CHARACTER IN FOCUS: Natasha Fatale, "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle" (2000)

Rene Russo, Robert de Niro and Jason Alexander tied by the flying squirrel..
(photo - Universal Pictures)

Like I said last post, The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle movie was based on the 50's and 60's cartoon of the same name... and Natasha Fatale, portrayed by Rene Russo in the 2000 movie and legendary voice actress June Foray in the cartoon, has the same character overview: a spy from fictional city Pottsylvania.  

Rene Russo, beautiful and chic as always, even with a wig!
(photo - Universal Pictures)

Natasha, along with Boris Badenov, played by Jason Alexander (Seinfeld, The Paper), takes orders from the nation leader, Fearless Leader, portrayed by Robert De Niro (who worked with Ms. Russo in Showtime and The Intern, and also known for his work in Martin Scorsese movies). And all their villanies are interrupted by Rocky J. Squirrel. 

And one curiosity: the name "Natasha Fatale" was inspired in femme fatale, with emphasis on "fatal". She is known for being a sharp, looking woman, and Rene has these attributes. 

Rene Russo, Jason Alexander and Robert de Niro in the beginning of the movie!
(photo - Universal Pictures)

For Natasha's composition, beyond her beautiful clothes, she wears a black wig (like in the cartoon), due to the fact Rene's hair was red and short for her previous movie, Thomas Crown Affair (1999). With or without a wig, Rene looks always gorgeous!!!! 

Hope u like it. 

loveuguys.

xoxoxo

ME

The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle (MOVIE REVIEW)

Official poster of The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (2000), directed by Des McAnuff,
and starring Rene Russo, Robert de Niro & Jason Alexander.
(photo - Universal Pictures)

Director: Des McAnuff.

Producers: Robert de Niro and Jane Rosenthal.

Writter: Kenneth Lonergan.

Main Cast: 

June Foray ---------- Rocky J. Squirrel / Animated Natasha Fatale / Narrator's Mother.

Keith Scott -------- Bullwinkle J. Moose / Animated Fearless Leader / Animated Boris Badenov / Narrator

Piper Perabo ------ Karen Sympathy

Jason Alexander ----- Boris Badenov

Rene Russo ------ Natasha Fatale

Robert De Niro ---- Fearless Leader

Randy Quaid ----- Cappy von Treatment

Janeane Garofalo --- Minnie Mogul

Kenan Thompson ---- Lewis

Kel Mitchell ----- Martin

Jason Alexander and Rene Russo (chic as always) as Boris and Natasha.
(photo - Universal Pictures).

Release Date: June 30, 2000 (USA) / October 13, 2000 (Brazil)
Running Time: 92 min.
Budget / Box office: $76 million / $35.1 million (box office bomb).
Plot Summary: 35 years after the cartoon cancellation, Rocky (voice of June Foray) and Bullwinkle (voice of Keith Scott) have been living off the reruns of television, and to make things worse, the flying squirrel lost its ability to fly and the Frostbite Falls woods had no trees, literally.
... and in Pottsylvania, land of Natasha (Rene Russo), Boris Badenov (Jason Alexander, of Seinfeld) and Fearless Leader (Robert de Niro, of Goodfellas & Casino, among others), the Iron Curtain has fallen and the villains dig a tunnel all way through Hollywood.  

Rene Russo, Jason Alexander and Robert de Niro, when they got out of the TV.
(photo - Universal Pictures)

Producer Minnie Mogul (Janeane Garofalo, of Reality Bites) signs a contract, giving her the rights to produce the Rocky and Bullwinkle Movie, and accidentally pulls the three villains out of the TV, turning them into humans! Now, they have an evil plan to hypnotize America, using RBTV (Really Bad TeleVision), making everyone's mind mush, so he can go on to the TV, and get everyone to vote him President of the USA! 

However, new FBI Agent Karen Sympathy (Piper Perabo, of Show Bar & Cheaper by the Dozen) has an assignment--get the only ones who could ever defeat the villains- Rocky and Bullwinkle. 

Using a green light lighthouse, Rocky and Bullwinkle (and their Narrator) are sucked out of the TV world, and to real life as 3D computer-generated characters! With all of America being hypnotized, and Fearless Leader's evil speech in 48 hours, and Boris and Natasha giving chase, planning to use a computer laser to send destroy moose and squirrel, it's Rocky, Bullwinkle, and Karen on a hilarious, pun-filled, and cameo-filled adventure to New York by plane, car, truck, hoof, flying squirrel, and yes, e-mail, to stop Fearless Leader and save America.

Rene Russo, voice actress June Foray and Jason Alexander on Rocky and Bullwinkle premiere,
in 2000. (photo - Archive Pictures)

Fun Facts about the movie:

• Based on the cartoon The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle & Friends, created by Jay Ward.
• Rene Russo met June Foray at the film's table reading. By her own account, Russo was very nervous about taking on the role of Natasha Fatale and requested Foray to demonstrate the voice. Foray graciously obliged.
• Rene Russo, beyond the chic clothes, also wore a black wig to portray Natasha Fatale. 
• And also it was the first out of three movies Rene Russo and Robert de Niro worked together; the other 2 were Showtime (2002) and The Intern (2015).
• And in 2018, there was a animated version, available on Amazon, with the voices of Brad Norman (Bullwinkle), Tara Strong (Rocky), Rachel Butera (Natasha) and Benjamin Diskin (Boris).

Critical Reception:

• IMDB: 4,2/10
• Rotten Tomatoes 43% (based on 96 reviews)
• Metacritic: 36/100

Awards:

Rene Russo and Jason Alexander were nominated, respectively, for a Saturn Award of Best Supporting Actress and Supporting Actor.

Hope u like it.

loveuguys

xoxoxo

ME

CHARACTER IN FOCUS: Fiona Farwell, "The Intern" (2015)

Rene & Robert De Niro: between laughs.
(photo - Warner Bros. Pictures)

We all know Ms. Rene Russo in great roles, such as Lorna Cole in Lethal Weapon 3 (1992), Catherine Banning in Thomas Crown Affair (1999), or even Nina Romina in Nightcrawler (2014). 

Now in The Intern (2014), Rene plays a small role, Fiona Farwell. She is the masseuse of About the Fit, the marketing company in which the movie is all set in, and in which Ben (Robert De Niro) and Jules (Anne Hathaway) work in. And even though, Ms. Russo does the role very well!

Rene Russo between Adam DeVine (known for Pitch Perfect) and Robert de Niro. Such a wonderful lady!!!
(photo - Warner Bros. Pictures)

When Ms. Farwell enters massaging Mr. Ben Whittaker, it's just relaxing and wonderful, and Rene Russo never loses her beauty, as always. Her hands are just like fairy hands, always soft. "He's quiet, but he has a great sense of humor", says Ms. Russo about De Niro, working for the third time (the others were "Rocky and Bullwinkle" , in 2000, and "Showtime" in 2002). 

Rene massaging Mr. De Niro: such a relaxing massage!
(photo - Warner Bros. Pictures)

While filming the movie, Rene's beauty caught lots of attention ! According to the British site The Daily Mail, while filming the funeral scene, Rene looked sooooo stunning in her figure-flattering knee-length frock, which featured three-quarter sleeves and a flowy A-line skirt with horizontal panels, paired with simple black pointed high-heels.

She carried a small black handbag over one shoulder and kept her accessories to a minimum, with little more than small stud earrings and two delicate gold bracelets completing her look.

She wore her long locks in tumbling loose curls, her face framed by a sideswept fringe.

Her make-up was fresh and complementary, allowing her natural beauty to shine.

Hope u like it !

loveuguys.

xoxoxo

ME

The Intern (MOVIE REVIEW)

Poster for the movie The Intern, starring Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway
and Rene Russo (photo credits - Warner Bros. Pictures)

Director: Nancy Meyers (known for directing It's Complicated, The Holliday & Something's Gotta Give; and producing Father of the Bride & I Love Trouble). 

Produced by: Nancy Meyers & Suzanne Farwell.

Written by: Nancy Meyers.

Main cast:

Robert De Niro ---- Benjamin Whittaker (Ben)

Anne Hathaway --- Jules Ostin 

Rene Russo ---- Fiona Farwell

Anders Holm --- Matt

Adam DeVine --- Jason

Zack Pearlman --- Davis

Nat Wolff ---- Justin

JoJo Kushner --- Paige 

Rene Russo and Robert de Niro as Fiona and Ben.
(photo credits - Warner Bros. Pictures)

Release Date: September 25, 2015 (USA) / September 24, 2015 (Brazil)

Running Time: 121 min.

Budget / Box Office: US$44 million / US$ 194,6 million (box office success)
Plot Summary: A retired 70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro, known for his work in Taxi Driver, Cape Fear, Goodfellas, etc) is bored with his retired life, so applies to be a senior intern at an online fashion retailer and gets the position. The company founder of About the Fit is Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway, of Princess Diaries & Bride Wars), a tireless and demanding workaholic, but also responsible and helpful.

Rene Russo enters massaging Robert De Niro. How cute!
(photo - Warner Bros. Pictures)

At his interview, Ben reveals he used to work for a phone book company. And for his first day at work, Mr. Whittaker tries to dress impeccable. To begin with his work, he is informed by Jules's assistant Becky (Christina Scherer) that he has a meeting with her at exactly 3:55 pm, and he should be prompt because there's another meeting at 4:00 pm. Becky also tells him to talk fast and blink a lot, because her boss is disturbed by people who do not. In the meeting, Jules informs him that she will not have much for him to do. However, she will email him if something comes up. 

During all the movie, Ben begins a relationship with the company massagist Fiona Farwell (Rene Russo), who appears massaging his back, making him more calm... It's evident that he is very attracted to her. But also Ben is committed to Jules, and even breaks into her mother's house to delete an embarrassing e-mail and avoiding to get arrested (for me that's the funniest part of this movie!!!)

Robert de Niro and Rene Russo: between excitement and laughs!
(photo - Warner Bros. Pictures.)

Unfortunately, Jules is under pressure to give up her work, because the investors feel that she is unable to cope with the workload, and she believes she'll have more time at home with her family. When driving Paige home from a party, Ben discovers that Matt is having an affair with another parent at Paige's school. While on a business trip in San Francisco to interview a potential CEO candidate, Jules reveals that she knows about Matt's cheating, but did not confront Matt about it because she was not ready to deal with it.

The ending of the movie is when Jules tries to hire a CEO to save her marriage with Matt (Anders Holm). And even Ben ending happily together with Fiona, he supports Jules in her dreams. 

Rene Russo soooo beautiful as Fiona Farwell.
(photo - Warner Bros. Pictures)

Fun Facts about the Movie:

• This movie is the third one Rene Russo worked together with Robert De Niro, along with the movies The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (2000) and Showtime (2002). 
• Director Quentin Tarantino (director of Reservoir Dogs & Pulp Fiction) said this movie is one of his favorite movies of 2015.
• This movie has some cool references to Anne Hathaway's movies, such as The Princess Diaries (2001) and The Devil Wears Prada (2006). 
• And also this movie talks real life situations, such as leadership in companies. 

Critical Reception:

• IMDB: 7,1/100
• Rotten Tomatoes: 60% (mixed)
• Metascore: 51/100
• CinemaScore: A- (A+ to F)

Hope u like it.

loveuguys.

xoxoxo

ME

RENE RUSSO FANPAGE'S VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIAL!!!

Rene's family moments in the Academy Awards: along with her husband, Dan Gilroy (left),
and along with Dan and her daughter Rose Gilroy (right). (photo: Getty Images).

While in United States Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14, in Brazil, this day is celebrated on June 12 (tomorrow).

As I said on the end of part 2 of her bio, since 1992, Rene is happily married to Dan Gilroy, and both have a beautiful daughter, Rose Gilroy, who pursues modeling since 2016. 

And what about in movies? I selected five romantic opposites with whom Rene she played: Mel Gibson, Pierce Brosnan, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman & last but not least, Jake Gyllenhaal. 

Mel Gibson, Pierce Brosnan, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman and Jake Gyllenhaal:
the 5 lucky men of the Valentine's Day Special. (collage: M.E.Serrano)

1- Mel Gibson (Lethal Weapon 3, Lethal Weapon 4 & Ransom)

Rene Russo and Mel Gibson, 1992. (photo credits: David McGough/Getty Images)

Mel Gibson is well known for doing Mad Max & Lethal Weapon franchises, Conspiracy Theory, and many others. And what's Rene Russo got to do with this story? Well, here it goes. Most of the movies Rene starred were next to Mel Gibson (3 times in total). In Lethal Weapon 3 (1992), while Lorna (Russo) and Riggs (Gibson) were comparing scars, they share a kiss together, and in Lethal Weapon 4 (1998), they work again together, now their characters are wife and husband.

But between Lethal Weapon movies, they worked together again in Ransom (1996), Mel and Rene were Tom and Kate Mullen, respectively. Both have to face their son's kidnapping, done by Jimmy Shaker (Gary Sinise, great in Apollo 13 and CSI NY)
2- Pierce Brosnan (Thomas Crown Affair)

Rene Russo and Pierce Brosnan, 1999. (photo credits: Ronald Simmoneit/Getty Images)

Pierce Brosnan is best known as roles as Mrs. Doubtfire, some 007 movies and... Thomas Crown Affair, along with Rene Russo. In a People magazine article, according to Pierce, "Rene is the only woman of the summer in my book. She does it in such a gorgeous, sensuous, sexy way.”  

And in Rene's recent interviews on TV, many of the interviewers ask of... Thomas Crown Affair. According to Rene: "Many women ask of him... what was he like? Is he cute? Is he dreamy? Yes he is. He's a good kisser. (...) For the love scenes, are always really hard! (laughs)" 

3- Robert De Niro (The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle, Showtime & The Intern).

Rene & Robert De Niro, holding Rocky & Bullwinkle plushies.
HOW CUTE! (photo credits: Time & Life Pictures)

Another actor who worked most times with Rene was Robert de Niro, great in many movies, such as Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Cape Fear remake, Casino and many others. But with Rene... he worked three times, two as a romantic opposite: Showtime and recently, The Intern (The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle doesn't count... even De Niro worked together with her, Rene's romantic opposite was Jason Alexander, great in series as Seinfeld, and in movies such as Pretty Woman, The Paper and Shallow Hal).

In Showtime, De Niro plays Mitch, while Russo plays Chase, a TV producer (in the end there are hints of romance between both of them), and in The Intern, Robert plays Ben (a widow), and Rene plays Fiona (the massagist). In my opinion, the best part is when Fiona appears massaging Ben's back... so relaxing...

In the end of The Intern, Ben and Fiona ended together. 

4- Dustin Hoffman (Outbreak)

Dustin Hoffman hugging Rene Russo during Outbreak premiere, 1995.
(photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

Dustin Hoffman is best known on Tootsie, Rain Man (he won an Academy Award), Kramer vs. Kramer, The Graduate and many others. Now, in Outbreak, Hoffman portrays Sam Daniels, Robby's ex-husband (Robby is portrayed by Russo). Sam and Robby reconcile when he and Salt (Cuba Gooding Jr.) saved her from Ebola disease. 

5-Jake Gyllenhaal (Nightcrawler & Velvet Buzzsaw)

Jake and Rene: perfect chemistry in scene. (photo credits: StarTraks Photo)

And finally, last but not least: Jake Gyllenhaal. Jake is one of the actors with most popular audience, specially youngsters (and girls too). He is great in Donnie Darko, Brokeback Mountain, Jarhead, Southpaw... and Nightcrawler. 

Like I said on the Nightcrawler post weeks ago, Rene Russo and Jake Gyllenhaal have such chemistry in Dan Gilroy's debut (Jake was Lou, Rene was Nina). Both were great... and the public (specially Rene and Jake fans) questioned themselves... Why Jake and Rene were forgotten on the Golden Globes & the Academy Awards? (...) Jake should have received something, he should have received a nomination! 

And this year, Rene and Jake are working again together, in Velvet Buzzsaw, by Dan Gilroy. Jake plays Morf Vandewalt, and Rene, Rhodora Haze! We're excited for both working together! 

Other Rene's romantic pairings...

Along with these five, Rene also worked with Kevin Costner (Tin Cup, 1996),  Clint Eastwood (In the Line of Fire, 1993), John Travolta (Get Shorty, 1995), Emilio Estevez (Freejack, 1992), Tom Berenger (Major League, 1989), Jim Belushi (Mr. Destiny, 1990), Dennis Quaid (Yours Mine and Ours, 2005), and many others!

Wish u everybody a Happy Valentine's day!

Hope u like it!

love u guys.

xoxoxo

ME