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This guy's no hero...
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For decades, Hollywood had associated the genetic condition of albinism with murderous villains. The trend's nadir was the heavily promoted "Da Vinci Code" (2006) and it's brutal self flagellating albino monk. Finally, after a far-reaching media campaign by NOAH, an albinism advocacy group, the stereotypical "evil albino" was (mostly) laid to rest. While no mainstream feature films have produced an evil character with albinism, in 2010 a giant, menacing, scarred, tattooed, albino gladiator did appear on the cable TV Starz series, "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" (above). Conforming to this website's rules of evil albinos in the media, he was blinded by the light reflecting off the hero's shield (people with albinism are sensitive to sun and often visually impaired) and is then decapitated (evil albino characters are violently killed).
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This guy's a hero!
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"Pirates! A Band of Misfits" represents a long awaited step forward: a character with albinism who is not evil and at least vaguely heroic. We only have 2 issues with this fellow. Like most movie roles with albinism, he doesn't have a real name, in this case he is called simply "Albino Pirate." This, however, is one of the running jokes of the film, where all of the pirate crew have similar descriptive names: the captain is named "Pirate Captain," the woman on board posing as a male goes by "The Surprisingly Curvaceous Pirate", etc. Also, the production team opted for stereotypical red eyes, when those with the actual condition have blue or grey eyes. That said, at least he is a supportive member of the team, rather than a sociopathic rapist and/or serial killer. We would have even been comfortable if the studio included a joke about needing to wear sunscreen (folks with albinism are at high risk for skin cancer). Maybe for the sequel!
Howard as Hilly Holbrook in "The Help" has herpes
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Why is Howard's Hilly so mean? |
Is it because she gets cold sores? |
Otherwise knows as herpes?
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In "The Help," Bryce Dallas Howard plays Hilly Holbrook, this summer's most vindictive villain since Lord Voldemort. As a young socialite in 1960's Jackson Mississippi threatened by the changes coming with the African American civil rights movement, Hilly is not above capriciously firing, slandering and falsely accusing maids that get in her way. She is punished, not just in the form of a culinary surprise, but also skinematically: she has herpes.
To clarify, actress Howard (daughter of Opie Cunningham, otherwise known as actor/director Ron Howard) does not have a chronic viral infection. This prominent cold sore is created via makeup to illustrate her character's moral defects. Often triggered by sun exposure and emotional or physical stress, outbreaks can be painful and decidely un-glamorous. We take issue with the concept that herpes is a marker for evil. This common infection strikes all comers, no matter the direction of their moral compass.
Fortunately, a lot has changed since the early 1960's, not just in the area of civil rights. With the advent of antiviral pills, such as Valtrex (valacyclovir), outbreaks can be quickly treated or suppressed entirely. Yet like human rights, we still have a way to go. Once developed, a vaccination or cure for herpes infections will be as welcome as tasty Southern fried chicken.
More at skinema.com:
Mike Tyson's facial tattoos
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Mike Tyson's notorious tatts |
Matched by Bana in "Star Trek"
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Bana in "Chopper": Typecast? |
In the doc "Tyson," audiences spend 90 minutes hearing the inner-most thoughts of ex-boxer/convict Mike Tyson. Viewers have long had a chance to judge Tyson's exterior, especially since he got a Maori-style facial tattoo. Facial tattooing is rare outside of the culture of the indigenous people of New Zealand. Except in movies.
In the prequel "Star Trek," Aussie actor Eric Bana also has facial tatts as the Romulan heavy Nero. Bana is no stranger to playing baddies with body art. In "Chopper" (2000), a barely recognizable Bana portrayed a true life convict covered in tatts.
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American Idol finalist Megan Corkrey |
In Hollywood, tattoos are still (in 2009!) used to identify evil characters. Perhaps that is why facial tattooing continues to carry a social stigma. While even wholesome "American Idol" contestants like Megan Corkrey proudly display extensive body art, no one in the final twelve has even a tiny facial tatt. For those who regret having their features marked, lasers can gradually erase and clear tatoos--even in dark skinned celebs like Tyson. Or there is always the casting call for the next "Star Trek" flick...
Skinema: Actors from Down Under with Tattoos All Over
