12 Biblical epics Mar 22, 2008
Perennial bad guy Willem Dafoe plays Jesus to Harvey Keitel's Judas in this controversial film that portrayed Jesus as a man who struggles with his own ability to understand himself. The film also was one of the first to portray Jesus and the times through authentic Near Eastern sets and scenes, with a non-biblical story line and a rock opera score by Peter Gabriel. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Danger in the ocean Mar 2, 2008
Last year alone, the state played host to Fools Gold (Kate Hudson, Donald Sutherland and Matthew McConaughey), Daybreakers (Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe), Australia (Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman), and The Starter Wife (Debra Messing). The setting of the Sea Patrol on the Great Barrier Reef is logical for a country noted for its physical beauty. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Viggo Mortensen Feb 22, 2008
It made the long haul of fruitless auditioning particularly draining - he got this close to the Christopher Lambert role in Greystoke, to the Willem Dafoe role in Platoon - but at least he came away better informed. For Eastern Promises, in which he plays Nikolai, implacable fixer for a London-based family of Russian mobsters, his research informed not just his performance but the plot itself. (Guardian Unlimited)
Film Underground Presents: The Last Temptation of Christ Feb 15, 2008
Willem Dafoe plays Jesus, and in the opening scenes of the movie he has not fully accepted his role as a savior and is actually collaborating with the Romans, making crosses that are being used to crucify Jews. Indirectly executing his people is Jesus' way of rebelling against God, since, initially, he does not want to be the messiah and rues the fact that it's he bears the title. (The New Hampshire, NH)
Fireflies in the Garden Feb 13, 2008
Lisa Taylor - Julia Roberts Michael Taylor - Ryan Reynolds Charles Taylor - Willem Dafoe Jane Lawrence - Emily Watson Kelly - Carrie-Anne Moss Addison - Ioan Gruffudd Young Jane - Hayden Panetierre Young Michael - Cayden Boyd Ryne Taylor - Shannon Lucio Jimmy Lawrence - George Newbern Christopher Lawrence - Chase Ellison Leslie Lawrence - Brooklyn Proulx ... Set in an unnamed Midwestern suburb that the pic implies is near Chicago (but filmed in Texas, so the landscape looks totally wrong), the... (Variety)
Berlin's 1st half fails to impress critics Feb 13, 2008
Admired rather than liked was Brit Damian Harris' grim San Diego-set teen-prostie drama "Gardens of the Night"; not liked at all was Dennis Lee's clumsy Midwest meller "Fireflies in the Garden," with Julia Roberts and Willem Dafoe, and completely dissed was Gallic auteur Erick Zonca's zonked-out "Gloria" riff "Julia," with Tilda Swinton as a hysterical alkie. Elsewhere in the fest, it's so far been business as usual rather than a daily journey of discovery, with Austrian guilt drama "Revanche"... (Variety)
Unearthing the gems in the Berlinale garden Feb 12, 2008
Willem Dafoe is the psychotically controlling father, Julia Roberts the mother whose uncritical love for everyone glues them unhappily together, Ryan Reynolds the son soured into adulthood. They are supported by a range of actors playing people whose relationships may unravel by about two-thirds in if, against every law in nature, you have been paying attention. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Cruz deflects questions about new film Feb 11, 2008
Also screening today was Fireflies in the Attic, in which Roberts plays a long-suffering wife of a college professor (Willem Dafoe). The film was featured out of competition. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Ryan Reynolds is leaving 'Wilder' days behind Feb 11, 2008
This week, Reynolds is at the Berlin Film Festival to promote "Fireflies in the Garden," a drama that co-stars Julia Roberts, Willem Dafoe, and Emily Watson. And soon, he'll be back in Boston to shoot another romantic comedy, this one costarring one of the queens of the genre, Sandra Bullock. (Boston Globe)
The freedom of breaking silence Feb 11, 2008
The rusty screech of one screen never relents; Willem Dafoe stands in front of a hellish blaze as his body gyrates in grotesque animation. Something like the boiler room in Nightmare on Elm Street by way of Salvador Dali. (Daily Iowan, IA)
Paris Hilton applies herself to Harvard Feb 7, 2008
"I'll avoid that circus," he said, telling us he's bound instead for the Berlin Film Festival and the premiere of "Fireflies in the Garden," in which he costars with Julia Roberts, Willem Dafoe, and Emily Watson. Not to worry. (Boston Globe)
Berlin Fest completes lineup Jan 21, 2008
Pic stars Julia Roberts, Ryan Reynolds, Willem Dafoe and Emily Watson; Germany's Senator Entertainment produced. The fest's closing feature, also screening out of competition, will be Michel Gondry's comedy "Be Kind Rewind." Pic, which unspools first at Sundance, stars Jack Black and Mos Def. (Variety)
John Turturro leads actors against Carnegie Hall eviction Jan 18, 2008
The letter also is signed by actor Willem Dafoe and playwright Tony Kushner. The mayor's office and a spokeswoman for Carnegie Hall didn't immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday. (USA Today -- Life)
Before Heroes fame Jan 18, 2008
Whats next: Fireflies in the Garden featuring Julia Roberts, Willem Dafoe, Carrie-Anne Moss and Ioan Gruffudd. Talk about going straight to the A-list. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
'Idol' gives familiar fuzzies Jan 17, 2008
The latter wasnt all that did in Alexis Cohen; as Simon pointed out, she did bear an odd resemblance to Willem Dafoe. Of course, there were some curves thrown in the mix. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Idol Kicks Off in Philly Jan 16, 2008
Or Alexis, who smelled like incense (according to Ryan), looked like Willem Dafoe (according to Simon) and was really bitter about getting rejected, according to several of the obscenity-laced tirades she went on. Next stop. (Fox News)
Starz Entertainment's Weekly Hot Items List January 21-27 Jan 10, 2008
(All times listed are ET/PT.) Monday, January 21 Following the Dream A marathon of films about the Civil Rights struggle to coincide with Martin Luther King Jr. Day Begins at 4 p.m. on Starz InBlack -- Our Friend, Martin at 4 p.m. -- (Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey) -- Get on the Bus at 5:05 p.m. -- (Richard Belzer, De'aundre Bonds, -- Andre Braugher) -- We Shall Not Be Moved at 7:10 p.m. -- (David W. Clark, R. Martin Coleman, Ossie Davis) -- Mississippi Burning at 8 p.m. -- (Gene... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Web Watcher: Is tax rebellion possible? Dec 20, 2007
Spencer Tracy was next at 10 percent, followed by Tom Wopat at 9 percent, Fred MacMurray at 8 percent, Willem Dafoe at 7 percent, Tyne Daly at 5 percent, Orson Welles at 4 percent, Don Ameche and La Crosse s own Charles Dierkop at 3 percent, and Ellen Corby and Gena Rowlands at 2 percent. Tribune online editor Marc Wehrs can be reached at or (608) 791-8218. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Crimes of the naïve, superficial heart Dec 13, 2007
A meeting between Carter and Lynn's husband (an ill-used Willem Dafoe) is laughably sketchy. The awkward scenes between Carter, who begins investigating the murder, and his German-Turkish lover Emek Yoglu (Moritz Bleibtreu), generate no emotional heat. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Eastern European countries compete for Hollywood productions Dec 9, 2007
This year Castel Film produced "Adam Resurrected," a Holocaust-related movie directed by Paul Schrader and starring Willem Dafoe and Jeff Goldblum, as well as "Mirrors," a thriller starring Kiefer Sutherland. But times have changed. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Current DVD Releases Dec 8, 2007
Willem Dafoe brings this bit of fluff to life with his deadpan portrayal of the ultimate full-of-beans director of art films ... This omnibus film is a collection of 18 short movies, each set in a different neighborhood in Paris, each directed by a well-known director and starring an array of international talent, including Juliette Binoche, Nick Nolte, Willem Dafoe and others. (San Francisco Chronicle)
French X to start Minogue tour Nov 30, 2007
He has just finished filming Daybreakers , due for release next year, with Willem Dafoe, Sam Neill and Ethan Hawke, and is also working on a television series with Kerry Amstrong. Today Jay Laga'aia goes back to his bread-and-butter job of entertaining the ankle-biters. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
New DVDs: Mr. Beans Holiday, Waitress Nov 30, 2007
Along the way, Bean crosses paths with a beautiful actress, the lost son of a famous filmmaker and a megalomaniacal director (Willem Dafoe) whos premiering his latest work of self-indulgence at the Cannes Film Festival. The movie comes in standard DVD format or a disc with both standard DVD and high-definition HD DVD versions. (MSNBC -- Movies)
In-depth interview Nov 23, 2007
In fact, if you were lucky enough to see the Wooster's formidable production of LSD at the 1986 Adelaide Festival, Buscemi was in it, together with Willem Dafoe, another actor who has played bad guys in Hollywood in order to fund his more adventurous endeavours. "I don't feel like I've ever done a job that I've hated just for the money," Buscemi insists. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
The cinematic stretch run is upon us Nov 9, 2007
It comes from an old pro with dark, manly themes, Paul Schrader, and has a rather Altmanesque bunch: Lily Tomlin, Lauren Bacall, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ned Beatty, Willem Dafoe. Noah Baumbach had a critical hit with The Squid and the Whale. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Parker: not bothered being Maxim's "unsexiest" woman Nov 6, 2007
Madonna was called "Willem Dafoe with hot flashes" while the troubled Spears gained the place for a slight weight gain and "losing the ability to perform.". (Agencies). (Xinhuanet, China)
Maxim says Sara Parker world's "unsexiest" woman Oct 29, 2007
The magazine even went as far as to call Madonna "Willem Dafoe with hot flashes.". And last but not least, coming in at the No. 5 spot on the dubious list is someone who is no stranger to her fair share of recent criticism Britney Spears. (Xinhuanet, China)
5 unsexiest women Oct 27, 2007
"Combine a Paris Hilton-like pet accessorizing fetish - only for dirt-poor foreign babies - with a mug that looks Euro-sealed to her skull, and you've got Willem Dafoe with hot flashes.". Britney Spears - whose behavior has spiraled out of control this year with her wild partying, drug taking, shaving her head and bizarre performance at the MTV Video Music Awards - rounded up top five. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
'Horse-faced' Parker tops the unsexy list Oct 25, 2007
"Combine a Paris Hiltonlike pet accessorizing fetish only for dirt-poor foreign babies with a mug that looks Euro-sealed to her skull, and you've got Willem Dafoe with hot flashes," they said. Britney Spears rounds out the group, with her disastrous VMA awards appearance this year sending the magazine's staff into reminisces about the python-wrapped performances of her prime. (Ninemsn)
Sarah Jessica Parker named world's unsexiest woman Oct 25, 2007
"Combine a Paris Hilton-like pet accessorising fetish only for dirt-poor foreign babies with a mug that looks Euro-sealed to her skull, and you've got Willem Dafoe with hot flashes," Maxim Magazine said. Britney Spears came in at No. 5 for "losing the ability to perform". (Sydney Morning Herald)
Wooster wooing audiences with 'Hamlet' Oct 20, 2007
The group is also known for launching the careers of Spalding Gray and Willem Dafoe. It has been a constant home for much-lauded thesp Kate Valk, who plays both Gertrude and Ophelia in "Hamlet" and who recently made an electrifying lead in blackface in Eugene O'Neill's "The Emperor Jones.". (Variety)
Aliens, mist monsters and killers oh my Oct 20, 2007
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Lily Tomlin, Lauren Bacall, Willem Dafoe, Ned Beatty, Moritz Bleibtreu, Mary Beth HurtDirector: Paul SchraderStory: While their husbands are busy running the country, Carter Page (Harrelson) serves as a gay best friend to Washington D.C.s women. When his friend Lynn Lockner (Thomas) gets involved in a scandal that could destroy her husbands career, Carter offers to cover for her. (MSNBC -- Movies)
I’m Not There Oct 16, 2007
It generated much chatter for the scene showing Asia Argento locking lips with her pooch, but the movie s real triumph is Willem Dafoe as the jubilant club owner. The man can wiggle out of any jam, and at one point he convincingly speaks Chinese. (New York Press)
The week's best films Oct 15, 2007
Theft and murder down New Mexico way, with gaunt Willem Dafoe the deputy sheriff who takes on the identity of a dead man to track down the origins of a mysterious $500,000 stash. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is impressively dangerous, but Mickey Rourke is at his most aggravating as the gun-running kingpin. (Guardian Unlimited -- Film)
An all-star salute to Julia Roberts Oct 14, 2007
" George Clooney shot a taped bit from a bathroom stall in which a foot tapping in the neighboring stall (a reference to the Sen. Larry Craig scandal) turned out to belong to Brad Pitt. Guests were treated to clips from two upcoming Roberts films. In a scene from Fireflies in the Garden, she battled it out with Willem Dafoe. And director Mike Nichols introduced a clip from his Charlie Wilson's War in which Roberts and Hanks, as a Texan couple, discuss his role in international politics. Marcia... (USA Today -- Life)
'Limited' talk time Oct 5, 2007
Guests included pic's Anjelica Huston, Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray as well as Jessica Lange, Willem Dafoe, Tilda Swinton, Milos Forman and Doug Liman. . (Variety)
More of this story Sep 23, 2007
Willem Dafoe returned home to Wisconsin, where he said seeing childhood friends reminded him of the importance of old ties. hat's what remains the most important, said Dafoe, 52. (Auburn Citizen, NY)
LET THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN Sep 23, 2007
Limited" and closes Oct. 14 with "Persepolis. " Her films can be counted on for hot sex, and with Asia Argento in the cast - wow! Argento is featured in yet another NYFF entry, Abel Ferrara's New York-set "Go Go Tales. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
F.W. Murnaus Nosferatu Sep 15, 2007
This blurring of reality, film, dreams, and illusion features prominently in the 2000 horror movie, , in which Willem Dafoe portrays Max Schreck (as an actual vampire) portraying Nosferatu. Murnau created the original, chilling supernatural celluloid dream that refuses to die; Nosferatu has been reborn in countless other terrifying films over the years. (Suite101.com)
Television movies for the week of Sept. 9 Sep 9, 2007
TV Movies: Sept. 9-15. G = General audiences PG = Parental Guidance PG-13 = Not recommended for preteens R = Restricted audience. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Senator bounces back Aug 30, 2007
In addition to broadening its homevid operations, which included seven DVD releases, Senator embarked on its first international production in years with Dennis Lees family drama Fireflies in the Garden, starring Julia Roberts and Willem Dafoe. Senator will release 16 films in the second half, including Quentin Tarantinos Death Proof, Michael Moores Sicko, Robert Rodriguezs Planet Terror, Mikael Hafstroems John Cusack starrer 1408 and Rob Zombies Halloween. (Variety)
Willis to star in Stone film Aug 29, 2007
He directed the critically acclaimed 'Platoon,' which starred Charlie Sheen and Willem Dafoe, 'Born on the Fourth of July' - in which Tom Cruise stars as a wheelchair-bound Vietnam War veteran - and 'Heaven and Earth. . (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Bean's literal thinking lands him in muddles again Aug 29, 2007
Starring Rowan Atkinson, Willem Dafoe, Max Baldry. 85 minutes PG. (Toronto Star)
Hollywood's fall highlights Aug 28, 2007
With Kristin Scott Thomas, Willem Dafoe and Lauren Bacall. WALK HARD: THE DEWEY COX STORY: John C. Reilly is the king of womanizing, hedonistic rock 'n rollers. (Yahoo News)
Review: 'Mr. Bean's Holiday' Aug 28, 2007
The whole escapade ends up at the Cannes Film Festival, where Willem Dafoe does an amusing turn as a vain director. As the clumsy, sometimes mischievous but mostly well-intentioned title character, Mr. Atkinson essentially plays a child (in grown-up attire), which is only proper, given the audience this movie is squarely directed at. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Bean there, done that Aug 27, 2007
There are a handful of very funny moments in the movie, most of them dedicated to making fun of pretentious movies and their filmmakers (represented by Willem Dafoe. . (Edmonton Sun)
Review: Mr. Bean's Holiday (2.5 stars) Aug 27, 2007
While some of this French holiday feels more like a slog as a result of the stale scenarios, Atkinson and co-star Willem Dafoe do a beautiful job of skewering the Cannes Film Festival and its ample share of red-carpet poseurs. The highlight comes during the last reel, as Bean crashes a premiere at the Grand Palais and pokes a hole in celebrity ego. (National Post)
Mr. Bean's Holiday Aug 26, 2007
Cast Emma de Caunes, Jean Rochefort, Max Baldry, Rowan Atkinson, Willem Dafoe ... A full decade later we have at last a sequel, a film that exploits precisely one screaming American (Willem Dafoe), and only then to mock Hollywood puffery. (Houston Chronicle)
Let's get physical: Atkinson a comic genius Aug 26, 2007
Worse -- from the film festival's point of view, that is -- Bean takes dead aim at artistic pretense in general and at the ludicrously pompous offering of a bogus American director (Willem Dafoe) in particular. Font. (Ottawa Citizen)
'Mr. Bean's Holiday' Aug 25, 2007
Cast: Rowan Atkinson, Willem Dafoe, Emma de Caunes, Max Baldry ... Willem Dafoe - yes, that Willem Dafoe - plays the self-indulgent auteur of Playback Time and earns for himself a lifetime teaching-staff position at the Sean Penn Center for the Rehabilitation of Humorless Serious Actors. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Clowning around is all in good fun Aug 24, 2007
Eventually "Mr. Bean's Holiday" works its way to Cannes, where the hero picks up a sort-of love interest in a pert French actress (Emma de Caunes, very fetching) while bringing the pompous film director Carson Clay (Willem Dafoe) to grief ... Starring: Atkinson, Emma de Caunes, Willem Dafoe, Max Baldry At: Boston Common, Fenway, suburbs. (Boston Globe)
A chucklesome hill of beans Aug 24, 2007
Causing chaos as he follows his compass in a straight line across the city, he crosses paths with a couple of other Cannes-bound filmmakers, including pretentious American auteur Carson Clay (Willem Dafoe) and a Russian director (Karel Roden) who is to be on the jury. After coercing the Russian to shoot a video of him boarding the train, Mr. Bean inadvertently separates the man from his young son, Stepan (Max Baldry). (Globe and Mail)
Humor in 'Holiday' isn't worth a hill of Bean Aug 24, 2007
Mr. Bean's Holiday* 1/2 (out of four)Stars: Rowan Atkinson, Max Baldry, Emma de Caunes, Willem DafoeDirector: Steve BendelackDistributor: Universal PicturesRating: PG for brief mild languageRunning time: 1 hour, 30 minutesOpens Friday nationwide ... The last part of the movie, set at the Cannes Film Festival, has a couple of funny moments courtesy of Willem Dafoe, playing a pompous actor-director. (USA Today -- Life)
Family Film Guide: 'The Nanny Diaries,' 'Eye of the Dolphin,' 'Mr. Bean's Holiday' Aug 24, 2007
Language: A few mumbled "darns" from Mr. Bean, plus a "hell" or two from Willem Dafoe as a disgruntled director. Sexual situations and nudity: None. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
He's A Has-Bean Aug 24, 2007
director (Willem Dafoe), where he hooks up with an aspiring actress (Emma de Caunes) also bound for Cannes. The film, which is something of a dubious homage to Jacques Tati's "Mr. Hulot's Holiday," borrows from many other films, most notably a bicycle bit from "Pee-wee's Big Adventure.". (New York Post -- Entertainment)
'Colma: The Musical' high-kicking Aug 24, 2007
On Bean patrol are Jean Rochefort as a snooty waiter who sneaks off for burgers, charming Emma de Caunes, and Willem Dafoe as an irate filmmaker. Kids can have G-rated laughs, and the French scenery is often terrific. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Toronto festival unveils full slate Aug 23, 2007
The Gala slate also adds psychological chills and thrills with Paul Schrader's "The Walker," starring Woody Harrelson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Lauren Bacall, Lily Tomlin and Willem Dafoe; and Renny Harlin's "Cleaner," starring Samuel L. Jackson, Ed Harris, Eva Mendes and Keke Palmer. Rounding out the Gala program are Alain Corneau's 1950s-set remake of Melville's 1966 pic "Le deuxieme souffle," starring Daniel Auteuil and Monica Bellucci, and Robin Swicord's "The Jane Austen Book Club," with Kathy... (Variety)
'Mr. Bean' speaks Aug 21, 2007
Willem Dafoe plays a film writer/director/star (with) a film being presented at Cannes, which is ruined by the fact that Mr. Bean manages to play a holiday video in the middle of the presentation. It was an enjoyable opportunity to do a movie within the movie, which is an amusingly pretentious Cannes film entry. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Mr. Beans Holiday is a pleasant trifle Aug 21, 2007
Starring: Rowan Atkinson, Willem Dafoe, Emma De Caunes, Jean Rochefort, Karel RodenDirector: Steve BendelackRun time: 1 hour, 28 minutesMPAA rating: G ... Continually sidetracked by his own fathomless stupidity, Bean causes perpetual agony for himself and almost everyone he encounters, among them self-adoring filmmaker Carson Clay (Willem Dafoe), who is on his way to Cannes for the premiere of his pretentious new film. (MSNBC -- Movies)
Bean Is Back Aug 19, 2007
Bean's Holiday," Willem Dafoe co-stars as an American movie director who crosses paths with Mr. Bean. Atkinson says he felt sorry for the actor during their scenes together. "If you're another actor in a scene with Mr. Bean, you don't get much from him," he says. "He's such an ungenerous person. He sort of ignores you for much of the time. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Montreal fest returns with strong slate Aug 8, 2007
Italo filmmaker Abel Ferrara's Manhattan-set comedy "Go Go Tales," starring Willem Dafoe and Matthew Modine, also finds a competition berth as do two Canuck pics: helmer Emile Gaudreault's relationship comedy "Surviving My Mother" ; and the French-language "You," helmer Francois Delisle's drama about a woman who leaves her husband and son. The competition also includes "1 Day," from helmer Jacob Berger, a Swiss-French co-production; Ray Loriga's "Teresa" ; and the world preem of Gallic helmer... (Variety)
Last of the great Hollywood outsiders Aug 5, 2007
Richard Gere s hollow political pawn in American Gigolo, Willem Dafoe s numb cocaine dealer in Light Sleeperand Greg Kinnear s doomed sex addict in Auto Focus all share in the director s DNA, too ... Working with Scorsese again, Schrader pens a contentious passion play depicting Jesus (Willem Dafoe, above) as a flawed human figure. (Times Online)
which action stars Aug 5, 2007
The hero: John Clark (Willem Dafoe). The movie: Clear and Present Danger. (The Palm Beach Post)
Germany and Israel unite over Holocaust film Jul 29, 2007
Jeff Goldblum is to play the part of Adam, while Willem Dafoe will play the concentration camp commandant who forces him to act like a dog. Goldblum has described it as 'the most difficult role I have ever had to play. (Guardian Unlimited -- World)
Today in History July 22 Jul 22, 2007
Actor Willem Dafoe is 52. Rhythm-and-blues singer Keith Sweat is 46. (MSNBC -- Race)
