My Top 5: Italian Male Actors (2nd Edition)

When I first moved to Italy, I didn’t know most of the personalities of the world of television and cinema.  Although I watched a lot of Italian movies in Toronto, there was so much that I wasn’t aware of.  After updating My Top 5:  Italian Male Singers, I thought it only fitting to update My Top 5:  Italian Male Actors which was also originally created in 2009.

The disclaimer is always the same – these are my own personal favourites and I don’t expect everyone to agree with my picks.  In fact, I’d love it if you’d comment with your Top 5 Italian Male Actors.

So here is the 2nd edition to My Top 5:  Italian Male Actors.  Enjoy!

1.  Raoul Bova

It didn’t take long for Raoul Bova to reach “sex symbol” status in Italy but it wasn’t until he starred in Under the Tuscan Sun (2003) as Diane Lane’s love interest that women in North America began to take notice. Who can forget the hunky Bova strutting around the city in his broken-in jeans and stress free cargos from the Gap. What’s not to love? Raoul Bova isn’t just a pretty face; he has also done some producing.

Other movies to watch him in: La Finestra di Fronte (2003), Scusa ma ti chiamo amore (2008), Immaturi (2012)

2.  Alessandro Siani

This Napolitano comedian/actor started his career in 1988 dabbing in various different areas of the world of entertainment such as theatre, television and film.  He has done many things over the years but in 2010 his status exploded when he starred in Benvenuti al Sud as a lovable and endearing postman from a small town in.  He reprised this role again in 2012 with Benvenuti al Nord.

Other movies to watch him in:  Natale a New York (2006), La peggior settimana della mia vita (2011)

3.  Giampaolo Morelli

Giampaolo was born in Naples and it is there that he got his start in theatre.  As time passed, he decided to focus more of his time and energy on acting and with that in mind, he transferred to Rome.  He is an Italian actor, director, and screenwriter and is particularly known for his television work.   He has appeared in several television mini-series including Baciati dall’amore (2011) in which he played a single father of five children who is unlucky in love until he meets his “soul-mate”; a woman who is engaged to be married.

Other movies/mini-series to watch him in:  L’uomo perfetto (2005), La donna della domenica (2011)

4.  Luca Argentero

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Italian cinema or television, you might recognize Luca Argentero from Eat Pray Love (2010) in which he played Julia Roberts’ Italian tutor.  Luca hails from Torino and got his start on Grande Fratello (Italy’s version of Big Brother).  After that, he appeared in a number of films and also had a recurring role on the popular Italian television series, Carabinieri (2005-2007).  Luca has decided to use his fame for good and recently signed on to help WWF (The World Wildlife Fund) to bring attention to the need to protect three of Italy’s forests.

Other movies to watch him in:  Diverso da chi? (2009), Oggi Sposi (2009), Lezioni di cioccolato 2 (2011)

5.  Michele Riondino

Michele was born in Taranto, Puglia but transferred to Rome to attend “L’Accademia d’Arte Drammatica” where he began to do theatre roles.  In 2000, he started a three year stint on a popular Italian television series, Distretto di Polizia”.  In 2012, he bravely took on the role of a young Salvo Montalbano for the prequel to the beloved Italian television series, Il Commissario Montalbano.  Taking on a role of such a beloved character, such as Commissario Montalbano is difficult but Michele’s interpretation didn’t seem to disappoint Italian viewers.

Other movies to watch him in:  I’m sure there will be many in the next year!

Now it’s your turn.  Who are your Top 5 Italian Male Actors?

New Moon in Montepulciano

The Twilight Series, written by Stephenie Meyer, was not something I ever intended on reading.  I filed it away with the Harry Potter Series as something I would never actively go out of my way to read and/or watch.  Meanwhile, everyone around me seemed to be falling prey to Twilight.  It wasn’t until a year after the movie was released that I also found myself completely sucked into the world of Twilight.  A good friend of mine had read through the whole series, and immediately bought me a copy of the first book of the series, Twilight, insisting that I read it and promising me I would not be disappointed.   I was just finishing another book and was looking for something easy and light to read next.  So, I decided to give it a go.  I finished the book in less than 2 weeks and before I knew it, I found myself standing in front of the Twilight book display in Chapters with my hands tightly gripping the second book, New Moon.

Needless to say, I finished reading the whole series, and I’m looking forward to seeing New Moon on the big screen.  The movie for New Moon, up until a couple weeks ago, was being filmed in Vancouver.  This week however, filming began in Tuscany, Italy – Montepulciano to be exact.  With a little bit of movie magic, Montepulciano will pose as Volterra, home base of the powerful Volturi vampire coven.  Why is the real Volterra not being used? I don’t really know, but the tourism site for the real Volterra is all over New Moon, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and the whole Twilight phenomenon.  Volterra is described quite vividly in the book, so it will be interesting to see how the Montepulciano “Volterra” holds up and if it can do the real Volterra justice!

Unfortunately, that will have to wait unti the movie hits theatres this November.  But, in the meantime, there are plenty of pictures surfacing all over the internet to give us a taste.

Photo credit:  Black Mine Valentine
Montepulciano set of the clock tower in Volterra

Photo credit:  Black Moon Valentine
Montepulciano set of fountain from New Moon.

For those that happen to be in Tuscany and have time to visit the real Volterra, you can follow this map and visit some of the real sights of Volterra mentioned in the New Moon novel.

My Top 5: Italian Movies

1. La Meglio Gioventù (2003)

This is the longest film in my Top 5 with a running time of approximately six hours. However, the length of the movie never even crossed my mind as I became consumed with this film and its characters. It originally aired on television as a 4-part “mini-series” and later was released to theatres. It has made many appearances at Film Festivals across the globe winning numerous nominations and awards. The film spans over four decades (1966-2003) and follows the life of two brothers as they journey from young men into adults. The film focuses on so many subjects including family, friends, politics, love, tragedy, and faith. It is one of my all-time favourite films.

2. Tre Metri Sopra Il Cielo (2004)

One of my favourite Italian actors right now is Riccardo Scamarcio. So naturally, when it came time to find movies to watch in Italian I immediately turned to IMDB and searched for movies that had him in a starring role. This movie is your typical “bad boy meets good girl and they fall in love” type story but it also gives you a glimpse into their vastly different worlds and how it effects their lives and their decisions. It has all the elements of a good love story and yet isn’t all fairy godmothers and happily ever afters.

3. L’Uomo Perfetto (2005)

Romantic comedies get a bad rep sometimes don’t you think? Doesn’t matter, I still love them. This film introduces us to a young woman in advertising who has always been in love with her very good friend Paolo. But, when he gets engaged to her best friend she will do whatever she can to make sure this marriage doesn’t happen. So, what does she do? She hires a struggling actor and moulds him into the “perfect man” who will sweep her best friend off her feet. But in true romantic comedy fashion, things don’t go entirely according to plan. This movie is light-hearted and funny and sure it may be a little bit predictable but every now and then you need a good dose of predictable chick flick goodness

4. Cinema Paradiso (1988)

Cinema Paradiso is definitely a classic – there’s a reason it won an Oscar in 1990 for Best Foreign Language Film. This coming-of-age story set in a small Sicilian town is heart-warming, beautiful and moving. A small boy with a passion for the movies spends countless hours in the local movie-house where he befriends the projectionist who would set him on a journey towards his destiny. The movie brings together so many elements that shape our lives – joy, pain, laughter and tears. If you love the movies, I highly recommend this one.

5. La Dolce Vita (1960)

An enchanting and glamorous woman dancing in the Fontana di Trevi late at night is probably one of the most recognized scenes in film history. “La Dolca Vita”, directed by Federico Fellini, has earned it’s right to be called a “masterpiece”. It follows a young ambitious journalist as he is swallowed up into the world of the wealthy in Rome. What does it mean to live “la dolce vita” and if we choose to live it will live up to our expectations or leave us empty?

I’ve showed you mine, now you show me yours. What are your Top 5 Italian Movies?

My Top 5: Italian Female Actresses

I had so much fun doing my “Top 5: Italian Male Actors” that I figured I would do one for the girls as well. Here we go….

1) Laura Chiatti

This former Miss Teen Europe is one lucky girl having worked (and dated) two of my Top 5: Italian Male Actors – Riccardo Scarmacio and Silvio Muccino. She didn’t start out in acting though, she originally set out to be a singer but her career path took a detour and she landed herself a role on the TV series “Un Posto Al Sole” (1999). She didn’t completely abandon her love for music, you can catch her singing (a little) in Ho Voglia Di Te (2007) and she also makes an appearance in Tiziano Ferro’s videoclip “Ti scatterò una foto“.

2) Gabriella Pession

Gabriella Pession may not have been born in Italy but I still consider her one of Italy’s super star actresses. You would never guess but she was actually born in Daytona, Florida and moved to Italy at a very young age. Many will recognize Gabriella from her role as Vittoria in the hit television series Capri. She divides her time between films and appearances on various television programs and mini-series.<!–[if

Movies to watch her in: L’Uomo Perfetto (2005)

3) Maria Chiara Augenti

I don’t know much about her, but what I do know is that every movie I’ve seen her in I absolutely fall in love with her character no matter how big or small it is.

Movies to watch her in: Ricordati Di Me (2003), Tre Metri Sopra Il Cielo (2004), L’Uomo Perfetto (2005)

4) Monica Bellucci

What top 5 list would this be if I don’t include Monica Bellucci. A household name to Italian cinema, Monica has been gracing the big screen for many years. She has even crossed over into American cinema over the years with roles in Dracula (1992), Tears of the Sun (2003) and The Passion of the Christ (2004).

Movies to watch her in: Ricordati Di Me (2003), Manuale D’amore 2 (2007)

5) Alessandra Mastronardi

Alessandra is probably known more for her role as Eva in the TV series I Cesaroni but she did land a lead role in the 2007 film Prova a Volare opposite Riccardo Scarmacio.Will she lean more towards film in the future? Non lo so.

My Top 5: Italian Male Actors

1. Riccardo Scarmacio

The 28 year old Pugliese actor captured the hearts of many women as “Step” in Tre Metri Sopra Il Cielo (2004) and Ho Voglia Di Te (2007). However, there is more to this actor than the chick flick movie characters he’s played in the past. His diversity as an actor can be seen in the 2007 release of Mio Fratello è Figlio Unico which has received many nominations, awards and rave reviews from Italy, Europe and abroad.

Other movies to watch him in: Prova a Volare (2007), L’Uomo Perfetto (2005), Colpo D’Occhio (2008 )

2. Raoul Bova

It didn’t take long for Raoul Bova to reach “sex symbol” status in Italy but it wasn’t until he starred in Under The Tuscan Sun (2003) as Diane Lane’s love interest that women in North America began to take notice. Who can forget the hunky Bova strutting around the city in his broken-in jeans and stress free cargos from the Gap. What’s not to love? Raoul Bova isn’t just a pretty face, he has also done some producing.

Other movies to watch him in: La Finestra di Fronte (2003), Scusa ma ti chiamo amore (2008 )

3. Silvio Muccino

He may have gotten his start with the help of his brother, director Gabriele Muccino but he continues to rise to fame on his own merit. His resume reads of someone much older, with acting, writing and directing already under his belt at just 26 years old.

Movies to watch him in: Ricordati di Me (2003), Che ne sarà di noi (2004), Manuale d’amore (2005) and Parlami d’amore (2008).

4. Filippo Nigro

He got his start in television but it wasn’t long before he recieved recognition as a movie actor when he starred in La Finestra di Fronte (2003). He returned to the small screen as Fabio Martinelli in “R.I.S. – Delitti Imperfetti” for a number of years before gracing the big screen again as Marcantonio in Ho Volgia Di Te (2007). Keep your eyes on this emerging star in the years to come.

5. Stefano Accorsi

Born in Bologna, Stefano Accorsi spent many years acting in theatre before he made his move to the big screen. He played the lead character in the movie L’Ultimo Bacio (2001) which was later remade into the English movie “The Last Kiss” starring Zach Braff. He has gone on to star in numerous movies since and continues to earn the title of one of European films’ Shooting Stars.

Other movies to watch him in: “Romanza Criminale” (2005)

All roads lead to Rome…

It’s one of the Top 10 fashion must-haves of 2008. Take a stroll into any shoe store and you are sure to see the strappy rendition of the gladiator sandal. Love them or hate them…they are slated to be this summer’s biggest trend.

The gladiator sandal first made popular by the Romans 2000 years ago made their comeback last year and have since been popping up on celebrities, store shelves, and feet everywhere. I’m sure Sex & The City fans noticed the Christian Dior number Sarah Jessica Parker was sporting throughout the movie.

Since last summer, it seems everyone has come up with their version of the gladiator sandal and they have been making their appearance on Paris, Rome and NY fashion runways.

Some styles out now are cute but some look like they wouldn’t be the most comfortable shoes to wear in the hot summer weather. Can you imagine the blisters? Ouch!

Thoughts? Do you think anyone can pull off these gladiator inspired sandals?

Angels & Demons

Filming is currently underway in Rome for the film adaptation of “Angels & Demons” – the prequel to the book-turned-blockbuster movie “The Da Vinci Code“.

The novel (and subsequent movie) is centered on the Vatican however, producers of the movie are experiencing a bit of resistance after their requests for permission to film scenes inside the churches of Santa Maria del Popolo and Santa Maria della Vittoria were denied due to the controversial material in both the film and novel.

Santa Maria della Vittoria

But, in true Hollywood fashion, the show must go on – and it will. The producers of the film will be using the Bourbon Palace in Caserta, Italia as the backdrop for scenes that were originally set to shoot in the Vatican. The palace was built in the mid 18th century and has been used as a “stand-in” in the past for the Vatican in the making of Mission: Impossible III. The producers will be allowed to take exterior shots of the historic landmarks of Rome for inclusion in the film but do you think they can pull off the movie without the interior shots? The movie is scheduled to hit the big screen in May 2009…so we will just have to wait and see.

Bourbon Palace (Interior)

Have you read/seen The Da Vinci Code? What are your thoughts and expectations for Angels & Demons?