Pandora by John William Waterhouse 1896

So I was revisiting Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life the other day, a flick where Angelina Jolie searches for the legendary Pandora’s Box, and something tickled my brain and gave me pause. I found it interesting that both in the age of antiquity and in some of the minds of modern day, women are the vehicles responsible for the fall of man. Of course we all know the original sin story of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden and the snake and apple. It is probably the most famous of all ‘women are the root of all evil’ stories. I think there is even a creation movie lost somewhere in the Hollywood archives depicting this cataclysmic moment in time.

What do Pandora's Myth, Pandora the planet, and Tomb Raider have in common?

In the Pandora myth, the story goes that Pandora was the first woman on Earth, created by Hephaestus in answer to Zeus’ command. It was a command meant to be a punishment for man’s gain of the secret of fire from Prometheus who stole fire from the gods. Zeus’ vengeance came in the form of Pandora, a beautiful ‘evil’ destined to torment…[Read more...]

Film legend Elizabeth Taylor.

Sad news comes out of Hollywood today. Elizabeth Taylor a screen legend and icon died today at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles where she had been being treated for congestive heart failure for approximately six weeks. This is what Sally Morrison told The Associated Press.

As infamous off screen as she was famous on screen, this film legend won two Oscars and gave ground breaking performances in films like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. She was the epitome of the classic old Hollywood movie star and her loss signals the true end of an era.

Elizabeth Taylor's career spanned a remarkable 70 years.

Her career spanned a phenomenal 70 years and 50 films and she will be remembered not only for her contribution to film, but also for her tireless work in an effort to combat HIV/AIDS. She was surrounded by her children Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd, and Maria Burton when she passed.

Her son Michael Wilding, 58, said: “My mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humor, and love. Though her loss is devastating to those of us who held her so close and so dear, we will always be inspired by her enduring contribution to our world.”

Elizabeth Taylor as infamous historical icon Cleopatra.

Her first appearance on film was at age 9 in There’s One Born Every Minute and her last appearance was in the TV series God, the Devil and Bob. She went on to appear in the Lassie films, Jane Eyre, National Velvet, A Place in the Sun, Giant, and of course Cleopatra where she met Richard Burton. The diminutive actress was larger than life, living it to the fullest and making no apologies for enjoying everything that life had to offer.

The violet eyed actress lived life with abandon.

The violet eyed actress had eight marriages, was married to Richard Burton twice and they were known as the Brangelina of their day. It’s an understatement to say her love life was tumultuous and fascinating and we can definitively say she captured our hearts and our attention as much by her personal escapades as by her work in film. She will be missed.

“I feel very adventurous. There are so many doors to be opened, and I’m not afraid to look behind them.”

~ Elizabeth Taylor 1932 – 2011

Elizabeth Taylor appeared in her first film at age 9.

Elizabeth Taylor was the epitome of the classic Hollywood movie star.

*Elizabeth Taylor’s Filmography at IMDb.

Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett in Robin Hood directed by Ridley Scott.

This Robin Hood is an ace movie about the infamous and legendary hero Robin of the Hood. At first you may think it is a movie about his exciting exploits as an outlaw alone, however, it is much more than that. It’s a movie that depicts who he was before he was the Robin Hood we all know and love, and what forces made him into the larger than life outlaw of Sherwood Forest. We also get to meet all our faves, Lady Marion, his merry men Little John, Will Scarlet, Friar Tuck, and of course, everyone’s favorite villain, King John the royal runt.

This is a movie about the origins of an outlaw beloved by the people. It is a story that is gritty and very true to the medieval way of life, real historical events expertly woven with intricate English folklore. I found it a refreshing take on a famous medieval tale that has been told a thousand times before.

Ridley Scott‘s version of Robin Hood, starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett is out today on DVD! Woohoo!

~P.S.~ This movie has a strong message of fate coursing through it. What about you? Do you believe in fate?

As you know, Angelina Jolie is slated to play the ill fated Queen of the Nile, Cleopatra,

Angelina Jolie

lover to both Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, and an iconic figure both in history and in cinema. However, if Angelina Jolie wasn’t going to be Cleopatra, which of the following actresses would you choose to play the legendary role?

Zoe Saldana

Zoe Saldana

Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson

Paula Patton

Paula Patton

Beyonce Knowles

Beyonce Knowles

Halle Berry

Halle Berry

I know who I would chose. Can you guess?