NEWS
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03/01/05
BUNDCHEN FURIOUS WITH FOXX'S WIN OVER DiCAPRIO
GISELE BUNDCHEN is furious her beau LEONARDO DiCAPRIO didn't scoop the Best Actor trophy at the ACADEMY AWARDS - because she believes his did a "better job" than winner JAMIE FOXX.
The Brazilian beauty attended the Hollywood ceremony for the first time on Sunday (27FEB05), and she admits she was far from thrilled to see Foxx pick up the coveted trophy for his efforts in RAY, beating out a list of actors including her boyfriend DiCaprio, star of THE AVIATOR.
She says, "I was really there to support (DiCaprio). He's not just my boyfriend but he's an amazing actor. He's really talented and I was so proud of him. I figured I should go and support my man so I went there just for that reason.
"I don't think he was expecting to win. I think I was more upset because I thought he deserved it more than (Foxx). I was like, 'He did a better job than (Foxx)!'"
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Gisele was at Good Morning America and Regis and Kelly and talked sweetly about Leonardo.
Clips can be downloaded here:( big thanks to naomi!!)
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02/28/2005
DiCaprio has his fingers crossed
By Marc Lavine in Hollywood
A GALAXY of stars paraded down the red carpet for the 77th annual Academy Awards this morning.
The Aviator star Leonardo DiCaprio, nominated for best actor for his role as Howard Hughes, said he had his fingers crossed.
The actor was among the early arrivals with his Brazilian supermodel girlfriend Gisele Bundchen and best actress favourite Hilary Swank.
"There've been a lot of great performances this year and a lot of great biopics, so it's going to be tough competition," DiCaprio said.
"I've got my fingers crossed like everyone else." [...]
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02/28/2005
Leonardo Dicaprio enters Oscars with Gisele Bundchen
Leonardo Dicaprio made his first ever public appearance with his supermodel Brazilian girlfriend, Gisele Bundchen, at the academy awards.
The two have been in a relationship for the past four years . Gisele held on to Leo outside the Kodak Theatre, Hollywood. It was evident that she was glowing with pride at finally being seen in public with her man.
Aviator star Leo had apparently denied earlier that she would be joining him at the Oscars. There had even been rumours about the couple's relationship -otherwise seen as stronger than most in Hollywood - going through a rough patch.
The actor, however, lost the best actor award to Jamie Foxx for Ray .
"I've probably done more publicity and public appearances in the last two months than I've done in the last eight years, but it's all because I'm so proud of The Aviator and want to come out and support the film", Ananova quoted Leo as saying.
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02/28/2005
5 Oscars for The Aviator = most Oscars
The Aviator got Oscars for Cinematography, Editing, Best Supporting Actress, and Art Director.
But unfortunately Leonardo who was accompanied by Gisele and his mother didn't get one....
Costume
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02/23/2005
Greatest actors of our generation
OS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - As evidenced by his second Oscar nomination in as many years, Johnny Depp isn't just good-looking, he can act as well.
The Oscar-nominated "Finding Neverland" star and nine of his peers have landed on GQ's list of the Top 10 greatest actors of our generation.
The magazine's March issue, on newsstands now, praises the 41-year-old Depp for only taking roles that he's wanted, whether they're for offbeat indie flicks or big-budget studio franchises, such as his upcoming "Pirates of the Caribbean" sequels.
Other actors nominated for Oscars this year who made the cut include: "The Aviator" star Leonardo DiCaprio, "Hotel Rwanda's" Don Cheadle and supporting actor nominee Clive Owen for "Closer." The 77th Academy Awards ceremony will be televised live from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday, Feb. 27.
Not nominated this year, but still rounding out the Top 10 are: Oscar winners Russell Crowe ("Gladiator"), Benicio Del Toro ("Traffic") and Nicolas Cage ("Leaving Las Vegas"); "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events'" rubber-faced star Jim Carrey; "Motorcycle Diaries" actor Gael Garcia Bernal; and "Chicago's" Oscar-nominated supporting actor John C. Reilly.
None of the stars are resting on their laurels and already have projects lined up for 2005. Upcoming films opening this year include Depp's Tim Burton double-header "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "The Corpse Bride"; the ensemble comic book drama "Sin City," which stars both Owen and Del Toro; Reilly's "Dark Water"; Crowe's boxing drama "Cinderella Man"; Cage's "Weather Man" and Carrey's "Fun with Dick and Jane."
DiCaprio will reunite with "Aviator" director Martin Scorsese to film "The Departed" with Matt Damon, while Cheadle has plans to helm and co-star in the Elmore Leonard film adaptation of "Tishomingo Blues" with Matthew McConaughey. Currently filming are Bernal in Michel Gondry's "The Science of Sleep" and Cage in "Ghost Rider."
Clive Owen
Don Cheadle
Gael Garcia Bernal
Johnny Depp
John C. Reilly
Russell Crowe
Leonardo DiCaprio
Jim Carrey
Nicolas Cage
Benicio Del Toro
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02/22/2005
De Laurentiis Says Alexander Still a Go
According to Italy's Il Corriere della Sera (via Screen Daily), producer Dino De Laurentiis has re-assured that he is moving forward with plans to film his Alexander the Great project, to be directed by Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge) and to star Leonardo DiCaprio and Nicole Kidman.
"We will shoot the film in one year's time, and it will be the Alexander that everyone has been waiting for," De Laurentiis said, confirming the talent that was attached to the project when it was announced in 2003.
De Laurentiis's film was put on hold when Oliver Stone's rival Alexander project started in 2004. "I don't want to hit out against Oliver Stone, who merits respect. But his picture was certainly flawed, and was missing the spine of a screenplay," the Italian producer told the Milan newspaper.
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02/22/2005 Leo and Gisele are on vacation in Costa Rica.
They were surfing and strolling on the beach
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02/19/2005
Leo DiCaprio was a sensitive child actor
By Nestor Torre Inquirer News Service
WHICH male thespian will the 2004 Oscars bless come Feb. 27? Prognosticators favor Jamie Foxx for his exceptional portrayal of Ray Charles in "Ray." On point of "emotional logic," the Best Actor trophy could go to Leonardo DiCaprio for his outstanding performance as Howard Hughes in "The Aviator."
Some film buffs favor the second outcome because they have watched Leo go through a number of drastic changes through the years, from sensitive child actor, to moody teen, to the most popular young male star in the world with "Titanic," then on to his ironic "flop" period afterward, then finally regaining lost ground with "Catch Me If You Can," and now with "The Aviator," his biggest thespic challenge to date.
Suddenly, Leo is all of 30 years old, and the seemingly "eternally youthful" star now embarks on a major new phase in his career, as an adult actor.
This shocks some of his fans, who still hold on to a preternaturally youthful vision of DiCaprio. Well, his edgy portrayal of the spaced-out Hughes in "The Aviator" is calculated to banish that image forever.
It's been quite a roller-coaster ride for Leo, both personally and artistically, so his loyal followers hope that he will be rewarded with his first Best Actor Oscar later this month.
Born in 1974, Leo was named by his parents after none other than Leonardo Da Vinci. As show biz legend has it, Leo's mother, Irmelin, was looking at a Da Vinci painting in a museum in Italy when she felt her unborn baby kick, hence her decision to name her son after the Renaissance artist.
His parents' marriage didn't prosper, but Leo was a well-loved child. He also learned to love the German country side when he stayed in Germany with his maternal grandparents.
How did little Leo get into show biz? He first took his cue from his stepbrother, Adam Starr, when he started acting on television. Similarly bitten by the bug, Leo did a string of commercials for everything from cereals to toys and bubble gum.
Next, he was a troubled youth on "Lassie," followed by appearances on "The Outsider," "Santa Barbara," and "Parenthood." He quickly gained a reputation for playing "emotionally ill" characters.
Leo got his biggest TV break on "Growing Pains," which gave him terrific thespic training. He then snagged a small role in the 1992 film, "Poison Ivy," which starred Drew Barrymore. This led to his winning the much bigger role of Tobias Wolff in "This Boy's Life" (1993), with no less than Robert De Niro, Ellen Barkin for his co-stars.
By all accounts, Leo turned in a magnificent performance, with one reviewer even declaring, "In his first major movie, Leonardo DiCaprio carries the film with impressive ease, letting you see the hurt beneath their kid's affected toughness . . . the natural sophistication of his performance anchors the film that is all about unspoken feelings and unnameable desires."
Viewers also responded enthusiastically to the newcomer's gripping portrayal. He was now positioned to be one of Hollywood's hottest new stars.
"Titanic" was the yummy icing on Leo's cake, and "The Aviator" could be his artistic apothesis-if Oscar smiles at him, instead of the highly-touted Jamie Foxx. What do you think?
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02/13/05
Titanic Speciel Edition DVD is coming!!
Here's a big title a lot of you have been waiting for. In fact, one might even call it a titanic title. Yes... we've confirmed with our industry sources that a multi-disc Titanic: Special Collector's Edition is finally in production (and yes, with anamorphic widescreen video).
Fox will release it internationally, while Paramount will release it here in the States. According to our sources, the tentative plan calls for having it on store shelves in the 4th Qtr of this year. IF that's the case, we believe that Paramount and Fox would have to make official announcements sometime in the next few months. Stay tuned for more on this as it develops.
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Aviator won 4 BAFTAs
Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress(Cate Blanchett),Best Hair and Makeup and Best Production Design
Pictures will be added soon!
Full list of winnershere
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02/12/05
Thanks to Sybille for translating!
Uncle Leo and Mia
Marie Claire Interview with Kate Winslet in italian January issue
MarieClaire "You have two children right? What Kind of mother are you?" Kate "Oh, I think I'm kind of a 'chaotic' mother if you know what I mean,we're always on the run somewhere (she laughs) but I also try to give my children certain values,teach them important things in life,to cultivate their spirtual,caring,gentle side" MC "Does it works?" Kate "It works until Uncle Leo comes along" MC " What do you mean?" Kate: "Well me and Leo (DiCaprio) are still good friends but he spoils rotten my kids. I mean Mia is 4 and already megalomaniac.She says she wants to act,sing and god knows what else.And if you ask her how she thinks she can do all that she's gonna smile at you and say "Uncle Leo says I can!"
Can you imagine taking a 3 year old kid to Fao Schwartz and say "Take everything you want and Uncle Leo is gonna buy you"? Well that's exactly what Leo did last christmas with Mia.
Kate laughs and I say "Me and my hubby we have a friend that's just like this,I know what it mean..."
"Yeah", she agrees "In a while I'll be a monster and they'll dump me to go live with him", she laughs.
"I'm just kidding"she punctuates after a while" I mean Leo is one of the best friends I have,we're constantly on the phone when we're in different places, I just love the fact my children love him"
Vote for Leo and the Aviator!
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Variety Feb 3, 2005
Jack gets some action
Thesp joins DiCaprio, Damon on Scorsese's latest
By ARMY ARCHERD
GOOD MORNING: An enthusiastic Leonardo DiCaprio tells me that Jack Nicholson is joining him and Matt Damon in Martin Scorsese's "The Departed" for WB, starting in April. Nicholson would play an Irish gang boss while the younger duo are opposing undercover cops. A femme costar is yet to be chosen to play a cop psychiatrist, Leo said. Nicholson tells me the role "could be interesting," and admits he's been "looking for a bad guy -- I did three comedies." And hasn't been in front of the cameras for almost two years. He's met with both Leo and Marty with whom he's been friends "for many years and we'd been looking for something to do together." And he worked with Matt Damon on a charity benefit show. As for playing a Boston Irishman, Nicholson laughs, "I won't have to act much" ... As of now, Jack has no plans to attend the Oscars.
Meanwhile, of course, Leo and Marty are busy on the final roundup of awards: this Saturday, the SAG awards, and next week in London for BAFTA ... The affable DiCaprio allows, "I love this movie ('Aviator'). That's why I'm supporting it." He wound multiple appearances including a sensaysh stand Tuesday night with Jay Leno, which had the audience cheering him. When he was honored Sunday at the Santa Barbara fest, Jane Russell ("The Outlaw") joined him. Leo told me he'd met with her before starting the film and was to use one of her reminiscences -- she was trying to give Howard Hughes a kiss and had to chase him around a table. "We shot it with Ava Gardner instead, but it never made the cut," Leo said.
In view of his anxiety to do the film, I asked if he took a salary cut? He turned to Rick Yorn to pass on my question and came back with a laugh, saying "The same deal as my last three films -- front and back end." Apart from his commercial filmmaking, he still plans to make "a couple of documentaries on environmental issues that focus on global warming." He did one in the '90s ... I also asked if he'd thought about the possibility of Warren Beatty ever making his Howard Hughes movie. " I've never talked to him, but I think there's a movie in Hughes' later period -- but hot as exciting. He succeeded the most when he was younger." But as for any personal plans -- like marrying his steady, model Gisele Bundchen -- he politely said, "I have no wedding plans."
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02/03/2005
Nicholson joins DiCaprio in cop drama
By JAM! Movies
Jack Nicholson is joining Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg in the Martin Scorsese-directed thriller "The Departed," Variety reports.
Nicholson will play an Irish gang boss in the film, which is based on the hit Hong Kong gangster movie "Infernal Affairs."
It centres on a gangster (Damon) who infiltrates the Boston police department, while an undercover cop (DiCaprio) tries to get inside the Irish-American mobsters.
"The Departed" is scheduled begin production in April.
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01/31/2005
DiCaprio Gets Lifetime Achievement Award
By MICHEL CIDONI, Associated Press Writer
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - On the heels of an Oscar nomination, "The Aviator" star Leonardo DiCaprio wrapped a high-flying week by accepting the Platinum Award from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
The award, created to commemorate the festival's 20th anniversary, was given Sunday night in recognition of the actor's "exceptional career," festival director Roger Durling said.
DiCaprio's arrival elicited screams from hundreds of fans — a festival first, Durling said. Being greeted in such a way "is kind of like an out-of-body experience," DiCaprio, who plays Howard Hughes in the movie, told Associated Press Television News.
"It's a lifetime achievement award, which is completely and utterly surreal, given I'm only 30 years old," he continued, with a laugh. "But, you know, what has it been? Almost 17 years now. I've done quite a few films. But what's really exciting, for me, is that this is what I really love doing. It's what I want to do for the rest of my life."
The award was presented by Martin Scorsese, who directed DiCaprio in the Hughes biopic, 2002's "Gangs of New York" and the upcoming crime drama "The Departed," also starring Matt Damon.
"We've had some good luck together," Scorsese said. "There's an understanding between us, I think, even though I'm 32 years older. We seem to have a similar kind of interest in subject matter, detail, emotional and psychological impact."
Jane Russell, who starred in Hughes' 1943 film, "The Outlaw," said she was impressed by DiCaprio's quest for authenticity.
DiCaprio spent a full day with Russell, now 83, before filming started.
"It's too bad most of the books on Howard ... the person has never met him, didn't know him at all, and is just copying a lot of the other books," Russell said. "So, I was very happy that (DiCaprio) came and cared to come up and find out what (Hughes) was really like. I told him that Howard was very polite and quiet. He was stubborn, he wanted his own way, but it was always nice."
Once inside the auditorium, DiCaprio sat down for a two-hour career retrospective.
His screen credits include "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" (1993), "This Boy's Life" (1993), "Titanic" (1997) and "Catch Me If You Can" (2002).
01/28/05
Aviator no 1 at box office!
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01/26/05 Oscar noms reactions
Leonardo DiCaprio was in New York and got a call in his hotel room from his publicist, Ken Sunshine, who told him of his nomination. He then turned on the news. Q: What's your reaction?
A: I'm overjoyed. We all are. It went way beyond my expectations, for sure. I was ecstatic that we got nominated in so many different categories.
Q: Is there any other nomination that stands out?
A: The dark-horse: Alan Alda. I was rooting for him for so long. He plays so against type and was so phenomenal in the role. (He also is rooting for Scorsese.) We don't want to jinx anything, but I certainly feel that he's incredibly deserving of anything that comes to him on this film. He's contributed so much to cinema and done so many masterpieces. In my humble opinion, this is right up there with some of his great films. It's a huge budget epic character study and he's never done anything like that before. He's constantly striving for authenticity all the time - the period, the mood, the setting."
Q: Were you surprised by Paul Giamatti being overlooked?
A: He was fantastic in that film.
Q: What was your favorite performance of the year?
A: I really loved Kate (Winslet) in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. She had two films that she was fantastic in this year. (She also is in Finding Neverland.) The fact that she wasn't predicted to be nominated for Eternal was fantastic because she was unbelievable in that movie. You never know. People speculate but no one knows who's gonna be nominated ultimately." Q: Are you partying yet?
A: Honestly, it's such an exciting and nerve-wracking experience - you never know what's going to happen - that you do your celebrating when it's all over.
Kate Winslet
Q: What are your favorite performances this year?
A: "I'm an enormous fan of Vera Drake, and Imelda (Staunton)'s performance was amazing in it. Of course, I'm thrilled for Johnny (Depp, Finding Neverland) and Leo (DiCaprio, The Aviator). They're my boys, and I'm over the moon for them. It's an exciting year with a lot of amazing performances." Q: Which film are you rooting for for best picture?
A: "A big part of me has my fingers crossed for Finding Neverland. Marc Forster was overlooked as director, but at least the movie has been nominated. But I'm biased. And, Martin Scorsese has never been up there. Isn't it about time? He's brilliant, and has inspired directors and actors for years. That would be wonderful."
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01/25/05
Leo got his first Best Leading Actor Oscar Nomination!!!
11 Oscar Nominations for The Aviator!!
BEST PICTURE
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Leonardo DiCaprio - THE AVIATOR
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Alan Alda - THE AVIATOR
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Cate Blanchett - THE AVIATOR
ART DIRECTION
CINEMATOGRAPHY
COSTUME DESIGN
DIRECTING
FILM EDITING
SOUND MIXING
WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
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3 SAG nominations
LEAD ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE
LEONARDO DICAPRIO
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
CATE BLANCHETT
ENSAMBLE CAST IN A MOTION PICTURE
THE AVIATOR
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01/17/05
Leo got his well dserved Golden Globe for Best Actor!!!
Congratulations, Leonardo!!!!
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01/06/05
Leo and Martin shine in the City of Light
Two of Hollywood's leading lights have been basking in some continental glory, after Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese were honoured by the French government. The two stars, who are currently taking the world's box offices by storm with The Aviator, were presented with medals by Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu in Paris.
Martin was awarded the Legion of Honour, France's highest distinction, while Leonardo was made a Chevalier of the Order of Arts. The Titanic star, who refused to attend the 1998 Oscars, said he felt "extremely, extremely honoured" to receive the title.
The actor broke into an embarrassed grin, however, when the minister described him as "the little Hollywood prince, bad boy from Los Angeles, modern romantic hero and Peter Pan of cinema".
His big screen collaborator meanwhile seemed temporarily lost for words after the politician described him as a champion of truth and cultural diversity. "I don't know what to say after such a presentation," confessed the filmmaker. "I owe a great debt to French cinema."
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01/06/05
France Calls DiCaprio 'Peter Pan of Cinema'
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Despite portraying eccentric producer, playboy and pilot Howard Hughes in "The Aviator," Leonardo DiCaprio still can't shake his youthful appearance.
At a ceremony on Wednesday (Jan. 5) to honor the star with the Arts and Letters award, France's culture minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres called the actor the "Peter Pan of cinema ... little prince of Hollywood and bad boy of Los Angeles," reports the AP.
DiCaprio was honored alongside his "Aviator" director Martin Scorsese, who was made an officer in France's Legion of Honor. The culture minister lauded him for his respect "for the rights of artists" and making "cinema that everyone -- French, Europeans and Americans -- likes."
Says Scorsese, "French cinema of the late fifties, and the sixties and seventies still, for me, is such an extraordinary inspiration. I owe a great debt to French cinema."
"Aviator" has received six Golden Globe nominations, including best picture in the drama category, best director and best actor. The film has earned $33.8 million in the U.S. to date.
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01/05/05
Pics ofLeo with Irmelin and friends in Rome
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01/05/05
France Decorates Scorsese and Dicaprio
France honoured movie director Martin Scorsese by making him an officer of its Legion of Honour and gave Leonardo DiCaprio the slightly less prestigious Arts and Letters award at a ceremony today.
Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres hailed Scorsese’s respect “for the rights of artists” and said the acclaimed director gave life to “cinema that everyone – French, Europeans and Americans – likes.”
“I don’t know what to say after such a presentation,” Scorsese said.
“French cinema of the late fifties, and the sixties and seventies still, for me, is such an extraordinary inspiration. Nothing has really come close to it in recent years,” he added. “I owe a great debt to French cinema.”
Napoleon Bonaparte created the Legion d’Honneur in 1802. It recognises military, cultural, scientific or social contributions to France, including by people who are not French citizens.
The French minister hailed DiCaprio as a movie icon and the “little prince of Hollywood and bad boy of Los Angeles”.
“Peter Pan of cinema, you are a global star,” the minister said as the actor looked on with an embarrassed smile.
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01/04/05
Street seen
Not to be confused with the young Howard Hughes he portrays on the big screen, the actor Leonardo DiCaprio was dining at Donovan's restaurant in the Golden Triangle on New Year's Eve. With him was Brazilian girlfriend and Victoria's Secret model Gisele Bundchen. Nothing formal about their New Year's celebration – she was in jeans and he wore white sneakers. . . . Oh, what a difference a letter makes. It was North Pole, AK, not North Pole, AR, to which a Union-Tribune subscription mentioned in my last column was being delivered. The closest Arkansas gets to having a North Pole is a place called the North Pole Knob, somewhere between Snowball and Gum Springs. . .
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01/03/05
Romance and Porn Bookend St. Babs Fest
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Woody Allen's latest romantic film, "Melinda and Melinda," will kick off the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Friday, Jan. 28.
Starring Will Ferrell and Radha Mitchell, "Melinda" centers on two playwrights who offer opposing takes -- tragic and comic -- on a mysterious woman's uninvited appearance at a dinner party. Amanda Peet, Jonny Lee Miller, Chloe Sevigny and Chiwetel Ejiofor also star.
Closing out the film fest on Feb. 6 is the world premiere of Michael Traeger's porn comedy "The Moguls," which revolves around a small town that decides to make its own adult film. "Moguls" stars Jeff Bridges.
Santa Barbara resident Jeff Arch's "Dave Barry's Complete Guide to Guys" will be the centerpiece presentation.
The festival will also pay tribute to Leonardo DiCaprio with the Platinum Award, Kevin Bacon with the Riviera Award, Kate Winslet, Annette Bening and David Attenborough.
< a href=http://www.zap2it.com/movies/news/story/0,1259,---24167,00.html target=_new>Article
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01/01/05
Top Ten Money-Making Stars of 2004
1. Tom Hanks
2. Tom Cruise
3. Leonardo DiCaprio
4. Nicholas Cage
5. Jim Carrey
6. Denzel Washington
7. Julia Roberts
8. Will Smith
9. Brad Pitt
10. Adam Sandler
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01/01/2005
Happy New Year
(((( ( ( (2 0 0 5) ) ) ))))
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12/31/2004
Leo's reaching for stars in latest film
By The Evening Chronicle
It's been a few years since the movie world went overboard for Titanic star Leonardo DiCaprio.
But it looks as if the talented young actor is still king of the world, thanks to his latest role in the new film, The Aviator, opening on Thursday, January 6.
His portrayal of troubled genius Howard Hughes has just earned him a prestigious Golden Globe nomination and it seems almost certain his name will be on the Oscar roll call in March.
But far from being jubilant about the success of the movie, Leonardo is clearly still feeling the effects of one of the most emotionally demanding roles of his prolific career.
Dressed casually in a jacket, open necked shirt and jeans, the 30-year-old is still boyishly handsome but looks tired and a little gaunt during a whistlestop trip to the UK to promote the Martin Scorsese-directed film.
Pensively, he admits he became so determined to portray billionaire Hughes, who suffered from obsessive compulsive disorder, he almost became as obsessed as the man himself.
"I lived and breathed Howard Hughes for months, reading biographies, listening to tape recordings, watching old movies," he says with a weary smile.
"He was a man who was obsessed about everything he put his mind to, who was relentless and who would not stop until he reached his own ideals of perfection, whether that was creating a bra for Jane Russell, building an aeroplane or sleeping with as many women as he possibly could.
"And I became obsessed myself in wanting to play him."
The film, which also stars Cate Blanchett, as Katharine Hepburn and British actress Kate Beckinsale as Ava Gardner, focuses on the most prolific period of Hughes's life, the years between 1920 and 1947 when he became one of the most successful ever Hollywood producers and the most famous American aviator since Charles Lindbergh.
But behind the staggering success, Hughes was a man so tormented by a phobia of germs he spent the final years of his life living naked and alone in a series of hotel rooms, before his death in 1976.
And for all his fame, wealth and jet-setting lifestyle, Hughes failed to cope with celebrity and the relentless pursuit by the media - something Leonardo admits he could more than relate to.
"He was the last private man in America," he says of the reclusive Hughes. "Despite his ambition, he had a strong need for solitude and I can definitely empathise with that.
"Here is a multi-dimensional character. A man who has all these things and the most interesting thing I found in my research is that nobody was able to define him. Even those who knew him intimately weren't able to define him.
"He succeeded in all these different departments and fulfilled all the dreams he had as a young man. It's a test case for what happens when you give a man everything in the world and he fulfils all his dreams."
Of course you can't help but draw some comparison with Hollywood-born Leonardo, who was barely into his 20s when he became one of the biggest stars on the planet, thanks to Titanic, in which he starred alongside Kate Winslet.
Headlining roles in subsequent movies, such as Gangs Of New York, The Beach and Catch Me If You Can, have ensured he's rarely out of the spotlight. But the star insists he won't be going down the same route as his alter ego Hughes.
"I don't have OCD, I'm not a germophobe," he says smiling. "I have a hard time drawing parallels because I wouldn't have my plate that full in life. He really truly focused on so many different things and worked himself into a frenzy. For me, I'm just trying to focus on one thing and that's acting and to do the best possible job I can at it."
One aspect where the pair certainly differ is in their attitudes towards relationships. Hughes was a notorious womaniser with a penchant for sleeping with Hollywood starlets. But though Leonardo has been linked with beauties such as Kate Moss and Eva Herzigova, he has managed to keep his private life private.
His on-off relationship with supermodel Gisele Bundchen is rumoured to be back on, but whatever the case it's clear Leonardo, unlike Hughes, is strictly a one-woman guy.
"I think that as much as he had love and adoration for all those women, he kind of looked at them like his airplanes," he muses. "He was obsessed with finding the new, faster, bigger airplane and he was constantly finding the new, hotter female to go out with and he ended up with this empty hole in his soul and not a very happy person."
Unlike Leonardo, who says life couldn't be better right now. The success of The Aviator means his career has soared into the stratosphere again but the thoughtful star has more philanthropic ambitions in mind.
"I want to do something for other people and the environment," he reveals. "I want to give something back."
And unlike Hughes who eventually hid from the world, happily for his fans, hard-working Leonardo says he has no intention of disappearing off the radar.
"To be able to do what I do and to be able to do what I love is a huge pro," he grins. "Yes there are certain invasions of privacy but I hate sitting around complaining about it. I'm in a very fortunate position to do what I do. I'm a very lucky person."
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Leo, Cate Take Flight at 'Aviator' Premiere
If last night's premiere of "The Aviator" is any indication, the awards season is going to be long and not particularly fun this year.
Take Cate Blanchett, whose remarkable performance as Katharine Hepburn in the Martin Scorsese film has already earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Even though the lovely and polite actress wanted to talk to journalists, her manager and publicist prevented it at all costs.
I did get to talk to Blanchett for all of ten seconds, during which we exchanged pleasantries about the movie and she expressed an interest in chatting. Unfortunately, such a chat would have cost her an arm as her publicist dragged her away from me as if she were on a choke collar.
"Maybe we could do a conference call," the manager suggested.
Alas! My phone is not that sophisticated.
Leonardo DiCaprio was also there with his entourage including his always-friendly parents, girlfriend Gisele Bundchen and various toadies, lackeys and their respective posses. Leo spent most of the afterparty at Gustavino's talking with his pal actor Ethan Suplee who looks like the lead singer from Smash Mouth.
Leo's bodyguard, however, was a steadfast type, dedicated to keeping away unwanted admirers. This included the famed actress Sheila MacRae, who recently turned 80 and is best known for playing Jackie Gleason's wife in the variety show version of "The Honeymooners."
"He played my grandson in the TV series version of 'Parenthood,’" MacRae recounted later. "He was about 15 and very sweet."
MacRae, whose late husband was Broadway star Gordon MacRae and who also reportedly had a thing with Frank Sinatra, had a connection to Howard Hughes, whom Leo plays in the film.
"He got me my Screen Actors Guild card," MacRae recalled of Hughes, who produced a dozen or so movies through the 1950s before he became, shall we say, squirrelly.
The rest of "The Aviator" premiere had a weird vibe considering it was probably the last of the great Miramax premieres in movie history. The film's co-stars John C. Reilly, Kate Beckinsale, Willem Dafoe and the sublime Ian Holm all chatted and worked the room. Alec Baldwin passed because he was getting an award from a civic group.
Director Scorsese made the screening but had to skip the party since wife Helen has a nasty case of the flu. Believe me, the never-dull director was sorely missed at this event.
There's no doubt that "The Aviator" is the Best Picture of 2004. It has won that distinction on several counts, not the least of which is its sweeping grandeur, a grasp of history, extraordinary production values and top notch acting.
Seeing it for the second time last night, I was able to appreciate DiCaprio's small gestures that punctuate the film and make Howard Hughes come so vibrantly to life. His own father, a former comic book publisher, noticed things too that he hadn't seen before.
"Leo gets washed by at least three women," he observed.
Hey, a dad notices these things.
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LEO got Golden Globe nomination for best Actor in The Aviator
6 nominations for The Aviator:
Actor
Best Pic
Director
supp. Actress
Screenplay
Original Score
All nominations
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12/13/2004
Variety: Santa Barbara Film Festival
Jenn Thompson, STAFF
Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet and Kevin Bacon will receive special honors at the 20th annual Santa Barbara Film Festival, skedded for Jan. 28-Feb. 6.
DiCaprio will receive the Platinum Award, created in honor of the platinum anniversary of the fest. Award recognizes his body of work, including "Aviator," "Gangs of New York," "Titanic," "This Boy's Life" and "What's Eating Gilbert Grape."; he earned an Academy Award nomination for the latter. Of local interest, DiCaprio also did a stint in the early '90s on TV soap "Santa Barbara."
Winslet will be honored for her perfs in this year's "The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "Finding Neverland." Thesp shared the screen with DiCaprio in "Titanic," earning her second Oscar nom. She also was nominated for "Sense and Sensibility" and "Quills."
Bacon, who has "The Woodsman" upcoming, receives the American Riviera Award, established to honor a thesp whose career has influenced American cinema. Bacon's credits include "Footloose," "A Few Good Men," "Sleepers," "Apollo 13" and "Mystic River."
The lineup of films to unspool at the fest will be announced this week
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SCORSESE: 'DiCAPRIO HAS GUTS'
Hollywood director MARTIN SCORSESE has praised LEONARDO DiCAPRIO for having the "guts" to say and do what he thinks.
Scorsese has worked with DiCaprio on two films in a row, GANGS OF NEW YORK and THE AVIATOR, and admires the superstar for taking a stance, as the rest of Hollywood is becoming increasingly conservative.
The director tells London magazine TIME OUT, "I think he has a great range. How shall I put it? It's not about the scultping of his face on the screen, it's about the creation of the character.
"If a character's not going to look good, or behaves in a politically incorrect way, well that's it. And I appreciate that.
"He has guts. In this day and age, it's getting harder and harder to say what you feel and freedom of speech is getting really curtailed - especially here in America."
09/12/2004 08:59
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Entertainment November17 ,2004
Laila Elwi and Leonardo DiCaprio honored at the Marrakech Cinema Festival The administration of the fourth international Marrakech Cinema Festival has sent out forty invitations to cinema stars from around the world to attend the big event, which will take place in Morocco. Invitations have been sent to stars like Hussein Fahmi, Mahmoud Hamida, Laila Elwi, Yusra, Nelly and Lubliba from Egypt and Leonardo DiCaprio, Sharon Stone and Salma Hayek from Hollywood.
This year the festival will honor Egyptian director Yousef Shaheen, American actor Jean Connery and Claudia Cardinali, who are considered the three symbols of international cinema, and five films by each of the symbols will be screened during the festival. The film “I Love the Cinema” starring Egyptian actress Laila Elwi has been chosen to enter the official race and will be screen during the festival.
Each actor and actress who received an invitation from the administration of the festival will be given an honorary award for the work they have achieved. The festival will also organize a panorama of Indian films and will be shown in 10 different films that show the progress of the Indian cinema. A special section for the screening of Moroccan films that have won awards in the past five years will also be prepared. –Albawaba.com
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DiCaprio takes on Howard Hughes
Actor discusses new film and life in the spotlight
By Katie Couric
NBC News Updated: 7:52 p.m. ET Dec. 3, 2004
He's got the name, and the face, of an old-fashioned matinee idol. And ever since "Titanic," he's enjoyed all the perks — and the paychecks — of one, too. But there's one thing some wonder if Dicaprio will ever have: another box office blockbuster like "Titanic." Could leaving the seas for the skies be the answer? Dicaprio's latest role is a challenging one. He's playing the eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes in "The Aviator." Will the film carry his career to even loftier heights? The world is about to find out.
He was a young man, with big dreams who became famous around the world, was hounded by the press, and redefined the meaning of blockbuster, all while romancing some of the world's most beautiful women. Not Howard Hughes. Leonardo DiCaprio.
It just so happens he is portraying the late Howard Hughes in the new Martin Scorsese film, "The Aviator." And on at least one level, Leo can relate. Katie Couric: “You've said, ‘He was one of the most iconic men the country has ever seen, but he had a strong need for privacy. I can empathize with that.’” Leonardo DiCaprio: “Uh-huh.”
Couric: “Are you going to tell us you saw some of yourself in an eccentric billionaire playboy who bedded famous women?”
DiCaprio: “You know I think he took things to extremes that I would never, ever imagine or dream of.”
Couric: “But could you relate to him on some level?”
DiCaprio: “I think I can. I think it's a little different for me being an actor and because I take it so seriously because I just don't want people to know too much about who I am, because I wanna be convincing in the roles that I play. But, you know, he had no reason to go out there and try to be a public figure. He was trying to further the cause of aviation constantly. And he did.” In keeping with the theme of flying -- and enjoying the notion of going offshore with the one time king of the world -- we brought Leo to the U.S.S. Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York Harbor.
Couric: “An appropriate setting to talk about The Aviator don't you think?”
DiCaprio: “Absolutely. Been here many times. Wonderful planes on board here. I don't know the names of any of them, but—“
Couric: “That's okay. I'm not going to quiz you.”
DiCaprio: “Please don't.”
But make no mistake, when it comes to social studies, 30-year-old Leo knows his stuff.
Couric: “In a recent profile of you in Vanity Fair, it talks about how fascinated you are with history, and science, and how you went to a recent exhibition of human body parts, and that you really enjoy talking about these things. And the writer wrote, ‘In fact, the longer he talks, the more DiCaprio emerges as a deeply sensitive and wildly imaginative nerd-boy, whose massive fame and ability to have sex as often as he wants seem like bonuses that he never sought, but that just happened.’ Are you a wildly imaginative nerd-boy?”
DiCaprio: “I would say to some degree, yes, I am, Katie. Well I think that, you know being an artist, being an actor—“
Couric: “Oh I can't believe you said being an artist.”
DiCaprio: “No, but it it's true. Being an actor, you have to know your stuff. You have to, I mean, as far as movies are concerned. I know a lot about movies, too. You have to know the history of what you do, and you have to have other interests in life as well, otherwise, life is boring.”
In fact, it was his obsession with American history that led Leo to "The Aviator." Nine years ago, he read a biography about the legendary Howard Hughes that fascinated him. But what he found compelling wasn't so much the myth -- it was the man.”
Couric: “Most people today if they know anything about him remember him as the eccentric billionaire with fingernails out to here curling around.”
DiCaprio: “That's exactly it. That's exactly what I thought of him. And the only thing that I knew of him-- of course he's was America's first legitimate billionaire. And he was stuck in a hotel room urinating into bottles and eating candy bars and watching Ice Station Zebra over and over and over again. So in reading his biography I learned about this younger man. This dynamic figure of the 20th century that, you know, led this unbelievable life that I knew nothing about.”
And that's the Howard Hughes depicted in "The Aviator." Already a millionaire at 18, when he inherited his father's oil drill bits company, Hughes left Houston for Hollywood in 1923, where he pursued dual obsessions, making big-budget motion pictures and revolutionizing air travel.
DiCaprio: “He was a pioneer in the world of aviation. He risked his life on numerous different occasions, crashed four different times in test flying his own plane, slept with all of the most gorgeous women of that era. He was his own boss and made his own decisions.”
To get "The Aviator" off the ground, Leo recruited his "Gangs of New York" director, Martin Scorsese, who wasn't necessarily eager to get on board. Martin Scorcese: “I got the script. it was sent to me by Leo and our manager, Rick. And they said, ‘We're not gonna tell you what it is. Just read it.’ And I turned the page. It says, ‘The Aviator.’ I said, Well, I mean I have a fascination with flying, but mainly because I'm not too comfortable flying.” Couric: “You have a major fear of flying?”
Scorcese: “Major phobia of flying. Yes.”
But Scorsese was won over by the script. After all, what director wouldn't jump at the chance to have names like this on his call sheet: No Doubt's Gwen Stefani as screen siren Jean Harlow, People Magazine's sexiest man, Jude Law in a cameo as Erroll Flynnand Academy Award nominee Cate Blanchett co-starring as the object of Hughes' affection, Katherine Hepburn.
Cate Blanchett: “When you're asked to play someone as iconic as Hepburn, the initial feeling is absolute panic. But I was having the conversation with Martin Scorcese that simply because one's frightened about something is absolutely no reason not to do it. It's the reason to do it.”
But Howard Hughes' true love was aviation - and the film documents his many innovations. He designed a spy plane for the Pentagon, a flying boat for U.S. troops dubbed the “Spruce Goose,” and ‘The Constellation,” in which he ferried his Hollywood pals. He even elevated women's undergarments, when he designed a special push-up bra for one of his leading ladies, Jane Russell.
Couric: “And she didn't even sleep with him, supposedly.”
DiCaprio: “Didn't even sleep with him.”
But any psychological profile of Howard Hughes cannot ignore that he was tragically flawed. And "The Aviator" chronicles how a man once driven by voracious optimism became crippled by obsessive-compulsive disorder. Couric: ”Is it true that making this movie reawakened a mild form of OCD that you actually had as a child?”
DiCaprio: “Yeah. Yeah.”
Couric: “Tell me about that.”
DiCaprio: “I had the thing where I would walk to school and have to walk, you know, go back a block because I didn't step on a crack. And I felt like something was going to go wrong if I didn't do that. And I wanted to sort of reawaken that throughout the course of the film. So sometimes, you know, it would take me a while to get to set. And I would have to be doing things in my trailer. And it literally drove me nuts a lot of the time. And it lasted for a couple months after filming and still is-- there's trails of it here and there.”
Couric: “So what have been doing? You know I'm waiting for you to touch your water bottle or something?”
DiCaprio: “Well, if I get real tired and I got through airports, I have to step on every gum stain that I see.”
Couric: “Really?
DiCaprio: “And sometimes I have to walk up to the airports looking like this [up].”
And speaking of revelations, DiCaprio fans will be happy to hear he bares a lot more than his soul for this film.
Couric: “Lots of your bare bum in this movie, Mister.”
DiCaprio:“Mm-hm. You know, I tried to cover my privates as much as possible. But for a week, you're basically walking around naked in front of an entire crew. It's – you’ve got to get to know the crew pretty well and feel very comfortable with them.”
Couric:”And they, you.”
DiCaprio: “Yes, yes. They got to know me very intimately. You just have to try to not focus on that, focus on what you're doing, and just say okay. Have to do it, part of the job. You know.”
Couric:”You did it for your craft?”
DiCaprio: “Yes, for my craft, for the art.”
Couric: “You used artist, and craft in one interview.”
DiCaprio: “I know.”
Couric: “I'm gonna have to –“ DiCaprio: “Gut me right here.”
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The DiCaprio Derriere
UPDATED: 1:09 PM PST December 2, 2004
"The Aviator" took flight in Hollywood on Wednesday night, but did Leonardo DiCaprio's pants take off as well? Access Hollywood's Billy Bush got to the skinny white bottom of it all on the red carpet.
"Leo is revealing his full backside," said Billy.
"I wasn't there for that scene. I wasn't there for that one... I can't wait to see it," said co-star Gwen Stefani.
It turns out Leo's in the buff! The King of the World bares his royal backside in the highly acclaimed Martin Scorsese film "The Aviator."
"Girls are all over you... They've 'Leo is Hot!' There's a scene of your backside. You think that's going to yank some women?" inquired Billy.
"It's all in portraying the truth of the man. I did days and days of that and it takes some getting used to but after a while you just commit to it,' replied Leo.
"Is it a closed set when you do that?" asked Billy.
"As closed as it can be. You know what I mean," said Leo.
But could Leo be revealing more than his derierre?
"There's a little bit of controversy. Half are saying there's frontal of Leo and half say there's not. Have you seen the movie?" Billy asked Leo's co-star Kate Beckinsale.
"I have seen the movie but a rougher cut. But I'm sure that knowing Leo it would be very memorable if it was. Wouldn't it be? Surely you'd remember that," replied Kate.
Even without a full frontal, folks can't wait to see Leo as playboy Howard Hughes. He was known for lovin' and leavin' some of Hollywood's most glamorous women, including the oh-so-gorgeous Kate Beckinsale as Ava Gardner.
Kate's striking red carpet appearance even left our own Billy Bush speechless.
"I totally forgot what I was going to say. You're a knockout. You look so good," Billy told Kate.
"Thank you. That's so nice of you. I had a little bit of help," smiled Kate.
"The Aviator" lands in theaters on Dec. 17.
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Thursday November 25, 11:19 AM
Leonardo favourite for Oscar honour
Leonardo DiCaprio is being hailed as an Oscar favourite after his stunning performance as film tycoon Howard Hughes in The Aviator, the new movie by director Martin Scorsese.
The three-hour-long film is said to be a triumph for almost everyone involved and has already won over the harshest of US critics.
Scorsese concentrates on Hughes' earlier years as a thrusting aviation expert and Hollywood playboy, rather than his decline into eccentricity.
It touches on his legendary relationships with the likes of Katherine Hepburn, played in the film by Cate Blanchett, and Ava Gardner.
Hepburn is portrayed as the great love of Hughes' life in the film that focuses on the film-maker's attempts to make the movie, Hell's Angels.
Famous faces litter the screen and include Alec Baldwin, Kate Beckinsale and Ian Holm.
But it is DiCaprio's performance, in particular, that is deemed "mesmerising."
For those young enough to have no clue who all these old stars are, all they need to know is that DiCaprio is supposed to look "dreamy".
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New Aviator Trailer
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New Leo movie
Leonardo DiCaprio Developing Action Thriller
Source: Variety November 5, 2004
Leonardo DiCaprio will produce and star in an untitled action thriller focusing on the growing global phenomenon of mercenaries used by governments and companies to wage war, reports Variety. Scott Burns has been set to write the script.
Having grown increasingly involved on the political front, DiCaprio sparked to the idea of mixing a thriller element with the cautionary theme of outsourcing war. The trade says the concept was hatched by Peter Landesman, a foreign correspondent and senior reporter of the New York Times Magazine, and Appian Way president Brad Simpson.
Burns wrote The Informant, a fact-based thriller about a corporate whistleblower to star Matt Damon and to be directed by Steven Soderbergh in the Spring. Burns also wrote and will direct PU-239, a drama about black market plutonium in Russia.
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November 11st 2004
Happy Birthday, Leo!!
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Nov. 4, 2004
Leo's motive is mercenary DiCaprio plots mercenary thriller
By MICHAEL FLEMING
Leonardo DiCaprioLeonardo DiCaprio will produce and star in an untitled action thriller focusing on the growing global phenomenon of mercenaries used by governments and companies to wage war.
Scott BurnsScott Burns has been set to write the script; development will be co-financed by Initial Entertainment Group and Beacon Pictures, which will produce with DiCaprio's Appian Way.
Having grown increasingly involved on the political front, DiCaprio sparked to the idea of mixing a thriller element with the cautionary theme of outsourcing war. Concept was hatched by Peter Landesman, a foreign correspondent and senior reporter of the New York Times Magazine, and Appian Way president Brad Simpson.
Since Landesman just signed a deal at Beacon and Appian Way has its first-lookfirst-look deal at Initial, the two entities teamed to co-finance development. Initial's Graham KingGraham King sealed that deal with Beacon chairman Armyan BernsteinArmyan Bernstein and CEO Charlie Lyons.
Burns wrote "The Informant," a fact-based thriller about a corporate whistleblower to star Matt Damon; Steven SoderberghSteven Soderbergh will helmhelm the pic next spring. Burns also scripted and will direct "PU-239," a drama about black market plutonium in Russia. He will begin immediately writing the mercenary thriller with input from Landesman and Simpson.
For King, the deal marks the second significant package triggered by inhouse talent relationships. The Initial president also has a first-look deal with Johnny DeppJohnny Depp's Infinitum Nihil shingleshingle, and he teamed with Depp, Brad Grey and Warner Bros. to score a $2 million deal for "Shantaram," a Gregory David Roberts novel that will be a Depp starring vehicle.
Appian Way will get its first production credit on "The Aviator," the Howard Hughes biopicbiopic that bows Dec. 17; King is producing with Michael MannMichael Mann. Initial is also spearheading DiCaprio's next starring effort, Robert De NiroRobert De Niro-directed CIA thriller "The Good Shepherd."
King and Initial development director Alexa Faigen will supervise production with Beacon production prexyprexy Zanne DevineZanne Devine and Simpson. Beacon is prepping Harrison FordHarrison Ford thriller "The Wrong Element."
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Real life con praises DiCaprio for his screen portrayal
London, Oct 12 (ANI): Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio has been praised by ex conman Frank Abagnale Jr. for doing a superb job in the movie "Catch Me If You Can", which is based on the latters life.
According to The Sun, Abagnale Jr. took out a full-page advertisement in a Hollywood newspaper to congratulate Dicaprio for being named Actor of the Year at the Hollywood Film Festival.
Apparently Leonardo struck a close friendship with the ex serial con man, when he met him during the making of the movie. (ANI)
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DiCaprio, Moore will stump here for Kerry
By Steven Elbow
October 12, 2004
Michael Moore will be at the Union Terrace on Saturday.
Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio will come to Madison Wednesday to lend his star qualities to the effort to kick George W. Bush out of office.
DiCaprio will stump for Democratic candidate U.S. Sen. John Kerry at the Orpheum Theatre at 1:30 p.m. downtown, heating up a politically charged week that will culminate Saturday night with an appearance by "Fahrenheit 9/11" director Michael Moore at the Memorial Union Terrace on the UW campus.
The Orpheum's doors open at 1 p.m. and the program will be free and open to the public.
The star of numerous films, including "Titanic" and "Catch Me If You Can," DiCaprio has been busy in recent weeks appearing with other big-name Hollywood talent at pro-Kerry events.
With him in Madison will be U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon. The pair will also appear at UW-La Crosse earlier in the day.
"They'll be speaking to the public on behalf of Kerry on environmental issues," said Lesley Sillaman, a Wisconsin Kerry campaign spokeswoman.
Moore is scheduled to bring his anti-Bush message to the Union Terrace stage at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, rain or shine. On Friday, the nonpartisan Rock the Vote voter registration drive tour will hit Library Mall at noon for a rally that is scheduled to last until 5 p.m.
Moore's presentation will be free, on a first-come, first-served basis, but organizers say those who want to see it need to get there early -- the venue will handle only about 5,000 people.
"The students are planning to move the furniture ahead of time so we can get more people in," union spokesman Marc Kennedy said.
There may be room for spillover in the union's parking lot toward the Red Gym, but it was unclear if speakers would be set up to cater to those crowds.
"We will get people from around, but the event is mainly for students," Kennedy said.
The show is being sponsored by the Contemporary Issues and the Distinguished Lecture Series committees of the Union Directorate, which wanted to stage the event in a venue that would keep it free. The committees also are trying to line up a conservative personality before the Nov. 2 election, but "some are out of the price range, and some are unavailable," Kennedy said.
"They want to be fair," Kennedy said of the student organizers.
Moore's expenses will be paid, but he is not receiving a fee.
Kennedy said he expects the event to last about an hour, shorter than Moore's recent appearances, which have been in larger indoor venues and feature a video presentation. Moore is not expected to use video during Saturday's event, Kennedy said.
Moore's appearance is part of a furious "Slacker Uprising Tour," a 60-city campaign to whip up support for Kerry, primarily in battleground states.
The Rock the Vote event will be less about partisan politics and more about getting people of all political stripes to the polls. It will feature performances by Dan Dyer, Shelly Fairchild, Sarah Hudson, MoZella, Keaton Simons and Wylde Bunch.
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Leonardo Di Caprio: The Hollywood Actor of the Year
By Randor Guy
Monday, 11 October , 2004, 17:19
While S.S.Titanic sank on screen in the mega success movie of 1998 its male lead zoomed out of the calamitous waters to ‘shine bright shine light’ surfing the skies.
Even though he had appeared earlier in some worthy movies and roles including an ‘Oscar’ nomination for What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993) he was somewhat not so well known and not yet a big star until he made a splash in his hit disaster movie, Titanic. That new sensation of Hollywood is Leonardo DiCaprio.
Interestingly some of his hit movies are remakes of ‘Golden Oldie’ Hollywood classics, like Romeo and Juliet and The Man in the Iron Mask.
Even his splash- movie Titanic was the second version of the historic sinking of the celebrated but ill fated - ship way back in 1912. The first version was made in 1958 under the title A Night To Remember which was produced in England. It was based on the best-selling book by Walter Lord of the same title and scripted by the noted crime writer Eric Ambler.
The unprecedented success of Titanic generated ' an avalanche of adulation and adoration around the world drenching the star that some critics compared it to the Beatlemania of 1960’s. With this single movie Leonardo climbed the bandwagon of fame and name as a top-slot Hollywood star.
His next film Man In The Iron Mask which has been made several times since the Silent Film period, was also highly successful and established him as also an actor. Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio was born on November 11, 1974, in Los Angeles. That makes him a true blue Angelino! (One who belongs to Los Angeles is called Angelino.) His father George of Italian descent was a comic distributor while his mother Irmalin, of German origin was a legal secretary who later became her son’s manager. How did he get that unusual name? According to his mother, she chose that name when he kicked her from the inside when she was a pregnant mother and viewing a Leonardo Da Vinci work in Europe!
His parents separated when he was barely one year old and he grew up under the love, care, and secured comfort of his hard working mother (He lives with his mother in L. A.) Aware of the boy's mimicking talents his mother took him for auditions, and as teenager he appeared in a TV commercial which was successful.
Soon he was appearing in minor roles in television, and a role in the phenomenally successful TV series Lassie Come Home (the series recently completed 50 years of continuous success establishing a record in American television) with which he attracted the attention with his boyish looks and impish charm.
He also studied acting in a school and appeared on stage often took gain experience and pick up performing skills. His first major break in movies came in 1993 when he was chosen for the lead role in This Boy's Life among as many as four hundred aspiring applicants. A movie about child abuse, Leonardo had the thrill of acting along with Robert De Niro who inspired him to do his best. Indeed he considers De Niro as his source of inspiration in his career.
The inspiration obviously worked well for Leonardo for he received an Oscar nomination for his impressive role in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape(1993). Based on a novel about a dysfunctional family in a sleepy small town where nothing ever happens, the movie had Johnny Depp as the elder brother and sole bread- winner of the family. The sisters are mentally disturbed while the mother is very fat and the younger brother (Leonardo) is a brain- damaged retarded boy. His performance in a difficult role was so impressive and stood out against Depp that he was nominated for an Oscar when he was just nineteen.
Leonardo began to climb up the ladder of fortune too when he received the princely fee of one million dollars for his role Basket- ball Diaries(1995). In this controversial movie Leonardo plays a rebellious teenager in a Catholic school who becomes a drug addict, male prostitute, and a thief. It portrays the junkie life in New York and Leonardo was brought in as replacement after the lead actor and singer-star River Phoenix (1971-1993) died of a heroin and cocaine overdose, and collapsed in front of a Hollywood nightclub.
In 1996 Leonardo played Romeo in the up dated and modernized version of the immortal play which was called William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The action takes place in the modern day on the Verona beach in Italy, and instead of swords the protagonists use guns!
The classic tragedy of Shakespeare has been filmed thrice earlier with the 1936 George Cukor version being considered as a classic and the finest of them all, even though the lead players Norma Shearer (Juliet) and Leslie Howard (Romeo) were rather elderly and certainly not teenagers as in the Bard of Avon’s famous play.
The modern version was a stunning box-office success and elevated the ‘modern day’ Romeo further the up the ladder and he received the ‘Best Actor’ Award at the Berlin Film Festival in 1997. Though the purists and Shakespearean scholars thought it was almost blasphemy to take such liberties, moviegoers in the world brushed away such cobwebs!
Then came Titanic and Leonardo became the toast of the youth in his greatest moment of triumph when he was still in his twenties.
After the success of The Man In The Iron Mask in 1998, rather surprisingly there was a gap of two years in his career. No movies came out and then in 2000 he began to make movies in a burst of acting activity.
His movies of the recent years include The Beach (2000), in which he appears bare- chested which sent the pulses of teenage girls and young women soaring high! Catch Me If You Can (2003), a Steven Spielberg movie is based on a true life story of a con man, and Leonardo defrauds his way to con women and men with equally ease to keep him in dollars!
Gangs Of New York (2003), was Martin Scorsese’s movie about the origins of New York in the Civil War era when it was not yet a city that it would become later, and as a critic said “a furnace where a city might be forged.", Alexander The Great (2004) and others.
Leonardo was twice voted as one of the fifty Most Beautiful People in the world by People Magazine in 1997 and 1998. He is a talented actor who loves to imitate the people he meets and said in an interview, "The best thing about acting is that I get to lose myself in another character and actually get paid for it. It's a great outlet. As for myself, I am not sure who I am. It seems that I change every day."
It is no surprise that Leonardo was chosen as the Hollywood Actor of the Year recently.
If by a miracle of science, Leonardo da Vinci could see his 20th century namesake he would feel happy and probably come up with a classic painting, 'The DiCaprio Smile!’
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October 6:
Liz Smith/NY POST
A WEEK IN which I receive a letter from Harold Bloom and another letter from Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, which is how he signs it, is a week to remember.
Sean (I will not call a grown man P. Diddy!) wanted to tell me today how passionate he is about the coming presidential election and the fact that while 42 million youngsters of voting age represent 25 percent of the voting population, only half of these were registered to vote in 2000. This accounts for Sean's new motto, "Vote or Die!"
So a salute to Sean Combs, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Ellen DeGeneres, Ashton Kutcher and their fellow performers in the Citizen Change campaign. Register to vote! Your country needs you to participate.