Given that we have belonged to the multitude of Brad Pitt fans since way back, we were not about to miss his current World War Z, even if the word was not exactly complimentary. It is said Pitt went in as producer and star of the disaster action film to provide something his children could watch. Based on the best-selling Max Brooks novel on zombies, it had been suggested that Pitt drew inspiration from the 1974 disaster film The Towering Inferno, and was hoping it would result in a trilogy.
Now, even he is doubtful after the production underwent various changes that delayed release from 2012 to 2013. Recent big-effects projects with delayed releases underscore risks especially under untested directors. It happened to Disney’s first-time live-action director Andrew Stanton’s John Carter, and Universal is facing similar problems on Keanu Reeves samurai film 47 Ronin under first timer Carl Rinsch. World War Z, on the other hand, given the greenlight based on the studio’s long relationship with Pitt, suffered delayed release from a concept and script that were not fully baked. That became its undoing.
Still, the picky audience at Shang Plaza filled the cinema, testimony to Pitt’s continuing popularity. Of his many films we have watched, we are sharing our favorites. They include Troy where Pitt played the Greek warrior Achilles in a spectacular retelling of the Illiad. Eric Bana portrays the prince who dares confront Achilles, and Peter O’Toole rules Troy as King Priam. Troy is said to be one of the best ancient movies ever made, and one of Pitt’s best performances.
Another is Mr. and Mrs. Smith where Pitt and real-life wife Angelina Jolie discover a secret that they are both lethal, highly-paid assassins working for rival organizations and their next assignments are each other.
We recall cringing with horror at Quentin Tarantino’s 2009 masterpiece Inglorious Basterds that deals with the horrors of war. Pitt leads American-Jewish commandos assigned to turn the tables on Hitler and his Nazis. We shall never forget this film since it was among the frontrunners defeated by the Filipino film Kinatay by Brillante Mendoza at the Cannes Film Festival, with Quentin as the first to congratulate him. Our last pick of unforgettable Brad Pitt films is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button in the role of a man who ages backwards.
Not so long ago, however, Pitt was just another looker working on TV shows and doing bit parts in movies. He has come a long way. These thoughts come to mind after stumbling upon a star of Mexican telenovelas aired on the relatively new Telenovela Channel. He has the looks and charm of Pitt. He is Cuban-American actor and model William Levy. He was introduced in the Spanish-language channel Univision, appeared in his first film Retazos de Vida, had his break in a Mexican soap opera as the lead in Cuidado con el Angel. He is now the biggest name in Mexican soaps.
He could learn from Pitt that the secret of staying power is versatility as one can glean from my list above. Staying too long in the world of Mexican teleseryes could spell his downfall.
Levy was born in Cojimar, Cuba, migrated to Miami, Florida at 14 and is now a household name. His first film began airing in the US in September 2008 on Univision averaging five million viewers per night. Then came Sortilegio in 2009, the Spanish version of the animated movie Planet 51, a tour of Mexican cities and the US in 2009-2010. Levy starred as Jennifer Lopez’s love interest in the music video I’m Into You, danced on Dancing with the Stars, and is set to star in the erotic drama Addicted based on the novel of the same name by Zane.
As we follow his teleserye Love Spell nightly on The Telenovela Channel (Channel 60 on SkyCable), we conclude he has a long way to go to become another Pitt. He has to learn English to get out of being dubbed; he has to diversify; he can still be a romantic lead but must go into various other genres like action, drama, horror, costume pictures and the like. And he must never rest on his laurels. Remember, it takes a would-be actor 20 years to be on top of the world.
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