Movies I've Seen...
Jack the Giant Slayer
Originally poised to come out in June of 2012 (and moved to get out of the way of “The Dark Knight Rises” ), “Jack the Giant Slayer” escaped being relegated to the movie dumping ground called January for a March release. Directed by Bryan Singer (“X-Men”, “Superman Returns”) and written by Singer’s frequent collaborator Christopher McQuarrie (“The Usual Suspects”, “Apt Pupil”), “Jack the Giant Slayer” offers an action filled retelling of the fairytale.
Nicholas Hoult-who will reunite with Singer for the sequel to “X-Men: First Class”, stars as the titular character. One fateful day Jack meets Princess Isabelle (Emily Tomlinson) who is yearning for adventure from under the overprotective eyes of the king (Ian McShane). She unwittingly finds it when she finds herself catapulted up a beanstalk. Jack joins the King’s men : Elmont (Ewan McGregor), Wicke (Ewen Bremmer) and Crawe (Eddie Marsan) along with the princess’ betrothed Roderick (Stanley Tucci) in a rescue attempt. When the group ascend the beanstalk they realize that the tales handed down over generations about giants’ existence are true. As the team fight to save Amelia and keep themselves from sure death, Jack realizes there is more danger at hand besides the giants.
I first saw the film last summer at a test screening. I was surprised that they were still referring to it as a test screening because the film was completed when the release date was pushed back and it had been so long in between that I was sure they couldn’t get the cast back for reshoots. But the final film does have one change from the summer screening. Instead of opening the film with a straight through CGI animation with an unseen narrator the CGI scenes are interspersed with live action scenes showing someone reciting the tale. I preferred the first version but the final version is a more fitting wrap around for the ending.
After seeing “Warm Bodies” and loving Nicholas Hoult so much in that I realized that JtGS really doesn’t have that much Hoult comparatively, or rather he doesn’t seem to shine as much in this film compared to “Warm Bodies” because this film is more about serving the action and the premise. One person who is wonderful and does marvelously well with the IMO limited focus on characters is Ewan McGregor as the trusted knight of the king. McGregor’s Elmont is swashbuckling and brimming with derring do. He was born to play this role. Also great is Tucci as the duplicitous Roderick. The few laughs that this movie had were because of him.
It’s a really good movie, it’s just that it’s hovering over what it really wants to be. It’s not lighthearted enough to be for kids, but the characters aren’t developed enough and the action scenes are relegated to specific segments versus throughout the film so it lulls a bit I think if it committed to more kids fare or more to the action/character side it would be wholly satisfying. I couldn’t get through any of the Singer “X-Men” film and I did not like “Superman Returns”. I think Singer has grand ideas but executing his vision is something he doesn’t seem to pull off. He can world build but not bring the action. I prefer his dramas more than action films. But I think people will like it more than “Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters”, that’s for sure.
It was the premiere.
And I was really disappointed that it wasn’t held on a weekend. It was held at the TCL Theatres (formerly Grauman’s) so they couldn’t hold it this past weekend because the TCL is adjacent to the Dolby Theater where the Oscars were held. It would’ve been logistically impossible to have the JtGS premiere amidst all the hullabaloo. I don’t’ know why New Line didn’t just hold it at another venue because, to me, in its heart it’s a kids film and the screening needed that energy. I saw the test screening on a Saturday afternoon and it was lively because families were there and it’s an afternoon flick reminiscence of the old serials. It’s not a film I see people seeing at night. But that could just be my weirdness. I feel that some films are better suited for specific times of day.
But the people organizing the screening were looking for people who had kids at the premiere and were trying to get them seated around each other. I guess kids feed off of each other’s enthusiasm. But it was a Tuesday night: there were hardly any kids there so you’re left with the jaded suits and other invited guests who aren’t the demo for the film (though the audience did applaud at two key moments during the film).
I get there I start scanning the room to see who I can see. I see Eddie Marsan, but he was leading his two kids away from the concession stand telling one of them, “We have to go. We can come back.” And the kid did the “I’m-Gonna-Stop-Right-Here-And-Make-You-Make-Me-Move”. So Eddie, holding his other boy in the other hand had to usher his other son into the theater.
I went to my seat for a bit then came back out to the lobby and I see Colton Haynes, JC Chasez and the group of people they were with (a woman and two other guys). Colton was on his own getting popcorn so like any good predator I got him when he was away from his pack. I asked, “Mr. Haynes, could I get a picture?” And he said, “Sure!” I said, “It’ll be okay if you said “no”.” He said, “No, I don’t mind.” Now I wasn’t expecting to see anyone so I had to clamor for my purse. I’m like a bag lady so I have my entire life in my purse so I had to actually set my purse down on the concession counter to rummage through it and I said, “I’m so nervous I can’t actually get my camera.” He was putting his popcorn down and he offered it up to me with a laugh and said, “You want some popcorn?” Gratefully two gals came over and asked for pictures so while he was with them I got my camera out. I thought, “Cool, I’ll just take a picture of him with them.” But as soon as he finished with them and saw that I had my camera he asked if I wanted to get in it with him and I told him that it was okay, no thanks. He said, “Come on. Look, I’ll take it for us.” He was moving to put his popcorn down when a guy came over and offered to take it for us. Colton thanked him. The guy snapped the picture and said, “I don’t think it worked. There was no flash.” I told him I turned the flash off to keep from blinding people. He offered to take another, but he wasn’t sure what to push. I’ve only had the camera since January and only used it twice so I was thinking how I wasn’t even going to be able to explain how to work the damn thing if he asked questions As he’s figuring it out, I said to Colton, “See how much trouble this is?” He told me it was all right or no worries or something to that effect. I rubbed his back (my arm was around him) in thanks. He was wearing the softest, creamiest leather jacket in all of creation. They must’ve injected that calf with butter and gave it a massage as they slaughtered it. That was a good jacket. And Colton is so soft-spoken. I imagined he’d be a total frat dudebro, but he’s so kindly and gentle, almost like Mister Rogers. Of course that makes me think he’s a serial killer. He can’t be that nice. **
Picture taken.
Thanked him and went on my way. Now at this point I was debating whether to ask JC for a picture but I didn’t want to look like a starf*cker just moving on from one to another so I hoped that I would see him after the screening. I didn’t. And that sucked because I wasn’t a N’Sync fan (more like I would never ever ever ever admit to liking their music) but I love JC. JC should have the career Justin Timberlake is having.
Go into the theater and take my seat. A woman runs down to my row and says that she just got Nicholas Hoult’s picture. I turn around and I could see him taking pictures. Usually security shuts that down because they stand sentry near the rows were the actors are (inside the theater versus the lobby where it’s a free-for-all). But Nicholas moved out of his row and was going around greeting people so fans were grabbing him left and right. He’d eat a kernel of popcorn, someone would ask him for a picture, he’d lean down, take it, go back to eating popcorn. I got a better look at him as he was leaving the theater (he looks like a handsome alien) but couldn’t get in front of the throng to take a picture.
Should’ve played young!Spock
After the film was over I was looking around to see if I could see Tucci or Nighy (who I have mad crush on)
and then I saw Marsan again. This time he was taking his boys to the bathroom so I didn’t want to bother him. As he was going in Anthony LaPaglia was coming out of the restroom, wiping his hands on his pants.
I stood there for a bit and Patrick Stewart was coming out of the theater with a guy and Stewart told him how he was going “downstairs for a beer” and I thought, “what is he talking about? There’s no downstairs here.” Then I realized they were holding the afterparty at the Roosevelt Hotel across the street and they have bar in the lobby. I debated on asking him for a picture but I decided not. Good thing I didn’t because the next day I checked the photo services to see if Ewan had attended or not and I see a picture of Stewart with his friend….the friend was Michael Dorn, his costar from “Star Trek: The Next Generation”. He was the Klingon. I did not recognize him at all. I am so glad I didn’t ask for a picture because I’d be like, “Mr. Stewart, can I have a picture? Can you tell your friend to move the hell out the way? I’m trying to take a picture with you.” Maybe if Dorn wasn’t rocking a grey mustache I would’ve recognized him. Maybe. Another person I didn’t take a picture of---and I actually regret this one-was Hal Sparks of “Queer as Folk”. Hal is a Jensen Ackles level hater when it comes to Gale Harold. That’s the only bad thing I can think about Hal. I’ve met him a few times, he’s always been awesome. QAF was my first fandom. I owe so much to that show because I made great friends, supremely special people in my life because of that show and I should’ve honored that by at least asking for a picture in remembrance of those days. He was singing softly to himself, unnoticed. I don’t know what I would’ve said to him, “I loved you in that role you had 10 years ago? I love you on “Lab Rats”?” I can’t believe I turned my back on a QAF alum! That show was my heart.
**After seeing Marsan for the first time I saw a man who I thought was Omar Sy from "The Intoucheables" but I wasn't sure if it was him. because I have only seen a picture of him in the poster for the film and in a few mags and I definitely has never heard him speak. Saturday Bryan Singer tweeted that Omar has been cast in "X-Men: Futures Past" so I have confirmation it was definitely Omar at the premiere.
Feeling that I had seen all the people I was going to see I headed for the doors and there was Marsan and his kids again (little guys 3 and 4). The four year old was holding his hand and he had the 3-year old in his arms. An older woman asked him, “Were they scared seeing daddy chased by giants?” And laughed boisterously and said, “Oh, they loved it!” I took that moment to congratulate him and tell him I’m a fan and he thanked me as he tried to keep his 3-year old from climbing up his neck. I heard security speak in his walkie-talkie that only one of the talent was still there (Marsan) so I headed outside. That’s when Eddie came out and I jumped in as someone was taking a picture with him.
His babies love him
**Back to Colton. I checked his Twitter to see what he would say about the premiere and that afternoon he talked about going to support his friend Bryan Singer. Now I would never talk out of turn ::I say as I fan myself as I sip sweet tea like those Southern women digging in to gossip:: But one longstanding rumor was that Colton was trade when he first came to L.A. I don’t think that’s true. He’s a good looking guy. I can see men plying him with gifts for his company, but I don’t see him having an outcall service with muscle circling the building to jump in in case anything goes wrong. Separate from that rumor is one that Singer has a predilection for barely legal escorts/dudes and that he use to throw these wild parties with barely legal, sometimes not legal guys. It’s this alleged predilection that got him sued when he directed “Apt Pupil” by teenagers on the set who felt coerced into doing a nude shot when initially they were to wear flesh colored underwear. Now I don’t know if the Colton/Escort and Singer love of twink escorts go hand and hand, but there you go.
You can see why people would pay for his ::ahem:: companionship.
*With his dude bros JC, Kyle Howard and Matthew Morrison in Sydney.
This shouldn’t turn me on, but it does.
Stoker
When India Stoker’s (Maia Wasikowska) father dies (Dermot Mulroney), she’s surprised by the arrival of his brother Charlie (Matthew Goode), a man she never knew existed. Good-looking and charming India’s mother Evelyn (Nicole Kidman) is quick to offer up their home to Charlie. Already withdrawn and distant with her mother, seeing the way Evelyn swan behind Charlie makes India at once intrigued and distrustful of him. But the more India sees of Charlie the more she opens up and realizes that they have more in common than meets the eye.
A film that looks like a Douglas Sirk film (gorgeous 50’s styled wardrobe) that landed in a K-Horror film: all repressed sexuality and sudden violence. The film is the U.S debut of Korean director Park Chan-Wook (“Oldboy”)
With his cast
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and with the staccato shots and just off-center camera set-ups it’s easy to see his popularity. Everything he does sets up for the film to be uncomfortable from the start. The actors are great (Phyllis Somerville, “The Big C”, Jacki Weaver (“Silver Linings Playbook”) and my new talent crush Alden Ehrenreich (“Beautiful Creatures”) have small roles) Matthew Goode plays the character too on the nose sometimes. It’s like he’s advertising “this character is not to be trusted” instead of just letting the action speak for itself. Wasikowska is wonderful as India who is the epitome of “looks can be deceiving”. Dressed up like a schoolmarm, with a woman-child air she is never without an arch word for her mother and the picture of insolence. And as India comes into her own we see the true strength and depth of her nature.
I enjoyed it but the film screams “Indie Art Film” and it seems a lot gimmicky but it’s just lurid and brings an air of unease enough to make it worthwhile. And the script by Hottie McHotterson Wentworth Miller proves he’s beautiful and has an interesting and warped mind. Like every Gemini…which is why I love being a Gemini.
*THe trailer which gives away too much information.
Click to view~I Leave You With.
Tom Welling living it up in Austin. Apparently “Parkland” wrapped and Tom is still bumming around town not being able to hide from cameras.
Apparently this poor gal posted this picture of she and Tom and people began bombarding her with questions of if she’s his girlfriend so she set her account to private. No she’s not Tom’s girlfriend
But this dude got his arm around Tom like he’s his boyfriend. Again. How does this many people know him considering the ratings “Smallville” received. These closet SV viewers!!
