My Eulogy For The Death of Actress Jennifer Lawrence.

Hollywood, CA—27 year-old Jennifer Lawrence was gorgeous, seriously talented and her smile captivated millions just like me. What could possibly go wrong?  

Our nation became even more divided politically as well as emotionally since the 2016 election and Hollywood overwhelmingly chose the loosing side of the Left.  

Lawrence got caught up in the wild clammer and used her ample media face time to promote her raw hatred for our duly elected president and his supporters instead of promoting her work products.  Expressed hatred is never pretty. 

We all have a First Amendment right to say what we please.  However people selling products run huge financial risks of offending large percentages of their customers or in this case ticket buying fans. 

I was a diehard fan of Lawrence.  She captured my full attention when she appeared in, American Hustle. I meet her very briefly at a screening of that terrific film. I then watched her young career soar beyond all expectations. 

Suddenly her latest film, Mother tanked at the box office.  Was it a bad film?  I don’t intend to find out.  I’ve really lost all interest in Lawrence, her talent and would even take a pass at a second chance to meet her again today.

Lawrence has suddenly announced that she would take a break from acting.  The fact is she had nothing on her film calendar for the next two years anyway.  Her agent, Tracy Brennen at CAA will lose a bundle too!

A similar hard lesson was learned by The Dixie Chicks.  They became a Liberal political force that alienated their mostly Conservative, Country Western fan base.   Their rising careers ended right then and there. Their later attempt at a “comeback tour” was yet another disaster. 

Hollywood’s celebrities are quickly shedding huge portions of their fan base with their emotional and hateful political rants.  This Summer’s film box office take was at record lows. 

I don’t believe in boycotts especially of any form of art and entertainment.  I have however reached my saturation point when it comes to me being disappointed by so many entertainers I once admired, appreciated and patronized with my hard earned cash.  

A-List actress, Meryl Streep put herself directly in the political meat grinder during the last Oscar Awards ceremony.  However she was nearly at the end of her career and had nothing to lose compared to Lawrence. 

Jennifer, you didn’t have to die so young.  

Finally! The Simpsons Meet Celebrated Dutch Actress Carice van Houten!

Carice van Houten Guest Stars on THE SIMPSONS!

Los Angeles, CA—It was no secret that my favorite actress, Carice van Houten loves The Simpsons! I knew she made a stop on her last visit to L.A. to the Pico Ave Fox Studios to the Simpsons sound stage.  Van Houten left proudly sporting a Simpson’s souvenir jacket.

Carice van Houten is probably best known as the Red Witch, Melisandre in the wildly popular HBO series, Game of Thrones.   She’s also the winner of five, Golden Calf awards (The Dutch equivalent of our Oscar Award).  

Van Houten’s amazing talent first blew me away as the star of my all time favorite dramatic film, Paul Verhoeven’s, Black Book.   Now van Houten has found herself as guest star on the Simpsons.    Her character named Anneke van Houten will debut on the May 3rd episode.

This incredibly talented actress comes from a gifted Dutch family that’s deeply routed in in art, music, television and theater.  Aside from having great music and acting chops van Houten has mastered several languages including German, English and French. 

The album, See You On The Ice is a hit in Europe but has not been promoted well in the USA.  It was a labor of love for van Houten along with co-writer, producer and master international musician, Ken Stringfellow.  I love that album that’s entirely in English and available on iTunes.

Van Houten has had limited success in the USA being cast in such films as Valkyrie, Repo Men and The Fifth Estate. 

In coming months van Houten will appear in the both the Jessie Owen’s biopic, Race and Blumhouse Production’s, Incarnate.  Of course there are other film in various stages of development waiting to exploit van Houten’s exceptional talents.

Comedy has never been lost on van Houten who was raised partially on Laurel and Hardy films. Her great sense of humor is showcased on many six second Vine.com films and pictures all over the Internet.

Hopefully Crimefile News can land a video interview of van Houten for this blog.  This actress is a real star that is Oscar quality in every respect.  I’m confident she will be cast in the right film where we will see that happen.

In the mean time very soon we will enjoy a bit of silliness that The Simpsons are known for with my favorite star! 

Will Carice van Houten Finely Make the Hollywood “A” List?

Los Angeles, CA— My favorite film of all times is Paul Verhoeven’s, Black Book.  It’s a subtitled German/Dutch film primarily in the Dutch language that’s based on a true story.  The principal protagonist is a sexy Jewish nightclub singer, Rachel Stein that fled the Nazis in Berlin for the Netherlands during the war.  She somehow winds up in the Dutch Resistance for some incredibly dangerous adventures.  It’s also a love story.

The leading lady playing that character is my absolute favorite actress, Carice van Houten who won this role of a lifetime.  The role required acting in different languages, singing and some dancing.  Van Houten was magnificent.  This was Verhoeven’s best film ever and the entire cast and crew were absolutely awesome. 

Van Houten was jaw dropping terrific! There was no emotion she did not absolutely own in this thriller film.  That kind of talent takes years of serious discipline and hard work to develop and master.   

As a result of Black Book and other films Van Houten is a huge celebrity in Europe. She also won a coveted role in HBO’s, Game of Thrones playing Melisandre, The Red Witch.  She’s won five Golden Calf Awards in the Netherlands for her acting.  She also has a great music album on iTunes called, See You On The Ice.  Take a listen and you will like it.  I play it in my car as I drive around L.A.

Getting cast in what I’d call hefty roles in American films has eluded van Houten.  She was recently cast as the Female lead in a Blumehouse production’s low budget horror film, Incarnate.  She plays opposite of actor Aaron Eckhart.  The release date for that project has not yet been announced.  Blumehouse Productions has found serious box office success for their films and I certainly won’t miss this one.

This incredibly talented woman slips into L.A. and New York virtually unnoticed.  She quietly gets off planes taking the shuttle to a car rental agency like the rest of us and goes about her business.  She shops, goes to inexpensive L.A. health clubs to work out with little notice.  

If I have my way van Houten will have a major star’s entourage and bodyguards!  I want to see this woman on the Oscar Award's Red Carpet where she belongs! 

Twice in the last year, van Houten has walked Hollywood’s lesser Red Carpets.  Once for the Third Season Premier of, Game of Thrones.  The last time was at the SAG Awards where Game of Thrones was nominated for an award.  

As van Houten walked the Red Carpet alone and the reporters and photographers are clueless as to just who she is without her character’s huge red wig.   Thankfully my friend Frank Fastner from the German TV network RTL spotted van Houten grabbing her for the only interview (She gave it in the German language) that I’m aware she gave.  At least it was exclusive!

Somebody somehow failed to send an advance publicist on van Houten’s behalf to prepare for the press gauntlet.  This is routinely done for lesser known stars so when they arrive so the media members could ask her the right questions and give them proper face time on the entertainment shows.  Instead of seriously needed interviews van Houten had to settle for a few pictures.

Van Houten is represented by Tracy Brennan at the powerhouse, Creative Artist’s Agency and has a wonderful manager in Amsterdam, Janey van Ierland.   CAA should do better for van Houten before their competition snatches this major talent away from them.

Frankly I’m disappointed that this talented lady is not put up for the kind of roles we see given to Cate Blanchet or Sandra Bullock.  In case you were wondering van Houten’s English is flawless and when she’s acting she masks her accent really well.

I hope that on van Houten’s next trip to L.A. she will find the time to do a video interview with me for my blog.  I want my visitors to love her talent like I do.  More importantly I want every film producer, director and casing director to know that she really rocks! 

If you’ve not seen Black Book, you must!  Here is the trailer:

Mel Gibson Deserves Forgiveness and a Break!

Los Angeles, CA—We’ve all seen Mel Gibson at his best on the silver screen.

We’ve seen him at his worst when he was arrested for DUI and in a much over reported disastrous relationship with an unfortunate gold-digger.

Hollywood has blackballed this terrific actor and director.  Mel Gibson wants to work and he deserves the ability to create more blockbuster films.  Like it or not there is only one Mel Gibson.

Robert Downey, Jr. hit bottom and did a prison stretch too. Downey got out cleaned up but was unemployable.  He had more chapters to write in his interrupted career.  Downey was no longer insurable and despite his immense talent was through as an actor.  That was until Mel Gibson stepped in and covered the insurance for Downey.

Downey rebounded like a slingshot and film audiences and were never disappointed.  That was because of Gibson’s generosity and humanity. 

I know that Gibson is looking for new sources of funding for his film projects.  The door to Hollywood has been locked tightly but Gibson has moved on with good behavior for the last decade.  It’s time for the big talent agencies and producers to put this man back to work. 

Gibson has eight children to support and get through college.  Must Gibson’s  kids have to suffer too? At what point will Gibson’s social debt be paid?

It’s time for Hollywood to now show some kindness and faith to Gibson as he did Downey.  We all learn from example, and the Hollywood elite should now lead the way.   It should begin in the office of the head honcho, Ari Emanuel at Creative Artist’s Agency with an offer of representation extended to Gibson.

Frankly it would be a sound business practice.

Amsterdam’s Metro News has Suddenly Tolled Actress Carice van Houten’sCareer!

Amsterdam, NL—I read a rude and troubling story in Amsterdam's Metro News this morning.  It said that that the Netherlands’s most accomplished and award winning actress Carice van Houten is past her prime and probably won’t be able to make waves in Hollywood.

First let me say that van Houten looks young, wonderful and works out religiously to stay fit.  This beautiful and talented Dutch actress still has exactly what it takes to take Hollywood by storm.

Currently van Houten plays the role of Melisandre in HBO’s Game of Thrones.  

She has starred in a terrific Paul Verhoeven film, Black Book as a Dutch Resistance spy and hero.  Along the way she made several other films.

If there is something unfortunate about van Houten’s Game of Thrones role is that hoods, capes and a long red wig cover her.  That made van Houten nearly unrecognizable to American journalists when she walked the Red Carpet for the show’s third season premier in Hollywood last year.   

Not only can van Houten act but also she can sing as she did in Black Book.  Musical director Anne Dutton created a period musical score for that film that van Houten really brought it to life.

Today's Metro’s article cites current and somewhat accurate research showing that acting roles seem to dwindle for women past their 34^th year.  Then the Metro jerk rudely reminds us that van Houten is 37!

There are a few exceptions to these unwritten film career rules like actresses Glen Close and Meryl Streep. 

There is an undeniable sexiness and charm maintained by van Houten that should keep her fresh for many more years.  I hope  her manager Janey van Ierland (Nummer19) and agent, Tracy Brennan, (CAA) will aggressively continue to market her to film producers and casting directors rather than to give in to a false prophecy.  

When it comes to leading ladies van Houten performs right at the very top.  Casting directors and producers should keep their eyes open to make their films really sparkle with van Houten's amazing talents.  Van Houten can really make a good film great. 

You will be seeing van Houten in upcoming American films such as Incarnate from Blumehouse Productions. 

Two other known projects are in development, Broken, from Paradoxal and a biopic film; Garbo where the lookalike van Houten will play that legendary actress.

I hope to see van Houten take the lead role in a script I have written about a young woman who was wrongfully convicted of murder spending 23 years on Arizona’s Death Row.

It would be indeed tragic if Hollywood does not fully exploit Van Houten’s entire gift as an exciting and energetic performer.  The losers would be the deprived audience and Hollywood’s financial investors.

AN UPDATE!

As that Amsterdam rag, Metro was suggesting van Houten was finished real entertainment news was published by Hollywood’s Variety!

In Berlin a deal is being inked for a biopic film called, RACE on 1936 Olympic legend Jessie Owens who picked up four Gold Medals right before Adolf Hitler’s own eyes.

The film will star newcomer UK actor, John Boyega as Owens and he will be joined Jeremy Irons and Geoffrey Rush in this film.  The director is going to be Stephen Hopkins.

Presently they are fighting to bring Carice van Houten in to play Hitler’s pioneer filmmaker; Leni Riefenstahl.

Riefenstahl created a cinematic masterpiece filming the 1936 games with camera techniques that are still copied and used today in Hollywood.

Riefenstahl is a rich historical character who aligned herself with the Nazis to enabled her to make films with bottomless budgets.  

Riefenstahl's work was so well done that when the war ended they wanted to try her as a war criminal. 

Thankfully cooler heads prevailed and Riefenstahl was able to continue her work, unfortunately without the budgets she was used to having.

I know this will have a terrific script and can’t wait to see the film.

“Micro-Budget” Film May Be a Winner For a Terrific Dutch Actress

The multi-talented Carice van Houten

Los Angeles, CA—Carice van Houten is not well known yet in the USA.  She’s well represented at CAA by Tracy Brennan and managed by Janey van Ierland at Nummer19 in the Netherlands.  This very beautiful actress has both a pretty agent and gorgeous manager too!  I hope to meet this delightful trio someday!

Van Houten won the role of a lifetime in Paul Verhoeven’s film Black Book based on a true story.  That happens to be my all time favorite film about a young and sexy Jewish nightclub singer who was hiding from the Nazis in the Netherlands during the war.   Van Houten’s character by circumstances was recruited to join the Dutch Underground in this great thriller.  By all means get the film from Netflix or Amazon.com and see it.

Van Houten also landed a somewhat small but important role as Nina Von Stauffenberg, the wife of Tome Cruise’s character in the Brian Singer, Chris McQuarrie film Valkyrie.  Van Houten can be see in a meatier role as Melisandre on the HBO Series, Game of Thrones.  Van Houten can also be seen right now in theaters as Brigitta Jonsdottir in, The Fifth Estate

I leaned one thing early on about van Houten.  She absolutely rocks as an actress.  She is totally fearless as does complex and difficult scenes making them look so easy.  She never lets her ego get in the way of bringing the words of a script to life. Additionally van Houten's language and dialect skills are amazing!

Van Houten also has a great record album out on iTunes called See You on The Ice.  I listen to that as I drive around L.A.  All the songs are in English, my favorite being Particle of Light.  I also have the soundtrack from Black Book, which has a wonderful rendition of 100 Years From Today.

Van Houten just landed a lead role in a Jason Blume production of Incarnate.  Blume is a visionary filmmaker in that he makes so-called micro budget horror films.  His films have been incredible moneymakers because they are cheap to produce and they attract a large audience. 

The best example of a micro-budget film ever was George Romero’s Night of The Living Dead.  The cash register is still ringing for that old classic.

Blumehouse Productions has luckily landed van Houten to play opposite of Aaron Eckhart as the parents of a possessed nine year-old child.  This project was penned by script scribe, Ronnie Christensen and is being directed by Brad Peyton.  They are filming the project right now for a yet to be announced release date.  I wish the cast, crew and investors great success.

I hope to somehow land a video interview of van Houten someday soon if her manager or agent will allow her to do that with a smalltime blogger like me.  The only bigger thrill for me would be to dust of my Screen Actor’s Guild membership card to do a few scenes with her in some film.  I could play her father or perhaps boss. 

I actually wrote a script that is perfect for van Houten that’s been suddenly getting some needed attention lately.  All the stars would have to align before that happens and frankly the odds are somewhat against it. 

I’m hoping that American audiences will discover van Houten.  I was shocked to see media reporters and photographers asking van Houten what part she was playing at a Hollywood premier of the third season of Game of Thrones.  In fairness perhaps it was the missing vast mane of red hair Melisandre has that threw these guys off.  

Soon van Houten may be a Hollywood acting legend.  By the way van Houten has a project in development to play Gretta Garbo in a biopic film.  They do have an amazing resemblance. 

I will leave you with a couple of videos of van Houten in action:

Particle of Light from See You On The ICE

This was the German Premier of Black Book with director Paul Verhoeven, Carice van Houten, Sebastian Koch and others.  I speak German and know I missed a terrific event.

The Berlin Portion of The Fifth Estate Spielberg Film has Wraped!, by Paul Huebl

Berlin, Germany— The principal Berlin photography involved with, The Fifth Estate is finished and now they are off to Belgium for the rest of the production.  I can’t wait to see the final product. This is yet another milestone for Studio Bablesberg located in one of my favorite cities.

Governments have a terrible habit of lying to their citizens, as they get involved in deadly adventures and intrigue that few rational people would approve.   This is a story about the failure of civilized nations to engage in honorable diplomacy.

Investigative Journalist, hacker and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange risked his life and liberty to expose the truth to the citizens of the world.  Today there is a price on Assange’s head.  The government and people of Ecuador are protecting him from imprisonment in any number of nations.

Any great effort like the wildly successful WikiLeaks website brings conflict even among friends and this film explores that and other issues.  In most circles Assange is hated and considered a traitor.  I see it differently.  I find it very difficult to accept that exposing the truth is somehow wrong. 

As a journalist Assange is a hero.  Long ago the late, George Orwell so adequately said, “Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed: everything else is public relations.”  Assanage sure brought out the dogs when he published thousand of secret cables that exposed government treachery, dishonesty and hostility.   I can’t fault him for exposing the truth.  I don't think this film will speak well for Assange but we will wait and see. 

Steven Spielberg’s Dreamworks is producing this sure to become a blockbuster film.  It’s based upon the writings of Daniel Domscheit-Berg and Luke Harding.

Film director Bill Condon molded a troupe of fine actors into this fascinating story.  Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Brühl, Carice van Houten and one of my favorite American actresses Laura Linney star in this film.

I have a special fondness for the multi-talented Dutch actress Carice van Houten’s fine work.  I hope to somehow obtain a video interview with her about the challenges she’s faced in her career when she visits Los Angeles later this month.  That will depend on how much time she can spare for Crimefile News.  Ms. Van Houten’s name surely will be exploding on American theater marques over the next few years.  Of course if I can land that interview you will see it right here at Crimefile News.