Category Archives: British Actors

All about Ben Barnes and Robert Pattinson

Ben Barnes, in the world of Dorian Gray

I am no classic novel reader, the only classics I ever finished was Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. So the name of Oscar Wilde and his book, the Picture of Dorian Gray was out of my head. Only because I was freaking crazy overdosed by the British blood actor, Ben Barnes, who caught not only my eyes but also my heart since I first saw him in Prince Caspian, I acknowledged the phenomenal story.

The novel was intriguing, shocking story to the society when it first released. But over the Century, it became very interesting, especially for the film makers to bring the story about timeless narcissist to the silver screen. The Picture of Dorian Gray was probably one of the classic stories which has many movie adaptations. I never watched the other adaptations, but when 2010 version started to hit the big screen my obsession to Ben Barnes, made me wanting to watch it.

I read the novel after I watched the movie zillion times. I read many negative reviews, especially from those who already read the novel before. In one hand, I was glad that I watched the movie before I read the novel, because if I read the it first, I am positively sure, that I won’t watch the movie. The book was more psychologically horrid than what visually shown in the movie (though it was rated R) :D. But on the other hand, I have to admit, upon my admiration to Ben Barnes, the movie was lacking the essential of the story. So to those who never read the book or even heard about Oscar Wilde, watching 2010 Dorian Gray will send them into blank spot. Letting them bewildered. It will only becoming the gothic-horror- easy-to-forget-hedonism-pleasure-seeking movie.

Though in the book, Dorian Gray was described as golden haired and blue eyed ultimate handsome young man, but no one can deny that, the tall and aristocratic looking of Ben Barnes exudes an almost supra-natural beauty and made him the perfect choice for that role. Added by his ability to captured most of the emotions, he was convincing as Dorian Gray. As for me, his acting made the movie bearable to watched.

But the reason I write this blog was more than just my admiration to the British heartthrob upon his role as Dorian Gray. The reason was the background of his decision in taking the tantalizing role of Dorian Gray.

Ben Barnes read the book since his was teen and still thinking that Dorian Gray was the greatest story ever told. As to the world of celebrity-obsessed, youth-obsessed culture, “ Dorian Gray telling Wilde’s morality tale about eternal youth, ageless beauty, self-indulgent, pleasure seeking and the pitfall you might fall into, if you pursued them so relentlessly”. He fully understood that being cast as Dorian Gray is like being told that he is the ultimate in beauty and with his gorgeous look, he could be trapped in the world of celebrity obessed, just like Dorian Gray. But from his growing fame as an actor, he also learned that Dorian Gray was close to his world. He decided to take the role because “Wilde’s story is still extremely relevant. It really proves how little we’ve learned I think. We put so much emphasis on aesthetics and the power of staying young and all this botox crap. It’s nonsense”

The movie might be disappointing, the script might be lame and lack of essential, but I would still send my thank you to the actor who played the title character, because of his deep understanding, he was able to deliver the strong message about the story, “Wilde’s novel is quite able to explain what one shouldn’t do to be happy – one should quit paying much attention to appearance”

Living in the modern era of Dorian Gray world, Ben Barnes on his ultimate youth and beauty, refused to follow the rule by emphasizing his opinion, “We live in a society obsessed by youth and beauty, but I’d like to be something more than just a pretty face“. Because “The fixation on fame and appearance damage the personality, I don’t want to stay young forever”

I write to share what I see through my heart, my personal point of view and my own analysis.

Ben Barnes, his choice shows his real talent

Since September 2009, I have written several blogs about the young British actor, Ben Barnes. He has lots of interesting facts that made him intriguing. I admire not only his good looks, but also his personality and more on his acting talent. Though in the range of 2007 to 2010, he only had 8 movies, but from one movie to another, his roles were diverse and different from each other.

He played small but pivotal role as young Dunstan in Stardust, then he changed his character into Russian thug. But he also the naive and vulnerable young prince in Prince Caspian and charming drip mama’s boy type in Easy Virtue. At his utmost beauty, he took the role as timeless narcissist, Dorian Gray but again put down all the glorious moment and taking his route to play the insecure tortured father in Locked In. He returned as the self-assured king in Voyage of Dawn Treader, though it was his second time to played the same role as Caspian, but his character develops. His latest role was wannabe rockstar Neil McCormick in the movie called Killing Bono. From the behind the scene clips and few interviews, he showed that he totally giving himself into a rock star wannabe. As an actor, he proved that he’s preparing his path to become a formidable one.

But Ben Barnes is not someone you can see every where every time. He only appears for his projects and its promotions. Out of that circle, he’s invicible. His latest appearance was in Madrid, Spain early June, promoting his movie, Dorian Gray. Of course, he looks at his best. The new hair cut, the new fashion style made him tantalizing and the object of embarassing drools. But then, he vanished ^_^

I always questioning his next projects. He’s so unpredictible, yet he never failed in shocking me as his fan. He said in one of his interview in Spain, “I have a couple of things, but I don’t know which to choose, I hope in the coming weeks to make a decision on either project”. It was last week and boy, he made his decision very quick and the news emerged as quick as the lightning. Ben Barnes will play Stephen Wraysford the lead role in stage version of Sebastian Faulk’s phenomenal best-seller, Birdsong. A heartbreaking dramas centred around World War I and powerful love story too.

He’s coming back to stage? well, that’s what I call shocking news. I was shocked, not understand his decision, but then I admire him more. Because the charming Brit once said, “Acting is my dream job. I am happy and grateful that I am not amongst those people who, after the end of their studies are not sure if they actually want to spend the rest of their lives in the profession they learned“. His decision to take a role back to West End stage showing his deep passion in acting.

But that’s not the only reason for me to write this blog. Taking a role on stage was totally different from taking a role in a movie. To be on stage, one must be well prepared. There will be no “re-take” or “cut” if one make mistake. Acting was real on stage. Real talent was needed. His decision made him more adorable. Made me proud of becoming his fans. By taking the role on stage, Ben Barnes shows that he has the real acting talent.

Birdsong goes into rehearsal in early August and begins performances at the Comedy Theatre on September 18, with an official first night on September 28. As his freaking crazy fan, I wish I had a chance to see him on stage ^_^

I write so I can share what I see through my heart, my personal point of view and my own analysis.

How my heart see Robert Pattinson through “Remember Me”

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I am not a movie freak. I am just a person who like watching movies that fascinate my soul. I like movies with great special effects. I like historical stories. I accept drama and romantic movies too. But on top of that I like movies that deliver strong moral lesson. If I found a movie fulfills the criteria, I can watch it again and again. Well, that’s me with my anomaly habit ^_^

I believe many of young girls and mature woman went to watch Remember Me, because they want to see the damn-hot dashing bad-boy look of Robert Pattinson as Tyler Hawkins. But that reason didn’t go for me. Almost half a year ago, I wrote a blog about the world of Robert Pattinson after Twilight. I was confident that he still can be a real good actor after Twilight, not just a temporary popular celebrity. On that reason, despite few comments from my friends, which actually able to stop me from watching the movie :p I gave myself a chance to watch Remember me. Of course this won’t be a professional movie review, because I am not the movie critics or reviewer. I only want to share my objective opinion about what my sincere heart see Robert Pattinson through Remember me.

I have no complaint about the casts. Everybody have been chosen almost perfectly. Though I watched Pierce Brosnan all forever Remington Steele, but I found him not boring at all. As well as Chris Cooper, years of experience made Pierce and Chris able to portrayed their roles convincingly. Even Emily de Ravin whose gaining few critics on her accent can played her role as tortured-by-her-past young girl with over-protective father nicely. As for Rob, though his role as Tyler Hawkins is not enough to convinced me that he really can act, but I can say, he’s not acting Edward Cullen in Remember Me. Well, the truth is, he’s acting himself in Remember Me :D. It seemed like Tyler Hawkins was the actor and Robert Pattinson is the role he played. So, on this stage, in my opinion, he didn’t face the acting challenge.

I almost have no complaint about the story. Even few of the conversations were great, especially the one between Ally & Tyler on “I have my dessert first” It was hilarious. I can’t stop giggling on that scene, geezz, how creative the script writer’s mind to pull out interesting conversation on a dessert. And I found that Robert also has the opportunity to contribute his ideas to the script. It was great. It means that in the future he can sharpen his ability to script writing too. But I can not deny. I was a little disappointed. Not because they killed Tyler Hawkins at the end of the movie, but because I don’t see the point of doing that. (was it also the ending that Rob wanted?) What message they wanted to deliver? Remember me is not Saving Private Ryan type of movie. Why should the movie ended by letting a parents lost their two sons tragically? I still think, the movie could ended the other way.

There are many factors to make a movie worth-watching, worth-awarding and unforgettable. Good script, great actor who can deliver the role convincingly, good director who can make the whole movie fascinating, great special effects and of course massive publication. Remember Me got good actors, and of course a massive publication, but though I did have a prick of tears on my eyes, the story didn’t reach my soul and I didn’t feel the necessity to watch it again.

Robert Pattinson, through his role as the brooding-vampire opened the huge door of opportunity to broaden his acting career. The opportunity to work with great directors. The opportunity to act side by side with senior and good actors, whom from them he can learn to become a better actor. And not to forget that he also has the acting ability, he just need more space to prove it. But on the other hand, he must be very wise about this. Because the phenomenon of one night catapulted stardom only came once in a lifetime. And he already on the highest level of fame that any actor could ever reached. At this stage, any movie with him in it is salable. But after his role of Edward Cullen ends, he will facing different group of fans. If he wants to stay in the business longer, he needs to pave his path carefully. He must avoid the generic Hollywood type of script that make him charming. Learn to make quality stories are a top priority for him as an actor. Making the movie worth-watching and not just following flavor of the month trends.

After Remember me, I will give myself another chance to watch Bel Ami and Water for Elephants, where Rob got another chance to act along side senior and proven actress like Uma Thurman, Kristin Scott-Thomas and Reese Whiterspoon. The original story of Bel Ami and Water for Elephants were very good. If the scripts were written strongly and Rob can really pull out his ability in acting opposite the seniors, he can make the movie fascinating and worth-watching. If he succeed, I will confidently saying that he’s a good and award winning actor, not a temporary showcasing celebrity.

I write so I can share what I see through my heart, my personal point of view and my own analysis.

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My Little Heart

a piece of my heart & my dream

Category Archives: British Actors

Ben Barnes, in the world of Dorian Gray

Ben Barnes, his choice shows his real talent

How my heart see Robert Pattinson through “Remember Me”