The PG's Fall Movie Preview Sep 3, 2009
" It's the second in a series of "Cities of Love" movies conceived by Emmanuel Benbihy. Nov. 6 "Disney's A Christmas Carol": A 3-D animated version of the Dickens classic, with Jim Carrey playing eight characters and Gary Oldman as his overworked and underpaid clerk and Colin Firth his cheery nephew. "The Box": The short story "Button, Button" by Richard Matheson inspired this movie that asks: What if someone gave you a box containing a button that, if pushed, would bring you a million dollars... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Tech.view: Machines in control Aug 29, 2009
HOLLYWOOD has made at least half a dozen films based on Mary Shelley s gothic masterpiece mindless travesties all of them, even the Kenneth Branagh version released in 1994. That is a pity because the parable of the Genevan protagonist, Victor Frankenstein, deserves wider appreciation, especially among those concerned about technology getting out of control. (The Economist)
Turner Classic Movies to Launch A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES, New Series of One-Hour Specials Focusing on Film Genres Aug 6, 2009
Series from DreamWorks Television to Kick-Off in October With A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES: THE SUSPENSEFUL WORLD OF THRILLERS, Followed by a Month-Long Festival Featuring Classic Thrillers Thrillers Special to Include Interviews with Ken Follett, Diablo Cody, Kenneth Branagh, Mel Brooks, Martin Landau and Many More ... The special will feature interviews with such figures as TCM host Robert Osborne; Ken Follett, author of Eye of the Needle; Bryan Singer, writer and director of The Usual Suspects and... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Has Anyone Noticed That Romeo Is Black? Jul 30, 2009
Haven't you seen any Kenneth Branagh Shakespeare movies or Baz Luhrmann's "Romeo and Juliet". Unless Edun is the first black actor to play Romeo at the Globe (which he is not) or one of the most exceptional actors to ever play Romeo at the Globe, then his performance is not newsworthy simply because he is black. (Slate)
Adoption groups angry with 'Orphan' stereotypes Jul 18, 2009
Kenneth Branagh is directing "Thor.". Associated Press. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Inside track: Emmy race for lead actor in TV movie/miniseries Jul 18, 2009
LEAD ACTOR IN A TV MOVIE / MINISERIES(Front-runners)Kevin Bacon, "Taking Chance"Kenneth Branagh, "Wallander: One Step Behind"Paddy Considine, "My Zinc Bed"Brendan Gleeson, "Into the Storm"Cuba Gooding Jr., "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story"Kevin Kline, "Cyrano de Bergerac"Ian McKellen, "King Lear"Iqal Naor, "House of Saddam"Jonathan Pryce,"My Zinc Bed"Tom Selleck, "Jesse Stone: Thin Ice"Alexander Skarsgard, "Generation Kill"Kiefer Sutherland, "24: Redemption" ... Kenneth Branagh was identified... (Multichannel News)
61st Primetime Emmy Nominations Announced Jul 17, 2009
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie "Cyrano de Bergerac" (Great Performances), Kevin Kline as Cyrano de Bergerac "Into The Storm," Brendan Gleeson as Winston Churchill "King Lear" (Great Performances), Sir Ian McKellen as King Lear "Taking Chance," Kevin Bacon as Lt. Col. Mike Strobl "24: Redemption," Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer "Wallander: One Step Behind," Kenneth Branagh as Kurt Wallander. Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series "The New Adventures Of Old Christine,"... (CBS News)
30 Rock leads the way for Emmys Jul 17, 2009
Briton Hugh Laurie is up for best drama actor for House while Kenneth Branagh is up for best actor in a mini-series or film for BBC One's Wallander. The awards will take place on 20 September in Los Angeles. (BBC News -- Americas)
Woodruff returns to Iraq Jul 15, 2009
" The 28-year-old Portman has been cast as Jane Foster, who was a nurse and first love of the title character in the Marvel Comics. According to Marvel Studios, the character is being updated for the movie version of "Thor," in which the Norse warrior is cast down to Earth to live among humans. Chris Hemsworth stars as Thor in the movie, which begins shooting early in 2010. It is due in theaters May 20, 2011. Kenneth Branagh is directing "Thor. " The movie is part of an ambitious schedule for... (Erie Times-News, PA)
Natalie Portman Joins Thor Jul 14, 2009
Kenneth Branagh will direct the film. Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige will produce Thor. (IGN FilmForce)
"Harry Potter" lifestyle all too familiar Jul 14, 2009
Several generations of the best from British and Irish stage and cinema have passed through the franchise, such as Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson and the late Richard Harris, and Radcliffe tried to learn something from each of them. Asked for an example, he points out that Richard Griffiths, who plays Harry's sour uncle, was raised by deaf parents and, attuned to nonverbal expression, approaches his work with a more internal strategy than most actors. (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)
Daniel Radcliffe feels at home in 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' Jul 14, 2009
Several generations of the best from British and Irish stage and cinema have passed through the franchise, such as Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson and the late Richard Harris, and Radcliffe has tried to learn something from each of them. But it's Gary Oldman and Imelda Staunton who have left the biggest impressions. (FOX59, IN)
Baron Cohen, Kutcher want to make you laugh Jun 30, 2009
Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost, Kenneth Branagh, Tom Sturridge, Jack Davenport Director: Richard Curtis Story: Inspired by real events that took place in 1966 Britain, this musical dramedy tells the story of a pirate radio station called Radio Rock that broadcasts rock music 24 hours a day from a boat anchored in international waters. The pirate radio station outrages the British government. (MSNBC -- Movies)
1939: Hollywood's Best Year Revisit... Jun 30, 2009
1939, a new film created for Warner Home Video and narrated by actor/filmmaker Kenneth Branagh. It includes interviews with numerous film historian-scholars, plus archival interviews with directors George Cukor and Howard hawks, plus actors Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Claire Trevor, Francis lederer, Maureen O'hara and others. (Suite101.com)
Hollywood's most wanted look familiar as films revisit old 'Enemies' Jun 29, 2009
So, every generation needs its own on-screen Hamlet and now we're about to get another one: After Lawrence Olivier (1948), Richard Burton (1964), Mel Gibson (1990), Kenneth Branagh (1996) and Ethan Hawke (2000), now comes young heartthrob Emile Hirsch, 24, who is set to play Hamlet next year and is the first actor in his 20s to play the prince of Denmark on-screen at roughly the same age as the character. Director Catherine Hardwicke and screenwriter Ron Nyswanger say they will present the story... (USA Today -- Life)
Please Disregard Your Enthusiasm Jun 20, 2009
He's a hectoring crank, the most unlikeable Woody Allen protagonist since Kenneth Branagh in. (I exclude the lead character in , since Allen protagonists gain an unfair likability advantage when played by Allen himself. (Slate)
Annie Hollow Jun 19, 2009
" Woody's 60-ish surrogate this time is Larry David, cast as a misanthropic, hypochondriac and misogynistic physicist named Boris. After a failed suicide attempt, Boris leaves his wife, quits his job and moves to Chinatown, where he teaches chess and verbally abuses his young students. One night, he encounters Melodie (Evan Rachel Wood), a 21-year-old former beauty contestant from Mississippi to whom Boris offers shelter, much against his better judgment. Although Boris sprays her with cynicism... (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Thor Movie Buzz Jun 18, 2009
"Kevin would give us the establishment of the shot and the situation: 'Here we are. We're in [take your pick of location]. And here's Odin and he's coming up to [pick a character].' And then Kenneth would come in and give you the color commentary. 'Odin has an air of majesty to him,' and he'd act out the Odin part or the Thor part. So we sat there and literally got a three-hour one-man show from Kenneth Branagh. It was fantastic. People pay a lot of money for that kind of performance by one of... (IGN FilmForce)
DVD Report: This week's new releases May 31, 2009
Kenneth Branagh stars as Swedish mystery novelist Henning Mankell's sleuth in a trio of well-received "Masterpiece Mystery" telefilms: "Sidetracked," "Firewall," and "One Step Behind." Extras: Branagh and Mankell interview; production featurettes. (BBC Video, $34. (Boston Globe)
Universal Pictures and Working Title Films Announce All-Star Cast for Upcoming Comedy Adventure Paul May 28, 2009
Upcoming films include, The Green Zone directed by Paul Greengrass, starring Matt Damon, Greg Kinnear and Amy Ryan; The Boat That Rocked written and directed by Richard Curtis, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rhys Ifans, Bill Nighy and Kenneth Branagh. The company recently enjoyed their second consecutive Academy Award nomination for Best Picture for Frost/Nixon, after receiving one for Atonement in 2008. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Four craft Baftas for Wallander May 19, 2009
The three-part series, starring Kenneth Branagh as a Swedish detective, won in categories including original music and production design. Doctor Who and BBC Two's UK forces documentary The Fallen won two each. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
The cold Nordic climes are hot May 10, 2009
As it turns out, he'll be played by Kenneth Branagh for the "Wallender" series coproduced by the BBC and WGBH, which begins today. On its own terms it's a fine piece of television with all the intelligence and strong acting of the "Masterpiece Mystery" series. (Boston Globe)
TV review: 'Wallander' stale British mystery May 10, 2009
Starring Kenneth Branagh ... If you're thinking Jane Tennison or Robbie Coltrane's Dr. Edward Fitzgerald, well, "Wallander" is a pale imitation, although Kenneth Branagh does an acceptable job in the title role ... Starring Kenneth Branagh. (San Francisco Chronicle)
'Wallander' presents the introspective detective May 8, 2009
Kenneth Branagh (right) and John McEnery in a scene from PBS's ''Wallander ... And when it comes to Kenneth Branagh, and his new semi-regular gig as Inspector Kurt Wallander on PBS, we are pleased to abide ... WALLANDER Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Jeany Spark, Sarah Smart, Tom Hiddleston. (Boston Globe)
REVIEW: The accent's on a Swedish sleuth in 'Wallander' May 8, 2009
Magnusson (John McEnery), left, and Wallander (Kenneth Branagh) in the three-part Masterpiece Mystery ... Indeed, as played by Kenneth Branagh, Kurt Wallander is so care-worn and weepy he cries in each of the three episodes, a detective record he makes Inspector Morse look cheerful. (USA Today -- Life)
From the land of grey skies and Volvos, a truly dour detective May 8, 2009
Based on a series of bestselling crime novels by Swedish author Henning Mankell, the short-run series places film thespian Kenneth Branagh into the deep role of Inspector Kurt Wallander, a brilliant if morose cop. Despite the rumpled raincoat, this is not Colombo. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
In latest role, Kenneth Branagh plays a brooding Swede May 8, 2009
Kenneth Branagh stars as detective Kurt Wallander in "Wallander," a three-part series that begins Sunday night on "Masterpiece Mystery!" By Globe Staff / May 8, 2009 ... Kenneth Branagh has come through the acting equivalent of the bends ... "Kenneth Branagh could play anything with the possible exception of Queen Victoria," says "Masterpiece" executive producer Rebecca Eaton. (Boston Globe)
Seven reasons to stay tuned May 4, 2009
Wallander (PBS Mystery, starts Sunday, May 10, 9 p.m.) has Kenneth Branagh as Swedish detective Inspector Kurt Wallander in this series of adaptations of the popular novels by Henning Mankell. And he's great. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
It's summer at the movies! May 2, 2009
With Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans and, for the first time together since their marriage ended, Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh. (Aug. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Exclusive Thor Chat May 2, 2009
Tom Hiddleston (L) with Kenneth Branagh in Wallander. Branagh also confirmed that his award-winning Wallander co-star is in the running for a role in Thor. (IGN FilmForce)
Supermodel Kathy Ireland Lashes Out Against Pro Choice Apr 28, 2009
The five remaining Idol hopefuls, Julian Sands, Eric Idle, Kenneth Branagh, Xander Berkeley, Jeff Lynne, Bruno Tonioli, Lucy Davis and Fred Williard at the British Consul General s Official Residence in Hancock Park for a BritWeek celebration on Thursday. Socialite Tinsley Mortimer donning Judith Ripka at The Save Venice Society "La Notte Arancione" on Thursday in NYC.. (Fox News)
Harry Hill takes Bafta TV prize Apr 28, 2009
Meanwhile, Wallander, starring Kenneth Branagh, was named best drama series, earning the actor his first TV Bafta - 20 years after he won a film Bafta for Henry V.. He said it was "marvellous" to win, and thanked the BBC for commissioning the programme, based on the detective novels by Swedish author Henning Mankell. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Attenborough, Branagh honoured at Britain's Baftas Apr 28, 2009
Kenneth Branagh, David Attenborough, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders make the best of British television. Naturalist David Attenborough, actor Kenneth Branagh and comedy duo French and Saunders were honoured on Sunday with gongs at the British Academy of Film and Television Awards (Bafta). (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Carter Long steps into new role as MFA's curator of film Apr 12, 2009
It was there that Long honed his film tastes, falling in love with movies like "Brazil" and "A Clockwork Orange," and going through an intense Woody Allen phase and a long Shakespeare phase, especially the film adaptations by Kenneth Branagh. At the moment he's in a Werner Herzog phase ("Encounters at the End of the World") as well as a Lars von Trier phase. (Boston Globe)
The Boat That Rocked Apr 10, 2009
The main one centres on the efforts of Kenneth Branagh, who takes the broad in broadcasting to the limit by shamelessly acting up as a wowserish government minister. He wears a Hitlerish moustache and delivers his lines with Basil Fawlty-like fanaticism. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Bagehot: Through a pint glass, darkly Apr 9, 2009
Never can so many fine actors have generated so little pleasure (Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh, Philip Seymour Hoffman and several other luminaries are all sunk in Mr Curtis s rustbucket). It is unfunny and misogynistic. (The Economist)
Yet another horror film worthy of the flick Apr 8, 2009
Some years ago I wrote a slightly boisterous piece in which I sneered sarcastically at Peter's Friends, made by Kenneth Branagh for his old Cambridge chums to disport themselves. The shocking truth is that when I wrote that, I hadn't actually seen the film. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Top shows vie for audience award Apr 3, 2009
BBC shows once again feature strongly in the shortlist with sitcom Outnumbered, drama series Wallander - starring Kenneth Branagh - and ratings favourite The Apprentice all making the shortlist. Kenneth Branagh won a critics award playing Swedish detective Wallander. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Branagh wins TV critics' honour Mar 28, 2009
Kenneth Branagh has won the prize for best actor at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards (BPG) for his performance in the BBC drama Wallander. The star beat David Tennant and Ben Whishaw for his role as the Swedish detective in the three-part series. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
On screen, a tenor learns to dial down the opera Mar 28, 2009
When Quebec singer Joseph Kaiser found himself cast in Kenneth Branagh's The Magic Flute, he had to start emoting less ... But back in 2005, when Kaiser was in the Young Artists program at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, he was intrigued to hear that Kenneth Branagh was auditioning singers for an English-language film of Mozart's The Magic Flute that he was directing, with a libretto written by Stephen Fry. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Loved-up McCartney back in form Mar 26, 2009
" Paul used the party to introduce Nancy - who he has reportedly been dating since November 2007 - to his friends and was delighted when they bonded quickly. The source added to Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "As well as speaking to the movie cast, including Rhys Ifans and Bill Nighy, Paul made a big deal of introducing Nancy to his friends Twiggy and Kenneth Branagh. "He looked quite nervous but soon they were laughing like old friends and the idea of a dinner party was mooted.". (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Ian McKellen: The Player Mar 22, 2009
The concentration of talent intensified with the arrival at Stratford of a new generation of actors including Kenneth Branagh, Jeremy Irons, Charles Dance and Sean Bean. By then, the veterans had developed an informal set of rules for themselves: Take the craft seriously (Dench: "deadly"). (Time.com)
The Magic Flute Mar 20, 2009
Directed by Kenneth Branagh. Screenplay by Kenneth Branagh and Stephen Fry. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Obituary: Natasha Richardson Mar 19, 2009
In the same year she also appeared in A Month in the Country, where she starred alongside Colin Firth and Kenneth Branagh. Her career received a boost in 1990 when she appeared as Offred in the science fiction film A Handmaid's Tale with Faye Dunaway and Robert Duvall. (BBC News -- UK)
Portman Joining Thor? Mar 17, 2009
Tom Hiddleston (L) with Kenneth Branagh in Wallander. English actor Tom Hiddleston, 28, starred opposite Branagh in the Masterpiece Mystery. (IGN FilmForce)
Superhero movies pushed back Mar 14, 2009
Thor, which will be directed by Kenneth Branagh, will be released a year later than originally planned, in June 2011. The Avengers - a multi-character movie featuring the likes of Iron Man, The Hulk and Captain America - will be released in May 2012. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Film Fun for Friday the 13th Mar 14, 2009
Apart from its leading actors, the also feature a variety of British stars including, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Dawn French, John Cleese, Zo Wanamaker, Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, and Ralph Fiennes. Hocus Pocus. (Suite101.com)
Acclaimed Television, Theater and Movie Star Neil Patrick Harris Tapped to Host the 7th Annual 'TV Land Awards' Mar 4, 2009
Additionally, Harris has appeared in Universal's hit urban comedy Undercover Brother with Eddie Griffin, Paul Verhoeven's Starship Troopers, The Next Best Thing with Rupert Everett & Madonna, and The Proposition with Madeline Stowe & Kenneth Branagh, among many others. The multi-talented Harris also enjoys a busy schedule in the world of voice-overs, appearing in numerous animated series and features, including the recent Justice League: The New Frontier (as Barry Allen/The Flash) and the... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Watchmen: up, up and have it away Feb 25, 2009
Kenneth Branagh directs big screen adaptation of Marvel comics hero. Plot details remains sketchy, but Trainspotting's Kevin McKidd may be starring. (Times Online)
Masand's movie review: Valkyrie is not Cruise's best Feb 22, 2009
Cast: Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy. Direction: Bryan Singer. (IBNLive.com)
Get Movies updates: Feb 21, 2009
That actors like Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy [], Tom Wilkinson and Eddie Izzard speak in whatever accent they see fit is also distracting, especially when each and every one of them is supposed to be playing a German soldier. Since most people are expected to stand around, or march, or stride, while frowning deeply about the seriousness of somebody else'swords or actions, there isn't really a broad range of performance on display. (Rediff)
Review: Cruise distractingly bad in 'Valkyrie' Feb 20, 2009
He's outclassed and outmatched by every member of the strong supporting cast, any of whom would have been more believable as Stauffenberg: Kenneth Branagh, Tom Wilkinson, Terence Stamp and Bill Nighy as fellow German officers, even Eddie Izzard, who's a unique and unexpected choice. Then again, the script from Christopher McQuarrie, who won an Academy Award for writing Singer's breakthrough film 'The Usual Suspects', never fully fleshes out his motivations. (MSN India)
Tennant named theatregoers' pick Feb 16, 2009
com Theatregoers' Choice Awards, which also saw Kenneth Branagh win best actor for Ivanov ... THEATREGOERS' CHOICE AWARDS Best actor in a play: Kenneth Branagh - Ivanov (Donmar West End) Best actress in a play: Katy Stephens - The Histories (RSC at the Roundhouse) Best supporting actor in a play: Tom Hiddleston - Othello (Donmar Warehouse and West End) Best supporting actress in a play: Sophie Thompson - The Female of the Species (Vaudeville) Best actor in a musical: Ryan Molloy - Jersey Boys... (BBC News -- Entertainment)
MORE: Seven promising shows Feb 13, 2009
Wallander Where and when: PBS, May 10; Sunday, 9 ET/PTWhat: This Masterpiece Mystery production is based on a series of Swedish detective novels, but the tone and the star Kenneth Branagh are British through and through. Fans have come to count on Mystery for cerebral thrillers with high-end casts, great characters and tightly constructed plots. (USA Today -- Life)
Bitter-sweet love in Torch Song Massacre Feb 12, 2009
It is the 1993 film based on William Shakespeares play that was adapted for the screen and directed by Kenneth Branagh. It is principally a vehicle for the theatre darlings, Branagh and his wife Emma Thompson, and a bunch of their new-found Hollywood friends, romping, flirting, laughing and cavorting through Shakespeares lusty comedy and through the beautiful Tuscan countryside. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
A theater season in London that puts the actor first - and best Feb 10, 2009
After all, you've got to hand it to a culture that could release the nominations for the upcoming Laurence Olivier Awards, London's equivalent of Broadway's Tonys, and somehow omit Kenneth Branagh for "Ivanov," the Oscar-winning expatriate Kevin Spacey in "Speed-the-Plow" and all but one of the superlative ensemble of Alan Ayckbourn's "The Norman Conquests": they're up for a company award but deserve individual shout-outs. And so the high caliber of performance continues with the newly opened... (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Kate the great Feb 8, 2009
Costume roles opposite Christopher Eccleston in Jude and Kenneth Branagh in Hamlet kept her in the public eye. However, it was playing the impetuous Rose Dawson in 1997's Titanic that finally made her an international star. (BBC News -- UK)
Period films: Cruise,Mortensengo backto WWII Feb 7, 2009
Starring: Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Patrick Wilson, Stephen Fry, Tom WilkinsonDirector: Bryan Singer Story: Cruise stars as Col. Claus von Stauffenberg, a Nazi officer who loyally serves during World War II, but secretly hopes that someone will take down Adolf Hitler before Europe is destroyed. He decides to take action himself and joins the German resistance. (MSNBC -- Movies)
