Monica Bellucci

Heal the world

Want to make a film about These Troubled Times? Follow our guide to the essential issue-drama devices and you'll be laughing all the way to the Oscars says Steve Rose The movie business occasionally has good intentions. Once in a while, guided by some freak combination of celebrity pestering, corporate guilt, marketing judgment and perhaps even genuine concern, Hollywood comes out with a movie that attempts to tackle a pertinent issue affecting somewhere beyond the US borders. They used to crop up infrequently, but recently, encouraged by the awards success of Traffic, Syriana, The Constant Gardener, and so forth, they've been coming thick and fast - especially thick. Last week saw the release of the concertedly high-minded Babel - a post-9/11 saga of interconnected global tragedies. This week we have the compromised Blood Diamond, in which Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Honsou tackle the trade of conflict diamonds in Sierra Leone. This type of movie is a growth sector in the industry. So join us then as we a present a guide to the best issue-drama cliches. But let's not forget these films are here to help all of us - for we are the world.

Beauty Beat: Lancome's Latest Fan: Clive Owen

The British actor — who has appeared in films such as "Children of Men," "Sin City" and "The Inside Man" — inked a long-term deal to become the latest face for L'Oréal-owned brands, specifically its upcoming Hypnôse Homme men's fragrance and Lancôme Men skin care line, both due out this spring.

Online Petition Demands Arrest of Dakota Fanning's Mother and Agent

Oh, it's officially on -- as if folks weren't all up in arms prior to Hounddog's screening at Sundance, now there's a petition circulating online attempting to not only block the film's release, but also asking law enforcement to arrest Dakota Fanning's mother (Joy) and agent (Cindy Osbrink). Should you be interested in signing such a petition, here's a little taste of what you'd be agreeing with: "They both are responsible, and if so they should be arrested and the film destroyed so the public doesn't witness this atrocity all in the name of an Oscar, whose name will be tarnished in the process." Yes, apparently, the people behind this petition also feel like the only reason Dakota decided to take on the role was so she would be nominated for an Oscar. But let's back up for a minute -- is this sexually explicit rape scene featuring a 12-year-old actress against the law? Is it really kiddie porn? Slate looked into the actual law which states that things only get messy if the viewer is somehow convinced by what they see on the screen that Dakota Fanning had actual, real-life intercourse on set which, as most of us already know, rarely ever happens in a film featuring adults, let alone children. Says writer-director Deborah Kampmeier: "... you have a child yelling 'Stop it!' and only when you put that next to an image of a boy unzipping his pants do you see that it's rape." Kevin and Kim both seemed to feel the same way about the rape scene -- that it wasn't nearly as bad as watching Fanning prance around in a "skimpy undershirt and panties, writing and wriggling her hips and fanny seductively as she imitates Elvis Presley's dancing style." But this is her Jodie Foster moment. This role shall define Dakota's transition from cute and cuddly to serious and thought-provoking. This is what the movies are all about -- consistently pushing the barrier and experiencing uncomfortable images all for the sake of pure entertainment and, perhaps, everyone will learn something in the process. Right?

Heck, even Dakota is down with the whole thing, she understands what's happening around her film and is pissed people are taking this all out on her mother. In a recent interview, the girl lashed back at critics saying that she didn't appreciate the things they were saying about her dear old mum. She notes, "You have to prepare your children for things that happen in the world. Everything isn't rosy." She's twelve. And she has a point.

Now Showing at Home

Some folks say this story of some girls going cave diving--and running into trouble in the form of cave creatures--isn't scary. They're just trying to be all cool and tough on you. They were just as scared as you, probably even more frightened. They have issues that need to be dealt with. Admittedly, this one plays a little better in a movie theater, because it's a dark movie, and it's sometimes hard to see things clearly on a small screen. If you received a 50-inch screen for Christmas, I reckon you won't have some of the problems I had on my 28-inch screen. There's just something cool about watching a film about caves in a cavernous theater. If you missed this during its theatrical run, you missed out on a fun experience. Even with the poor visibility, I'm giving the film my highest grade. It's an instant classic, one of the best horror films in recent years. No spelunking for me, no sir-ee. Special Features: This is a very good disc, with deleted and extended scenes, outtakes, two commentaries (one with director Neil Marshall, another with the director and his cast) and plenty more. There's an interview with the director about the alternate ending that ran with the film's U.S. release. The original ending was bleaker and made much more sense. There's also a meaty documentary on behind-the-scenes stuff.

Peter Lindbergh: Untitled 116

Peter Lindbergh is courted by international fashion magazines and is loved for his sensitive portraits of the most beautiful women in the world. The renowned photographer who lives in Paris and New York and works all over the world has also published two earlier books with overwhelming success: Ten Women (1996) with dream shots of ten dream models, and Images of Women (1997), a collection of famous fashion photographs of beautiful women. As a climax in his third book, Untitled 116, Peter Lindbergh presents a collection of his most impressive photographs of 116 stars in the world of pop music, cinema and fashion, such as Monica Bellucci, Juliette Binoche, Naomi Campbell, Geraldine Chaplin, Catherine Deneuve, Linda Evangelista, Aretha Franklin, Daryl Hannah, Milla Jovovich, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Demi Moore, Jeanne Moreau, Charlotte Rampling, Anna Nicole Smith, Sharon Stone, Tina Turner, Isabella Rossellini, Veruschka, and many others.

Rockin' to a higher power

It's a classic story: Boy meets girl, girl seems interested, and boy drops bomb by singing about saving himself for marriage in a pop song titled "Something about You Makes Me Wanna Wait." It's part of his repertoire as a member of a Christian boy band that includes a Jew and a closeted gay secretly in love with the leader of the group. The fictional band is at the heart of the off-Broadway musical "Altar Boyz," playing at the Tucson Music Hall. The spoof tells the story of Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and Abraham, five small-town boys facing the challenges of chastity, Judaism and communication mishaps as they try to spread the word of God in pop songs with such lyrics as "Jesus called me on my cell phone." "It's a religious and social satire on boy bands and the way that society views them and religion," says Nick Blaemire, who plays the role of Abraham, the only Jew in the Catholic boy band. "Even though it's funny and pokes fun," Blaemire says, "it's more about the strength in friendship than anything else." Indeed, as the boys help self-professed ghetto white boy Luke by checking him into a rehab clinic for exhaustion, it is apparent that love for God and one another pulls rank in this comedy. With so much love and goodness in the air, it's no wonder some "Altar-holics" are addicted to the group that has only two missions in life: enlightening souls through pop music and having a little bit of fun along the way.

French feast on local fare

LONDON — Homegrown pics landed the top five spots in the Gallic charts, something that happens once in a blue moon in any European territory. Laurent Boutonnat's big screen adaptation of a popular 1970s kids' TV series, "Jacquou le croquant," took the top spot with an estimated $2.1 million at 576 screens in its first five days. Given the pic's $26 million budget, local bookers rated the bow as only so-so. The soph sesh of Eric Barbier's "Le Serpent" ranked second with $1.3 million at 310. The sixth frame of Luc Besson's "Arthur and the Invisibles" landed third position with $1.2 million at 709 for a running cume of almost $38 million. Frederic Schoendoerffer's gory gangster tale "Truands" opened to $928,819 at 196. Fifth best performer was "Hors de prix" with $788,874 at 437. The strong local flavor in Gaul is proving overpowering for much of the yank fare. "The Illusionist," starring Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti, played well in Paris, but largely laid an egg elsewhere, earning Metropolitan Filmexport $767,909 on 180. Likewise, Mel Gibson's "Apocalypto" generated great aud buzz in urban France, but has failed to convince in the provinces. The pic has a running cume of $2.2 million after 12 days. Italian local laffer "Manual of Love 2" pulled in $8 million at 590 in its opening frame in Italy, according to national box office compilers Cinetel. The whammo result is the second best opening frame ever in the territory, trailing "Ask Me If I'm Happy" by comic trio Aldo, Giovanni and Giacomo, which opened at $9 million in 2000. The latest hit from Aurelio De Laurentiis' Filmauro stable, "Love 2" interweaves four contempo love skits packed with homegrown A-list talent, including Monica Bellucci in a saucy wheelchair sex scene. Posting an impressive $13,600 screen average, the pic bested exhibs' $6.5 million opening frame projection. The first installment of "Love" made $3.9 million at 550 in its opening frame en route to a $16.7 million final cume. Local bookers now predict "Love 2" will double that take. Fox's "Rocky Balboa" felt the "Love 2" force, slipping 58% to $1.5 million on 324 in its second frame. The big dropoff was influenced by the pic's boffo bow the previous weekend. After knocking out Italian and Spanish audiences Jan. 12-14, "Rocky Balboa" also proved a big hit in Blighty this weekend, taking a whammo $7.2 million at 405. The opening take and $17,862 screen average was streets ahead of the competish and the best ever result for a Sylvester Stallone film in the territory. The huge haul delighted Brit bookers and was north of even the most optimistic projections. Exhibs attribute the standout success to "three key factors: Fox's great looking vintage Rocky campaign, Stallone's stellar promotional work in the U.K. and male audience's enduring affection for the character." Tradesters report that, as has occurred elsewhere in Europe, fathers are taking their sons to the boxing pic in great numbers. Tartan Films' ambitious 85 screen release of Paul Verhoeven's war epic "Black Book" did not hit home in Blighty. Despite some strong reviews from the Brit crix, the pic managed only $330,594 (including $11,960 previews) for a disappointing 14th spot.

Paramount's awards season runner "Babel" opened promisingly in the U.K., taking $1.2 million at 130 for a second-best $9,056 screen average. The opening landed the Brad Pitt-starrer seventh spot. Bookers report the slightly over expectations bow was fuelled by very strong biz in London but crowds in the sticks were slow on the uptake. That may change this weekend thanks to the awareness generated by the pic's seven Oscar noms. Another awards season contender — Kevin Macdonald's "The Last King of Scotland," released by Fox

— is showing good legs. It slipped just 18% in its soph sesh and has now netted $4.2 million in its first 10 days. In Spain, Mel Gibson's brand of Mayan mayhem floored the second round of "Rocky Balboa." "Apocalypto" bowed brightly with $1.8 million at 280 to take top spot from "Balboa," which dipped 58% to $1.4 million at 312. Shrugging off Spanish bookers' concerns that the subtitles would put off auds, "Apocalypto" did big biz in the cities and also managed solid trade in rural areas. Local comedy "JA Team," a parody of gypsy life, opened surprisingly well with $1 million at 241. Despite scathing reviews and lukewarm industry expectations, DeAPlaneta's homegrown laffer, which stars popular TV comic sketch duo Criz and Raya, appealed to Spanish teens. Broadcaster Antena 3, which own a controlling share in DeAPlaneta, hyped the pic to the hilt. In Germany, "Mein Fuhrer," Dani Levy's satire about the final days of Adolf Hitler, dropped some 40% but remained in third place with $1.3 million at 389 on its way to a $4.4 million running cume. "Schwere Jungs," another Bavarian laffer from Marcus H. Rosenmueller — who enjoyed a major sleeper hit last year with "Wer frueher stirbt, ist laenger tot" — pulled in $952,344 at 250 in its opening frame. The fifth-placed bow was in line with booker's estimations. With $3.1 million at 512, Will Smith-starrer "The Pursuit of Happyness" nailed top spot in Germany. Sony's feelgood pic has proved a hit across Europe and has now grossed $24 million overseas. Smith's best actor Oscar nom will help sustain the pic.

Monica Bellucci | Monica Bellucci 1

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