Tag Archives: Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron’s New Kick Ass Movie ‘Atomic Blonde’ Is A Must See

Charlize Theron is the lead in the just-premiered spy action thriller Atomic Blonde.

Theron stars as a sexy undercover MI6 agent (Lorraine Broughton) who is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents.

Broughton must in turn utilize equal parts spycraft, sensuality and savagery while deploying all of her fierce skills in order to stay alive on an impossible mission.

In the first official trailer for Atomic Blonde, we find Theron’s character kicking ass, donning lingerie, and making out with an equally-beautiful woman (Sofia Boutella).

Interest piqued…

Reviews have praised Theron for her commitment to the role.

“She absolutely kills it,” proclaims Verge, while Variety says she proves that she is more than an equal to ionic male action stars such as Schwarzenegger and Stallone.

The film’s gorgeously stylised visuals and the intense action scenes have also been applauded but most critics say it’s all a bit shallow and one dimensional (then again it is based on a graphic novel).

Theron told Entertainment Tonight about Boutella, her on-screen lover.

Seducing her? It’s very easy, she’s gorgeous! She was just great. She was the only actress that we looked at. She came over, she hung out with me and [director] Dave and there was something about her that was so genuinely innocent and yet incredibly strong, that she was really perfect for the film.”

Theron also talked about being drawn to playing strong female characters in her films, her latest spy thriller being no exception.

I think they’re all very vulnerable too. I think great strength comes from women who can be vulnerable and look at their weaknesses and find their strengths from that. I think you almost have to be incredibly vulnerable and weak in order to find strength, to survive something. So, I think that’s what I love so much about these women.”

Theron has previously played queer characters, including the Oscar winning role of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster.

In 2012, Theron was honoured by America’s largest LGBT rights group, the Human Rights Campaign, for being a vocal ally to the LGBT community. “I will always be your cheerleader and I will always be your friend,” she said at the time.

The actor further showed her support fwhen she promised not to get married until marriage equality became a reality in the USA. She is also a passionate advocate in the battle against HIV and last year powerfully called for an end to “sexism, racism, poverty and homophobia” at the International Aids Conference in Durban.

Atomic Blonde is set for release this summer. Watch the trailer below.

Has It Really Been A Great Year for Female Film Characters?

Although we’ve seen many male-led movies such as The Martian, The Revenant and The Big Short garner a lot of attention, many critics say the past year was good for fans of films with female characters too.

They point to films like Carol, Room and Mad Max: Fury Road as prime examples of films where the women were the stars of the show, and of media where leading ladies kicked ass first, taking names later in their own way.

Some critics argue that it hasn’t just been a great year for female characters, numbers wise, but in how they were presented as well.

The characters in these films, including Inside Out and Grandma, don’t necessarily fit into the typical ‘strong female character’ mould either, as they’re flawed and messy and imperfect in the same way that actual, real-life women are.

But does that mean that we’re in a new era of movie-making, where women get to take the lead in more pictures, and are written in ways that won’t make us want to throw the nearest piece of pottery?

Not necessarily.

We may have made some real strides in terms of both numbers and the actual depictions of these female characters, but the work is far from over.

For example, although we are quick to praise the diversity of movies like Grandma, Freeheld and Carol for starring lesbian characters, it‘s also important to consider that these three movies, like many of the others being praised for positive representation of women, star white women. (All three films were also massively snubbed at the Oscars, with misogyny being blamed).

Also important to note is how the 2016 Oscars featured no nominees of colour in any of its acting categories, sparking a revival of the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag.

While this is incredibly frustrating, it’s both an ugly symptom of the Academy’s massively lopsided voting pool and of Hollywood itself and it was massively disappointing to see films like Tangerine (a movie about two trans women of colour) get shut out.

It’s also worth noting that one film that has been praised for its black female ‘heroine’ character, Chi-Raq, has also been criticised for its own misogyny, as it involves ending gun violence via the means of women withholding sex.

Straight Outta Compton, another movie starring people of colour that many felt should have been nominated by the Academy, also overlooked the violent acts committed by Dr. Dre against women.

Whether we will see the trend of female-led films (hopefully with more diversity) continue into 2016 and beyond is unclear.

Although Hollywood blockbusters make far more at the box office when starring female characters, who’s to say that Hollywood will pay attention when it’s been ignoring that factoid for years?

Additionally, with so few female film-makers holding Hollywood’s top jobs, decisions of these female-focused films are largely in the hands of men.

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Top 7 Sad Queer Movies That Will Mess Up Your Whole Week

I have a confession to make: I am a sucker for emotional cinema. No matter how heartless I try to pretend I am, the sappy movies make me tear up every time. (I have an aunt who calls this phenomenon “TV eyes” – it helps us keep our hard exterior appearance.)

If you love the movies that bring you to tears, or you consider yourself an emotional stronghold and want to prove it, we’ve found the 7 saddest lesbian movies out there – how many have you seen, and how many actually brought you to tears?

(In order of release – not necessarily indicative of cry-worthy-ness.)

The Children’s Hour (1961)

I’m not sure if this movie exactly counts as a lesbian film, since it centers around a rumor about sexuality, rather than actual sexuality. But, since this movie came out in the early ‘60s and features such huge icons as Audrey Hepburn and Shirley Maclane… We’ll forgive that.

This story centers around a headmistress and a teacher at a boarding school. Everything is all hunky dory for the two BFF’s (actual gal pals, not like the “gal pals” we hear about these days)… Until a student starts spreading rumors about the two women being romantically involved, and students start withdrawing from the school. Yikes!

Mostly, this movie is sad because back in the ‘60s, this was as close as they had to a real lesbian movie. I’m so glad Hollywood has picked up the slack lately, but this movie is pretty much a downer anyway.

Gia (1998)

For all you Angelina Jolie fans out there, this is the one movie where we got to see her as a sexy, emotional creature… Oh wait, that’s true of a lot of her movies. Still, Gia represented an important (and mostly true!) story of the supermodel, Gia Carangi, as she struggled with her career, her mental health, and her own sexuality. Oh, and not to give anything away if you haven’t seen it yet, but she also has AIDS.

Of course, there is the appeal of seeing Angelina Jolie topless, which is one of the big draws of many Angelina Jolie movies in the first place. But once you add in the powerful message behind it and the fact that this is actually based on a true story, it gets heart-wrenching and super painful.

If you start the movie when she’s topless, and then stop it before she gets onto the plane, this movie isn’t so sad – but if you’re into the whole picture, this movie will undoubtedly wreak havoc on your soul.

Boys Don’t Cry (1999)

Okay, if we didn’t have Boys Don’t Cry on our list, I would be seriously upset at myself. Truly, this is one of those movies that most people will either love or hate – and most of us love it. Hilary Swank plays a transman in the midst of homophobia, transphobia, and general ignorance in Nebraska. Did I mention this one’s based on a true story, too?

The scenes in this movie are created specifically to rip your heart into a million shreds, halfway patch these shreds back together, and then rip them to pieces all over again. Seriously – it’s that good. If you haven’t seen it, I don’t want to spoil it, but it’s going to make you cry – guaranteed.

Lost & Delirious (2001)

Let me start by saying that I absolutely adore Piper Perabo, and I probably always will. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way… Technically, the characters in this movie don’t identify as lesbians – but as two young women who are just madly in love with each other. I think it’s beautiful that they don’t have to put a label on it.

That being said, this movie is pretty sad. Partially because the potential of the cast wasn’t fully realized, and partially because someone dies. (Not going to say who, but… You know… Any time you have lesbian romance in a movie and someone dies, it sucks pretty hard.)

I have a soft spot for anything one of my celebrity crushes is in, so I’m tempted to ignore the critic reviews that say this movie was total garbage. All in all, it tells a tale that many of us have been a part of us at one point or another, and the relatability is enough to break your heart, right? Take a look and form your own opinion about this one.

The Laramie Project (2002)

Another TV movie to hit our list – which is still a rarity for the queer community. The Laramie Project isn’t about lesbians, specifically, but it does touch on the murder of Matthew Sheperd – a huge event for the gay community as a whole. With a cast that includes “celebs I wish were my BFFs” such as Christina Ricci and Clea Duvall, this movie promises a stellar performance – and delivers.

Of course, a movie that surrounds the killing of one of the pioneers of LGBT+ visibility, no matter which of our fallen heroes it is, is going to be sad. The Laramie Project is no exception. In addition to the death of Matthew Sheperd, this movie also features survival, against the odds, and the paths we follow to grow as humans.

(Oh, and as a bonus, they also perform a version of “Angels in America”… How meta!)

Angels in America (2003)

Okay, so this one isn’t exactly a movie, but a TV mini-series. Still, this offers an inner look to the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s as it pertains to characters who you’re probably going to love right off the bat just because of the actors who play them. (I’m talking Meryl Streep, Al Pacino, and Mary Louise Parker here.) There are also plenty of intersecting sections of the “at-risk community” shown here, and it will rip your heart out – just like any other movie, TV show, or other type of content that deals with the AIDS crisis.

I have yet to watch this one myself, but after looking into it, I’ll definitely have to add it to my own list.

Monster (2003)

Okay, here’s another mostly-true story that happens to be one of my favorites. Monster tells the tale of Aileen Wuornos (Charlize Theron in a hardly-recognizable get-up) and her girlfriend, Selby (Christina Ricci) through their unconventional and highly criminal relationship.

The scary thing about this movie is that it really was a true story – one that’s been referenced in over two dozen different movies and TV shows – oh, and Charlize Theron won an Oscar for this movie. It’s not too often that Oscars are won by true crime stories, but this movie shows power.

The real Aileen Wuornos was America’s first female serial killer – something that’s not exactly a source of pride for most of us, but personally, it helped me be thankful that I’ve never gone down that path – although parts of it were quite relatable to me. If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for? This movie is a true classic.

Gender Swap: Charlize Theron Looks To Replaces Brad Pitt in New Hollywood Action Thriller

Charlize Theron drew lots of praise and cemented her as a certifiable badass playing Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road.

Now, it looks like her enviable butt-kicking skills are inspiring a gender swap in the upcoming thriller, The Gray Man.

The actress is reportedly in talks to join the cast of the action flick, in a lead role that was previously attached to Brad Pitt.

According to Deadline, Theron is in early talks to star in the film based on Mark Greaney’s novel of the same name.

The screen adaptation has been stuck in development for some time. In 2011, Pitt was reportedly interested in taking on the lead role, with James Gray (The Immigrant) attached as a director. After that fell through, the project was temporarily put on the back burner.

Now, it seems that Sony wants to redevelop the concept with Theron in the central role

The Gray Man centres on an expert CIA op-turned-assassin who is forced to evade adversaries as he saves the lives of daughters he didn’t know he had.

While swapping the gender of a lead role in order to accommodate the actor doesn’t happen very often, it isn’t unheard of. Just look back on some classic examples: Sigourney Weaver’s iconic role as hero Ripley in Alien was originally conceived for a man, and spy thriller, Salt, was re-tailored Angelina Jolie Pitt after Tom Cruise bowed out of the lead role.

Then there is Paul Feig’s all-female Ghostbusters, the rumoured Expendabelles film, and the Road House reboot set to star Ronda Rousey in a role originated by Patrick Swayze.

Sandra Bullock also recently nabbed a role originally written for a man in this month’s Our Brand Is Crisis.

Given the year Theron has had, it’s no surprise that Sony would want to get her on board. The actress has proven herself more than capable of leading a fast-paced blockbuster and Sony would be smart to strategize the movie premise around her. But regardless of whether she takes on this particular movie on or not, one thing’s for sure: Theron’s winning streak as an action star is just beginning.

Fans Hail Charlize Theron’s Character in ‘Mad Max’ as a Feminist Powerhouse

Have you seen the trailer for Charlize Theron new kick ass action film Mad Max: Fury Road?

In the new movie the South African-born actress plays the role of amputee warrior Furiosa alongside Tom Hardy’s Mad Max. Her character is very much the dominant between the two, and “emotionally drives” the story forward.

During an interview at the on Thursday, Theron was asked if “Max Max” is a “sort of feminist film.”

You know what I think is even more powerful about it? [It’s] that I think George didn’t have a feminist agenda up his sleeve, and I think that’s what makes the story even more powerful, especially how the women are represented in it.

It’s just very truthful, and I really applaud him for that. I think when we use the word ‘feminism’ people get a little freaked out, it’s like we’re somehow, like, being put on a pedestal or anything like that. George has this innate understanding that women are just as complex and interesting as men, and he was really interested in discovering all of that. I think through just his need and want for the truth he actually made an incredible feminist movie.”

Theron has also been praised by the films director George Miller for breaking out of the Hollywood gender stereotype mould and showing “the truth of who we are as women”.

She recently discussed why it’s important for young girls to know what feminism really means in an interview with Elle UK.

This is a good time for us to bring this to a place of fairness, and girls need to know that being a feminist is a good thing. It doesn’t mean that you hate men. It means equal rights. If you’re doing the same job, you should be compensated and treated in the same way.”

When It Pays To Be A Lesbian At The Oscars

Crazy as it seems, but historically a heterosexual, cisgender, actress playing a lesbian or bi women in compelling biopic had the potential to get her into the field of Oscar nominees. That’s not us devaluing the films or acting though, just merely an observation. So, seeing the Oscars are now done and dusted, we took a chance to look back at Oscar’s historic lesbian / bi movies.

Monster – Charlize Theron

Monster is an epic drama about serial killer Aileen Wuornos, a former prostitute who was executed in 2002 for killing six men. Wuornos was played by Charlize Theron, and her lesbian lover, Selby Wall, was played by Christina Ricci.

Theron won many awards for her portrayal, including the Academy Award for Best Actress.

The Hours – Nicole Kidman

The film is about how the book Mrs. Dalloway affects three generations of women, all of whom, in one way or another, have had to deal with suicide in their lives. The film starred Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, and Julianne Moore, with Kidman playing Virginia Woolf, who although married, had a sexual relationship with acclaimed writer Vita Sackville-West.

The Hours received nine Academy Award nominations including best picture, and Nicole Kidman won an Oscar for Best Actress.

Boys Don’t Cry – Hilary Swank

Boys Don’t Cry is the dramatization Brandon Teena life, a transgender man played by Hilary Swank, who pursues a relationship with a young woman, played by Chloë Sevigny. Directed by Kimberly Peirce and co-written by Andy Bienen, the picture explored the themes of freedom, courage, identity and empowerment. Both Hilary Swank and Chloë Sevigny went on to be nominated for Oscars, with Hilary winning her first Best Actress Oscar for the role.

Vicky Christina Barcelona – Penélope Cruz

Penélope Cruz gained a Best Supporting Actress award for her turn in Woody Allen’s Vicky Christina Barcelona in 2008. In the movie, Cruz’s character enters a polyamorous relationship with Scarlett Johansson and Javier Bardem.

Mulholland Drive – David Lynch

Mulholland Drive is a psychological thriller written and directed by David Lynch, and stars Naomi Watts and Laura Elena Harring. The surrealist film was highly acclaimed by many critics and earned Lynch the Prix de la mise en scène (Best Director Award) at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival as well as an Oscar nomination for Best Director.

Why we mention this movie, well Mulholland Drive launched the careers of Watts (who went on to be nominated twice for oscars) and Harring.

See it pays to play gay…

Tag Archives: Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron’s New Kick Ass Movie ‘Atomic Blonde’ Is A Must See

Has It Really Been A Great Year for Female Film Characters?