspoon-Vergara and big underwear to play the uptight cop to combination, most have panned the film and its Sofia Vergara’s voluptuous widow in teetering gags, calling it a pale imitation of the successful heels. “Hot Pursuit,” which opened yesterday in female buddy comedy “The Heat.” US and Canadian theaters, is a buddy comedy Nevertheless, the $35 million film from New by women, about women, and mostly for Line, MGM and Witherspoon’s company Pacific women, and it started when Witherspoon - Standard could benefit from interest from wearing her producer’s hat - saw the potential female moviegoers and earn $18 million in its of a comic pairing with Vergara. opening weekend. Witherspoon, winner of an “She’s very fresh,” said Witherspoon of the Oscar for best actress, made her mark in comedy star of ABC television hit “Modern Family.” “I early in her career as teen overachiever Tracy think she is one of the great comedy voices out Flick in “Election” and sorority queen Elle Woods there representing a whole other side of women in “Legally Blonde.” Through Pacific Standard, and comedy.” One a short, blond and blue-eyed she aims to create more films and roles for American, the other a tall, curvaceous women, such as “Wild,” which earned her a sec- Colombian, together they set out to create an ond Oscar nomination. even odder couple of characters. Officer Cooper “I think we are continuing the path of ‘The is in charge of protecting Daniella Riva, a mob- Heat’ and ‘Bridesmaids’ and it’s a great time to ster’s trophy wife turned widow, as they are be a woman in comedy,” said Witherspoon. chased by corrupt cops and drug cartel hench- Vergara said she is grateful to Witherspoon for men through Texas. They are at odds most of the opportunity but could not help delighting in the time, tumbling through scenes of physical her co-star’s “ridiculous” Spanish in the movie. “I comedy, such as Cooper’s inadvertent snorting wanted her to suffer and struggle ... so she of cocaine. knows what I go through in every scene of my “I love when there are two completely polar life,” said Vergara. — Reuters opposite people coming together having to fig- In this image released by Warner Bros Pictures, Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara appear ure out how to get out of a situation,” said direc- in a scene from ‘Hot Pursuit.’ — AP

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s ‘By the Sea’ gets release date niversal Pictures has set Angelina Jolie’s European cinema and theater of the ‘60s and “By the Sea,” in which she co-stars with ‘70s. Jolie and Pitt are the producers; Chris Uhusband Brad Pitt, for an awards-sea- Brigham, Holly Goline (“Unbroken”) and son launch on Nov 13 in the US. International Michael Vieira (“Unbroken”) are exec produc- releases will be built around the date. “By the ing. “This is a story about a relationship Sea” marks the first time Jolie and Pitt have derailed by loss, the tenacity of love, and the been in a film together since “Mr. and Mrs. path to recovery and acceptance,” said Jolie. Smith” a decade ago. “It has been a privilege to explore these univer- Jolie directed “By the Sea” from her own sal human experiences with such a generous script. The film also stars Melanie Laurent, Niels and talented cast and crew.” Arestrup, Melvil Poupaud and Richard It’s the third directing gig for Jolie following Bohringer. Pitt portrays an American writer “In the Land of Blood and Honey” and who arrives with his wife (Jolie) in a tranquil “Unbroken.” “By the Sea” will open against and picturesque seaside resort in 1970s France Warner Bros.’ mining rescue drama “The 33,” with their marriage in apparent crisis. Laurent Open Road’s Bill Murray comedy “Rock the and Poupand portray newlyweds. Kasbah” and Paramount’s horror vehicle The studio said “By the Sea” is inspired by “Rings.” — Reuters

Mel Gibson, (from left), Tom Hardy and director/producer George Miller arrive at the Los Angeles premiere of “Mad Max: Fury Road” at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Thursday. — AP Mel Gibson makes surprise visit to ‘Mad Max’ premiere el Gibson made an unannounced Warrior” and “Mad Max Beyond stop at the “Mad Max: Fury Road” pre- Thunderdome”) were directed by George Mmiere in Hollywood on Thursday to Miller, who chatted with Gibson at the pre- the excitement of the film’s cast and produc- miere. “Mad Max: Fury Road,” which opens ers. The 59-year-old actor-director, who May 15, is poised for an opening weekend of played Max Rockatansky in the 1979 $40 million-plus. The $150 million-plus tent- Australian action film and two sequels, posed pole, co-starring Charlize Theron, will play the for photos on the red carpet with new “Mad Cannes Film Festival next weekend. — Reuters Max” Tom Hardy and other cast members. All four films in the “Mad Max” series (including the 1981 “Mad Max 2: Road