JANUARY 2010 VOLUME 11 NUMBER 1
FAITHFUL COUPLE? CREATION’S BETTANY& CONNELLY BRENDAN FRASER TALKS EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES
DENZEL WILL SAVE US ALL
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ı 4RADEMARK OF #INEPLEX %NTERTAINMENT ,0 USED UNDER LICENSE © 2009 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS 2EGISTERED TRADEMARK OF 4HE "ANK OF .OVA 3COTIA InsideFamous JANUARY 2010VOLUME 11•1 regulars EDITOR’S NOTE6 CAUGHT ON FILM10 ENTERTAINMENT IN BRIEF12 SPOTLIGHT16 IN THEATRES18 STYLE38 MUSIC MAKERS40 HOT PLAY42 DVD RELEASES44 HOROSCOPE48 FAMOUS LAST WORDS50 features FATHER KNOWS BEST22 Extraordinary Measures stars Brendan Fraser as a father working with a medical researcher to save his two ill children. Fraser, a father of three, isn’t ashamed to admit the cover real-life story left him in tears story • By Ingrid Randoja APOCALYPSE NOW26 Denzel Washington teams with the directing Hughes Brothers for the post-apocalyptic western The Book of Eli. 34 And the trio insists their movie DOUBLE TAKE Michael Cerahas carved out a career playing socially awkward teens looking for a is different from the rest of the little action (wink, wink). It’s no different in his new film, Youth in Revolt, except his character, Nick Twisp, “post-apocalyptic” flicks that creates a debonair French alter ego to help him score. We check in with Cera to find out which persona are all the rage in Hollywood the Brampton, Ontario, native resembles most. Can you guess? • By Mathieu Chantelois • By Kevin Williamson
MEET THE DARWINS30 Creation casts married actors Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly as Charles and Emma Darwin, a couple struggling with the knowledge his theory of evolution will change their lives, and the world
16 26 30 22 MCDERMOTT/CORBIS SCOTT BY PHOTO COVER • By Marni Weisz
4 FAMOUS JANUARY 2010 EDITOR’S NOTE Famous PUBLISHER SALAH BACHIR
EDITOR MARNI WEISZ DEPUTY EDITOR INGRID RANDOJA ART DIRECTOR MATTHEW PICKET ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR ALIZA KLEIN DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION SHEILA GREGORY
CONTRIBUTORS MATHIEU CHANTELOIS, SCOTT GARDNER, LIZA HERZ, DAN LIEBMAN, BOB STRAUSS, KEVIN WILLIAMSON
ADVERTISING SALES FOR FAMOUS, FAMOUS QUÉBEC AND FAMOUS KIDS IS HANDLED BY CINEPLEX MEDIA.
HEAD OFFICE 416.539.8800 MICHAEL CERA’S ACTING VICE PRESIDENT ROBERT BROWN (ext. 232) VICE PRESIDENT, SALES JOHN TSIRLIS (ext. 237) DIRECTOR OF SALES, FAMOUS MAGAZINES LORELEI VON HEYMANN (ext. 249) DIRECTOR, SALES CINDY FROST (ext. 254) DIRECTOR, SALES ZOLTAN TOTH (ext. 233) ACCOUNT MANAGERS DIFFERENT JENNA PATERSON (ext. 243) For a syndrome that many in the psychiatric community don’t believe exists, the split personality CORY ATKINS (ext. 257) (technically called dissociative identity disorder) sure gets a lot of play in movies. And for good reason. MICHAEL VAN ZON (ext. 241) VINCENT ALOI (ext. 235) Whether depicting a real-life case (The Three Faces of Eve), providing a twist ending (Fight Club) or ED VILLA (ext. 239) used for humorous effect (Me, Myself and Irene), being able to split a character into two — or three, SHEREE MCKAVANAGH (ext. 245) or four, or 13 — separate facets makes a screenwriter’s narrative possibilities virtually endless. DIRECTOR, MEDIA OPERATIONS Then you’ve got your chemically induced alter egos (Jekyll and Hyde), your superheroes with CATHY PROWSE (ext. 223) double identities (Superman, Hulk) and, while we’re at it, let’s throw in your alternate versions of the QUEBEC 514.868.0005 same character living in different timelines (Sliding Doors). For God’s sake, even Frosted Mini-Wheats DIRECTOR, SALES SOPHIE JODOIN (ext. 222) co-opted the split personality for a campaign featuring a nugget of breakfast cereal that’s sweet and ACCOUNT MANAGER frosted on one side, wholesome and healthy on the other. GENEVIÈVE ROSSIGNOL (ext. 224) SALES COORDINATOR So where does Youth in Revolt fit into these films with buy-one-get-one-free protagonists? ANNIE DESJARDINS (ext. 223) The film follows nebbish teen Nick Twisp (Michael Cera) who’s so desperate to lose his virginity that he creates an alter ego named Francois Dillinger, a suave French rebel who is “contemptuous of BRITISH COLUMBIA 778.997.3923 ACCOUNT MANAGER authority and irresistible to women.” Since Nick consciously creates Francois, he’s not suffering from MATT WATSON classic dissociative identity disorder. And yet Nick’s not entirely in control of his other half, which SPECIAL THANKS VÉRONIQUE ALARIE, means there’s some sort of psychogenic discord at work. MATHIEU CHANTELOIS, JOAN GRANT, More importantly, perhaps, Francois Dillinger gives audiences something they’ve longed to see ELLIS JACOB, PAT MARSHALL, from Cera since they first spied him on TV’s Arrested Development: a little range. (Or, you could say, an DAN MCGRATH, SUSAN REGINELLI alternate personality.) Without Francois Dillinger, after all, Nick Twisp is just another version of Famous™magazine is published 12 times a year by Cineplex Entertainment. Subscriptions are Arrested Development’s self-conscious George Michael Bluth, Superbad’s ill-at-ease Evan, Juno’s $31.50 ($30 + GST) a year in Canada, $45 a year in uncomfortable Paulie Bleeker, Year One’s tongue-tied Oh — all sweet, harmless, and ultimately the U.S. and $55 a year overseas. Single copies are $3. Back issues are $6. All subscription inquiries, awkward teens who, from what we gather, bear a striking resemblance to the actor himself. See for back issue requests and letters to the editor should be directed to Famous magazine at 102 Atlantic Ave., yourself in “The Art of Awkward,” page 34. Ste. 100, Toronto, ON, M6K 1X9; or 416.539.8800; Although he’s appeared in plenty of action pics of late, I can’t remember the last time we saw or [email protected]
Denzel Washington in as kick-ass a role as the one he has in the post-apocalyptic thriller The Book of Eli. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40708019. Turn to “Book Keeper,” page 26, to see how the 56-year-old actor prepared his body to save the world. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Famous magazine, 102 Atlantic Ave., Suite 100, Brendan Fraser doesn’t want to save the world in his new pic, Extraordinary Measures. He just Toronto, ON., M6K 1X9 wants to save his two kids, who are suffering from a seemingly fatal disease. In “A Different Kind of 650,000 copies of Famous magazine are distributed Action Hero,” page 22, Fraser fills you in on the true story that inspired the film. through Cineplex Entertainment and Alliance cinemas, HMV and other outlets. Famous magazine is not responsible for And in “The Father of Evolution,” page 30, Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly talk about why the return of unsolicited manuscripts, artwork or other their Charles Darwin movie, Creation, has less to do with science than it has to do with marriage and materials. No material in this magazine may be reprinted without the express written consent of the publisher. family. That domestic angle may seem like an odd choice for a film about Darwin, but at least it was © Cineplex Entertainment 2010. www.maplepictures.com something to which the actors — who are married to each other — could relate. IN THEATRES FEBRUARY 5 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Marni Weisz, editor www.frompariswithlovefilm.com
6 FAMOUS JANUARY 2010 NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE
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Greetings from Ellis Jacob, President and CEO, Cineplex Entertainment
elcome to the January 2010 issue of Famous magazine. On behalf of my colleagues at Cineplex, I wish you and your family a year filled with good health and much happiness. The beginning of the year is always an exciting time for Cineplex as we look forward to a great lineup of movies and a variety of other entertainment choices. We have a lot in store for you this year, including the installation of additional digital projectors and RealD 3D projection systems so you can experience 2010’s impressive array of 3D films in all their glory. Based largely on feedback from you, we will continue to expand our alternative-programming content. For example, you told us you want more live theatre productions and opera — and we’re pleased to announce we will deliver both. Plus, there will be more concerts, speaker series, comedy festivals and sporting Wevents. Be sure to check Cineplex.com for the latest news. Here’s one we’re really excited about. In February we will host a brand new event — CTV Olympic Games Broadcast at Cineplex. For the first time ever you’ll be able to watch all 17 days of the Olympic Games live on the giant screen via Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium. Passports for the full event are available, as are day passes. For participating theatres and information about group and private events visit CTVOlympics.ca. Whether you visit us for a special event like the Olympics, or simply a movie, we take great pride in delivering an exceptional entertainment experience. Accordingly, we’re continually reviewing and 6US`H[;0--*PULTH[OLX\L )HZLKVU[OLÄSTSPZ[`V\^VU»[ÄUKHU`^OLYLLSZL refining all aspects of the service we provide, from technological advances to the food at our Tal k To He r, Friday, February 12, 9:00pm concession counters. In 2010, you can look forward to faster service, easier at-home ticketing, renovations to theatres in some communities and the addition of brand-new theatres in others. Speaking of delivering an exceptional entertainment experience, I’m pleased to see you’ve been taking advantage of our SCENE program, which provides valuable discounts and special offers. 6((7+(IXOO/,6721/,1(6((7+( IXOO /,667 21/,1(( WWLFNHWVRQVDOHQRZLFNHWVVRQ VDOH QRZ ),/0 ),),/0 WLIIQHWGDUHWLIIIIQHWGDUH Membership continued to grow in 2009, hitting a milestone of 2,000,000 members! If you haven’t _ already become a SCENE member, we encourage you to sign up at Scene.ca today. ;0--*PULTH[OLX\LPZSVJH[LKH[ +\UKHZ:[YLL[>LZ[(.6»Z1HJRTHU/HSS4J*H\S:[YLL[LU[YHUJL;0--*PULTH[OLX\LPZSVJH[LKH[ +\UKHZ:[YLL[>>LLZ[(.6»Z1HJRTHU/HSS4J*H\S:[YLL[LU[YHUJL Cineplex Entertainment broke many records throughout 2009; and we have you to thank. We ;0--*PULTH[OLX\LPZSVJH[LKH[ +\UKHZ:[YLL[>LZ invite you to Escape With Us again in 2010. (.6»Z1HJRTHU/HSS4J*H\S:[YLL[LU[YHUJL ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Ellis Jacob, President and CEO, Cineplex Entertainment
8 FAMOUS JANUARY 2010
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LINDSAY LOHAN The red suitcase is DEV PATEL 1 nothing but shoes. And the funny thing is...they all belong FREIDA PINTO to Dev. Slumdog Millionaire stars CAUGHT (and real-life couple) Dev Patel CAMERON DIAZ and Freida Pinto push their SYLVESTER STALLONE weighty bags through London’s Heathrow airport. HARRISON FORD PHOTO BY SPLASH NEWS ON FILM It must have been 2 some really good paella. Cameron Diaz beams as she leaves a restaurant in Seville, Spain. She’s there to film Knight & Day with Tom Cruise. PHOTO BY SPLASH NEWS
Ah, remember the days 3 when you were young and broke and couldn’t afford real art so picked up a cheap canvas and a few bottles of paint so you could make your own? Lindsay Lohan scours L.A.’s Blick art materials for inspiration. PHOTO BY SPLASH NEWS
Sylvester Stallone points 4 to a muscleman at the bottom of one of his own paintings at Miami’s prestigious Art Basel Miami Beach art fair. Although several in the blogosphere trashed Sy’s artistic ability, we quite like his pieces. And so does Las Vegas 2 3 real estate mogul Steve Wynn, who bought one for $40,000. PHOTO BY JOHN PARRA/GETTY
Harrison Ford trains for his 5 next movie, Indiana Jones and the Big Box of Presents. Seriously, we’re quite impressed by the 67-year-old’s show of strength during a party at Malibu Bluffs Park. (Unless, of course, those are just prop presents, filled with air and Styrofoam.) PHOTO BY SPLASH NEWS
10 FAMOUS1JANUARY 2010 4 5 JANUARY 2010 FAMOUS 11 SHORTS ENTERTAINMENT IN A look inside TimBRIEF Burton’s noggin. Plus, a trip to Hogwarts is only a plane ride away
Artifact THIS MONTH’S OBJET DE FILM THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER Behind that scaffold stands THE OTHERWORLDLY ART the Hogwarts School of OF TIM BURTON Witchcraft and Wizardry. Not the version that exists in readers’ minds, and not ave you ever the version built on a wanted to take a soundstage in England for Hglimpse inside the film franchise, but a Tim Burton’s noggin to bricks and mortar version see what kind of creepy- that anyone can visit…for crawly images are floating the price of a ticket to the around? You can, thanks Universal Orlando Resort. to New York’s Museum of composed the tune The Wizarding World of Modern Art (MoMA). specifically for the Harry Potter, a 20-acre land Until April 26th, MoMA retrospective.) within Universal Orlando, presents Tim Burton, a Born August 25, 1958, opens this spring. Inside major retrospective of Burton was raised in you’ll find Hogsmeade Burton’s 27-year career as sunny Burbank, Station, be fitted for a wand a filmmaker, artist, writer, California, where he felt at Ollivander’s, take a break photographer and isolated, and where he at the Owlery and sample illu strator, which includes realized even “the word butter beer and pumpkin more than 700 sketches, normal scared me.” Early and Charlie and the juice at Three Broomsticks. Polaroid photos, paintings, pieces in the show range Chocolate Factory. Then there’s Hogwarts. posters and early videos. from childhood drawings Not content to just While few details have been And if you can’t make and school projects to five write and direct, Burton released, we know many of it to New York for the early Super 8 mm films he took to working closely the iconic rooms have been show, check out the shot with neighbourhood with his films’ special recreated as part of the compre hensive website, kids starting when he was effects, costume and attaction, “Harry Potter and http://www.moma.org/ just 14 years old. Even animator at Walt Disney puppet masters to create the Forbidden Journey.” interactives/exhibitions/ then, his fascination with Studios. At 24 Burton outlandish and Of course, the Potter 2009/timburton/, which horror movies and gothic made the critically imaginative props that universe’s famous shops, allows you explore much images came through. acclaimed short film became his visual like Zonko’s, Honeydukes of the exhibit online. There are also Vincent, which set him on trademark. Many are on and Dervish and Banges, (That haunting and catchy drawings, posters and his chosen path as display, including an will dot the theme park, all theme music you hear is cartoons from his days as director of such hits as exact replica of the deer- of them functioning gift by Burton’s longtime a student at the California Beetlejuice, Edward shaped topiary from shops vying for your musical collaborator Institute of the Arts and Scissorhands, Mars Edward Scissorhands. muggle dollars. —MW Danny Elfman,who his time working as an Attacks!, Sleepy Hollow —IR continued Targets your nasal congestion. Targets your fever. Targets your sinus pain. ©Johnson & Johnson Inc. 2010
12 FAMOUS JANUARY 2010 To be sure this product is right for you, always read and follow the label. SHORTS
ON HOME TURF FILMS SHOOTING ACROSS CANADA THIS MONTH
You have your last chance to catch the cast of Sucker Punch in Vancouver this month; they’re slated to wrap filming toward the end of January. The latest thriller from writer- director Zack Snyder(300, Watchmen) has been shooting at the Vancouver Film Studios since August. That venue allows Snyder to create the dark, strange 1950s world of protagonist Baby Doll (Emily Browning), a teen who’s From left, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, Emily Browning and been institutionalized by her evil Jena Malone walk past a Whole Foods Market in Vancouver while stepfather and has just five days on a break from shooting Zack Snyder’s Sucker Punch to escape having a lobotomy. Aside from Browning (Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events), the cast includes the young ladies playing her fellow THE BLUNTTRUTH psych patients (Jena Malone, Few can rival Emily Blunt in the looks Jamie Chung, Abbie Cornish department, but as Blunt’s Queen Victoria and High School Musical’s bio-pic, The Young Victoria, expands into Vanessa Hudgens), dapper theatres across the country we thought it Mad Men star Jon Hammas was time to do a reality check and compare “High Roller,” who — rumours are the real Queen Victoria — as depicted at — owns a brothel in an alternate age 23 in an 1842 portrait by artist reality cooked up by Baby Doll, Franz Xavier Winterhalter — with Blunt’s and Carla Gugino(who worked young monarch... Got the hair right. —MW for Snyder on Watchmen). —MW
Wikipedia posted a list of the glimmer of originality on the list Pirates of the Caribbean, Say, that looks top-grossing films of the emanates from Pixar. Out of Shrekand Spider-Manend — familiar... decade and a blog, kottke.org, those nine original films, five and they are all reportedly noticed that out of the top 20 are Pixar productions — Nemo, reaching their finales. What will box-office hits, only one was The Incredibles, Ratatouille, replace them? Are there based on a completely original Monsters, Inc.and WALL•E. enough quality branded idea, meaning it wasn’t a It’s understandable that products to adapt? Producers sequel, remake of a TV show, when a studio spends $100- to are already dipping into the based on a toy, book, comic or $200-million making a second tier of Marvel and DC theme park attraction. blockbuster — which almost all comic-book heroes. The list of That original film — landing of the films on the list are — it old TV shows is dwindling, at #15 — is Finding Nemo. And if wants a ready-made fan base and will the movies based on you expand the parameters to waiting in line to buy tickets. board games like Battleship
the top 50 movies you wind But you have to wonder, what and Monopoly, and even one on NEWS DEWAN/SPLASH CHIANG BY CAST PHOTO up with just nine pics based happens when lucrative series based on Ouija boards, attract on novel concepts. The only like Harry Potter, Transformers, viewers? —IR
SUCKER PUNCH SUCKER th PREMIERES JANUARY 12
14 FAMOUS JANUARY 2010 Tuesdays at 9 pm SHORTS SPOTLIGHT
ight now, Josh Emerson’s manager is trying to get The film stars Johnson as a pugilistic hockey player, yet Emerson him a much-coveted gig. It’s not in a movie or on a says he never saw the wrestler-turned-actor lace up. “I don’t think TV show, but the 29-year-old native of Spruce Grove, he felt very comfortable on skates, so they had him in a little harness Alberta, really hopes it comes through. It’s a spot that they created for him to kind of get him up and down the ice. on producer Jerry Bruckheimer’s famous pick-up “I could be wrong,” Emerson adds. “But I think they didn’t want hockey team in L.A., where Emerson (Jennifer’s Body, him on skates just in case he were to fall.” I Love You, Beth Cooper) has lived for the past year. For the rest of the actors, however, proving they could skate was “I really want to do that. I so want to,” Emerson a necessity. That wasn’t a problem for Emerson, who’s been playing says on the phone from Alberta during a visit home. “When you’re hockey since he was 16. In fact, he was surprised how easy the Rplaying a sport like hockey, it’s always been such a team builder in skating part of the audition turned out to be. “They put me and some my experience. You get to know people on a level that’s not just of the actors through two or three drills and as soon as we were done business, which is very cool.” Bruckheimer’s game has attracted he was like, fine, that’s all we need, we’ll let you know. And we were such big names as Keifer Sutherland and Tom Cruise. like, we got all dressed up for that? We were really frustrated, but For now, though, Emerson will have to satisfy his hockey habit from their perspective they can’t have the talent being hurt.” on screen as Kyle Padgett, one of Dwayne Johnson’s minor league //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// PHOTO BY LAURA BURKE BY PHOTO
hockey teammates in the Vancouver-shot kids flick Tooth Fairy. —Marni Weisz ®
Keep up the Fight. Listerine at Night. 2010 © Johnson & Inc.
16 FAMOUS JANUARY 2010 ON SCREEN 15 INTHEATRES january YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO NEW RELEASES BY INGRID RANDOJA
january8
Babysitting agent Jackie Chan looks after little Nora (Alina Foley) in The Spy Next Door
Hoodwinked Too! suburbs, is asked to look after Hood vs. Evil his neighbour’s kids. Bob puts This sequel to the 2005 his special training to use animated pic Hoodwinked babysitting the three bratty rug sees Red (Hayden Panettiere) rats, but things get really hairy return to the forest to help the when one of them inadvertently Amy Adams and Matthew Goode in Leap Year Wolf (Patrick Warburton) and releases top-secret information Nicky Flippers (David Ogden and blows Bob’s cover. Stiers) search for the missing Leap Year Youth in Revolt Daybreakers Hansel (Bill Hader) and Gretel The Book of Eli Will the chemistry between Sixteen-year-old Nick Twisp It’s 2019 and a plague has turned (Amy Poehler). Denzel Washington teams up likeable Amy Adams and hottie (Michael Cera) wants nothing most humans into vampires, with directing duo the Hughes du jour Matthew Goode breathe more than to lose his virginity to while the remaining humans are High Life Brothers for this post-apocalyptic some life into a tired rom-com the lovely Sheeni Saunders hunted down and harvested for You just know when four loser western that finds the samurai formula? Anna (Adams) hears of (Portia Doubleday), but she their blood. However, a vampire ex-cons — Timothy Olyphant, sword-wielding Eli (Washington) an old Irish custom that deems a isn’t turned on by the nice ’n’ doctor (Ethan Hawke) is Stephen Eric McIntyre, toting a mysterious book across man can’t refuse a woman’s nerdy Nick. However, when searching for a way to replicate Rossif Sutherland and a barren United States. It seems marriage proposal if it takes Nick lets his debonair (and that blood, and he better find one Joe Anderson — with various the book holds the key to place on February 29th (leap mustachioed) alter ego pronto because a virus is killing degrees of substance abuse restarting civilization, and a year day). So she heads to the Francois Dillinger take control, off the captive humans, meaning issues plan a bank heist it nasty man (Gary Oldman) wants Emerald Isle to propose to her well, that’s a different story. the vampires are on the brink of won’t turn out well. to take the tome away from Eli. boyfriend (Adam Scott), and Based on C.D. Payne’s novel extinction. Willem Dafoe and That’s a very bad idea nasty man. when her travel plans go off the Youth in Revolt: The Journals of Sam Neill co-star in this horror The Spy Next Door See interview with Denzel rails, a cute Irishman (Goode) Nick Twisp. See Michael Cera pic that was well-received at the Daybreaker’s Ethan Hawke Bob (Jackie Chan), a spy Washington and the Hughes Red’s back in Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil steps in to help. interview, page 34. Toronto International Film Festival. working undercover in the Brothers, page 26. continued
18 FAMOUS JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 FAMOUS 19 ON SCREEN SPECIAL EVENTS to find a cure and save his on the Big children. See Brendan Fraser Screen 22 interview, page 22. january METROPOLITAN Creation OPERA Charles Darwin (Paul Bettany) DER ROSENKAVALIER struggles to complete his book (STRAUSS) On the Origin of Species, which Live: Sat., Jan. 9 promotes the theory of evolution. An angelic Paul Bettany in Legion But his work, and the aftermath CARMEN (BIZET) of an ill child, threaten his Live: Sat., Jan. 16 relationship with his devout Legion Extraordinary Measures wife, Emma (Jennifer Connelly). LES CONTES D'HOFFMANN God isn’t happy with mankind (it Get out your hankies for this See interview with Paul Bettany (OFFENBACH) was the Snuggie that pushed him drama based on the real-life and Jennifer Connelly, page 30. Encore: Sat., Jan. 23 over the edge). In fact, he is so story of John (Brendan Fraser) ticked off that he sends a legion and Aileen (Keri Russell) Tooth Fairy THE NATIONAL of angelsto wipe out the human Crowley, whose two young kids When a minor-league hockey THEATRE PRESENTS race. But archangel Michael suffer from the deadly Pompe goon (Dwayne Johnson) denies NATION (Paul Bettany) and a misfit band disease. Instead of accepting his the existence of the tooth fairy, Sat., Jan. 30 of people, including a woman kids’ fate, Crowley quits his job he’s forced by the head of the (Adrianne Palicki) pregnant with a and convinces a brilliant doctor tooth fairies (Julie Andrews) to WWE-PAY-PER-VIEW future saviour, decide to put up a (Harrison Ford) to help him start work as a tooth fairy (apparently, ROYAL RUMBLE fight against God’s avenging army. up a medical research company there are lots of them) for a week. Sun., Jan. 31
GO TO CINEPLEX.COM FOR PARTICIPATING THEATRES, TIMES AND TO BUY TICKETS 29january
When in Rome’s Josh Duhamel and Kristen Bell
When in Rome Edge of Darkness Beth Harper (Kristen Bell) Mel Gibson stars as Boston cop travels to Italy for her sister’s Thomas Craven, whose daughter SHOWTIMES wedding and grabs five coins out (Bojana Novakovic) is murdered. of the fabled “Fountain of Love,” Believing he was the intended ONLINE putting a spell on five suitors — target, Craven searches for her including Josh Duhamel and killer and discovers his girl was @CINEPLEX.COM Jon Heder — who vie for her working for a shady corporation affection. that wanted her dead. All release dates are subject to change.
20 FAMOUS JANUARY 2010 INTERVIEW BRENDAN FRASER A medicated acne cleanser couldn’t possibly smell delicious. Until now!
Oil-Free Acne Wash now delivers an uplifting blast of grapefruit, while its dermatologist-recommended acne medicine fights breakouts.
It’s such a pick-me-up, you’ll A DIFFERENT forget it’s an acne cleanser. KIND OF Until your acne’s gone. No wonder Neutrogena is ACTION recommended by dermatologists.
HEROBrendan Fraser and Harrison Ford are known for playing iconic action heroes. In the real-life inspired Extraordinary Measures they play heroes again, but this time the action doesn’t involve finding ancient artifacts or a golden idol. Here, Fraser explains, taking action means finding the cure for a disease that’s killing his character’s kids BY INGRID RANDOJA
few years back when the Superman franchise biotech company dedicated to finding a cure for the disease. was preparing for its reboot, Brendan Fraser Fraser was in Los Angeles when we chatted about how the was approached to play the lead. divorced father of three sons relates to his character’s struggles, And while that didn’t work out for the 41-year-old star, it can be and how this star of the Mummy movies felt about acting alongside Aargued that he’s found his Superman role in Extraordinary Measures, one of his own heroes, Indiana Jones himself, Mr. Harrison Ford. a film based on the real-life heroics of John Crowley, a father whose two kids — Megan and Patrick — suffer from the debilitating and Q:What was your initial reaction after reading the script? deadly Pompe disease, a rare neuromuscular disorder that lays waste A: “It was one of excitement because Harrison was attached to it, to muscles and usually leads to death before a child’s 10th birthday. and there’s no small measure of hero worship involved when it Desperate to save his kids, Crowley quits his job and teams comes to Harrison. And the motivating factor for me was that I am up with a brilliant researcher (played by Harrison Ford) to start a a parent of three small boys, my oldest being seven continued
22 FAMOUS JANUARY 2010 © Johnson & Johnson Inc., 2008 © Johnson & Inc., INTERVIEW BRENDAN FRASER
Harrison Ford (left) and Brendan Fraser talk medicine Below: Fraser with on-screen wife Keri Russell
years old, and while they are not challenged with Pompe disease, you don’t need to have that in order to identify with wanting to do what’s best for your kids, and stopping at nothing to do so.” EXTRAORDINARY Q:And John Crowley took extreme measures to save his kids in starting his own research company. MEASURES A: “John is a remarkable individual who just would not stop until he got the results. What does it take? Well, a lot of elbow grease, faith HITS THEATRES in what you’re doing and sometimes right time, right place luck. nd Also, making some choices that require you to bend professional, JANUARY 22 ethical rules, but nothing at the expense of morals. John is not that kind of individual.” Q:Which one made more of an impression: my 20s. I survived those bumpy years when your brain is wiring THE REAL Star Wars or Indiana Jones? itself neurologically to ‘Who am I going to be?’ ‘What am I going to Q:Did you go home after filming and give the kids an extra hug? A: “I guess I would have to say Star Wars and Han Solo, because that do with my life?’ I have to remember the fundamentals of why I A: “And a kiss, looked at their pictures, wept a bit and tucked them was the picture that came out first, that was the one that inspired gen- chose to do this, and who I want to work with.” in...twice. Of course, the answer is absolutely.” erations of kids. That character, Han Solo, planted a seed in me, whether CROWLEYS I knew it or not — and I did not — that hey, I want to do that too. I Q:You’ve also talked about fear, and needing to be a little afraid Look for the real John Crowley (centre) in a cameo as one of Q:Did you feel extra pressure playing a real person, one who want to be able to tell a story that way even though it was just intan- each and every time out. the businessmen approached by the on-screen John Crowley could show up on set at any time? gible, it was just impossible to think as a child that I could do that.” A: “You need to be. ‘Go towards the fear,’ we were told when I (Brendan Fraser) and Dr. Robert Stonehill (Harrison Ford) who A: “John and I are so different, I am taller than him, our bodies types trained — and it sounds slightly absurd when you say it out loud — are looking for funding. In this picture, Crowley is surrounded are different, we really couldn’t be much more different. The impor- Q:What’s it like to play against Harrison the actor? but that should be applied to an actor’s career, creatively speaking. by his family, from left: daughter Megan, wife Aileen (played tant thing is that you get the point across, and it’s necessary to do A: “Thrilling. Thrilling. He plays a grouchy curmudgeon, that’s the Those aren’t unwise words with which to comport yourself.” by Keri Russell in the film) and sons John Jr. and Patrick. an amalgamation of a character, otherwise you are just doing an character, but that’s not the guy I met, he’s one of the nicest people impression or something like that. The character Harrison plays is a I’ve met. I feel as if I’ve professionally earned another acting stripe.” Q:I’ve seen some of your photographs, they’re wonderful. Are compilation of several different scientists.” you keeping up with your photography? have assistants working for them who don’t know what an f-stop is. Q:You can add him to your list of co-stars that includes A: “I am hanging onto my 35 mm like an M6 — you’ll have to pry it It’s true. They just know you press the automatic button and it goes. Q:You’ve spoken of your admiration for Harrison Ford. I read Michael Caine and Ian McKellen. from my cold, dead knuckles. But the reality is that now everything is “It’s important for me to have something to fall back on in case that you went to see Indiana Jones in Leicester Square in London A: “Yeah, these are actor’s actors and they definitely influenced me. digital...it’s the difference between taking one shot and getting it, and this acting thing doesn’t work out [laughs]. Really, it’s something to six times when you were a kid. And that was a motivating factor with Harrison, why I wanted to do taking many of them, sort of spraying shots, and hoping that there’s do other than just obsess about my career.” F A:“That was Star Wars. I went to see Indiana Jones somewhere else, [the movie], because my 41st birthday is in December and I’m less something there. Photography, in my humble view, is becoming a lost /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// PHOTO OF THE CROWLEY FAMILY BY BRIAN DOBEN BRIAN BY FAMILY THE CROWLEY OF PHOTO
like 19 times. Even my five-year-old is an aficionado.” and less interested in ‘Gee, I gotta make it, I gotta gotta,’ like I was in art. I’ve been to photo shoots with prominent photographers who Ingrid Randoja is the deputy editor of Famous.
24 FAMOUS JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 FAMOUS 25 BOOKINTERVIEW DENZEL WASHINGTON
Nine years after the Hughes Brothers released their last film, Denzel Washington ushers them back to the big screen in The Book of Eli, a post-apocalyptic thriller about a man and a book and a very long walk BY KEVIN WILLIAMSON
the end of the world as we know it In just the past year, terra firma has been decimated in Roland made this movie Korea is shooting missiles in the air. We’re in a very conflict. But the challenge of The Book of Eli was one he relished. and Denzel Washington wishes he felt Emmerich’s special-effects monstrosity 2012 (in which every disaster strange time.” “That’s the adventure — to be able to step into other people’s fine. Problem is, journalists and fanboys that can befall a historic landmark does), in Nicolas Cage’s Knowing In The Book of Eli, Washington’s mysterious drifter crosses a bleak shoes and in this case work with some really brilliant martial keep asking him how his futuristic (in which a solar flare incinerates the planet) and in the grim The Road wasteland three decades after our world has been reduced to rubble. artists,” says Washington. “Just to be able for six or eight months to thriller The Book of Eli is different from (in which Viggo Mortensen and his son make a perilous journey after “There is a book and there’s a mission my character’s on — to take work out with them and learn from them.” It’sall the other times Hollywood has obliterated civilization and plunged an unspecified catastrophe has unthreaded society). No wonder this book across the country,” he explains. “Gary’s character is also a Still, there’s only so much fun to be had when you’re confronted the survivors into big-screen chaos. Washington would like to avoid comparisons. Still, he probably man who wants to use this book to influence and control the world. with extinction — or researching it. Although what happened to Particularly, the 56-year-old Oscar winner bristles at the label doesn’t have to worry that the genre has exhausted its appeal. At the So these two men collide.” humanity in The Book of Eli is being kept under wraps, its filmmakers “post-apocalyptic western.” moment, anyway, filmgoers can’t seem to get enough of doomsday For Washington, the movie marks a relatively rare foray into the say they studied a number of potential real-life cataclysms. “I don’t know if that’s what we are,” he says at last summer’s scenarios and their aftermaths. testosterone-fuelled futuristic action genre. Although he’s headlined “We got really into it, to really see what the reality was — if it was Comic-Con, Hollywood’s annual convergence of geek-centric films, “It feels very present,” says Gary Oldman, Washington’s nemesis such contemporary thrillers as Man on Fire and The Taking of Pelham 123, a nuclear, if it was one of those 2012 things, if it was a supervolcano,” TV series, videogames and comic books. in the movie. “You walk around feeling like it could happen. Since we those films were as propelled by drama and character as physical says Allen Hughes, who directed with his brother, continued
26 FAMOUS JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 FAMOUS 27 INTERVIEW DENZEL WASHINGTON THE BOOK OF ELI MILA HITS THEATRES th KUNIS JANUARY 15 GETS DIRTY From the wreckage, grime like a shooter game, à la Eli. and blood of The Book of Eli’s But don’t think she’s out post-apocalyptic landscape to replicate the career of emerges a beautiful thing: that other it-came-from-a- Mila Kunis, dirty and out to do computer movie Milla some damage, but still a relief (Jovovich). Kunis says to look at in such a cinematic she strives for diversity. wasteland. “This is different,” she “My character in Book of Eli says. “In Max Payne, she was is pretty awesome, I have to just an assassin and you see say,” Kunis, 26, brags. She what you get. In Book of Eli, plays Solara, a tavern girl it’s a very real character who Denzel Washington’s Eli surveys the barren landscape in The Book of Eli. Inset: Washington shows off his samurai sword-wielding skills who joins the film’s title has to fight to survive in this supersoldier in protecting a specific type of world, and sacred text that could redeem learns how to survive. You “We have such a great story the fallen world. can get to see her grow.” “She starts out very young, We watched Kunis grow here that is not about being very naive, very sheltered — up for eight years on TV’s post-apocalyptic,” says but also very hungry to learn That ’70s Show. She says the about life. She gets inspired by teen acting thing was all her director Allen Hughes. “It is Denzel Washington’s character idea, not some vicarious goal 30 years in the future after and goes on this journey with of her immigrant parents. him. Throughout the film, “I was very lucky with my an event, but if you don’t which takes place over four or family,” she reckons. “Acting have a good story and great [ours]…. It’s a very different movie, as far as the acting is concerned.” five days, she grows up so fast was never something my characters, it doesn’t matter And, as they point out, it’s not the first time the brothers have and almost becomes a woman parents wanted or pushed me tackled material seemingly strip-mined by overuse. “The last movie and takes over. She was a to do. I was only allowed to what genre it is” we did was about Jack the Ripper,” Albert notes, referring to 2001’s beautiful, beautiful part.” keep doing it if I got straight Johnny Depp, Victorian-era psychological thriller From Hell. A beautiful part that also As and stayed in school and Albert. “Basically, the same thing will happen 30 years after. The Likewise, they approached Eli by “flipping the clichés a bit,” he involves making mayhem, all that stuff. It taught me atmosphere will look a certain way. There’d be a certain colour in the continues. “One thing is trying to set it aside visually from the other much to the Ukraine-born responsibility early on, sky. There will be a certain decomposition of the landscape.” movies that are out there, and finding colours that work. You say, actor’s delight. I’ll tell you that.” The result, says Washington, is a world in which “people kill now ‘Okay, that doesn’t look like,’ — let’s say — ‘The Road or Mad Max. If “I get to flip a car,” Kunis So is kicking butt in for things that they used to throw away.” Mad Max or The Road had that colour, let’s do that [other colour].’ It’s chirps. “I get to throw a movies now some way of If these themes sound deeper than your average Resident Evil sequel as simple as that sometimes.” As for what took the Hughes brothers so long to make another grenade into a convoy of cars compensating for the wild — or even Mad Max redux — that’s the idea. Furthermore, Albert notes “the tip of the hat” they made to classic project following From Hell, they say there was no single reason for and explode them.” A self- adolescence Kunis missed? “We have such a great story here that is not about being post- westerns of the past. “We’re greatly influenced by [director] Sergio the hiatus. Says Allen, “We shot a lot of ads, we’ve been working a described World of Warcraft “I don’t think I lost out on apocalyptic. It is 30 years in the future after an event, but if you don’t Leone and the simplicity of his filmmaking, but also the starkness of lot, but it’s really tough to find something that’s important to you geek, Kunis has been anything at all,” she says. “I have a good story and great characters, it doesn’t matter what genre his imagery. Studios are scared of westerns so they’re like, ‘Don’t say and important to [the studios] at the same time.” attracted to fight-heavy did dumb things. I did everything it is,” Allen says. that.’ But at the same time, some of the influences of the Eli character “It’s a battle to get any movie made,” Albert says. “Then once it’s films lately, whether actual that a dumb 14-year-old does. That said, they still took great care to distinguish themselves from come from The Man With No Name.” up and running you’ve still got more battles to take care of, but videogame adaptations such It’s just that I had to wake up other films Eli might be categorized with. Says Allen, “That’s why the western comes up because when you Denzel really helped us with that.” F as 2008’s Max Payne or the next day and go to work!” Says Albert, “I purposely avoided reading or even looking at take it back to more primitive times, true characters start to show /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// something that just looks —Bob Strauss The Road. I think [that film is] a more serious and dramatic movie than through…. It’s a hotbed for drama.” Kevin Williamson is a Calgary-based movie columnist for Sun Media.
28 FAMOUS JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 FAMOUS 29 INTERVIEW PAUL BETTANY & JENNIFER CONNELLY CREATION HITS THEATRES JANUARY 22nd
You’d think a movie about Charles Darwin would focus on the man’s earth-shattering scientific discovery. Nope. This Darwin pic is mostly about Darwin’s marriage and children. Stars Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly explain THE FATHER OF Creation wasn’t the first script that I could really grasp and bring the weight of Paul Bettany had read about Charles Darwin, but it my experience,” says Bettany during an interview was the first one that appealed to him. at a busy hotel lounge in Toronto. He’s here for the What caught his attention? Not the science. In Toronto International Film Festival, where Creation BY MARNI WEISZ truth, there’s surprisingly little science in this nabbed the Opening Night slot. “It’s hard for me to EVOLUTION movie about the man famous for coming up with bring Charles Darwin’s mind, that’s a taller order, what may be the most important scientific theory but the script is very clear in that it is mostly about ever conceived — evolution. his life at home…. It was so surprising that that’s It was the focus on Darwin as a tender husband where [the script] stayed. It’s a film about family and doting father that captured the British actor, and loss and the writing of the book.” who’s married to fellow thespian Jennifer Connelly, The story begins after Darwin has already made with whom he has two boys. “That was the part his crucial journey to the Galápagos continued
30 FAMOUS JANUARY 2010 INTERVIEW PAUL BETTANY & JENNIFER CONNELLY
HEAVEN & EARTH To believe or not to believe. That’s the question posed in two Paul Bettany films hitting theatres this month. In real life, Bettany is an atheist. But on screen, you can see him as either Creation’s disbelieving scientist Charles Darwin, or as the archangel Michael sent from Heaven to save mankind in Legion. The latter is a supernatural thriller in which God decides to do away with mankind and start again so unleashes a legion of angels on Earth to wipe it clean. But A tender moment between Michael disagrees, and sets Charles (Paul Bettany) and out to save mankind by pro- Emma (Jennifer Connelly) Darwin. tecting a future saviour who Inset: Darwin at rest has yet to be born. —MW
Islands. He has finished most of his research and is struggling to imagine your child dying, that’s what you have to do, that’s what write that book — On the Origin of Species. It’s a difficult task because he your job is. That’s not a pleasant place to go.” knows it will rock Christian society, and his God-fearing wife, Emma. Fortunately, such tragedy is not one of the things Bettany and And there’s another reason the focus on Darwin’s family was ap- Connelly have in common with their characters. But, to some degree, pealing. It made the project a good vehicle for Bettany’s first project their theological beliefs — one of the movie’s central themes, for with Connelly since they met on the set of 2001’s A Beautiful Mind. obvious reasons — do mirror those of their on-screen counterparts. Connelly, who’s also in Toronto for the film’s premiere, plays Emma, Like Darwin, Bettany is an atheist. He says he never imagined the religious foil to Bettany’s science-minded atheist. this film could stir up controversy, until he visited the Creation “We’d wanted to work together for some time, but many things Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky. “And I went, ‘Oh. My. Goodness.’ seemed inappropriate, and this seemed right to us,” says Connelly, There was a plaque on the wall that said, ‘Welcome to the time sitting a couple of couches away from her husband. “I felt very safe tunnel where you will be taken back to the dawn of creation some at work with him, I felt more at home at work than I’d ever felt 6,000 years ago.’ It was actually an amazing experience for me before…. I do think you get an ease with one another, a comfort, a because there was an absolute impasse that we would never un- sense of safety and trust.” derstand each other on this issue. There was no getting through to The couple’s children — 12-year-old Kai (Connelly’s son from a these people, and they absolutely felt, ‘There is no saving this boy.’” previous relationship) and six-year-old Stellan — travelled to the U.K. But Connelly, who marked the one-year anniversary of her dad’s set with their parents. “I think sets are fantastic places for children death while in Toronto, is not so sure about the powers that be and — if they’re not working,” says Bettany. “They’re really fun places to the great beyond. “My husband has very strong convictions and bring your children. Everybody loves them, they’re shown every- beliefs and feels very strongly about proclaiming his beliefs, or thing, and there’s their dad — right now I’m making a film about lack thereof,” she says slowly, considering each word. “I find myself vampires, I’m on a cable, flying.” in a different sort of situation. I, ummm, while I don’t practice any There was, however, one painful thing about having the kids on formal religion, I find my beliefs a bit harder to articulate, so I find set; spending time with them and then having to shoot scenes in it’s more difficult for me to discuss in this sort of forum.” F which Darwin’s daughter Annie is gravely ill. “It’s horrible,” says ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Bettany, his head bowed. “Your job as an actor in that situation is to Marni Weisz is the editor of Famous.
32 FAMOUS JANUARY 2010 COVER STORY MICHAEL CERA
ART
If you’re expectingAWKWARD the real Michael Cera to be much different than his on-screen persona, well… But Cera’s awkward demeanour made him the ideal choice to play Youth in Revolt’s protagonist, a teen so socially inept he creates an alter ego to woo the ladies BY MATHIEU CHANTELOIS
o one plays embarrassed better than weathered old knapsack. He’s wearing a Michael Cera. From Juno to Superbad, the green Key West T-shirt and brown cords Canadian actor has perfected the socially that are just a little too short. He looks awkward shtick like no one else. And when exactly like the Michael Cera we’ve seen Cera appears in a hotel room at the Toronto in so many teen flicks. What we weren’t International Film Festival to discuss his new expecting was the way he answers ques- movie, Youth in Revolt, the journalists there tions, just like the monosyllabic teens he start to wonder whether it’s a shtick at all. often plays. A sample of our chat: He looks just as we expected: an excep- Is there a type of character you would tionally low-key star. He takes the time to love to play? shake everyone’s hands before removing his “Not really.” continued 34 FAMOUSNJANUARY 2010 COVER STORY MICHAEL CERA CALL YOUTH IN REVOLT BLOCKING A warning: If you’re a teen, wanted it to be classic in a HITS THEATRES you’ll probably find way,” she says, “and to be th something unsettling about not so time-specific.” JANUARY 8 Michael Cera’s Youth in Revolt. It’s a big change from most At first, you may have trouble teen flicks where plans are Are you looking for another comedy? putting your finger on it. Still, made, relationships ended, “I’m not looking for anything specific. Just seeing what feels right.” there’s that feeling that and plots propelled by a quick So you’re based in L.A. now? something is amiss. call on a BlackBerry or an “Yeah.” “You’ll notice there are no iPhone. Take, for instance, What are the major differences between Canada and the US? cellphones in the movie,” Cera’s last big studio picture, “The television is really different.” says costume designer Nick and Norah’s Infinite How so? Nancy Steiner. According to Playlist, which was “It’s kind of indescribable, they just feel different.” Steiner, director Miguel Arteta essentially a city-wide Which do you prefer? didn’t want the film — which scavenger hunt with “I don’t know. I don’t watch that much TV.” is based on a book published characters using cellphones Do you go to a lot of concerts? in 1993 — be rooted in any to stay in touch and keep the “No, I don’t like seeing music live, really.” particular decade. “We story moving forward. —MW Is there a book that you’ve read recently that you would like to see made into a movie? “No, not really. I like books just for being books.” Francois is a new kind of role for Cera, who was making a career What’s next for you in terms of movie projects? out of playing the good guy fighting for a girl’s attention (Juno, “Nothing, I have nothing lined up.” Top left: Cera as debonair Superbad, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Paper Heart). In fact, he’s In short, getting more than a few words at a time from Cera is a Francois (left) and plain old Nick already back to playing the good guy in the upcoming Scott Pilgrim vs. challenge. It’s not that he seems unhappy to be talking to us; it’s as This picture: Cera and newcomer the World, in which his character has to defeat his new girlfriend’s if he doesn’t think he has anything worthwhile to say. “I will really Portia Doubleday as the much- ex-boyfriends in order to win her heart. The movie was shot in never get used to the celebrity thing,” he says. coveted Sheeni Saunders Toronto this past fall, a city Cera says he didn’t know very well, Fortunately, he opens up a bit when talking about Youth in Revolt, despite growing up in the nearby city of Brampton, Ontario. a black comedy directed by Miguel Arteta (The Good Girl) and based “Toronto’s great,” he says. “The people are great and it’s a great on C.D. Payne’s 499-page novel of the same name. “I really loved this “I loved the voice of the Nick is a horny teenager living in a world where everybody seems town to walk around in. It’s beautiful, and there’s good food. It’s a book and was really hoping to be able to be a part of it,” says Cera. to have sex but him. In a single-minded pursuit to lose his virginity, great city. Lot of things happening all the time. The city always feels In fact, Cera liked C.D. Payne’s novel so much that he used to give character in the book, and he meets the girl of his dreams, Sheeni Saunders (Portia Doubleday), like it’s alive, even late at night. People are up. It’s just nice.” it to his friends as birthday gifts. “I loved the voice of the character but neither his extensive knowledge of porn magazines nor his raging Which is rather different than his low-key trips home to Brampton. in the book, and the tone of the humour. You know, the book is written the tone of the humour,” hormones can get him through Sheeni’s door. Only one thing left to “When I go to Brampton I don’t really get recognized. I just go to a as journals of this kid so you’re really just getting in his head. It feels says Cera. “You know, the do: create Francois, Nick’s chain-smoking, French heartthrob alter ego. friend’s house and see my friends. It’s just nice catching up with very personal. It’s easy to connect to because it’s so personal.” With the help of Francois, Nick will try to seduce the girl he loves. my friends.” Cera plays Nick Twisp, a too-smart-for-his-own-good teenager book is written as journals of Following Matt Damon in The Informant! and George Clooney in Perhaps that’s where he’s headed now, with this interview — his who was 14 years old in the book, but has been aged to 16 for the this kid so you’re really just The Men Who Stare at Goats, Cera is the season’s third leading man to last of the festival — all wrapped up. movie (Cera is 21). “I got the script sent to me about five years ago,” wear an uncharacteristic moustache…at least when he appears as Before leaving the room Cera grabs his knapsack from under his says Cera. “And time kept going by and I was getting scared that I getting in his head... It’s Francois. “Well, we’re the big three,” he jokes in reference to Damon chair, heaves it up over his shoulder, and leaves the room just as would be too old by the time they made it. So I was happy it was easy to connect to because and Clooney, then adds, “It physically restricts your face, you can’t inconspicuously as he arrived. F finally, actually materializing and becoming a movie. It was in smile or it pops off, so you can kind of use that to become a different /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// development for a long time. The book came out in ’93, so...” it’s so personal” person because it makes you move your mouth differently.” Mathieu Chantelois is the editor of Famous Québec.
36 FAMOUS JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 FAMOUS 37 STYLE
Only a Canadian like Linda Lundström truly understands the importance of having a Red Party Coat ($439, The Bay) that’s also warm.
We love this slouchy Attitude Jacket Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Volupté in Frosted Plum Sunscreen when you go out, hand sanitizer ($100, Sears) because it skims over any sticky- ($35, Holt Renfrew) with spf 9 delivers intense when you come in. One Step Hand Sanitizer outy bits, and goes equally well with pants, hydration and a hit of vibrant colour (dark in the ($7, grocery and drug stores) is approved by leggings or skirts. tube but glossy and sheer when applied). Health Canada and kills 99.9% of germs.
After exfoliating dry skin with Aveeno’s Positively Ojon Restorative Leave-in Treatment Parasuco 8-Halle Jeans ($110, Parasuco Ageless Warming Scrub ($10, drug stores) follow ($31, Sephora) contains ojon oil from the stores) are cleverly cut with the narrow leg of up with Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion ($12) Central American rainforest to tame frizz, nourish super-tight skinnies but enough lycra and a BABYSTEPS that soothes winter itchy skin for up to 24 hours. hair, and give it a boost of glossy shine. clever waistband to hold things in. Resolutions: How to start small and work up BY LIZA HERZ
o one can be good all the time. which Robinson was a consultant. Log on for warm without looking like an enormous, “I will go to the gym every some inspirational nutrition and lifestyle down-filled sphere (essential when wearing N day,” “I will watch less reality tips that will save you from hitting the that Canadian staple, the puffy coat). Add TV,” “I will never let another couch and staying there until spring thaw. the aforementioned skinny jeans or leg- french fry pass my lips.” As well-intentioned And while you’re making those small but gings and a warm, dark boot and voilà — as these New Year’s resolutions are, they positive changes ( go drink a glass of water style even in the face of vicious cold. are destined to fail. And besides, who wants right now) we remind you that the still-hot Back to small but important changes — to live in a world without fries? fashion silhouette of “big top over narrow we’ve started stashing an Atkins Peanut Montreal-based life coach/fitness expert bottoms” minimizes the effects of any Fudge Bar in the glove box of our car for a Annick Robinson believes “radical change weight gained after an indulgent holiday protein hit that prevents us from driving is hard. Successful people make small incre- season. In fact, pairing a boyfriend blazer headlong into the nearest burger joint mental changes, rather than big changes with lycra-infused skinny jeans lets you when blood sugar levels plunge. that are unsustainable.” And because we look stylish while staying comfortable. And the fewer fast-food meals to which “Eve” from Gish Skirts ($110, gishskirts.com) is The Urban Flexor Boot ($250, Ecco) Vichy’s LiftActiv Retinol HA($49, drug stores) love this realistic assessment of our weak- Venturing out in the cold doesn’t mean we succumb during the day, the more fries eye-catchingly short (pair it with flats and thick has trendy biker-boot style while the Gore-Tex packs a one-two punch with hyaluronic acid nesses, we are all over Pfizer Canada’s new losing that chic edge. A belted winter coat we can have at dinner, absolutely guilt free. tights) and has an adjustable waist-band that is lining and cushioned interior keep for an instant boost of moisture while retinol www.morethanmedication.ca website on gives you a nipped-in waist so you can stay Baby steps, right? forgiving in the aftermath of holiday feasting. you warm and cozy. softens wrinkles by rebuilding collagen.
38 FAMOUS JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 FAMOUS 39 + New AVEENO® Body Washes THE GOODS do more than just cleanse
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Singers that’s the beauty of THE On Screen nature + science Watching his fellow Wu-Tang Clan members MUSIC RZA, Method Man and The GZA take up acting seems to have inspired Ghostface Killah to TEACHER’S give it a shot, albeit in a big-screen debut that doesn’t seem very taxing. He plays a DAUGHTER deejay spinning tunes at a fancy party in nourish this month’s rom-com When in Rome. YOUR SKIN
YOU GOTTA HEAR THIS indulge Ok Go fans — who’ve YOUR SENSES. waited almost five n 2006, Toronto- Bulat penned while touring means that I can,” she says years for a new born singer/song- over the past few years. laughing. “My brother and I studio album — can writer Basia Bulat “I picked the ones that I are both very musical, our finally plug into the recorded some felt told the best story mom was a music teacher group’s new CD, Of the songs with friends; together,” says Bulat on so she encouraged us from Blue Colour of the Sky “an audible memory” the line from Toronto. a very young age. I think it’s (available January 12th). Ishe called it, to remind “Most of the songs were one of the only things I felt I her of their time together. written while I was on the was kinda good at when I Citing Prince’s Purple Rain album as She didn’t mean for the road but they aren’t about was younger, being a jack an influence, the Chicago foursome songs to be released, but being on the road.” of all trades on musical deliver a funk-infused, hip-shaking her producer loved the Not only does Bulat instruments, even if I wasn’t extravaganza that would make Sheila E. recording’s raw sound write and sing — her the best at math or science.” and His Royal Badness proud. and sent it around to music full-bodied voice has a types. It was released in surround-sound quality — 2007 as Oh My Darling she’s mastered more than 8OUT THIS MONTH and was a critical hit. a dozen instruments, January 5 Katharine McPhee - Unbroken She’s back with her playing everything from January 12 Jason Boesel - Hustler’s Son Vampire Weekend - Contra sophomore CD, Heart of My autoharp to upright bass. January 19 Alberta Cross - Broken Side of Time Eels - End Times Own (available January “I’ve convinced myself January 26 Spoon - Transference Jennifer Lopez - Love? 26th), which offers more that I can play almost polished — but no less anything if I want to, and Go to HMV.ca for more information passionate — folk songs the power of that belief
FAMOUS 40 JANUARY 2010 © Johnson & Johnson Inc. 2009 THE GOODS HOTPLAY Bayonetta’s a real witch...and she has weapons BY SCOTT GARDNER
Bayonetta PS3, XBOX 360 nce upon a time, writer Dorothy Parker cracked: “Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses.” She never could have imagined Bayonetta. With the face of Tina Fey, the body of Gisele Bündchen and a foxy English accent, Bayonetta is a modern-day witch in a black bodysuit, with guns strapped to her long, elegant limbs, a taste for aerobatic ass-kicking and killer hair — literally. Twenty years ago, Bayonetta woke up in a coffin at the bottom of a lake, where she may have been imprisoned for centuries. Since then she’s been trying to piece Otogether just who she is and what happened to her. All our horn-rimmed heroine knows for sure is that she’s an Umbra Witch — an ancient order Darksiders Vancouver 2010: drawing its power from the demon realm — and heavenly hordes of PS3, XBOX 360 The Olympic Winter enormous, nasty angels are trying to smite her. To defend herself, she In this cheery combat-action Games PC, PS3, XBOX 360 has guns in her sleeves and stilettos, a glowing whip, a two-handed game, it’s apocalypse too-soon, For those inspired by the sword, Matrix-ready fighting skills and her magical hair. Yep, her ebony as evil forces prematurely bring Games but not quite enough locks can curl into a giant fist, an iron maiden or a towering monster to about the end of days. As War, to actually go outside, this swallow those devilish do-gooders. Yet, unlike most female videogame the first of the Four Horsemen, collection focuses on high- heroines, she’s still thoroughly feminine, sprouting butterfly wings you’re on a brutal quest to speed events like downhill when she jumps, and bleeding flowers when wounded. stomp the demons that skiing, ski jumping, and It sounds like hype, but Bayonetta launched a few months ago in destroyed the world. With an bobsledding.It mostly uses a Japan, where it was praised as a near-perfect action game for its fluid arsenal of modern and mythical first-person view so you combat, fantastical, stylized design and sexy, uniquely Japanese weapons and your trusty steed really get the sense of kookiness. But really, what’s so kooky about a saucy, heretical warrior- Ruin, someone’s gonna be hurtling down a mountain. witch dominatrix librarian? Armageddon-it. Gravol not included. RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 5TH RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 5TH RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 12TH
42 FAMOUS JANUARY 2010 THE GOODS
neighbour girl he loved. Of course, there’s tragedy. Lots DVDRELEASES of tragedy. Little Ashes BIG MOVIES COMING TO THE SMALL SCREEN BY MARNI WEISZ STARS: Robert Pattinson, Javier Beltrán DIRECTOR: Paul Morrison (Wondrous Oblivion) STORY: We’re surprised January what a poor job all of you Twihards did lifting this little indie pic about surrealist painter Salvador Dalí (Twilight hottie Pattinson) out of obscurity. It made less Javier Beltrán (left) and Robert Pattinson in Little Ashes than a half-million dollars in its theatrical release. So we expect you to do much better now that DID YOU KNOW an energy resource. But just participating in multiplayer it’s on DVD, and you can turn YOU CAN NOW BUY before Sam’s supposed to online games that spill over into down the sound and pretend THESE MOVIES, AND head home, his brain starts the real world and use them as Pattinson’s declaring his true MANY MORE, ONLINE to play terrible tricks on him. the player pieces. DVD Extras: love for Bella, instead of AT CINEPLEX.COM? DVD Extras: commentary, “First Person Shooter: The fellow poet and playwright “The Making of Moon,” Q&A Evolution of Red,” “Inside the Federico García Lorca (Beltrán). Simply click on the session with Jones Game: Controlling Gamer ” “Store” button to access Surrogates tens of thousands of titles — JANUARY 19 JANUARY 26 STARS: Bruce Willis, new movies, classic films, Radha Mitchell TV series and box sets — and Gamer The Boys are Back DIRECTOR: Jonathan Mostow have them shipped directly STARS: Gerard Butler, STARS: Clive Owen, (Terminator 3: Rise of the to your home. Amber Valletta George MacKay Machines) Both DVDs and Blu-Ray discs DIRECTORS: Mark Neveldine, DIRECTOR: Scott Hicks STORY: FBI agent Tom Greer are available, and the store Brian Taylor (No Reservations) (Willis) has a pretty boring job is open 24 hours a day, STORY: First there was Pong, a STORY: When his second wife since he lives in a world where seven days a week. videogame where players dies, a sports journalist (Owen) humans remain indoors, letting Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs were represented by glowing is left in charge of his two robot surrogates live their lives white dashes. Then followed sons — the six-year-old who just for them in the real world. It’s based on her book Derby Girl, decades of increasingly lost his mom and a teen from the safe, there hasn’t been a murder which was based on her own JANUARY 5 The Final Destination 3D JANUARY 12 Moon realistic videogame avatars. previous marriage — and in ages. Until the son of the man experiences as, well, a derby girl. STARS: Bobby Campo, Nick Zano STARS: Sam Rockwell, Now, Gamer imagines a future chooses to raise them in a most who created the first batch of Cloudy With a DIRECTOR: David R. Ellis The Hurt Locker Kevin Spacey where convicted criminals lenient fashion, saying “yes” to surrogates turns up dead... Fame Chance of Meatballs (Snakes on a Plane) STARS: Jeremy Renner, Guy Pearce DIRECTOR: Duncan Jones can buy their freedom by all of the reckless and dangerous STARS: Kay Panabaker, VOICES: Bill Hader, Andy Samberg STORY: Once again, a bunch of DIRECTOR: Kathryn Bigelow (debut) things they want to do. Whip It Naturi Naughton DIRECTORS: Phil Lord, Chris Miller people cheat Death and Death (K-19: The Widowmaker) STORY: “Ground control to Major STARS: Drew Barrymore, DIRECTOR: Kevin Tancharoen STORY: We’ve heard Jesus turned doesn’t like it. This time, it’s a STORY: A psychological portrait Sam...” You may not recognize Bright Star Ellen Page (debut) water to wine. Well, FlintLockwood teen named Nick (Campo) who of Sergeant William James the name Duncan Jones, but STARS: Abbie Cornish, DIRECTOR: Drew Barrymore STORY: The 1980 classic teen can turn water into meatballs has a vision about a crash at a (Renner), a bomb specialist who this newbie director used to be Ben Whishaw (debut) flick about a group of talented and pancakes. No messiah here, race track that sends car and repeatedly puts his life on the known as Zowie Bowie — yes, DIRECTOR: Jane Campion STORY: Much to her mother’s kids struggling to survive at a though. Flint (Hader) is an body parts flying. Fortunately, line defusing explosive devices he’s the son of David Bowie. (In the Cut) chagrin, a would-be beauty New York high school for the inventor living on an island he warns most of the soon-to- during the early days of the Iraq In Jones’ self-assured and STORY: Director Campion, who pageant contestant (Page) performing arts gets an update where folks have nothing to eat be-deceased in time. So, Death war. Screenwriter Mark Boal atmospheric feature-film saw her biggest suc cess with decides she’d rather be knocking with a cast of young unknowns, but sardines — until he invents finds imaginative ways to based the story on his own debut he follows the final few 1993’s The Piano, returns to the elbows with the ladies of the and a few familiar faces — like his food-making machine and dispatch the survivors, one by experiences working as a weeks in astronaut Sam Bell’s 1800s for this bio-pic about roller-derby circuit than learning Kelsey Grammer and the original edibles rain from the sky. one by one. But this time it’s in 3D! journalist embedded with a (Rockwell) three-year poor poet John Keats and to twirl a baton. Writer Shauna Fame’s Debbie Allen — playing DVD Extras: “Make it Rain Food” DVD Extras: additional scenes bomb unit in Iraq. mission to mine the moon for Fanny Brawne, the fashion able Cross wrote the screenplay the teachers.
44 FAMOUS JANUARY 2010 JANUARY 2010 FAMOUS 45 FUN
Taurus Scorpio STAR ( ( GAZING April 21 May 22 October 23 November 21 HOROSCOPE FOR JANUARY 2010 BY DAN LIEBMAN You play a key role in arranging You manage a tricky an important compromise compromise and resolve a among family members — just dispute between two people don’t expect to get any credit. you admire. You also cut Taking a conservative approach through the red tape that’s been helps you achieve a professional holding you back. Yes, it’s an goal by month’s end. oxymoron, but be proud of your humility. Gemini May 23 ( June 21 Sagittarius The rumour mills are active. November 22 ( December 22 Stories you hear will be You enter the final phase of a confirmed or denied after the transition period and see where 25th. Recognition for past your path is going. Hall monitors achievements arrives by the 31st. and tattle-tales make life a challenge, you’ll need to put Cancer them in their place. If you’re June 22 ( July 22 going to splurge, do so on There’s chemistry between you yourself. and someone you barely knew a year ago. It’s time to explore common interests. If you focus on your goals and count on only JANUARY yourself, then, as the expression BIRTHDAYS goes, you’ll make your own luck 1st: Frank Langella by the end of January. 2nd: Cuba Gooding Jr. 3rd: Mel Gibson Leo 4th: Julia Ormond Diane Lane July 23 ( August 22 5th: Robert Duvall SIGN: Aquarius This is your time to create 6th: Rowan Atkinson BORN: January 22, 1965 something original, and comedy 7th: Nicolas Cage WHERE: New York, NY writing suits your style. Seeing 8th: David Bowie the good in people is one thing, 9th: Imelda Staunton but you’re too trusting of 10th: Rod Stewart Capricorn Pisces someone you really don’t know. 11th: Amanda Peet December 23 ( January 20 February 20 ( March 20 12th: Oliver Platt It’s an excellent month for long- People seek you out for your wit Virgo 13th: Orlando Bloom term financial planning. You can, and wisdom. You’re on the move August 23 ( September 22 14th: Faye Dunaway however, be distracted between and changing your perspective Start the year by de-cluttering. 15th: Andrea Martin the 14th and the 17th, so avoid about important issues. This is Donate some items and sell 16th: Debbie Allen signing documents and making not a month to sit behind a others — the time has rarely 17th: Jim Carrey promises during that period. A desk. Make fitness-related been so good to liberate yourself 18th: Kevin Costner relationship struck over the resolutions, and find a buddy from extraneous stuff. It’s also a 19th: Dolly Parton sum mer deepens... if you want. who’ll help you stick to them. good time to collect reference 20th: Bill Maher letters and update your skills. 21st: Geena Davis Aquarius Aries 22nd: Diane Lane January 21 ( February 19 March 21 ( April 20 Libra 23rd: Mariska Hargitay Property and other matters “I can resist everything but September 23 ( October 22 24th: Nastassja Kinski involving negotiation are key. It’s temptation,” Mark Twain said — You take a casual interest to a 25th: Alicia Keys time to make a decision about a and that’s your problem. Rich new level, making this a great 26th: Ellen DeGeneres one-sided relationship. Avoid food? It’s everywhere. Bargains? month to turn a hobby into a 27th: Alan Cumming further complicating family You can’t seem to avoid them. profitable venture. Your energy 28th: Elijah Wood issues, and don’t put so much You’re more disciplined in work level skyrockets after the 19th. 29th: Oprah Winfrey pressure on kids. An easygoing matters, and you score points You go to extremes, but excess 30th: Christian Bale approach works best. with superiors and underlings. and persistence pay off. 31st: Minnie Driver
48 FAMOUS JANUARY 2010 FUN
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You told us…
The Shining had me The Ascent by [director] March of the Penguins. 30 Days of Night. shivering the whole Larisa Shepitko. This You can just feel your Cold and cruel vamps time…frozen with fear, Soviet war film embodies bones shivering while beaten by warm-blooded fascination and everything that makes me watching all those penguins humans but at a steep “a wicked storm. shiver about winter. The cold. “squished together for “price. This all takes place “The despair. The general their own warmth! in Alaska. Not just frostbite, —Carol Whetter, Prince George, B.C. hopelessness. The emotional —Jennifer Neilans, London, Ont. but vamp bite. disconnection. When I BRRRR!!! ” think about cold climate —Susan Masygan, in film, nothing beats ” Oshawa, Ont. The Ascent. —Danve Castroverde, Guelph,” Ont. ” NEXT QUESTION: If you could live your life as any film character, who would it be and why? IMAGE COURTESY WARNER HOME ENTERTAINMENT HOME WARNER COURTESY IMAGE ANSWER ONLINE at Cineplex.com/famouslastwords THE SHINING
All responses must be entered by January 31st. Look for the answers to this question in the March issue. Responses may be edited for length and clarity.
50 FAMOUS JANUARY 2010 © Johnson & Inc. 2009 Go big. With Canada’s largest 3G+ network.*
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