Tag Archives: Elizabeth Banks

Elisabeth Banks Was “Too Old” To Play Tobey Maguire’s Girlfriend In Spider-Man At 28

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Elizabeth_BankstoooldtoplaytobymaguiresgilfriendIn an interview with the ever-amazing Glamour Magazine, Elizabeth Banks has revealed that she was deemed “too old” too play Toby Maguire’s Girlfriend in Spider Man, despite being close in age.

Now 42, Banks had a screen test with Tobey Maguire for the film that was released in 2002. She was rejected for the role because of her age, even though she is just 16 months older than Maguire.

“I screen-tested for the role of Mary-Jane Watson in the first Spider-Man movie, opposite Tobey Maguire,” she told Glamour magazine. “Tobey and I are basically the same age and I was told I was too old to play her. I’m like, ‘Oh, okay, that’s what I’ve signed up for’.”

Kirsten Dunst, who is six years younger than Maguire -34 to his 40- ended up playing the part. Banks played a minor role in the movie. As the Daily Bugle secretary Betty Brant.

The actress, director and producer recently directed Pitch Perfect 2, which grossed $285 million worldwide. She won’t be directing the sequel as she wants to spend more time with her family. “The new schedule butts up against my parental responsibilities in a way I’m not really comfortable with,” she said.

 

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Hunger Games: Catching Fire Film Review

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I was very excited to see Hunger Games: Catching Fire because I loved the first one so much. However, I was also worried that it would not be as good because it had so much to live up to.

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One of the highlights of The Hunger Games was, of course, Jennifer Lawrence. An epic heroine, the new Ripley. A survivor with a heart, sacrificing herself for her sister. Straight-talking and brave; Katniss might be one of the best female characters in a film ever. She is certainly one of the most inspirational. A role model even for real women.

Whilst watching Hunger Games: Catching Fire one thing struck me: that there may be people watching it thinking our society is not like this at all, but the Hunger Games does reflect our society, and more countries more than others. The gaps between the haves and the have nots, social injustice, oppression; the Hunger Games is more than thrilling entertainment, it is also a statement on the world we live in. An intelligent action film, well written with brilliant acting and something to say.

It is hard to not get caught up in the story, in the characters and their plight. It is hard to not keep going on about Lawrence as Katniss. The audience love her, the people love her: she is the girl whos purity and bravery sparks a revolution. I have to confess that I have not read the books, but I really want to. Josh Hutcherson (Peeta) and Liam Hemsworth (Gale) are both excellent as the men Katniss is caught between: her real love and her media love. Who will she end up with in the end?

Peeta and Katniss are celebrities but also icons. They empower the people and pay the price. Peeta, Katniss and Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) make an excellent team, bonded together through what can only be described post-traumatic-stress-disorder. Katniss wakes Peeta up by screaming as she wakes up from a nightmare, he comes into her room: ‘It’s okay’, he says, ‘I get them too.’ Even Effie (Elizabeth Banks), that vacuous idiot, can barely take the injustice, finds her conscious and her feelings.

Donald Sutherland is excellent as President Snow and Machiavellian media chief Philip Seymour Hoffman is brilliant and full of depth. I was also pleased with myself as I saw the twist before it happened. The film is relevant, gripping and worthy. In fact the only bad thing I have to say is that it ended far too quickly and I have no idea how I am going to wait an entire year for the next installment.

Five stars.

Man on a Ledge | Film Review

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Man on a Ledge is a smart, fast-paced thriller. It is very much a ‘cinema’ film, and by that I mean one of those films you watch just for pure entertainment.

An ex-cop (Sam Worthington) is jailed for a crime he says he didn’t do and manages to escape from prison. He later threatens to jump to his death from a Manhattan hotel. He asks for a female police psychologist (Elizabeth Banks) who tries to stop him jumping. As the film unwinds we see that things are not as straightforward as they seemed. The plot has lots of twists to keep you entertained.

I really liked Elizabeth Banks’ performance. She known as a strong comedic actress but is equally good in this thriller.

A lot of this movie was filmed on a real ledge, a brave move by Sam Worthington who suffers from vertigo. Jamie Bell plays Worthington’s brother. Bell is fantastic in the film and so is Mandy Gonzalez as his girlfriend.

Ed Harris is as amazing as ever as the villain of the piece. I really don’t want to give too much of the film away but it really is worth a watch. Rent or buy for a good night in.

Man on a Ledge is pure entertainment. It is just a fun film which has the benefit of having brilliant actors in it. The acting really is top notch.

What To Expect When You’re Expecting | Film Review

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I wanted to see something a bit different when I went to see this film and the stellar cast had me excited. The film is based on a self-help book by the same name by Heidi Murkoff.

The film has five couples all “expecting”. Elizabeth Banks has always been a wonderful and strong comedic actress and this film is no exception. She is proof that women can be beautiful and funny if casting directors give them a chance. Jennifer Lopez’s character and storyline is real and touching. She adopts with her husband after spending the 401K money on IVF. Cameron Diaz plays a celebrity fitness guru who wins Dancing With The Stars and get’s pregnant by her dance partner, played by Glee star Matthew Morrison. Diaz character is strong-willed and likes having it her own way.

Chris Rock is on top form as the leader of the ‘dudes group’. The dudes group is a support team for men with children. I really liked this film. The cast is superb and it is both funny and real at the same time. The story of a series of couples who are ‘expecting’ is one I have not seen done in a film before.

This film is positive about men and women. The characters are strong and I really liked the script. The film is funny and entertaining. A few of the cast were previously in Bridesmaids and some of that humour is there.

This film is a great night out at the cinema. Entertaining and funny. I liked how it was pro-men too. Chris Rocks says at the end: “When I was young, I used to think I was happy – but now I know I’m happy. Exhausted, but happy.”

Director: Kirk Jones. Cast: Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Chace Crawford, Anna Kendrick, Matthew Morrison, Dennis Quaid, Chris Rock.