Celebrity Crushes

[LadyWentworth]

Well, I can watch it downstairs on that VCR; may look ok. I don't mind it being a tape; it's a good quality one. I have two VCR's hooked up upstairs. I just can't figure out how to set the TV to get them to work;

I really wish that I could get to NJ to do it for you. I would get it done!

I own a lot of tapes, simply because the movies were not available on DVD, others I picked up either free or very cheap.

I still buy videos because I know there is a lot that I can only find that way.

I love William Hurt and I love Madeline Stowe and the actress who plays the role in the household - can't think of her name right now.

Oh, I love William Hurt. She was always good, too. I think the really good actors are disappearing, but that is something that is a topic for another thread. Wasn't it Blythe Danner in that role?

She is in a play I am thinking of ordering from Kultur site. I love the sites play, productions, ballets, etc DVD's.

I have some of those from that company, too.

At anyrate, Ken looks just great in that film, even in the rain leading up to the house. I find him appealing in his priestly Lt. blue trimmed robe, but most of all I think he is stunning riding that thoroughbred to the mill through the autumn trees...lovely scene. He exudes a lot of sex appeal in this film. Madeline and he had just the right chemistry.

I think there is a touch of something sinful in finding him appealing in the priestly robe. I think that adds to the allure of his character. You DO love him riding that horse, don't you? What about all of the men riding their horses in the beginning of "Much Ado"? I remember when I first saw that. I saw it on the big movie screen. I almost died for him! They all looked good, but he was the best!

Guess what I just watched again (for the zillionth time)? I watched "Henry V".

I haven't watched that in years. I would say that it is due for a viewing again. I think that is my one brother's favorite movie.

The film extras on my DVD suggested the MGM site: www.mgm.com It is a very cool site. You would like it a lot. I just looked at the "Valkerie" previews - wow, that looks really good; the filming is beautiful. Branagh plays a German, part of the conspiracy to assinate Hitler. Tom Cruise stars. Now normally, I am not a big Cruise fan, but I have liked him in a few films through the years. He actually looks very much like the real life guy who tried to pull this off. I have to say, from the previews, this film looks to be excellent. I read a lot, too about the conspiracy and it is fascinating. It comes out in December. I would really like to go to the theater and see it; it looks to be amazing on a large screen format. I think true stories and I am always trying to figure out just what was going on in Nazi Germany so this film fascinates me.

I am planning on seeing it. I have never found Cruise to be too appealing, but I think he actually looks OK in this film. You know, I think the real man was more attractive than Cruise! For some strange reason, Ken is very good as a Nazi. Of course, this time he will be more of a "good" guy. But it will be nice to see him in a film again. I really need a nice fix of Branagh.

[Janine]

I really wish that I could get to NJ to do it for you. I would get it done!

That is very nice of you to say, thanks. But actually the hookup is not really the problem. I have this complicated hookup with a selector box; remember I said I have the TV hooked up to four units. It was working fine, when my son was here, but then the second VCR was not displaying the film on the screen later when I tried it - go figure. However, that older unit still comes in handy to rewind the tapes and spares the new unit wear/tear. The thing is the new unit has both (DVD and VHS); two types of cables. I just need to use the two remotes, to get that one, to select the VHS over the DVD. For some reason, I got this all mixed up, and then I could not seem to view anything on the screen; now that I can view the DVD's, I've been afraid to fiddle around trying to watch tapes; but soon I will pull the whole thing out, look behind and mentally see how it is connected, figure it out. It may just be I don't have the right button down on the selector box. I have to see which wire goes to which unit. My son connected it, and he could fix it in a second; however, he is always too busy now with the baby, so I don't ask.

I still buy videos because I know there is a lot that I can only find that way.

Exactly. I even watched this poor quality DVD film (not remastered) the other night and enjoyed it anyway, since I bought it for my D.H.Lawrence adaptation collection, a story that interests me, since I read it several times,"The Virgin and the Gypsy"; wrote it up, a few post back.

Oh, I love William Hurt. She was always good, too. I think the really good actors are disappearing, but that is something that is a topic for another thread. Wasn't it Blythe Danner in that role?

I love William Hurt, too. I adored his character, fell in love with him in the film "Children of a Lesser God"; ever see it? The one about the deaf woman? My heart bleed for him when they broke off. I just recall one scene where he is listening to a record playing of some opera or classical composition and his eyes say it all - total vulnerability and heartbreak. Madeline Stowe is great and beautiful; while researching on Youtube "The Proposition" (about a year back) I came across this very interesting film with Stowe and Richard Greer. I don't know the name of it now, but it looked totally enthralling. I will have to see if I can find it again. The way it was photographed was really magnetic.

Yes, indeed, it was Blythe Danner, I think she is wonderful. I really want to buy the play she stars in from Kultur. Maybe soon I will. She is much younger in that film. She is always good.

I have some of those from that company, too.

Great company! I first discovered them from a VHS at my library and then I bought the film version on DVD -"Madame Butterfly"...fantastic film! I think I did track that one down on Amazon, because I could get it cheaper. I usually do look on their site first, and see what might be available. I think I may have bought directly from them once but now I am not sure.

I think there is a touch of something sinful in finding him appealing in the priestly robe. I think that adds to the allure of his character. You DO love him riding that horse, don't you? What about all of the men riding their horses in the beginning of "Much Ado"? I remember when I first saw that. I saw it on the big movie screen. I almost died for him! They all looked good, but he was the best!

That scene still totally thrills me...the opening horseback scene for "Much Ado..." I even play it over and over again, and yes, they all looked great, but Branagh looked totally gorgeous back then on horseback. I am so jealous of you! I have actually never viewed a Branagh film in the theater. I was just thinking last night how great "Henry V" would be on the big screen and I long to see it that way someday. Wish I could talk my son into showing it on his big screen in his living room, but hardly think it would appeal to his wife. He would most likely enjoy it though. I recall that when Mel Gibson's "Hamlet" came out, my son was speechless during the whole film...the was totally entralled and I would never have expected it; he was not into literature at all, let alone Shakespeare. I wish I could get him to see Branagh's "Hamlet" and "Henry V". I feel sure he would like them both emensely.

Yes, you are totally right - that robe did make one feel a bit naughty/sinful feeling attracted to the man wearing it..very alluring but then I felt he was also in that wet leather jacket. But then I liked Chamberlain in his long robes in "The Thornbirds"; but both men are appealing, no matter what they wear or don't wear (well, in their younger days, that certainly was true). I liked when Eleanor called Father Michael at night and he was all warm and asleep in his little modest bed, especially when he told her his god was the plain god for the every - well something like that - wish I could accurately quote it; next time I'll write down the lines. Later he gives her the ultimate compliment in the mill, responding with 'she' referring to her god - so subtle....a beautiful and thoughful moment. I like men who pay attention and Michael did. He listened with his heart. I find that is what made him appealing to me and his vulnerability in this film. I loved his narration too - in this film that really lend something to it. I love the ending lines...beautiful.

I haven't watched that in years. I would say that it is due for a viewing again. I think that is my one brother's favorite movie.

Definitely overdue. I watched it about a year ago. I watch it yearly, I think...haha. Even though Henry can be fierce, warlike at times, he is heroic and human; I still fall in love with him all over again - especially in that last scene with his new French bride.

I am planning on seeing it. I have never found Cruise to be too appealing, but I think he actually looks OK in this film. You know, I think the real man was more attractive than Cruise! For some strange reason, Ken is very good as a Nazi. Of course, this time he will be more of a "good" guy. But it will be nice to see him in a film again. I really need a nice fix of Branagh.

Oh, now this one would be so great on the big screen. I will have to see if I can go somehow. I have this problem, since I can't sit an hour without finding the little girls room. This looks to be so suspenseful, one can't miss a minute. Maybe I will have to go twice, so I can run out different times in the film. Where there's a will there's a way. Yes, Cruise looks like he does a decent job portraying the real man in this film. The director is a highly respected one; I think he keeps Cruise under controlled, unlike some of Cruise's films that I hated, overdoses of violence and action. This film looks to be a great thriller, very suspenseful. Did you watch the videos on the MGM site? The picture there is very clear/dynamic. One part is about the making of the film; that's great, they show the director. Yes,Branagh seems to fit the Nazi role well. He was great in "Conspiracy" - won the Emmy Award for that role, I believe; well deserved. He was also a sort of half nice Nazi in "Swing Kids"...but not nice at the end, really. That is one of my favorite films. There again he worked with Christian Bale and Robert Sean Leonard; he tends to collaborate often. "Valyrie" should be somewhat different. I don't know of him ever working with Cruise, or some of the other prominent characters. "I really need a nice fix of Branagh." I have been thinking this same exact thing. It is about time.

Eventually, I wish he would reprise some roles for Shakespeare plays where older men are prominent - perhaps 'Lear', but not sure he fits the Lear persona; wish he could do 'Richard III' on screen, but he is probably too old for the role now. He did play it on stage and 'the fool' in the production of 'Lear' and the audioplay; I still need to listen to the CD set I bought; it is still in the wrapper a year later.

[wessexgirl]

Hi Janine and Lady Wentworth, (the other Ken fans ). I just thought I'd make you jealous as there has just been a trailer on tv, just a couple of minutes ago, (there's that synchronicity again ), for a new series here, starting next week, called Wallander and starring......can you guess....da da ..the one, the only KENNETH BRANAGH . Can't wait. Of course, you may already have had it in the US. Have I missed something , were you talking about our Ken when you mentioned Father Michael, or was that someone else, as I don't recognise the role? And you're absolutely right, I loved him in MAAN, especially when he turned serious and grabbed Robert Sean Leonard (?) by the throat after all the light-hearted banter. It made it so much more effective, as we had seen him being jokey throughout, but then he was prepared to sort out his friend "the cad".

I will get back to you both about our mutual likes and dislikes soon, Shakey, films, theatre, art etc. just a bit busy at the moment, I just had time for a quick scan down the threads but need to think about the other stuff. Catch you soon.

[Janine]

Hi Janine and Lady Wentworth, (the other Ken fans ). I just thought I'd make you jealous as there has just been a trailer on tv, just a couple of minutes ago, (there's that synchronicity again ), for a new series here, starting next week, called Wallander and starring......can you guess....da da ..the one, the only KENNETH BRANAGH . Can't wait. Of course, you may already have had it in the US. Have I missed something , were you talking about our Ken when you mentioned Father Michael, or was that someone else, as I don't recognise the role? And you're absolutely right, I loved him in MAAN, especially when he turned serious and grabbed Robert Sean Leonard (?) by the throat after all the light-hearted banter. It made it so much more effective, as we had seen him being jokey throughout, but then he was prepared to sort out his friend "the cad".

I will get back to you both about our mutual likes and dislikes soon, Shakey, films, theatre, art etc. just a bit busy at the moment, I just had time for a quick scan down the threads but need to think about the other stuff. Catch you soon.

This is great! We will have to start our own fan club. I know that Lady Wenthworth would advocate it; we have talked hours about you-know-who. Oh my gosh, a TV series - get out! I will have to check that out and it is definitely synchronicity here - I was thinking the about the same word last night after viewing 'Henry V' again. I was thinking about Chrisitan Bale in the film and also other stars who crop up later with Branagh and also thinking how Branagh comprised a number of D.H.Lawrence roles (I'm a big fan of the author) - I own most of the films, but one I want so badly and can't find anywhere: "The Boy in the Bush", set in Australia. I wish I could get my hands on that film, even if it had to be a VHS tape. I am reading the book currently. Branagh learned to ride horseback in that film. I think there may be clips on Youtube, but I also have seen the stills in the KB Compendium. I will check Youtube for the TV show. It did not air here that I know of. I am in the US; we get stuff like that later.

So you have never seen "The Proposition" with Father Michael?....oh, I highly recommend you find it or catch it on TV. It is still out there, but currently I could only find it on DVD at $29. - a Spanish release. I only own the videotape and love that film. He is a-dorable and very sexy in this movie. Be careful though - there are two films by the name.

PS: I wrote you a long post in your profile page. Hope you don't mind the length. I had a lot to talk about . Hope you find it informative.

Sorry you are so busy, wessexgirl, I should be doing useful/other things right now, too.... so take your time answering all of this.

[LadyWentworth]

This is great! We will have to start our own fan club. I know that Lady Wenthworth would advocate it

Maybe we could start our own social group. I'm all for a fan club!

Oh my gosh, a TV series - get out!

My thoughts exactly!! Is it on the BBC or something else? That would be based on what channel we would eventually get it on (if anything at all). Ah, Janine, a weekly dose of Kenny! Just imagine!

So you have never seen "The Proposition" with Father Michael?....oh, I highly recommend you find it or catch it on TV. He is a-dorable and very sexy in this movie. Be careful though - there are two films by the name.

Yes, yes, yes, you MUST see it!!!! It is well worth it! He is beautiful in there. And like I said, the film is good, too.

Oh, that is OK, wessexgirl. I have been terribly busy here. I understand how it goes. So take your time. No rush at all.

[Janine]

Maybe we could start our own social group. I'm all for a fan club!

Yes! great idea - a social group on Ken...I would love that! Hopefully any Ken complainers can stay clear of it. Ok, you want to start it or should I? I have tons of information on our Ken and you have an actual autograph - you didn't lose it again, did you? I would put that under lock and key.

My thoughts exactly!! Is it on the BBC or something else? That would be based on what channel we would eventually get it on (if anything at all). Ah, Janine, a weekly dose of Kenny! Just imagine!

OMG - will I need cable hooked up? I don't have it upstairs and I don't want to miss even one episode. A weekly dose sounds great to me...I have been starved lately, although I am listening to his dreamy sexy poetic accented voice narrating "Frankenstein" - the complete text. That reminds me, I must get to tape 2; Ken kept luring me to sleep at night and I had to rewind a lot. He has that soothing effect on me. I will be getting that converter box since I applied for a goverment coupon so I can get BBC here I think on regular stations. Wonder when it will be on and what is it about?

Yes, yes, yes, you MUST see it!!!! It is well worth it! He is beautiful in there. And like I said, the film is good, too.

Gorgeous and beautiful...to die for on horseback and in the barn/mill scene. I will find the Youtube and post the link. You will melt, wessexgirl. Maybe we should start an internet campaign to get the film out on DVD; someone did that for "Hamlet" and it payed off.

Oh, that is OK, wessexgirl. I have been terribly busy here. I understand how it goes. So take your time. No rush at all.

Me too or at least I should be doing stuff other than this dang computer.

[wessexgirl]

Hi girls, I'll have to check out that Father Michael thing. Here's a bit about what's coming up, and it looks as if it's going to be on dvd soon. It is the Beeb, so you will probably get it there. I'm all for a group on Ken...hey we're groupies...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main...llander101.xml

[Janine]

Hi girls, I'll have to check out that Father Michael thing. Here's a bit about what's coming up, and it looks as if it's going to be on dvd soon. It is the Beeb, so you will probably get it there. I'm all for a group on Ken...hey we're groupies...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main...llander101.xml

Thanks, I just read the whole article and this is going to be goooood!!! I can't wait now. I am really syked. So it will be out on DVD soon, too. I think I can get channel 12, which is the BBC, but is that the same as the Beeb?

I will go and hunt for a Youtube link to "The Proposition".

Yes, indeed! We are groupies...

[Guinivere]

Thanks for the article. I just read it. Can't wait. I'll have my gran tape it for me, so I can watch it on Christmas.
I love the photo of Kenneth by the way. He looks so depressed, it's heart-breaking.

I quite enjoyed the Swedish versions. But let's see what Kenneth has in store for us.

Oh and about other celeb crushes. At this point I can only say that I have an unnatural obsession with Ciaran Hinds, Julian Sands and Richard Armitage. It's those period movies that just do me in.

[Janine]

Guinivere, although my first love is still Ken B, I do like Ciaran Hinds emensely and Julian Sands in his younger days was definitely the type I fall for.

I agree with you, he looks sad and lost, but that makes him even more interesting to me. He is a heartbreaker when he plays roles like this. I can't wait to see the series - I think he will bring much depth to it, and no doubt some humor, too. You must join our KB fan club in the social group forum section - we haven't started it yet so we will let you know when. I have been
busy this afternoon watching Branagh Yourtube clips and dug up some truly interesting stuff, that I had not seen before. I will post these in the new social group, once we get that rolling.

wessexgirl, I could only find this exerpt from "The Proposition" - someone took the best one off, so we are out of luck, but you can get an idea of the film by this one. It is kind of dark in the beginning, but stick to it till he goes inside the house. He looked great in this film with dark hair and full beard. Wish they still had the amazing mill scene on - that one was so romantic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqmP148cGZA

[andave_ya]

andave ya - you trying to tell us something?

I think so...I'm not sure...I'm speaking through a Sean Bean and Josh Groban colored fog...seriously every time I see the light it's just another...one of THEM!!!!

[Janine]

I think so...I'm not sure...I'm speaking through a Sean Bean and Josh Groban colored fog...seriously every time I see the light it's just another...one of THEM!!!!

hhahaha - andave ya, you really make me laugh! Enjoy your fog bliss!

[crystalmoonshin]

As for me, it would have to be Hiro Mizushima, the actor who played the role of Tendou Souji in Kamen Rider Kabuto. I don't know if anyone here has heard of him, though. I like him so much!!! He looks so cool. Tres tres beau!

[Janine]

As for me, it would have to be Hiro Mizushima, the actor who played the role of Tendou Souji in Kamen Rider Kabuto. I don't know if anyone here has heard of him, though. I like him so much!!! He looks so cool. Tres tres beau!

crystalmoonshin, I have never heard of him but I will take your word for it. Any chance you can post a photo of him? Now I am curious.

Now I just thought of someone international that I like; he lived in France but I think his origin goes back to another country - possibly Italy or Romania. I will have to look it up. He is an terrific opera singer, director, producer, etc.....he does it all and is soooo appealing, well at least in his younger days he was....a member on this site turned me onto him. His name is Roberto Alagna....amazing voice and lovely film productions, especially of "Romeo and Juliet" and his own production on film of "Tosca." I own both DVD's. I admire his talent greatly and he is not bad to look at either; a real cutie, sweet and sexy.

[Janine]

wessexgirl, I was checking up on Wallander, but I can only find the DVD on Amazon UK site. There are ones on Amazon but they are from European countries. Did they do this series in other countries a few years back. It seems a bit confusing to me. I also cannot find a listing for the program on the BBC station here; maybe it will have to air there before we get it here - what do you think? I can't then see why it is already being offered on DVD if it did not air yet. Do you know why that would be. The DVD apparently only included 3 episodes of the show. I take it is it an hour length show, right?