Scotland's Finest - Part 1

Ok, so Scotland is known for many of things but it's actors/actresses not so much. This is part one of some of Scotland's best actors.

So for the first actor why not start with my favourite. Yes it is Ewan McGregor. McGregor is 42 and was born in Perth but brought up in the small town of Crieff. Yes I know girls we all wish we were brought up there too. Although McGregor's good looks are unforgettable so are some of his amazing performances in some of his movies. With movies such as Moulin Rouge - Yes this man also sings, the legendary Star Wars movies, Trainspotting and one of my favourites the very emotional, The Impossible. I could go on. The actor has many other roles in big movies and he plays a variety of parts. The Actor has won and been nominated for countless awards as well as being nominated for 2 Golden Globes for his roles in Moulin Rouge and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. 

Watch The Impossible Trailer - To see Ewan in action, highly recommend this movie, especially those who aren't shy to a tear jerker which is an understatement to this film.

Now moving on to someone a bit closer to home, who I have already blogged about. Yes it is the ever so handsome Gerard Butler. Gerard Butler is a 44 year old actor who was born and raised in Paisley, Glasgow. Which is a bit closer to home and even studied Law at the University of Glasgow. Some of his hit movies include, Law Abiding Citizen, Olympus Has Fallen and P.S I Love you.  The actor also produced the voice for Stoick in the animated movie, How to Train a Dragon, and it has been announced that the second movie is currently in production and planned to be released this year - eeeekkk!!  

Watch the Olympus Has Fallen trailer to see Butler's 2013 Hollywood film where he stars along side Aaron Eckhart (yes that is Harvey Dent from Dark Knight!) and the legendary Morgan Freeman.

Setting the boys to the side, this Glasgow born and raised actress has appeared on our screen numerous times in recent years. Kelly MacDonald is the voice behind Princess Merida in the much loved Disney film Brave. Yes we all thought a Scottish Disney film would be a disaster but it actually wasn't. The actress was also in other movies such as Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows Part 2, Trainspotting and Nanny McPhee.  So who can't love a Disney star who has also appeared in Harry Potter? The actress has also been nominated for 3 Golden Globes for her parts in TV drama Boardwalk Empire and The Girl in the Cafe.
Watch the Brave Trailer to see Kelly portray the voice of the Princess, I would recommend this film to any Disney film lovers, it is also new and refreshing from the other classic Disney movies. 

Lets Go to the Movies

So you many not realise but Glasgow Cineworld on Renfrew Street is actually the tallest cinema in the world. It has 18 screens spread over 6 floors with capacities which seat up to 663 people. And for all us 18+ people out there, yes the cinema does have a licensed bar - Result. With the amount of screens the cinema has, it can accommodate to majority of people's needs and they have a vast amount of show times particularly for new releases.

Glasgow Cineworld was also in the media particularly in 2009 when Scottish heartthrob Gerard Butler brought his film 'Law Abiding Citizen' to the cinema complex with many screaming fans waiting for him. If the girls were not excited enough, the actor turned up in a traditional Scottish kilt and spent his time taking photos with fans and signing autographs. Looks like it doesn't matter how famous you get, Gerard still decided to go back to his roots to launch his movie. Not like we are complaining.

Awards, Pizza and Selfies

No more Sex, drugs and rock and roll its now awards, pizza and selfies after the recent Oscar ceremony. No matter how old you are, your interests or where you live, it is inevitable that you will have watched or heard about the Oscars. I mean it's only the biggest award show EVER. And this year was no different.

Jennifer Lawrence falling at 2014 and
2013 Oscar Ceremony

So it would not be an Oscar ceremony without beautiful gowns, a load of celebrities in the one place, risky jokes, Leonardo DiCaprio not winning and of course it would not be the same without Jennifer Lawrence falling. It is Official the 2014 Oscar ceremony presented by Ellen DeGeneres attracted the biggest television audience in over a decade. So the Oscars may be a big American occasion although even living in Glasgow you cannot ignore it. The day after the award show, the antics from the night were all over the news and social media. You could also not go out without someone saying "Did you see the Oscars?" And this year was especially different when presenter Ellen DeGeneres celebrity selfie hit twitter and became the most retweeted tweet ever. Everytime i look at the picture it gets better and better.

So now for the awards, Gravity winning 7 Oscars? Wow. It is not a film that particularly interested me from the start but now I am tempted to watch it after the reaction following the movie. When "Frozen" won best animated movie I could not contain my excitement, I was so happy. You can't not love a Disney movie and if you say you don't, you're lying! Now for Matthew McConaughey winning best actor, in my eyes he was deserving of the award - I mean come on look at him. The Oscars once again have been a massive talking point all over the world. Before I finish this post though lets have one more look at the epic selfie. Guess the Celebs!

2014 Oscar Selfie

Made in Glasgow

George Square and surrounding area at set of World War Z

Many people believe parts of Glasgow look like a war zone but in August 2011 it literally was turned into one. Ok, so Glasgow is no Hollywood. In fact it is nowhere close. Sure parts of Scotland are used for their scenery, for example in Harry Potter and James Bond: Skyfall. But you rarely see or hear of a Hollywood film coming to Glasgow. Until Brad Pitt decided to bring his newest project to Glasgow' George Square. The square was converted into a district in Philadelphia which was under attack by a zombie apocalypse.  Although the square was transformed with american traffic lights, signs and the iconic yellow "cabs" when watching the movie it is clear to any Glaswegian that it is Glasgow.  I don't know what is more exciting for Glasgow recognising the city on a Hollywood movie or having Brad Pitt, one of Hollywood's biggest actors in Glasgow.  However I think the question on most people's minds was why Glasgow? All the cities and countries in the world, Glasgow? It is said that Philadelphia has too high of a film tax for the production but that still doesn't explain.  It is also said that some of Glasgow's aspects reminded the producer of the USA. At the premiere in London, Pitt said "That's right, Glasgow is Philly. It looks great! It looks the business." 

Brad Pitt filming in Glasgow for World War Z

Although World War Z was filmed in Glasgow in August 2011 it was not released to cinemas in the UK till September 2013. Cards on the table, zombie films are not usually my first pick but as it was filmed in Glasgow I thought why not. The film was action packed, although nothing particularly stood out - except Brad Pitt of course.  The characters were all vulnerable and I didn't really seem to connect with them, they were just characters in a movie. Want to watch the World War Z Trailer click the link, and make your own opinions on the film.