Movie spotlight is on Atlanta this fall Aug 15, 2008
Sept. 19 Towelhead, writer-director Alan Ball s drama about an Arab-American girl with Aaron Eckhart, Toni Collette and Maria Bello. Ball wrote American Beauty and the TV series Six Feet Under. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
'Mummy' star likes to dress correctly Aug 15, 2008
Now he returns to the role in "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" with Maria Bello and Jet Li. But dressed in a biker T-shirt, faded jeans and gunmetal boots, he looks more dive-bar hipster than desert fox. (CNN -- US)
Unlikely cast of characters hurts third 'Mummy' movie Aug 14, 2008
Maria Bello steps in as leading lady in place of Rachel Weisz, who played Rick's love interest and wife in the first two movies. (Perhaps winning an Oscar makes one too good to star in action movie sequels. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Mummy fails to scare off Batman Aug 13, 2008
The fantasy adventure stars Brendan Fraser and Maria Bello. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor has been thwarted in its bid to crown the UK box office by The Dark Knight. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
New releases Aug 10, 2008
Jet Li is wasted as the title villain and Maria Bello packs her most teddible British accent to replace Rachel Weisz. (113 min., PG-13) (Ty Burr). (Boston Globe)
Blockbuster stars give lackluster performances Aug 9, 2008
O Connell, along with his wife Evelyn (now played by Maria Bello), is tricked back into service to combat the resurrected Han Emperor (Jet Li) in an imbecilic epic that spans from the catacombs of ancient China high into the frigid Himalayas, complete with battling yetis. Rick who is played by a 39-year-old actor is accompanied on this all-new adventure by son Alex (newcomer Luke Ford who is 27 years old) and Evelyn s brother, Jonathan (John Hannah, also from the previous Mummy ... (Cedar Park Hill Country News Weekender, TX)
* [FILM REVIEW] A new evil awakes Aug 8, 2008
STARRING: Brendan Fraser (Rick OConnell), Jet Li (sN, as Emperor Han), Maria Bello (Evelyn OConnell), John Hannah (Jonathan Carnahan), Michelle Yeoh (, as Zi Juan), Luke Ford (Alex OConnell), Isabella Leong (I as Lin), Anthony Wong (, as General Yang) ... The changeover from Rachel Weisz to Maria Bello playing Fraser's better half is a bad piece of miscasting, and places further strain on the film's credibility. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* If the shoe fits ... Aug 6, 2008
Will the new 'Mummy' flick hurt Maria Bello's hard-won reputation ... At this years San Francisco film festival, Maria Bello was honored for exemplifying brilliance, independence and integrity in her work. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Say that again, please Aug 6, 2008
The most recent actress to try to convince us of this is Maria Bello, who replaced Rachel Weisz as Evelyn OConnell in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. Next month, we will see how two American actresses Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson fare as the beautiful English sisters who compete to win King Henry VIIIs affections in The Other Boleyn Girl. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
'Dark Knight' Tops 'Mummy, Closes in on $400M Total Aug 4, 2008
" "The Dark Knight" also has taken in $202.5 million overseas, with the movie opening in six more markets in August, among them Japan, France and Russia. Universal's third "Mummy" flick sends Brendan Fraser's adventurer and his wife (Maria Bello) to China, where they battle a resurrected ancient ruler (Jet Li) and his undead minions. Though it put up strong numbers, the new installment had the smallest opening of the three movies. "The Mummy" debuted with $43.4 million in 1999 and "The Mummy... (Fox News)
'Dark Knight' fends off the latest 'Mummy' Aug 4, 2008
Your Connection to the. Web Search powered by YAHOO. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Maria Bello, Chace Crawford, Salman Rushdie Aug 4, 2008
Phil McCarten/Reuters Maria Bello. Text Size. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Dark Knight Nears $400M Total Aug 4, 2008
They're going just to see what it's all about, and they all like it (Time.com)
Movie Review of The Mummy new film Aug 3, 2008
Tomb of the Dragon Emperor with Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello ... Maria Bello is unconvincing as Fraser's wife ... Rick () and Evelyn (Maria Bello) have absolutely no chemistry. (Suite101.com)
AP Photo | Universal, Jasin BolandIn this photo provided by Universal, Brendan Fraser returns as explorer Rick O’Connell for an all-new adventure in “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor”. Aug 3, 2008
After conquering the same mummy two times, Rick (Brenden Fraser) and Evelyn O Connell (Maria Bello (stepping in for Weisz) should have stuck to Indy films) have settled into retirement ... Starring: Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello, John Hannah, Michelle Yeoh, Luke Ford. (Green Valley News & Sun, AZ)
This 'Mummy' is dead on arrival Aug 3, 2008
MovieWeb photo Alex OConnell (Luke Ford), left, is joined by his parents, Evelyn (Maria Bello) and Rick (Brendan Fraser) ... Cast: Brendan Fraser, Maria Bello, Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh, Luke Ford, Isabella Leong, John Hannah ... and you start longing for another scene in which the typically fine Maria Bello ("A History of Violence," "Thank You For Smoking") embarrasses herself while playing Evelyn O'Connell, wife of intrepid archaeologist Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser). (Seacoast New Hampshire)
PopWatch Pulse Check: Who wants to see 'The Mummy'? Aug 2, 2008
PopWatch Pulse Check: Who wants to see 'The Mummy. PopWatch Pulse Check: Who wants to see 'The Mummy. (Entertainment Weekly)
Review: Familiar 'Mummy' Still Entertaining Aug 2, 2008
She's replaced by American actress Maria Bello ("A History of Violence") who is perfectly believable as a Brit. She also delivers a great line in her first scene that gives a nod to her newcomer status. (Click2Houston, TX)
Dragon Emperor is escapist entertainment in purest form Aug 2, 2008
In Dragon Emperor, famed mummy fighter Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) and his wife, Evelyn (Maria Bello, taking over for Rachel Weisz), have put battling the undead behind them. That is, until they're asked by the British government to transport a jewel to Shanghai, where their son Alex (Luke Ford) happens to be spending time with his Uncle Jonathan (John Hannah). (Hillsdale Independent, NY)
'The Mummy': Undead Again. By Kurt Loder Aug 2, 2008
Maria Bello and Brendan Fraser in "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" (Jasin Boland/Universal Pictures) ... It helps that the blithely likable Brendan Fraser is back as stalwart explorer Rick O'Connell, and that Maria Bello has been recruited to play his equally intrepid wife, Evie, a role previously occupied by Rachel Weisz. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Forgettable 'Mummy' sequel crash lands Aug 1, 2008
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor* (out of four)Stars: Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello, Michelle Yeoh, Luke Ford, John Hannah, Isabella Leong Director: Rob CohenDistributor: UniversalRating: PG-13 for adventure action and violenceRunning time: 1 hour, 52 minutesOpens Friday nationwide ... But because the hunk (Luke Ford as the son of Brendan Fraser and Maria Bello) digs him up, all sorts of abominable and Abominable mayhem transpires in 1946 Shanghai and Shangri-La. (USA Today -- Life)
This time 'The Mummy' is cheesy and fun Aug 1, 2008
Maria Bello plays his wife, Evelyn, taking over the role from Rachel Weisz ... Starring: Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello, John Hannah, Michelle Yeoh. (New Haven Register, CT)
Mini movie reviews Aug 1, 2008
" Brendan Fraser returns as explorer Rick O'Connell to combat the resurrected Han Emperor (Jet Li) in an epic that races from the catacombs of ancient China high into the frigid Himalayas. Rick is joined in this all-new adventure by son Alex (newcomer Luke Ford), wife Evelyn (Maria Bello) and her brother, Jonathan (John Hannah). And this time, the O'Connells must stop a mummy awoken from a 2,000-year-old curse who threatens to plunge the world into his merciless, unending service. Doomed by a... (Athens Banner-Herald)
Crummy Mummy Aug 1, 2008
Still, Maria Bello as her replacement, with no explanation, like Darrin Stevens ... Starring: Brendan Fraser, Maria Bello, Luke Ford. (Edmonton Sun)
"Mummy" Shrouded In Senselessness Jul 31, 2008
"The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" finds Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) and wife Evelyn (Maria Bello taking over for Rachel Weisz) heading East in hopes of recapturing the adrenaline of adventure. They're retired following World War II, apparently living richly off of the $800 million worldwide box office of the first two "Mummy" films. (CBS News)
Film Review: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor Jul 31, 2008
Instead, intrepid adventurers Rick (Fraser) and wife Evelyn (Maria Bello, replacing Rachel Weisz, whose absence might be explained by her winning an Oscar since the last one) are battling a massive army of terra cotta soldiers led by the reanimated evil Dragon Emperor (a wasted Li), who was cursed into suspended animation centuries ago by a beautiful sorceress (a similarly wasted Yeoh) whom he made the mistake of trying to kill ... Cast: Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello, Michelle Yeoh, John... (Hollywood Reporter)
'The Mummy,' 4 stars Jul 31, 2008
In The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, adventurer Rick O'Connell (Fraser) and wife Evelyn (Maria Bello of A History of Violence) have retired to an English country manor in the 1940s ... CAST: Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello, Michelle Yeoh. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Movie review: The undead return in 'The Mummy' Jul 31, 2008
Starring Brendan Fraser, Jet Li and Maria Bello ... She's replaced here by Maria Bello, who manages to seem more English than Weisz would have. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Nothing new: Oh, Mummy, Im bored Jul 30, 2008
We begin in 1946 with Rick (Brendan Fraser) and Evelyn OConnell (Maria Bello, taking over for Rachel Weisz), bored out of their skulls on an English estate, having retired from adventuring ... Starring: Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello, Michelle Yeoh, John HannahDirector: Rob CohenRun time: 1 hour, 54 minutesMPAA rating: PG-13. (MSNBC -- Movies)
The baby watch Jul 29, 2008
Bello engaged Actress Maria Bello and boyfriend Bryn Mooser are engaged. "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" star, 41, and Mooser, 28, a writer, announced their engagement in Bello's hometown newspaper, The Norristown Times Herald, in Norristown, Pa. (Boston Globe)
Pop Tarts: 'Mummy' Actress Maria Bello Calms Woman During Midair Schizophrenic Attack Jul 29, 2008
July 27, 2008: Maria Bello at the premiere of 'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor' in Universal City, Calif. LOS ANGELES When it comes to saving the day, Maria Bello isn't confined to her reel-life role in the upcoming "Mummy." The actress recently became a real-life hero during a flight from Los Angeles to New York. (Fox News)
Infotainment Jul 29, 2008
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperorlos angeleS: Cast member Maria Bello (L) attends the premiere of the film The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor with Bryn Mooser. reuters. (Daily Times, Pakistan)
He's a Mummy's boy Jul 29, 2008
Other changes include a shift from the Middle East to China (Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh appear), a new actress playing Mrs. O'Connell (American Maria Bello takes over from England's Rachel Weisz), and a grown-up son for the semi-retired couple (Australian Luke Ford). But Fraser assures the faithful that they will pretty much get what they have come to expect from the series. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Lee Grant's Outtakes Jul 29, 2008
I'm actually not naked in this movie, co-star Maria Bello, fixture of indie, sexually charged pictures like A History of Violence and The Cooler. Bye kids, have a great summer, Fraser, waving goodbye to the San Diego Convention Center's Hall H throng. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Clinched with a kiss Jul 28, 2008
Leong makes her Hollywood debut in the action adventure The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, which features a stellar cast including Brendan Fraser, Jet Li and Maria Bello. In the movie, she portrays mysterious tomb guardian Lin who is the daughter of sorceress Zi Yuan, played by Datuk Michelle Yeoh. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Comic-Con: All the Saturday scoop Jul 27, 2008
Although director Rob Cohen didn't make it to San Diego (he's in L.A. preparing for the film's premiere on Sunday), most of the cast turned out, including Brendan Fraser (pictured, with Maria Bello) and franchise newcomers Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh, and Bello (who disappointed the crowd by announcing, "I'm actually not naked in this movie"). Universal also unspooled a clip of its update of Roger Corman's Death Race (the crowd sang a round of "Happy Birthday" to star Jason Statham), as well as... (CNN -- Showbiz)
Luke Ford Q&A Jul 18, 2008
I'd love to work with Brendan again, and Maria Bello, she took over Rachel Weisz's character, and she's a ripper of an actress. Playing Alex O'Connell was a very big demanding role, in some ways more demanding than Black Balloon. (IGN FilmForce)
'Mummy' sequel clears Chinese censors Jul 17, 2008
"We now have a certificate giving us permission to release the film in China,'' he said. The distributor runs Hong Kong-based Edko Films, which distributes Universal movies in China. But the movie will likely miss Director Rob Cohen's target premiere date of July 24 in Beijing, just before the Olympic Games being held in the Chinese capital from Aug. 8-24. Kong said he now wants to release the movie in China after the Olympics so attention won't be distracted by the competition. The movie will... (The Star Online, Malaysia -- News)
Bodice-rippers, tear-jerkers and hot drama Jun 25, 2008
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Toni Collette, Maria Bello, Peter Macdissi, Summer BishilDirector: Alan BallStory: A young Arab girl named Jasira (Bishil) is sent to live with her strict Lebanese father (Macdissi) in small town Texas. Jasira must deal with racism in her new school, and even some from her father who doesnt want her to see an African-American boy. (MSNBC -- Movies)
Brendan Fraser becomes summers action king Jun 25, 2008
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello, John Hannah, Michelle Yeoh, Luke FordDirector: Rob CohenStory: Explorer Rick OConnell (Fraser) is back for a new adventure. This time he heads to China to battle the fabled Terracota Army and a resurrected Han emperor (Li), who is accidentally awakened by Ricks son, Alex (Ford). (MSNBC -- Movies)
Provincetown event showcases Tarantino — and Madonna's debut Jun 15, 2008
The cast includes Aaron Eckhart, Toni Collette, Maria Bello, and Peter Macdissi, who played Olivier, the kinky, possibly insane art teacher on Ball's show. "Story of Women" It seems everyone's forgotten Claude Chabrol's astonishing 20-year-old film with a reliably opaque Isabelle Huppert as an abortionist in Nazi-occupied France - everyone except Waters. (Boston Globe)
TUNE IN TONIGHT: A&Es update of Andromeda features many ... May 26, 2008
Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello and Ed Harris star in the 2005 pulp thriller, directed by David Cronenberg and adapted from a graphic novel. Late night. (Reading Eagle)
The Indy spirit May 25, 2008
Explorers: Husband-and-wife team of French Foreign Legion captain Rick OConnell (Brendan Fraser) and librarian-Egyptologist Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz in the first two films, replaced by Maria Bello in the upcoming film). Unearths: The mummified villains High Priest Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) and the Scorpion King (Dwayne The Rock Johnson) in Egypt, and in Part III, the ruthless Dragon Emperor (Jet Li) in China. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Summer season savers May 23, 2008
"The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" ---- Brendan Fraser stars in the fourth installment of the "Mummy" film franchise, this time co-starring Maria Bello (replacing Rachel Weisz as Fraser's British wife). In this sequel, the couple come out of bored retirement to join their grown-up son on a dig in China, where they end up battling an ancient ruler (Jet Li) who springs back to life aiming to conquer the world. (North County Times)
Hot summer movies May 16, 2008
The bad: Rachel Weisz doesn't return, and Maria Bello takes over her role as O'Connell's wife. The ugly: Did anyone demand a Mummy sequel - besides Fraser, that is. (The Clarion-Ledger)
Barbara Walters on the prowl May 8, 2008
But the big festival talk was Maria Bello, who starred with Viggo Mortensen in "A History of Violence." This girl is now "happening" -- she has about six films ready to land, including one with William Hurt titled "The Yellow Handkerchief.". May 18-12 you can see the cast of a new version of "No, No, Nanette," starring Sandy Duncan, Charles Kimbrough, and Rosie O'Donnell at City Center's "Encores!" The Vincent Youmans classic is directed by Walter Bobbie. (Variety)
S.F. Film Festival gala gets political May 4, 2008
Willie Brown was to introduce Maria Bello, winner of the Peter J. Owens Award for acting. Because Towne and Beatty have been friends and colleagues for more than 40 years, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste, who gave the Founder's Directing Award to Mike Leigh, has worked with him in theater and films, I asked Bello why Hizzoner was presenting her. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Gameloft Wraps Up Mobile Game Rights to Universal Pictures' The Mummy: Tomb of t... May 2, 2008
Rick is joined in this all-new adventure by son Alex (newcomer Luke Ford), wife Evelyn (Maria Bello) and her brother, Jonathan (John Hannah). And this time, the O'Connells must stop a mummy awoken from a 2,000-year-old curse who threatens to plunge the world into his merciless, unending service. (IGN Wireless Games)
Here they come, here come summer movies May 2, 2008
Maria Bello replaces Rachel Weisz as Fraser's British wife, the couple coming out of bored retirement to join their grown-up son on a dig in China, where they end up battling an ancient ruler (Jet Li) who springs back to life aiming to conquer the world. Director Rob Cohen said it was not necessarily a hindrance that Weisz decided against returning. (CNN -- Showbiz)
Clinton wins in Pennsylvania Apr 23, 2008
Sean Astin, Rob Reiner, America Ferrera, Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen campaigned for Clinton, as they have elsewhere, while Harper and Maria Bello stumped for Obama, and Alfre Woodard and Kate Walsh worked the phone banks. Edward Norton trailed Obama as part of his documentary on the candidate. (Variety)
Blast from the Past Apr 17, 2008
Michelle Yeoh, Jet Li and Maria Bello co-star. Aug. 1. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Spike TV Television Highlights - May 2008 Apr 16, 2008
Starring Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ed Harris, William Hurt. -- TOY SOLDIERS (1991, Action/ Drama) Premieres Saturday, May 31 (9:00 - 11:00 AM, ET/PT). (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
You Bluffing? Apr 13, 2008
Starring: William H. Macy, Maria Bello, Alec Baldwin. Key quote: "That guy is kryptonite on a stick.". (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
S.F. Film Festival ready for 2nd half-century Apr 3, 2008
The 51st San Francisco International Film Festival will feature a broad mix of local, domestic and international films, with a particularly strong slate of documentaries and a few big-name honorees - including director Mike Leigh, screenwriter Robert Towne, actress Maria Bello and documentarian Errol Morris. The festival begins April 24 with a screening of Catherine Breillat's "The Last Mistress.". (San Francisco Chronicle)
Check out other offerings from Oscar's top filmmakers Feb 25, 2008
Adapted from Christopher Buckley's novel about a tobacco lobbyist, it was 2006's Thank You for Smoking (Fox, R, $20), and the cast was strong: Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, Robert Duvall, William H. Macy and Katie Holmes. In Juno's case, the instructional antecedent comes not from its filmmakers but from its star. (USA Today -- Life)
Spirit Awards bring edge Feb 22, 2008
TIP SHEETWhat: 23rd annual Spirit AwardsWhen: Saturday; lunch at 12:30 p.m., show at 2 p.m. PT live on IFC; 10 p.m. on AMCWhere: In a tent on Santa Monica Beach at Barnard WayWho: Honorary chair Javier Bardem; presenters include Alan Arkin, Maria Bello, Patricia Clarkson, Forest Whitaker and Tom Wilkinson; 1,400 guests. Links posted in this story. (Variety)
SAG in the hot seat Feb 13, 2008
Besides Affleck, Field, Hatcher and Sheen, signers so far include Jason Alexander, Kevin Bacon, Kathy Bates, Maria Bello, Amy Brenneman, Helen Hunt, Diane Lane, Debra Messing, Kyra Sedgwick, David Strathairn and Rainn Wilson. Brenneman told Daily Variety that the key concern behind the move is for SAG to come into negotiations with the strongest possible bargaining position. (Variety)
New on DVD: A couple of 2007's better films Feb 8, 2008
Jimmy Smits is cheating on wife Amy Brenneman, Maria Bello is preoccupied with her dogs, and Emily Blunt is a French teacher whose husband won't take her to France. Solution: Form a group (with, of course, one sensitive male) and assign each participant to take on one novel by Austen, whose numerical output was fortunately limited enough to keep their coffee-shop table from getting too crowded. (USA Today -- Life)
New DVDs: The Invasion, Damages Feb 8, 2008
The Jane Austen Book Club An ensemble including Maria Bello, Kathy Baker, Jimmy Smits, Emily Blunt and Amy Brenneman plays out modern variations of Austens romantic entanglements as a book club meets once a month to discuss the authors works. Extras include deleted scenes and commentary. (MSNBC -- Movies)
A trip to Austen (not in Texas) Feb 2, 2008
Jocelyn (Maria Bello) is a dog breeder who has never married. She invites Grigg (Hugh Dancy) to the book club thinking he'll be a good match for her 00004000 friend Sylvia (Amy Brenneman). (The Age)
Movies preview: 8 awaited titles for the 2008 viewing season Feb 1, 2008
It's just a guess, but some combination of Fraser, Maria Bello, Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh must be messing around with a dragon emperor's tomb under the direction of Rob Cohen (The Fast and the Furious). Madagascar: The Crate Escape (Nov. (USA Today -- Life)
The world according to Jane Jan 26, 2008
(from left) Maggie Grace, Emily Blunt (back to camera), Amy Brenneman, Jimmy Smits, Maria Bello and Hugh Dancy ... Jocelyn (played by Maria Bello) is a self-possessed dog breeder who has never married ... (from left) Maggie Grace, Emily Blunt (back to camera), Amy Brenneman, Jimmy Smits, Maria Bello and Hugh Dancy. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
EW critic: Sundance gets kinky and kooky Jan 26, 2008
It wouldn't be America's premiere independent film festival without at least one highbrow-pervo conversation piece, and this year that slot belongs to Downloading Nancy, starring the gifted Maria Bello as a self-mutilating incest survivor who hooks up on the Internet with a man she asks to hurt her. and worse. (Entertainment Weekly)
Worst Sundance Film: Sex and Self-Mutilation Jan 26, 2008
Downloading Nancy, starring Maria Bello, Jason Patric and Rufus Sewell. Maria, one of my favorite actresses, plays Nancy. (Fox News)
Sundance titles high on life Jan 26, 2008
Two grim films I saw were "Downloading Nancy," in which Maria Bello's character finds a man on the Internet willing to kill her, and "The Last Word," in which Wes Bentley plays a sort of Cyrano de Bergerac of suicide note writers ... Interview with Maria Bello, Jason Patrick and Johan Renck. (Variety)
