Complete the JGL Sentences...

JGL announcing his directorial debut earlier this monthHappy Birthday to Joseph Gordon-Levitt who turns 31 today, which is a great age to turn. He's been busy busy busy as noted last week. So complete these JGL sentences.

• Joseph Gordon-Levitt is ___________ !
• My favorite performance of his is _____________ because _______________ . 
• I think he should work with  _____________________  because _____________ !

JGL + ScarJo ?

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is on his way to becoming an actor/director. His first dual effort behind and in front of the camera will be a romantic comedy. Interesting choice and one we applaud because lord knows that genre needs fresh voices. Scarlett Johansson is his co-star of choice though apparently there's a second female lead (as yet uncast). JGL will play a lothario. Will ScarJo or the other leading lady reform him? Hopefully this one will skirt the misogyny that was the only thing really dragging the otherwise charming 50/50 down.

I'm hoping Joe and ScarJo will find a way to sing together since it's the one thing they totally have in common besides being, you know, gorgeous movie stars.

Initially I had trouble picturing the two stars together given that he is slim and long and she is short and voluptuous. I'm use to picturing her with much much beefier men (like her shortlived marriage) but after my initial shock I'm liking the idea. Contrast can be very attractive...  

On the other hand it may be tough to top his more twinnish love pairing with Zooey Deschanel. [I am always rooting for a "Zoooey" reunion --where are we at with (500) Days of Summer right now? It went through such a weird love/hate thing with the internets --  but with "New Girl" a hit on TV, there's little chance of her returning to the big screen in major roles anytime soon.]

The film starts shooting in April. I wonder if she's still in for that John Carney (Once) movie that was supposed to start shooting this summer called Can A Song Save Your Life? Two movies in a row where Scarlett may actually be acting instead of just posing?! Exciting. Maybe But never fear. Lots of posing coming up as well in The Avengers (2012) -- recently discussed -- and Iron Man 3 (2013).

JGL stars in Premium Rush which hits theaters a month after The Dark Knight Rises

As for JGL, he's about to have a Jessica Chastain crazy year. Scratch that. A bigger year than that. In addition to directing his first feature he's co-starring in five more, three of them among the year's most anticipated features: Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained, Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises and Steven Spielberg's Lincoln. 

Which upcoming project are you most excited for?

3 Notes on New Photos: J Edgar, Hunger Games, Pines

You may have noticed that I don't post every "exclusive" new photo!video!thingamajig! the second it's released. I figure you can get them in 760,000 other places and if I post too many of them there will be no room for the words which is why we do this thing they call blogging. And this: I'd prefer to get paid advertising on the site than give free advertising. That said, I'm thinking we should include more so maybe roundups like this?

Here we go...

• I want that tie. I want it windsored up in my business immediately. Would it be unprofessional to beg Deborah Hopper for it first chance I get to interview her?
• Despite the Oscar friendly nature of the bulk of Clint Eastwood's modern filmography, none of his movies have ever been nominated for costume design. Could this be the first?
* Armie Hammer is very handsome.

to see more click on this photo

• Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne looks just like Patrick Bateman which... well, may the costume designer never put him in a transparent splatter protection jacket. 
• Joseph Gordon-Levitt in a cop suit does nothing for me. I prefer him in Slim Jim Joe Inception suits. 
•  Those extras in the background are really given it their all! You know they were so excited to get the gig. "I'm going to be in a Batman movie!!!!!"

Hunger Games and The Place Beyond the Pines after the jump

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Sweet Bird of Link

Zimbio The 50 Most Beautiful Women Over 50
Towleroad Conflicting reports about how gay Clint Eastwood's J. Edgar Hoover biopic is going to be.
Cinemablographer Canada's Genie nominations. Incendies, also nominated for the Foreign Language Film Oscar (see here) is big stuff.
Hero Complex Hugh Jackman now bulking up for Darren Aronofsky's Wolverine. The director wants him thicker and more feral.
Socialite's Life Nicole Kidman in Marie Claire magazine.
Awards Daily Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris to open Cannes Film Festival
Arts Beat James Franco to join Nicole Kidman in Broadway's revival of Sweet Bird of Youth. I hate my poverty that prevents me from seeing the big ticket star outings on stage. So hard to find good discounts for those short term plays.
IndieWire I hadn't heard of this Gambit project, a remake of a Michael Caine movie scripted by the Coen Bros, though they're not directing. Colin Firth and Cameron Diaz will star.

In Contention "Relatability" interesting AMPAS voter quote regarding The King's Speech.
Pajiba names today "Joseph Gordon-Levitt" day since he's joining the cast of the next Batman flick The Dark Knight Rises. The rumor is ... well, I'm sure there's a billion of them but the role is unknown.
Cinema Blend Rupert Everett thrilled for Colin Firth's current success. Nice to hear him compliment someone for a change.
The Atlantic reviews the American version of Being Human, now airing on SyFy with a second eye on the original British version. For what it's worth, I'm not crazy about either show but I think the American version shows a better understanding of how series television flourishes... at least at this early stage.

Red Carpet Globes: They Wear the Pants 'Round Here.

Nobody ever leads with the men in terms of awards show fashion rundowns. For good reason sure -- let me guess, a black tux?! I'm totally psychic) But why play to expectations every time? If we don't give them their due right now we'll actually forget and I'm well aware that some readers get annoyed that we only ever drool on the actresses 'round these parts.

So here ya go. Brad Pitt wasn't the only one having tie adjustment problems. Ryan Gosling didn't have Angie beside him so he had to do the dirty work himself.

Meanwhile, Joseph Gordon Levitt wore a red button. I'm pretty sure that if one were to investigate one couldfind out what the red button means . But isn't it more fun to assume he'd just been sold at a gallery prior to the show, being a work of art and all? How much would he go for at Sothebys? (Your best price estimates in the comments, please)

AFTER THE JUMP: March of the Handsome Penguins.

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