The Physicality of Bobby Axelrod in Billions

This post is long overdue. I blogged about “American” Damian Lewis more than a year ago talking about Damian’s freaking good American accent that could, in fact, fool people about his nationality. As I was writing that post in July 2015, first pictures from Billions set popped up online. I shared them inviting everyone to meet the new “American” Damian: Bobby Axelrod!

source: justjared.com
source: justjared.com

What do you see in these pictures? I see a good looking American guy! As soon as we see the pictures, JaniaJania and I speculate about what makes Damian look American: She says it may be the haircut. I say it may be his relaxed posture with legs apart and hands in pockets.

Continue reading “The Physicality of Bobby Axelrod in Billions”

Throwback Thursday to Damian Lewis in Romeo & Juliet

capuletsToday’s throwback takes us to, probably, the most famous star-crossed lovers in history… Oh, no, sorry, I am not talking about Carrie and Brody 😀

Damian Lewis is no stranger to Shakespeare. He played Romeo in Birmingham Rep’s Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet in Hamlet in the Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, London in 1993 and 1994, respectively, as a fresh graduate of Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Then he did his Broadway debut as Laertes to Ralph Fiennes’ Hamlet in Almeida Theatre’s production in 1995. Damian also performed as Posthumous in Cymbeline and Don John in Much Ado About Nothing with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He also brought to life a lovely Benedick on BBC’s Shakespeare Retold: Much Ado About Nothing. Damian took on the role of Lord Capulet in a 2013 big screen adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. And, finally, he kicked off Shakespeare’s 450th Birthday Celebrations in 2014 at Guildhall Library reading the great man’s first five sonnets! Continue reading “Throwback Thursday to Damian Lewis in Romeo & Juliet”

Life with Charlie Crews – Series Wrap Up

Damian-Lewis-in-Life-Fill-It-Up-1-11-damian-lewis-25272631-1280-720

Hello-Holliedazzle here! Welcome, one and all, to the Life with Charlie Crews series wrap up!  In this post, we’ll all be weighing in with our highlights (and lowlights) the entire series of Life.  Let’s jump right in, shall we?

Damianista:

At the center of Life lies the heart and mind of a man who gets his life back, along with a $50M settlement and his LAPD badge, after 12 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. Charlie Crews is quirky and charming and funny, but vulnerable and even sinister at times. He’s a walking proof of the wide range Damian Lewis can deliver as an actor. No wonder New York Magazine calls him “the you-can’t take-your-eyes-off-him star” in Life. Damian takes a good network show and elevates it to another level.

source: fanpop.com
source: fanpop.com

So what do I talk about when I talk about the BEST of Life? Continue reading “Life with Charlie Crews – Series Wrap Up”

Take the M Train to Billions: A Visit to Capparello’s Pizzeria

bobbypizza7

We already published a Billions Season 1 Dining Guide but Capparello’s Pizzeria or real life Rosa’s Pizza has become such a staple in the show that it absolutely deserves its own post! Bobby Axelrod, as much as he is a man of confidence, seems to feel most comfortable in his skin there echoing that Yonkers boy who wants to “get rich and get even” when he grows up. Every scene at this corner pizza joint reveals a thing or two about Bobby and THIS alone makes a trip to Rosa’s a MUST for me and my partner-in-crime Lewisto. And a comment on the blog in August from a reader, Alaston, saying “If you DO go to Rosa’s, get the Grandma slice” triggers it that we find ourselves on the M train heading to Rosa’s.

So who folds it better? Bobby or Me?

foldingpizza

I propose we start with a virtual trip revisiting the four scenes at Capparello’s highlighting what we learn about Bobby in each one followed by our real trip to Rosa’s Pizza? Continue reading “Take the M Train to Billions: A Visit to Capparello’s Pizzeria”

The Silent Storm Makes Landfall: Slow. Heavy. Intense.

We have been waiting for The Silent Storm to make its landfall in the US since its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival about two years ago. Now that it is finally out for streaming on Amazon and iTunes and on DVD on Netflix, I am happy to report I have seen the movie twice and LOVED it.

source: neon-films.co.uk
Left to Right: Damian Lewis, Andrea Riseborough, Barbara Broccoli, Corinna McFarlane, Ross Anderson and Nicky Bentham at BFI London Film Festival, October 14, 2014, source: neon-films.co.uk

The Silent Storm is slow. It is heavy. It is intense. And, lucky me, that is exactly how I like my movies. So the movie, with powerful performances by two seasoned actors (Damian Lewis and Andrea Riseborough) and a brilliant new comer (Ross Anderson) coupled with the stunning island scenery and psalms sung a capella speaks to me just right. And here is my take on the movie, without any major spoilers, studying Damian’s character more than anything else. Continue reading “The Silent Storm Makes Landfall: Slow. Heavy. Intense.”