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Prince William and Kate Glam Up the London Premiere of War Horse

Allie Merriam — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 11:37:00 PST

Prince William held an umbrella for his wife Kate this evening at the London premiere of War Horse. The couple turned out for the UK screening of the Steven Spielberg-directed project, and rubbed shoulders on the red carpet with some of the movie's stars like Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irvine, and Emily Watson. They also said hello to various servicemen and women who'd been invited. William looked handsome in his tux, while Kate wore a black lace dress from Alice Temperley, one of her family's favorite designers. The royals turned out because the evening was organized in support of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.

Steven Spielberg said of William and Kate's appearance, "It's a very prestigious honor because they represent an entirely new era in British royalty that has the entire world excited. When they came to America, that was one of the most exciting events, I think, that we've enjoyed for some time, so it's such an honor to be here in the UK to be able to meet them and to be able to show them, and all of us, War Horse." Following the event, William and Kate attended a private reception with the cast at Buckingham Palace. There will be even more partying tomorrow, as it's Kate's 30th birthday!

War Horse: Spielberg's Perfectly Pleasing Horse Tale

Shannon Vestal — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 03:05:00 PST

Leave it to Steven Spielberg to make an engaging, epic, and poignant movie with a horse as the main character. The legendary director is behind War Horse, a World War I-set drama that follows a horse named Joey as he's raised in Britain and trained by his doting owner, Albert (Jeremy Irvine). Due to financial circumstances, Albert's family is forced to sell Joey to the war effort, and as the horse is involved in various battles and trades, he's passed from different owners and opposing sides all over Europe.

As Joey enters the life of each temporary caretaker, we experience a snapshot of these characters' lives and how the war has affected them. Though the movie is a long and sprawling tale, Spielberg makes each vignette compelling and touching enough that you want to ride along with Joey on his journey. To find out where else War Horse succeeds, just keep reading.

Steven Spielberg's War Horse Premiere Brings Out Hot British Stars - and an Olsen!

Allie Merriam — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:15:00 PST

Steven Spielberg gathered the stars of his War Horse outside NYC's Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center for their premiere yesterday. The cast was fresh off a weekend-long junket to promote the movie, which was based on a play adapted from author Michael Morpurgo's 1982 book. We had a chance to speak with the picture's star, newcomer Jeremy Irvine on Saturday. Jeremy said that Steven surprised him with the role in a unique way - at a follow-up audition, Jeremy read a piece of sample dialogue that said he'd gotten the part! We also caught up with some of the movie's dashing British male stars like Tom Hiddleston, Toby Kebbell, and Patrick Kennedy, so stay tuned for those interviews close to the movie's Dec. 25 release date. Elizabeth Olsen and Ed Westwick, while not in Steven's latest offering, still came out to show their support. She headed inside the theater for the screening, and threw an arm around in-demand Avengers star Tom Hiddleston for a photo op.

Tom Hanks, Oprah, and Steven Spielberg Join Michelle Obama For Her Joining Forces Initiative PSA

Molly Goodson — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 07:27:47 PDT

Tom Hanks, Oprah, and Steven Spielberg teamed up with Michelle Obama to make this series of touching videos about the first lady's Joining Forces initiative. First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden started this effort to bring attention, support, and aid to the families of the men and women serving in the US military. Tom, Oprah, and Steven each made a video to tell the story of one such family for this series of PSAs. Check out the videos and learn more about how to get involved with Joining Forces.

To see Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg's PSAs, just

Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson Talk Tintin and Not Taking No For an Answer

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:50:34 PDT

Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson team up on the upcoming film The Adventures of Tintin (Spielberg in the director's chair and Jackson as producer), and the motion capture animated film opened Hall H at Comic-Con this morning. The film is based on a European comic strip about an ambitious reporter, and features the voices of Daniel Craig, Simon Pegg, and Jamie Bell. After the panel, Spielberg and Jackson did a press conference with reporters to talk more about what it was like making the film. Here are some highlights:

On feeling more comfortable with live action films:
Peter Jackson: "We can't use computers, either of us. I can hardly send emails."

On working with actors in motion capture, where they don't have costumes or makeup:
Steven Spielberg: "It all comes down to the actors looking each other in the eyes, that's where all the comedy or the drama happens. The truth of those performance is when they're acting together. Actors just need each other to act together. I think that's the secret of great acting: you have to bring your imagination to the part."

On making movies in the digital age:
SS: "It may be a digital era, but it's still an analog era in terms of telling a good story. There's nothing of greater importance than the story. . . . The medium is not the message but the characters, and the story and the plot is. If any movie is working, hopefully how it was made is not a concern - you only want to have a good time."

On Tintin being a movie for a wide audience:
SS: "This movie I'm making for all of you. Some movies I make for myself, when the subject matter is very sensitive and very personal. But there are other kinds of genre films that I need to make for the audience. And Tintin is just such a movie."

On identifying with Tintin:
SS: "Tintin is a intrepid, tenacious reporter who often becomes part of the story. I identify with Tintin in the sense that he does not take no for answer, and that has been the story of my life."

On what they learned about each other as filmmakers:
PJ: "The thing that surprised me is given Steven's huge body of work and the incredible films that he's made, I thought Steven would have a kind of a process, and I was looking forward to seeing it. But what I discovered is that Steven walks into the set and, it's like the first time he's walked on to a film set. It's a childish - I mean that in a positive way - excitement and enthusiasm that I wasn't expecting, and it's very inspiring."

SS: "I was surprised at how patient and thoughtful Peter is. He doesn't let anything rattle him. He's a problem solver; he likes to look at a challenge from different angles and makes the best choice to solve a problem. We were in a way like two code breakers trying to figure this movie out together. Like two scientists in a lab trying to make something work. No ego, no competition. We're both on the same page: two Tintin fanboys trying to bring this movie to life."

The Adventures of Tintin Trailer: Spielberg Ups the Animated Action

Shannon Vestal — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:34:49 PDT

Even if you aren't familiar with The Adventures of Tintin, the classic European comic about a brave young reporter, you'll still be intrigued by the trailer for the film if you're an action movie fan. Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson are producers for The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn, the action-packed story about Tintin as he follows a tip about a sunken ship of treasure. We're talking shipwrecks, chase scenes, and gunfire - not your usual kids' stuff, which makes me feel like this movie has a ton of appeal.

Plus, the film features the voices of actors Daniel Craig, Jamie Bell (as Tintin himself), and Simon Pegg, so at the very least, the preview is worth watching to hear them. Watch it and let me know if this trailer makes you more excited for this flick when you

Gwyneth Paltrow Is Red Hot in a Tiny Bikini on Vacation With Apple, Moses, and the Spielbergs

Lauren Turner — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 14:50:59 PDT

Gwyneth Paltrow threw on a skimpy red bikini during a trip to Porto Cervo Saturday. She was with her kids, Apple and Moses, and godfather Steven Spielberg and his wife Kate Capshaw for the Italian getaway. The group spent the day on the beach throwing a Frisbee, paddle-boarding, and swimming. Steven had his video camera out to capture the fun outing, and Kate toasted Gwyneth with a cold drink during lunch in the shade. Gwyneth was a little more covered up in a maxi dress when she, Steven, and Kate headed into town later that evening to shop with Apple and Moses. Yesterday the whole crew hung out on Steven's yacht and Gwyneth even took Moses for a spin on a jet-ski. Gwyneth's brother Jake also joined her for the family vacation, though her husband, Chris Martin, didn't attend since he was performing with Coldplay at a music festival in Scotland.

War Horse Trailer: Steven Spielberg's Epic Equestrian War Story

Shannon Vestal — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 08:32:12 PDT

I don't know why, but I've always had kind of a thing for horse movies (I blame Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken). Preying on my weakness is Steven Spielberg, who has adapted the young adult book War Horse. The story follows the friendship between a boy, Albert, and his horse, Joey, set in Europe just before World War I. When Albert and Joey are separated during the war, the horse's odyssey become much more interesting than his human counterpart, and we follow Joey on his adventure and the people he meets along the way.

Though there are a few famous faces here, like Emily Watson, David Thewlis, and Tom Hiddleston, this first teaser is all about newcomer Jeremy Irvine as Albert and his horsey companion. Paired with the WWI backdrop and soaring soundtrack, this movie has an undeniably epic feel. Watch it when you

Buzz Time Machine: The Original E.T. Trailer

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 11:06:29 PDT

Super 8 opens today, and it has already garnered comparison to '80s classic E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial for its sci-fi theme, similar era, and young main characters. There's another reason to group them together: E.T. director Steven Spielberg produced Super 8.

The jury's still out on whether audiences will respond to the new movie the way they do to the iconic 1982 flick, but let's throw it back for fun right now and check out the original trailer for E.T. when you

Super 8: Beware the Hype Monster

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 07:28:17 PDT

I dare you to say that you're not curious about Super 8, J.J. Abrams's 1979-set film about a group of kids who witness a spectacular train crash. The film has generated a lot of hype for what it doesn't show in trailers and promos, and it's the mystery that's the big draw. The previews do reveal that something escapes the crash and then stalks and terrorizes a small Midwestern town, which Abrams uses as a premise for a sentimental, nostalgia-filled portrait of a group of boys making a movie.

Joel Courtney leads the charge as Joe, a sensitive boy who has just lost his mother in an accident. He and his newly widowed father (Kyle Chandler) are figuring out how to get along with each other without the woman of the house while dealing with their grief. Joe's group of buds help distract him from his home life, as they fill their Summer vacation by making a movie for an amateur film festival. When they're filming a climactic scene near the train tracks, they watch - and film - an intense accident that has some pretty distressing repercussions. With Steven Spielberg on hand as producer, Super 8 often feels like one of his classic sci-fi standbys, but it's just not quite as memorable. However, it's still a fun, heart-pumping ride (the train crash is one of the best action sequences I've seen in a long time). To find out what else I thought, just

read more. The movie owes a great deal of its charm to its disarming young cast. They're wonderfully drawn: there's bossy director Charles, firework-loving Cary, hopeful actor Preston and wide-eyed Martin. Their all-boy dynamic is unsettled when they add a girl to the cast, and Alice (Elle Fanning) shakes up the production with her sophistication and impressive acting skills. She also represents an element of growing up; the boys are on the verge of discovering girls, but the movie doesn't push it any farther than the first blush of a crush. It's very innocent in that way; ultimately, Alice, Joe's mother's death, and the ensuing crisis become key factors in the boys' coming of age. Abrams is a master of the creepy buildup. Mysterious objects show up in the train crash, the town's dogs run away, electronics go missing. Then, while you're trying to figure out what it all means, he brings out the thriller as the monster begins attacking unsuspecting townspeople. Unfortunately, Abrams isn't a master of follow-through, and there are many loose ends that never get tied up. Super 8's other shortcoming is in its inability to choose a distinct genre; it wavers between coming-of-age tale, a monster movie, and then a family drama. But, this is still a highly entertaining movie. It's worth it to see for the buoyant sense of humor and the jaw-dropping, spine-chilling moments, even if it doesn't quite live up to expectations.