Review: Breaking In

by Chris Feil

Twist a tried-and-true subgenre like the home invasion movie with just the slightest bit of invention and we’re intrigued - like say, the homeowners are the one who have to do the invading. Add in relatable context for emotional investment - motherly instincts, forging one’s own family unit after estrangement, female badassery. Sign up a dependable actress like Gabrielle Union and you have a formula for easy popcorn thrills and a rewarding opportunity for an underutilized actress to take center stage.

How has Hollywood not yet realized that Union is a star, and one we want to watch take revenge on a slew of bad guys with her poise and no-bullshit wit? Thank you, I'll have five. But Breaking In is only half of that movie.

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Smackdown '70: Maureen, Helen, Lee, Sally, and Karen Black

Presenting Oscar's Chosen Supporting Actresses of the Films of 1970. The Academy welcomed back one enduring icon (Helen Hayes), two of the eventual giants of this particular category (Maureen Stapleton and Lee Grant), and two new stars of the moment (Sally Kellerman and Karen Black).

THE NOMINEES  

Their characters were a devastated soon-to-be widow, a sneaky old lady flying the friendly skies, a pregnant waitress confused by her man, a wealthy "liberal" snob who is more conservative than she thinks, and a disciplined but highly excitable military nurse. 1970's supporting shortlist was more "pure" than the category often is now (only Karen Black could be argued as a lead... but she's on the borderline so it's fine) but how strong were the roles and how good the work?

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Beauty Break: Happy Mother's Day!

Michelle Pfeiffer with her daughter Claudia Rose early onHappy Mothers Day to any of our readers who are mothers and Happy Mother's Day to all of your mothers, too. Herewith some of our favorite actresses with their first born...

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"Cher: The Unauthorized Rusical"

by Nathaniel R

 

S10E8 Well, so that was a perfect episode. Not at all Suspect. Sorry for the Cher pun but Season 10 has been on fire with smart casting, great episodes, rainbow colored madness, inspired mini-challenges, and memorable runway themes. The writers and editors aren't sleeping through it either. Note how well Monét's silly RuPaul mimicry (pictured above) kicked off the episode with bad celebrity impersonation and Ru's campy-funny "slap out of it" mini-challenge both dovetailed so neatly into the CHER homage maxi-challenge...

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Cannes Carpet #2: Lupita, Amber, Dame Helen, and lots of Marion Cotillard

by Nathaniel R

Fan Bingbing, Lupita Nyong'o, Amber Heard, and Marion Cotillard

The Cannes red carpet waits for no man. So we'll keep trying to bring you 16 key looks each couple of days -- wish us luck! If you missed part one that's here. Outside of movies, which we'll get to on Monday, the weeked at Cannes was filled with the 82 woman protest and of course more and more gowns. Above we have Fan Bingbing in an amazing assymetrical dress from Alexis Mabille Haute Couture with sharp black ribbon details. In the past five years of fame Lupita Nyong'o has, we believe, now worn every single color that exists. Prada peach perfect, this time. Amber Heard is making quite a statement (though what is it?) in a puffy black and white floral number from Giambattista Valli Haute Couture. And Marion Cotillard looks fresh and fun in this Adam Selman gingham dress --love the smart belted hint of green for summer and red sandals for flash. Cotillard's film this year is called Angel Face which is an apt description. And Cotillard has been working it every day at the festival... 

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