Almost Famous
Deschanel stars in her breakout role in this Cameron Crowe comedy-drama film. Her character’s name is Anita Miller, the free-spirited and rock music-loving older sister of the protagonist William, played by Patrick Fugit. She is constantly at odds with her mother, played by Francis McDormand, and leaves home to become a flight stewardess. The film also stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Billy Crudup, and Kate Hudson. On being cast in the film:
That’s an interesting story. Almost Famous was my second movie. I had done my first movie, which was Mumford (1999), my senior year of high school. And I missed my last month of school to do it. So I was corresponding with my teachers and doing my term papers. I was in all honors classes so it was like this big deal to leave school.
Snatch
Pitt stars in this comedy crime film directed by Guy Ritchie, playing an Irish gypsy, Mickey O’Neil, who finds himself fighting in boxing matches for a ruthless crime boss named Brick Top, played by Alan Ford. Another plot in the film involves stealing a huge and highly valuable diamond and delivering it to an underground diamond dealer in London. The film also stars Jason Statham, Dennis Farina, Benicio del Toro, and Vinnie Jones. Jones on the accuracy of Pitt’s accent in the film:
One million percent. I couldn’t believe it.
![Snatch - Trailer [HD]](https://newslines.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FPvQnBwDejfw%2F0.jpg)
Coyote Ugly
Perabo plays a small town girl named Violet Sanford who moves to New York City to become a songwriter. This romantic comedy film is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. While waiting on her big break and attempting to get over her stage fright, she takes on a job as a bartender and meets her boyfriend Kevin O’Donnell played by Adam Garcia. Movie critic Roger Ebert describes her:
So fetching she sort of stops the clock. She has one of those friendly Julia Roberts smiles, good comic timing, ease and confidence on the screen.
Gone in 60 Seconds
Jolie plays Sara “Sway” Wayland in this action thriller directed by Dominic Sena. Sway is a retired car thief and ex love interest of Memphis Raines, played by Nicholas Cage. She comes to Raines’ aid along with the rest of his old crew, to help his baby brother out of a jam and steal 50 cars in one night. Also starring Robert Duvall, and Timothy Olyphant.
She’s so focused on her cars, like when she gets in the Ferrari warehouse. She’s not even a part of the group. Like everyone’s hanging out and being friends and she just wants to make love to her cars and like get her man back.
![Gone in 60 Seconds - Official® Trailer [HD]](https://newslines.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2Fhh8uvTlmh0w%2F0.jpg)
Where the Heart Is
Portman plays Novalee Nation in the 2000 drama Where the Heart Is. The actress co-stars the film with actress Ashley Judd, and tells a story about a pregnant young woman who is abandoned at a Wal-Mart by her boyfriend. The movie is based on the best-selling novel written by author Billie Letts. On her role:
They gave me different hairstyles, more mature makeup. When people physically buy that you’re older than you are, it helps a lot in your confidence and acting more mature.
Acting debut
Aaliyah makes her acting debut in the action film Romeo Must Die starring opposite martial arts star Jet Li. On how the film boosted her career:
Romeo Must Die came at the right time. It was the right vehicle for me.
Erin Brockovich
Roberts plays Erin Brockovich’s real life crusade against a power company- Pacific Gas and Electric. Her research uncovered the industrial poisoning of a city’s water supply which resulted in the largest settlement paid in a direct action lawsuit. Film is directed by Steven Soderbergh and cast members include David Brisbin, Albert Finney and Conchata Ferrell.
Erin is who she is and doesn’t change for anybody – which is what makes her such a remarkable individual. She can be in a situation where she’s completely out of place and have no awareness of that and just focus on what the issue is at hand.
Girl, Interrupted
In this biographical drama directed by James Mangold and based on the memoirs of the same name by Suzanna Kaysen; Jolie plays trouble-making mental patient Lisa who befriends the new girl Susanna. Together the girls get into tons of trouble and have too much fun until the day that Susanna is going home and Lisa isn’t. Co-starring Wynona Ryder and Brittany Murphy.
I really, genuinely thought I was the only character who was sane in the entire film. And if you watch it closely, that’s exactly how I was playing it: I am just the only sane person here. I was actually almost upset when people said I was so good at playing insane because I never thought she was insane. She was just incredibly honest, which, I guess, made her seem crazy.
The Hurricane
Washington plays the role of former boxing champion Rubin “Hurricane” Carter in biographical film The Hurricane. The film tells the story on how Carter was wrongfully accused and convicted of a triple homicide back in 1966 and the 20 years he spent in prison because of it.
I think it’s one of those films whose reputation will gain over time. It’s the one I’m most proud of, right up there with Malcolm X.
The Cider House Rules
McCole Bartusiak’s acting career begins at age six in this American drama film. Directed by Lasse Hallström the screenplay by John Irving wins two Academy Awards. Bartusiak plays an orphan named Hazel. The cast also includes Charlize Theron, Erykah Badu, Paul Rudd and Tobey Maguire.
The Green Mile
Directed by Frank Darabont and starring Tom Hanks and David Morse, King’s mythical prison drama is adapted into a major motion picture. The film grosses $209.7 million after being made on a $60 million budget. Upon seeing the movie, King reportedly repeatedly whispered to his wife,
This is a good movie!
The Green Mile
Hanks stars in a film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Green Mile, the tale of a death row corrections officer during the Great Depression and the supernatural events he witnessed.
I had a good feeling about what it was going to try to do, but then you had to go off and get it done. You’re not going to make a good movie unless you start out with a good movie on paper and this was that.
Anywhere but Here
Portman plays Ann August in the 1999 drama Anywhere but Here, with fellow actress Susan Sarandon. The story is about Adele August, played by Sarandon, and the pursuit of her eccentric dreams. They leave their small Wisconsin town life and head towards Beverly Hills, but Ann does not share the same dream as her mother. On her character Ann:
She is the daughter of a very outgoing, kind of eccentric mother who isn’t very responsible and who doesn’t always act for her daughter’s best interests… She becomes a very serious, kind of mature person because of that.
The Bone Collector
Jolie plays a cop in the movie Bone Collector. She stumbles upon a murder scene only to find a man’s finger with his wife’s wedding ring attached. Jolie discovers that her killer is not only just murdering people but he also spends a lot of time and patience committing these crimes. Jolie works alongside Denzel Washington, Queen Latifah, and Luis Guzman.
It was one of the first scripts in a long time that I couldn’t put down.
The Bone Collector
Washington plays ex-forensic cop Lincoln Rhyme in the crime drama The Bone Collector. A tunnel accident results in Rhymes becoming a quadriplegic. Depressed, Rhymes is about to give up when a series of murders gives him interest in living again. With rookie Amelia Donaghy, played by actress Angelina Jolie, on the field, Rhymes has everything he needs to hunt down the serial killer.
When I first saw the film myself, I was scared to death a few times. I think Phillip Noyce [the director] did an incredible job of creating a claustrophobic and haunting atmosphere.
Fight Club
Pitt stars in this film adaptation of the Chuck Palahniuk novel, playing Tyler Durden, an assertive iconoclast disguised as a soap salesman who influences a depressed and jaded Edward Norton to pour his angst into fighting. Together, they form an underground club of men who find comfort and relief through fighting each other. Directed by David Fincher, also starring Helena Bonham Carter and Meat Loaf.
We had some great choreographers on the fight scene once we got into the club itself. We did a little training in the beginning. But again, these guys aren’t supposed to be skilled fighters.
Jakob the Liar
In the drama directed by Peter Kassovitz, Williams plays the role of Jakob, the owner of a small cafe who begins inventing stories about the Russian army’s progress toward the Polish ghetto. Co-starring Liev Schrieber and Alan Arkin. Kassovitz:
Robin had moments of doubt about doing something funny. He was a little bit anxious about the material … Like the other American actors, he had a guilt, not to have been a victim of the Nazis.
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Portman plays Padmé Amidala in the first prequel to the Star Wars franchise. The film revolves around the life of young Anakin Skywalker, who in his later years would become Darth Vader. The actress also signs for the next two Star Wars installments:
It was much harder than I expected. We worked long days. We were in the desert a long time. And I had to wear not the greatest costumes. People have done harder things for money. But it wasn’t the breeze I thought it would be.
Entrapment
Zeta-Jones plays Virginia Baker in the crime drama Entrapment. Two highly skilled thieves work together for one of the biggest heists of their lives. But in this line of work, nobody can be trusted. As their relationship deepens, so does their mistrust in one another. On her character:
The relationship reminds me of Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, or Bogart and Bacall in some of their films.
![Entrapment - Official® Trailer [HD]](https://newslines.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FMysS-Cdq6Lc%2F0.jpg)
10 Things I Hate About You
Gordon-Levitt stars in this teen romantic-comedy film directed by Gil Junger. He plays Cameron James, a sweet young man who pursues popular girl Bianca Stratford, played by actress Larisa Oleynik. Loosely based on the Shakespeare classic The Taming of the Shrew, the film revolves around the romances of two sisters with contrasting personalities. The actor’s role is inspired by the character Lucentio. His co-cast members include Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Andrew Keegan, and Larry Miller.
