“The Amazing Spider-Man 2″ is filming in DUMBO this week, as the neighborhood was taken over by police cars, the “Midtown bus,” crowds of extras and all sorts of whacko action.

McBrooklyn offers pics, including lead Andrew Garfield—and Brooklyn Heights’ own Paul Giamatti, who plays villain “The Rhino.” In the film, his alter ego is Russian thug Aleksei Sytsevich, complete with tattoos on his neck and forehead.

RELATED: Spiderman Shoots In DUMBO [VIDEO]

Also in the flick: Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, Jamie Foxx as Electro and Sally Field as Aunt Mary. (Photo: MK Metz)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/58906

With a plethora of cable networks available, the traditional holiday movie choice has moved beyond just It’s a Wonderful Life. Jean Shepherd’s classic A Christmas Story was the first flick to get the wall-to-wall marathon treatment on cable; Scrooged and Elf followed. Now Fred Claus, starring Vince Vaughn, Kevin Spacey and Brooklyn Heights resident Paul Giamatti, seems to be vying for perennial status. Do you think it’s worthy?

Tired of dressing up as “Sexy Cat in the Hat” or “Sexy Vampire” for Halloween? While “Sexy Ghost” may still be an option for you, why not try these Brooklyn Heights inspired costumes (feel free to add the words “Zombie”, “Sexy”, “Spooky” or “Bleh” to spice it up):

Bjork – As far as we know she’s still a Henry Street resident (when not touring the world) so dressing up like Iceland’s greatest export is a totally HYPERLOCAL idea! Don’t think you could pull it off? We think it’s a safe bet you can do better than this gal:

Any role Paul Giamatti has ever played – Whether it’s John Adams, Harvey Pekar, Miles from Sideways (photo), Paul Giamatti (as portrayed in Cold Souls) the greatest character actor of his generation is sure to inspire. For us, The Miles consisting of a pair of khakis, a blue shirt with giant wine stain is hard to beat for a last minute/brilliant costume. Throw in a large ceramic spitoon full of vino and you’re set for a great Halloween.

Lena Dunham – while her personal choice of Halloween costume may have set the interwebs on fire earlier this month, Dunham herself might be an inspiration for some. As a matter of fact you might not even need to buy pants. And if that still breaks the budget, try Lena’s Emmy look:

Truman Capote – Naturally. If there ever was a Brooklyn Heights related person who loved dress-up it was Capote. We’re fond of his look as Lionel Twain in the 1976 tour de farce Murder by Death pictured here.

Norman Mailer – The late author, raconteur and Brooklyn Heights resident is a golden opportunity for those in search of an intellectual and controversial choice. There are many ways to go with your Mailer – the NYC mayoral candidate (our choice), Gore Vidal’s nemesis, the worst husband in the world or walking around the nabe Norm.

Arthur Miller and Marilyn Monroe – While Marilyn and Arthur never, ever lived in Brooklyn Heights together, we’re pretty sure there may have been some checkamaumau going down here between them.

Brooklyn Heights related movies and TV shows for your consideration:

What are your suggestions?

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/49814

Scotland On Sunday featured an in-depth, nearly 2,000-word interview today, with our fave local celeb and nabe Paul Giamatti.

The story opens, “He has made a career out of playing life’s unlikeable oddballs—the needy losers and the creeps—but Paul Giamatti is fine with that. (His) identity is unusual for a Hollywood star: He’s an abrasive ass. Not in real life, you understand, but he has made his name playing them in films.

That’s fine by Giamatti. “I’ve played a lot of cynical characters,” he says. “Maybe that’s a good thing because I don’t get bothered much at airports.” The real Paul Giamatti lives in Brooklyn Heights with his wife, writer/producer Elizabeth Cohen, and their 11-year-old son Samuel.

Read the full narrative here.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41671