Leni Riefenstahl Carice van Houten Berlin, Germany —I first talked about this last February when there was a tease article in Variety Magazine . The Jessie Owens story is coming to the big screen.   The film titled, Race  is starring  Stephan James   as Owens and he is joined Jeremy Irons  and William Hurt in this film.     Stephen Hopkins is directing the film.  Shooting  began this week in Berlin. The multi-talented Dutch actress, Carice van Houten  who happens to be my personal favorite has signed on to play the legendary German film director Leni Riefenstahl . Van Houten was cast in the once in a lifetime role of the accidental Dutch resistance hero, Rachel Stein / Ellis de Vries in Paul Verhoeven’s film, Black Book (2006).   That’s still is my favorite film of all time! Today, van Houten graces the Game of Game of Thrones  cast as the Red Priestess, Melisandre . Riefenstahl was a gorgeous dancer and...

Amsterdam, NL --It’s with a heavy heart that I mourn with you the loss of so many of your best and brightest people that were killed by the senseless destruction Malaysia Airlines flight #MH 17 . I have such fond memories of my visits to your nation rich with beauty, art and some of the friendliest people anywhere.  I can’t wait for my next visit to Holland where I’m sure I’ll visit with old friends and make some new ones.  I deeply respect the legendary Dutch heroes that risked torture and death resisting the Nazis during their brutal occupation.  Few nations in the world can boast such an artistic, well-educated and productive population.  I’m horrified that the remains of your loved ones are decomposing in the field of wreckage after being robbed of jewelry and other valuables.   This just adds to the misery for the friends and families of these innocent victims.   I beg that the International Community  demands that these ...

Film Director Paul Verhoeven directs a scene from Black Book Berlin, Germany --I’m blessed in recent years to have made some wonderful German friends that work in the German film industry as filmmakers or are involved with film funding.   If you’ve not noticed, Germany has become very serious about making great films.  Many of them are being made in English!  The best is yet to come!  My all time favorite film is Black Book .  That terrific film was funded in part through generous German government film funding .  This exciting, Paul Verhoeven , World War Two thriller is actually filmed in mostly Dutch but also in German, English and some Yiddish depending on when and where the scene take place.  Most of the European stars speak English and none better than Carice van Houten who won the, once in a lifetime staring role of the accidental hero, Rachel Stein . Europe is a linguistic melting pot.  Italians, French, Germans, Dutch, ...

Las Vegas, NV -While attending this years SHOT Show I took my inexpensive Panasonic Lumix digital camera and shot some video out the window.  I added a little music courtesy of my favorite actress Carice van Houten for the mood. Trust me she will put you in the mood! 100 Years From Today is an old song from the 1930’s that was used in the great Paul Verhoeven film, Black Book .  Van Houten is the undisputed star of that great 2006 movie based on World War Two reality. 

Amsterdam, NL —Okay, I’m obsessed!  I love the arts, theater and of course, music.   There are those artists that entertain us all.   God given talent and the ability to face the world and perform seems to be handed to a chosen few.  Carice van Houten is at the very top of my list of terrific performers. Yes, people are born with talent but without hard work and serious dedication it may all be wasted.  Carice has incredible acting chops, best described by film director Paul Verhoeven .   Vehoeven said, “Carice is beautiful like Sharon Stone (Basic Instinct), but she can act!”  This was not really a slight to Stone’s ability but his recognition that Carice has a rare and special magic.   I certainly don’t discount Verhoeven’s ability to get all that an actor can possibly give in a performance. To give a great performance an actor must forget the cameras, audience and simply put aside their ego.  They must actu...

Amsterdam, N L—The incredibly talented actress Carice van Houten is apparently at an impasse in her life whether to continue acting or to take on a singing career.   At this juncture she’s told several publications that she’s having more fun singing.  She’s about to give her first concert with Rufus Wainright later this month in this beautiful city of the Dutch Masters.  Van Houten is a terrific actress that has not really gotten a solid foothold in the U.S.  The Paul Verhoeven film, Black Book showcased the actress’ beauty and many talents.  The problem was the film was mostly in Dutch and subtitled.  It did not get the kind of distribution and promotion it deserved.  Of course in Europe it was a genuine hit.  For me personally, it was the best film I’ve seen to date. Van Houten was given the role of Nina Von Stauffenberg in the film Valkyrie starring Tom Cruiz.   Unfortunately Valkyrie’s producers and writers did not ...

Amsterdam, The Netherlands —In this incredibly beautiful city there is no shortage of art, entertainment or excitement.  It’s a natural place for the terrific actress, singer and world-class entertainer, Carice van Houten  who is a child of Holland.    I fell in love with Carice’s many talents when she starred in the Paul Verhoeven Film, Black Book .  I expect this incredible and exciting young woman to be getting an Oscar bound film role any day.    Carice completed a brand new album,  See You On The Ice  which is due to be released on ITunes on September 28 .   Carice was a guest on a Dutch DJ’s radio show and sang two selections from her album.  This sneak peek was a real treat for me to watch and now I must pass her on to you! At the very top of my Bucket List is winning a video interview of Carice for this blog! Somehow I think that will happen when I'm in Amsterdam or Carice is in L.A. Black Boo...

The lovely and talented Carice Van Houten ROCKS! Amsterdam, NL —The amazing actress, singer and talented performer Carice van Houten has released a new music video, Emily .  This is part of an album, See You on the Ice , that’s being released and will be available very soon on ITunes .    Van Houten, a multiple Golden Calf award winner simply owns her audience on everything she does.  She’s mastered her native language Dutch along with impeccable English and German.  I discovered her multiple talents in the fabulous Pa ul Verhoeven film, Black Book . She is a regular performer in the Game of Thrones.   She can also be seen with Holly Hunter in a new film called Jackie .   Carice is considering a film project right now that I’m involved with but, Carice is in demand everywhere.  The America audiences will soon be discovering her simply because she’s fearless and unstoppable!  I hope to be able to interview that great la...